The Role of Mary in the Catholic Church Part 2

Let us consider some of the others who responded in a magnificent way to the call of God...

 

What about the story and the impact of Paul the apostle on Christianity?

 

He traveled the whole known world telling the message of Christ, preaching the truth of Christ being God and becoming man, so mankind could be saved forever!  He suffered intensely and repeatedly and endured a horrible death - all for Christ and Christ's message.  How does Paul measure up and compare to Mary?  Is Paul treated in a similar way as Mary is treated today?  

 

What about the apostle John?  He wrote the fourth gospel, three letters, and the book of Revelation.  He stood by the cross as Christ died, as Mary did.  The scriptural writings of John are probably the most important ever written.  The gospel of John is one of the most powerful and effective instruments, leading the people to Christ, and the book of Revelation is incredibly important to Christianity.  Very few of Mary's thoughts or words ever made their way into scripture.  Yes, she became the mother of Christ's human nature - a marvelous and absolutely necessary part of the plan for mankind's salvation.  

 

We find one expression of Mary in the Bible.  One outstanding prayer of Mary is recorded in Luke 1:46.  It is absolutely magnificent, powerful, reverent, spirit filled song of praise.

 

It begins with Mary's name and Mary mentions, "My soul...My spirit...His lowly servant, all generations will call me blessed and He has done great things for me.  (5 references to Mary in bold)

 

Then the focus shifts to Christ (as it should), "He is the mighty one, Holy is His name...His mercy...He has shown...He has scattered...He has brought down the powerful, He has filled the hungry.  He has helped his servant Israel in remembrance of His mercy according to the promise He made to our ancestors..."

 

In Mary's magnificent - yes Mary is mentioned or referred to 7 times.  God is referenced over 10 times.  References to Mary indicate how she will receive and be a receiver of blessings.  

 

Christ on the other hand is the one bestowing the blessing.  Here Mary rightfully and beautifully gives God all the glory, Christ the credit.  She is not the centered figure in this prayer nor is she in the Incarnation, Christ is.  Today, too often - Mary is given a larger role than scripture presents.  

 

I could continue with so many other famous and outstanding advocates of Christianity in the first few centuries. 

 

In the entire and long history of Christianity there were extremely important people, who advanced Christianity, advanced mankind preaching the story of the GOD-man... Did outstanding things and yet... They are not put in a special category/status similar to the one Mary has obtained or rather has been gradually elevated to by well-meaning church authorities.  To some, Christianity has become the religion of Mary.  Protestants uniformly regard this elevation as wrong, unjustified, the work of Popes, and in many cases it causes them to reject the Catholic church.  Some Catholic leaders go as far as to say Mary is the Mediatrix of all graces - this is just not valid.  Actually, it is entirely contrary to scripture.  By Christ alone, all grace of God is bestowed on mankind.  From the suffering and death of Christ on the cross comes this redemption, there is no other way.  Has this become a type of idolatry?  The Bible is very clear about how wrong idolatry is.  

 

With all these observations of Mary's role in our salvation, about the over emphasis on her part in redemption, will it make a difference, any difference?

 

Jesus said in Matthew 11:11

 

"Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

 

Jesus also said in Luke 7:28

 

I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

 

Human nature seeks to find and honor the greatest.  The elevation of Mary flows from that aspect of human nature.  The apostle Paul is not the greatest, the apostle John is not the greatest, Mary is not the greatest, rather, all were used by God to advance the Kingdom of God.  

 

The power of God overshadowed Mary.

 

Luke 1:35 describes this overshadowing:

 

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God."

 

Here is the prayer that Jesus told us to pray in Matthew 6:9-14:

 

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.

14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

 

May the eyes and the understanding and the spirit of religious leaders at all levels of the Roman Catholic Church and those is a position to make changes in the current corrupt practice of the church be opened and be willing to make the changes necessary to allow the Holy Spirit to work in a church that is pleasing to God Almighty - especially to Jesus who did this incredible redemption of mankind.  It was His work in union with the Father and the Holy Spirit who should receive the proper respect and worship.