Mariological Interpretation of the Eight Beatitudes (Matt 5:3–10)

Lech Wołowski

doi:10.21697/ct.2020.90.5.28

Published: 2021-03-29

Vol. 90 No. 5 (2020)

Mariological Interpretation of the Eight Beatitudes (Matt 5:3–10)

Lech Wołowski

Collectanea Theologica

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2020.90.5.28

Abstract

The article examines the question of the Mariological interpretation of the eight beatitudes contained in Matt 5:3–10. Christian theologians of all ages, from Clement of Alexandria to the authors of contemporary biblical commentaries, have proposed various interpretations of this biblical text. Among the multitude of interpretations developed throughout history, the Mariological aspect appears quite rarely. Yet, as Pope Benedict XVI observes, the very biblical Marian title “Blessed” should direct the theological thought to the Mariological aspects of this issue. In modern times, a very deep reflection on the subject was conducted by two great theologians of the XX century, J. Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) and H.U. von Balthasar. On the Polish ground, the task was partly undertaken by J. Tischner, who elaborated the theme of eight beatitudes in the key of the Marian pilgrimage of the nation. The present work is meant to deepen the Mariological-biblical analysis of the eight beatitudes and revive the discussion regarding this subject in the perspective proposed by Benedict XVI, to understand the beatitudes as a program of life for a modern Christian.

Keywords:

eight beatitudes, Mariology, pilgrimage, Benedict XVI (Joseph Ratzinger), Hans Urs von Balthasar, Józef Tischner

Most read articles by the same author(s)

Lech Wołowski, Mariological Interpretation of the Eight Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-10) , Collectanea Theologica: Vol. 90 No. 3 (2020)

Download files

PDF

Citation rules

Wołowski, L. (2021). Mariological Interpretation of the Eight Beatitudes (Matt 5:3–10). Collectanea Theologica, 90(5), 637–679. https://doi.org/10.21697/ct.2020.90.5.28

Cited by / Share

References

Lech Wołowski, “Mariologia ośmiu błogosławieństw (Mt 5,3–10),” Collectanea Theologica 90 (2020) no. 3, 79–121.
Google Scholar

Adamczewski, B., “Szczęśliwa, która uwierzyła (Łk 1,45),” Verbum vitae 5 (2004), 75–87. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31743/vv.1351
Google Scholar

Augustyn z Hippony, O kazaniu Pana na Górze. Do Symplicjana o różnych problemach. Problemy ewangeliczne, S. Ryznar, J. Sulowski (transl.), Warszawa 1991. = Augustine of Hippo, Commentary on the Lord's Sermon on the Mount, with Seventeen Related Sermons, D.J. Kavanagh (transl.), Washington, D.C. 2001.
Google Scholar

Bagley, R.M., “The Heart of Mary, Model of Love: Marian Dimension of the Millennium Preparation,” Marian Studies 50 (1999), 127–138.
Google Scholar

Balthasar, H.U. von, Duch chrześcijański, Z. Włodkowa (transl.), Poznań 2013. = Balthasar, H.U. von, Elucidations, J.K. Riches (trans.), San Francisco (CA) 1998.
Google Scholar

Balthasar, H.U. von, Medytacja chrześcijańska, W. Szymona (transl.), Poznań 2014. = Balthasar, H.U. von, Christian Meditation, San Francisco (CA) 1989.
Google Scholar

Balthasar, H.U. von, Różaniec: zbawienie świata w modlitwie maryjnej, Jan Koźbiał (transl.), Wrocław 1998. = Balthasar, H.U. von, The Threefold Garland: The World's Salvation in Mary's Prayer, San Francisco (CA) 1982.
Google Scholar

Barzun, J., The Culture We Deserve: A Critique of Disenlightenment, Middletown (CT) 1989.
Google Scholar

Kudasiewicz, J., Mastalska, D., Biblijna droga pobożności maryjnej. Z księdzem profesorem Józefem Kudasiewiczem rozmawia Danuta Mastalska, Kielce 2002.
Google Scholar

