Question about impressions from Mary

[Peter_J]

Well, actually, they are one and the same as being members of the triune God. Technically, Christ would work thru the Word, no? and the HS works thru…uh oh…I’m getting into deep theological muddied water where my mind cannot function right now…lol…

Perhaps, I should just say that God is nudging me in those moments to think and pray for that particular person or thing that is about to happen…It all comes from Him anyway!

***Just got new meds last weekend and my body is still adjusting - my ability to reason is somewhat even MORE impaired…if that can happen.

God bless you, Peter!

In Christ’s love,

Rita

Don’t apologize for a good post. But you can see my point: either way (whether you say “it was Mary” or “it was Jesus or the Holy Spirit”) it’s an unproven claim.

 

[Telstar]

Hi, all! I was just watching “Life on the Rock” on EWTN and a visitor to the show mentioned that she was awakened and impressed by Mary to continue with the magazine that she had had to stop for a period to focus on her children.

My question: How do you know it’s Mary doing the impression and not Jesus or the Holy Spirit.

Hi, Rita.

I just got a chance to watch the episode that you saw the other day. I didn’t want to jump in here and comment on it, until I could see it in context. The first thing I noticed was that Rose Rea (the woman you mentioned) didn’t use the word ‘impressed’ when she spoke about waking up in the middle of the night, but said that she felt ‘inspired’ by Mary. I think it’s important that we know something about the subject of this incident. Rose Rea publishes an annual magazine for young Catholic women that focuses on issues that affect their lives, called “Radiant”. She said she felt that she was being inspired by Mary to start publishing the magazine again, because of the need to reach out to those young women. In the very next comment, she said she felt that it was Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, that was urging her to do it. This is what she has to say about the magazine on their website."Radiant Magazine is a national, Catholic magazine for young women that began a few years ago by God connecting my love of magazines with my love for Him. After teaching confirmation for a few years and not seeing the joy and excitement that young girls should have about the precious gift that is our Catholic faith, I wanted to bring that back. I wanted to really show them how beautiful and exciting our Faith really is, and if they only let God lead them in the story of their lives, that it would be so much better than they could ever imagine.

All of us who have ever let God take over when we weren’t sure what to do, know how He takes our hopes and dreams and completely outdoes what we could possibly hope for. I kept this quote by St. Thérèse of Lisieux on my wall throughout college: “He cannot fail to fulfill, even beyond our greatest hopes, a desire which He himself has inspired.” She could not be more accurate! The goal of Radiant Magazine is to bring that thought to life by helping young women ask themselves: “What is my desire? What has God created me to do? What talents has He given me to contribute to this world that no one else can offer?”

I have asked myself all of those questions and Radiant Magazine has been the fruition of the answers; I was created to do this and there is nothing more fulfilling than doing God’s will. It’s intoxicating to know you are doing exactly what you are meant to do and to see the wonderful result of sacrifice and helping others. In each Radiant issue, we cover traditional topics of the Catholic Church and apply them to the modern lives of young, Catholic women who are searching, learning and living out their unique calling with style, elegance, beauty and grace."

I have been awakened many times impressed by Christ or the Holy Spirit to pray for someone particular. The last person for whom I was awakened was a former pastor who had had to resign because of illness. It was a sudden - “sit up in bed” moment where I took to praying immediately.

I guess, as Patrick said, it is really a moot point as Catholics feel Mary can do such things, too, and one can be impressed by God thru Christ.

The thread was more of an opportunity to “chew on” the Catholic belief in Mary and get some friendly (name removed by moderator)ut as I ponder that particular doctrine.

Thank you all. I’m in a very introspective move.

God bless!!

This is exactly the kind of experience that Rose Rea was talking about.

It’s important to remember that Mary can’t do anything except what God allows her to do. Since He knows that everything she ever does, is to lead souls to Jesus, He has no problem with letting her do whatever she needs to do to make that happen. He knows He can trust her, or He never would have chosen her to be the Mother of Jesus.

 

[Dorothy]

Hi, Rita.

