Though I greatly respect the women of the Bible you mention, you are extraordinarily cavalier in your opinion about Mary’s obedience not being ‘costly’ to her.
Hannah’s son lived and died a prophet, reverenced by all. Jael and Deborah lived and died revered as well.
Mary saw her Son tortured and KILLED, and while we don’t know for certain, she probably spent the rest of her life after His resurrection living a life of hiding.
I can tell you aren’t a mother (perhaps not a father either) if you can think that Mary’s only risk was to her reputation as a teen, and that her seeing her Son crucified and dead wasn’t all that bad compared to a woman who saw her son cared for and honored (Hannah) and a woman who was accused of infidelity but TRIUMPHANTLY exonerated and going on to the highest office of her people. . .
You are really going to compare the fiat of a woman who consented to bear, and CARE FOR, the Son of God, and who saw Him put to death, as being ‘just another good woman’ and in fact, not nearly as praiseworthy as some others?
Wow.
Tantrum ergo
It was not my intention ,to relegate ,the role of Mary ,the mother of Jesus ,below that esteem,meet ;and honour due ,and appropriate to ,those other great women of faith ,referred to in my last post.
Being ,as always,imperfect in my ways,it perhaps was very possible ,for you ,to miss my intended context : in relation to my comparing these other great women ;and their faith, with that of Mary’s .
The point at which Mary is seen to risk her reputation,is prior to ,and during her pregnancy.
As Joseph too,agreed with; and submitted to God’s will ,prior to the birth of Jesus,then this risk( to her reputation) was somewhat diminished through his God ordained role ,and was found " with Mary his espoused wife,being great with child." (Luke 2:5)
It is within the context of this period ,where ,my comparison was intended ,and I believed,restricted to.
Yes,I count myself blessed indeed,that such a one,not worthy " of the least of all " his “mercies” ,as I am ,should be father to two children ,both with cerebral palsy ; and wheelchair users.
They have suffered greatly in there young lives.The boy,especially :who the good Lord ,(from my perspective) has on several occasions,all but taken from me.
I can conceive of no greater trial to ones faith ,than ,to look upon ,as your suffering son,is near the point of death,and not be able to provide relief; nor be able to rescue him.
So in no small measure ( Praise the Lord!) I know what it is to have “a sword pierce” my heart also,and enter in ,thereby.
Mary the mother of Jesus had her unique role( with much sufferings) to play; but so did all the other holy women of faith too.
My intention was comparison ,not to make any ( Mary included) ,to be any less (or more) significant.
Catholic teaching however does ,yet again, exult one above the other ,and that,I believe where scripture does not.(see Matt 12:47-50)
This is nowhere more noticeable in the RC claim,regarding : that " woman " ,seen in Revelation 12, Is Mary the mother of Jesus.
Where I believe ,the woman seen is meant to encompasses :all the great woman of Faith (both OT and NT)
Have not Catholics ,in this interpretation ,elevated Mary ,to this very place ,where ,for me ,
the figurative " woman" ought to have remained?
Could you please elaborate on the ad hominem thing? I know what it is… I just don’t know how it relates to what we are discussing. 