Thoughts on Mary

[The_Augustinian]

I’ve been thinking on the difficulties of Protestants concerning the importance of the Blessed Mother, and I hit upon an insight. Perhaps this is unoriginal, but this is what I think:

Protestants have a problem with a hierarchy, especially the more congregationally governed denominations like the Baptists. Also, there is a “Jesus and me” attitude among many Evangelicals and Fundamentalists. Finally, there is, in this democratic age, a distrust of inequalities in general: people prefer people “just like you and me” without any special privileges.

So, it is no surprise, when, confonted with the imagery of the Blessed Virgin in all her glory, crowned as Queen of Heaven, that the subconciously egalitarian Protestant takes offense. So, he vigorously opposes any doctrines that make her special. In their mind, Mary had a job to do, just like everyone else. And, when she finished that job, she went back to being an ordinary woman, having children by Joseph, and dying just like any normal person.

However, this Protestant Mariology cuts the branch upon which they stand: for Mary represents the hope of all Christians, because, indeed, she was the first Christian, ever obedient until the very end. She remained extremely silent throughout the Gospels, the most humble servant of them all…and yet, “the last shall become the first,” transforming lowly Mary of Nazareth into the Queen of the Universe!

Ah, to be transformed just like her! That is the hope that Christians have. It is true, Mary is human, just like us. That what makes the fact of her exaltation such a blessed hope: for we, too, may be given crowns. We, too, may be predestined for grace, and given dominion.

Let’s not be afraid of being exalted. Let us not be afraid of God’s grace. Let us follow Jesus Christ, so that we, too, may share in His Glory, of which the Blessed Virgin Mary is the firstfruits!

In Christ,

The Augustinian

 

[Philthy]

“However, this Protestant Mariology cuts the branch upon which they stand: for Mary represents the hope of all Christians, because, indeed, she was the first Christian, ever obedient until the very end. She remained extremely silent throughout the Gospels, the most humble servant of them all…and yet, “the last shall become the first,” transforming lowly Mary of Nazareth into the Queen of the Universe!”

I hear what your saying. But I think the difficulty for most in accepting Mary’s role now is the scant biblical references which Protestants can draw from. Many who have converted to Catholicism have spoken of Marian doctrine as among the most difficult to accept. Unlike concepts of sola fide, sola scriptura, the real presence, infant baptism, etc which have lots of biblical information to draw from, such is not the case with Marian doctrine. It is largely something you accept as a teaching of the Church and then subsequently can infer from select parts of Scripture. The fact that the Assumption wasn’t infallibly declared until the 20th century didn’t help…You need to accept the “one, holy, catholic and apostolic church” first as being the Catholic Church, then the rest can flow from that.

 

[mkw]

Catholics worship Mary

Protestants believe Catholics put Mary on same level as Jesus

Mary just another sinful creature who had more children

My nephew tells me these things all the time, He “learned” them from his Baptist Preacher. I kinda enjoy it when he comes over and tells me these things. Gives me a chance to practice my Apologetics skills (or lack there of ) on him.

Convinced him on Catholics TRUE belief of our Blessed Mother, now I am working on the eucharist. A little more tricky, but enjoy the challenge