I just got a chance to watch the episode that you saw the other day. I didn’t want to jump in here and comment on it, until I could see it in context. The first thing I noticed was that Rose Rea (the woman you mentioned) didn’t use the word ‘impressed’ when she spoke about waking up in the middle of the night, but said that she felt ‘inspired’ by Mary. I think it’s important that we know something about the subject of this incident. Rose Rea publishes an annual magazine for young Catholic women that focuses on issues that affect their lives, called “Radiant”. She said she felt that she was being inspired by Mary to start publishing the magazine again, because of the need to reach out to those young women. In the very next comment, she said she felt that it was Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, that was urging her to do it. This is what she has to say about the magazine on their website."Radiant Magazine is a national, Catholic magazine for young women that began a few years ago by God connecting my love of magazines with my love for Him. After teaching confirmation for a few years and not seeing the joy and excitement that young girls should have about the precious gift that is our Catholic faith, I wanted to bring that back. I wanted to really show them how beautiful and exciting our Faith really is, and if they only let God lead them in the story of their lives, that it would be so much better than they could ever imagine.

All of us who have ever let God take over when we weren’t sure what to do, know how He takes our hopes and dreams and completely outdoes what we could possibly hope for. I kept this quote by St. Thérèse of Lisieux on my wall throughout college: “He cannot fail to fulfill, even beyond our greatest hopes, a desire which He himself has inspired.” She could not be more accurate! The goal of Radiant Magazine is to bring that thought to life by helping young women ask themselves: “What is my desire? What has God created me to do? What talents has He given me to contribute to this world that no one else can offer?”

I have asked myself all of those questions and Radiant Magazine has been the fruition of the answers; I was created to do this and there is nothing more fulfilling than doing God’s will. It’s intoxicating to know you are doing exactly what you are meant to do and to see the wonderful result of sacrifice and helping others. In each Radiant issue, we cover traditional topics of the Catholic Church and apply them to the modern lives of young, Catholic women who are searching, learning and living out their unique calling with style, elegance, beauty and grace."

This is exactly the kind of experience that Rose Rea was talking about.

It’s important to remember that Mary can’t do anything except what God allows her to do. Since He knows that everything she ever does, is to lead souls to Jesus, He has no problem with letting her do whatever she needs to do to make that happen. He knows He can trust her, or He never would have chosen her to be the Mother of Jesus.

Thank you so much for that excellent post!

 

[friardchips]

Hi, all! I was just watching “Life on the Rock” on EWTN and a visitor to the show mentioned that she was awakened and impressed by Mary to continue with the magazine that she had had to stop for a period to focus on her children.

My question: How do you know it’s Mary doing the impression and not Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

As always this is an honest question and not one to bait others. I seriously am interested in why Mary could do the impression when, from my Protestant understanding and perspective, I always consider it the Holy Spirit or Jesus who come to us to inspire our spiritual steps in our lives…

Thanks and God bless all!
In our Risen Lord,

Rita

Hmm…just reflect on what it might mean for a person’s soul to “magnify the Lord” and to be Mother, Daughter and Spouse of our Creator, on earth. And if Mary were these to our Creator on earth, how it is that Our Holy Mother is inseparable from her Son, Saviour, Father and spouse in Heaven. Reflect. The more questions we have the more distractions we gain and the more limits we try to place on our Creator’s ability to make possible the impossible if you don’t just pray and reflect. And people can add complications. Whereas, the Rosary helps to undo knots - this prayer is especially important in such times! Our Lady is Mother of Christians so might it not be best to ask her directly!

 

[PJM]

=Peter J;13030618]Well, not to sound like a copy cat, but how do you know it’s Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

There is but One True God; 3 persons and ONE Divine Nature which they both “share” and have in it’s entirety…It IS a mystery!

But what difference does it make? They ARE the same One God:thumbsup:.

 

[benjohnson]

“The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James 5:16 NIV*

Eric, you quite correct in this in drawing the connection between Mary and her prayers.

There is no need to dichotomize the heart of Jesus from the heart of His Mother, Woman. Just as Jesus is 100% fully Divine and 100% fully human, so is He 100% Son of God and 100% Son of Mary.

Agreed! I think that’s why Lutherans are fond of saying Theotokos - it’s a confession of faith that Mary is the Mother of God.

It magnifies it by expressing just how God willed redemption to come to the human race, through Ever Virgin Mary!

Agreed! While Lutherans don’t make the perpetual virginity of Mary a point of salvation, it is how the church understands it.

“The Church, with the Holy Ghost, blesses our Lady first, and Our Lord second” in Luke 1:42. “It is not that Mary is more than Jesus or even equal to Him - that would be intolerable heresy; but it is that in order to bless Jesus more perfectly, we must begin by blessing Mary.” - St. Louis De Montfort

I’ve enjoyed and appreciated everything you’ve said. The only part where Lutherans would diverge I think is in this final quote - Lutherans would tend to use language like of veneration and devotion to Mary.

