Mary

How Mary is the Surefire Theological GPS to Jesus

/ chicoinematt

In the vast landscape of theology, the role of the Blessed Virgin Mary shines brightly. She guides us to her Son, Jesus, illuminating our path with her maternal love and wisdom. Like a GPS, Mary leads us on a profound journey of faith, offering direction, protection, and unwavering love. In fact, Pope Pius X referred to Mary as the Destroyer of Heresies in his encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis. Heresies are false teachings (or false paths to truth). Mary is a surefire guide to the Ultimate Truth: Her Son. Let’s explore further how Mary is the theological GPS that navigates us toward the Son, revealing God’s plan of salvation.

Begin with the End to Know the Beginning

To truly understand Mary’s significance, we must begin at the inception of God’s plan of salvation. In Genesis 3:15, God foretold the victory of the woman who would crush the head of the serpent. Mary, as the New Eve, fulfills this prophecy by her crucial role in bearing and nurturing Jesus, the Savior.

Early Church Father, Saint Irenaeus wrote, “the knot of Eve’s disobedience was loosed by the obedience of Mary. For what the virgin Eve had bound fast through unbelief, this did the virgin Mary set free through faith.” She undoes the consequences of Eve’s disobedience and opens the door to our redemption. Mary’s presence in the Bible sets the course for God’s salvific mission. This establishes her as a vital compass in the divine plan.

Marian Apparitions= Checkpoints to Help Humanity Get Back on Track

Throughout human history, Mary has appeared at various times, serving as Jesus’ cherished messenger. These divine apparitions act as checkpoints that remind humanity of God’s love, mercy, and the need for repentance. Three notable apparitions demonstrate Mary’s role as the spiritual GPS in our journey.

The apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico in 1531 revealed Mary as the Mother of all the Americas. It served to unite diverse cultures under her maternal care, emphasizing her role as a unifying figure. Through her image on Juan Diego’s tilma, she invites us to embrace love and unity, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries.

In Lourdes, France, Mary appeared to St. Bernadette Soubirous in 1858. Her message of prayer, penance, and the miraculous healing waters springs forth as a beacon of hope, reminding us to seek spiritual renewal and find solace in her Son’s divine mercy.

At Fatima, Portugal, in 1917, Mary appeared to three shepherd children, emphasizing the importance of prayer, conversion, and the reality of hell. Her call for the consecration of Russia and the devotion to her Immaculate Heart reinforces the need for reparation and the power of intercession. Venerable Fulton Sheen even noticed a deeper connection with the name of the location as a bridge to Islam. Fatima was the name of the daughter of Muhammed. He put it this way:

This brings us to our second point, namely, why the Blessed Mother, in this twentieth century, should have revealed herself in the insignificant little village of Fátima, so that to all future generations she would be known as ‘Our Lady of Fátima.’ Since nothing ever happens out of heaven except with a finesse of all details, I believe that the Blessed Virgin chose to be known as “Our Lady of Fátima” as a pledge and a sign of hope to the Moslem people, and as an assurance that they, who show her so much respect, will one day accept her Divine Son, too.

Through these apparitions, Mary acts as a divine GPS, guiding us back to the path of righteousness and reminding us of the eternal destination that awaits us.

Compass Rose(ary)

stella maris
“As Mariners Are Guided Into Port By The Shining Of A Star, So Christians Are Guided To Heaven By Mary.” —Saint Thomas Aquinas

One of the beautiful titles bestowed upon Mary is the “Star of the Sea” or “Stella Maris” in Latin. This title draws a parallel between navigators looking to the stars for guidance and Mary’s role as our guiding light. Just as the North Star provides direction in the night, Mary leads us unerringly to her Son, Jesus Christ. Just as the moon reflects the sun’s light, Mary receives and radiates the love and grace of her Son. She illuminates our way, dispelling darkness, and helping us navigate the challenges of life.

