Talking to Mary
Posted by: tony on 04/03/2008 02:54 AM
Updated by: tony on 04/03/2008 02:54 AM
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Expires: 05/04/2008 12:00 AM
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 Many of our separated bretheren have a problem with the Mother of God. They believe that you can go right to Jesus with your prayers, requests, etc., and they are right. You can do that. Nothing in Catholic doctrine requires you to speak with the Saints, even Jesus' mother. The only thing required is that you believe that there is a communion of saints. We say that during the Nicene Creed at every Mass.
Sister Mary Martha has a great take on this:
The Mary thing is particularly vexing. Here's what I have to say about the idea that ignoring Mary is a smart move:
So. You only talk to Jesus. Good for you. Let me get this straight. Tomorrow you are invited to a party and Jesus is going to be there. You get to this party and you talk to Jesus and it's just wonderful. You sit down on the couch with your plate of cheese and crackers and, lo and behold, next to you on the couch is Mary, with her plate of olives with pimento. You say nothing to her? You just sit there staring ahead eating your cheese? Wouldn't you be fascinated to get to talk with Jesus' mother? Seriously, wouldn't you? If Jesus wanted to sit on the couch too, would you just shove Mary aside? And what if she said to you, "is there anything else you'd like me to say to Jesus for you?", your reply would be, "no, I'll just talk to Jesus myself"?
And what do you think Jesus would think if you were so rude to his mother at the party?
That is a patricular vexing question. From reading Protestant web sites and blogs, I get this sense of not only not revering Jesus' mom with entirely appropriate hyperdulia, but there seems to be this sort of disdain. I here statements like: "Mary was a sin-filled human just like the rest of us!", or: "Mary was simply the vessel."
I was always taught that we are supposed to follow Jesus' example. Jesus obviously loved and revered his mother and stepfather just like we revere our parents. Wouldn't you think that Jesus would want us to feel the same way about his mom?
Mary shows us something that is impossible for Jesus to show us. What she shows us is how to be a faithful follower of Jesus. The rest of the Saints with the example of their lives, do the same.
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