In Lent, the adversary, being reminded that his time is short, is especially vicious. He clouds the minds of those who do not persistently take refuge in Jesus.
During such an assault appeals to reason will not meet with reasonable response.
Consider this: If someone says, "So and so is dead and in heaven," he is using not the language of the Faith, not the language of Christ and His Church, not even the language of the Bible. Those in heaven live with a life unknown to us on earth "for all live to Him." "Dead and in heaven," strictly speaking, is a meaningless and self-contradictory statement. Those who speak this way indicate that their hearts are still largely informed by the flesh.
In assailing the dogmata concerning our Blessed Mother, they denigrate the promises to the Faithful. Is her heart immaculate? So will be the hearts of the Saints in Heaven? Do they argue that she should be deprived of what is promised to all the faithful?
They complain at the teaching that she is queen. The Bible teaches that all the blessed are a royal (that is, kingly) priesthood. If they were to be taken at their word, on the last day she would be the only saint in heaven who was NOT king or queen.
But this is not the time of year to contend. This is the time to direct our minds and open our hearts to the light of Love which shines even in the darkness of betrayal and death.
I will refrain from replying to your points out of deference to your perspective on Lent, Bro.
“”In Lent, the adversary, being reminded that his time is short, is especially vicious””
The humble have nothing to worry about
From Saint Faustina
“Oh, how sweet it is to toil for God and souls! I want no respite in this battle, but I shall fight to the last breath for the glory of my King and Lord. I shall not lay the sword aside until He calls me before His throne; I fear no blows, because God is my shield. It is the enemy who should fear us, and not we him. Satan defeats only the proud and the cowardly, because the humble are strong. Nothing will confuse or frighten a humble soul. I have directed my flight at the very center of the sun’s heat, and nothing can lower its course. Love will not allow itself to be taken prisoner, it is free like a queen. Love attains God.” Saint Faustina- diary, p.199
Amen!
These doctrinal disputations seem pretty pointless anyway. Especially in this holy season, it would be better if Christians could focus more on what we have in common with Christians outside our own tradition, rather than on ancient, seemingly irreconcilable points of contention; for the universal Body of Christ is constituted of all faithful lovers of Christ. The members of the Body are Christ's choice. Therefore, Christians have no basis to complain about members of the Body from other Christian traditions. All of us are entailed by the divine command to love one another — Love thy neighbor as thyself.
Or so it seems to me.
Thank you so very much for your wise, perceptive essay/post, dear Mad Dawg!