Who is Mary?

[oppositeman]

She, who is the delight of the Holy Trinity,
She, who is created perfectly,
She, who is free of the Sin of Adam,
She, who is Immaculately Conceived,
She, who is the First Loved,
She, who is the First Daughter of God the Father,
She, who is the Mother of the Incarnate Word,
She, who is the Spouse of the Holy Spirit,
She, who is the Queen of Heaven,
She, who is above all the Angels,
She, who Christ trusts to form His Saints,
She, who is our Mother,
She, who loves us with a motherly tenderness,
She, who quickly responds when called upon,
She, who is the fear of Satan,

Mary is the great gift that God has given us to help us as our Teacher in holiness. In your every need and circumstance invite and trust Mary to walk with you every moment of your day. As with every decision you make, it is your choice. Please, for love of Jesus Christ give her your “yes”.
https://scontent.ford4-1.fna.fbcdn....=9aa629d28b5b468a163566a5f5053502&oe=5680FDB5

 

[LoyalViews]

Beautiful. Reminds me of “Mary the Dawn”, if you ever have the chance, look it up. It’s a beautiful chant in praise of the Mother of God.

 

[eazyduzit]

I don’t get the fascination with Mary.
It was Jesus who loved us first while we were yet sinners.
It was Jesus who gave his life for us and paid the price for our sins.
It was Jesus who was beaten for our healing.
It was Jesus who became poor so that we might be rich.
It was Jesus who sent us His own Holy Spirit.
Jesus wants a personal relationship was us, not Mary.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, not Mary.
Jesus is the source of life, not Mary.
Jesus is the friend of sinners, not Mary.
Jesus is the firm foundation, not Mary.
Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith, not Mary.
Jesus kept the whole law for me, not Mary.
Jesus loves every one of his children just the same as Mary. No one is singled out as more special. Mk3:35 says" For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and my mother". We are all equal to God.

Mary is a fine model of faith but there is no more benefit after that.

 

[LoyalViews]

I don’t get the fascination with Mary.
It was Jesus who loved us first while we were yet sinners.
It was Jesus who gave his life for us and paid the price for our sins.
It was Jesus who was beaten for our healing.
It was Jesus who became poor so that we might be rich.
It was Jesus who sent us His own Holy Spirit.
Jesus wants a personal relationship was us, not Mary.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, not Mary.
Jesus is the source of life, not Mary.
Jesus is the friend of sinners, not Mary.
Jesus is the firm foundation, not Mary.
Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith, not Mary.
Jesus kept the whole law for me, not Mary.
Jesus loves every one of his children just the same as Mary. No one is singled out as more special. Mk3:35 says" For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and my mother". We are all equal to God.

Mary is a fine model of faith but there is no more benefit after that.

But Mary was also the one whose “fiat” made it possible for all that to be possible. God’s love for Her, and for Her to be raised to another level, doesn’t mean that He loves us less. Simply it means that Mary was in His plan from the beginning. She said YES. She made a wilful decision, something she made of her own free will, to say to God that YES, she will bring forth His son. She assented to His conception. She had the freedom to say no, but she said YES. She knew that she would face criticism, and from the beginning of the Gospel of St Matthew we see that even St Joseph was inspired to dismiss her, though the angel told him otherwise and he understood why.

Everything you mention, Mary agreed with. She was there. She loved Him all the way - and that is why. She loved Him, and therefore loved US, and the Mother of God wishes to do a lot for us, because she loves us. That is why we emphasise her.

Why wouldn’t her prayer be so powerful before God? He chose Her to be the Mother of His Son? How isn’t that a powerful intercession?

 

[eazyduzit]

But Mary was also the one whose “fiat” made it possible for all that to be possible. God’s love for Her, and for Her to be raised to another level, doesn’t mean that He loves us less. Simply it means that Mary was in His plan from the beginning. She said YES. She made a wilful decision, something she made of her own free will, to say to God that YES, she will bring forth His son. She assented to His conception. She had the freedom to say no, but she said YES. She knew that she would face criticism, and from the beginning of the Gospel of St Matthew we see that even St Joseph was inspired to dismiss her, though the angel told him otherwise and he understood why.

