Why Catholics Call Mary Their Mother
TLDRFather Mike Smith discusses the Catholic devotion to Mary, the Mother of God, addressing common misconceptions about seeking her intercession. He illustrates the relationship with Mary as amplifying, not detracting from, one's love for Jesus, using the metaphor of family relationships. Smith explains that Mary, like the moon reflecting the sun's light, directs us to Jesus. He emphasizes that Jesus' last words from the cross, entrusting Mary to his disciples, make her a spiritual mother to all believers, encouraging a personal relationship with her as part of deepening one's faith in Jesus.
Takeaways
- 😇 Catholics often ask why they should talk to Mary instead of directly to Jesus, and the speaker addresses this by explaining the relationship between Mary and Jesus as a way to deepen one's love for God.
- 👼 Mary is considered the 'perfect disciple' and the 'Mother of God', emphasizing her unique role in the Christian faith, but she is not divine herself.
- 🌞 The metaphor of Jesus as the Sun and Mary as the Moon is used to illustrate how Mary reflects Jesus' light, pointing to the source of all life and light, which is God.
- 🤔 The speaker warns against the potential of mistaking the creation for the Creator, a common pitfall where people become so captivated by the saints that they forget God, the true source of their sanctity.
- 👨👩👧👦 Loving and getting to know the people that someone loves does not diminish one's love for that person, but rather enhances it, which is a parallel to the relationship between loving Mary and loving Jesus more.
- 👫 Jesus' last words from the cross, particularly his words to Mary and the 'beloved disciple', establish Mary as the mother of all believers, according to the speaker's interpretation.
- 🏠 The 'beloved disciple' took Mary into his home, symbolizing the invitation for all disciples of Jesus to take Mary into their spiritual homes and lives.
- 🙏 The relationship with Mary is meant to amplify and not detract from one's relationship with God, as she serves as a conduit to a deeper understanding and love for Jesus.
- 👩👧 Mary's role is to continually point to Jesus, encouraging believers to follow and do whatever Jesus tells them, much like a mother would guide her children.
- 🔄 The speaker emphasizes that having a relationship with Mary and the saints does not compete with one's relationship with God but rather enriches it by celebrating God's work in their lives.
- 📖 The script is a reflection on the Catholic understanding of Mary's significance and the importance of integrating her into one's spiritual journey, as given by Jesus himself.
Q & A
Why do Catholics talk to Mary when they could talk to Jesus directly?
-Catholics believe that having a relationship with Mary does not detract from their relationship with Jesus. Mary, as the Mother of God, is seen as a perfect disciple who points to her son, Jesus. Loving Mary is believed to amplify one's love for Jesus, as she reflects his light and purpose.
How does having a relationship with Mary affect one's relationship with God?
-Rather than taking away from one's relationship with God, having a relationship with Mary is thought to amplify it. Mary's role is to point to Jesus, and by loving and knowing her, one's love for Jesus and God is deepened and enriched.
What is the significance of Mary being referred to as 'the perfect disciple'?
-Mary being called 'the perfect disciple' signifies her exemplary faith and obedience to God. She is seen as the ideal follower of Christ, whose life reflects the teachings and love of Jesus.
Why is Mary considered the 'Mother of God' and not just a human being?
-Mary is called the 'Mother of God' because she gave birth to Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully human. This title acknowledges her unique role in the incarnation of God as the mother of Jesus.
What is the analogy used in the script to explain the relationship between loving Mary and loving Jesus?
-The script uses the analogy of getting to know and love one's partner's family to explain the relationship between loving Mary and Jesus. Just as knowing and caring for a partner's family can increase one's love for the partner, so too can loving Mary amplify one's love for Jesus.
What does the speaker mean when he says Mary 'reflects the light' of Jesus?
-The phrase 'Mary reflects the light of Jesus' is a metaphor to say that she directs attention to Jesus, who is the source of all spiritual light and life. Mary, like the moon reflecting the sun's light, does not have her own light but shows the light of Jesus.
How does praising the saints relate to praising God?
-Praising the saints is a way of acknowledging and praising God's work in their lives. When one admires the virtues and deeds of the saints, they are indirectly praising the divine power and wisdom of God, who made them who they are.
