the Blessed Virgin Mary

[lyeag]

Just wanted to pop in and share with everyone that my daughter, Alex, made her First Holy Communion tonight. It was such a wonderful mass and a special day.

I think this is a wonderful thread. I pray for Mary's intercession by saying the Memorare on a regular basis. I need all the help I can get!

 

[Saxsoon]

I am a methodist, and while she is a very important woman in the bible, why is she worshipped. I guess what I am saying is what was said on the first page, doesn't this go against the first commandment? She was a very special person indeed, as she was from the bloodline of King David IIRC, just as the Messiah was predicted to be born from this bloodline.

Can someone that has this belief in the Virgin Mary explain to me in the Bible where it says we should worship her?

Remember I am not trying to be mean or disrespectful, but I am curious nonetheless.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I am a methodist, and while she is a very important woman in the bible, why is she worshipped. I guess what I am saying is what was said on the first page, doesn't this go against the first commandment? She was a very special person indeed, as she was from the bloodline of King David IIRC, just as the Messiah was predicted to be born from this bloodline.

Can someone that has this belief in the Virgin Mary explain to me in the Bible where it says we should worship her?

Remember I am not trying to be mean or disrespectful, but I am curious nonetheless.

if you read the thread, you'll find this question answered.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Gosh, this thread has really run the gamut, hasn't it? Been very interesting reading.
Throwing in a few more cents worth...
--Catholics do not worship Mary. We ask her to pray for us and we have extreme respect for her (as most other Christians would agree) for what she went through. We do think she remained a Virgin and did not have any other children. She has been an important part of Catholic history and tradition and remains so. She is not a part of the Big Three--Father, Son and Holy Spirit. She has her own separate significance.
--Catholics do indeed read the Bible, study it and debate it. We have a flourishing Bible Study group going in my area of women from many different (albeit Catholic) churches. We also have three readings from the Bible in Mass every week as well as Psalms.
--Wine is NOT served at every church. My parents' church in Peoria, Illinois, never offers wine. I'd be curious to find out why--my parents have no idea.
Have a great day!

 

[auntpolly]

--Catholics do indeed read the Bible, study it and debate it.

True, but we just don't try to read it without the help of people and other sources that can help us understand context. I mean, we don't just read it and expect that the meaning "will come to us" in some kind of supernatural way.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I never said Catholics didn't read the bible. Just said that most don't, and the ones that do are often converts.

It is encouraged, but not required. I'm infamous around here for not reading it.

 

[DisneyDotty]

I never said Catholics didn't read the bible. Just said that most don't, and the ones that do are often converts.

It is encouraged, but not required. I'm infamous around here for not reading it.

I'm going to respectfully disagree with you on this--I teach RE, and a Bible reading/discussion is a part of every week's class. We do, of course, also learn what "Our Church Teaches" (actual title to that section of the RE book).
I guess I'm bringing this issue up because one thing non-Catholics like to criticize about Catholicism is we don't know the Bible. I know many Catholics who can discuss the Bible with the best of 'em.
Granted--we do rely on our Priests/DRE's to guide us in understanding the Bible, which is comparable to other religions' reliance on their pastors, ministers, rabbis etc.

 

[DisneyDotty]

True, but we just don't try to read it without the help of people and other sources that can help us understand context. I mean, we don't just read it and expect that the meaning "will come to us" in some kind of supernatural way.

If I tried to work out the meaning on my own--well, I'd be stuck in a room with the Bible for a loooonnnng time!

 

[auntpolly]

I remember when I was a kid growing up protestant there were so many people (and this is just my personal experience) that would read the Bible on their own and criticize catholics for not doing it too.

Again, this is just my opinion, but I think reading it without any guidance can be almost dangerous. There are so many things that could be so drastically misinterpreted if you have no understanding of the times, the language, the culture....etc.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I'm going to respectfully disagree with you on this--I teach RE, and a Bible reading/discussion is a part of every week's class. We do, of course, also learn what "Our Church Teaches" (actual title to that section of the RE book).
I guess I'm bringing this issue up because one thing non-Catholics like to criticize about Catholicism is we don't know the Bible. I know many Catholics who can discuss the Bible with the best of 'em.
Granted--we do rely on our Priests/DRE's to guide us in understanding the Bible, which is comparable to other religions' reliance on their pastors, ministers, rabbis etc.

You said you have a bible study group with women from many different churches. If you add up all the Catholics in all those parishes (even just the ones that attend mass!) and compare the total number of parishoners to the number in the bible-study group, you'll find that the majority aren't there. And I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that there is a disproportionate number of converts in the bible-study class.

I worry that it is starting to come off like I don't like converts. That's not true. While I don't try to recruit, I like converts as much as anyone else. Some are a little more enthusiastic about their faith than I, but that's a good thing...I'm happy for them.

I have said in other threads that there is nothing wrong with being Catholic and not studying the bible. We aren't like some other relgions in that respect, and I have NO shame about that. I don't care who criticizes me. I get told I'm going to hell for not reading it, I get told I'm far too religous by atheists. I'm not much for worrying about it. Can't please everyone.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with reading the bible, or that NO Catholic person does it. Sure, some do. Heck, some people major in it in college - my uncle did! I think it is WONDERFUL for people who like to do it. Just glad I don't have to.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

Mary, the Mother of God ...

Wow, what an honor.

Yeah, I mean, we all want our kids to grown up and be great, but WOW!

The song Mary Did You Know, brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear, because I truly wonder, Mary, did you know?

I just got teared up again, you can hear the song with hyrics here:

http://www.bonniesplace1.com/Marydid.html

 

[JoyG]

I remember when I was a kid growing up protestant there were so many people (and this is just my personal experience) that would read the Bible on their own and criticize catholics for not doing it too.

