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
I’m defending the Church founded by Christ.
Protestants who are so worried about this “worship” of Mary need to leave us alone. We’re Christians—it’s amazing how many don’t know that—we believe that Jesus is the son of God. (In fact, we believed it first) Go bother somebody who doesn’t, and leave us be.
I wish that were the case.
No she doesn't...
When we ask Mary to pray for us or ask for her intercession, She too, takes our prayers and requests, shines and polishes them, then presents them to the King.
God doesn't need shined apples, or prayers...The King in your fairy tale is not God and your Queen is not Mary...
Jesus says there's one mediator between God, and you...That mediator is Jesus Christ...It's not Mary...Jesus doesn't need a mediator...
Apparently you guys don't understand who God is...God is the first in the line of Royalty...God did not and does not have a mother...Jesus was God before he was born to Mary...
Mary was not coronated a queen...God NEVER acknowledged Mary as his mother...
Be sure your prayers are heard...Take them directly to Jesus...
Most of them do it with the best of intentions. They think we are members of the Whore of Babylon and they genuinely want to save us. I try not to get angry when Protestants and Evangelicals do this sort of thing; we have too many enemies as it is, and gain nothing by fighting among ourselves. Just ignore stuff like this.
“Alive”?
Try “definitional.”
It’s one of many points that marks Roman Catholicism off from Biblical Christianity.
You wrote:
“Nope, no idolatry here.”
You’re right. There isn’t any idolatry there. I like James White’s sister much more than James White.
I would ask her to pray for me just as I would ask you. I may ask Mary to pray for me, but I still pray to God myself. Why wouldn’t I ask someone in heaven to pray for me?
Jesus did give us his mother at the foot of the cross. Would you ask your mother to pray for you?
But speaking in general, a lot of this kind of animus is not a result of ignorance, but instead is a concerted effort (by those who do know) to insult and denigrate the Catholic Church.
Witness the childish aversion to even refer to the Catholic Church by Her proper name.
Your opinion is noted.
Those who know Christ's Church can distinguish that opinion from Truth.
Your wish is granted.
Don't know it? How about actively deny it? Right here on this thread, as a matter of fact.
You’ve left the Organization?
"Never apologize for the Blessed Virgin Mary!"
~~Mother Angelica
There you go again — using a non-Catholic website to try to define Catholic beliefs.
How many times to we need to tell you that Catholics do not worship the Blessed Virgin Mary. We venerate her as the Mother of Jesus Christ, true God and true Man.
What a testimony. Blessings to you and your family.
Ping for later
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