What is the risk of 'mistaking the creation for the Creator' in the context of the script?
-The risk is that some people might become so captivated by the saints or the beauty of nature that they forget to recognize and worship the Creator, God, who is the source of all creation and sanctity.
Why do Catholics believe Mary is their mother?
-Catholics believe Mary is their mother because Jesus, in his last moments on the cross, entrusted Mary to his beloved disciple, symbolizing that all his followers are also her children. This act signifies that Mary is the mother of all believers.
What is the significance of Jesus' words from the cross, 'Woman, behold your son' and 'Behold your mother'?
-These words signify the spiritual motherhood of Mary over all believers. Jesus is entrusting Mary to the disciple, and by extension, to all his followers, establishing her as the mother of the Christian community.
How should a believer's relationship with Mary manifest in their daily life?
-A believer's relationship with Mary should be one of devotion and imitation of her virtues. They should 'take her into their home,' meaning they should incorporate her as a spiritual mother in their lives, allowing her example to guide them closer to Jesus.
Outlines
🙏 The Role of Mary in Catholic Devotion
This paragraph discusses the common Catholic practice of praying to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and addresses the misconception that such devotion detracts from one's relationship with God. The speaker emphasizes that Jesus is both fully divine and human, and Mary, being a human, is not divine at all. The paragraph explains that Catholics view Mary as the perfect disciple and the Mother of God, whose purpose is to point towards her son, Jesus. The analogy of a husband getting to know his wife's family to deepen his love for her is used to illustrate how knowing and loving Mary can amplify one's love for Jesus. The paragraph concludes with the assertion that recognizing the virtues of saints, including Mary, is a way of praising God's work in their lives.
👨👩👧👦 Jesus' Last Words and Mary as the Mother of All Disciples
In this paragraph, the focus shifts to Jesus' last words from the cross, particularly his interaction with Mary and the disciple whom he loved, traditionally believed to be John. The speaker interprets Jesus' words as an adoption of all his disciples by Mary, making her the mother of all believers. The paragraph delves into the significance of Jesus' words, 'Woman, behold your son,' and 'Behold your mother,' explaining that these statements establish a spiritual motherhood for Mary over all of Jesus' followers. The speaker also touches on the importance of taking Mary into one's spiritual home, as the beloved disciple did, to fully embrace the relationship with her as a mother figure given by Jesus. The paragraph ends with an invitation for listeners to reflect on their relationship with Mary and her role in pointing them towards Jesus.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Mary
💡Catholics
💡Disciple
💡Relationship
💡Jesus
💡Sainthood
💡Creator
💡Beloved Disciple
💡Cross
💡Amplification
💡Mother of the Church
Highlights
Catholics are sometimes asked why they talk to Mary instead of directly to Jesus.
Belief that Jesus is fully God and fully human, and Mary is a completely human being, not a deity.
Mary is considered the perfect disciple and the Mother of God, with a unique role beyond being a disciple.
Having a relationship with Mary does not detract from one's relationship with God but can amplify it.
An analogy is made comparing relationships with Mary to knowing and loving a partner's family, which enhances love for the partner.
Mary's purpose is to point to her son, Jesus, much like the moon reflects the light of the sun.
Praising saints is a way of praising the wisdom and power of God, the creator.
The potential pitfall of mistaking the creation for the creator is acknowledged but not the intended Catholic practice.
Catholics are called to have a relationship with Mary as a mother, not just a figure of reverence.
Jesus' last words from the cross included giving his mother to his disciples as their mother.
The term 'woman' used by Jesus in his last words refers back to Eve and signifies Mary as the mother of all the redeemed.
The disciple whom Jesus loved, traditionally believed to be John, took Mary into his home, signifying the relationship all disciples should have with her.
The importance of taking Mary into one's home as a disciple of Jesus is emphasized.
Mary's role is to continually point people to Jesus, as a mother would direct her children.
The talk concludes with an invitation to reflect on Mary's place in one's life and her role as a mother figure pointing to Jesus.
A reminder to be kind and respectful when discussing Catholic beliefs with others.
Transcripts
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