[metmom]

He alone was the redeemer in the ultimate sense, but they cooperated with Him in His work of redemption.

We all co-operate with Him in His work of redemption when we do good works that glorify Him and bring others to Him.

Being Jesus parents was a unique and special role in many ways, but Mary and Joseph were just human beings like any of us and there are likely plenty of people who could have filled those roles had they the right lineage and been born at the right time.

There's nothing about them fulfilling those roles that makes them deserving of the adoration and elevation that the RCC foists on them.

They did what they were called to do in obedience just as we do what we are called to do in obedience. It's not what we do that's significant, but our obedience in doing what God has for each and every one of us. They deserve no more credit for doing what they were called to do than we do for doing what we are called to do.

[Cronos]

Being Jesus parents was a unique and special role in many ways

Of course -- it was in MANY Ways

, but Mary and Joseph were just human beings like any of us

Of course -- as I wrote above, in Church teachings, we emphsise that Mary and Joseph were creatures, created by God, just like you and me

and there are likely plenty of people who could have filled those roles had they the right lineage and been born at the right time.

Yet God chose those two -- do you think that for Jeremiah "there are likely plenty of people who could have filled those roles had they the right lineage and been born at the right time" or Ezekial or +Paul or +Peter?

No you wouldn't --> GOD chose these people. THAT is why we hold them in esteem -- because GOD chose them and these people, these created beings, they ACCEPTED God and ACCEPTED His Plan. HE does all the saving, WE just have to accept. That is our co-operation with him where we all co-operate with Him in His work of redemption

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But you are correct when you say tht We all co-operate with Him in His work of redemption when we do good works that glorify Him and bring others to Him.

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And your statement They did what they were called to do in obedience just as we do what we are called to do in obedience. It's not what we do that's significant, but our obedience in doing what God has for each and every one of us. They deserve no more credit for doing what they were called to do than we do for doing what we are called to do. is interesting -- we BOTH agree that "It's not what we do that's significant, but our obedience in doing what God has for each and every one of us."

The key point being obedience. Surprisinly, not everyone is obedient to death or even lesser -- and quite frankly neither are you or I so completely obedient. The reason we hold these people in high esteem is because they were obedient, because they accepted God -- God does all the saving, everything, we just have to say "ok, I accept" -- it sounds so simple, yet many of us fail to do this little thing. Hence those who DO say this we hold as heroes of the faith, people to emulate.