Catholics Don't "Worship" Mary... technically

We were sitting at table 12 at the local Applebees waiting for line-up
and our shift to begin. And there we were, a bunch of servers, just shooting the breeze,
when Nathan asked, "Brittany, do you worship, Mary?"

"As in the mother of God?" I playfully stalled.

Man, you want to add some division in the world of Christianity?!
Bring up God's mother and her proper place in the hierarchy of religion.
And bada-bing bada-reformation you've got yourself a cut-throat debate.
Christian-style of course. Lots of private interpretation of the Bible throwing
will go down. In the name of Jesus of course. It's scary.

"Um. No. I don't worship Mary."

And here's where the Church stands and I stand behind her...
forever and ever. Amen.

"What the Catholic faith believes about Mary is based on what it believes
about Christ, and what it teaches about Mary illumines in turn its faith in Christ."
Catechism of the Catholic Church 487

There are so many AWESOME things about Mary that we as Christian can admire
and strive to emulate. How about her humble submission and willingness to do God's will?
Luke 1:26-38 for instance?

Here, get your Greek on...
_________________________________
Latria: honor due to God ALONE

Dulia: honor due to human beings - those who lived and died as God's friends

Hyperdulia: "more-than" - beyond dulia - an elevated honor, above the saints,
but NOT above or equal to God, given to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
_________________________________
Now throw that all in the less-than-sufficient English word processor and you
get ONE WORD = WORSHIP. Everyone freeeeak out!
Worship God? Worship Mary? Worship the saints?

When indeed - the Church makes it clear that there is DEFINITELY a pecking order
when it comes to "giving honor."

God ALONE is to be WORSHIPED and ADORED.
Mary and the saints receive HONOR.
True story.

Ok, I'm packing up the Catholic theology lesson here before
I get myself into too much trouble!

We remembered the Blessed Mother on her birthday (celebrated on September 8th) -
and honored her with friends and a party!!! And THAT is what provoked this post!

Love you, momma Mary. Help me love your Son more. AMEN!






“Never be afraid of loving the Blessed Virgin too much.
You can never love her more than Jesus did.”
||| St. Maximilian Kolbe |||