Posted on 10/15/2013 3:21:28 PM PDT by NYer
Most of us who are Catholics eventually get asked, “Why do you Catholics worship Mary?” More often than not the question is not a real question it is a rhetorical question. For a few of you who might not know what is meant by the expression “rhetorical question,” it refers to a “question” whose purpose is not to seek an answer, but, rather, to make a (usually hostile) point. For example the expression “Who do you think you are!?” is in the form of a question but it does not seek an answer. Instead it is meant as a rebuke. And so it usually is when we Catholics get asked the “question” Why do you worship Mary?” we’re usually aware that it is not a sincere question seeking a sincere answer. However, for those cases where an answer really is sought I might propose the following approach:
“Well, of course we don’t worship Mary since that would be a terrible sin. Worship belongs to God alone. We DO honor her though. Afterall, she is Jesus’ mother. But let me ask you a question. Why in your church, do you NOT honor Mary at all? Doesn’t scripture say Every generation will call [Mary] blessed because God who is mighty has done great things for [her]? (Luke 1:48-49) It seems to me that we Catholics are fulfilling scripture but that in your denomination you are not fulfilling or following it. So why don’t you honor her at all? Why don’t you call her blessed as the Bible says?”
Now stop there and wait for an answer. Don’t keep going. Just stop and wait. Have them answer for a change. We Catholics are always on the defensive, always in answer mode. But we ought to ask a few questions too. And try to avoid a merely rhetorical or hostile tone. Try to allow this question to be genuine, respectful, one meant to provoke thought. It is possible that many Protestants have never been asked this question or pondered an answer. Now it is also possible that your interlocutor will try to change the subject or evade an answer by piling on about Catholics but just repeat the question respectfully and ask for an answer. Remember your point is not to argue, be hostile or win an argument. Your point is to provoke thought and get a real answer. And even if the conversation ends badly or with no answer, you’ve planted a seed, a question that they will ponder even if they don’t admit it. Jesus often asked questions to proke thought and conversion. I will be doing a post on this next week.
A final thought on Mary. Another way to explain out devotion and love for Mary is that we are imitating Jesus. We love, honor, respect and entrust ourselves to her care because Jesus did all these things and we want to be just like Jesus. Consider that the very Son of God, dwelled in Mary’s womb, nursed at her breasts, was held in her arms, sat on her lap and entrusted himself to her care. Our Lord could have chosen to enter our world in other ways. Perhaps He could simply have entered the world as a full grown man. The fact is that He freely chose Mary to be his mother and he was truly her Son. As her son he loved and honored her as any good son must and as her son he entrusted himself to her care. All of this serves to highlight Mary’s dignity and to show us how devotion to her is in perfect imitation of Jesus himself.
What more need we say: Jesus our Lord and God honors and loves Mary, and his very scriptures sing her praises; so too His Angel Gabriel and countless saints. When we honor Mary we imitate the very Son of God and fulfill Holy Scripture. Certainly our Lord is pleased that we love and honor his mother.
Here’s a little viseo I recently put together. The Music is from the Daughters of St Paul, “I Am Thine” from the Handmaiden of the Lord Album:
The Orthodox also revere Mary, and they have been separated from Rome for a thousand years.
Ever think they might not have something to say about the matter?
True, the brain wash has been present for hundreds of years..
It’s part of “certain” cultures..
True Catholics, East or Roman, DO believe in the Immaculate Conceptoion, of MARY. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception refers to Mary’s conception without the stain of original sin, and NOT to Mary’s devine virginal impregnation with Jesus.
Hang on to the dogma, kid. It sure beats thinking!
“Why? Because it’s the Achilles heel of Protestantism.”
Well, do you have unanimous consent of the Fathers for this claim? I don’t think you do.
“Have thou ever in your mind this seal, which for the present has been lightly touched in my discourse, by way of summary, but shall be stated, should the Lord permit, to the best of my power with the proof from the Scriptures. For concerning the divine and holy mysteries of the Faith, not even a casual statement must be delivered without the Holy Scriptures; nor must we be drawn aside by mere plausibility and artifices of speech. Even to me, who tell you these things, give not absolute credence, unless thou receive the proof of the things which I announce from the Divine Scriptures. For this salvation which we believe depends not on ingenious reasoning , but on demonstration of the Holy Scriptures.” (Cyril of Jerusalem, Cat. Lecture 4, Ch. 17)
“Which Bible should we follow? The Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant Canon? “
I’m perfectly fine with Jerome’s, as is the majority of Christendom.
“So Catholics find it ironic that Protestants criticize Catholic doctrines that aren’t explicitly stated in the Bible. even though Luther’s doctrine of “the Bible alone,” as the sole rule of faith, isn’t in the Bible.”
Yes it is. How many times did Jesus cite Rabbanical tradition when refuting them? He only quoted the scripture. And Paul says that all scripture is given by inspiration of God and is useful for reproof, doctrine, instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect and thoroughly furnished for ALL good works.
The Catholic retort is just to hope that nobody bothers to read the scripture for themselves, since there is no way to reconcile most of your teaching with the scripture. It’s not a matter of it being “explicit” in the Word. It’s a matter of absolutely contradicting the direct words of Christ, as in when the Papists claim that Mary is necessary for salvation.
