Episode 2506: Hail Mary, Full of Grace with Sharon

Hail Mary, Full of Grace:
Unpacking the Profound Meaning
Walt: Welcome to CatholicReboot, where we delve into the depths of faith and explore the timeless truths of the Catholic tradition. Today, we'll be unpacking the profound meaning behind the Angel Gabriel's greeting to Mary, "Hail, full of grace"
But before we get started I will open with a prayer.
Opening Prayer: "Hail Mary Full of Grace"
Heavenly Father,
As we gather in Your presence, we honor the Blessed Virgin Mary, the mother of Your Son, who was graced beyond all others to bring our Savior into the world. We come before You with hearts filled with gratitude, as we meditate on the words: "Hail Mary, full of grace."
O Immaculate Virgin, full of God's grace, we ask for your intercession in our lives. Help us to walk in holiness, to follow your example of humility, obedience, and faith. Guide us ever closer to your Son, Jesus Christ, that we may receive the fullness of His grace and love.
Lord, pour out upon us the same grace You bestowed on Mary, that we may be strengthened in our faith, steadfast in our hope, and filled with charity toward all. May we, like Mary, humbly accept Your will in our lives and trust in Your divine plan.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Walt: This is a fascinating topic, Sharon. It's a phrase we've heard countless times, but perhaps we haven't fully grasped its significance. Let's dive right in.
Angel Gabriel's Greeting
Sharon: "Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus."
Walt: This greeting is a cornerstone of our Catholic tradition, yet it's filled with layers of meaning. Let's start by breaking down the word "Hail."
The Meaning of "Hail"
Sharon: The word "Hail" in its original Greek context conveys a sense of extraordinary honor and respect, reserved for someone of high stature. It's as if Gabriel is recognizing Mary as a queen, a chosen one of God.
Walt: That's a powerful perspective. It highlights Mary's unique position in salvation history.
"Full of Grace"
Sharon: Now let's consider the phrase "full of grace." This is where we delve into the heart of Catholic Mariology.
Walt: Indeed. It's a phrase that has been pondered by theologians for centuries.
The Immaculate Conception
Sharon: The Catholic Church teaches that Mary was conceived without original sin, a doctrine known as the Immaculate Conception. This is rooted in the understanding that "full of grace" indicates a state of sinlessness.
Walt: It's a remarkable belief, emphasizing Mary's unique relationship with God and her role as the Mother of the Redeemer.
St. Thomas Aquinas
Sharon: St. Thomas Aquinas, one of the greatest theologians of the Church, offered valuable insights into Mary's fullness of grace. He argued that she possessed this grace not only at the moment of the Annunciation but throughout her entire life. And, I would add that this is why she was never tempted to sin. I had heard that since Adam and Eve sinned and therefore lost their “grace” with God, they had to start over learning and receiving that grace after they left the garden? Your thoughts on that? I had also heard that Joseph was given these graces after he accepted Mary as his spouse because he agreed to be the earthly father of the Son of God. Your thoughts on that?
Walt: This highlights Mary's ongoing relationship with God and her perfect cooperation with His will.
Mary as the New
Sharon: Another important aspect of Mary's role is her connection to Eve. Theologians often refer to her as the "New Eve."
Walt: This comparison highlights the contrast between Eve's disobedience and Mary's obedience. Mary's role was crucial in reversing the effects of the Fall.
Mediatrix of Grace
Sharon: While not explicitly stated in the text, Catholic tradition extends the understanding of "full of grace" to include Mary's role as a Mediatrix. She is seen as a bridge between humanity and God, interceding for our graces and blessings.
Walt: This emphasizes Mary's ongoing role in the spiritual life of the Church.
Sharon: In conclusion, the words "Hail, full of grace" encapsulate the profound meaning and significance of Mary's role in salvation history. Her sinlessness, her fullness of grace, and her unique relationship with God make her a worthy model for all believers.
Walt: It's a beautiful reminder of the power of God's grace and the extraordinary role that Mary plays in our lives.
Sharon: Now let’s juxtapose it against the Protestant viewpoint who view Mary as nothing more than a vessel whose purpose stopped after Christs birth. I have to add that I always say, how can you carry the Christ child in your womb and not be changed?
