Mary's appearence at fatima

[Ovedya]

I can't respond to this because I've never seen this, been involed with this, nor understand it...have you asked those people personally why they do this, as I can't respond for them.

I have. Typically the response is that they are merely honoring Mary.

[stevehut]

I can't respond to this because I've never seen this, been involed with this, nor understand it...have you asked those people personally why they do this, as I can't respond for them. 

I have. Typically the response is that they are merely honoring Mary.

That has been my experience as well, and not just with Catholics.

Many people will defend their religious system down to their last dying breath, which admirable. But when asked to explain what they believe in and why they believe it, they're stumped.

But Catholicism in particular is much more complicated than other Christian disciplines. Maybe it's not fair to expect a layman to understand it.

Seems to me that a meaningful faith is an informed faith.

[Orr v'emet]

Mary is exalted for Catholics. It's almost no different than a Baptist going to their pastor whom they love and respect and asking them to pray for them, and also defending that pastor no matter what.

I'm not sure how you see this connection but um...my pastor is alive. Mary is dead. What good is she going to do me?

but Mary is WITH JESUS, and your Pastor is not (John 14:1-31), yet!

Point? Do you see that for me, Mary's only significance is that she was obedient to God, called by Him to give birth to Jesus. She has no special powers, I don't need her to make intercession for me because to me it would be like me asking my friend who died to pray for me. The thought is insane to me. My pastor (or anyone else for that matter) however is here on earth. He knows me, he knows my Father and can pray for me when I need it. When your dead and gone as Mary is, that's the end of it. I hope this doesn't come across as disrespectful because I don't intend for it to be that way. It's just the reality of it for me.

[ServingHim]

Many people will defend their religious system down to their last dying breath, which admirable. But when asked to explain what they believe in and why they believe it, they're stumped.

I know exactly what I believe and why...what I don't 'defend' is other people's forms of 'piety'...I am not 'commanded' to 'worship' Mary, much less throw flowers at her 'statue' or money, but of the tenents of the faith, I am most assuredly firm in what I believe and why. I CHOSE to become Catholic at the age of 37...and 8 years later, I'm even more firm in why I chose it, and I have never been more at peace in my faith, and have grown trememdously in the past several years in my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. For that, all Glory to God! :il:

[ServingHim]

Do you see that for me, Mary's only significance is that she was obedient to God, called by Him to give birth to Jesus. She has no special powers, I don't need her to make intercession for me...

and that is perfectly fine...no one is telling you you HAVE to seek Mary's intercession...but for those who have faith and TRULY believe in 'communion of saints', then you should not 'dis' them for doing what they believe very strongly about...humbly submitted! :il:

[ServingHim]

But Catholicism in particular is much more complicated than other Christian disciplines. Maybe it's not fair to expect a layman to understand it.

very fair statement!

Seems to me that a meaningful faith is an informed faith. 

:il: I've spent the past 7 years getting 'informed' as I was drawn into much more than I've ever been in my faith. I had a very surface faith before ... the older I get, the deeper it becomes. Some things I used to think were ridiculous are now firmly grounded in my very being! But that's me... :il:

[Orr v'emet]

Do you see that for me, Mary's only significance is that she was obedient to God, called by Him to give birth to Jesus.  She has no special powers, I don't need her to make intercession for me...

and that is perfectly fine...no one is telling you you HAVE to seek Mary's intercession...but for those who have faith and TRULY believe in 'communion of saints', then you should not 'dis' them for doing what they believe very strongly about...humbly submitted! :il:

I apologize if I was "'dissing". I didn't intend it that way. It's really all greek to me anyway as far as Mary being held in such high esteem. All I ultimatley need is Jesus and the Holy Spirit to interceed for me.

[ServingHim]

I can't respond to this because I've never seen this, been involed with this, nor understand it...have you asked those people personally why they do this, as I can't respond for them. 

I have. Typically the response is that they are merely honoring Mary.

perhaps that is their human way of honoring Mary...that would not be what I would do, but who am I to say that they cannot honor her in the way that want to. I know that many people have a deep love, affection and devotion to the blessed Mother...I do not. Sometimes I wish I did more, but apparently, my heart doesn't lead me into that direction. I do love reading about her and what makes her so 'full of grace' and how she 'kept all things in her heart that Jesus did'. There is much out there in the history of the church about her...it would take me the rest of my life to read it all, I'm sure.

I have a friend who has a very deep devotion and love for Mary...and through this love, she has been brought so much closer to Christ...her faith could move mountains. She has just recovered from her second bout of breast cancer, lymph cancer and recently had a stem-cell transplant. Her faith is great! My friend has changed many people's lives around her...

[ServingHim]

Do you see that for me, Mary's only significance is that she was obedient to God, called by Him to give birth to Jesus.

[stevehut]

you should not 'dis' them for doing what they believe very strongly about...humbly submitted! :il:

I can only speak for myself here. I do not "dis" people for doing what they feel led to do. The problem that I sometimes have, is in trying to reconcile certain things to the Scriptures.