"From Mary's body comes the gift of God; from her lips comes the command of God. Her role is to lead us to be obedient Christians...Mary's role is to teach us that once we have seen Jesus' glory, we must also walk in obedience to Him" - Dr. Kenneth Howell
These words really sum up the Catholic position on Mary's role in the life of the Christian. When I was still a Protestant, I used to think that Catholic devotion to Mary detracted from Christ; but now as a Catholic I realise just how mistaken I was. Rather, Mary really leads us to Christ more than we can ever know. Mother Teresa of Calcutta said "No Mary; No Jesus". And that is so true. A priest earlier this week in a homily reminded me of this when he said that Mary always leads us to Jesus; and if you weren't being led to Jesus, then you weren't really following Mary.
What a wonderful gift God has given us in Mary - in His wisdom He gives her to us to lead us to obedience in Christ, because we are simply too frail and feeble to do it on our own. Looking back on my many years as a Protestant, I now acknowlege that it was Mary holding my hand leading me to our Lord, even though my misconceptions didn't allow me to see it.
But Scripture says God the Father, by the action of the Holy Spirit guides us to Jesus...
ReplyDelete"...For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 16:17. C.f. Luke 10:21, Matthew 11:27
"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me." John 15:26
Btw, I write 2 exams this week... nearly done ;)
I agree Graham - it is the Holy Spirit that guides but don't forget that He uses means. And the greatest means is our Lord's most faithful disciple, who was also His mother.
ReplyDeleteP.S. A word of charitable advice brother...don't be so ready to criticise the Catholic position until:
ReplyDeletea) you fully understand the Catholic position; and
b) you have applied the same criticism to your own theology.
It's so easy to have canned arguments against the Catholic position - but a lot of those arguments fall over when they are applied honestly and consistently on both sides of the debate.
Well done Justin, your explanation of how Mary leads us to Jesus is spot on and I can attest to Mary having lead me to a greater understanding and love of her son.
ReplyDeleteI think that non-Catholics labour under the false impression that Catholics worship or adore Mary. Clearly we don't but we are devoted to her.
Thanks Geoff...
ReplyDeleteI agree with you...I only wish that I could express in words the difference that our Lady has made in my own life in leading me always nearer to our Lord Jesus Christ.