What does it mean?

[Jozefo]

Any religion that believes in Jesus Christ would call Mary blessed. If you were chosen to fulfill a task for God would you not be considered blessed to even have the ability to accomplish the task? When chosen by God for anything you would be blessed. I am blessed because I have 3 healthy children, I am blessed I am healthy, I am blessed because Jesus is my savior.
I believe the saints pray in heaven for us, what im trying to get a hold on is are they hearing our prayers when we pray. I understand the verse in revelations but does it say they are hearing our prayers or is it just talking of their own prayers? these are the little things that make up different religions that have people confused and I am just looking to get help on the answers.

I can’t speak for anyone but myself, but as someone who attended hundreds of different churches in numerous different denominations - all protestant - I can honestly say I never once heard anyone call her Blessed, until I came into contact with Catholics.

As to your second paragraph, that’s a good question. But we believe they are alive in Christ, and able to hear us. I’ll have to think about there being any concrete examples in Scripture illustrating that though. Maybe someone else has something in the meanwhile.

 

[Travis8257]

Ok I think I got a good understanding of Mary in the bible. Here is where I really want to move on and ask, why should one be catholic? what are the advantages over being a christian and having an awesome personal relationship with God. For example when I pray every prayer is different and on a personal level with God. what would be my advantage of saying a lot of the same prayers over and over and chanting the same things over and over? I have been trying to study the Catholic faith for a long time, I have even watched Mass on television , but it seems so repetitive and from my understanding you are supposed to pray a different prayer every time you pray because God hears your prayer the first time you pray it.

 

[Dorothy]

In Luke written in red it was made clear not to put to much emphasis on the Mother.
Luke 11:27-28 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou has sucked. But he said, Yea rather blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it.

And, no one heard the word of God and kept it better than Mary!

The scripture you quote above is NOT a put-down of Mary, although it is used a lot by non-Catholics to sound like it is.

 

[Jozefo]

Ok I think I got a good understanding of Mary in the bible. Here is where I really want to move on and ask, why should one be catholic? what are the advantages over being a christian and having an awesome personal relationship with God. For example when I pray every prayer is different and on a personal level with God. what would be my advantage of saying a lot of the same prayers over and over and chanting the same things over and over? I have been trying to study the Catholic faith for a long time, I have even watched Mass on television , but it seems so repetitive and from my understanding you are supposed to pray a different prayer every time you pray because God hears your prayer the first time you pray it.

The Church has the Eucharist. Nothing else rises in importance as that. Jesus Himself comes to us, and we follow his command: “Do this in memory of me.”

 

[Travis8257]

And, no one heard the word of God and kept it better than Mary!

The scripture you quote above is NOT a put-down of Mary, although it is used a lot by non-Catholics to sound like it is.

I dont believe it is a put down either but the focus is taken off the Mother here and placed back on God unless I am confused

 

[Travis8257]

The Church has the Eucharist. Nothing else rises in importance as that. Jesus Himself comes to us, and we follow his command: “Do this in memory of me.”

communion? this is done in tons of religions.

 

[VivienneJ]

In Luke written in red

The red is of no real consequence, as I think the Bible you have quoted from is one that prints all Jesus’ words in red.

In Luke written in red it was made clear not to put to much emphasis on the Mother.

Really? I have looked up those verses in 5 translations of the Bible, and each, as well as the one you are using starts by referring to what Jesus had been saying before this exchange. See below. This should be read in context of what goes before and what comes after. Also, in none of them does Jesus say that His mother is not blessed. These verses are commenting on what we should be doing.

Luke 11:27-28 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou has sucked. But he said, Yea rather blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it.

Douay-Rheims:
And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.
Ignatius Bible:
(True Blessedness) As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
The New English Bible:
While he was speaking thus, a woman in the crowd called out, ‘Happy the womb that carried you and the breasts that suckled you!’ He rejoined, , ‘No, happy are those who hear the word of God and keep it.’
NRSV Catholic Edition:
(True Blessedness) While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that nursed you!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’
The Message:
While he was saying these things, some woman lifted her voice above the murmur of the crowd: “Blessed the womb that carried you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” Jesus commented, “Even more blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!”

 

[Jozefo]

communion? this is done in tons of religions.

Not like in the Church. Everywhere else it’s symbolic of Christ, or unauthorized by proper authority.

