One’s overall spiritual attitude will color how one sees the scriptures.
I do weigh in on the side that says that unhealthy and unholy preoccupation with Mary and other saints does exist. It shows itself by not glorifying God ourselves. Mary might have more grace than the rest of the saints combined, but if she IS praying for her brothers and sisters, it would be for them to glorify the Lord too, not just to hail her and thank her and stop like she was some side show in the picture. I mean the thing Mary is sometimes likened to is a prayer warrior that you know. And so if you call up this prayer warrior, call him Ralph, you ask Ralph please pray for this issue. Well if Ralph does and God is then glorified in your life through a miraculous grace, what’s your response. “Thank you, Ralph”? Well yes, but also BOTH you and Ralph will be praising the Lord. That’s the element I see troublingly missing here. Mary’s praise can’t excuse your lack of praise.
I don't know Mary. Mary is dead. I don't pray to her or channel her or ask her for any intercession. Any focus on Mary is a focus off of Jesus. Jesus refused to give her audience because she was going to try to persuade Him to not offend the priests. Matt. 12:47,48. Had they met He would have had to rebuke her with a "Get thee behind me Satan" and He wished to spare her that. Pick a live prayer warrior.
I don't know Mary. Mary is dead. I don't pray to her or channel her or ask her for any intercession. Any focus on Mary is a focus off of Jesus. Jesus refused to give her audience because she was going to try to persuade Him to not offend the priests. Matt. 12:47,48. Had they met He would have had to rebuke her with a "Get thee behind me Satan" and He wished to spare her that. Pick a live prayer warrior.
I don't know Mary. Mary is dead. I don't pray to her or channel her or ask her for any intercession. Any focus on Mary is a focus off of Jesus. Jesus refused to give her audience because she was going to try to persuade Him to not offend the priests. Matt. 12:47,48. Had they met He would have had to rebuke her with a "Get thee behind me Satan" and He wished to spare her that. Pick a live prayer warrior.
We either believe something because of what the Scriptures say; or else the Scriptures say something because we believe it.