Science is now revealing what could be amazing insights into the connectedness between Jesus and his mother Mary. Scientists have discovered that the cells of children often live on in the bodies of their mothers, and condition called microchimerism. Yes, you read that correctly. Once a woman has given birth to a child it is highly likely that some cells of her child will live on in her body – sometimes for decades or even a lifetime. Research suggests that this condition is very common, yet mysterious.
During pregnancy the cells from the unborn baby cross through the placenta, enter into mom and become a part of her cells and tissues. A study reported in the journal Molecular Human Reproduction found that these cells then become a part of the mother’s brain, heart, kidneys, and other organs of the mothers they studied – 26 women in all. Likewise, cells from mom enter into her unborn baby and they live on perhaps for decades or even the lifetime of the child. Science even suggests that cells from earlier born siblings and the child’s maternal grandmother may live on inside the body of a child as well!
This kinda gives new meaning to the whole thought of “we are one body in Christ” doesn’t it? This notion also causes me to reflect a bit on God’s commandments for marriage and fidelity. God had an original plan for his children, a plan beyond our understanding, and this plan included marriage, fidelity, and children. God knew there would be an exchange of cells between persons when he created us and he certainly knew this before he gave us his law. Maybe we are not suppose to have an overabundance of “cell mingling”…? Anyway, this certainly gives us a lot to ponder.
The Virgin Birth
In light of this new discovery in science I couldn’t help but think about the Virgin Birth, Mary’s Immaculate Conception, and Mary’s purity and sinless nature. Given what we know about the exchange of fluids and cells between mother and unborn child during pregnancy we can assume that Jesus’ cells circulated in Mary and her cells circulated within him during her pregnancy. Going further, given that Jesus’ was perfect, and without sin, he could only grow in a body that was of the same sinless nature due to this exchange of cells.
Mary had to be sinless from the moment of her conception, born without the stain of original sin. Because after all, if she was born with the stain of original sin, then her sinful cells could have entered into her unborn child, Jesus, through the placenta. Jesus’ body would have in turn received these sinful cells into his body. Of course all of Jesus’ cells were perfect and sinless, after all he is God Incarnate. So receiving such sinful cells is an impossibility – there is nothing sinful in God. Additionally, we know that Jesus received Mary’s DNA and he took on her genetic traits. In light of this she had to be free of sin. She had to be The Immaculate Conception so she could pass on purity to her son.
Microchimerism And Immaculate Mary
In light of the newest science on microchimerism we can with relative assurance assume that Jesus’ cells remained in Mary and her cells in him after his birth – possibly for their entire lives. So once again both bodies, Mary’s and Jesus’, had to be sinless because sin and the opposite of sin (love) cannot coexist together in the same space. Either Jesus’ body is without sin or it is with sin; either his body is all love or it lacks the fullness of love. There is no middle ground here.
If Jesus is without sin, then his body is without sin and his body is full of love. If this is indeed the case (and it is), then the body of his mother must also be without sin and therefore full of love. Of course we know Jesus is without sin, and science now appears to be validating our Catholic belief that his mother, Mary the Theotokos (Mother of God), is indeed without sin as well.
Concluding Thoughts
One more thought on the family of Jesus and Mary as a mother. If Jesus’ cells circulated in Mary then any children she would have had after his birth could potentially carry Jesus’ cells. To me, this seems to violate God’s law. Given that we have all been born with the stain of original sin, except Mary and Jesus, it is impossible for Jesus to have had a younger sibling who would carry his perfect sin free cells. Again, our Catholic faith holds that Jesus was indeed Mary’s only child. This belief certainly makes sense in light of this new discovery of human microchimerism.
My main thought on the entire matter is this. Mary had to be created sinless from her conception, remain sinless throughout her life, and Jesus had to be her only child because Jesus, the son of God, the one who is completely without sin, shared bonds with her that are beyond our human comprehension. Microchimerism is just one such bond and I believe there are bonds much more complex and intricate then this – beyond what we could ever imagine.
Happy Birthday Mary!
Happy birthday Mary the Theotokos, the mother of God! Given that our human birth, as wonderful as it is, opens a path to a life that includes sin, the Church traditionally celebrates the day a saint died and not the day they were born. In this way the Church honors a sinner who became a saint by shedding their sinful nature and surrendering to the healing love of our Triune God. However, you are different Mother Mary! Your birth marked the beginning of a sinless life and a blessed love relationship with our Triune God. We are thankful you entered into the world and said YES! Through you our Redeemer came and he has saved us all!
Further Meditation
On my website I share several forms of meditation I use on a regular basis to more fully experience God that I would like to share with you. I call them Fasting of The Mind. Here is the link my friends – enjoy: Fasting of The Mind
God bless all of you – see you next week Friday! – Carolyn
Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us.
Father God – consume us.
Holy Spirit – enter in to us.
Mother Mary – pray for us.
