Replies

Matthew 12

Jesus' Mother and Brothers

46While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47Someone told him, "Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you."[1]
48He replied to him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers.

Clearly - the reference in v46 is literal and the reference in v49 is figurative.

Important nuance to note - If the duality of Christ is accepted, they are 1/2 brothers and sisters, wholly human. To call them "brothers" and "sisters" in the whole sense is innaccurate.

IMO Mary was a human called by God to do great things, as was Moses & the Apostles etc... I'd suggest we're treading on Idol worship when we deify her obedience and love....something every Christian ought to be expressing -

"I'd suggest we're treading on Idol worship when we deify her obedience and love....something every Christian ought to be expressing."

Agreed. And that's exactly what the Catholic Church teaches about Mary and the saints, indeed any creature.

Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 2113 says:

"Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, 'You cannot serve God and mammon.'[Mt 6:24 .] Many martyrs died for not adoring 'the Beast'[Cf. Rev 13-14.] refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God.[Cf. Gal 5:20 ; Eph 5:5 .]"

I'm glad you agree with us, Rev!