Handmaid of the Lord

New Eve

“I, your servant, have never eaten at the table of Haman, nor have I graced the banquet of
the king or drunk the wine of libations. From the day I was brought here till now, your
servant has had no joy except in you, Lord, God of Abraham. O God, whose power is over
all, hear the voice of those in despair. Save us from the power of the wicked, and deliver me
from my fear.”
Esther 4, (C) 28-30 (NAB)

And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word.”
Luke 1, 38

The Catholic doctrine recognizing the Blessed Virgin Mary as the new Eve – often described as the spiritual “mother of all the living” – emerged as a central belief within the Christian community by the second century. This understanding was not merely an assertive theological perspective held by a select group of early theologians, but rather a widely accepted tenet of the Apostolic Tradition of the Church. Notably, the Church Fathers, such as Justin Martyr and Irenaeus, prominently articulated this connection in their apologetic writings, where they defended the Christian faith against various critiques from non-believers, Jewish thought, and Gnostic interpretations.

Justin Martyr, in his dialogues, drew parallels between the obedience of Mary and the disobedience of Eve, establishing Mary as an embodiment of grace and obedience that counteracts Eve’s fall. Similarly, Irenaeus emphasized Mary as the “cause of salvation” for herself and the rest of humanity, reinforcing her essential role in God’s redemptive plan. Throughout the first millennium, the Patristic Fathers consistently developed and expounded upon these foundational doctrines received from the apostles, weaving them into the broader tapestry of the Christian faith. Their teachings underscored Mary’s integral participation in the divine order of redemption, highlighting her unique position in salvation history as a model of faith and obedience, which continues to inspire the faithful today.

The concept of Mary as the new Eve, the liberated woman whom God promised from the very beginning of creation, emerges from a profound reflection on Paul’s teachings regarding Jesus as the second Adam (1 Cor 15:20-23, 25). Early Church Fathers, in their theological explorations, interpreted the Apostle Paul’s words within the larger narrative of the fall of Adam and Eve. They understood this narrative as the backdrop for the promise of redemption and the ultimate triumph over Satan. This belief included the notion that Satan would face a humiliating defeat, achieved through the faith and love embodied by an immaculate woman—Mary.

Mary’s role was seen as pivotal; her free and willing consent to become the mother of the Lord and Savior was considered essential for the Incarnation. Her submission to God’s will represented a stark contrast to Eve’s action, which had led humanity into sin. The implications of her moral participation were profound. With Mary’s obedient act of faith, the potential existed for the dominion of the Devil over souls to be irrevocably shattered with the arrival of the divine Messiah. This fulfillment of God’s ancient promise, as foreshadowed in Genesis 3:15, highlighted Mary’s crucial role in salvation history, marking her not only as a figure of faith but as a foundational element in the redemption of humanity. Her dedication and grace illuminated the path for a new beginning, restoring what was lost through the first disobedience.

The nascent Christian Church was primarily made up of Hebrew converts who deeply understood the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. These early believers, guided by the Holy Spirit, likely recognized a profound theological connection between two pivotal moments in salvation history: the forbidden fruit that Eve offered to Adam in the Garden of Eden (Gen3:6-8) and the fruit that Mary, the Mother of Jesus, brought forth to humanity from her blessed womb (Lk 1:42).

Eve’s choice to eat the forbidden fruit symbolized humanity’s first act of disobedience to God, leading to the fall and introducing sin into the world. This act resulted in mankind’s alienation from God, ushering in both physical death and spiritual separation from the divine. In stark contrast, Mary’s offering through her acceptance of God’s will brought forth the Incarnation of Christ and served as a means of reconciliation between God and humanity. Unlike Eve, whose actions led to despair and separation, Mary’s obedience heralded a new beginning, offering hope for eternal life and restoring the relationship between God and His creation. This theological understanding underscores the significance of Mary in salvation history, presenting her not just as the mother of Jesus but as a pivotal figure in reversing the effects of original sin.

From sacred Scripture, we understand that Eve was intended to be Adam’s “helpmate,” as stated in Genesis 2:18. However, her actions led to a disastrous outcome for both her and humanity as a whole. When Eve proposed to Adam that they eat from the forbidden tree, it set into motion their fall from grace, as detailed in Genesis 3:6, 8-13. This moment marked the outset of human disobedience and the beginning of suffering and separation from God. On the contrary, Mary embraced her role as God’s helpmate in the profound act of redemption. When the angel Gabriel delivered the momentous news of her impending motherhood, Mary responded with “faith and joy” (Lk 1:38), exemplifying her unwavering trust in God’s plan. Unlike Eve, who succumbed to the seductive lies of the serpent, Mary remained steadfast in her commitment to God. While Eve sought joy in the fleeting and deceptive allurements of the material world, ultimately leading to her downfall, Mary sought joy solely in her relationship with God and His divine purpose.

