This thread has been really interesting. I have a question though. After Jesus rose from the dead, appeared to the disciples, and then ascended into Heaven, how come the disciples did not instantly begin worshipping Mary? She was still among them was she not? If they believed that she was the “easy way” to the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jesus), then why did they preach only about Jesus. Or did I miss Peter’s words about Mary’s “holiness” and her being our intercessor on Pentecost?
Instantly?
Mary isn't worshiped at all...instantly or belatedly.
The disciples did not worship Mary for the same reason that we do not worship her, namely, she is not God.
Or did I miss Peter’s words about Mary’s “holiness” and her being our intercessor on Pentecost?
What you *did* miss is the fullness of the meaning of Cana.
You wrote:
“...how come the disciples did not instantly begin worshipping Mary?”
We don’t worship Mary. The Apostles didn’t worship Mary.
“She was still among them was she not?”
Yep.
“If they believed that she was the “easy way” to the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jesus), then why did they preach only about Jesus.”
Because He had JUST RISEN from the dead and many people knew of Him.
“Or did I miss Peter’s words about Mary’s “holiness” and her being our intercessor on Pentecost?”
You apparently missed many things.
jd, we had an Ecumenical Council in the late 8th century dealing with the Iconoclast controversy which had devastated The Church for decades before. After declaring iconoclasm heresy, the Holy Fathers of the Council proclaimed:
""We define that the holy icons, whether in color, mosaic, or some other material, should be exhibited in the holy churches of God, on the sacred vessels and liturgical vestments, on the walls, furnishings, and in houses and along the roads, namely the icons of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, that of our Lady the Theotokos, those of the venerable angels and those of all saintly people. Whenever these representations are contemplated, they will cause those who look at them to commemorate and love their prototype. We define also that they should be kissed and that they are an object of veneration and honor ( timitiki proskynisis ), but not of real worship ( latreia ), which is reserved for Him Who is the subject of our faith and is proper for the divine nature, ... which is in effect transmitted to the prototype; he who venerates the icon, venerated in it the reality for which it stands."
jd, there is no way that The Church can make it any clearer. Worship (latreia) is reserved for God, the saints and the Most Holy Theotokos we venerate and honor. There is a universe of difference between latreia on the one hand and timitiki and proskynisis on the other...just as there is in English.