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.
You're not taking your own advice -- hard to see why you spend so much time on threads with Catholic topics . . . ;-)
And people are on their knees praying to them every day.
Read the comments on that thread. Every Catholic there defends, supports and practically glorifies what Padre Pio wrote about Mary's "co-redemptrix" status.
Pope John Paul II referred to Mary as the "co-redeemer" eight times during his papacy.
>>You’re not taking your own advice — hard to see why you spend so much time on threads with Catholic topics . .;-)<<
Oh it’s okay. All the Bible worshipers have to do is lean their book against the screen. It wards off evil, ya know.
There’s not one in English either. “Co-” isn’t a conjunction.
Yes, I must concede, even the NAB is still the Bible.
LOL
Wrong. I was speaking of protestants in general, using another poster’s remark to illustrate my point.
None of that makes co-Redemptrix a teaching of the Catholic Church.
Defined as: somebody finding something in the Bible I don't think is there.
Define every.
From that thread.....
To: stfassisi
I hope the record is adequately clear here: None of this involves referring to Mary as “Redemptrix.” Claims to the contrary are false.
34 posted on Monday, September 10, 2007 12:52:46 PM by Petronski (Cleveland Indians: Pennant -14)
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Now I know that I’m a whizz at computer skills but it’s very easy to actually click on the posted link and read.
What I see is a WHOLE lot of work for the Mod. It really makes the disrupters look unChristian.
I refer you to the catechism. Short answer: no.
Thank God for the written word. Anyone is free to read that thread and learn exactly what is said.
Christ redeems.
Do you imagine I am on your witness stand, fielding your hostile interrogatories? Is this my cross-examination?
redemptor : redeemer (Christ).
Or cum redemptor is the proper term
The word means to "buy". Mary hasn't bought us in any sense of the words, Latin or English. And "co" means full partner, not "with"
AMEN!
:)
When they do, they will understand the lies being told about Catholicism on this thread.
The Catechism clarifies a lot of the distortions spun by the anti-Catholic bigots.
Amen to that!!!
But the mod said that they are actually worshiping this way. Fancy that.
I want to put it on record, for my children that read here sometimes, you’re not going to make any points with me by slamming your sister. It makes you look shallow and is not very Christian. Don’t think I give you any brownie points for doing that Net or Mil.
I love you both equally.
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