At least you are asking and hopefully gaining a better understanding of the Catholic faith. Keep in mind, Catholics are not the only Christians who hold the Blessed Virgin Mary in high regard or ask for her intercession. Many Anglicans and Lutherans do as well.
You start with herding moo-cows and then graduate to meow-cats.Please excuse the sidebar; but I’ve never met a “cat herder” in Texas.
Anna
You start with herding moo-cows and then graduate to meow-cats.
JL: whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. Christ is not deflecting from the preeminence of His mother. He is emphasizing those who do the will of God are as dear to Him as a brother, sister or mother. Mary’s preeminence comes not only from being mother of God, but more from DOING the will of God.
JL: Again Christ is not deflecting from His mothers preeminence but the same as Mt12:46-50. It’s more BLEST to be BORN AGAIN in spiritual relationship with Christ than just a flesh or natural relative. Christ doesn’t deny Mary is blessed for bearing and suckling Him but twice blessed because she also heard and keep His Word.
Thanks for the encouragement. I am always seeking truth for sure. I want to keep digging. Please pray for me. This is all VERY new to me.
Consider this…
Here is the quote that you provided from the Bible:
Take it from someone who has been there. Take your time. You can’t eat a gourmet meal in one sitting, so put some things on the back burner and deal with those later. You can spend a lifetime digging into the rich history of the Catholic Church.
Posts like this show what our apologists are doing here on CAF is more than worthwhile.
WOW!
Jon, as always, a well-reasoned answer. The “fabrication” assertions have crept into a few denominations that later split off from even those who split off from the reformers. Clearly, they are far off the path. Yet, the Saints not only pray, but also bear prayers to our Father, and their prayers and efforts cannot be without effect.
JL: Yes we all have the indwelling Holy Spirit but we are not ALL at the same spiritual and faith level. Haven’t you GROWN since you first became Christian? Don’t you know a person or persons in your own faith group whom you or others seek out to pray for you, or someone you love in need, because their faith is stronger and they seem to be closer to God than others? We may all be FILLED with the Holy Spirit but our capacity could be a quart and another’s a gallon yet they are both filled.
We VENERATE MARY for what God has done to her. [Lk1:48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from **henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. 49 For he that is mighty hath done to me GREAT THINGS; and holy is his name.]
And if I may add to this, we are not only children of God, but the “Body of Christ”. If we are the Body of Christ then Mary is certainly our mother and we are commanded to honor her.
If Jesus is our Brother, then Mary is…
Yes, I would agree with you. And thank you for your kindness.
I think i would agree that prayer has an effect, as they are heard by our gracious Father in Heaven. And the prayers of His saints in Heaven do, as well, regardless whether they are the result of invocation from those in the Church Militant or not.
