In the eyes of many non-Catholic Christians, it would be scandalous to show great honor to Mary or ask for her intercession because they can't distinguish these practices from adoration, which is the worship due to God alone. They view pious Marian devotions as the worship of Mary.The other day I imagined how these same critics might react if Michael the archangel visited them suddenly one day in person, appearing as a man. They would never even think to themselves, What's the big deal? He's nobody -- just a created messenger whose purpose is to serve us. Rather, I believe these people would be awestruck by his holiness, and would thank him for doing the work God commissioned him to do. They would treat him with the greatest respect. And because of the special assignments given to him (see, e.g., Daniel 12:1; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7), they might even go so far as to ask for special, personal protection against the evil one.
Would these people feel guilty about worshiping the great archangel Michael? No way! They would know they weren't worshiping Michael. They would explain that they were seeking his intercession because of his special relationship with God.
It is the same with Catholics and Mary. As the mother of God (that is, the human mother of the divine person born of her), she adores the Lord like no one else. More than any other creature, she is close to God's heart. And we know that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous mom availeth much.
That's why we petition her:
Holy Mary, mother of God, pray for us now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
8 comments:
ummm, Mary died a long time ago...I don't know why anyone would petition her since there is nothing she can do....(but hey, everyone is free to believe what they will)
personally, I think she'll be in the first resurrection, but that's God's call, not mine.
Puke. If you survive the coming nuclear holocaust ignited by the German-Jesuit Europe, perhaps God will bring you to your senses to then teach others (with you in national captivity) the plain truth you've presently shamefully rejected.
I'm all about seeking the plain truth, which is what led me to Catholicism. Brighter and holier men than us have come home to the Catholic faith. It is reasonable to me. But I could not accept, in an intellectually honest way, the novel teachings (from a historical perspective) of Herbert Armstrong. You would agree that we should hold fast to the traditions we were taught -- by letter or word of mouth -- and that we should keep this faith that was once delivered to the saints. I think it's reasonable, however, to look beyond the 1930s for this faith and to the early Church of the first centuries, whose fundamental teachings were universally accepted and are clearly documented.
You have gone far away from what you once believed Darren. Go ahead and believe the crap from the Roman Whore who will ride the beast but you will reap her reward if you stay
It is Armstrongism that has gone far away from what the first generations of Christians believed.
That is a fact that cannot be rationally escaped, no matter what kinds of empty warnings (even if sincere) you issue.
Here is what Polycrates wrote to Roman Bishop Victor when Victor insisted that Passover become Easter Sunday:
We observe the exact day; neither adding, nor taking away. For in Asia also great lights have fallen asleep, which shall rise again on the day of the Lord's coming, when he shall come with glory from heaven, and shall seek out all the saints. Among these are Philip, one of the twelve apostles, who fell asleep in Hierapolis; and his two aged virgin daughters, and another daughter, who lived in the Holy Spirit and now rests at Ephesus; and, moreover, John, who was both a witness and a teacher, who reclined upon the bosom of the Lord, and, being a priest, wore the sacerdotal plate. He fell asleep at Ephesus. And Polycarp in Smyrna, who was a bishop and martyr; and Thraseas, bishop and martyr from Eumenia, who fell asleep in Smyrna. Why need I mention the bishop and martyr Sagaris who fell asleep in Laodicea, or the blessed Papirius, or Melito, the Eunuch who lived altogether in the Holy Spirit, and who lies in Sardis, awaiting the episcopate from heaven, when he shall rise from the dead ? All these observed the fourteenth day of the passover according to the Gospel, deviating in no respect, but following the rule of faith. And I also, Polycrates, the least of you all, do according to the tradition of my relatives, some of whom I have closely followed. For seven of my relatives were bishops; and I am the eighth. And my relatives always observed the day when the people put away the leaven. I, therefore, brethren, who have lived sixty-five years in the Lord, and have met with the brethren throughout the world, and have gone through every Holy Scripture, am not affrighted by terrifying words. For those greater than I have said ' We ought to obey God rather than man'...I could mention the bishops who were present, whom I summoned at your desire; whose names, should I write them, would constitute a great multitude. And they, beholding my littleness, gave their consent to the letter, knowing that I did not bear my gray hairs in vain, but had always governed my life by the Lord Jesus (Eusebius. Church History. Book V, Chapter 24).
so now, who left the teachings of the first generations of Christians?
so now, who left the teachings of the first generations of Christians?
In that particular instance, it was St. Polycrates of Ephesus who had left the teachings of the first generation of Christians. Sincere though he was, his defiance ultimately proved in vain.
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