Hope that helps a little bit you kind soul!

Eric

That’s really kind of you to say… though I’m afraid though that my soul is a bit grumpy.

Thank you so much for taking the time to profess your faith and explain in detail.

May the Lord bless and keep you in your faith.

 

[pablope]

Hi, all! I was just watching “Life on the Rock” on EWTN and a visitor to the show mentioned that she was awakened and impressed by Mary to continue with the magazine that she had had to stop for a period to focus on her children.

My question: How do you know it’s Mary doing the impression and not Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

As always this is an honest question and not one to bait others. I seriously am interested in why Mary could do the impression when, from my Protestant understanding and perspective, I always consider it the Holy Spirit or Jesus who come to us to inspire our spiritual steps in our lives…

Thanks and God bless all!
In our Risen Lord,

Rita

Hi, Rita, I hope you are doing well.

I will offer some answers, in an attempt to get you to reflect and think about it more deeply.

My question: How do you know it’s Mary doing the impression and not Jesus or the Holy Spirit? As always this is an honest question and not one to bait others. I seriously am interested in why Mary could do the impression when, from my Protestant understanding and perspective, I always consider it the Holy Spirit or Jesus who come to us to inspire our spiritual steps in our lives…

Do you think those in heaven still disobey God? And if you believe Mary is in heaven…do you think Mary will do something contrary to the will of God?

Well, the same could be asked…how does a protestant know it is the HS or Jesus who doing the impression?

What criteria would you use to determine if it is from the HS or Jesus, or God?

And think and meditate on this passage from John and see what it means for you:

Then from 1John 4… Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world……………6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

 

[pablope]

Thanks for sharing! Again this morning on a show on EWTN a caller said we need to bring these evil to the Victorious Lady (?) and that she alone would be able to care of the problem…I’m sorry - I’m just not understanding this perspective and maybe I won’t ever - but Isn’t God the only one who has the omnipotence to take care of the sinful issues on our world? Seriously only trying to understand…

God bless you ladies for sticking with me…

Rita

Again this morning on a show on EWTN a caller said we need to bring these evil to the Victorious Lady (?) and that she alone would be able to care of the problem.

You know…the 2nd part of the Hail Mary…Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us sinners…so that she can help us turn away from sin.

I’m just not understanding this perspective and maybe I won’t ever - but Isn’t God the only one who has the omnipotence to take care of the sinful issues on our world? Seriously only trying to understand…

Well…have you ever wondered, why is there still sin in the world? We still have natural disasters, war, famine, crime…these are still with us, why indeed does God not have taken care of these?

 

[pablope]

Thanks for the thoughtful explanation!

I see a lot of devotion to the Theotokos from those that are hurt, that’s a good thing as Mary points to the Jesus on the Cross.

 

[spedteacherita]

Hi, Rita, I hope you are doing well.

I will offer some answers, in an attempt to get you to reflect and think about it more deeply.

Do you think those in heaven still disobey God? And if you believe Mary is in heaven…do you think Mary will do something contrary to the will of God?

Well, the same could be asked…how does a protestant know it is the HS or Jesus who doing the impression?

What criteria would you use to determine if it is from the HS or Jesus, or God?

And think and meditate on this passage from John and see what it means for you:

Then from 1John 4… Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world……………6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

Hi Pablope and all,

I appreciate your thoughtful and respectful answers. Mostly, for me, it comes down to how much I accept the Catholic teaching of saints and Mary interceding for us in heaven. Still and area in which I must study.

As far as how do I know if I’m awakened and impressed (inspired) to pray for a person in the middle of the night I have to trust that it’s for the Lord. I would say that if it means good for someone then that would come from the Lord. My faith in my Lord and Father in Heaven and the Holy Spirit who guides my spiritual life would be the criteria for knowing whether or not my “impressions” are from God. I think back to a pastor who resigned for health reasons - 6 months later I was awakened with a strong need to pray for him - was it Jesus? the Holy spirit? I don’t know - all I know that it was important for me to pray for him…I don’t know his circumstances or what happened but it was very important at that moment that I hold him up in prayer.

Thanks for the great discussion…I have a lot to read and consider from each of your posts.

God bless you all!!