Protestant views that reduce Mary’s role to that of a mere vessel ignore the theological significance of the angel Gabriel’s greeting, “Hail, full of grace” (Luke 1:28). In Catholic theology, this phrase means that Mary was uniquely prepared and filled with God’s grace to be the Mother of the Redeemer.
Walt: Immaculate Conception: Catholic teaching holds that Mary was conceived without original sin, making her sinless and entirely pure—a worthy vessel not only to bear Christ but also to become the "New Eve." This teaching highlights her special place in salvation history, something that a Protestant interpretation of Mary as merely a vessel and Sharon:was sinless overlooks.Sharon:Although I was always taught that Christ was the New Adam. Guess there was no need for a New Eve!? I was also taught that if Mary were sinless, she could die for our sins.
Duns Scotus: The theologian who formalized the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception argued that it was fitting for Mary to be preserved from sin in order to perfectly cooperate with the divine will. To call her merely a vessel would neglect the significance of her sinlessness and her active role in salvation.
St. Thomas Aquinas: For Aquinas, Mary’s fullness of grace prepared her for her singular mission. He emphasized that her perfection in grace surpassed that of all other creatures because she was to become the Mother of God. The Protestant view underplays the depth and purpose of this grace, reducing Mary’s role to a functional one, whereas Catholic theology emphasizes her spiritual and redemptive participation.
Sharon: Mary as Theotokos (Mother of God):
The Protestant viewpoint also tends to reject or downplay the title Theotokos (Mother of God), which was confirmed at the Council of Ephesus in 431. By denying this, Protestants diminish Mary’s role in the mystery of the Incarnation. Catholic theology, however, firmly holds that Mary is the Theotokos, emphasizing her dignity and special place in salvation. My understanding of this was that Mary was the mother of Christ, the god-man, therefore could not be the mother of God the Trinity. Other Protestants may have other views.
St. Cyril of Alexandria (Council of Ephesus): He defended the title of Theotokos: “If anyone does not confess that the Emmanuel is truly God and that the Holy Virgin is the Mother of God... let him be anathema.” This title affirms that Mary was not just a vessel but the very Mother of God, giving birth to the Second Person of the Trinity in His human nature.
Motherhood and Role in Salvation: Calling Mary simply a vessel denies the reality that her motherhood is essential to the Incarnation. As the Mother of God, her relationship with Christ is not merely biological, but deeply spiritual and integral to the mystery of salvation.
Sharon: Mary as the New Eve:
Catholic theology traditionally presents Mary as the New Eve, contrasting her obedience to Eve’s disobedience. Just as Eve played an active role in bringing sin into the world, Mary played an active role in its redemption by her willing cooperation with God's plan. Protestants who see Mary as only a vessel miss this deeper theological connection.
St. Irenaeus: In the 2nd century, Irenaeus explained: “The knot of Eve’s disobedience was untied by Mary’s obedience; what the virgin Eve bound by her unbelief, the Virgin Mary loosed by her faith.” Mary’s role as the New Eve highlights her active participation in the salvation of mankind, not just as a physical means for Christ to enter the world, but as a willing and graced participant in God's plan.
Mary as Mediatrix and Advocate:
Catholic tradition recognizes Mary’s role not only as the Mother of God but also as an intercessor and Mediatrix of graces. Protestant views often reject these roles, which in Catholic thought derive from Mary’s fullness of grace and her unique relationship with her Son.
Mediatrix of All Graces: The Catholic belief that all graces flow through Mary is a natural consequence of her being “full of grace.” As the Mother of Christ and the New Eve, Mary has a special role in dispensing God’s grace to humanity. By reducing her to a vessel, Protestant theology misses this ongoing and active role of Mary in the life of the Church.
St. Louis de Montfort: He famously wrote: “God, having given us Jesus Christ through Mary, wishes that we receive all graces through her.” This idea, central to Catholic Mariology, demonstrates that Mary’s role is far from passive or incidental. She is an ongoing participant in the distribution of divine grace.
Walt: Mary’s Perpetual Virginity and Holiness:
Protestant theology often denies Mary’s perpetual virginity, which is a key element of Catholic belief. This denial further diminishes Mary’s role and status in salvation history. The Catholic Church teaches that Mary’s perpetual virginity is a sign of her total consecration to God and her singular holiness.
St. Jerome: He fiercely defended Mary’s perpetual virginity, arguing that her physical and spiritual virginity signify her complete devotion and holiness. Mary’s virginity is not just a biological fact but a reflection of her purity and grace. To reduce her role to that of a mere vessel undermines the importance of this sacred teaching.
