Yes,

You better grow some hide, around here.

If Mary wasn't Immaculate how could she contain God who was?

Do you remember the "Arc of the Covenant" that contained the "Word", it was "untouched" made of Acacia wood that did not rot, it remained "perpetually" without blemish, again this is prefiguring imagery of Mary who would come, and contain the word and cooperate in the redemption. If you took hold of this sacred vessel you would die! Remember when they put the Arc on a cart it slipped in a pot hole someone "took hold" of it and dropped dead.

They were supposed to be carrying the Arc as had been directed. Got a little lazy I guess.

This prefiguring imagery is throughout the OT and is nothing that is an official interpretation, so dont ask, "What year was that defined?" Don't you find these things when you read scripture?

I was just reading again 2 Sam 23 about the 3 Valliant men of David who went on a journey to Bethlehem, while David was "hold up" in a "cave".

Prefiguring the 3 Wisemen and Christ hold up in a cave.

Imagery, it is beautiful, and perfect in God's design, and a gift when you find it, but often times cant be shared most just look at you blank, but maybe thats just me. hehehehehe

This has already been mentioned but...The Protoevangelium of James was written around A.D. 120, when memories of The Virgin Mary's life were still vivid in the minds of many.

According to the world-renowned patristics scholar, Johannes Quasten: “The principal aim of the whole writing [Protoevangelium of James] is to prove the perpetual and inviolate virginity of Mary before, in, and after the birth of Christ” (Patrology, 1:120–1).


This text constitutes historical evidence that the belief in the perpetual virginity of Mary was in evidence in the early 2nd century. I would point out that while this may be the only specific and direct reference that is this early....but we must also note a complete dearth of assertions to the contrary. In other words, if the Blessed Virgin had other children, and the apostles and the earliest community were well aware of it....why don't find reference to it directly? Why don't we find Church leaders CONTRADICTING the "protoevangelium"?

The notion that they already were in agreement with this idea would explain it?

Regards,
SDS

Well said, SDS

It wasn't discussed because it was a ridiculous assertion, not to mention obscene and in poor taste to have a debate about the Mother of Our Lord and suggest the possibility that Mary would not be loyal to the Holy Spirit, her spouse. Who would do that? Joseph would also understand the gravity of his situation as well.

Thanks Stargazer, I've always thought that there really are rock-solid reasons for accepting the Perpetual Virginity of the Blessed Virgin. Reasons that vastly outweigh the ambiguity of the terms used to describe Jesus' relatives.

Regards,
SDS