Everything you mention, Mary agreed with. She was there. She loved Him all the way - and that is why. She loved Him, and therefore loved US, and the Mother of God wishes to do a lot for us, because she loves us. That is why we emphasise her.

Why wouldn’t her prayer be so powerful before God? He chose Her to be the Mother of His Son? How isn’t that a powerful intercession?

You teach that Mary knows us and loves us and therefore wishes to “do a lot for us”. It would be helpful if you could show that from scripture.

 

[powerofk]

You teach that Mary knows us and loves us and therefore wishes to “do a lot for us”. It would be helpful if you could show that from scripture.

Sure! Luke 1:26-56 (annunciation, visitation, Magnificat);
Luke 2:33-35 (Simeon’s prophecy);
Luke 2:48-52 (finding of Jesus in the Temple - Jesus submits in obedience to Mary and Joseph);
John 2:1-12 (Wedding at Cana);
John 19:25-27 (Behold your son, behold your mother);
Acts 1:13-16 (Mary, Jesus’ relatives, and other women are with Jesus’ disciples praying in the upper room);
Revelation 11:19-12:18 (The ark of the covenant is seen in the temple - it is a woman clothed with the sun, the moon at her feet, and she is crowned with 12 stars; this woman is figurative of Mary, as she carried God the Son in her womb).

It is true that most of our Marian doctrines are not explicit in scripture. Yet they are very much implied. In ancient Israel, the queen was the king’s mother, not his wife (as kings had harems). She had incredible influence with her son. This is shown in 1 Kings 2:13-23, where Adonijah went to Queen Bathsheba to make a request on his behalf to King Solomon. Now, even though Solomon denied Adonijah’s request and had him killed, Adonijah went to Bathsheba in the first place for the simple fact that she was always welcome in her son’s court. She even had her own throne (1 Kings 2:19). The queen mother was so important, in fact, that every listing for every king of Judah in the Books of Kings lists who his mother was. As Jesus inaugurated the new kingdom of God, his mother, Mary, became the new queen mother.

 

[tifischer]

I don’t get the fascination with Mary.
It was Jesus who loved us first while we were yet sinners.
It was Jesus who gave his life for us and paid the price for our sins.
It was Jesus who was beaten for our healing.
It was Jesus who became poor so that we might be rich.
It was Jesus who sent us His own Holy Spirit.
Jesus wants a personal relationship was us, not Mary.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, not Mary.
Jesus is the source of life, not Mary.
Jesus is the friend of sinners, not Mary.
Jesus is the firm foundation, not Mary.
Jesus is the author and finisher of my faith, not Mary.
Jesus kept the whole law for me, not Mary.
Jesus loves every one of his children just the same as Mary. No one is singled out as more special. Mk3:35 says" For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister and my mother". We are all equal to God.

Mary is a fine model of faith but there is no more benefit after that.

The Blessed Mother Mary is not a fascination but a gift and a powerful intercessor who we honor.

God could have dropped Jesus out of a cloud if he wanted to but He chose Mary for a reason (like there are not other fine role models of faith already). Mary does not detract or reduce any of the qualities that you listed but she uplifts them. Where you believe that you and those qualities are independent of the Blessed Mother, others realize that the Blessed Mother Mary may intercede by the grace of God for us to achieve those qualities. The servants at the wedding at Cana did not know Jesus until the Blessed Mother brought them to Jesus. She brought the Holy Spirit through Jesus to John the Baptist in the womb of Elizabeth. The Blessed Mother Mary accepted and bore Jesus into this world that we may know Him in all the ways that you listed by God’s grace. Where would you be if your mother had not chosen to give birth to you? Are you beginning to see the importance of honoring your father and mother?..rather than just some fascination other have. Would you tell your own mother that she is a great role model but she really has no more benefit than that?

