Posted on 05/30/2008 10:21:34 AM PDT by Ultra Sonic 007
Some of you will remember my recent decision to become a Catholic. I suppose I should be surprised it ended getting derailed into a 'Catholic vs. Protestant' thread, but after going further into the Religion forum, I suppose it's par for the course.
There seems to be a bit of big issue concerning Mary. I wanted to share an observation of sorts.
Now...although I was formerly going by 'Sola Scriptura', my father was born and raised Catholic, so I do have some knowledge of Catholic doctrine (not enough, at any rate...so consider all observations thusly).
Mary as a 'co-redeemer', Mary as someone to intercede for us with regards to our Lord Jesus.
Now...I can definitely see how this would raise some hairs. After all, Jesus Himself said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and that none come to the Father but through Him. I completely agree.
I do notice a bit of a fundamental difference in perception though. Call it a conflict of POV. Do Catholics worship Mary (as I've seen a number of Protestants proclaim), or do they rather respect and venerate her (as I've seen Catholics claim)? Note that it's one thing to regard someone with reverence; I revere President Bush as the noted leader of the free world. I revere my father. I revere Dr. O'Neil, a humorous and brilliant math teacher at my university. It's an act of respect.
But do I WORSHIP them?
No. Big difference between respecting/revering and worshiping. At least, that's how I view it.
I suppose it's also a foible to ask Mary to pray for us, on our behalf...but don't we tend to also ask other people to pray for us? Doesn't President Bush ask for people to pray for him? Don't we ask our family members to pray for us for protection while on a trip? I don't see quite a big disconnect between that and asking Mary to help pray for our wellbeing.
There is some question to the fact that she is physically dead. Though it stands to consider that she is still alive, in Heaven. Is it not common practice to not just regard our physical life, but to regard most of all our spirit, our soul? That which survives the flesh before ascending to Heaven or descending to Hell after God's judgment?
I don't think it's that big of a deal. I could change my mind after reading more in-depth, but I don't think that the Catholic Church has decreed via papal infallibility that Mary is to be placed on a higher pedestal than Jesus, or even to be His equal.
Do I think she is someone to be revered and respected? Certainly. She is the mother of Jesus, who knew Him for His entire life as a human on Earth. Given that He respected her (for He came to fulfill the old laws; including 'Honor Thy Father and Mother'), I don't think it's unnatural for other humans to do the same. I think it's somewhat presumptuous to regard it on the same level as idolatry or supplanting Jesus with another.
In a way, I guess the way Catholics treat Mary and the saints is similar to how the masses treated the Apostles following the Resurrection and Jesus's Ascension: people who are considered holy in that they have a deep connection with Jesus and His Word, His Teachings, His Message. As the Apostles spread the Good News and are remembered and revered to this day for their work, so to are the works of those sainted remembered and revered. Likewise with Mary. Are the Apostles worshiped? No. That's how it holds with Mary and the saints.
At least, that's how my initial thoughts on the subject are. I'll have to do more reading.
Correct.
Of course, that statement does not describe Catholic practice either.
Oh, dear . . . a double standard contradiction???
Whatever can you mean?
The pure as the driven snow are never wrong. Just ask them.
Rhumatoid Arthritis?
The book
A MORE EXCELLENT WAY: Be In Health
Spiritual Roots of Disease
Pathways to Wholeness
By Henry W Wright
is excellent. He has enabled many to become completely free of such incurable maladies.
In my experiences, such groups are either wonderful or they aren’t.
If they aren’t, they can tend to really stink worse than average.
INDEED!
THANKS.
Well done.
Thus the facetious, but essentially true statement, "There is no Catholic teaching which is so clear it cannot be denied, modified, or reinterpreted as required."
Perhaps some here think I would take advice from an internet personality I don’t even like, even as to the recommendation of a book.
They would be mistaken. Not a chance. So far, I have beaten the odds of being crippled by the disease, and remain active and independent. My doctor has told me to keep up what I am doing, with these excellent results.
So, have a great day.
I’m super abundantly keenly aware of the feelings toward me. I’m not the idiot some folks construe me to be.
I care so much about people, I even care about folks who hate me.
I hate to see anyone suffer such pain.
I have a reliable source who has helped 100’s of folks be totally free of such pain.
I can only lead mules to water.
Many mules seem quite determined to sleep in cactus. It’s certainly their choice.
Jesus once asked—was it a man—if he WANTED to be well.
When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
John 5:5-7
"are all of pagan origin, and sanctified by their adoption into the Church..." {374}
Asperger Syndrome
A few, of many charachteristics:
Literal interpretation of language. difficulty comprehending implied meanings.
There's a definite tendency towards literal thinking too - not understanding common phrases or expressions. He also expects the world to conform to HIS standards and ideas of how things should be, not the other way around.
I certainly encourage folks to do what their doc’s say.
Good points.
Now, REGGIE,
you and I both know that some folks are experts at
blackwashing Prottys
and
white washing the philosophical Holy Grail of elitist clubs. Some may even have PhD’s in the ‘discipline.’
That's one of the remarks that lets me know exactly what sort of character is replying to me.
Tell us, is Henry W. Wright a theologian? A physician? This book is a case of "tell me your disease, I'll tell you where you aren't right with God; if you get right with God the way I tell you, you won't be sick anymore." Reminds me of Job's useless friends.
There are people out there who have the healing touch. NONE of them is on television, or hawking a book.
I care so much about people, I even care about folks who hate me.
Practice makes perfect!
I do not ask Christ to make we "well." I am already "well." Better people than I suffer far more. I can take my small portion.
No doubt. Anything else is practicing medicine without a license.
What’s y’all’s take on:
Proverbs 17:13
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house. KJV
MESSAGE:
13 Those who return evil for good
will meet their own evil returning.
AMPLIFIED:
13Whoever rewards evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.(A)
Haha! Let me tell you what I found out! Henry W. Wright is 58 years old, single, and is a Capricorn. Guess where I learned it! His MySpace page.
Yes, it’s THAT Henry W. Wright. Author of “Be In Health.”
Honestly, what a ratty way to make a living.
Sick.
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