The Rosary, often referred to as the Compass Rose, is a powerful tool that deepens our relationship with Jesus through Mary. With each Hail Mary, we embark on a journey of meditation, immersing ourselves in the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Mary, our heavenly GPS, accompanies us through the mysteries of the Rosary, guiding us toward a profound encounter with her Son.

Conclusion

In the intricate tapestry of faith, the Blessed Virgin Mary stands as the theological GPS, guiding us unswervingly to Jesus, our Savior. From the beginning of God’s plan in the Bible to the present-day Marian apparitions, Mary’s role as a divine messenger and compass remains steadfast. Let us embrace Mary as our guiding star, allowing her to lead us through the challenges and triumphs of life, ultimately bringing us closer to the eternal embrace of her Son, Jesus Christ.

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How to Reconcile Mary as Mediator with 1 Timothy 2:5

/ chicoinematt

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on May 13,  2019.

To Jesus through Mary why

May 13th, 2017 marked the 100th anniversary of the Marian Apparitions at Fatima, Portugal. I participated in a 33-day Marian consecration that culminated on the Feast of Fatima.  Because of the honor Catholics bestow towards Mary, it is important to dispel common misunderstandings non-Catholics may have about the Blessed Mother of Jesus. 

According to 1 Timothy 2:5, “For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself.” It seems clear-cut that any reaching out to Mary for help and mediation is to be frowned upon to prevent falling into heresy!

we honor not worship mary

Honor NOT Worship

This article outlines a few explanations from both Scripture and Tradition to describe the Catholic approach to Mary. Catholics HONOR, but NOT WORSHIP Mary! First, we will look at biblical evidence. Next, we look at the Second Vatican II document on the Church [Lumen Gentium]. Lastly, we will analyze some thoughts about Mary from the St. Pope John Paul II.

Biblical background on Mary’s Mediation

Before I mention the key passage about Mary’s intercessory action I want to highlight her vow of total obedience to God first. In Luke the angel greeted Mary with these words, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you” (Luke 1:28). The original Greek is Chaire, Kecharitomene which translated to “Hail, full of grace”. Catholics interpret the phrase full of grace to refer to Mary being conceived without sin. Having this preliminary understanding of Mary, let us look at a strong example regarding her mediation to help humankind.

The wedding at Cana in the beginning of John’s gospel is Jesus’ first public miracle. Here Mary displays her role as a mediator and advocate when she urges Jesus to perform the miracle of changing the water into wine. According to the fourth gospel. “When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, ‘They have no wine” (John 2:3). Catholics honor towards Mary is not because she is a god but because of her close connection to God! John 2:5 is evidence that Mary’s end purpose is obedience and submission to God when she expresses to the wedding servers, “Do whatever he [Jesus] tells you.”

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Testimony of Tradition

Along with the evidence from the New Testament, we will look briefly at what the Vatican II document Lumen Gentium and Pope John Paul II tells us about Mary as a mediator. According to Lumen Gentium 60,

There is but one Mediator as we know from the words of the apostle, “for there is one God and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a redemption for all”.(298) The maternal duty of Mary toward men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows His power. For all the salvific influence of the Blessed Virgin on men originates, not from some inner necessity, but from the divine pleasure. It flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on His mediation, depends entirely on it and draws all its power from it. In no way does it impede, but rather does it foster the immediate union of the faithful with Christ.

 It is also appropriate to mention that it is not a coincidence that the content of the final chapter of this council document being relating to Mary. The last major section of the chapter mentions Mary as the sign of created hope and solace to the wandering people of God. Mary is not the end. Rather, she is a signpost pointing Christians to Christ! (Lumen Gentium 68).

