BASIC CATECHISM
ON THE ALLIANCE OF THE TWO HEARTS (Part 1)
(by Two Hearts Media Organization for the Alliance of the Holy Family International)
1. What is the Alliance of the Two Hearts?
The alliance of the Two Hearts of Jesus and Mary, is the "covenant of love between God and Man. In the Old Testament, the covenant is between Yahweh and Israel. In the New Testament, God is represented by Jesus Christ while Man is represented by the Body of Christ, the Church, with the Virgin Mary as her "type".
2. Why Heart?
The "Heart" is the symbol of the totality of the whole person. This usage is consistent with the Sacred Scriptures and the Tradition of the Church, even from the times of the Church Fathers. Thus, saying "Alliance of the Two Hearts" is the same thing as saying "Alliance of Jesus and Mary".
3. What is Alliance?
"Alliance" is the English equivalent of "alleanza" which is also properly translated as covenant. "Covenant" is the word used to denote the pact that Yahweh had with His people Israel. It is the pledge of fidelity of God to His people and Israel's promise of obedience to Yahweh.
4. What kind of Alliance exists between Jesus and Mary?
The kind of Alliance that exists between Jesus and Mary is the new, perfect and eternal covenant. Their Alliance is the new covenant of love promised by Ezekiel in the Old Testament (Ez. 36:25-28). Their love is centered on the perfect obedience to the will of the Father. This Alliance does not imply Mary's equal status with Jesus. Instead, the proper understanding of this Alliance puts to clear light that Jesus is the sole Redeemer while Mary serves as the perfect model for humanity to cooperate with God's work of redemption. The Alliance is the eternal spousal between Christ, the bridegroom, and the Daughter of Zion, the bride.
5. How essential is the Alliance of the Two Hearts to Christian Faith?
It can rightly be said that the Alliance of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary is at the Core of Christian Faith. The two most essential Christian mysteries of Incarnation and Redemption are inconceivable without the cooperation of Jesus and Mary.
6. How is the Alliance of the Two Hearts demonstrated in the Incarnation?
To save mankind, the Second Person of the Trinity has to become man, born of a woman, and born under the law (Gal. 4:4-5). During the Annunciation, the moment Mary said her "fiat", the incarnation of the Second Person of the Trinity took place, thus, the encounter of the two "fiats" wherefore the Divine Word became "Son of Man" and Mary, the humble servant became the glorious "Mother of the Lord" (Luke 1:43).
7. How is the Alliance of the Two Hearts demonstrated in the Redemption? At the moment of the Passion and Death of Jesus?
Mary's role as cooperator in the mystery of redemption is truly unique. From the moment of the angel's Annunciation, to the presentation at the temple, to the losing and finding of Jesus, up to the wedding at Cana, the public ministry, the way to Calvary and at the foot of the cross, the profound and mysterious role of Mary was slowly unfolding. We see how this role is highlighted at the foot of the cross when Jesus Himself entrusted to Mary His beloved disciple who then represents all His followers, that is, the Church.
The Alliance of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary then is truly at the core of Christian faith and mysteries.
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