Imaculate Conception questions

[_L]

I’ve been thinking about the immaculate conception recently, and I have a few questions about it that I really can’t come up with good answers to.

1 - If Mary was conceived without sin and preserved from sin throughout her life then would she not be in the same state of blissful ignorance about good and evil like Adam and Eve?

2- If the wages of sin is death, and Mary never sinned, Did she die? and in relation to that did she ever get sick? or feel the debilitating effects of old age?

 

[Robbinson]

I’ve been thinking about the immaculate conception recently, and I have a few questions about it that I really can’t come up with good answers to.

1 - If Mary was conceived without sin and preserved from sin throughout her life then would she not be in the same state of blissful ignorance about good and evil like Adam and Eve?

Interesting quesiton. I believe the “sin” was violating God’s commandment (the actual act which constituted this first sin was partaking of the tree of knowledge of good and evil). Knowledge of good and evil is now a trait mbedded in mankind, but “original sin” which infects us is not knowledge, but the effects of rebellion (hardening of the heart and pride and “absence from the presence of God”). So Mary, though preserved from the stain “original sin” still can understood good and evil.

2- If the wages of sin is death, and Mary never sinned, Did she die? and in relation to that did she ever get sick? or feel the debilitating effects of old age?

Another good question. Ultimately, while Mary was herself free of original sin, she lived in a fallen world - all of creation was adversely affected by original sin, leading to disease, and death. So I don’t think she would be free from “physical death” but free from “spiritual death”. BTW, some believe Mary was assumed prior to death, though the Church has no formal position on whether the assumption was pre or post death.

Blessings,

Brian

 

[_L]

Another good question. Ultimately, while Mary was herself free of original sin, she lived in a fallen world - all of creation was adversely affected by original sin, leading to disease, and death. So I don’t think she would be free from “physical death” but free from “spiritual death”. BTW, some believe Mary was assumed prior to death, though the Church has no formal position on whether the assumption was pre or post death.

Blessings,

Brian

This seems to make sense to me from the perspective that Mary certainly felt the emotional pains of this world caused by sin, seeing her son die on the cross. I know some believe Mary was assumed prior to death but there are also some writings that tell of the Apostles finding Mary’s tomb to be empty and having seen that they deduced that she had been taken up to Heaven.

But I’m still puzzled seeing as Adam and Eve’s personal sin caused their own death both physical and spiritual, and that sin is inherited by all of us so we are all dead spiritually from conception and will all die a physical death. So Mary being free of sin and its personal affects on her should be immune or so I would think.

 

[FCEGM]

This seems to make sense to me from the perspective that Mary certainly felt the emotional pains of this world caused by sin, seeing her son die on the cross. I know some believe Mary was assumed prior to death but there are also some writings that tell of the Apostles finding Mary’s tomb to be empty and having seen that they deduced that she had been taken up to Heaven.

But I’m still puzzled seeing as Adam and Eve’s personal sin caused their own death both physical and spiritual, and that sin is inherited by all of us so we are all dead spiritually from conception and will all die a physical death. So Mary being free of sin and its personal affects on her should be immune or so I would think.

Consider that her Son was also free of sin - “He knew no sin” - and yet suffered most cruelly from it.

 

[po18guy]

But I’m still puzzled seeing as Adam and Eve’s personal sin caused their own death both physical and spiritual, and that sin is inherited by all of us so we are all dead spiritually from conception and will all die a physical death. So Mary being free of sin and its personal affects on her should be immune or so I would think.

The Eastern Churches refer to Mary’s “dormition” - her falling asleep. This, as with so much regarding our Lord and His works, simply must remain a mystery to us in this life.

 

[_L]

Consider that her Son was also free of sin - “He knew no sin” - and yet suffered most cruelly from it.

Well the thing here is that Jesus took sin upon Himself, He didn’t commit any but He bore it for our sake.

 

[_L]

The Eastern Churches refer to Mary’s “dormition” - her falling asleep. This, as with so much regarding our Lord and His works, simply must remain a mystery to us in this life.

Yea this is really the only logical answer I can think of, that God simply let her pass on and be reunited with her Son.

 

[TheQuestioner]

To me Mary dying wouldn’t make sense. Death is the punishment for original sin (both physical and spiritual death). Mary didn’t have original sin, therefore it wouldn’t make sense for her to die.

 

[spencer2]

Not to change the subject but was Elijah free from original sin? He bypassed physical death and went straight to heaven.

 

[Argh]

Isn’t there a tradition that Mary chose to “fall asleep?”

 

[_L]

Not to change the subject but was Elijah free from original sin? He bypassed physical death and went straight to heaven.

Same with Enoch, but that doesn’t mean that would not have died under normal circumstances.

 

[thistle]

The Assumption of Mary is a required belief because it is declared dogma.
We are, however, free to believe Mary died first or did not die before her Assumption.
Tradition suggests that she did die first but that she was assumed shortly thereafter, body incorrupt. This is also the belief of several of the early Church Fathers.

 

[po18guy]

The Assumption of Mary is a required belief because it is declared dogma.
We are, however, free to believe Mary died first or did not die before her Assumption.
Tradition suggests that she did die first but that she was assumed shortly thereafter, body incorrupt. This is also the belief of several of the early Church Fathers.

As Fr. Kevin Scallon says in his popular recorded Rosary, “She is the flesh and blood of Jesus, whom the Lord will not allow to see corruption”