"Mary lived with her eyes fixed on Christ..." St. JPII

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MariaChristi

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Again, we read and ponder the words of a true son of Mary, St. JPII from his Apostolic Letter, “On the Most Holy Rosary”:
Mary’s memories
  1. Mary lived with her eyes fixed on Christ, treasuring his every word: “She kept all these things, pondering them in her heart” (Lk 2:19; cf. 2:51). The memories of Jesus, impressed upon her heart, were always with her, leading her to reflect on the various moments of her life at her Son’s side. In a way those memories were to be the “rosary” which she recited uninterruptedly throughout her earthly life.
Even now, amid the joyful songs of the heavenly Jerusalem, the reasons for her thanksgiving and praise remain unchanged. They inspire her maternal concern for the pilgrim Church, in which she continues to relate her personal account of the Gospel. Mary constantly sets before the faithful the “mysteries” of her Son, with the desire that the contemplation of those mysteries will release all their saving power. In the recitation of the Rosary, the Christian community enters into contact with the memories and the contemplative gaze of Mary.

The Rosary, a contemplative prayer
  1. The Rosary, precisely because it starts with Mary’s own experience, is an exquisitely contemplative prayer. Without this contemplative dimension, it would lose its meaning, as Pope Paul VI clearly pointed out: “Without contemplation, the Rosary is a body without a soul, and its recitation runs the risk of becoming a mechanical repetition of formulas, in violation of the admonition of Christ: ‘In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think they will be heard for their many words’ (Mt 6:7). By its nature the recitation of the Rosary calls for a quiet rhythm and a lingering pace, helping the individual to meditate on the mysteries of the Lord’s life as seen through the eyes of her who was closest to the Lord. In this way the unfathomable riches of these mysteries are disclosed”.(14)
It is worth pausing to consider this profound insight of Paul VI, in order to bring out certain aspects of the Rosary which show that it is really a form of Christocentric contemplation.
Again, I can add nothing but my own prayer with yours, who long with Mary to see the Face of Christ.
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It is wonderful that a very modern saint like St. Pope JP II had such a great devotion to Mary and did so much to spread the devotion to Mary and to the Rosary.
Seems like Mary was a bit in danger of being more ignored after Vatican II, so I give Pope JP II a lot of credit for helping to prevent that happening.
 
Ever heard the saying, “He must increase, I must decrease?”
 
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James817 said:
The saints are merely models. Nothing more.
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Mary is Jesus’ Mother, whom he gave to us as our Mother when he was hanging on the cross. Our devotion to her is a way of reaching and glorifying Jesus through her. Ad Jesum Per Mariam. She does not keep or want or seek glory for herself.

She is also much more than a “mere model”.

This thread is about a Pope, who is a saint, and his promotion of devotion to Our Blessed Mother. I think Saint Pope JP II is well aware of how to properly glorify Christ and also how to properly honor Mary. I do not see your comment as adding anything.
 
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Tis_Bearself said:
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James817:
The saints are merely models. Nothing more.
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Mary is Jesus’ Mother, whom he gave to us as our Mother when he was hanging on the cross. Our devotion to her is a way of reaching and glorifying Jesus through her. Ad Jesum Per Mariam. She does not keep or want or seek glory for herself.

She is also much more than a “mere model”.

This thread is about a Pope, who is a saint, and his promotion of devotion to Our Blessed Mother. I think Saint Pope JP II is well aware of how to properly glorify Christ and also how to properly honor Mary. I do not see your comment as adding anything.
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A way, not “the way.” She’d be happier if we took her command to “Do whatever He tells you.” While on this earth, she pointed to Christ, not to herself. Again, “He must increase, I must decrease.”
 
James817 said:
A way, not “the way.” She’d be happier if we took her command to “Do whatever He tells you.” While on this earth, she pointed to Christ, not to herself. Again, “He must increase, I must decrease.”
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No one is “pointing to herself”. We are discussing Mary as a means of giving glory to God here, not glorification of Mary for Mary’s sake. You seem to be willfully missing our point on this; the OP regularly posts on devotion to Mary and I doubt you are telling her anything new, and you are certainly not telling me anything I don’t know and practice. I tend to think your posting this here is, in a sense, trolling, so I will wish you good day.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
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James817:
A way, not “the way.” She’d be happier if we took her command to “Do whatever He tells you.” While on this earth, she pointed to Christ, not to herself. Again, “He must increase, I must decrease.”
Click to expand...
No one is “pointing to herself”. We are discussing Mary as a means of giving glory to God here, not glorification of Mary for Mary’s sake. You seem to be willfully missing our point on this; the OP regularly posts on devotion to Mary and I doubt you are telling her anything new, and you are certainly not telling me anything I don’t know and practice. I tend to think your posting this here is, in a sense, trolling, so I will wish you good day.
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Really? Because I have you saying this:
Tis_Bearself said:
Seems like Mary was a bit in danger of being more ignored after Vatican II, so I give Pope JP II a lot of credit for helping to prevent that happening.
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Dear Tis Bearself,

I needed to go out this morning soon after I posted this, and just returned home. Thanks For your reply and also for your replies to James. I will answer him affter I finish this response to you.

