You forgot the violins and choir.
Nobody is apologizing for Mary. But, the believers free from the chains of Rome don’t pray to her, revere her, make icons of her, get guided by her, or hold any other veneration about her.
She was the earthly mother of Jesus at His incarnation. Nothing more, nothing less. She received a great favor by being chosen to do so. Nothing more, nothing less. She was a sinner like you and me. Nothing more, nothing less.
I wonder if the Roman Catholics here would be willing to say she was predestined for her role. Or did it happen by her “free will”?
It will be too late to apologize then, for you will be judged. I can't judge you; you can't judge me; only God can judge us.
Your loss.
She was asked and gave her consent.
Read your Bible.
Mary agreed to be Christ’s mother through free will. She was not a sinner. Christ took on her human traits and God cannot be joined to sin. Mary was created without original sin. The archangel sent by God to ask her to play this important role in the redemption process said she was “full of grace” and that God was with her. Sinners do not receive visits from angels full of praise for them.
Why would God pick a sinner to nurture, love and protect the Son He loves so much? This argument is not logical.
** wonder if the Roman Catholics here would be willing to say she was predestined for her role.**
Absolutely.
**Or did it happen by her “free will”?**
Absolutely.
Have fun figuring that one out!
Oh, she had a choice, when the Angel Gabriel visited her. Why else would she have stated, "I am the handmaiden of the Lord, be it done unto me according to your Word." ? Sounds like affirmation and decision to me.
But we believe that the reason she was so willing, was that she was the "Woman of the Promise", who was created sinless, so that she would be the unblemished vessel in which to carry our Lord. THAT was God's Will.