Buby, B.A., Biblical Methodology and Mariology. The Use of Bibical Methodologies in Marian Theology Today, https://udayton.edu/imri/mary/b/biblical-methodology-and-mariology.php (access: 16.05.2020).
Google Scholar

Casarella, P., “Contemplating Christ through the eyes of Mary: The Apostolic Letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae and the New Mysteries of Light,” Pro Ecclesia: A Journal of Catholic and Evangelical Theology 14 (2005) no. 2, 161–173.
Google Scholar

La Potterie, I. de, “Κεχαριτωμένη en Lc 1,28. Étude philologique,” Biblica 68 (1987), 357–382.
Google Scholar

La Potterie, I. de, “Κεχαριτωμένη en Lc 1,28. Étude exégétique et théologique,” Biblica 68 (1987), 480–508.
Google Scholar

Dodd, G.F., “Feminist and New Feminist Perspectives on Mary: Renewal or Retrieval?,” Marian Studies 65 (2014), 277–327.
Google Scholar

Fausti, S., Wspólnota czyta Ewangelię według św. Mateusza, Częstochowa 2007.
Google Scholar

Feuillet, A., Jésus et sa mère : d'après les récits lucaniens de l'enfance et d'après saint Jean : le rôle de la Vierge Marie dans l'histoire du salut et la place de la femme dans l'Église, Paris 1978.
Google Scholar

Gray, T., The Luminous Mysteries: Biblical Reflections on the Life of Christ, Steubenville 2005.
Google Scholar

Grecko-polski Nowy Testament. Wydanie interlinearne z kodami gramatycznymi [GPNT], R. Popowski, M. Wojciechowski (transl.), Warszawa 2003.
Google Scholar

Gryglewicz, F., Błogosławiona przez wszystkie narody Matka Boża w Nowym Testamencie, Częstochowa 1984.
Google Scholar

Grzegorz z Nyssy, Homilie do błogosławieństw, M. Przyszychowska (red.), Kraków 2005. = Gregory of Nyssa, Homilies on the Beatitudes, Drobner, H., Viciano, A. (eds.), Leiden 2000.
Google Scholar

Hahn, S., “Biblical Theology and Marian Studies,” Marian Studies 55 (2004), 9–32.
Google Scholar

Häring, B. Pieśń sługi; Błogosławieństwa; Eucharystia, A. Mysłowska, A. Łobocka-Oleksowicz, M. Mroszczak (transl.), Warszawa 1982.
Google Scholar

John Paul II, Apostolic letter Rosarium Virginis Mariae, http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/2002/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_20021016_rosarium-virginis-mariae.html (access: 29.08.2020).
Google Scholar

John Paul II, Apostolic letter Salvifici doloris, http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1984/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_salvifici-doloris.html (access: 29.08.2020).
Google Scholar

John Paul II, Encyclical Redemptoris Mater, http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031987_redemptoris-mater.html (access: 29.08.2020).
Google Scholar

Catechism of the Catholic Church, https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM (access: 29.08.2020).
Google Scholar

Viviano, B.T., “Ewangelia według świętego Mateusza,” in: R.E. Brown, J.A. Fitzmyer, R.E. Murphy (eds.), W. Chrostowski (ed. of the Polish edition), Katolicki Komentarz Biblijny, Warszawa 2018. = Viviano, B.T., “Gospel according to Matthew,” in: R.E. Brown, J.A. Fitzmyer, R.E. Murphy (eds.), The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Englewood Cliffs (NJ) 1990.
Google Scholar

Keener, C.S., Komentarz historyczno-kulturowy do Nowego Testamentu, K. Bardski, W. Chrostowski (ed. of the Polish edition), Warszawa 2010. = Keener, C.S., The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Downers Grove (IL) 1993.
Google Scholar

Klawek, A., “Godzina Biblijna – Osiem Błogosławieństw,” Ruch Biblijny i Liturgiczny 20 (1967) no. 2, 103–109.
Google Scholar

