Posted on 09/07/2006 11:32:47 PM PDT by Salvation
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September 8, 2004 - Feast of the Birth of Mary
John Paul II goes to Lourdes; reflections on the Immaculate Conception
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE GREAT MOTHER OF GOD, MARY MOST HOLY!
Devotion To The Holy Infant Mary
As a Catholic I celebrate this day with great joy...however...I had an interesting conversation the other day with a "born again Christian" who goes to Calvary Chapel and decided to inform me that Mary means nothing in spiritual and biblical terms...all she did was give birth to Christ...she never did anything herself that changed the spectrum of the bible...she was just "chosen" to give birth.
I find it fascinating how I am constantly ragged on by "fellow Christians" because I pray to Saints and to Mary...whom they (they being Baptists, Lutherans, Episcopalians etc..)say they are worthless to pray to because only God can answer our prayers...nobody else.
"Who Are You, Immaculate Conception?"
TURKEY Ephesus: The Feast of the Immaculate Conception at Mary’s House
Coming Dec 8th. Feast of the "Immaculate Conception"
Why the Immaculate Conception?
Catholic Encyclopedia: Immaculate Conception (The Doctrine and Its Roots)
The Immaculate Conception of Our Lady December 8
Mary's Immaculate Conception: A Memorable Anniversary
Ineffabilis Deus: 8 December 1854 (Dogma of the Immaculate Conception)
Why do we believe in the Immaculate Conception?
John Paul II goes to Lourdes; reflections on the Immaculate Conception
Your Praises We Sing--on the Dogma of the Proclamation of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8th
Eastern Christianity and the Immaculate Conception (Q&A From EWTN)
Guess they never read the story of the Wedding of Cana in the Bible where Mary first interceded with her son for the groom and bride who had run out of wine???
Go figure??
Oh I hear you...it is just a very interesting "fact" that falls on deaf ears...although we are all supposedly on the same team.
It is stunning how much Catholics are ripped on in other places of worship.
Thanks for the ping. I happen to share one thing with the Blessed Mother...her birthday!
Apolytikion in the Fourth Tone
Your birth, O Theotokos, brought joy to the whole world, for from you dawned the sun of righteousness, Christ our God. Freeing us from the curse, He gave us His blessings. Abolishing death, He granted us eternal life.
Kontakion in the Fourth Tone
In your holy birth, Immaculate One, Joachim and Anna were rid of the shame of childlessness; Adam and Eve of the corruption of death. And so your people, free of the guilt of their sins, celebrate crying: "The barren one gives birth to the Theotokos, who nourishes our life."
Synaxarion:
According to the ancient tradition of the Church, the Theotokos was born of barren and aged parents, Joachim and Anna, about the year 16 or 17 before the birth of Christ. Joachim was descended from the royal line of David, of the tribe of Judah. Anna was of the priestly tribe of Levi, a daughter of the priest Matthan and Mary, his wife.
I'm always tempted to tell someone who says that: "When you meet Jesus in Heaven, you be sure to repeat to him that you believe his mother is 'nothing special'". Up to now, I've managed to hold my tongue...
Catholics are "ripped on" because they do things that are outside of Biblical teaching. For example, praying to the mother of Jesus is not Biblical.
Happy Birthday to you both!
Now it's off to Mass for a somewhat more formal celebration of this event!
Please site chapter and verse that explains "sola scriptura."
And if she was "nothing special," then why are we told that ALL generations will call her Blessed? If she was "nothing special" why the Visitation? Based on the "nothing special" approach, why did our Lord need to be born at all, He could have simply appeared on earth. The beginning of Luke makes it abundantly clear that what was special about the Blessed Mother is beyond our earthly comprehension.
I had the same problem until I asked them about the wedding at Cana.....Mary intervened on behalf of the wedding host..Even Jesus stated it was not His time to perform miracles..She got Her Son to do this...ANNNNND,it was only for some wine...Its interesing to see non catholics wiggle out of explaining that intercession is wrong but oh yeah,it happened in the bible....
I explained why Catholics get "ripped on" by other Christians. A discussion about "sola scriptura" is another topic. I can give you specific scripture regarding praying to statues or other objects. Can you direct me to where scripture advises to pray to Mary or other people?
This one is really in bad taste.
Sometimes we can all forget that we must make an accounting for everything we say or do---or put in print .
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