What psychological defense mechanism might be at work here? Maybe an inability to control one's own lust? Maybe difficulty in maintaining Chastity?
I wonder why it is Advent results in such attacks upon Mary, the Theotokos, if it does not, at least in part, suggest some disorder in the lives of those wishing to dethrone Mary and drag her down into the dirt. And why attack her pepetual Virginity? Might it suggest a thorn in the flesh of those unable to control their own passions?
In any event, it seems an odd practice for a Christian to engage in these activities as a way to celebrate Advent - which is a time of penance and preparation, not attacks upon the Mother of Our Lord and Saviour.
Prepare the Way of the Lord - attack His Mother.
In some profound way, sexuality images God. "In the image of God created He him. Male and female created He them." Believing she was a true and faithful wife to Joseph in no way impugns Mary's holiness. Rather, treating her husband in a righteous way is the holiest thing a wife can do. And how, when I honor the mother of Jesus for doing right by her husband, am I "dragging her in the dirt?" Is God's provision for our procreation dirty? A regretful afterthought on God's part?
The helenisticand anti-biblical horror of sexuality makes a totem out of repudiating a vital component of human experience, and of God's image in humanity. The BVM of mariolatry, like little blue Krishna, is a neutered subhuman.
Similarly, that egalitarianism is what is behind 'sola scriptura'. No one can know more about Christ and the gospel than can I. We must all be equal. And the way to do that, is to say that everything we need to know is in the Bible and is equally perspicuous to all. We don't see all that uniquely Catholic stuff about Mary in the Bible, and therefore, we reject it.
And finally, we have no concept of the relation between virgnity and holiness. Holiness is "imputed". So in the mind of the Protestant, it is irrelevant to Mary's holiness whether Mary had sexual relations with Joseph after Jesus was born, (just as in their mind the same thing is irrelevant to Mary's holiness *before* Jesus is born, except for the divine stipulation that sex take place in the context of marriage). In the mind of the Protestant, the Catholic claim that Mary remained a virgin perpetually, implies that there is something sinful or at least less than pleasing-to-God about sex in the context of marriage. And in that sense, the doctrine is offensive and off-putting, for we know that sex in the context of marriage is fine with God.
-A8
While this is in the wrong season, I do so love this poem because it does show how we as Catholics view the love that was overflowing in the Holy Family. I still tear up every time I read it....
"Limbo"
The ancient greyness shifted
Suddenly and thinned
Like mist upon the moors
Before a wind.
An old, old prophet lifted
A shining face and said:
"He will be coming soon.
The Son of God is dead;
He died this afternoon."
A murmurous excitement stirred all souls.
they wondered if they dreamed-
Save one old man who seemed
Not even to have heard.
And Moses standing,
Hushed them all to ask
If any had a welcome song prepared.
If not, would David take the task?
And if they cared
Could not the tree young children sing
The Benedicite, the canticle of praise
They made when God kept them from perishing
In the fiery blaze?
A breath of spring surprised them,
Stilling Moses' words.
No one could speak, remembering
The first fresh flowers,
The little singing birds.
Still others thought of fields new ploughed
Or apple trees
All blossom-boughed.
Or some, the way a dried bed fills
With water
Laughing down green hills.
The fisherfolk dreamed of the foam
On bright blue seas.
The one old man who had not stirred
Remembered home.
And there He was
Splendid as the morning sun and fair
As only God is fair.
And they, confused with joy,
Knelt to adore
Seeing that He wore
Five crimson stars
He never had before.
No canticle at all was sung.
None toned a psalm, or raising a greeting song,
A silent man alone
Of all that throng
Found tongue-
Not any other.
Close to His heart
When embrace was done,
Old Joseph said,
"How is your Mother,
How is your Mother, Son?"
-Sister Mary Ada
The Reign Of Mary -Vol. XXV, No