"Cabal Heresies of the Catholic Church" by C40 - 5.8.17
Dear Dinarland,
While I read DC for morsels of information often obfuscated by unfounded personal opinion (whether presented honestly or not) sometimes things apparently completely unrelated percolate to the surface. I wish to clarify a point that many unfamiliar with the Catholic Faith misinterpret, whether raised poorly as a Catholic or not, brought up by Sunny.
As Christians, we believe that death is not an end. Our passed loved ones simply did not wink out of existence - they are but on a higher plain of consciousness with God. When we speak, for example, in prayer with a loved Aunt, Uncle, Parent, Sibling, or Friend, we do not worship them - we are simply talking with them. We pray with them, in hopes of seeing them once again in Eternity.
The same is the situation of Mary. We pray WITH her, not TO her. And if one does pray to and worship her, you commit a grave heresy. As a Catholic, the individual prays with Saints and other Elders of the Church. And, as a community, all presently living on Earth and those who have already passed pray to God in communion.
A further misconception is "Catholics pray to statues and graven images." To bring this to clarity, say you have a picture of a beloved Aunt who has passed hanging in your hallway. Sometimes, as you pass by, you smile, reach out, touch the picture and say something to the effect that you love her. Are you "praying to the picture?" No. That is ridiculous. The picture is merely a reminder of her. In such a way the Catholic Church has statues of passed Saints and others, to remind us of them and to help one concentrate prayers. They are but very durable versions of the picture of your favored Aunt on your hallway wall. No more, no less.
Mary, however, holds a very special place in the hearts of Catholics. You see, there were two times in the Universe when all of Heaven and Earth held their collective breath as a decision was made. One was when Jesus, in his moment of pain in the Garden when he sweat blood, knowing what lay before him. He begged that, if there was any way, the Cup might pass him by; yet, he chose the Will of the Father, and the Lamb of God was slain for the sins of the world. There was another decision, however, that took place about 30 years prior.
An Angel of the Lord visited a young virgin girl, betrothed to Joseph, and her name was Mary. When presented with a choice, she pondered yet answered, "let it be as your word." What if she had said, NO? What if the Man in Jesus had quailed, and he had called down legions of Angels to defend him and slay those who had come with clubs and swords rather than the choice he had made?
This is a reason for the particular love of Mary. She holds an exalted place - not above Jesus, yet near to him and perhaps closer than any other from Earth. As such, she has played many roles in the history of Christendom, from the foot of the cross to Fatima. It is not difficult to comprehend. Yet, easily misunderstood. And, if in this mistaken understanding personal opinion and "Cabal" boogiemen get involved, just take a breath and calm down. There is enough Evil in the world. We need not create more out of whole cloth and straw men.
Sleeping Soundly in Seattle.
While I read DC for morsels of information often obfuscated by unfounded personal opinion (whether presented honestly or not) sometimes things apparently completely unrelated percolate to the surface. I wish to clarify a point that many unfamiliar with the Catholic Faith misinterpret, whether raised poorly as a Catholic or not, brought up by Sunny.
As Christians, we believe that death is not an end. Our passed loved ones simply did not wink out of existence - they are but on a higher plain of consciousness with God. When we speak, for example, in prayer with a loved Aunt, Uncle, Parent, Sibling, or Friend, we do not worship them - we are simply talking with them. We pray with them, in hopes of seeing them once again in Eternity.
The same is the situation of Mary. We pray WITH her, not TO her. And if one does pray to and worship her, you commit a grave heresy. As a Catholic, the individual prays with Saints and other Elders of the Church. And, as a community, all presently living on Earth and those who have already passed pray to God in communion.
A further misconception is "Catholics pray to statues and graven images." To bring this to clarity, say you have a picture of a beloved Aunt who has passed hanging in your hallway. Sometimes, as you pass by, you smile, reach out, touch the picture and say something to the effect that you love her. Are you "praying to the picture?" No. That is ridiculous. The picture is merely a reminder of her. In such a way the Catholic Church has statues of passed Saints and others, to remind us of them and to help one concentrate prayers. They are but very durable versions of the picture of your favored Aunt on your hallway wall. No more, no less.
Mary, however, holds a very special place in the hearts of Catholics. You see, there were two times in the Universe when all of Heaven and Earth held their collective breath as a decision was made. One was when Jesus, in his moment of pain in the Garden when he sweat blood, knowing what lay before him. He begged that, if there was any way, the Cup might pass him by; yet, he chose the Will of the Father, and the Lamb of God was slain for the sins of the world. There was another decision, however, that took place about 30 years prior.
An Angel of the Lord visited a young virgin girl, betrothed to Joseph, and her name was Mary. When presented with a choice, she pondered yet answered, "let it be as your word." What if she had said, NO? What if the Man in Jesus had quailed, and he had called down legions of Angels to defend him and slay those who had come with clubs and swords rather than the choice he had made?
This is a reason for the particular love of Mary. She holds an exalted place - not above Jesus, yet near to him and perhaps closer than any other from Earth. As such, she has played many roles in the history of Christendom, from the foot of the cross to Fatima. It is not difficult to comprehend. Yet, easily misunderstood. And, if in this mistaken understanding personal opinion and "Cabal" boogiemen get involved, just take a breath and calm down. There is enough Evil in the world. We need not create more out of whole cloth and straw men.
Sleeping Soundly in Seattle.