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.
It seems that some here so despise the Catholic Church that their hatred is extended to the Mother of God.
Hmm, since this is not the Mafia, you could PROBABLY leave without much worry. But watch your back and don’t sit near an open door or window....
lol, so she's bringing us some "new knowledge", kind of new age isn't it
So, you believe that Jesus Christ is the Seed of “Spiritual Israel”?
It musta been magick ... it musta been.
Spell it right DM, “We don’t need no steeenking Bible.” There. Fixed it.
So unsaved Israel is in heaven?
And you're worried about us...
Petronski, she gave birth like all women give birth. No mystery there.
Maybe you don't, but the Catholic Church does.
Of course she did....and remained a virgin thereafter.
Whoa. And it comes right from their own Catechism? I don’t see how our Catholic FRiends can deny their own Catechism’s writings.
>>Those in Heaven are “dead”? <<
Kind of blows that whole “Eternal Life” thing out of the water, doesn’t it?
I think the “new light” refers to the renewed light instead of the current darkness. For some of us God’s light is new.
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
I have to pick my fights here, otherwise I’d be on all day instead of half a day...smile.
The refutation of an accidental, or more likely deliberate, misinterpretation of the Catechism IS NOT a denial.
I value their prayers, but I also know that God has a plan for my life. If that plan includes healing, hey,I’m all for it. If it isn’t, He will give me the grace to go through life without it.
Funny, I didn't know that we were here to fight, maybe it's just you.
It’s the old Mormon argument: It’s only right IF it is interpreted correctly. And no one can interpret it, it’s a mystery
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