Conclusion
Is Mary important to the faith of African
American Catholics? Many would say yes. Some would say no. Some would say "I
don't know." In this article I have attempted to ask what does the Bible
teach about Mary? We answer that in different ways. She is a mother, a woman
of deep liberating faith and a disciple, a child in the kingdom of God. What
we learn from contemplating Mary as presented in the Bible is that she
cooperates with God in such a way that the world will never be the same.
Black theology has developed because of the
human experience of oppression that cries out for freedom. Mary's spirit is
one that is open and free enough to accept God's invitation to a new and
radical existence. This thirst for a new existence has driven many sons and
daughters of Africa to seek liberation from all forms of slavery,
segregation, discrimination and racism, inside and outside the ecclesial
walls. Are we there yet?
Mostly likely, no, but we are on the way to
Zion. As we march we can hear and sense the Marian spirit when we listen to
theologians such as Diana Hayes or reflect upon the words of Black Bishops.
As they pointed out, Biblical truth rules in Black theological reflection.
We are careful to hear this truth, not in a literal sense, but in the sense
that Black humanity is affirmed when correlated with biblical wisdom because
through the scriptures we are affirmed that we are stamped with the image of
God. Mary helps us understand what we find central in Black Christian
theology, Jesus is all we need.
Mary is a wonderful spiritual companion as we
journey. We have considered the mission of Mary to bring forth the Christ
into the world. We have seen her situated among God's people to bring them
together in a new way. This is a mighty task even today. Reconciling our
differences without oppressing one another is quite a challenge, within and
without the Black community, yet one we cannot avoid. At the cross the
beloved disciple and Mary experience together the charge to care for each
other and to care about all the brothers and sisters of Jesus.
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