Laura writes:
Where do I find Mary’s role in the Bible— what Scriptures? I haven’t found them. I hope it’s not made up by the aimless traditions of our fathers. Oh, I did find that we are not to pray to dead— would MARY be any different? Please help me understand.
FATHER JOE:
Do you really want to understand, Laura? Then you need to do a lot more study. Catholicism was preaching the Gospel before we even had a New Testament or a canonical Bible. Sacred Tradition was not a gift that Christ gave the Church and then took away. Similarly, he gave us shepherds who speak in his name and who interpret the truths from the deposit of faith. Not all traditions are aimless, but some have their source in Christ, the apostles and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Catholicism speaks of two fonts to revelation: Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture. There are Marian teachings that emerge both from the Bible and Tradition. These two elements are not in conflict. Indeed, the New Testament Gospels emerged from the oral tradition. The Bible and the Church forbid seeking two-way communication with the dead as in occult practices. However, we are not forbidden to request their intercession (the saints) or to pray for them (souls in purgatory). Praying for the dead as we see in 2nd Maccabees was within Jewish practice and the Church continued it. Indeed, the mystery of the redemption and resurrection would give it an increased intensity. As for Mary, there are good books available and a number of informative posts at this blog site:
Posts about the Virgin Mary (click here)
Here are some scripture quotes that refer to the Mother of God.
The devil hates her and he stands against her. Do you?
Genesis 3:15
Revelation 12:17
God makes her the virgin mother.
Isaiah 7:14
Mary is “full of grace,” even prior to the coming of Christ.
Luke 1:26-28
Her presence with Christ in the womb awakened the Spirit in others:
Luke 1:41
The first half of the Hail Mary prayer comes from Scripture.
Luke 1:42
Mary is truly the Mother of God, mother of the whole person of her child.
Luke 1:43
Mary is without sin and calls Christ her Savior even at the annunciation (present tense).
Luke 1:47
Mary will always be called blessed among women.
Luke 1:48
God has miraculously and uniquely intervened in her life.
Luke 1:49
Mary will receive our many prayers. She will suffer much in solidarity with her Son for our sake.
Luke 2:34-35
Mary is the first disciple of her Son, keeping the Word so wondrously that the Word becomes flesh and lives among us.
Luke 11:27-28
Mary is a powerful intercessor with Christ.
John 2:3-5
The Mother of the Redeemer becomes the Mother of all the Redeemed.
John 19:26-27 / Revelation 12:17
Mary and the saints are in communion with Jesus Christ in heaven.
1 Corinthians 6:17
Mary is the new Ark of the Covenant.
Revelation 11:19-12:1
Mary was assumed into heaven as Queen.
Revelation 12:1
PAUL:
You know Father Joe, you sound a lot like the secular scientist Richard Dawkins who if you don’t just take his word as fact without any REAL evidence, then “you’re stupid!”
You have only church practices to back your claim about Mary’s holiness.
If I’m not wrong, doesn’t God say, “There is none righteous, not a single one”? Doesn’t he say, “All have fallen away”? Doesn’t he say, “All have fallen short of the glory of God”? Now I’m sure you’ll have a very convincing argument for Mary’s not being included there but is that based on biblical teachings or the churches practice?
What did Christ day about the teachers of the law? Be careful to judge others Father Joe lest you be judged likewise!
There’s only 1 Judge I know. I’d appreciate you not praying for me thanks as you’ll probably go in front of a statue of Mary to do so. It’s no wonder Jesus called the teachers hypocrites!
P.S. If you can’t reply without so much anger in you, maybe it’s time for you to shut down your blog eh? FATHER and LEADER of the flock!
Your quote above of Luke 1:47 is incorrect.
There is no reference whatsoever that Mary was without sin!
NIV – “and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,”
NIrV – “My spirit delights in God my Savior. ”
KJV – “And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.”
My question is, if Mary was without sin, then why wasn’t she offered on the cross as a perfect sacrifice for our sin rather than God’s own son?
Father Joe I still don’t see any verse directly giving Mary a role to intercede. None of these scriptures give Mary a single role…and to correct you on Revelation 12:1 .The woman signifies God’s church, not Mary.
Father Joe, I am very enlightened by your posts and arguments… I am a catholic and i have come across so many people who feel joyous in conderming the catholic church and her teachings. Like Digs, they dont want to answer questions but they would want me to open the scriptures for everything I say… Nowaday I do not argue with peticostals cos its useless!