That’s where you need to look if you want to know why become Catholic. In the end, it’s all that matters.

Anyway, I have to go. It’s been nice talking with you.

 

[Travis8257]

The red is of no real consequence, as I think the Bible you have quoted from is one that prints all Jesus’ words in red.

Really? I have looked up those verses in 5 translations of the Bible, and each, as well as the one you are using starts by referring to what Jesus had been saying before this exchange. See below. This should be read in context of what goes before and what comes after. Also, in none of them does Jesus say that His mother is not blessed. These verses are commenting on what we should be doing.

Douay-Rheims:
And it came to pass, as he spoke these things, a certain woman from the crowd, lifting up her voice, said to him: Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck. But he said: Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.
Ignatius Bible:
(True Blessedness) As he said this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you sucked!” But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”
The New English Bible:
While he was speaking thus, a woman in the crowd called out, ‘Happy the womb that carried you and the breasts that suckled you!’ He rejoined, , ‘No, happy are those who hear the word of God and keep it.’
NRSV Catholic Edition:
(True Blessedness) While he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, ‘Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that nursed you!’ But he said, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’
The Message:
While he was saying these things, some woman lifted her voice above the murmur of the crowd: “Blessed the womb that carried you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” Jesus commented, “Even more blessed are those who hear God’s Word and guard it with their lives!”

even in all those post is he not implying not to focus to much on the woman that gave birth to him but to live for God? every one of the translations seem to say pretty much the same thing.

 

[VivienneJ]

I dont believe it is a put down either but the focus is taken off the Mother here and placed back on God unless I am confused

No, the focus is placed on what we should be doing, especially in relation to what Jesus was talking about before this ‘conversation’ with the woman.

 

[Travis8257]

Not like in the Church. Everywhere else it’s symbolic of Christ, or unauthorized by proper authority.

That’s where you need to look if you want to know why become Catholic. In the end, it’s all that matters.

Anyway, I have to go. It’s been nice talking with you.

ok thank you for taking your time out for me. we will have to do this later. No you have me looking in the bible because I know it says “do this in remembrance of me” I dont remember it saying only do this in the catholic church. You do not need to respond to this but I will do some research as to who has the authority to do communion

 

[SteveVH]

Ok I think I got a good understanding of Mary in the bible. Here is where I really want to move on and ask, why should one be catholic? what are the advantages over being a christian and having an awesome personal relationship with God.

Catholics were the first Christians and we have not changed our doctrines since the days of the Apostles. Did you really think that Catholics were not Christian? And why would you imagine that Catholics do not have a personal relationship with God? We have a relationship that is more intimate with God than you can imagine.

I have been trying to study the Catholic faith for a long time, I have even watched Mass on television , but it seems so repetitive and from my understanding you are supposed to pray a different prayer every time you pray because God hears your prayer the first time you pray it.

If you have been studying the Catholic faith for a long time, I would find another resource. What is your resource, Lorraine Boettner? Jack Chick? If you really want to know everything we believe you should purchase the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It contains everything we believe and explains why we believe it.

 

[Travis8257]

Catholics were the first Christians and we have not changed our doctrines since the days of the Apostles. Did you really think that Catholics were not Christian? And why would you imagine that Catholics do not have a personal relationship with God? We have a relationship that is more intimate with God than you can imagine.

If you have been studying the Catholic faith for a long time, I would find another resource. What is your resource, Lorraine Boettner? Jack Chick? If you really want to know everything we believe you should purchase the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It contains everything we believe and explains why we believe it.

I know you all have a personal relationship with God, Im just saying it seems that the the chanting the same things over and over in synagogues doesnt seem very personal. And the bible teaches to use new prayers when you pray. To me if I heard the same prayers over and over is like a little child asking the same question over and over and over, I heard you the first time. I may be mistaken but every thing I have watched about catholic services seem to be all the same prayers and chanting the same things.

 

[Dorothy]

Ok I think I got a good understanding of Mary in the bible. Here is where I really want to move on and ask, why should one be catholic? what are the advantages over being a christian and having an awesome personal relationship with God. For example when I pray every prayer is different and on a personal level with God. what would be my advantage of saying a lot of the same prayers over and over and chanting the same things over and over? I have been trying to study the Catholic faith for a long time, I have even watched Mass on television , but it seems so repetitive and from my understanding you are supposed to pray a different prayer every time you pray because God hears your prayer the first time you pray it.

