As we approach the fast and feast of St Mary, it is an appropriate time to reflect on what we gain from St Mary’s life of purity. This is particularly relevant for us today as we live in a world where purity seems to be against the norm of today’s youth and society in general. Some may ask: ‘What does purity really mean?’, ‘Is God so concerned with purity even today?’, ‘What was so special about St Mary that the angel declared ‘Hail O full of grace…blessed are you among women…you have found favour with God’. We need to look a little closer at the life of St Mary to find out what it was that pleased God so much about her.
What is meant by ‘Purity’?
Firstly we need to understand how God considers purity. According to Jewish traditions as evidenced in the Holy Bible, purity was a matter of a series of rituals performed on the body. For example, Jesus was often criticised by the Jewish leaders for allowing His disciples to eat with unwashed hands, as opposed to the tradition of elders of cleansing as a ritualistic act of purity:
“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” (Mat 15: 2). But Jesus replied with the words of Isaiah the prophet: “These people honour Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me”, reminding them that they also break God’s commandments with their traditions (V 6-9). It is obvious here that Jesus is more concerned with purity of the heart, rather than physical acts of purity. He is more concerned with acts of forgiveness, love, mercy and other virtues which up-build and enrich our relationship with God and others. This does not mean, of course, that purity of the body is unimportant, for God has given us our bodies to be temples for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit- see 1 Cor 6: 19. This is in complete contrast to the world’s views about the body. The world teaches that your body is your own, but in this verse St Paul reminds us ‘and you are not your own’. This is why he warns against lewdness, greed, bodily lusts (Eph 4: 19), anger and lies (Eph 4: 25, 26). In 1 Cor 6: 9, 10 ST Paul makes this quite clear: “Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, idolaters, nor adulterers, homosexuals…thieves…drunkards…will inherit the Kingdom of God”.
St Mary’s purity
For St Mary, purity meant a life of meekness and humility of the heart, as she considered herself to be God’s maidservant. She truly felt this as she magnified God, saying:
“my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant” (Luke 1: 47, 48), “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly” (v 52).
This is similar to what Jesus Himself indicated about the person who is greatest in the Kingdom of heaven, as He brought a little child in front of His disciples and said: “Unless you are converted and become a little children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of heaven” (Mat 18: 3).
Of course St Mary not only lived a life of purity of heart, but was always intent on having an undefiled body. When the angel Gabriel gave her the news of the Lord’s incarnation through her, she questioned him about how this might take place, since she did not ‘know’ a man. This was despite being betrothed to St Joseph. Yet she did not contemplate consummating the marriage in the true sense- i.e. not having a physical relationship with her intended husband. This is why we honour her as the ‘ever-virgin’. Therefore St Mary had purity of the heart, as well as keeping her body undefiled.
The value of purity
My friend, have you considered the great value you receive through a life of purity? There is great gain to be made for both you physical, psychological and spiritual needs. How many illnesses have you heard about which relate to physical promiscuity? How many marriages broken down as a result of this? How many times have we suffered for not having purity of heart- For not living a life of humility? For getting angry and regretting it afterwards/ For losing our peace and possibly undergoing emotional turmoil? How often have we displeased God because of the lusts we carry, the impurities of our thoughts or actions? How many times have we felt our spiritual lives have become lukewarm as a result of our lack of purity, and felt we could not come close to God? Truly the words of the Lord Jesus shine forth as He plainly declares:
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Mat 5: 8).
Conclusion
As we approach the fast of St Mary, take a closer look my friend at the many benefits the life of purity brings you. Take the purity of St Mary as your example in life. Learn from her humility and simplicity the life of purity of the heart. Learn from her the life of virginity to control the lusts of the body and mind. Take her as your example that you may truly behold the beauty of the Lord who comes only to those whose hearts are purified; that you too may receive the joyful message of the angel:
“Rejoice…you have found favour with God”.
