Who, do you think is the woman who gives birth to Christ?
Israel ... of the twelve tribes.Revelation 12:1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:I'm pretty sure I have read in Catholic posts that you believe that Mary did not experience birth pangs and travail in delivering Jesus.
2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
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Revelation 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.
14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.
15 And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.
16 And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.
17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Also, the persecution narrative of the remainder of the chapter is more representative of Israel (the Jews) ... than of Mary.
Also, the woman was not caught up (assumption) to God, but it was the child.
Also, the persecution narrative of the remainder of the chapter is more representative of Israel (the Jews) ... than of Mary.
Brother, the Church has seen since before St. Ambrose' time that Mary is a type of the Church. Thus, when the Scriptures relate something about the Church (as interpreted by the Church), they also see Mary there, as well. For example, the Song of Songs. The 12th Chapter of Revelations. Genesis 3:15. And the persecution narratives. There is NOT an either/or here. Just as the Church sees in Israel's crossing of the Red Sea as a type of Baptism in Scriptures (Peter), the Church ALSO sees in Mary the Church, the People of God. Vatican 2 clearly points this out, and does it very well.
Who obeys God? Mary/True Israel. Who is the one who gives birth to the Savior? Mary/Church(True Israel is the Church, according to Paul in Romans 11). Thus, when we see Scripture that points to God's People, True Israel, the Church, we also see Mary there as well. That is why we call BOTH Virgin. That is why we call BOTH our Mother. This understanding will help you see why we hold Mary so highly. Because God does in His plan of salvation.
Regards
I don't know of any other woman but Mary who gave birth to Christ, and that is the woman Apocalypse 12 is talking about (see verses 5, 10). She is, of course, the embodiment and perfection of Israel, so your meaning is indeed typologically not incorrect. Another typology there is the Church of Christ.
The anger that marian devotions evoke in the enemies of the Church is evident on every thread like this one. Satan hates Mary because unlike Eve, she chose to do God's will.
The birth pangs described in Apoc. 12:2 are indeed a good reason not to subscribe tot he notion that the Virgin did not suffer the birth pains. Rome does not teach either way. However, note that the entire book of Apocalypse is highly metaphorical and so it is not illogical to see in verse 2 not a reference to physiological pain but rather to the pain of mankind groaning under sin and waiting for the Redeemer.
The Twelve stars are type of the tribes of Israel as well as the twelve apostles.