God chose Mary that Jesus may be born, that her soul may “magnify the Lord” (Luke Mary’s Song) (no ordinary role model…I want to my soul to magnify the Lord, let God be born in me, I will let you know if there is an immaculate conception anytime soon. You know my other children would totally love growing up with the infant Jesus as a brother! : ) . Mary is the daughter of God, Mother of Jesus and Spouse of the Holy Spirit. And again full of grace (that means without sin). She is the only one with these four qualities making her uniquely superior to all of humanity…found favor with God is pretty unique also, not many people can say they are the favored child of God the Father.

In the Bible she is
“full of grace” (Luke Annunciation),
to be called “Blessed” (Luke Mary’s Song),
she is the tabernacle of Jesus,
found favor with God (Luke Annunciation),
the Holy Spirit intercedes through her (Visitation),
her soul magnifies the Lord (Luke Mary’s Song),
Jesus is born from her (Luke Birth of Jesus),
the Holy Spirit overshadows her (Luke Annunciation),
her soul will be pierced so that the thoughts of many may be revealed (Luke Presentation),
she intercedes for us (wedding at Cana),
she points us to Jesus (wedding at Cana),
she is our mother (at the Crucifixion),
she is present at the birth of the Church (Pentecost),
she is crowned queen in the heavens (Revelations),
assumed into heaven.

(just happens I attended a Holy Spirit conference this weekend ; )

Perhaps her biggest role in our daily lives is that she is our heavenly mother and points us to Jesus. Her guidance is overshadowed by the Holy Spirit of Jesus and she is full of grace so she is a unique and superior intercessor in these ways. If you have a great mother by God’s grace, then you may not see the value of her as much as those who are less fortunate…so please be considerate to those who do appreciate her as their heavenly mother.

 

[eazyduzit]

Sure! Luke 1:26-56 (annunciation, visitation, Magnificat);
Luke 2:33-35 (Simeon’s prophecy);
Luke 2:48-52 (finding of Jesus in the Temple - Jesus submits in obedience to Mary and Joseph);
John 2:1-12 (Wedding at Cana);
John 19:25-27 (Behold your son, behold your mother);
Acts 1:13-16 (Mary, Jesus’ relatives, and other women are with Jesus’ disciples praying in the upper room);
Revelation 11:19-12:18 (The ark of the covenant is seen in the temple - it is a woman clothed with the sun, the moon at her feet, and she is crowned with 12 stars; this woman is figurative of Mary, as she carried God the Son in her womb).

It is true that most of our Marian doctrines are not explicit in scripture. Yet they are very much implied. In ancient Israel, the queen was the king’s mother, not his wife (as kings had harems). She had incredible influence with her son. This is shown in 1 Kings 2:13-23, where Adonijah went to Queen Bathsheba to make a request on his behalf to King Solomon. Now, even though Solomon denied Adonijah’s request and had him killed, Adonijah went to Bathsheba in the first place for the simple fact that she was always welcome in her son’s court. She even had her own throne (1 Kings 2:19). The queen mother was so important, in fact, that every listing for every king of Judah in the Books of Kings lists who his mother was. As Jesus inaugurated the new kingdom of God, his mother, Mary, became the new queen mother.

Nice try, but Solomon’ s relationship with his mom is not a prophetic type that applies. In Song of Songs, Solomon is a biblical type of Christ and the Shulamite bride is a type of the church. We do not relate to Christ through his mother. If my wife desires something from me I would expect her to ask me, not my mom. In Lk.11:27 a woman of the company praised Mary, but Jesus replied, “Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God and keep it” .
He did not say" Blessed are they that honor my mother" .

 

[eazyduzit]

The Blessed Mother Mary is not a fascination but a gift and a powerful intercessor who we honor.

