some questions about Mary

[MangoTheCat]

Okay.. since you all have greeted me so kindly, I'm going to ask some of the questions I have. Please forgive me if I offend in any way. (It's hard to know how to show the proper reverence for something when you don't know anything about it.)

First question.. this is going to kind of ramble a bit because my thoughts are all jumbled about it. I apologize in advance.

Where is Mary right now? In heaven? If so, how is it that she can hear our prayers and pray for us? I was always taught that in heaven there is no sadness or pain. Maybe it is just that I am trapped in the human experience for now, but when I pray for someone, I usually feel sadness and pain for what they are going through. I guess where I get stuck is that in my mind, either she isn't empathizing with us in our prayers (meaning she prays for us, but feels no ache for us) Or maybe she is just special and gets to feel for us when others in heaven wouldn't.. Or.. *scratches head* Is pain and sadness allowed in heaven now, but it won't be later?

Okay.. that's enough for now. Can somebody help?

 

[MorphRC]

Okay.. since you all have greeted me so kindly, I'm going to ask some of the questions I have. Please forgive me if I offend in any way. (It's hard to know how to show the proper reverence for something when you don't know anything about it.)

First question.. this is going to kind of ramble a bit because my thoughts are all jumbled about it. I apologize in advance.

Where is Mary right now? In heaven? If so, how is it that she can hear our prayers and pray for us? I was always taught that in heaven there is no sadness or pain. Maybe it is just that I am trapped in the human experience for now, but when I pray for someone, I usually feel sadness and pain for what they are going through. I guess where I get stuck is that in my mind, either she isn't empathizing with us in our prayers (meaning she prays for us, but feels no ache for us) Or maybe she is just special and gets to feel for us when others in heaven wouldn't.. Or.. *scratches head* Is pain and sadness allowed in heaven now, but it won't be later?

Okay.. that's enough for now. Can somebody help?

Where is Mary right now? In heaven?

Yes

If so, how is it that she can hear our prayers and pray for us?

God grants her the grace to be able to hear our prayers. All pray to God in heaven, not just Mary for us on earth. Its in 2 Maccabees.

I was always taught that in heaven there is no sadness or pain.

heaven is the ultimate communion with God, No worries, nothing, its the complete fullness we look for thruout our lives.

meaning she prays for us, but feels no ache for us

She is our mother, she feels for us, thats why she prays and intercedes for us. Also by this, you are saying that God does not get angry, or annoyed when we stuff up, this is untrue.

 

[thereselittleflower]

Okay.. since you all have greeted me so kindly, I'm going to ask some of the questions I have. Please forgive me if I offend in any way. (It's hard to know how to show the proper reverence for something when you don't know anything about it.)

First question.. this is going to kind of ramble a bit because my thoughts are all jumbled about it. I apologize in advance.

Where is Mary right now? In heaven? If so, how is it that she can hear our prayers and pray for us? I was always taught that in heaven there is no sadness or pain. Maybe it is just that I am trapped in the human experience for now, but when I pray for someone, I usually feel sadness and pain for what they are going through. I guess where I get stuck is that in my mind, either she isn't empathizing with us in our prayers (meaning she prays for us, but feels no ache for us) Or maybe she is just special and gets to feel for us when others in heaven wouldn't.. Or.. *scratches head* Is pain and sadness allowed in heaven now, but it won't be later?

Okay.. that's enough for now. Can somebody help?

Hi Mango

It is great that you are asking questions! Never feel that any question is unimportant or that the answer should be so evident that it is silly to ask .. There are a lot of things to unlearn about the Catholic Church and learn what is really right about the Catholic Church ..

Mary is a subject that is dear to my heart as she is to many here . I am sure you will have plenty of answers to your questions about her . .

Mary is in heaven . . we believe that she was bodily assumed into heaven so not only is she there in spirit, but also like Jesus, body and soul. This is part of the Sacred Tradition of the Church from the Early Church teachings. We are told in the Old Testament of 2 being taken to heaven without dying .. Enoch and Elija . .

