A Reflection on Apostasy

The Diocese Report/DRBlog ^ | Wednesday, August 14, 2002 | Brian Mershon

[StAthanasiustheGreat]

Since Allend responded quite well to your opinion on Faith and Works and the nature of both, I will confine myself to responding to the charges of idolatry, and worship of others besides the Lord and Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

As to the nature of Mary, as the Mother of our Lord, and the Mother (symbolic) of us all, we pray to her, not as an independent deity, but merely as a holy person capable of interceding on our behalf with her Son. True, at times she has been refered to as Co-Redemptrix, it is important to read this in context, the context of this is that Mary as the Mother of our Lord, was born without sin (Immaculate Conception) and of her own free will answered the call of the Father to bear His son into the world, no, she did not do anything directly to bring His grace on earth and to accomplish the great mission, but what would have happened had Mary said "No" to God.

As to worshiping Saints, we don't, we ask them as holy people gone before and now in the Kingdom to interecede for us, to watch over us, much as people feel Angels watch over them, when a Catholic travels, he merely prays that St. Christopher watch over him.

And as to worshiping idols, we don't, When a Catholic kneels at the altar and crosses himself he is not worshiping the crucifix, or a statue or a picture, he is showing reverence, because he is before the Tabernacle. The Tabernacle holds the Body of Christ, the already consecrated bread (and sometimes wine) that now IS the Body and Blood of Christ, it is a sign of humility and respect.