Peggy Noonan | 09/22/2008 12:00 am

Peggy Noonan: The Single Word That Changed Human History

In response to: What three women would you nominate as the most powerful in the world and why?

I have to echo Mary Wells: the Virgin Mary, also known as the Blessed Mother, is the most influential and powerful woman in the world. A good portion of the 1.2 billion Catholics in the world talk to her regularly, or every day, or more, seeking help and advice. Protestants honor her singular place in history, and the Koran speaks of her with respect as well. She was a young Jewish girl when she changed human history. So you see she covers a lot of territory. She did this by saying one word: "Yes." She performs miracles. She consoles. She has come down to talk to little children; she once, in Fatima, made the sun dance to prove that she was present. She is understood as such a source of mercy that it’s a pious old joke to say that when you die, if St. Peter won’t let you in the gates you can go around the back and talk to Mary and she’ll try to get you in. But she’s very good at thwarting mischief; when old John Paul was shot, he felt certain she’d saved his life by redirecting a bullet away from his artery. She is the main source of strength to many people who happen to make the world work, who keep it running. Without her, nothing would work. She protects nations. You cannot love Mary and at the same time hold to disparaging assumptions as to the place and power of women, so she is a powerful teacher in that area, also. She is very brave but not warrior-like, very powerful but not forward or aggressive. She is, I guarantee you, a silent mainstay and great love of some of the Most Powerful Women named on this list. (Ask the U.S. Speaker of the House how she feels about her.) She is the Queen of Peace. We are lucky she is there.

52 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Actually Quan Sri Yin is more worshipped the world over than Mary, since she covers the entirely of Asia and Asia Minor, the Boddhisattva of Compassion, who has long and huge ears, to better equip her to listen to all the cries of the universe.

By Mugsy Peabody on 09/22/2008 12:29 am

e-mail alert

I was going to get into this discussion from a ‘theological’ perspective, and realized; it’s not worth it. I further realized how many times I have opened myself up to such discussions, only to have others feeling hurt, angry, and frustrated by the whole thing. Therefore, I choose not to delve in any further than to say; Mary never said “yes” besides the fact that she didn’t speak english, she was very overwhelmed, most likely frightened with a mixture of awe and wonder, and certainly not prepared for whatever she went through. We glamorize so much of that which we do not fully grasp, or understand. Be wary please, of just how chauvinistic, (as in country-bias) we all get at times.

By Ro H on 09/22/2008 3:16 am

e-mail alert

The Virgin Mary is an interesting prism through which to examine America’s emphasis on faith because most Biblical scholars regard evidence for the Virgin Birth, and for Mary’s assumption into Heaven (which was proclaimed as Catholic dogma only in 1950), as so shaky that it pretty much has to be a leap of faith. As the Catholic theologian Hans Küng puts it in “On Being a Christian,” the Virgin Birth is a “collection of largely uncertain, mutually contradictory. strongly legendary” narratives, an echo of virgin birth myths that were widespread in many parts of the ancient world. And all I can say to this pick as powerful is, yes, I imagine so, but for a very few. If I were to go in that direction, I’d go with Mugsy’s lady–––––the one with the big ears––”the better to hear you with, my dear.”