Witness of JPII

Finally, I want us to examine St. John Paul II’s Marian devotion. The polish pope focuses on the maternal mediation of Mary in his encyclical, Redemptoris Mater. To start off, John Paul II acknowledges hat there is only one mediator Jesus. In union with Tradition the pope states, “The teaching of the Second Vatican Council presents the truth of Mary’s mediation as “a sharing in the one unique source that is the mediation of Christ himself (Redemptoris Mater 38). Mary is the first and greatest apostle of God. God entrusted Himself to her before anyone else (Redemptoris Mater 39). 

John Paul II also says, “After her Son’s departure, her motherhood remains in the Church as maternal mediation: interceding for all her children, the Mother cooperates in the saving work of her Son, the Redeemer of the world (Redemptoris Mater 40). The key word in this quote is cooperates. Mary is not equal to God, but she does COOPERATE with God and in the mediation of Jesus Christ!

cooperation

Related Links

Mary as Mediatrix

Exchange on Catholic Mariology and Mary Mediatrix

How the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God actually teaches about Jesus

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3 Simple Ways to Anchor Yourself to God

/ chicoinematt

Life is confusing with plenty of surprises, trials, and unimaginable challenges, right? It feels like everything is constantly changing, and we’re constantly being thrown off balance. So, how can we stay centered in the midst of all the chaos?

It seems like the only constant is change. How can you center yourself in the whirlwind of the world?

From a Catholic perspective it starts with a relationship with God. He is the source of life and only constant.

Here’s three simple AND effective ways to anchor yourself to Love Divine.

Jesus is our anchor

Pray the Rosary

This prayer is a mediation on the passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. Saint Louis de Montfort wrote, “[Mary] is the safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way of approaching Jesus and will surrender themselves to her, body and soul, without reserve in order to belong entirely to Jesus.”

A bold statement. But it’s true. True devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary will ALWAYS end in worship of Her Son.

Stability through the Sacraments

But praying the rosary is only the first step. If you want to develop a greater relationship with God and find stability in life you must engage in the sacramental life of the Church. Attend Mass weekly. Go to confession regularly. Thank your parish priest for their service and express your gratitude to faithful married couples in your life. These are simple ways to life sacramentally that help anchor you to God.

Link to God by Loving Your Neighbor

The third simple way to fasten yourself to the Lord is living out the corporeal and spiritual works of mercy. In Matthew 25, Jesus taught his Apostles the necessity of tending to the basic bodily needs of their neighbors. We are charged with the same care. And praying for others via the spiritually works of mercy is no less important than the corporeal works.

Find your Mother and Find Her Son.

Remain with The Son (and Father and Holy Spirit) via the sacraments.

Love Your Neighbor (and You Love God)

Follow these three simply steps and you will anchor yourself to God and find safe harbor from the mayhem of the world.

Related Links

How Tetherball is Like the Catholic Church
The Anchor: A Christian Symbol
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Laugh Out Loud: AI Brings Humor to the Gospel

/ chicoinematt

🤖 I had ChatGPT rewrite one of my blog posts with the twist making it more humorous.

Found it funny it added a Spider-Man reference (one of my favorite superheroes).😆

AI Writes about the Gospel

“Here’s an imagined conversation between Our Lord Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary shortly after Peter’s Confession in Matthew 16:13-20.

Mary: Good Evening, Son. How did your preaching go today? Did those Pharisees change their attitude about you yet?

Jesus: Nope, still not a fan club. I asked the apostles who they thought I was, and they threw out some common guesses – Elijah, John the Baptist, a new prophet.

But then Simon, that bold and ambitious fisherman, came through with the right answer.

Mary: Ah, Simon Peter, always the show-off.

Jesus: Yeah, but I was feeling generous, so I changed his name to “Rock” and gave him some authority. Hopefully, it won’t go to his head.


Mary: Well, you know what they say—with great power comes great responsibility.

Jesus: Yeah, but sometimes it also comes with great rashness. Peter got a little too overprotective of me when I told them I had to suffer and die. I had to call him out on it.

Mary: Ah, the joys of discipleship.