God could have dropped Jesus out of a cloud if he wanted to but He chose Mary for a reason (like there are not other fine role models of faith already). Mary does not detract or reduce any of the qualities that you listed but she uplifts them. Where you believe that you and those qualities are independent of the Blessed Mother, others realize that the Blessed Mother Mary may intercede by the grace of God for us to achieve those qualities. The servants at the wedding at Cana did not know Jesus until the Blessed Mother brought them to Jesus. She brought the Holy Spirit through Jesus to John the Baptist in the womb of Elizabeth. The Blessed Mother Mary accepted and bore Jesus into this world that we may know Him in all the ways that you listed by God’s grace. Where would you be if your mother had not chosen to give birth to you? Are you beginning to see the importance of honoring your father and mother?..rather than just some fascination other have. Would you tell your own mother that she is a great role model but she really has no more benefit than that?

God chose Mary that Jesus may be born, that her soul may “magnify the Lord” (Luke Mary’s Song) (no ordinary role model…I want to my soul to magnify the Lord, let God be born in me, I will let you know if there is an immaculate conception anytime soon. You know my other children would totally love growing up with the infant Jesus as a brother! : ) . Mary is the daughter of God, Mother of Jesus and Spouse of the Holy Spirit. And again full of grace (that means without sin). She is the only one with these four qualities making her uniquely superior to all of humanity…found favor with God is pretty unique also, not many people can say they are the favored child of God the Father.

In the Bible she is
“full of grace” (Luke Annunciation),
to be called “Blessed” (Luke Mary’s Song),
she is the tabernacle of Jesus,
found favor with God (Luke Annunciation),
the Holy Spirit intercedes through her (Visitation),
her soul magnifies the Lord (Luke Mary’s Song),
Jesus is born from her (Luke Birth of Jesus),
the Holy Spirit overshadows her (Luke Annunciation),
her soul will be pierced so that the thoughts of many may be revealed (Luke Presentation),
she intercedes for us (wedding at Cana),
she points us to Jesus (wedding at Cana),
she is our mother (at the Crucifixion),
she is present at the birth of the Church (Pentecost),
she is crowned queen in the heavens (Revelations),
assumed into heaven.

(just happens I attended a Holy Spirit conference this weekend ; )

Perhaps her biggest role in our daily lives is that she is our heavenly mother and points us to Jesus. Her guidance is overshadowed by the Holy Spirit of Jesus and she is full of grace so she is a unique and superior intercessor in these ways. If you have a great mother by God’s grace, then you may not see the value of her as much as those who are less fortunate…so please be considerate to those who do appreciate her as their heavenly mother.

Sorry, but the Bible does not call Mary “full of grace” , only Jesus receives that praise. The angel called her “highly favored” .
Neither does the scripture indicate that she is our mother. Rather it says the church is our mother.

The Bible does not say she is the “spouse of the Holy Spirit!” Where would that leave Joseph?

 

[LoyalViews]

Sorry, but the Bible does not call Mary “full of grace” , only Jesus receives that praise. The angel called her “highly favored” .
Neither does the scripture indicate that she is our mother. Rather it says the church is our mother.

The Bible does not say she is the “spouse of the Holy Spirit!” Where would that leave Joseph?

Luke 1:28 says “And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

Some translations say that she is “highly favoured”, and that is like unto “full of grace” because the original Aramaic and Greek scriptures use a word that can only be interpreted to be “of significant favour, to be full of God’s grace.” There is your answer for that.

My dear friend and fellow believer in Christ. I trust a hundred-fold the faith that you have in Our Lord, and I’d say it is as strong as, yet even stronger than mine.

John 21:25 records "But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.’

These things that are unwritten? How did they survive? Where are they now?

What happened when our Divine Saviour did this: “When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’. Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!’.” You know that this passage comes from the Gospel of St John 19:26-27. Mary then became as John’s mother.

