There are a few equations here:
The angels are > all men by nature.
Mary is > the angels by Grace, the Grace won for us by Jesus Christ, the one mediator between God and man.
In summary, Mary is lower than the angels by nature, but higher than all of them by Grace.
We too are called to be holy and perfect, something that can only happen through Grace (which means freely given, not earned). I suppose some of the great saints might surpass some of the angels in Grace, insofar as they cooperated with the Grace that was available to them in this life. But even the least significant angel has a nature that is superior. The parable of the talents comes to mind in this discussion. Those who have used their talents wisely will not be without their reward. God gives the talents freely, and we make use of them. And the greatest of these is Charity.
I for one am looking forward to loving God more and more in this life and to be face to face forever with Him in the next. Mary serves as a nice role model, she is the perfect Christian response to the Grace of Jesus Christ. She is one of us.
God Bless.
And just where and why do you come up with that?
In summary, Mary is lower than the angels by nature, but higher than all of them by Grace.
Why do you insist on thinking of mortals above that which is written? (1Co. 4:6) Mary was more blessed, but nowhere do we see Mary exalted above all other mortals and angels in holiness and perfection, and she certainly had things she needed to learn.
We too are called to be holy and perfect,
And where do we see Mary attaining perfection of character? Even just being innocent/sinless is not that of perfection of character, which requires being "tempted in all points like as we are yet without sin," (Heb. 4:15) yet while Mary is evidenced to be a holy virtuous Spirit-filled worshipful vessel, the Holy Spirit nowhere infers that she was the more holy of all saints. And while he abundantly describes the sacrificial labor of Paul and his many temptations (to whom He attributes no sin after conversion), he sees fit to say very little of Mary, in stark contrast to the hyper exaltation of the Catholic Mary demigoddess.
Nor is being sinless necessary to be a vessel of God, for God used men to bring forth his pure wholly inspired word.
I suppose some of the great saints might surpass some of the angels in Grace
And why the comparison with angels in Heaven except that they cannot see some things that were revealed to men? (1Pt. 1:12) Instead He morally contrasts mortals with mortals.
I for one am looking forward to loving God more and more in this life and to be face to face forever with Him in the next. Mary serves as a nice role model, she is the perfect Christian response to the Grace of Jesus Christ. She is one of us.
Indeed, but this is not the hyper exhalation and adulation of the demonic substitute that is basically worshiped by Catholics which my last post to you served to detail, and which you are supposed to be responding to.
Bonaventure: …the gates of heaven will open to all who confide in the protection of Mary. Blessed are they who know thee, O Mother of God, for the knowledge of THEE is the high road to everlasting life, and the publication of thy virtues is the way of ETERNAL SALVATION . Give ear, O ye nations; and all you who desire heaven , serve, honor Mary, and certainly you will find ETERNAL LIFE.
Ephem: …devotion to the divine Mother…is the unlocking of the heavenly Jerusalem.
Blosius: To the, O Lady, are committed the KEYS and the treasures of the kingdom of Heaven.
Ambrose: …constantly pray ‘Open to us, O Mary, the gates of paradise, since thou hast its KEYS.
Fulgetius: …by Mary God descended from Heaven into the world, that by HER man might ascend from earth to Heaven.
Athanasius: …And, thou, O Lady, wast filled with grace, that thou mightiest be the way of our SALVATION and the means of ascent to the heavenly Kingdom.
Richard of Laurence: Mary, in fine, is the mistress of heaven; for there she commands as she wills, and ADMITS whom she wills.
Guerric: …he who serves Mary and for whom she intercedes, is as CERTAIN of heaven as if he were already there…and those who DO NOT serve Mary will NOT BE SAVED.
Anselm: It suffices, O Lady, that thou willest it, and our SALVATION is certain.
Antoninus: …souls protected by Mary, and on which she casts her eyes, are NECESSARILY JUSTIFIED AND SAVED.