Is Mary a source of Holiness?

[ravenlorre]

Mary is a perfect reflection of the Holiness of God. She is like the moon reflecting the light of the sun - without the sun she is nothing.

We are all called to be perfect reflections of Christ - and someday when we are kneeling before Him in Heaven we will be.

blessings

 

[sunlover1]

If honor and worship are the same, I find it very interesting that God would ask us to "worship" our parents...

Great post.
Informing rather than condescending

Good point about the difference between honor and worship.

This thread is about whether mary is a source of holiness, but you still make a good point.

I am a bit confused about that when I see people bowing to statues and such.
I remember when I was a little kid and the nun took me to the stations of the cross statues.
I remember being extremely uncomfortable with it all at that time.
I remember the day as if it were yesterday.

Anyway, just reminiscing.

sunlover

 

[Benedicta00]

What on earth is a Marian festival?

 

[Benedicta00]

.

 

[Benedicta00]

I think there is more read into those verses then was intended...It's all about Jesus..

yes, it is and Mary reflects that and shows us that and anyone who deiced to have a devotion to Mary would learn that. ...that what she does is point us to Christ because it is all about Him.

 

[Benedicta00]

This thread is about whether mary is a source of holiness.

only in a figurative sense.

I am a bit confused about that when I see people bowing to statues and such.

we are not bowing down to- rather genuflecting, saying hi, showing respect- that sort of thing.

I remember when I was a little kid and the nun took me to the stations of the cross statues.
I remember being extremely uncomfortable with it all at that time.
I remember the day as if it were yesterday.

Well... that would have been Jesus you were kneeling to in a show of deep reverence and remembrance of his passion.

 

[MaideninWaiting]

Great post.
Informing rather than condescending

Good point about the difference between honor and worship.

This thread is about whether mary is a source of holiness, but you still make a good point.

I am a bit confused about that when I see people bowing to statues and such.
I remember when I was a little kid and the nun took me to the stations of the cross statues.
I remember being extremely uncomfortable with it all at that time.
I remember the day as if it were yesterday.

Anyway, just reminiscing.

sunlover

Thank you, sunlover.

I understand that this about whether or not Mary is a source of holiness. I just wanted to respond to that post about honor and worship to make sure that everyone has a correct understanding. It's important that the difference is understood so that people realize that we honor Mary. We don't worship her.

I can understand being uncomfortable bowing to statues and such too when you don't understand why you're doing it. I think the problem is that when you are a child, adults need to make sure you understand that it's not the statues you are showing such reverence to. The statues are merely there to be a constant reminder of Who you are praying to and Who you're showing reverence to. To help your mind stay focused. Like crosses. All christians have crosses of some sort. Are we worshiping the cross or are we worshiping the One Who died on the cross? The cross is merely a reminder. And that's all the statues are too.

As for whether or not Mary is a source of holiness?

Luke 1:35

And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God."

Luke 1:46

And Mary said: "My soul magnifies the Lord"

When I read that scripture, that is proof to me that Mary is a source of holiness.


In Christ,
Bridgette

 

[Tigg]

Interesting thread. Being Catholic you know basically where I stand. I can understand the Protestant view. Yes, I have seen and know of some who have "worshiped" Mary. I have known some Protestants who have dissed the Mother of God. When I was little, anyone diss my mom, or I theirs, and the battle was on and I mean physical. (I am decidedly better with age, I admit, but still...) Mary is the mother of God. I do not worship Mary. I will not diss her either. I will call her full of grace for she was/is. I will say my Rosary and meditate on Jesus life etc. Those who "worship" will answer to the King of Kings one day and there are those who "diss", disrespect, who will answer also to the King of Kings. I do not intend to answer to my Lord on either point.

God bless us both, Protestant and Catholic!
-Peace-

 

[Benedicta00]

Well, try thinking of it this way. You honor your mother, right? And you love her more than can be expressed. Just like Jesus loves His mother. And say your mother made a very huge decision. She aligned her will with God's Will and through her it had a huge impact on the world. And it was something very hard for her. (Just like Mary. Risking her life by becoming pregnant. Having to watch her Son die in the most cruel way. Not an easy decision.) Would you like it if people dismissed your mother and considered it unneccesary to show their love and appreciation to her in any way? I mean, really consider it. Do you not think it would hurt you that your mother made such a huge decision out of love for God and His children, a decision that was so hard on her, and she wasn't even recognized for it? I know I would be very hurt if it were my mother. And my love isn't even as great as Jesus' love. How much more would it hurt Him to watch the dismissal of His mother?


In Christ,
Bridgette

Oh that makes me want to cry... it reminds me of the Passion movie. and speaking of which- if anyone saw it, that is the long and short of how we view Mary.

 

[mysterychristian]

This is a moderator who is catholic saying to post with charity, does this mean that we have to disagree politely as to not offend. Because I believe you will find that when people tend to disagree that someone feels offended to some degree. So basically do not say to much about the catholic church or it's doctrine or it will be unloving, Jesus Christ was very loving all the time and he stood up against evil doctrine constanly no matter what or who believed in it, are you saying we are to water down the word or back off the truth so as not to offend those who are catholic or believe catholic doctrine???? How hypocritical!

