W
water
Guest
I know that non-Catholics don’t call Virgin Mary as “Mother of God”, but do you accept the title “Mother of our Savior”?
Thanks!
Thanks!
- Status
D
DDClark
Guest
Absolutely 
I can’t wrap my head around Mother of God because to me, God always was … no beginning/no end … but Mary wasn’t.
I have many beliefs that would be considered Catholic, but this is one of my difficult areas.
I can’t wrap my head around Mother of God because to me, God always was … no beginning/no end … but Mary wasn’t.
I have many beliefs that would be considered Catholic, but this is one of my difficult areas.
P
PatienceAndLove
Guest
If you are open to an explanation (though I think you have probably heard them all)Absolutely
I can’t wrap my head around Mother of God because to me, God always was … no beginning/no end … but Mary wasn’t.
I have many beliefs that would be considered Catholic, but this is one of my difficult areas.
John 1:1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and **the Word was God. **
We know that “the Word” = Jesus.
Therefore Jesus = Word = God
Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary, and Jesus is God.
So… Mother of God refers to Mary being the Mother of the Son of God. We know that the Son of God is Jesus and Jesus is God.
Therefore Mary = Mother of God.
It is not an exact explanation, but perhaps a little more food for thought?
D
DDClark
Guest
Oh yes, I am open to explanation and food for thought.
I actually understand the equation well - I am cognitively there. The problem is I don’t feel it. So - technically I could use the words.
That probably sounds silly, but being raised Baptist, Mary was the earthly mother of Christ. She was an humble blessed servant chosen by God.
I am also thinking about how those who pray the rosary must feel when they say “Mother of God”. I really do want to understand, because I am feeling less Protestant by the day but I don’t know exactly how to get past or through this block …
Suggestions (not a thread hijack ) are welcome.
I actually understand the equation well - I am cognitively there. The problem is I don’t feel it. So - technically I could use the words.
That probably sounds silly, but being raised Baptist, Mary was the earthly mother of Christ. She was an humble blessed servant chosen by God.
I am also thinking about how those who pray the rosary must feel when they say “Mother of God”. I really do want to understand, because I am feeling less Protestant by the day but I don’t know exactly how to get past or through this block …
Suggestions (not a thread hijack
) are welcome.
E
episcogirl
Guest
I’m Episcopalian and I think we’ve referred to her as the Mother of God…I know at every HE service (Holy Eucharist, we don’t call it Mass, it’s not high mass anyway, apparently there are levels in the Episcopal Church. After 13 years I’m still learning my way around) we refer to her as Blessed Mary (she is our Church’s patron saint, so when we say the prayers, she is usually referred to by name). I know when I went to an Oxford Movement Episcopal Church they were very much like RC’s in their devotion to Our Lady, in fact we said the Hail Mary between stations during Stations of the Cross at that church.
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Rightlydivide
Guest
Yes
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PatienceAndLove
Guest
Hrm…Oh yes, I am open to explanation and food for thought.
I actually understand the equation well - I am cognitively there. The problem is I don’t feel it. So - technically I could use the words.
That probably sounds silly, but being raised Baptist, Mary was the earthly mother of Christ. She was an humble blessed servant chosen by God.
I am also thinking about how those who pray the rosary must feel when they say “Mother of God”. I really do want to understand, because I am feeling less Protestant by the day but I don’t know exactly how to get past or through this block …
Suggestions (not a thread hijack
Well, if it helps you at all, my father is a convert from Southern Baptist. He still has “Mary issues” 10 years after his conversion. I am not sure what they are, as my traditionalism kind of scares him, so we don’t talk religion much
The only advice I can give you is to just let the Holy Spirit work. And say a rosary or Divine Mercy chaplet every once in a while. The words may “feel funny”, but just let them go. He works in His time.
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episcogirl
Guest
There are many non-Catholics that pray the rosary. For instance, the Anglo-Catholics I mentioned in my previous post in this thread.
That equation above kind of sums up my thinking. I can accept her as Mother of God. I could accept Mother of Our Savior as well.
When I pray the rosary, I’m not sure how I connect with the phrase “Mother of God” (as in "Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us…). I try to make a cognitive connection between her and Christ. It is mind-boggling to think of her as the vessel for Him.
That equation above kind of sums up my thinking. I can accept her as Mother of God. I could accept Mother of Our Savior as well.
When I pray the rosary, I’m not sure how I connect with the phrase “Mother of God” (as in "Holy Mary, Mother of God, Pray for us…). I try to make a cognitive connection between her and Christ. It is mind-boggling to think of her as the vessel for Him.
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DDClark
Guest
Yes, I have a rosary, and I believe I know how to pray it. I think the key may be making that connection and other connections.
I also have Anglican prayer beads. I find myself saying the Jesus prayer a lot lately …
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DDClark
Guest
Yes, it does help to know that about your father.Hrm…
Well, if it helps you at all, my father is a convert from Southern Baptist. He still has “Mary issues” 10 years after his conversion. I am not sure what they are, as my traditionalism kind of scares him, so we don’t talk religion much
The only advice I can give you is to just let the Holy Spirit work. And say a rosary or Divine Mercy chaplet every once in a while. The words may “feel funny”, but just let them go. He works in His time.