Sharon: Protestant Error of Mary
When Protestants claim that Mary was simply a vessel and nothing more, they overlook the profound theological significance that Catholic tradition attributes to her. In Catholic theology, Mary’s role as the Mother of God, her Immaculate Conception, her cooperation in salvation as the New Eve, and her intercessory role as Mediatrix of All Graces make her far more than a vessel. She is an essential and active participant in God’s redemptive plan, uniquely prepared by grace to fulfill her mission. Thus, the Protestant view diminishes her dignity and her ongoing importance in the life of the Church.

Walt: Now lets look at The phrase "the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus" is deeply significant in traditional Catholic theology. It reflects profound truths about the Blessed Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, and the mystery of God's grace and salvation.
1. "The Lord is with you"
This phrase affirms that Mary has been specially chosen by God, and His divine presence is with her in a unique and unparalleled way. The traditional Catholic understanding, rooted in Scripture (Luke 1:28), is that Mary is "full of grace" because God has prepared her from her conception to be a vessel worthy of bearing His Son. This statement also highlights Mary’s role in salvation history God’s plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ begins with her fiat (her "yes" to God’s will).
In the context of traditional Catholic teaching, Mary’s being "with the Lord" emphasizes her sinlessness (Immaculate Conception) and perfect openness to God’s grace. This state of grace allowed her to fully cooperate with God’s salvific plan, making her not only the Mother of Jesus but also a model for all the faithful in humility and obedience to God.

Sharon: 2. "Blessed are you among women"
This statement acknowledges Mary’s exalted status above all other women due to her unique role as the Mother of God (Theotokos). In traditional Catholic thought, her blessedness is not just a reward for being chosen as Christ’s mother, but it also signifies her unique sanctity and the honor God has bestowed upon her. I would add that when we did the episode on Life given by God, we quoted Jeremiah 1 where God says that He ordained and sanctified Jeremiah in the womb. So, we understand that God did and could do these things in the past, why would he not continue to do them moving forward.
Saint Thomas Aquinas reflects on Mary’s unparalleled dignity, explaining that no one could have been found more suited to be the Mother of Christ. The Church Fathers, such as St. Augustine, often spoke of Mary's holiness, emphasizing that she was blessed not only because of her role but because of her deep faith and perfect obedience to God’s will.
Walt: 3. "Blessed is the fruit of your womb"
This portion exalts Jesus, affirming His divine identity and centrality in God’s plan of salvation. The "fruit" of Mary's womb is Jesus, who is both fully God and fully man. From a traditional Catholic perspective, this phrase highlights that Jesus, as the fruit of Mary’s womb, is the fulfillment of the promises made to Israel and the Savior of humanity. Mary’s womb becomes the sacred tabernacle (the ark of the covenant?) that houses the Incarnate Word, making her role in salvation essential.
The blessing of the fruit (Jesus) directly relates to Mary’s maternity, underscoring that she gave birth to the Redeemer. In traditional Catholic devotion, this leads to the veneration of Mary as the Mother of God (Council of Ephesus, 431 A.D.) and places her in a unique relationship with the Church as the spiritual mother of all believers.
Spiritual and Devotional Significance
From a traditional Catholic perspective, this entire passage is not only a theological statement but also a profound expression of the faithful’s love and honor for Mary, acknowledging her as the mother of Jesus and the one through whom God’s grace entered the world. This phrase is a central part of the Hail Mary prayer, which is repeated in the Rosary a devotion that centers on the mysteries of Christ’s life through Mary’s eyes.
Mary’s special blessing is a model for the faithful to strive for holiness and seek her intercession in their spiritual journey. By recognizing her blessedness, Catholics also acknowledge their own call to be "with the Lord" and to bear spiritual fruit through grace and obedience to God.
This passage is, therefore, a concise summary of Marian doctrine, Christology, and the intimate relationship between Mary and her Divine Son, Jesus Christ. It encapsulates the mystery of the Incarnation and Mary’s privileged role in the economy of salvation.
Closing Prayer
Sharon: Let us conclude with a prayer: O Mary, conceived without original sin, pray for us who have recourse to you. Amen.
Walt: Thank you for joining us today. We hope this exploration of the meaning behind the Angels message to Mary has been insightful and inspiring.