buttercat1791 on Nostr: Mary is traditionally understood to have been a consecrated virgin. Scripture bears ...
Mary is traditionally understood to have been a consecrated virgin. Scripture bears evidence for this when she question Gabriel's announcement of the birth of Christ by saying "How can this be, since I know not man?"
Mary was already betrothed to Joseph, so honestly it shouldn't have been a question. One would think the conception and birth would happen in the normal way.
Mary's incredulity suggests that she was already sworn to virginity.
In Matthew we see the angel commanding Joseph to take Mary into his home in spite of the strange circumstances of her pregnancy. Thus we get the concept of a Josephite marriage oriented towards the spiritual and material good of the spouses, but not consummated by sexual relations.
Mary was already betrothed to Joseph, so honestly it shouldn't have been a question. One would think the conception and birth would happen in the normal way.
Mary's incredulity suggests that she was already sworn to virginity.
In Matthew we see the angel commanding Joseph to take Mary into his home in spite of the strange circumstances of her pregnancy. Thus we get the concept of a Josephite marriage oriented towards the spiritual and material good of the spouses, but not consummated by sexual relations.