Chosen biblical motives of the books of Joshua and Judges in the “Hours about the Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Virgin Mary”

Krystian Ziaja

Wydział Teologiczny UO

Abstract

One of the para liturgical services that exist in the church life is “Hours about the Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Virgin Mary”. Therefore, still actual problem is the question of biblical pictures understanding that appear in the service. The test of their explanation has not only a theoretical character but also a practical and a priestly one. The aim of the article is to cause better contents understanding of “Hours about the Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Virgin Mary”, to emphasize their biblical variety. Following motives from the books of Joshua and Judges were taken into consideration:
1. The light from Gabaon (Joshua 10,10-13)
2. Gedeon’s fleece (Judges 6,36-40)
3. Samson’s honey slice (Judges 14,1-11).
After the discussion of the above mentioned three texts we may ascertain that the author of “Hours about the Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Virgin Mary” with accurate aim refers the texts to the Most Holy Virgin Mary. Mary is “The light from Gabaon”, it showed people that he, whose mother she is, will make a salvation, the real victory that had been expected since Adam and Eve’s times.
Moreover she is “The fleece of Gedeon” because God made her a wonderful exception as among people only she was not stained by a sin. Furthermore she is the slice of honey as inside her the one who is our Saviour and our best food was born.
The analysis of these biblical texts let us to see the enormous theological variety of “Hours about the Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Virgin Mary”. It makes possible to catch an interesting interpretation of Mary’s biblical pictures that seem to be very useful in a priest practice.

Keywords:

“Hours about the Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Virgin Mary”, Saviour Mother, The Most Holy Virgin Mary, Joshua, Gedeon, Samson, “Judge”, light, fleece, wool, honey, victory, food