G
GoldenArrow
Guest
You’re most welcome.
I’m also glad you took this the right way. I wondered if my reply had sounded too harsh.
Anyway, the Scriptural basis is fascinating. It starts all the way back in the Book of Genesis, with “the woman” being involved in the defeat of the serpent through the the fruit of her womb, “Jesus.” Genesis 15. Our Catholic Update teacher tells us this verse is the most important verse of the Old Testament, because it is the FIRST verse to give man HOPE of Redemption after the Fall. It’s also the first Messianic Prophecy.
The roots of TD to Mary also lie in the story of Rebekah and Jacob, Rebekah being a typological prefigurement of Mary and Jacob being a typological prefigurement of Christ’s Church (us), the prodigal sons and daughters. Rebekah dresses Jacob in the garments of the preferred son, Esau, who represents a typological prefigurement of Jesus (in Montfort’s interpretation). Isaac represents God the Father, typologically. Rebekah presents Jacob to Isaac, who think he’s being presented with Esau, and he gives his blessing to Isaac.
(by “TYPOLOGY” I mean something presented in the Old Testament or Old Covenants that is fulfilled in the New Testament, or New Covenant).
Likewise, Mary dresses the prodigal sons and daughters in the garments of her Son and presents us to God the Father. The Father smells our perfumed garments and can’t tell the difference between us and Christ. We get the Father’s Blessing.
One still goes to the Father through Jesus though. Anyway, through The Father and the Son, we are blessed again with the Gift of the Holy Spirit.
Montfort uses this OT story to present to us our relationship to Mary and what she does for us in her role as Mother of the Church.
It’s really fascinating how Montfort reveals TD to Mary. He also quotes many of the Church Fathers, psalms and other passages.
I like the fact that Montfort repeatedly states that this devotion is INVALID if it does not lead to Christ. Montfort did not have any illusions about Mary. He knew here role, and it is great, but he repeatedly makes it clear that Jesus Christ is the ultimate goal.
I also recommend reading in order because he takes you through his thesis step by step.
Even if you don’t accept any of it, you’ll at least come away from Montfort’s book with a greater appreciation for why Catholics look to Mary as our Mother, why we depend on her and why we venerate and honor her. We really do have a reason for our madness! HA! For us, this is just another way of imitating Christ.
Here’s a couple of mirror sites for the book:
jesus-passion.com/TrueDevotion.htm#TREATISE%20ON%20TRUE%20DEVOTION
montfort.org.uk/Writings/TrueDev.html
God Bless!
If you have any questions, just ask. I’ll pop in from time to time.