Klemens Aleksandryjski, Kobierce zapisków filozoficznych dotyczących prawdziwej wiedzy, vol. 1–2, J. Niemirska-Pliszczyńska (ed.), Warszawa 1994.
Google Scholar

Kowalik, K., “Per Mariam ad Iesum. Per lesum ad Mariam,” Salvatoris Mater 3 (2001) no. 2, 22–33.
Google Scholar

Kowalik, K., “Piąty dogmat?,” in: idem (ed.), Tradycja i otwartość. Księga pamiątkowa ku czci O. prof. S.C. Napiórkowskiego, Lublin 1999, 81–99.
Google Scholar

Langkammer, H., Dlaczego różańcowe Tajemnice Światła?: medytacje biblijne, Wrocław 2012.
Google Scholar

Langkammer, H., Maryja w Nowym Testamencie, Gorzów Wielkopolski 1991.
Google Scholar

Lemański, J., “JHWH – Bóg, który przebacza, gdyż jest miłosierny (Wj 34,5–7),” Verbum vitae 18 (2010), 19–43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31743/vv.2011
Google Scholar

Lemmo, N., “Maria, «Figlia di Sion» a partire di Lc 1,26–38: Bilancio esegetico dal 1939 al 1982,” Marianum 45 (1983), 175–258.
Google Scholar

Manelli, S.M., All generations shall call me Blessed: biblical mariology, New Bedford (MA) 1995.
Google Scholar

Manelli, S.M., Mariologia biblica, Frigento 1989.
Google Scholar

Most, W., “New Light on the Messianic-Marian Character of Isaiah 7:14,” Miles Immaculatae 25 (1989) no. I–II, 54–67.
Google Scholar

Neumann, C.W., “The Decline of Interest in Mariology as a Theological Problem,” Marian Studies 23 (1972), 12–38.
Google Scholar

Orygenes, Komentarz do Ewangelii według Mateusza, K. Augustyniak (transl.), E. Stanula (ed.), Kraków 1998. = Origen, The commentary of Origen on the Gospel of St Matthew, R.E. Heine (intr., trans.), Oxford 2018.
Google Scholar

Pennington, M.B., 20 tajemnic różańca: podróż biblijna, J. Ruszkowski (transl.), Poznań 2004. = Pennington, M.B., 20 Mysteries of the Rosary: A Scriptural Journey, Liguori (MO) 2003.
Google Scholar

S.T. Pinckaers, Komentarz św. Augustyna do Kazania na górze, in: idem, Źródła moralności chrześcijańskiej, A. Kuryś (transl.), Poznań 1994.
Google Scholar

Ratzinger, J. (Benedykt XVI), Balthasar, H.U. von, Maryja w tajemnicy Kościoła, W. Szymona (transl.), Kraków 2007. = Ratzinger, J., Balthasar, H.U. von, Mary, The Church at the Source, A. Walker (trans.), San Francisco (CA) 2005.
Google Scholar

Ratzinger, J. (Benedykt XVI), Córa Syjonu: Maryja w refleksji Kościoła, B. Widła (transl.), Warszawa 1997. = Ratzinger, J. (Benedict XVI), Daughter Zion: Meditations on the Church's Marian Belief, San Francisco (CA) 1983.
Google Scholar

Ratzinger, J. (Benedykt XVI), Jezus z Nazaretu, cz. 1, W. Szymona (transl.), Kraków 2007. = Ratzinger, J. (Benedict XVI), Jesus of Nazareth: From the Baptism in the Jordan to the Transfiguration, New York–London–etc. 2007.
Google Scholar

Ratzinger, J. (Benedict XVI), The Beatitudes are a new program of life, Angelus, Sunday, 30 January 2011, http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/angelus/2011/documents/hf_ben-xvi_ang_20110130.html (access: 29.08.2020).
Google Scholar

Ratzinger, J. (Benedict XVI), Verbum Domini, http://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20100930_verbum-domini.html (access: 29.08.2020).
Google Scholar

