Maria - Zeichen der Hoffnung

The Gospel of Luke portrays Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a prophetically believing woman: She praises the greatness of God, who has mercy on the lowly and lifts up the poor. Her song of praise, the Magnificat, serves as a precursor to the Beatitudes of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Walter Kasper interprets the biblical image of Mary as a sister in faith for Christians of all denominations; at the same time, he explains the Catholic teaching on Mary in light of the biblical message. Mary appears, as the Second Vatican Council teaches, as the great sign of hope that accompanies all believers and the entire Church on their pilgrim journey through the ages.