ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Tokonaki Me 6, 2023

Miriam, the First Mary

MELIAME, KO E FUOFUA MELE ‘I HE TOHITAPU

NUMBERS 20:1

AND THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, THE WHOLE CONGREGATION, CAME INTO THE WILDERNESS OF ZIN IN THE FIRST MONTH, AND THE PEOPLE STAYED IN KADESH. AND MIRIAM DIED THERE AND WAS BURIED THERE.

NOMIPA 20:1

PEA ha‘u ‘a ha‘a ‘Isileli, ‘a e fakataha kotoa, ki he Toafa ‘o Sini ‘i he ‘uluaki māhina: pea nofo ‘a e kakai ‘i Kētesi; pea na‘e pekia ai ‘a Meliame, pea na‘e tanu ia ‘i he potu ko ia.

If you've ever wondered who's responsible for all the "Marys" in the New Testament there are six or seven of them!-all fingers point to Miriam. Her name, Miryam, is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek name Mariam or Maria ("Mary"). Miriam was thus the first Mary of the Bible. This big sister to baby Moses was there to help rescue him at the Nile. Later, at the Red Sea, now a prophetess, she led the choir in Israel's exultant song. Like almost all the adults who left Egypt, this "Mary" never set foot in the promised land. She died not having received what was promised (Heb. 11:39).

But another Miriam did. Her namesake, a young virgin from Galilee, not only lived in the land of promise; she carried in her womb, bore, and nursed the Promise himself. Like the prophetess sang the Song at the Sea, so Mary sang her psalm, the Magnificat. And like Miriam, she, along with Joseph, rescued the child of promise by whisking him away-ironically, to Egypt. From the old Mary to the new Mary, we trace God's unfolding narrative of salvation.

Our souls magnify you, O Lord, and our spirits rejoice in you, our Savior, for the gift of the Christ child who came to us through Mary.