The Catholic concept of reparation is difficult to understand. "Making reparation" is not about atoning for sin, but it is about un-doing blasphemy. So making reparation to the Immaculate Heart would mean to say some prayers praising Mary, to un-do all the blasphemy done against her.
How does one “blaspheme” a fellow, mortal human being?
Blaspheme: (verb)
* speak irreverently about God or sacred things.
* the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God
* irreverence toward something considered sacred or inviolable
And what exactly would be an example of a “blasphemy” spoken against Mary?
We can also make reparation to Jesus Christ, under the titles of the Sacred Heart or the Holy Face, or to the blessed Trinity. When someone you love is being ridiculed or mocked, it is only a natural instinct to want to make it good, even if it is not necessary.
Except, unlike Mary, Jesus Christ
is sacred and divine, so He can be “blasphemed.” Also, I don’t recall anything in Scripture regarding making “reparation” to Christ for the mocking things people will say of Him. He did tell us to expect as much.
Mary is "the mother of grace", since she is the mother of him from whom all graces flow, that is Christ.
Scripture never once gives her that title. Catholic teaching and tradition does. (Along with many other titles).
But what role Mary has in the distribution of graces now is still a ongoing theological debate in the Catholic Church.
I am aware of that, although there are official doctrines as well.
Some take the maximalist position (all graces from Christ flows through the hands of Mary), some take the minimalist position (Mary's main task is to pray, so she is only involved in the distribution of graces by way of suffrage), and there is every position in-between also.
So, how about the Biblical postition, which is that grace comes to us directly from Christ when we believe?
You disagree with the Fatima apparition. But there is no arguing that the theology from the Fatima apparitions is at least consistent with Catholic theology.
On that we agree.
The devotion to the Immaculate Heart focuses on the pure love Mary had (and still has) for God.
I don’t deny Mary loves/loved God.
The devotion honours this love, and the inner life of Mary in general, including her virtues, joys and sorrows.
Honestly, I think it’s disrespectful to believe we can truely know or understand what Mary’s “inner life”, “joys”, and “sorrows” would have been. We don’t even know such things about our family and closest friends often enough. And no one has ever talked with Mary and learned what her life was really like and what she really went through. We have no personal relationship with her, nor can we contact her. She has left this earthly life.
And the devotee seeks to love God just as intensely as Mary did.
We love because He first loved us. We love God when we believe on the Son (the will of the Father).
Devotional practices include the Rosary, the First Saturdays Devotion (going to Mass in honour the Immaculate Heart), meditating on the seven sorrows of Mary (the sorrows being the "sword" that pierced her heart). In a sense Mary is the Immaculate Heart. The Immaculate Heart of Mary is, if you like, a Catholic "code word" for Mary's love and interior life. And quite frankly, most of the times when you read "the Immaculate Heart [of Mary]", you could simply replace it with "Mary" and the meaning would be more or less the same. Again, the title is more devotional than theological, borne out of popular piety rather than theological debate.
Yes, and I am sure all that is all very pious Catholic doctrine. Not supported in any way by Scripture, however, which is what concerns me.
There are generally five different offenses committed against the Immaculate Heart: (1) offenses against the Immaculate Conception, (2) against her virginity, (3) against her being the Mother of God, (4) to foster indifference or hate toward Mary and (5) to desecrate images or icons of Mary. This is the list you'll find online. So to sin against the Immaculate Heart would be to commit these particular offenses.
Wow. I guess I’m guilty of all but the last one, as I am only willing to give Mary the honour and distinction Scripture does, and not a bit more.
And I truly didn’t know that one could “blaspheme” someone or something that isn’t divine.
There also exist the parallel devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, focusing on the Divine Love he has for humanity. The devotion to the Sacred Heart is more popular, I believe, even though the devotion to the Immaculate Heart pre-dates it.
Wait....devotion to Mary predates devotion to Jesus? I really must disagree with you on that. The Scriptures are clear, one should only be devoted in that way to God. The early Church did not do with Mary what the Catholic church has done.
Then there is the joint devotion to the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, focusing on both Hearts. Sort of like a "two for one" deal.
A “two for one deal”? No thank you, I’ll just devote myself to Jesus and trust in Him. He alone saves and in Him all grace and forgiveness is found.