Rita

 

[benjohnson]

And this understanding is carried on in the Catholic Church, and unfortunately, your communion has deviated and thrown the practice away and the connection to Judaism.

Lutherans can and do venerate the saints - just not as deeply or as widely as our Catholic friends in Christ.

And how do you know this to be true?

Many Lutheran theologians have taught that it’s not our own will that is paramount, but God’s - Bonhoeffer is a notable modern example. The process of letting God come into our lives and ourselves continues the theology of Athanasius and the intimate fellowship we desire with Him.

Really…you only saw this now?

The Lutheran tradition as expressed here in America doesn’t place as much emphasis on the theology of Mary. And don’t be surprised if I miss a lot - I’m only recently began my journey as a disciple of Christ Jesus after being raised as an Atheist.

 

[jlhargus]

Originally Posted by jlhargus View Post
. He uses the prayers of His people to do so and the prayers of our Victorious Lady are the most powerful.

Thanks for the thoughtful explanation!

I see a lot of devotion to the Theotokos from those that are hurt, that’s a good thing as Mary points to the Jesus on the Cross.

Could you expound on the sentence you said - I’ve heard it from other Catholics that some prayer is more powerful than others based on who is saying them and that makes me curious.

I would guess in your congregation there are one or maybe several individuals most people seek out when in need of serious and urgent prayer. Those people are seen as having a more loving and prayerful relationship with the Lord. Therefore their prayers are viewed as more powerful than the average person in the congregation. Even though we may ask all the congregation to pray for our need. On serious matters we still especially seek out those who’s prayers we view as more powerful.

[Jn2:2 And **both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. 3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. 4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. 6 And **there were set there six waterpots **of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.7 **Jesus saith **unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he saith unto them, **Draw out **now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it. 9 When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew; ) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, 10 **And saith **unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now. 11 **This beginning of miracles did Jesus **in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

I would say John2:2-11 is good scriptural evidence for the power of Mary’s prayers. We see Mary interceding for the bridegroom. We see Christ granting her request, even though it was not yet His hour. We see this was the beginning of miracles. We see Christ manifested His glory and His disciples believed. All these were brought about by Mary’s intercession.

Historically in early Christianity we see the recognition in the powerful intercession of Mary. Look at her titles not only in the Catholic Church but the Orthodox, the Copts and the Eastern Orthodox. All Christians before the reformation recognized the power of Mary’s intercession along with the other saints as well. She is not called Victorious Lady without a reason. Nor is she known as the ark of the new covenant without a reason. The best way to find out Ben is to start saying the Rosary at lest once a week.

 

[pablope]

Hi Pablope and all,

I appreciate your thoughtful and respectful answers. Mostly, for me, it comes down to how much I accept the Catholic teaching of saints and Mary interceding for us in heaven. Still and area in which I must study.

 

[spedteacherita]

Well, not to sound like a copy cat, but how do you know it’s Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

Who else could it be? I’m awakened - wide awake - with this pastor on my mind and with the knowledge (where did it come from?) and with the knowledge that I had to pray for him. I can’t think of any other reason that would happen. And I’m a conservative Lutheran who doesn’t normally have that happen to me…

My only conclusion - as it encouraged me to pray for someone is that it came from the Lord.

God bless, friend, Peter,

Rita

 

[spedteacherita]

Hi, Rita, I hope you are doing well.

I will offer some answers, in an attempt to get you to reflect and think about it more deeply.

Do you think those in heaven still disobey God? And if you believe Mary is in heaven…do you think Mary will do something contrary to the will of God?

Well, the same could be asked…how does a protestant know it is the HS or Jesus who doing the impression?

What criteria would you use to determine if it is from the HS or Jesus, or God?

And think and meditate on this passage from John and see what it means for you:

Then from 1John 4… Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world……………6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit[a] of truth and the spirit of falsehood.

I don’t want to be disrespectful, and I don’t want to run the conversation off tract but I still am not convinced that, if the dead are in heaven, they can pray for us or interact with us. Still not sure about that. This end of the conversation can be for another thread where we can debate thisl
Your question about the determination if it is from the HS Jesus, or God - I would say it really doesn’t matter as long as we’re open to hearing something that they would like us to do - such as pray, speak to someone, speak to a group, etc.

God bless you all!!

Rita

PS, Pablope The change in meds has helped tremendously just still have some of the limitations that I had before which sometimes leaves me physcially and mentally challenged. All is good, though. God has given me a great life and one that is blessed in many ways.

