Human history will be shaped by all the competing forces until that moment when the Father begins to intervene. Mary is the modern day John the Baptist, preparing the way for Jesus’ coming in glory. Her task is unknown even to the Church but revealed in words that will be fulfilled.
She is the Woman Clothed in the Sun whose full power and stature remain to be revealed. She is the Woman of Cana, whose hour is about to dawn. She is the Woman who stood at the cross and received the Church as her son. She is Mary, the mother of Jesus, present at the first Pentecost.
These biblical images are well-known but Mary’s full role will come to light only as the Father intervenes. She has already stepped out from the shadows of the previous centuries. Slowly, the Father brought her forward. She has visited so many places and spoken with great authority. Still, she waits to come forth as the Woman in battle array. These are the future years and blessed will be that Church whose eyes remain firmly fixed upon what the Woman says and does.