Jesus: Yeah, it’s never a dull moment. But I’m glad you’re here to help. Can we start a fire and cook up some fish for dinner?

Mary: Sure thing. You know what they say – you catch ’em, I cook ’em.

Jesus: (laughs) You’re the best, Mom.”

Questions for Reflection:

What’s the funniest thing you seen AI write?

What’s the funniest thing you have read by a person named Al (short for Alan)?

P.S. Link to my original blog post ⤵️

Jesus and Mary Talk about the Role of Peter Before Dinner
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Celestial Travel and the Communion of Saints: Catherine and Athanasius

/ chicoinematt

Here’s an imaged conversation between two great saints.

St. Athanasius

A tall, bearded man sat under the shade of a tree to protect against the beaming noon sunlight. He had a quill and a parchment in hand. Uttering a few words while crossing himself he continued to formulate a message on half-written scroll:

“He became what we are that he might make us what he is.”

Thoughts such as this were the cause for the man’s exile (this being his third). The emperor deemed such words blasphemous and cause for discord as it ran counter to the majority of the religious leaders’ opinions at the time.

The man stopped writing because he heard a sudden whirling sound. Looking around he didn’t immediately see anything out of the ordinary.

Standing up now, he walked towards to east wall of the monastery. The ascetic monks took him in during a previous banishment, so the man got used to the normal weather patterns of this area. The whirling transformed into a whooshing sound. Like rushing of a river but with air instead of water. But still he saw nothing unusual. The sun remained high in the sky and only a few white clouds existed against the blue background.

Thinking he was dehydrated, the man went to the well, located several yards in front of the monastery’s front entrance. His lips felt parched, and beads of sweat dropped from his brow. “This probably affected my senses,” he thought. Lowering the bucket down took longer than normal because of limited rainfall recently. He heard the splash of the bucket on the water and felt it fill up. He started to pull it up when the man heard a woman’s voice.

Catherine: “Servant of the Lord make haste and come here.”

He continued to think dehydration was the culprit for these strange happenings, so the man ignored the woman’s words. Grabbing the bucket, he brought the water to his mouth when the woman exclaimed, this time louder, “Athanasius! Listen, for I bring a message of hope.”

Athanasius: Who’s there?

Catherine: I am a  humble servant of our Lord Jesus Christ. He sent me to give you a message of hope.

Athanasius: Do you believe He is fully divine? It’s popular opinion nowadays to think of our Lord as a creation of the Father.

Catherine: Yes. And He is also fully human. It’s the great Mystery of the Incarnation. “God became man so that…

Athanasius: …man might become god”. You must be from God because you know about the doctrine of theosis. Why haven’t I not heard of you before?

Catherine: I come from a time different, yet not so different from yours. False teaching abounds where I come from. But what remains is hope and help. The Furnace of Divine Love tests and forms those He loves most into great witnesses for the faith.

The Paraclete sent me console you in your time of exile. Don’t give up hope. Maintain the faith. The great heresy of your time will fall. Orthodoxy will prevail.

Athanasius: How can this happen? I’ve been exiled several times by the Emperor. I have continued to spread the Gospel and am gracious for the aid of these holy monks who harbored me.

Catherine: Continue your work. I simply was sent to give your reassurance and a spark to help you keep the faith. You are a profound witness for the faith and model of orthodoxy. ““Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”

[Catherine is suddenly taken up into the clouds on a fiery chariot. If Athanasius blinked he would have missed this wonderful moment.]

Catherine of Siena

This holy encounter gave Athanasius the resolve to continue with his work on defending the divinity of Jesus Christ. He went on to write an important theological treatise titled On the Incarnation and the Holy Spirit worked through him as a catalyst to defeat the Arian heresy.

Centuries later a young Catherine is seen reading a book under the shade of her favorite tree. She smiles and thanks God for His goodness.

