Mary’s devoted heart

Good News Magazine ^ | Dec 03 | Dick McClain

[xzins]

One of the articles in NYer's post is the above which is in the current issue of "Good News." GN is a leading forum for evangelical methodism and has long been considered renegade with liberal methodism and has been instrumental in bringing liberal methodism to account.

[NeoCaveman]

Is it too early for this score card of who's in and out?

Mary, IN
NOW Gang, OUT

Or is that too much to ask for?

[xzins]

Mary...IN!

[Cvengr]

"How did Mary come to be so spiritually alert?

Hey paisson,...I guess maybe that virgin birth thing may have a little something to do with that. ...huh?

[xzins]

cart before horse?

[D-fendr]

Interesting article, thanks.

Was she a super saint? No.

I wouldn't want to go about ranking saints; but, I think the Mother of God has a special place. She seemed to to God anyway...

[AlguyA]

"Was she a super saint? No."

Ah, and the author was doing so well up to this point. -) Hope everyone is having a blessed Christmas season.

[The Grammarian]

I was waiting for the Mariolaters to show up.

[AlguyA]

"I was waiting for the Mariolaters to show up."

Mariolaters? What a strange word. Certainly someone can love Jesus' mom -recognize her as blessed among women, join with the generations in calling her blessed as the Bible demands- and not be acused of worshipping a created being?

[D-fendr]

Hi mom!

[xzins]

It is possible to hold her in high esteem. When does one hold her in too high esteem? What is the uncrossable line in your opinion?

All told, though, I thought it was a very good article, and if I were looking for someone to show some openness by moving a step or two in my direction, I would think this article would be occasion for celebration.

Everyone, though, wants a touchdown. Few are satisfied with a 3.3 yard gain.

[Catholicguy]

I was wondering which heretic would be the first to show-up and begin spewing lies about Christians.

[D-fendr]

What is the uncrossable line in your opinion?

You didn't ask me, but.. One line is mistaking Mary, or any other human or object for God. This of course would be idolatry.

Also, I think the communion of saints is often a point of confusion here. Or a point of disagreement that adds to confusion over the Catholic Church's view of Mary. We believe Mary is special AND that she is with God and in communion with us (as are the other saints - known and unknown). So some, I think, infer that if we are in communion with Mary, we must believe she is God or another diety.

When does one hold her in two high esteem? I dunno. I would say that's sort of like wondering if you could love someone too much. You can love unwisely, but not too much.

So, as long as Mary is not confused for God, I think no line of esteem or love has been crossed. Mary is the Mother of Our Lord, this is the source and reason from which our love, compassion and esteem for her comes. Personally, I cannot imagine the two as separate, it was through the human Mary that God became incarnate; and the Incarnation is the irreducible focus of Christianity. Immanuel. He had a mother, just as we all do.

So, it is like asking: Could you hold your mother in too high esteem? And, when the "mother" here is the mother of God, love for her magnifies, and is magnified by, love of God. I think that is a good thing.

Thanks for posting the article.

[Salvation]

[The Grammarian]

I was wondering which heretic would be the first to show-up and begin spewing lies about Christians.

Sorry, "The Immaculate Heart of Mary" and Christianity don't mix. Counting her blessed among women is something else entirely from counting her as a "super-saint" or the one woman with an immaculate heart.

D-fendr: Hi mom? Huh?

xzins: Football season's over, man. I was going for a three-pointer. ;P

[AlguyA]

"Sorry, "The Immaculate Heart of Mary" and Christianity don't mix."

Then I must surmise Martin Luther wasn't a Christian.

[The Grammarian]

Broken clocks are right twice a day.

[Catholicguy]

What is it about a strong woman that frightens some men?

[xzins]

What is it about a strong woman that frightens some men?

I think it's the biceps.