This is one incident of Her “mother-ship” you see. If Christ is the Head of the Church, and Mary is John’s mother now too, why isn’t Mary is the Mother of the Church? The Church is the Body of Christ and the believers of Christ, as Christ is the head of the Church. If Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, Mary is therefore in every way, the Mother of Jesus and the Church. If we are of the Church, of Christ’s body, how isn’t she also our Mother?

The “spouse of the Holy Spirit” is a figurative terminology, imagery, as most of the things Our Lord himself said - it was all imagery. The Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Creed of our forefathers both Catholic and non-Catholic say that Mary “conceived of the Holy Ghost.”

What is a conception other than that between spouses? It wasn’t sexual in any means whatsoever, but it is a metaphor for something that is unable for our human minds to grasp, because how can we confine the Holy Ghost to anything other than what our human senses have perceived and experienced first hand?

 

[eazyduzit]

Luke 1:28 says “And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.”

Some translations say that she is “highly favoured”, and that is like unto “full of grace” because the original Aramaic and Greek scriptures use a word that can only be interpreted to be “of significant favour, to be full of God’s grace.” There is your answer for that.

My dear friend and fellow believer in Christ. I trust a hundred-fold the faith that you have in Our Lord, and I’d say it is as strong as, yet even stronger than mine.

John 21:25 records "But there are also many other things which Jesus did; were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.’

These things that are unwritten? How did they survive? Where are they now?

What happened when our Divine Saviour did this: “When Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing near, he said to his mother, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’. Then he said to the disciple, 'Behold, your mother!’.” You know that this passage comes from the Gospel of St John 19:26-27. Mary then became as John’s mother.

This is one incident of Her “mother-ship” you see. If Christ is the Head of the Church, and Mary is John’s mother now too, why isn’t Mary is the Mother of the Church? The Church is the Body of Christ and the believers of Christ, as Christ is the head of the Church. If Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary, Mary is therefore in every way, the Mother of Jesus and the Church. If we are of the Church, of Christ’s body, how isn’t she also our Mother?

The “spouse of the Holy Spirit” is a figurative terminology, imagery, as most of the things Our Lord himself said - it was all imagery. The Apostles Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Creed of our forefathers both Catholic and non-Catholic say that Mary “conceived of the Holy Ghost.”

What is a conception other than that between spouses? It wasn’t sexual in any means whatsoever, but it is a metaphor for something that is unable for our human minds to grasp, because how can we confine the Holy Ghost to anything other than what our human senses have perceived and experienced first hand?

If the very mother and queen of the church was present at the birth of the church (Acts2), then why didn’t she play a role just as at the birth of the savior?

 

[mh2007]

Indeed, much of our faith can be questioned, and argued. The proof for me came after years of logical inquiry and questioning. What I found easy to accept in my youth, on faith alone, was provided by some very kind and dedicated sisters who were members of an order: The Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As we learn to question everything in adulthood, many doubts emerge. However, the proof for me (a sinner) came when life circumstances caused me to turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in faith, as I felt there was no logical solution or explanation for certain events occurring in my own life. So the foundation I had been given in my youth stuck with me, in spite of many, many logical doubts over the years about even the most basic and fundamental articles of faith, Church teaching, its rules, etc.

What I discovered in reaching out to Mary was that indeed, never was it known, that anyone who fled to Her protection, implored Her help, or sought Her intercession was left unaided. I can bear witness - yes, the prayer is true. She will help, and will intercede in times of your great need. All you have to do is ask for help. Pray to Her. Pray the rosary. Whether you question it now, or truly believe it, She will hear you, and She will help.

Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary is a very real, and living thing. Go to a church on Her feast days. For example, the Assumption. You will be amazed at the number of people who attend. Or the feast of the Immaculate Conception. These people are not wrong. They are not crazy, or deranged. They are children of God who are normal human beings who put their faith in God, in Jesus, and in His mother.

You will be blessed. All of the logic in the world will not deflect the very real graces that She provides. Love and devotion are not logical. They are heartfelt and human emotions for ordinary, yet very real children of God who seek His help, though the Mother of His only begotten Son.