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3 Reasons Catholics Celebrate the Birthday of Mary

/ chicoinematt

Editor’s Note: Post originally published on September 8, 2019.

According to 20th century Scottish author William Barclay, “There are two great days in a person’s life—the day we are born and the day we discover why.” Everyone had a birthday. Birthdays are universal. Celebrations of life. Reminders of impending death. Or a view somewhere in between. Why do you celebrate your birthday?

Each new year of our life allows us to learn from our past shortcomings and hope for future successes. Celebrating our birthday helps us to live in the present moment. On September 8th, the Catholic Church observes the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The topic of the Mother of God is a point of contention for Protestants. There are a lot of misconceptions that Catholics worship Mary. I even had a conversation with a co-worker last week who asked me, “Why is it that some Catholics worship Mary?” My reply was concise and the same as the official stance of the Catholic Church, “Catholics don’t worship Mary. She is not God. We never, ever worship her. Instead, we honor her.”

Honor Mary not Worship her

Some of you might still be skeptical. You might be thinking, “Well, if you don’t worship Mary why does the Church have a specific feast to celebrate her birthday [along with the countless other feasts!] It all seems too much.” That certainly is a valid concern. I can understand how non-Catholics perceive Catholics’ devotion to Mary as being excessive or over the top. This article will discuss three reasons why Catholics celebrate the birthday of Mary— and how authentic honor should always end in the worship of Jesus Christ!

An Anchor to the Incarnation

Birthdays celebrate a real and historical event. Your parents received a birth certificate a few weeks after you were born. In the modern era, people use their date of birth on loan applications, online activity, account openings, as passwords, and other situations where you have to prove your identity.

Jesus Fully God and Fully Man

When the Catholic Church celebrates the birthday of Mary, her existence as a real figure, in history, is recognized. Why is it important that Mary was actually born, a real person like you or I? Her existence is absolutely necessary for the doctrine of the Incarnation—the teachings that Jesus is fully God AND fully human. During the Nicene Creed, the priest and the laity bow at the following line: “He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary.”

Before I studied theology it always seemed peculiar that we would bow during those words. For my master’s course on the Catechism of the Catholic Church, I had to write a paper discussing the internal consistency and unity of the doctrines. The doctrine I chose to study was the Incarnation. I discovered that Mariology [the theological study of Mary] was closely related to the Incarnation.

The Council of Ephesus in 431 A.D. formally rejected the Nestorian heresy— a belief that rejected Mary was the Mother of God and thus also rejected the humanity of Jesus. Mary as the Mother of God secures the reality that Jesus was fully human along with being fully God.

Obeying the 4th Commandment

Another reason Catholics celebrate the birthday of Mary is out of honor. According to the Second Vatican II document Lumen Gentium, ” [Mary] she is our mother in the order of grace” (no. 61). This truth is in keeping with Scripture when Jesus gives her mother to the Apostle John (see John 19:26-27) and Sacred Tradition.

The vast number of Marian feast days throughout the year point to her holiness and complete obedience to God. Just like our earthly mother, we should honor our spiritual mother as well!

True Devotion of the Mother Ends with Worship of the Son

Early Christmas

Each year it seems like retail stores put out Christmas displays and products earlier and earlier. Already I have heard people at work lament that the radio is not yet playing Christmas music. The birth of Christ is definitely something to get excited about. Catholics celebrate the birthday of Mary as a type of early preparation for Christmas!

The Catholic Church is quite clear that Jesus is the sole Mediator. According to St. Paul in 1 Timothy 2:5-6, “For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human,d who gave himself as ransom for all.” We only honor Mary as a means to get closer to Her Son. St. Louis de Montfort said it best, “We never give more honour to Jesus than when we honour his Mother, and we honour her simply and solely to honour him all the more perfectly. We go to her only as a way leading to the goal we seek – Jesus, her Son” (True Devotion to Mary ).