The angels adore the Lord continuously, and praying from the heart at Mass we do the same thing. There is nothing wrong with focusing on the Lord’s Presence with repetitive prayer, as long as we are saying the prayers from our heart and not just mouthing them and thinking of something else.

I am glad that you have an awesome personal relatioship with God. For a Catholic the Mass is heaven on earth, where we receive, sacramentally, the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Risen Lord! What is more personal than that?

 

[SteveVH]

Yes I would pray for you, I would pray for any one. I was just always taught when I get on my knees and pray it is the best to only pray to the Father,Son and Holy Ghost, I was never taught to pray to the Mother.

The phrasing of your statement makes it clear that you are attempting to get someone to admit that we pray to Mary in the same manner as we pray to God. You are assuming idolatry where there is none and I am beginning to question your motivation in being here.

We do not worship Mary. Burn that into your brain. Catholics do not worship Mary or any other being than the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Got it?

I am still wondering what luke 11:27-28 means, in my opinion it is God objecting to the woman crying out about how blessed the mother is.

Which is why we should not lean unto our own understanding. This is why Christ started his Church, “the pillar and foundation of truth”, so that people would not have to depend upon their own opinions but could depend on a Church protected from error to teach them the truth.

 

[Travis8257]

The phrasing of your statement makes it clear that you are attempting to get someone to admit that we pray to Mary in the same manner as we pray to God. You are assuming idolatry where there is none and I am beginning to question your motivation in being here.

We do not worship Mary. Burn that into your brain. Catholics do not worship Mary or any other being than the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Got it?

Which is why we should not lean unto our own understanding. This is why Christ started his Church, “the pillar and foundation of truth”, so that people would not have to depend upon their own opinions but could depend on a Church protected from error to teach them the truth.

steve you are getting very defensive in your religion. I am tolerant and understand most religions are a little different in one way or another. The main thing to get to heaven is accepting Jesus as your personal savior. Plain as Day we have all done so we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. You would have to have a little scrutiny before accepting any religion or you would just jump in blind without making an effort to understand it. Can one not be saved in a little small church with only 10 members and hold communion there or is it just the rights of the catholics? It was just made clear to me that the catholic church are the only ones with the authority to even hold communion.

 

[Travis8257]

The phrasing of your statement makes it clear that you are attempting to get someone to admit that we pray to Mary in the same manner as we pray to God. You are assuming idolatry where there is none and I am beginning to question your motivation in being here.

We do not worship Mary. Burn that into your brain. Catholics do not worship Mary or any other being than the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Got it?

Which is why we should not lean unto our own understanding. This is why Christ started his Church, “the pillar and foundation of truth”, so that people would not have to depend upon their own opinions but could depend on a Church protected from error to teach them the truth.

 

[Travis8257]

The phrasing of your statement makes it clear that you are attempting to get someone to admit that we pray to Mary in the same manner as we pray to God. You are assuming idolatry where there is none and I am beginning to question your motivation in being here.

We do not worship Mary. Burn that into your brain. Catholics do not worship Mary or any other being than the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Got it?

Which is why we should not lean unto our own understanding. This is why Christ started his Church, “the pillar and foundation of truth”, so that people would not have to depend upon their own opinions but could depend on a Church protected from error to teach them the truth.

and there is no single church protected from error

 

[VivienneJ]

t was just made clear to me that the catholic church are the only ones with the authority to even hold communion.

I think that was not quite what was said. However, in which churches are the elements of bread and wine changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus? Because that is what we mean and understand when we talk about ‘holding communion’.

and there is no single church protected from error

Google “Which church is protected from error” Correctly it is that the Catholic Church is protected from teaching error in faith and morals, as you will see here: ewtn.com/library/answers/prochurc.htm

 

[Travis8257]

I think that was not quite what was said. However, in which churches are the elements of bread and wine changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus? Because that is what we mean and understand when we talk about ‘holding communion’.

Google “Which church is protected from error” Correctly it is that the Catholic Church is protected from teaching error in faith and morals, as you will see here: ewtn.com/library/answers/prochurc.htm

I have been to baptist, 7th day adventist, pentecostal, non denominal, and a couple other churches and the bread is always the body and the wine always the blood. how can this even be done wrong if your doing it in remembrance of Jesus?