 

[benhur]

Hi, all! I was just watching “Life on the Rock” on EWTN and a visitor to the show mentioned that she was awakened and impressed by Mary to continue with the magazine that she had had to stop for a period to focus on her children.

My question: How do you know it’s Mary doing the impression and not Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

As always this is an honest question and not one to bait others. I seriously am interested in why Mary could do the impression when, from my Protestant understanding and perspective, I always consider it the Holy Spirit or Jesus who come to us to inspire our spiritual steps in our lives…

Thanks and God bless all!
In our Risen Lord,

Rita

Hi Rita

I have had the same "question’’ when listening to Catholic radio sometimes and a guest will say similar things, about being "led " by Mary, say to become a priest or to do this or that. I do not think they presume to mean only by her example but meant it in a very personal, one on one interaction, much like we experience with the Godhead, or as they might say, as we can with each other.

 

[benhur]

Hi, all! I was just watching “Life on the Rock” on EWTN and a visitor to the show mentioned that she was awakened and impressed by Mary to continue with the magazine that she had had to stop for a period to focus on her children.

My question: How do you know it’s Mary doing the impression and not Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

As always this is an honest question and not one to bait others. I seriously am interested in why Mary could do the impression when, from my Protestant understanding and perspective, I always consider it the Holy Spirit or Jesus who come to us to inspire our spiritual steps in our lives…

Thanks and God bless all!
In our Risen Lord,

Rita

One thing we know for sure, that the Holy Spirit has been given to be our paraclete, to be one that sticks closer than a brother, to guide, to lead to teach, to empower. The Holy Spirit is everywhere, and knows all things and orchestrates the Body. He is with us and in us. It would as if Christ were right next to us, as He was with the apostles. The Holy Spirit is our down payment, the engagement ring, bridging us to that day when we shall be wed to Christ himself . Bridesmaids and Mother-in laws are cool, but nothing like the Groom. But for now, nothing like His equal Diamond , the Holy Spirit.

Blessings

 

[spedteacherita]

One thing we know for sure, that the Holy Spirit has been given to be our paraclete, to be one that sticks closer than a brother, to guide, to lead to teach, to empower. The Holy Spirit is everywhere, and knows all things and orchestrates the Body. He is with us and in us. It would as if Christ were right next to us, as He was with the apostles. The Holy Spirit is our down payment, the engagement ring, bridging us to that day when we shall be wed to Christ himself . Bridesmaids and Mother-in laws are cool, but nothing like the Groom. But for now, nothing like His equal Diamond , the Holy Spirit.

Blessings

Hi, Ben,

Thanks for clarifying that for me! It is the HS which God sends to work with us…Just as the breath of the wind, He either whispers or blows our hat off…He does has a way to get our attention!

God bless!

Rita

 

[Peter_J]

Hi Rita. Glad to hear you’re doing well.

Maybe I’m just betraying my own bias here, by my religious formation makes me reluctant to express certainty when I have a religious experience. So for me – though perhaps this is my bias – I tend to expect someone to say things like “It seemed like Jesus [resp Mary] was telling me” (unless he/she is e.g. one of the Medjugorje visionaries, or maybe the Pope … wait, did I mention my bias ).

 

[Chong]

Hi, all! I was just watching “Life on the Rock” on EWTN and a visitor to the show mentioned that she was awakened and impressed by Mary to continue with the magazine that she had had to stop for a period to focus on her children.

My question: How do you know it’s Mary doing the impression and not Jesus or the Holy Spirit?

As always this is an honest question and not one to bait others. I seriously am interested in why Mary could do the impression when, from my Protestant understanding and perspective, I always consider it the Holy Spirit or Jesus who come to us to inspire our spiritual steps in our lives…

Thanks and God bless all!
In our Risen Lord,

Rita

The teaching of Christ and the first apostles as documented in the Bible is sufficient to guide the believer on what to believe. Just imagine if Christ came today and asked why you believe what you believe. Then he asks, “what does the scripture say about the Son of Man”?
Jesus queried the same to the pharisees, the high priest and the apostles about what was written about him in the prophets.

Just before his ascension to heaven, Jesus told the Apostles to wait for the gift from the Father. On the day of Pentecost, they received the Holy Spirit and from then they witnessed for Christ powerfully as Jesus had predicted. We are in the dispensation of the Holy Spirit which God supplies to believers. Mary came in later as the first Church did not invoke her in prayer.