[Ottofire]

--Where in the world did you get the idea that Catholics "deny the completeness of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross"?

Must you continue to go to mass to get to Heaven? If so, the sacrifice of Jesus is not complete, and you must do a work, the Eucharist, to attain Heaven, and Jesus' death is just one step in the process. And really not the important one, as you can choose to let Him fail on the cross in regards to your salvation. Your choice trumps Gods Will.

--Who told you that Catholics "look to their own works to get them out of harms way"?

If you must confess your sins to a priest to stay out of purgatory or hell, and perform penance, then you are relying on your own works to do so. The death of Jesus on the Cross is not enough for your false gospel. Work work work. Sure hope you do enough to get saved.

--Is that another misunderstanding of what you were taught in your youth?
--Is that another mistaken teaching you learned as a youth?

Fortunately I do not have to rely on the traditions for my salvation, as God inspired the Apostles to write, as Luke says, the firm, secure truth concerning Salvation.

Funny no one has answered my questions as to why these miraculous claims about Mary weren't written down by Paul, John or Luke. Is that answer still is elusive to the Catholic? Anyone want to take the bet that it will remain unchallenged? The silence from the Apostles is deafening also...

[Running On Empty]

You have no idea what I choose or what my choices are nor how they reflect my profession of faith.

Please don't attempt to tell me about them when you don't know.

[ScubieNuc]

Funny no one has answered my questions as to why these miraculous claims about Mary weren't written down by Paul, John or Luke.

Here's something else I found to be enlightening. In the same gospel that Catholics love to base their "blessed Mary" doctrine, you also have this....

Luke 11:27,28 ¶ And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed [is] the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

But he said, Yea rather, blessed [are] they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Here you have a perfect chance for Jesus to say "Yes, Mary was specially blessed, and you need to keep that in mind when you want to come to me." Instead you see, as Luke documents and Jesus emphasises in verse 28, that Jesus redirects the woman that those that hear and keep the Word of God (the Bible) are blessed.

This whole discussion about whether Mary was specially blessed or not takes away from what Jesus says...that we all can be blessed by hearing the Word and keeping the Word.

Sincerely