Posted on 10/21/2008 6:22:38 AM PDT by Ottofire
Mary Worship Still Alive in Catholicism
10/21/2008 - Tur8infan Benedict XVI is reported (link to report) as recently praying to Mary: "We implore you to have pity today on the nations that have gone astray, on all Europe, on the whole world, that they might repent and return to your heart," the text of the prayer reads.
This is a prayer that is openly idolatrous. Mankind needs to turn, not to the heart of Mary, but to the Son of Mary, Jesus Christ the Righteous. The true and proper object of worship is God alone.
Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Benedict XVI is also reported as praying to her, "If you will not help us because we are ungrateful and unworthy children of your protection, we will not know to whom to turn."
This prayer demonstrates the underlying blindness of Catholicism. There is a place to which not only all of Europe in general, but Mr. Ratzinger in particular ought to turn for help, and whose protection should be sought: the throne of the Most High God, by the intercession of the Son of God, Jesus Christ with the aid of the Holy Spirit.
But though Jesus is the Son of Mary, and though Mary is greatly blessed to be the Mother of our Saviour, yet Jesus himself said:
Matthew 12:48-50
48But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? 49And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 50For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
And again:
Mary 3:33-35
33 And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? 34And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! 35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
It is almost as though Jesus was concerned lest some might foolishly fall into the trap of worshiping his blood relatives! Indeed, here is Jesus' own condemnation of the error of adoration and veneration of Jesus' mother. They do not hold a special place in the kingdom of God, but are like all those who do the will of God. Yet Catholicism, as can be seen from this event, continues to elevate Mary improperly to the status of, in effect, a goddess to whom prayers are offered.
Benedict XVI did not even omit to provide a sacrifice to this de facto goddess. It is reported that, "In a gesture of filial love, the Pope then offered the Madonna a golden rose." One is reminded immediately of the similar offerings presented by the Philistines to the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament, particularly given Catholicism's claim (or at least the claim of her apologists) that Mary is the "ark of the New Covenant."
Finally, we should note that Benedict XVI is reported not to have left Jesus entirely out: "...The secret of Pompeii is the rosary: "This prayer leads us through Mary to Jesus." But, in fact, the Rosary leads men away from Jesus, as can be seen in the idolatry illustrated in the prayers above. Benedict XVI is reported to have claimed, "The rosary is a spiritual weapon in the struggle against evil, against all violence, for peace in hearts, in families, in society and in the world."
But, in fact, sadly it is an extra-Scriptural innovation: unknown to the apostles and unpracticed for centuries and centuries following Christ's ascension. The Early Church Fathers didn't say the Rosary, and neither should you: it is a tradition of men, not of God.
-TurretinFan
Aw, bless yore heart!
Some were brought up to hate Catholics and cannot change.
Nope, no bigotry here.
Anti-Catholic alert!
“Your energies are best directed against the secularism, which is currently the strongest weapon that the enemy uses against Christ.”
Amen to that!!
If anyone with a brain takes the time to really learn Roman Catholic theology, he would quickly see the nonsense of the protestant attacks on Catholicism.
There is no theology in the Christian world as intellectually sound as Roman Catholic theology.
We Catholics do not WORSHIP Mary. We WORSHIP only God. We recognize Mary as the mother of Jesus. And we pray to her to intercede with her Son. GET IT STRAIGHT!
I think if you go back to original concepts of secularism, it was intended to separate Church and State. The original concepts were that Government should not be run by religion. Some countries such as Iran have Government sponsored religion, and the idea was to keep that from happening. The original concepts was to allow people to believe as they choose, and Government to remain neutral. The definitions have changed recently to promote various political stances. I think we should be careful how the term is used, because its original intent was not all bad.
To the Original Poster, Perhaps your energies would be better spent leaving the American beliefs alone and concentrating your vitriol on the Muslims.
Islam used Iconoclasts to undermine Christianity in the past in Byzantium. I guess we have some idiot home grown ones right here.
Rubbish. She is asked to take pity and intercede for us. Which is the idolatrous part: taking pity on us or praying for us?
Glad to see you're catching on.
Hate hate hate!
19
Know this, my dear brothers: everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,
20
for the wrath of a man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.
21
Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you and is able to save your souls.
22
Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deluding yourselves.
23
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his own face in a mirror.
24
He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets what he looked like.
25
But the one who peers into the perfect law 12 of freedom and perseveres, and is not a hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, such a one shall be blessed in what he does.
26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, his religion is vain.
devotional thread ... no arguments please LOL /sarc
Indeed, here is an anti-Catholic bigot misrepresenting the words of Christ in order to put in His mouth dishonor for His own mother.
Sickening the depths to which anti-Catholic hatred can drive a soul.
Thanks for your input, but I was referring to our general cultural secularism. I totally agree that the state should have no *preference* regarding religion.
I pray that the Blessed Mother touches your heart and illuminates your mind. Her Son teaches us to pray for those who hate us, her intercession helps us to carry out His command.
ROFL!
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