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To: OLD REGGIE; Patriotic1; Diego1618; Salvation; Frank Sheed; trisham
The Church has always remained silent on whether or not St. Joseph was a virgin; however, Church teachings are clear on the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Mother.

For all of the talk of the Lord's "brothers and sisters" remember these things:

1. There is absolutely NOTHING in scripture that suggests that the Blessed Virgin Mary had any other children.
2. On the Cross, Jesus entrusted His mother to the apostle John. Had Mary had other children, this would have been a sinful violation of Judaic law. Christians are in complete agreement that the Lord NEVER sinned.
3. Because there is no established teaching on Joseph, it is quite possible that James and the others were his children from a prior marriage, in this case it would have been perfectly acceptable for Christ to entrust His mother to someone else. It is further possible that they were close relatives who were orphaned and raised by the Holy Family as if they were their own, in this case it would not be at all unusual for them to be referred to as the Lord's brethren.
4. Neither James nor Jude make any claim in their epistles that they or anyone else is a sibling of Jesus.
5. The perpetual virginity of the Blessed Mother WAS NEVER questioned until centuries AFTER THE START OF THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION. If you want to criticize the traditions of the Church, go ahead, but do so knowing that the idea that Mary bore other children is a VERY NEW tradition.
6. Now, I am aware of the argument that for Mary and Joseph to not have sexual relations would be "abnormal." However, the Holy Family was the most decidedly "abnormal" family to have ever lived. When two people have told an angel of God that they are willing to raise the Son of God, it is axiomatic that any expectation of a "normal" life has been forfeited.
7. And finally think about this, had the the Blessed Virgin Mary had other children, it would have created the very real and awkward possibility of a "royal lineage" of direct descendants of the Lord's natural brothers and sisters.

867 posted on 03/06/2007 10:43:27 AM PST by wagglebee ("We are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom." -- President Bush, 1/20/05)
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To: wagglebee

Excellent, concise list, thanks for posting.


872 posted on 03/06/2007 11:00:45 AM PST by FourtySeven (47)
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To: wagglebee; OLD REGGIE
There is absolutely NOTHING in scripture that suggests that the Blessed Virgin Mary had any other children.

[Psalms 69:8] I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

Then this does not qualify as a suggestion....or a hint?

977 posted on 03/06/2007 4:07:26 PM PST by Diego1618
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