By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 09/22/2008 9:54 am

e-mail alert

By Mugsy Peabody on 09/22/2008 3:25 am

e-mail alert

The 3 most powerful????????????? I know each of us have our different beliefs and I’m typing only what I know the Lord wants me to Believe, Please do not take this as preaching. I’m not preaching unless you want me too be! According to the Bible? King James Version Mary Mother of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and ..have to think about that However……………. The Bible Clearly states there shall be no other Gods before me.. you must go threw My SON (Jesus) (not Mary) It states when we pray we ask for all things in the name of Jesus not Mary’s… He is the FIRST the LAST the ALPHA the OMEGA HE you cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven without Jesus permission! by no other means but threw My (GODS) SON Jesus Christ……… I (GOD) have given ALL POWER to my SON, Jesus He (JESUS) has all the power and the Keys to heaven, earth and hell!! I DO thank Mary for giving Birth to my Savior Jesus Christ so that he could & DID walk the earth and preach the Good news to all nations, teaching baptism of water and of the HOLY GHOST you must be REBORN of the water AND of the Spirit Baptism By full submerging in water & Baptized WITH the Holy Ghost I thank her For giving Birth and watching her SON die on the cross for my SINS! I DO thank her!! I love her! it does not say anything about worshipping Mary..or praying to Mary We are to Respect Mary with the utmost respect! and Love Her with our hearts But We are NOT to put her Before Jesus we are NOT to put anyone Before Jesus As I will find scripture for these things .. God forgive me if I am wrong! in Jesus name I ask! hopefully a few more out there will add too this as well… with Scriptures, so I may learn more! I love talking about the Lord and Learning!! I’m sure I left a lot out or miss worded a few things I am not perfect nor professing to be!! we ALL know there is only ONE perfect ONE and his name is JESUS, this was just a quickie type I do thank you for putting this Topic out here, it has been a blessing to “me” Good night! God bless us all……

By Obama Biden on 09/22/2008 4:19 am

e-mail alert

I appreciate all the comments about Mary, but there needs to be some clarification. Catholics, and others who hold Mary in esteem, do not “worship” her. Mary called herself the Handmaid of the Lord. She humbled herself, and we merely honor her, as Jesus did (He honored his mother, we can be sure of that). As a Catholic, I worship the one God who is 3 persons; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Mary is not God, and no one ever claimed her as such. Peggy is wrong in her article when she states that Mary “Made the sun dance” at Fatima. Mary cannot work miracles. I know what Peggy meant, however. (as always, good article, Peggy) It was through Mary’s intercession that the sun danced. Many other miracles happened through her intercession as well. God wants us to pray for each other and interceed for each other. He wants us to go to each other and ask for prayers. Who among you hasn’t said to a friend, “Pray for my sick child”, or “pray for me to be healed”, etc. Peter didn’t heal the crippled man, God did it, through Peter’s intercession. We can pray (talk) to all the Saints in heaven and ask them to “interceed” for us. God is the one who does the miracle, if it’s according to His will. Mary is a powerful intercessor because she is selfless. She only wants what God wants. Mary always leads her children to her Son, Jesus Christ. Mary wants nothing for herself. She is His mother, however, and deserves our honor and respect. All I have said can be found in scripture. Mary said, “Do as he tells you”. There are many in the bible who “healed” and performed miracles. They are not God, and we don’t worship them. But I guarantee you, any sick person would love to “Touch the cloak of Peter” if he walked by on their street today. Does that mean he or she thinks Peter is God? No. We all know where the power (the love) comes from. God is Love. He set things up this way so we can all “interceed” for each other. So we can all be used as His instruments to bring about not only love of Him, but love between us, His children. Love each other. Love Mary, Love Peter, Love all the Saints in heaven. Love your friends, family, and yes.. love even your enemy. God is love. Amen!

By Nancy Blick on 09/22/2008 8:01 am

e-mail alert

You need to read my post …if it wasnt for Mary I would be DEAD as a DOG ! Not once has Mary helped me but 2 times when all HOPE WAS GONE …And you are totally Wrong about Mary …Mother Of GOD and JESUS Loved his mother very much …..You need to understand the WHOLE story of the Wedding …when Jesus did his first Miracle …and see what HE says to HIS Mother mary ….And what does Jesus say on the Cross to the Others about Mary ….you are soo sooooo wrong …There are 15 Promises to the Holy Rosary ….and I have them all …When I HAD NOTHING BEFORE …..I have them Now …everyday ….every minute ..