The serpent, aware of Eve’s vulnerabilities, recognized the allure of the forbidden fruit and skillfully twisted God’s word to entice her. He took advantage of her curiosity and desire, leading to a fateful decision. In contrast, despite the potential for personal sacrifice and societal scorn, Mary’s acceptance of God’s will highlights her strength and faith, demonstrating a stark divergence from Eve’s choices. Thus, through her profound “faith working through love” (Gal 5:5-6), Mary held an essential and dynamic role in the redemption of humanity. Living in a perpetual state of grace, she exemplified total devotion and a desire to fulfill God’s will, which uniquely positioned her to mediate the birth of the Redeemer into the world. The significance of her fiat, her willing acceptance of God’s invitation, was paramount; without her free consent to become the mother of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of God’s plan for salvation could not have been realized.

The fruit of her womb, Jesus, is the source through which grace, justification, and forgiveness could be extended to humankind, allowing for the regeneration of souls and reconnection with God through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. This is because Mary’s participation was not merely passive; rather, her active and unwavering faith and commitment played a crucial role in the divine narrative of redemption, underscoring the importance of her unique cooperation with God’s will. This partnership was decreed and reflects the depth of divine love and the intricate interplay between human willingness and divine purpose in the overarching story of salvation.

God’s choice of Our Blessed Lady extends beyond a mere physiological role. It acknowledges her inherent human dignity and the fact that she was created in the divine likeness, as outlined in Genesis 1:27. God’s sovereign omnipotence does not diminish His fundamental goodness and righteousness. The eternal Divine Word had the option to become human like Adam, who was formed from the clay of the earth (Gen 2:7). However, God chose to incarnate through a woman, as stated in Galatians 4:4, highlighting a profound respect for the human experience and the role of motherhood in the divine plan.

The profound truth is that God had something far more significant in mind for Mary than merely being a natural mother when He intricately fashioned her soul and sanctified it at the moment of her conception. As noted in Luke 1:28, God preserved her free from every stain of sin, endowing her with a unique grace that set her apart in the divine plan of salvation. Our heavenly Father decreed that Mary’s motherhood would transcend the biological; it was destined to be moral and spiritual in essence. She was predestined to be inextricably linked to the mission of her Son, Jesus Christ, in His redemptive work for humanity.

Mary’s collaboration with God in the unfolding of His grace was essential, especially in light of the Fall, where Eve’s choice to disobey God led to humanity’s estrangement from Him. Eve’s transgression, which plunged the world into sin, required a remedy that could only be achieved through a perfect reciprocation of obedience. The incarnation of Christ was not a happenstance occurrence but relied heavily on the Virgin Mary’s willing and salutary acceptance of her role as the mother of our Lord and Savior—the unblemished Lamb of God. In the timeless words of Melito de Sardis from his Easter Homily (A.D. 170), he poetically declared, “He was born of Mary the fair ewe,” which evokes the image of Mary as a pure and sacred vessel through whom the divine became incarnate. This underscores her unparalleled significance as a mother and as a key figure in restoring grace and salvation for all humankind.

The hope for the world’s salvation hinges on the exemplary faith and charity demonstrated by our Blessed Lady through her act of obedience. This divine arrangement aligns perfectly with God’s inherent goodness and righteousness. The narrative draws a parallel with the story of Eve, who, in her pivotal role, contributed to the moral downfall of Adam—symbolizing all of humanity—by yielding to the serpent’s cunning temptation.

It is often suggested that Eve’s decision was rooted in her egoism, reflecting the profound struggle against pride, which led her to defy God’s command. Much like Lucifer, the fallen angel who enticed her in the guise of a serpent, Eve was swayed by a desire that ultimately superseded her devotion to God. This desire stemmed from an excessive love of self, commonly associated with a misguided pursuit of fulfillment through materiality. Her choice to disregard the instruction Adam relayed about God’s prohibition on consuming the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge signified a critical loss of faith. By accepting the serpent’s deceptive words, she sought to elevate herself to a status akin to God, driven by a selfish and misguided longing for happiness. This audacious yearning to be the arbiter of her own existence—essentially a form of “radical self-deification”—led her to assert her own will over divine authority, positioning herself in a state of autonomy that ultimately separated her from God’s grace.

Mary, on the other hand, made a profound moral contribution to humanity’s reconciliation with God by humbly accepting the angel Gabriel’s momentous proposition. She embraced this divine message with both humility and an unwavering love for God. In her heart, she sought what was in harmony with God’s will, finding her only joy and peace in the God of Abraham, the foundational figure of her faith. Her alignment with God’s will was not merely a passive acceptance; it stemmed from a deep-rooted conviction that esteemed the divine plan above her personal desires. Mary’s steadfast love and unwavering trust in God exemplified the essence of faith deeply rooted in Judaic thought. She recognized God as the architect of her life, the Creator upon whom she ultimately depended, and in whom she placed all her confidence. For Mary, life apart from God was inconceivable. This world’s fleeting and vain pleasures held no allure for her; instead, she prioritized spiritual fulfillment and divine purpose. Her life was a testament to the profound connection between human obedience and divine grace, illustrating how the purity of intention and love can lead to the most significant spiritual transformations.

