Replies

I think it's a logic thing. Jesus is God incarnate. Mary is Jesus mother. Ergo, Mary is the Mother of God. [VermontLt]

Pinging others because of similar mentions...especially af_vet_1981, rwa265, NeoCaveman:

OK, my concern isn't actually so much Roman Catholic's specific label here of "Mother of God" -- as much as how it's used to appeal in a repetitious, indirect way that I believe tends to detract from approaching our Father directly thru His Son, and ultimately dilutes Jesus' glory.

So based upon what you say here, VermontLt, let's think this thru -- as you say -- "logically" ... by analogy.

You said:

Jesus is God incarnate.
Mary is Jesus mother.
Ergo, Mary is the Mother of God.

Let's apply this "logic" to the Holy Spirit, first taking into account two Biblical considerations:

1. The Holy Spirit is God incarnate within the flesh-and-blood temple of His people (see John 4:16-17; 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:19; 2 Cor. 6:16; Eph. 3:16; Eze. 36:26-27; 37:14).
2. Mary did not initiate being chosen by God, nor did she need to do anything (Luke 1:26-37) other than submit to bring our Lord into fleshly fruition (see her specific response in Luke 1:38: 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”)

So, my extended analogy is:

a. The Holy Spirit is God incarnate within His Church [caveat: No single ONE of us constitutes that corporate temple]
b. Just as Mary simply relented in order to enflesh Jesus, we, too as His Body simply acquiese to "embody" the Holy Spirit
c. Then are we to "logically" conclude: Ergo, the Church is the Mother of the Holy Spirit!??? (Uh...this is where we tend to let us mere servants and sons get in the way of the Divine One)

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14)
* 7 But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. (John 16)

Tell me: According to these two passages, Who is the One honored, venerated, lauded for being receivers of the Holy Spirit? The Church at-large? Or Jesus as Intercessor (John 14:16) and Sender (John 16:7) along with the Father as Giver (John 14:16)?

We as the Church are not to...
...assume any credit or glory for any Divine Presence or Divine Activity within and through our lives...
...As our Lord said: "So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” (Luke 17:10)
...I would say Mary's reaction in Luke 1:38 embodies this same humble servanthood

Mary is no more responsible or laudable or intercessory-worthy for embodying our Lord than the ensuing generational, worldwide Lord's Church as having embodied the Holy Spirit.

IoW, when we have prayer needs, by all means, enlist many mere fellow pilgrim-intercessors; the danger is when such enlistment borders on usurpation by ignoring the Ultimate Intercessor:

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4)

fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)