Mary represents important characteristics of God that are not manifested through Jesus. In Mary and the Female Face of God, Johnson asserts that “Mary represents, makes manifest, explicates, translates, effectively expresses something of God which cannot come to light in Jesus Christ, Redeemer though he be. This quality is the feminine and maternal aspect of divine love, which needs expression through the figure of a woman” (511). From this distinction between the qualities attributed to Mary and Jesus comes the idea that men and women each express certain unique qualities, which ultimately signifies the necessity of both. However, it’s necessary to realize the importance of both the figures of Mary and Jesus, but not the supremacy of one over the other. Johnson adds “while Jesus Christ was acknowledged as gracious Savior, his function of judging frequently overshadowed the quality of his mercy, which in turn was attributed abundantly to Mary” (509). Mary and Jesus personify distinct traits, so that each figure could teach and spread God’s love in their own manner. Furthermore, this illustrates how feminine attributed characteristics are actually favorable to God. For God chose Mary, “so that the tender, mild, simple, generous, gentle, and sweet aspects of divine maternal love could be manifest” (Johnson 510). These feminine attributed characteristics have …show more content…
In fact, it’s an understatement to claim that Mary is an influential figure in Catholicism, for there is a study termed Mariology that is dedicated to Mary. The Virgin Mary is a role model who transcends time. As Fastiggi writes, “she is the exemplar of faithful love for all Christians, and she points the way to Christ, who is Love Incarnate” (345). Through her goodness, she encourages all to follow the path of righteousness and lead a life of love and service to others. Mary plays a very important role in the Church and “becomes an eschatological sign of hope; she represents the holiness and fidelity that all members of the Church must seek” (Fastiggi 342,345). It’s important to understand that Mary does not call women to replicate her life in every aspect, nor does she encourage women to seek to imitate the masculine way of life. Instead, she invites women to freely accept their own calling. Clark-King expresses Mary’s message as “one of freedom and change and boundless possibilities.” She continues to say that “Mary does not tell us that her way is the right way for all women, but that her way is one that breaks down the barriers to what we believed possible-for both men and women” (86). Today, we are challenged with the task of “defending the dignity of women” and following Mary’s example in respecting all life (Fastiggi