Nativity of Mary

While we are members of the Body of Christ, Mary is the “neck of the Body of Christ” connecting us to the Head—Jesus. Celebrate the birth of Mary because it was through her decision to fully obey God that the Savior of the World was born. Happy Birthday Mary and happy early birthday Jesus!

Related Sources

http://w2.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_p-vi_exh_19740202_marialis-cultus.html

https://thesimplecatholic.blog/2019/05/13/reconciling-mary-as-mediator-with-1-timothy-25/

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3 Reasons the Assumption of Mary is a Big Deal

/ chicoinematt

Assumption of Mary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For Catholics, Mary is the most honored saint—she is the holy Mother of God. She is a perfect example of what love and obedience to God looks like. There exist over 15 official liturgical feasts celebrating Mary! Each focus on different facets of her life and various roles she performs on behalf of Jesus. I like to think of these Marian feasts as theological checkpoint—spiritual stops along our faith journey during the year.

Ultimately, we celebrate and honor Mary because she is the closest human to Christ. She is a holy role model for sinners. Why does the assumption of Mary matter? Let’s first define this event in Mary’s life. Then we will examine three reasons why this feast matters.

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What is the Assumption?

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph number 966,

Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.”

Logically flowing from the fact that Mary’s was created without original sin, it makes sense that Her body and soul are assumed into Heaven. The faithful who pass from this life will be resurrected at the end of time. Our Blessed Mary is granted the gift of experiencing the fullness of Heaven before time and space pass away.

St. Pius XII infallibly defined this doctrine in his encyclical Munificentissimus Deus. The pope clearly states, “that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” While this teaching ultimately remains a Mystery, we at least have a basic understanding of what the Church teaches about the end of Mary’s earthly life.

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Essential to Catholic Faith

Belief in the Assumption of Mary is not an option for Catholics. It is one of the hallmarks and chief doctrines of truth. Pope Pius XII explicitly declares in Munificentissimus Deus, “Hence if anyone, which God forbid, should dare willfully to deny or to call into doubt that which we have defined, let him know that he has fallen away completely from the divine and Catholic Faith” (no 45).

To jettison the teaching of the Assumption would eventually lead to a decreased faith in our Marian doctrines: the Immaculate Conception, Maternal Mediation, seeing Mary as Mother of God.

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Soul and Body Integrity

Another reason Mary’s Assumption plays an important role for us is that it prohibits a purely spiritual view of the afterlife. The body and soul do not remain separated for the faithful that attain the glory of Heavenly.

The Second Vatican Council document Gaudium Et Spes points out that created things of this world, including our bodies are inherently good. “For after we have obeyed the Lord, and in His Spirit nurtured on earth the values of human dignity, brotherhood and freedom, and indeed all the good fruits of our nature and enterprise, we will find them again, but freed of stain, burnished and transfigured,” the council bishops’ declared (Gaudium Et Spes no 39).

Because there exists some type of temporal and physical reality to Heaven it makes sense that Mary—the holiest of all saints—participates with Her body and soul unified.

Evidence of Her Holiness

Lastly, the Assumption of Mary is evidence that she is a holy and exemplar model of virtue. Mary is the handmaiden of the Lord and most humble servant of God. According to the great French priest, St. Louis de Montfort in his work True Devotion to the Mary, “[The] Blessed Mother… is the safest, easiest, shortest and most perfect way of approaching Jesus”. The doctrine of the Assumption is assurance for Catholics that Mary is united with God.

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Catholics don’t worship Mary. Instead we look to Our Blessed Mother as a guide, a signpost, and a beacon that orients us toward God. The beauty and grandeur of Mary exists because she is the perfect mirror. She reflects God’s love outward toward all of humanity. May we continue to grow closer to God and learn from the humble example of Mary to obey God in all things!

Related Links

The Assumption of Mary in History

The Feast of the Assumption

7 Things You Need To Know About The Assumption

Facts about Mary’s Assumption You Should Assume

 

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