Again, this is just my opinion, but I think reading it without any guidance can be almost dangerous. There are so many things that could be so drastically misinterpreted if you have no understanding of the times, the language, the culture....etc.

We are HIGHLY encouraged to read the Bible in my church (a Baptist church), and not just occasionally. We are HIGHLY encouraged to read it every day. We are also HIGHLY encouraged to get to church and sunday school (even adults) weekly so we can receive guidance in our study of the scriptures.

It is expected that members will not only rely on the pastors but also study the scriptures independently, by our independent study we are able to more fully participate in the discussions at Sunday School.

Today's message at church was all about being "hungry" for the word of God. The pastor said that if you are not "hungry" for the word of God, you need to re-examine yourself to see if you are growing in Christ. We don't want to be "baby christians" forever living off of milk fed by our parents, we need to grow and mature in our faith.

One thing that resonates with me from his message was the more I read of the Bible, the more hungry I am to read more.

When I first started daily reading I started in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Then I started reading the rest of the books of the New Testament. I read them in order of length, shorter ones first. That helped me ease into it, getting used to the language, etc.

And the internet is an amazing thing. There was one verse I found in the book of Jude that I just didn't understand at all...even with all my background knowledge. I looked it up on the internet and it gave me 2 or 3 different ways that verse is interpreted in theological circles. That gives me something to intelligently discuss with my Pastor.

Anyway, I write all of this to encourage you here who may not read the Bible regularly...give it a try...although it may not be required by your faith...you have nothing to lose in reading it and you might find it gives you more intimacy with God....and be forewarned, it's very addicting!

 

[JoyG]

Yeah, I mean, we all want our kids to grown up and be great, but WOW!

The song Mary Did You Know, brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear, because I truly wonder, Mary, did you know?

I just got teared up again, you can hear the song with hyrics here:

http://www.bonniesplace1.com/Marydid.html

I am familiar with that song and I always liked it!

 

[Buckalew11]

One thing that resonates with me from his message was the more I read of the Bible, the more hungry I am to read more.

Anyway, I write all of this to encourage you here who may not read the Bible regularly...give it a try...although it may not be required by your faith...you have nothing to lose in reading it and you might find it gives you more intimacy with God....and be forewarned, it's very addicting!

I liked your whole post but loved these 2 parts especially. I have always been amazed at how "feeding" your soul with God's Word leaves you hungry for more while feeding your body with food fills you up. I think God's Word is satisfying for the soul but there is also a hunger for more! (Man shall not live by bread alone...)

It is very addicting. Between learning more about God's nature and history and stories of people facing things not all too different from our circumstances alone, I find the Bible amazing and powerful. Definitely a gift we take for granted.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

True, but we just don't try to read it without the help of people and other sources that can help us understand context. I mean, we don't just read it and expect that the meaning "will come to us" in some kind of supernatural way.

Do you not believe in the Holy Spirit, then?

 

[LindsayDunn228]

We are HIGHLY encouraged to read the Bible in my church (a Baptist church), and not just occasionally. We are HIGHLY encouraged to read it every day. We are also HIGHLY encouraged to get to church and sunday school (even adults) weekly so we can receive guidance in our study of the scriptures.

It is expected that members will not only rely on the pastors but also study the scriptures independently, by our independent study we are able to more fully participate in the discussions at Sunday School.

Today's message at church was all about being "hungry" for the word of God. The pastor said that if you are not "hungry" for the word of God, you need to re-examine yourself to see if you are growing in Christ. We don't want to be "baby christians" forever living off of milk fed by our parents, we need to grow and mature in our faith.

One thing that resonates with me from his message was the more I read of the Bible, the more hungry I am to read more.

When I first started daily reading I started in the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John). Then I started reading the rest of the books of the New Testament. I read them in order of length, shorter ones first. That helped me ease into it, getting used to the language, etc.

And the internet is an amazing thing. There was one verse I found in the book of Jude that I just didn't understand at all...even with all my background knowledge. I looked it up on the internet and it gave me 2 or 3 different ways that verse is interpreted in theological circles. That gives me something to intelligently discuss with my Pastor.

Anyway, I write all of this to encourage you here who may not read the Bible regularly...give it a try...although it may not be required by your faith...you have nothing to lose in reading it and you might find it gives you more intimacy with God....and be forewarned, it's very addicting!

See, this is exactly what I am thinking!!! I simply cannot wrap my heart around being so involved in a church and never picking up a Bible.

 

[rie'smom]

Do you not believe in the Holy Spirit, then?

Discernment is not a gift that everyone has. If you believe in the Holy Spirit,then do you believe in evil spirits? Who's to know which is guiding you? I personally
attended a bible study where women were interpreting what they thought the Bible meant. How would they know? Personal biases and prejudices can color the way we see things. I want someone who is well-schooled in Biblical knowledge working with me-not some "holier than thou" Joe Blow from Kokomo who thinks they know what God meant!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Yikes! OK, I don't think reading the bible is a bad thing, if it warms your cockles and fills your spirit, I think it is great!!!

I get my "dose" at church and that's enough for me. Oh, and I get a monthly newsletter about faith, always has a topic and includes a few bible quotes. That kinda counts, right?

And my good friends here at the DIS sometimes give me quotes or explain things to me. So, I'm very blessed in that.

 

[auntpolly]

Do you not believe in the Holy Spirit, then?

Of course I do, but I'm not sure what that has to do with it.

If you think you can just pick it up and read and magically understand everything, I think you'll miss alot. But this is why I converted. Catholics don't take the Bible literally anyway.

The holy spirit isn't a genie in a magic bottle.

 

[Saxsoon]

I think that song Mary Did You Know is one of the most beautiful songs that I have ever heard. It is played every Christmas service for as long as I can remember!