By Eliza Dodd on 09/22/2008 9:40 am

e-mail alert

I clearly stated at the beginning of my typing that………….”I know each of us have our different beliefs and I’m typing only what I know the Lord wants “ME” to Believe,” …And obviously you are to Believe what ever it is HE wants you to believe…I too agree with the point you made of…. God is LOVE Amen!! I believe in the power of prayer strongly, I believe in the power of Healing strongly, I believe in the gifts and there are many I also believe that each of us are put in A church were we will best be able to learn what it is HE is trying to teach us at that particular time in our life, One never knows when he will touch our Soul and Move US Forward into a Higher level of Learning, A Higher level of Worship, A Higher level of Praising!! I do Not Believe that only one Faith (denomination) will enter into the kingdom of Heaven! I believe the reason we have soo many different denominations is because each needs a different type of ministering to what they are able to Handle, So HE places us in the Church in the manner of what we can Handle or accept in our willingness of Spirit. Some lift up Holy hands, some dance like David Danced,Some are very quite, Some are very Bold, when it comes to showing their Love to God! May the Spirit of the Lord Flow into your heart as powerfully as he has mine and Bless you and reveal to you Beyond All your imagination His Love Nancy..I only wish you Love, Peace and Joy forever and ever And continued Kindness towards all you speak to rather it be in person or via pc. in Jesus Name Amen And Please pray for me as well I need all the help I can get! Thank you and God Bless!

By Obama Biden on 09/22/2008 10:00 am

e-mail alert

Thanks for your response, and your prayer for me. God looks at the heart, not our professed religion. It is my hope that if we all had a better understanding of church teaching, maybe we could all be “one” someday as Jesus prayed in the book of John. I hope that I helped someone out there to understand the teachings of the church in regards to Mary. By God’s grace, she’s our Mother, and we are all her children. And so I can say, “God bless you, my dear sister in Christ.”

By Nancy Blick on 09/22/2008 10:23 am

e-mail alert

Jesus knows my heart He knows I love Him ! I know I am a Christian , I know I mess up on a Daily Basis, that does not lesson his love for me,, I left Him (JESUS) once and I was so miserable with out him It took a Heart attack of someone I love to get me to start praying again! My Love he died 8 times in one day has had numerous surgery and even the doctors have said he should not have survived . He should not be here with us at this Moment! I refused to accept that and stayed in prayer constantly while continually doing battle against the Devil (his Mother) She professed to be a Christian and she does go to church every Sunday Faithfully, However Church is JUST a building, It is what is in the Heart AND HOW we treat people that shows the TRUE Christians. YOUR ABSOLUTLY RIGH THERE I must agree 1000%. And with that in mind I will put my own self in check for some of my behavior on this wow0wow site……… anyhow they started calling him the Miracle Man!! ?The Doctors and nursing staff…Ty Jesus,,I have seen the power of prayer!,,,I was on my knees eating carpet praying more then I was standing! I was in constant Prayer for him, he was getting better day by day! I then had to have surgery! when I was fully recovered and excitedly ready to go see him i am then informed that he had been discharged from the Indy Hospital he had been in for 5 months, I called his Mother and she said I am not telling you where he is, am not married to this Man we didn’t have that signed piece of paper so his mother has now made it impossible for me to visit with him I do not know where he is or how he is doing just that he is still Alive,When I call his mother to ask about him she told me She was not going to tell me where T was! on my last call to her She did inform me that T was asking for me, thinking she was going to tell me where he was I said Well does he know that I do not know where he is…thinking she would then tell me…she said no we didn’t talk about that!! This is what God referred to in the Bible as being a Wolf in Sheep’s clothing! She is not thinking of her Sons feelings She is thinking of her own selfish needs and desires So she is showing me ! She is showing me what ? Most certainly not what she thinks…She is showing me what as A christian what not to be like, She says she is in a better class of people then me and when —- dies we never have to see each other again because I am not in the same class of people as she is! i say to this.. thank God! Because if this is her class of People I do not want to be in that Class! All She has shown me is disrespect and how much UN classed she actually is! She has taken her Sons feelings mind you, the One that is laying on his death bed and saying I don’t care what you want! I’m in Control now and I don’t want her in this picture no longer! her son is 47 years old, I am sitting her shaking my head and crying thinking I would love to see him but out of respect to him I will not disrespect his Mother even tho my flesh really wants to I Will Not lower myself to what she thinks I am Because I am not nor will i ever be that person! I know she is wanting her son to “think” i just do not care about him anymore. All so she can say See——I told you she was like that..I told you she didn’t Love you! I know her well enough to know what she is doing! On a daily Basis I have to keep saying Lord give me the strength to bare this and To wait upon you Lord to get ___ better so that he will one day find me ..too tell me off about not visiting him So that you Lord can open that door so I can explain how vindictive and hateful his mother truly is!! And maybe that is the wrong thing too I just don’t know..However I do know God is trying to teach me something and I believe this is what it is Put me First (GOD) that is! Because as easily as he gives love to us he can take it away! So yes Nancy Please pray for me and T as often as you remember this story and All others who read this Pray For me and the Man I love to be reunited but only under God’s Will!

