Posted by Dena on December 15, 2003, at 15:01:43
In reply to Re: I do this every Christmas....., posted by Miss Honeychurch on December 15, 2003, at 12:05:57
Miss Honeychurch -
I like what you said about Mary. I grew up Protestant (various denominations, as well as "nondenominations", being a military brat), & you're right, Mary is downplayed with them. They go overboard to present her as "just a normal sinful human". Sadly, so much of our rich church history was lost with the Reformation.
I'm no longer Protestant (though I treasure much of what I've received from them) - I'm an independent Catholic (not Roman), & also Orthodox (though not formally Eastern Orthodox). I embrace all that the One Church (prior to any splits) held as truth for the first thousand years.
I had to overcome my previously taught biases against Mary (& all things liturgical), in order to see her (& them) for the blessings that they are. I'm still learning about Mary. I'd like to know more about a relationship with her, & the comfort she brings. I especially like how she always points the way to her Son.
When I was having a hard time understanding the importance of her role, & why she should be venerated (not worshipped - venerated - they're different), someone shared an illustration with me that really helped.
In the Old Testament, we read of the Ark of the Covenant, which held symbols of God inside. It was so highly revered that people were killed for touching it wrongly. It's been lost for a long time now.
What if it were re-discovered? What if it went "on tour" - people of all faiths would flock to view it, & those who understood it's meaning would revere it with holy awe, because of the preciousness of the symbols of God within it.
Mary was another type of "ark", of the New Covenant. While she was pregnant with Jesus, she was carrying within her, not the symbols of God, but God Himself! How can we rightly NOT revere her?
I had to repent of my arrogance of dismissing her as just an ordinary woman. I've had my eyes opened to the role she plays in salvation. I had to learn how the early church, who knew her personally, revered her.
I no longer want to miss out on anything that God has for me in His Church - whether or not my mind can comprehend it.
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:289364
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20030908/msgs/290117.html