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.
Read what was said before that so you can understand the post. Cheezzzz.
I think it does, Mom.
Post 3135
I already acknowledged and appreciated Ratzinger’s assertions about Mary and the co-Redemptrix thing—before any RC declared that NO Protty would do so.
Guess an RC pontification was wrong again.
Jest funnin’ you, MD.
Yeah, large groups of people are going to be diverse almost regardless.
Look at us Conservative Christians hereon! LOL.
great post
I really don’t. Because in a town that is inhabited mostly by Catholics, I wouldn’t “know” any good righteous Protestants. There would be none for me to know.
And, someone on the surface may appear to be saved, but are not at all.
My BIL the atheist, attends church regualarly with his Christian wife, volunteers at the church and seems like he is saved. He just doesn’t tell anyone how he feels.
Not everything is what we “know”.
Oh, it’s already started with Papertyger. I’m old and tough. But I appreciate your prayers!
I think it’s post 3135 . . . Ratzinger’s on record as saying that the co-Redemptrix thing is tooooo askew from the wording of Scripture and the Church Fathers to ever be formalized.
Sounds good.
>>Look at us Conservative Christians hereon! LOL.<<
Oooo, ya got that right!
I’ll wait for papertyger’s response.
What do you call ‘a piece of wood?’ The Cross?
LOL
Are you another one of those people who refuse to use official terminology of the Catholic Church?
*******************
Agreed, netmilsmom.
>>Can you give me a passage where anyone in scripture prayed to someone who did not have an earthly body?<<
I don’t need one. I’m not bound by the tradition that scripture is my ONLY guide.
I have NO idea who DeMontfort is. I go by the Word of God, not the Word of Man.
I understand the perspective Ms tyger.
Not a very accurate one, but understandable.
Well, I don’t know. Why don’t you google it? LOL.
To whom? The Grays?
I have no idea. I see them sometimes dip the wafer into the wine but that was a long time ago. Hmm. Dunno.
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