“An allegation that our devotions contradict scripture is one that I take seriously and I would like this slander to be substantiated honestly, or retracted. So far, al I get is more calvinist assuptions heaped on, — no substantiation and no retraction.”
You have had the scriptural subtantiation but you just don’t want to believe it, it’s your choice according to your free will. No retraction is necessary; just a difference of interpretation.
“The fact that Mary is chief among the saints comes not from her being simply “blessed”, although that she most certainly is, but filled with grace, “kecharitomene””
Well, Jesus was “full of grace” also, and we have received that fulness of grace from Him.
Jhn 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Jhn 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.
Rom 5:15 But not as the offence, so also [is] the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, [which is] by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.
God is no respecter of persons and that has no scriptural exceptions. Even Mary must appear before the judgment seat of Christ and answer for her allotment of grace.
Act 10:34 Then Peter opened [his] mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
Gal. 2:6, “(whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:)”
Eph. 6:9, “knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
1 Pet. 1:17, “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear”
2Cr 5:10, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.”
Explaining Calvinism to me, or giving fantastic interpretation of the scripture is not subtantiating an allegation that there is a contradiction. The former, you did. The latter you did not. If however, you now admit that what we have here is difference of interpretation, then that is exactly what I ask, a retraction. So you understand now that the Catholic mariology and hagiology are consistent with the Catholic understanding of the Holy Scripture?
With the rest of your post I don't have an objection: yes, of course, Christ is the source of all grace and judges, as well as saves, Mary and all the saints.
Hmmmm...as long as we're listing the people who were "full of grace" don't forget Stephen,
Act 6:8 And Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people.
It's surprising the Catholic Church doesn't consider him to be "without sin".
Romans 3 is an indictment against all mankind-Mary included. We all need a Savior just as Mary stated.