The Immaculate Conception - Common Misperceptions

Thirteen weeks ago on August 4, I quoted Noel Muscat OFM's article on Blessed John Duns Scotus' arguments in defense of the Immaculate Conception. [1] Today I found two sources explaining the Immaculate Conception, differing only in how the doctrine operates. [2], [3], [4]  Regardless of how scholars analyze the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, here I address only what I believe to be another misperception: that the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Jewish mother.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is the universal mother.  She was conceived without Sin. [5]  Since the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived without Sin, She was like no other descendant of Adam and Eve that exists or ever existed.  Original Sin, an invisible, non-removable genetic code that attaches to all defines all people of all origins by their common predisposition to Sin and its variations.  Since the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived without Sin, She is other-worldly, not belonging to this world's human race and simultaneously belonging to all and is connected by love to all peoples of this world just as all peoples of this world belong to God Who is love and are made in the image of God in one way or another.

The Blessed Virgin Mary is, therefore conclusively, not Jewish, even though she followed certain Jewish customs since both Mother and Child were, after all, in the land of the Jews, [6] and to respect Joseph, who is Jewish.

For similar reasons, and other reasons beyond the scope of this entry, God is not Jewish, and neither is Jesus Christ nor the Holy Spirit. [7]


[1] http://lemomentdepaix.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-immaculate-conception.html
[2] Both sources agree that the most common mistake believers and non-believers alike incorrectly think that the Immaculate Conception refers to the conception of Jesus Christ in the womb of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Spirit.  They also agree that the Immaculate Conception refers to the Sinless conception of Mary herself.
[3] http://christianity.about.com/od/christiandoctrines/qt/marymisconcepts.htm
[4] http://catholicism.about.com/od/beliefsteachings/f/Imm_Concept_FAQ.htm
[5] Whether the Blessed Virgin was redeemed from Original Sin the moment before conception or simultaneous with conception is a discussion for biblical scholars and is beyond the scope of this blog.  However, whether the Blessed Virgin Mary was conceived by the seed of Joachim biologically and whether the ovum in the barren Anne that bore Her was tainted by the Sin of Eve could be a subjects of discussion in the future but that remains to be decided.  For general information on Saint Anne, see http://www.saintanne.webhero.com/
[6] As the saying goes: when in Rome do as the Romans do.  Accordingly, Jesus was presented at the Temple (Luke 2:22-40) http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A22-40&version=NIV and the Holy Family went yearly to Jerusalem for Passover (Luke 2:41-52)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+2%3A41-52&version=NIV
[7] Since Sin is also universal, the Master of Sin and all its variations, Satan, is therefore, not Jewish.