Ratzinger, J. (Benedykt XVI), Wprowadzenie w chrześcijaństwo, Z. Włodkowa (transl.), Kraków 1996. = Ratzinger, J. (Benedykt XVI), Introduction to Christianity, 2nd ed., San Francisco (CA) 2004.
Google Scholar

Riches, A., “Deconstructing the Linearity of Grace: The Risk and Reflexive Paradox of Mary’s Immaculate Fiat,” International Journal of Systematic Theology 10 (2008) no. 2, 179–194.
Google Scholar

Rinaldi, B., La Madonna nella fede tra le donne moderne. Per una rielaborazione della teologia femminile, Milano 1996.
Google Scholar

Rondet, H., Maria nel disegno di Dio: Giuseppe l'uomo delle beatitudini, Roma 1966.
Google Scholar

Rossé, G., “The mysteries of light,” Living City 42 (2003) no. 5, 18–20.
Google Scholar

Rossier, F., “Kecharitomene (Lk. 1:28) in the Light of Gen. 18:16–33: A Matter of Quantity,” Marian Studies 55 (2004), 159–183.
Google Scholar

Samiec, Ł., Maryja i „preferencyjna opcja na rzecz ubogich,” Kraków 2019.
Google Scholar

Seremak, J., “Paradygmat zbawczej obecności wyzwolenia: imię Boga Ehjeh-Jhwh, «Jestem-On jest» (Wj 3,14–15 / Wj 34,6–7),” Studia Bobolanum 29 (2018) no. 2, 141–161.
Google Scholar

Serra, A.M., E c'era la Madre di Gesù... (Gv. 2,1): saggi di esegesi biblico-mariana (1978–1988), Milano 1989.
Google Scholar

Serra, A.M., “Poverty of Spirit and the «Marvelous Deeds» of God as Seen in Mary's Magnificat: Reflections from the Hebrew Scriptures,” Marian Studies 50 (1999), 8–37.
Google Scholar

Siwiński, N.M., “Rogamus te, Domina nostra – sześć modlitw maryjnych św. Antoniego z Padwy jako świadectwo mariologii franciszkańskiej XIII wieku,” Collectanea Theologica 86 (2016) no. 3, 91–145.
Google Scholar

Strong, J., Grecko-polski słownik Stronga z lokalizacją słów greckich i kodami Popowskiego, A. Czwojdrak (transl.), Warszawa 2015. = Strong, J., A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Hebrew Bible: With Their Renderings in the Authorized English Version, New York (NY) 1890.
Google Scholar

Stuhlmueller, C., “The Mother of Emmanuel (Is. 7:14),” Marian Studies 12 (1961), 165–204.
Google Scholar

Swetnam J., “Ḥeseḏ w Starym Testamencie a eleos w Nowym,” Ruch Biblijny i Liturgiczny 51 (1998) no. 4, 251–260.
Google Scholar

Szczepaniec, S., Rekolekcje „na różańcowym szlaku”: tajemnice światła, Kraków 2015.
Google Scholar

Tischner, J., Książeczka pielgrzyma, Warszawa 1996.
Google Scholar

Tomasik, P., “Katecheza maryjna dzieci i młodzieży szkolnej. Źródła, zakresy tematyczne, zasady,” Collectanea Theologica 89 (2019) no. 2, 159–182.
Google Scholar

Van der Merwe, I.J., “Biblical happiness and baptismal identity,” Stellenbosch Theological Journal 1 (2015) no. 2, 695–710.
Google Scholar

Vereb, J., Pope John Paul II and the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary, New Jersey (NJ) 2003.
Google Scholar

Wołowski, L., “Słowo o syntezie zasad Per Mariam ad Iesum i Per Iesum ad Mariam,” Salvatoris Mater 77–80 (2018), 254–263.
Google Scholar

Życiński, W., Matka, która pozostała Dziewicą, Kraków 2017.
Google Scholar