By Obama Biden on 09/22/2008 2:20 pm

e-mail alert

I am sorry for the pain that you’re going through right now. So many people are dealing with huge problems these days. But, in the end, truth and goodness WINS. So, hold on to Jesus, and He will give you His strength to endure this. One tip someone gave me that helps me through tough times is to really pray for those who hurt you. You may already be doing this. But don’t let the Devil sow seeds of hatred in your heart toward his mother. Pray for her. Offer up your suffering for her salvation. Pray for a healing of all hearts involved in this situation. God bless you. I know you’re suffering. Unite that with the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Don’t let it go to waste.

By Nancy Blick on 09/22/2008 3:09 pm

e-mail alert

thank you Nancy! I do pray for her all the time

By Obama Biden on 09/22/2008 3:35 pm

e-mail alert

Did Quan Sri Yin give birth to a man that started the biggest religion in the world? Christianity is the largest worldwide and was hinged on one person saying yes -without reservations. As for Mary being a “god”. I think only non-Catholics think that Catholics think Mary is a god. I have been Catholic all my life and have never heard or seen anything to support that notion. We treat our own mothers with respect, no? Why not treat the Mother of our Lord with the greatest respect? God certainly did by making her the mother of Christ. And we certainly cannot out-do God. I do think some of the wording in this article may lead people to think that Catholics believe Mary has power, when in fact we know God is the power behind her and He uses her as He pleases for our sake. Really, just some good old fashioned research-into Catholic teaching-can quickly dispel any notion that we think she is God. (Catechism of the Catholic Church is a good place to find all of our teachings) As for praying to her, think about what the prayer says “Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee..” where do those words come from? Gabriel .”Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus” and that? Elizabeth. We are just reciting scripture and then at the end asking for her help. Do you not ask others to pray for you? Why not ask your heavenly mother for help? (“Our” Father-told to us by Jesus Himself, Jesus is our Brother hence Mary is our Mother-before anyone goes off on a tangent about that!)

By Kathy Noah on 09/22/2008 7:49 am

e-mail alert

I see no one arguing I seen 4 minds thinking! I will not argue about the Word of God I will Discuss the word of God and I will pray in the name of God Amen thank you Jesus!

By Obama Biden on 09/22/2008 10:07 am

e-mail alert

My prayer for everyone who reads this is ….. May the Spirit of the Lord Flow into your heart as powerfully as he has mine and Bless you and reveal to you Beyond All your imagination His Love .. I only wish you Love, Peace and Joy forever and ever And continued Kindness towards all you speak to rather it be in person or via pc. in Jesus Name Amen And Please pray for me as well, I need all the help I can get! Thank you and God Bless!

By Obama Biden on 09/22/2008 10:14 am