It’s the dawn of a new year and the final day of the Octave of Christmas, marked by the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. In the Catholic Church, a solemnity is one of the highest-ranking feast days, generally requiring attendance at Mass, except in cases of exceptional circumstances. Christmas and Easter top the list of solemnities, celebrating Jesus’s birth and resurrection, but the Solemnity of Mary is significant as well.
While the Virgin Mary is highly venerated in Catholic and Orthodox traditions, her role can be a point of contention for some Protestants. Some question whether honoring her or seeking her intercession veers into idolatry.
Of course, Catholic and Orthodox Christians would argue that asking Christ’s mother to pray for them is no different than asking for anyone here on earth to pray for them—but Protestants who retain some reservations about this might be surprised to learn that Martin Luther, arguably the chief father of the Reformation, was a great admirer of St. Mary.
‘WE CAN NEVER HONOR HER ENOUGH.’
Despite his criticisms of the Church of his day, Luther did not oppose the veneration of the Virgin Mary. On the contrary, he argued in 1522 that “The veneration of Mary is inscribed in the very depths of the human heart,” and praised her in 1531 as the “highest woman and the noblest gem in Christianity after Christ,” even if her veneration should not detract from believers’ focus Christ or the Scriptures.
Whether or not you’re inclined to join a Catholic service in honor of Mary on this day, you might take time to reflect on her pivotal role in the Christmas story. If you still have her but live apart from her, perhaps consider making time to call or visit you own mother today, too.
Happy New Year!