In light of Eve’s transgression, which introduced sin and separation from God into the world, Mary’s unwavering faith in the virtues of charity and grace provided a temporary reprieve from Divine justice. Her profound humility and devotion charmed the Divine, compelling God to choose to become incarnate in her womb. This pivotal moment allowed God to shift His gaze from Eve’s breach of trust to Mary’s unwavering faithfulness and unconditional love, even amidst the profound unworthiness exhibited by fallen humanity. Consequently, the Son of God was now positioned to reverse the consequences of Adam’s sin. In an ultimate act of love, He willingly chose to empty Himself, taking on the humble form of a servant—essentially embracing our shared humanity. This was manifested in His acceptance of a humiliating death on the cross, an act rooted deeply in His absolute love for the Father and His perfect obedience to the divine will, as illuminated in Philippians 2:5-8.

Moreover, for God to enter the world in such a transformative way, Mary had to embody the same mindset and interior disposition that characterized her divine Son: an attitude of humility and a profound poverty of spirit. Her willingness to accept this role indicated her liberty of will and moral responsibility to respond to God’s call, emphasizing that her participation in the incarnation was not merely passive but an active embrace of divine purpose. This sovereign choice by Mary illustrates the profound interplay of grace and free will as God enacted a reconciliation plan for mankind.

Therefore, it follows that God would not have chosen to enter the world through any means other than through a woman’s profound faith and unconditional charity. This woman, often revered as the Blessed Virgin Mary, stands in stark contrast to Eve, whose indifference and disobedience led to humanity’s alienation from God. By accepting God’s will in her Fiat at the Annunciation, Mary acknowledged His presence and effectively canceled out Eve’s initial rejection of Him.

This pivotal moment marked the invitation for God to re-enter a fallen world, offering the opportunity to undo the consequences wrought by Adam’s transgression, which stemmed from Eve’s suggestion. While Eve’s participation in the original sin brought about spiritual and physical death for humankind, the Blessed Mother’s cooperation brought forth the promise of redemption. Mary’s acceptance and embodiment of faith and charity opened a path toward salvation for all. It calls for believers to emulate her unwavering trust in God’s grace and her loving responsiveness to His invitation. In doing so, individuals foster a deeper relationship with God and embrace the hope of salvation that her example richly provides.

By vindicating Eve, Mary became the maternal advocate of the entire human race, taking on a pivotal role in salvation history. In this profound context, she truly embodies the essence of our spiritual mother—her womb has been a sacred vessel that ushered in regeneration and reconciliation, restoring humanity’s relationship with God through her unwavering faith and boundless love. The blessed fruit of her womb, Jesus Christ, is now accessible to all mankind, symbolically represented as nourishment from the Tree of Life (Gen 3:24; Lk 1:42-44). This divine gift can be partaken of due to her congruous merits, which are intricately tied to the condign merits of her divine Son, who is the living Font of all grace.

Ever since Mary joyfully consented to be the mother of our Lord and Savior, her hands have been outstretched in generosity, holding the promise of eternal life. This sacred consent, rooted in charity and grace, marks the beginning of a new covenant between God and humanity, making Mary a cornerstone of faith for believers. Through her intercession and maternal care, the faithful find solace and support on their journey toward holiness and salvation as she continually invites them to partake in the divine life that flows from her Son.

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God hath shined forth.
Psalm 50, 2

EARLY SACRED TRADITION

St. Justin Martyr (A.D. 155)
Dialogue with Trypho 100

“He became man by the Virgin so that the course which was taken by disobedience in the beginning through the agency of the serpent might also be the very course by which it would be put down. Eve, an undefiled virgin, conceived the serpent’s word and bore disobedience and death. But the Virgin Mary received faith and joy when the angel Gabriel announced to her the glad tidings that the Spirit of the Lord would come upon her and the power of the Most High would overshadow her, for which reason the Holy One being born of her is the Son of God. And she
replied, ‘Be it done unto me according to your word.”

St. Irenaeus (A.D. 189)
Against Heresies 5:19:11, 38

“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your
word.’ Eve disobeyed God, yet Mary was persuaded to obey God. In this way, the Virgin Mary might become the advocate of the virgin Eve. And thus, as humanity fell into bondage to death through a virgin, so it is rescued by a virgin. Virginal disobedience has been balanced in the opposite scale by virginal obedience. For in the same way, the sin of the first created man received amendment by the correction of the First-Begotten”

St. Epiphanius of Salamis (A.D. 375)
Against Heresies, 87

“But we must consider another marvelous aspect of the comparison between Eve and Mary. Eve
became for men the cause of death, because through her death entered the world. Mary, however,
was the cause of life, because life has come to us through her. For this reason, the Son of God
came into the world, and, ‘where sin abounded grace super-abounded’ (Rom. 5:20). Whence death
had its origin, thence came forth life, so that life would succeed death. If death came from woman,
then death was shut out by him who, by means of the woman, became our life.”

AVE MARIA