 

[Benedicta00]

Interesting thread. Being Catholic you know basically where I stand. I can understand the Protestant view. Yes, I have seen and know of some who have "worshiped" Mary. I have known some Protestants who have dissed the Mother of God. When I was little, anyone diss my mom, or I theirs, and the battle was on and I mean physical. (I am decidedly better with age, I admit, but still...) Mary is the mother of God. I do not worship Mary. I will not diss her either. I will call her full of grace for she was/is. I will say my Rosary and meditate on Jesus life etc. Those who "worship" will answer to the King of Kings one day and there are those who "diss", disrespect, who will answer also to the King of Kings. I do not intend to answer to my Lord on either point.

God bless us both, Protestant and Catholic!
-Peace-

I've never known any catholic who openly worshipped Mary.. i see where some have extreme devotion and are blinded by their love for her and their desire for all to come to know Mary's motherly intersession but I have never seen where a Catholic has worshipped her.

 

[Benedicta00]

This is a moderator who is catholic saying to post with charity, does this mean that we have to disagree politely as to not offend. Because I believe you will find that when people tend to disagree that someone feels offended to some degree. So basically do not say to much about the catholic church or it's doctrine or it will be unloving, Jesus Christ was very loving all the time and he stood up against evil doctrine constanly no matter what or who believed in it, are you saying we are to water down the word or back off the truth so as not to offend those who are catholic or believe catholic doctrine???? How hypocritical!

no, i think it just means to be nice and not to be nasty and to take nasty tones, or to simulate cocky gestures, etc...

 

[MaideninWaiting]

Post with Charity

This is a moderator who is catholic saying to post with charity, does this mean that we have to disagree politely as to not offend. Because I believe you will find that when people tend to disagree that someone feels offended to some degree. So basically do not say to much about the catholic church or it's doctrine or it will be unloving, Jesus Christ was very loving all the time and he stood up against evil doctrine constanly no matter what or who believed in it, are you saying we are to water down the word or back off the truth so as not to offend those who are catholic or believe catholic doctrine???? How hypocritical!

No, the moderator is merely reminding people to respond with love. Like sunlover, for example. She knows how to disagree in a respectful manner. And so I respect her view and can respond to her in kind. I don't feel offended by her in any way.


In Christ,
Bridgette

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

My perspective...



As a Protestant, I honor, esteem, revere, adore, and in a sense worship Mary - not only for her great faith, her being great among the saints, her being a part of the Holy Family, but above all for being the Mother of God.


But that does NOT mean that I accept as dogma the Immaculate Conception or the Assumption or the Perpetual Virginity of Mary or Coredemptrix or the Mediator of all Graces. IF these things are true, they MIGHT honor her (I'm not so sure), and IF these things are false they dishonor Our Blessed Lady, offend and hurt her - and therefore her Son.


Therefore, to ME, it's not moot but critical if these things are true.



MY rather unpopular perspective.


Pax!


- Josiah



.

 

[Benedicta00]

Jesus Christ was very loving all the time and he stood up against evil doctrine constanly no matter what or who believed in it, are you saying we are to water down the word or back off the truth so as not to offend those who are catholic or believe catholic doctrine???? How hypocritical!

are you saying that Catholic doctrine is evil? Please clarify...

 

[Benedicta00]

Do you believe the 4 dogmas like Luther did, as a matter of pious opinion? It is the fact that it's a dogma that bothers you?

 

[Tigg]

I've never known any catholic who openly worshipped Mary.. i see where some have extreme devotion and are blinded by their love for her and their desire for all to come to know Mary's motherly intersession but I have never seen where a Catholic has worshipped her.

A whisper away perhaps? So close as to be one of semantics...but then not giving Mary the honor that is rightfully hers is bad news as well. The original question of is she a source of Holiness, she definitely is an example of where I should be with God for sure. "Be it done to me, according to Thy will."

-Peace-

 

[Benedicta00]

A whisper away perhaps? So close as to be one of semantics...but then not giving Mary the honor that is rightfully hers is bad news as well. The original question of is she a source of Holiness, she definitely is an example of where I should be with God for sure. "Be it done to me, according to Thy will."

-Peace-

In what way do you think they were a hair away? you either take Mary for God or you don't... all the show of love and honor is not worship as extreme as it is...

 

[Benedicta00]

Do you believe the 4 dogmas like Luther did, as a matter of pious opinion? It is the fact that it's a dogma that bothers you?

this question was 4 CJ

 

[Tigg]

In what way do you think they were a hair away? you either take Mary for God or you don't... all the show of love and honor is not worship as extreme as it is...

Mary is not God. What more can be said. Probably lots huh. Lol,. My first sentence is the bottom line. She is not God.

I will not add to the agitation I see on this thread by telling more of Protestant faults or Catholic. I imagine that sentence might cause some consternation. What fault? Whose faults did she say?

-Peace-