J
Jeanne_S
Guest
In reading all the many responses to the original OP,I have to say Thank you to all of you who have so eloquently articulated the Doctrines of our Catholic faith. 

Yes, I do not agree with all of what Kempis writes about (I can say this about any author). But, that does not exclude what he has written that is aligned with Scripture. **I reject what is contrary to the Bible.As for Mass, this is just plain nonsense, for the Holy Eucharist is the source and summit of the Church ever since the Last Supper, and there are an enormity of books on the Sacred Liturgy that show its development from the days of the Apostles until this very day. In fact, even protestant denominations (the original ones, that is) retain some sort of Mass which eventually is broken down until almost or entirely disappearing in the ones that have fallen farther away from orthodox Christianity. Of the Mass speak the Prophets and the Psalms.
In all honesty, if you reject the Mass, I doubt you have entirely read The Imitation of Christ, for the fourth book of this work is dedicated to it, and anyways Thomas Kempis was Catholic, praised Our Lady with proper devotion, baptized infants and confessed as a priest, like all Catholics humbly professed his assent to the Magisterium of the Church governed by the Vicar of Christ and the bishops in communion with him, and above all else celebrated Mass and adored the Real Presence in the Eucharist consecrated during Mass.
Ultimately you cannot reach Christ unless you bow your head and become more humble. In this, De Imitatione Christi will teach you a lot. If you read the writings of the Church Fathers - especially those who were disciples of the Apostles other than their direct successors - you will also change your mind and notice with sorrow how great were the errors of those doctrines that dare to counterpose themselves to the Magisterium of Holy Mother Church. Do so, and may the Lord be your light.
She was saved from original sin in anticipation of bearing Christ. In the Old Testament, God was present with His people in the Ark of the Covenant in which was put the Law (written on tablets), the rod of Aaron (symbolizing authority), and a jar of manna (the bread of life for the Hebrews during the Exodus) and was made of the best possible wood, precious metal, and gemstones. Not only that, but touching the Ark meant instant death. But you think when God became physically present with His people, he would do so through the womb of a sinful woman? I suggest you take the words of the Angel Gabriel at the Annunciation, “Hail Full of Grace” and meditate on them in deep prayer.Worship and pray to God alone. Jesus Christ is our Mediator. Mary was a sinner, in need of a Savior.
pablope;10477217:
Very true, and if you think any of the Church’s doctrines are contradictory to the Bible, then you either don’t know Catholic doctrines, or you fail to understand scripture.Jesus says that the Bible is God’s Words (John 10:35), so anything that contradicts His Word is error.
Please show me a Scripture verse that commands me to accept Mary, in order to truly love Christ.InChristAlone33
I think your concerns have been quite adequately answered in this thread, but I want to address something that I think was missed, and that’s the Rosary.
Regarding your concern over the number of Hail Mary’s said during this very holy devotion: while we recite that prayer, do you realize we’re meditation on specific events in Jesus’ life? We’re not praying to Mary, but rather, we’re keeping company with her while focusing on the life and ministry of her son. It’s impossible to truly love Christ if we reject His mother. Conversely, we show Him great love, by sharing in His mother’s love for Him.
This is not exactly Church teaching.Please show me a Scripture verse that commands me to accept Mary, in order to truly love Christ.
Neither is this.Please show me a Scripture verse that encourages us to keep company with Mary, in our thoughts and affections, as we pray to Jesus.
Didn’t read the whole thread but hasn’t somebody already told you that praying for intercession does not equal worship? :ehh:You pray " Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen."
You are addressing your prayer to Mary. You are praying to Mary.
Look a the definition: pray
" to make a request in a humble manner"
you are requesting Mary pray for you (NOT IN THE BIBLE), so by definition–you are praying to Mary.
pablope;10477217:
Jesus did write anything.Jesus says that the Bible is God’s Words (John 10:35), so anything that contradicts His Word is error.
The Book of Mormon and the Watch Tower Society’s literature (Jehovah Witness) are two examples of revelation that is added onto Scripture. And, both of these religions express false doctrines and are considered cults.
I think you are confused…John 10:
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’? 35 If he called them gods to whom the word of God came (and scripture cannot be broken), 36 do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’?
Who or what is the word of God? Did you look at John 1:In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.[a] 2 He was in the beginning with God;
The word of God is Jesus…not the Bible. The Bible contains the written words of God. Is God limited to the written word?
Here is another question for you…how do you know what or which contradicts His Word? How do you know which is in error?so anything that contradicts His Word is error.
Are you the one to tell which is in error and which is not?
inChristAlone33;10480307:
Without God’s Grace,I will fail to understand Scripture.Very true, and if you think any of the Church’s doctrines are contradictory to the Bible, then you either don’t know Catholic doctrines, or you fail to understand scripture.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. " 1 Corinthians 15:10
marypages.com/PrayerstoMary.htmThis is not exactly Church teaching.
Neither is this.
Didn’t read the whole thread but hasn’t somebody already told you that praying for intercession does not equal worship? :ehh:
stormcloud;10480336:
Now go back and reread that passage in the context of the 9 that preceded it. I would prayerfully meditating on the entire passage.Without God’s Grace,I will fail to understand Scripture.
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. " 1 Corinthians 15:10
Very true, but ask yourself how that fits with the concept Jesus gave us that He is the vine and we are the branches, and that if we do not produce fruit, we will be pruned.“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5)
Please show me a Scripture verse that commands me to accept Mary, in order to truly love Christ.
Please show me a Scripture verse that encourages us to keep company with Mary, in our thoughts and affections, as we pray to Jesus.
Yes.inChristalone33, do you believe in the Holy Trinity (three persons, one God)?
Where in the Bible is the term Holy Trinity?Yes.
That fits in the concept that Mary is not our mediator. She cannot intercede for us.Very true, but ask yourself how that fits with the concept Jesus gave us that He is the vine and we are the branches, and that if we do not produce fruit, we will be pruned.
amazon.com/Mystery-Mary-Paul-Haffner/dp/1595250085/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363209305&sr=1-1&keywords=the+mystery+of+mary+paulYes.