Mary: Inclined to Reject Her Son

[stewstew03]

I remember you asking me this, stew. I apologize for not getting around to answering it.

No worries Iggy!

Yes, I believe Mary was born with the same sinful nature as the rest of humanity. As such, she was inclined toward sinful behavior. However, that is different than rejecting Christ.

Being inclined to reject Christ and rejecting Christ are two different things. It seems your belief is that Mary, being stained with original sin, was from the moment of her conception inclined to reject her own Son.

 

[stewstew03]

Stew, Huh?

Hello CC!

Rivals? I do not understand the notion of rivals. Were they competing for followers?

Rivals in the sense that they were naturally opposed to one another - but only if you believe Mary was stained with original sin.

Obviously means you have a conclusion that you believe that others would agree with. I have no notion where this that you say is obvious is reasoned from

My conclusion is that one cannot come to any other conclusion than Mary was immaculately conceived. How can sin (Mary) and Holiness (Jesus) co-exist? How can a mother be naturally inclined to reject her own Son?

I really don’t care what any Calvinist thinks of sin

I care what any Christian thinks of sin, particularly if we (as Catholics) are to engage in a meaningful discussion with our protestant brethren.

Sin is a barrier between a satisfying relationship with God. This means you can have a relationship that may not be satisfying. Who decides whether it is satisfying or not?

Did Mary struggle with having a satisfying relationship with her own Son?

Do you expect any Catholic to answer this based on the presumption that Mary is sinful?

I hope not!!

 

[stewstew03]

Agreed; Mary was a faithful Jewish woman who no doubt was obedient to her Creator since she was a child. She already knew God. She did not reject God, nor was she in rivalry with Him, rather she was a faithful Jew as were her ancestors. Jesus said, to His Jewish contemporaries, that if they had known the Father they would also know Him, because He and the Father were one. Mary knew the Father and she also therefore knew Jesus and did not reject him.

I don’t see where a need for her to be completely, 100% sinless comes in.

It seems to me that you agree with the idea that she was without original sin.

 

[stewstew03]

Mary was conceived in the natural order but without original sin. Since she was the chosen one of God to be his Sons mother, she had protection from the angels but still, was allowed to be tempted as we all are.

Since she did not have the stain of original sin in her soul, the ‘pleasures of the world’ were likely repugnant to her so she was able to ignore any temptations that were allowed to come her way. Her whole heart, soul and mind pined for the adoration of her creator. To suggest that she some how was inclined to reject her son is to totally miss the mystical nature, desires and purpose of our Blessed Mother.

Well said Bigmo.

 

[CopticChristian]

Hello CC!

Rivals in the sense that they were naturally opposed to one another - but only if you believe Mary was stained with original sin.

My conclusion is that one cannot come to any other conclusion than Mary was immaculately conceived. How can sin (Mary) and Holiness (Jesus) co-exist? How can a mother be naturally inclined to reject her own Son?

I care what any Christian thinks of sin, particularly if we (as Catholics) are to engage in a meaningful discussion with our protestant brethren.

Did Mary struggle with having a satisfying relationship with her own Son?

I hope not!!

How in the world is anyone inclduing you supposed to ponder this question. How many glasses of water did Mary drink? Did Mary ever have insomnia? Did Mary consider being Vegan? Did Mary understand Quantum Physics?

 

[IggyAntiochus]

No worries Iggy!

Being inclined to reject Christ and rejecting Christ are two different things. It seems your belief is that Mary, being stained with original sin, was from the moment of her conception inclined to reject her own Son.

Inclined, yes. There isn’t a necessity for an exception, only for God’s grace and mercy to preserve her from ever actually rejecting him. One could argue, as exists on the other thread, that her virginity is Christologically necessary. Her sinlessness is not.

 

[stewstew03]

Inclined, yes. There isn’t a necessity for an exception, only for God’s grace and mercy to preserve her from ever actually rejecting him. One could argue, as exists on the other thread, that her virginity is Christologically necessary. Her sinlessness is not.

The stronger argument is that there is a necessity for her to be free from blemish.

[BIBLEDRB]Gen. 3:15[/BIBLEDRB]

 

[stewstew03]

How in the world is anyone inclduing you supposed to ponder this question. How many glasses of water did Mary drink? Did Mary ever have insomnia? Did Mary consider being Vegan? Did Mary understand Quantum Physics?

Brief point: Mary must’ve been free from the stain of Original Sin or else she would’ve naturally opposed her own Son. (See CCC #407).