Saint John Paul II was and continues to be a gift from God to the Catholic Church and to the world. I agree with you that after the Second Vatican Council we saw some “unintended consequences”. The Documents of the Council were guided by the Holy Spirit, I’m sure, and anyone who reads the documents carefully, I believe, can see how some poor catechesis followed the Council leading to some confusion.

In fact Marian Devotion, did suffer a certain decline, and I’m sad to see there is still much confusion even among Catholics on the role of Mary in God’s Plan. Certainly Pope Saint John Paul II did much to explain the depth of Catholic teaching (as did Pope Benedict XVI). Our present Pope has written less but has given example of his own devotion to Mary.

We as Catholics need to keep praying to the Holy Spirit for a true and deep appreciation for God’s Gift of Mary the Blessed Mother of God, whom Jesus gave to us on Calvary. We all need to hear by God’s Grace or perhaps hear by grace on a deeper level the words of Jesus: “Behold your Mother” and obey them as John did by taking Mary into his live. Thanks again for your reply and your continued love and devotion to Jesus through Mary. 🙂
 
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The humbleness of Mary and the indescribable grace given to the one who bore God in her womb is a means of giving glory to God. Her soul magnifies the Lord. There is no competition between Mary and God (well, can’t say that completely. Hindus for instance even made a “goddess” out of St Mother Teresa), creation gives glory to God.
The Holy Spirit and Mary bring the world to Christ
 
Okay. How would you account for the beginning of time? How would you account for Paul’s letters and the letters of the other Apostles?
 
So you are a protestant who is ignorant of Catholic teaching ,did you do any research on Catholicism

Mary Queen of the Apostles Pray for us
 
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NO but all your reply are show your negative towards Mother Mary who is full of Grace Luke 1:28
 
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Now your replying as your assuming things .

Luke 1: 28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
 
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Dear James,

Thanks for your reply. You are quoting St. John the Baptist, of course, and he certainly gives us a model of humility as all saints do in varying degrees. In the case of Mary, the Mother of God, however, John the Baptist leaped in his mother Elizabeth’s womb, when Mary’s voice was heard. (cf Luke 1: 39 - 45).

Mary holds a unique place in God’s plan, James, and the words of Jesus from His Cross on Calvary indicate to us that Jesus intended His Church and all the children of God to see in Mary, how one can become more like Christ. Mary pondered God’s Word and the more we ponder His Divine Revelation the more we begin to understand how Pope Saint John Paul II’s understanding rings so true for all of us.

If you have an opportunity to read his Apostolic Letter, I hope you will. If you have a further opportunity and more time to read I would also suggest you read St. Louis de Montfort’s True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin and also a small book on the writings of St. Maximilian Kolbe, "Immaculate Conception and the Holy Spirit" These three saints were given great graces by God to help the Church draw closer to Jesus though Mary, the Woman God chose to be Immaculately Conceived that she might be a Living Tabernacle to hold within her womb, His Only Begotten Son - The Word Made Flesh for us.

Yes, we poor sinners need to decrease in order that He may increase – St. John the Baptist was given God’s grace to recognize the Lamb of God and so we who have been born again in Christ by Baptism need to continue to grow in the life of Christ. St. John Paul II is writing his letter to help us to do that.

All the Saints, like Mary are models but Mary is much more, James. No one physically bore the Son of God within them for nine months and was as graced as she was in this life. No human person was as close or knew Jesus as well as His Mother on this earth. Her role is to continue bringing Him into the world spiritually as she did physically by the power of the Holy Spirit.

By God’s Grace, we can truly decrease and by the power of His Holy Spirit and the intercession of our Mother Mary we can increase in Grace which is a sharing in the Life of Christ. Please let us pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of God’s merciful graces given through Mary.
 
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Luke 1:49
"For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name.”

John 3:30
He must increase, but I must decrease.
 
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