Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 10/12/2007

Question
QUESTION: I appreciate your answer so much and pray that you can eloborate futher on these questions. Mary being born free from the stain of sin would lead me to the conclusion that she continued in that state of sinlessness till the time of her death? Free from the stain of sin ;preserving her from the penalty of sin? Free from the stain of sin and preserving her from its effects untill Jesus was born? Or was she a sinless person by being preserved from the stain of original sin? Isn't it true that it is original sin that has caused the curse of death in the flesh and eternal condemnation in the  flesh to come upon all people ? This is quite confusing and i hope you can explain it more precisely.

ANSWER: Hi, Raymond:
Well, the Bible does tell us that "the wages of sin is death" and that "by one man (Adam) sin came into the world."
Since the Virgin Mary was preserved from original sin, and the Lord Jesus Christ was also free from original sin, neither one suffered the "effects of original sin."
The Church has defined the BVM's Immaculate Conception, and her Assumption into Heaven - the Church has NOT defined whether she "died" at the end of her life.
You can look at it this way: "If Mary 'died', she was never actually 'dead.'"  Her earthly life came to an end, but she was never under the curse of the spiritual death of sin.
But to be transformed into the Life of Resurrection and Glory, a Heavenly existence, she in some way left behind her earthly mode of being - she was "transformed."
Even Jesus, when He suffered on the Cross "gave up His spirit."  In other words, He was in control.  He had the power to "lay down His Life and take It up again."  So He was not subject to death as a penalty for sin.
Original Sin has caused those of us who suffer its effects not "eternal condemnation" (because then, nobody could be justified and saved); but our life here on earth ends in death, and corruption of the body in the grave.  In the Resurrection on the Last Day, all human souls will be reunited and integrated into the rebuilt, spiritual body; however, for many it will be the resurrection to damnation, and to the faithful, resurrection to eternal life.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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QUESTION: Thank you so much and could you please eloborate on these statements in reference to the concept of the immaculate conception Mary being free from sin would seem to be a contradiction to the scripture verse that all have sinned and come short of the glory of god. The verse there is none rightous no not one would also seem to be in conflict with immacculate conception . please do not think or feel that I am attempting to contradict what you say. I am only trying to understand this concept of immaculate conception.The assumption of Mary into Heaven is a concept that is historically documented with the cases of Enoch and Elijah being taken and not haveing tasted of death However the verse that says that it is appointed unto man to die once would indicate that this required of all mankind .Could you please elaborate on these assumptions . Thank you  Raymond

Answer
Hi, again, Raymond:

For a fuller analysis of the questions you are asking for more details, I would recommend that you visit the website www.catholic.com.
It is an apologetics site that has detailed answers with exact Scripture quotes and historical analysis of the very kinds of questions you are asking.
St. Paul in his letter to the Romans is quoting a Psalm where he writes: "There is not one righteous, no not one."  Yet if you go to the Psalm he quotes, a few verses later, the Psalm itself contrasts the "righteous" with "sinners."  So how is one righteous?
By justification, redemption - salvation.
The BVM was justified and saved by the merits of Christ; and so by a special privelege to her, she was saved in a most perfect way by being prevented from contracting original sin with its effects.
What you mention about Enoch and Elijah is important.  When St. Paul in his Letter to the Hebrews speaks of it being appointed to a man to die once, and then the judgment, it is clear that he is speaking generally - not about every specific case.

Fr. Timothy Johnson