How she can hear our prayers is best understood that she is not able to hear us of her own power or strength . .but as part of the body of Christ, she, as well as the saints in heaven, are part of the same body of Christ that we are . . there is not one Head and 2 bodies .. but One Head and One body . . and this body is in communion with its parts . . and the believers on earth are in communion in a special way with those who have gone on before us . . and this communion exists only in Christ .. So Mary is able to hear our prayers directed to her through Christ and His power, not her own. She is able to hear our prayers because Christ make her able to hear them . .

The last part of your question is a little harder to answer . .It is one of those I have put to the side because I know that not only can she hear our prayers to her through Christ's power, but she is most able to empathize with us . . I don't know how to explain it except I have experienced it . . But I would look at it this way . . the promise of no more tears is given in Revelation AFTER the final triumph of Christ at the end when all is made new ..

I know that there are Icons (beautiful pictures) and statues of Mary which weep . .some oil, some myrrh, etc . . there are things I don't fully undertand, but I know to be true. I believe she deeply cares for us as children. She is very special to us, but never does she take the place of God or her Son Jesus.


I hope this helps at least a little!


Peace in Him!

 

[MangoTheCat]

hmm.. So could it be said that she feels the ache of our pains, but does so with the "complete fullness and communion" with God? Like.. it's a different kind of sadness than what we experience here because she is in the presence of God and knows that we will eventually be there too? Sort of the way a parent feels sad when their child has struggles, but not worried because they know that they will pass?

I know that God gets upset. I've had lots of experience with that. :/ I'm asking about the Catholic beliefs on Mary, the Saints and I guess heaven in general. I guess I've always thought that God has a different experience in heaven than we will because he's the boss.

 

[KennySe]

Okay.. since you all have greeted me so kindly, I'm going to ask some of the questions I have. Please forgive me if I offend in any way. (It's hard to know how to show the proper reverence for something when you don't know anything about it.)

First question.. this is going to kind of ramble a bit because my thoughts are all jumbled about it. I apologize in advance.

Hi, Mango.

I tend to ramble too, but I'll try to be less verbose in my answers (on THIS post, anyway. )

Where is Mary right now? In heaven? If so, how is it that she can hear our prayers and pray for us?

This is a "biggie".

There is ONE Body of Christ, which is the One Church, which is the One Mystical Body. There are many members, but there is one Body.

And if some of those members are in Heaven or on earth... they are still the One Church. And as the Holy Spirit dwells within all members, we are "The communion of saints".

We are adopted brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ.

Mary is the mother of our King, Jesus Christ.

...which makes her OUR mother too.

And as God is the God of the living, and not the dead... those in Heaven are alive in Christ.

I was always taught that in heaven there is no sadness or pain. Maybe it is just that I am trapped in the human experience for now, but when I pray for someone, I usually feel sadness and pain for what they are going through. I guess where I get stuck is that in my mind, either she isn't empathizing with us in our prayers (meaning she prays for us, but feels no ache for us) Or maybe she is just special and gets to feel for us when others in heaven wouldn't.. Or.. *scratches head* Is pain and sadness allowed in heaven now, but it won't be later?

How can a mother stop worrying about her children? wherever they may be.

And I believe that the saints in heaven, members of the One Mystical Body, do rejoice when a sinner accepts Jesus and are baptized into The One Church.

We is One loving Family.

Peace be with you.

[Yeah, I rambled.]

 

[thereselittleflower]

hmm.. So could it be said that she feels the ache of our pains, but does so with the "complete fullness and communion" with God? Like.. it's a different kind of sadness than what we experience here because she is in the presence of God and knows that we will eventually be there too? Sort of the way a parent feels sad when their child has struggles, but not worried because they know that they will pass?

I know that God gets upset. I've had lots of experience with that. :/ I'm asking about the Catholic beliefs on Mary, the Saints and I guess heaven in general. I guess I've always thought that God has a different experience in heaven than we will because he's the boss.