And my instinct is to let the Holy Spirit work. I just feel impatient sometimes
L
Linda_Marie
Guest
To DDClark
When the Council gave Mary the title ‘Mother of God’, it was about Jesus rather than about Mary.
At the time, there were people who claimed that Mary was the mother of the human Jesus and not the divine Jesus. This was splitting Jesus into two when He is one Person, with 2 natures, one human, one divine.
So, when you say ‘Mary, Mother of God’, you are declaring that Jesus is True God and True man. This is one of the great mysteries of our faith.
From the Catechism
scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p1.htm#464
When the Council gave Mary the title ‘Mother of God’, it was about Jesus rather than about Mary.
At the time, there were people who claimed that Mary was the mother of the human Jesus and not the divine Jesus. This was splitting Jesus into two when He is one Person, with 2 natures, one human, one divine.
So, when you say ‘Mary, Mother of God’, you are declaring that Jesus is True God and True man. This is one of the great mysteries of our faith.
From the Catechism
scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p1.htm#464
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Prayer_Warrior
Guest
Hmm, not sure if this will help, but I want to toss it out there. First of all, the title “Mother of God” is an identifier for Christ, even though it seems like it is all about Mary. It was brought about because there were people who separated His personhood, rather than identifying Him as one Person with two natures. Be that as it may, think about what you said up above. You have a hard time with the concept of Mary as mother of God, because God pre-existed Mary. Well, God did pre-exist Mary and no Catholic will tell you otherwise. But, God did NOT exist as a human person, prior to Mary. We do not believe, nor does the title imply, that Mary is the creator of God. Simply, that she is His mother. When I think of my own mother, I believe she carried me in her womb and bore me. That is what makes her my mother. But she is not my Creator.Oh yes, I am open to explanation and food for thought.
I actually understand the equation well - I am cognitively there. The problem is I don’t feel it. So - technically I could use the words.
That probably sounds silly, but being raised Baptist, Mary was the earthly mother of Christ. She was an humble blessed servant chosen by God.
I am also thinking about how those who pray the rosary must feel when they say “Mother of God”. I really do want to understand, because I am feeling less Protestant by the day but I don’t know exactly how to get past or through this block …
Suggestions (not a thread hijack
True, it might have been easier if the Fathers would have given the title “Mary, the Mother of God Incarnate”. However, the heresy that they were combatting at the time was not about God’s preexistance of Mary, only about the nature/personhood of Christ.
Of course, if one is more comfortable with “Mother of our Savior”, “Mother of Jesus”, or “Mother of God Incarnate” that is all well and good, because those titles fit too. But it is easy for me to think of Mary as the Mother of God or the Mother of my Lord (that one is scriptural of course) because of Who I believe Jesus to be. Jesus= God. Mary= Jesus’ mother. Mary= Mother of God.
C
Catherine_S
Guest
My suggestion…listen to these tapes…freeOh yes, I am open to explanation and food for thought.
I actually understand the equation well - I am cognitively there. The problem is I don’t feel it. So - technically I could use the words.
That probably sounds silly, but being raised Baptist, Mary was the earthly mother of Christ. She was an humble blessed servant chosen by God.
I am also thinking about how those who pray the rosary must feel when they say “Mother of God”. I really do want to understand, because I am feeling less Protestant by the day but I don’t know exactly how to get past or through this block …
Suggestions (not a thread hijack
!Hail, Holy Queen: Finding the Mother of God in the Word of God
(Scott Hahn and Mike Aquilina on the EWTN series, “Hail, Holy Queen”)
- Episode 1
- Episode 2
- Episode 3
- Episode 4
- Episode 5
- Episode 6
- Episode 7
- Episode 8
- Episode 9
- Episode 10
- Episode 11
Joy to the world!
**
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bluestarsneyes
Guest
Oh this is some really good information…totally agree…and I said this in another post…think that Mary’s role as Mother of Jesus is special and many of Protestant faiths are now realizing…I think that embrassing her role and her as Mother of God doesn’t make them Catholic…lol!
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DDClark
Guest
An excellent explanation, especially the part in italics.
I have been studying church history (including church fathers and the papacy) and I only recently understood the history behind the designation “Mother of God” and heresy the church was dealing with at the time.
I’ve also been listening to and reading apologetics (some of Scott Hahn’s), so thank you Catherine. I will explore the resources you provided.
I am here (at Catholic Answers) to help discern my future regarding conversion. I appreciate the time taken to help me in my journey.
C
Catherine_S
Guest
Your welcome DD!
God will greatly bless you in this Year 2008 :yup: .
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Zooey
Guest
For those having trouble with the title, google “Nestorius”.
It helps to have a clear idea of what the heresy was, that occasioned the title being made “official”, as it were.
(This is going to be the first time in at leqst 2 years that I have mentioned Nestorius, without adding my little
emoticon of his 
skeleton rising to answer to his name.
I’m trying to behave myself.
It’s really not easy
…)
It helps to have a clear idea of what the heresy was, that occasioned the title being made “official”, as it were.
(This is going to be the first time in at leqst 2 years that I have mentioned Nestorius, without adding my little
emoticon of his skeleton rising to answer to his name.I’m trying to behave myself.
It’s really not easy
…)- Status