[Salvation]

1 -- When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,
the infant leaped in her womb,
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,
cried out in a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

2 -- And how does this happen to me,
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.
Blessed are you who believed
that what was spoken to you by the Lord
would be fulfilled."

Two times the Virgin Mary is called Blessed by Elizabeth. I really cannot understand why the Protest-ant churches do not hold Mary, the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in similar high regard as the Catholics do.

Any insights?
Comments?

[Salvation]

Are Catholics the ones following the Bible here?
Sighhhhhh..........

[Desdemona]

"I really cannot understand why the Protest-ant churches do not hold Mary, the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in similar high regard as the Catholics do."

I don't either. This did go through my mind at Mass this morning. No other woman is prominant in the New Testament. To have this kind of faith is mind-boggling and yet when I point that out to protestants, they say but Mary was not God and I don't need a gynecological exam to prove my faith. That's not the point.

This maid, young girl, virgin was conceived to bring the son of God and Man into this world. That she was taken, assumed, into heaven speaks to the Father's regard for her. That's the point that's missed, rather deliberately, too.

[Frumanchu]

I really cannot understand why the Protest-ant churches do not hold Mary, the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ, in similar high regard as the Catholics do.

Please understand that I, while not Catholic, do hold Mary in high regard. She is an wonderful example of faith and trust in the Lord. I simply do not accept her as the Catholic Church does in a mediatory role. There are many Catholic doctrines I do not agree with, but few more so than this one.

Unfortunately, many Protestants are so concerned with standing against the Catholic Church that they would completely ignore Mary. Likewise, many Catholics would wrongly characterize all Protestants as having a disdain or hatred for Mary when that is not the case.

I admire your devotion, but I cannot in good conscience share it. That being said, I would never be one to make statements to the effect of your salvation or lack thereof based on your belief in Marian doctrine.

In Christ, Fru

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

Especially when one reads the writings of Calvin, Luther and Zwingli concerning the Blessed Virgin Mary.