Mango, perhaps this will help . . imagine the compassion and empathy that Jesus has for you . . He is in heaven . .His mother has the same compassion and empathy for you as well. We are to be like our Lord here, and if here, then how much more when we are with Him in heaven? Can He have empathy and not His Mother who nutured Him and watched Him die on the cross, who held His dead body in her arms? Who joyed in His ressurection?

Oh what wonders are instore for us!


Peace in Him!

 

[KennySe]

Part 2

I'm asking about the Catholic beliefs on Mary, the Saints and I guess heaven in general. I guess I've always thought that God has a different experience in heaven than we will because he's the boss.

Jesus is God. He expereinced our human pain and suffering, so He knows what this humanity is all about.

And through the Mystery of the Blessed Trinity: the Father and the Spirit know what Jesus knows.

And Jesus did not abandon His humanity; he ascended bodily into heaven.

Whatever heaven is like, Jesus is bodily there.

(And we Catholics believe in the resurrection of the dead.)

 

[MangoTheCat]

Okay.. I think I'm getting it. I guess my ideas of heaven have been a bit juvenile. (One step above sitting on clouds strumming harps all day long, truth be told. *embarassed*) I think I've just always been so focused on the amazing ways that the Lord makes his presence known in my life right now, that I've neglected to really think about what "then" will be like. I've just always figured that it will just be endless joy and worship for "us," and the work of running the universe for God. (Told you I have some learning to do. )

 

[thereselittleflower]

Okay.. I think I'm getting it. I guess my ideas of heaven have been a bit juvenile. (One step above sitting on clouds strumming harps all day long, truth be told. *embarassed*) I think I've just always been so focused on the amazing ways that the Lord makes his presence known in my life right now, that I've neglected to really think about what "then" will be like. I've just always figured that it will just be endless joy and worship for "us," and the work of running the universe for God. (Told you I have some learning to do. )

Oh I know mango . . and such a view is really perpetuated within protestantism . .so it is not just you or juvenile . .it is how Protestants see heaven . .

When I started looking into the issue of the Communion of Saints, I realized something . . I had to ask myself, 'if I am to be like my Lord in this life, and take up my cross and follow Him, and do His work here . . why would I think that when I die and get to heaven I would be sitting on my haunches playing some harp enjoying God's presence when my Lord is interceeding for those on earth . . "He lives to ever make intercession for us" . . If my Lord is interceeding for those on earth, why would I expect to do anything less? If I am to be like Him now in this life, engaged in His work in this life, then how would I expect to not be like Him and engaged in His work in the life to come?'

It is a matter of perspective . . Catholics have a very well defined perspective of life after this one ends here . . but for Protestantism, it is fairly nebulous at best . . so don't be embarassed

Peace in Him!

 

[prodromos]

Hi Mango,

You've received good answers above but I thought you might appreciate how the saints are depicted in Orthodox icons (such as my avatar for example). We know that the church is one body but we usually refer to those who are now in heaven as the church triumphant while we who continue to struggle here on earth are known as the church militant. Scripture is clear that when one part of the body rejoices, the whole body rejoices and when one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers. Thus as Therese stated above, until the second coming of our Lord when the church militant is no more, there is still suffering in the body of Christ and so the church triumphant shares in that suffering, their joy cannot yet be complete.

It is this sense of joyful sorrow that iconographers have tried to capture in the frescos on the walls of the church and in the portable icons found in the church and in our homes. I also find the same sense of joyful sorrow expressed in the byzantine chant of the Orthodox church.

You can find a number of people's favourite icons in "The Chapel" subforum. Unfortunately we don't have such a thread on TAW, something we may have to address.

God bless,

John.

 

[Michelina]

....either she isn't empathizing with us in our prayers (meaning she prays for us, but feels no ache for us)

God, Mary and all the saints LOVE us. They are all united in one heart and mind.