Seeing as how bible reading is encouraged for Catholics, your last statement is without foundation.
“Seeing as how bible reading is encouraged for Catholics,
Depends on what century you’re living in. You can thank the Reformation for that. Though, from what I remember being a Papist, I don’t think the Catholics really understand the meaning of Bible study.
With all due respect Robby, please define what constitutes "honor".
They ignore her. Or they leave her where they find her in the pages of Mark.
My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden,
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm:
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and exalted those of low degree.
He has filled the hungry with good things;
and the rich He has sent empty away.
He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His posterity forever.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
Magníficat ánima mea Dóminum,
et exsultávit spíritus meus
in Deo salvatóre meo,
quia respéxit humilitátem
ancíllæ suæ.
Ecce enim ex hoc beátam
me dicent omnes generatiónes,
quia fecit mihi magna,
qui potens est,
et sanctum nomen eius,
et misericórdia eius in progénies
et progénies timéntibus eum.
Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo,
dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui;
depósuit poténtes de sede
et exaltávit húmiles.
Esuriéntes implévit bonis
et dívites dimísit inánes.
Suscépit Ísrael púerum suum,
recordátus misericórdiæ,
sicut locútus est ad patres nostros,
Ábraham et sémini eius in sæcula.
Glória Patri et Fílio
et Spirítui Sancto.
Sicut erat in princípio,
et nunc et semper,
et in sæcula sæculórum.
Amen.
She became the Mother of God, in which work so many and such great good things are bestowed on her as pass man’s understanding. For on this there follows all honor, all blessedness, and her unique place in the whole of mankind, among which she has no equal, namely, that she had a child by the Father in heaven, and such a Child . . . Hence men have crowded all her glory into a single word, calling her the Mother of God . . . None can say of her nor announce to her greater things, even though he had as many tongues as the earth possesses flowers and blades of grass: the sky, stars; and the sea, grains of sand. It needs to be pondered in the heart what it means to be the Mother of God.
(Commentary on the Magnificat, 1521; in Luther’s Works, Pelikan et al, vol. 21, 326)
There are other Christians who also believe Mary was buried in Jerusalem as well. There is a shrine in that city as well.
There is the Triune God, Robby. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit! Those we pray to, but we do respect and honor the Mother of Jesus and the Saints and Apostles.
Hail Mary, full of grace,the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death. Amen
"I am the Mother of Mercy, the joy of the just, and the gate to God for sinners. In the fire of Purgatory there is no suffering that through my intercession would not be more easily bearable than otherwise. No one is so damned that, as long as he lives, he will lack my mercy. No one is so far from God, if he is not completely accursed, that he may not come back to God and obtain mercy when he appeals to me...[emphasis, mine]
From my Son's birth until His death, I was filled with grief. Tears used to come into my eyes when I gazed at His hands and feet, which the nails were going to pierce...when I meditated on His future Passion...and when I saw the Prophets' sayings concerning Him all being fulfilled...And now I look at all the human beings on earth to see whether maybe there are a few who feel compassion for me and who think of my sorrows, but I find very few who mediate on my suffering and sorrows. Therefore, my daughter, do not forget me, for I am forgotten and ignored by many. See my grief, and imitate me as well as you can..." --Mary, Mother of Mercy, Saints Who Saw Mary
MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary that never was it known that anyone who fled to Your protection, implored Your help, or sought Your intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly to you, O Virgin of virgins, our Mother. To You we come; before You we stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in Your mercy, hear and answer us. Amen.
Sorry figurative response does not reconcile with this. "John 26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!"
WHY the Daily Rosary?
•Our Lady has 117 titles. She selected this title at Fatima: “I am the Lady of the Rosary.”
•St. Francis de Sales said the greatest method of praying IS- Pray the Rosary.
•St. Thomas Aquinas preached 40 straight days in Rome Italy on just the Hail Mary.
•St. John Vianney, patron of priest, was seldom seen without a rosary in his hand.
•”The rosary is the scourge of the devil” — Pope Adrian VI
•”The rosary is a treasure of graces” — Pope Paul V
•Padre Pio the stigmatic priest said: “The Rosary is THE WEAPON”
•Pope Leo XIII wrote 9 encyclicals on the rosary.
•Pope John XXIII spoke 38 times about our Lady and the Rosary. he prayed 15 decades daily.
•St. Louis Marie Grignion de Montfort wrote: “The rosary is the most powerful weapon to touch the Heart of Jesus, Our Redeemer, who so loves His Mother.”
•MARY, QUEEN OF THE HOLY ANGELS — PRAY FOR US!
•”Jesus, Mary, I Love You, Save Souls”
•J.M.J. = JESUS, MARY, JOSEPH - the Holy Family......
From Catholic Online
The image is not graven, by the way. Most are molded. And “graven image” is the same as “idol”. Pictures or statutes of Mary are not idols, and we “idolize” Mary not as a goddess, but more like moderns do superstars, an extremely gifted human being. Except our “idol” does not have clay feet.
Preposterous. How can she be when Jesus says He is the provision for sin and no one comes to the Father but by Him?
This is just silly and dis-credits your cause.
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