Mungo
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- Oct 21, 2019
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The Saints
Catholics believe the Church exists in three states, those on earth, those in heaven and those undergoing purgation. All are part of the one body of Christ (Rom 12:4-5) and with Christ as the head are linked together. We are not separated by death (Rom 8:35-39)
This is expressed in the phrase in the Apostles Creed – the communion of saints.
Whilst all who are part of the body of Christ are saints, the Church has discerned that some are particularly worthy as examples or role models for us. We call these Canonised Saints or just Saints with a capitalised ‘S’.
We believe the Saints in heaven are available to us to intercede on our behalf and so we pray to them (ask them) for their help, just as we ask others here on earth to interceded for us. (Rom 15:30) (see Praying to the Saints in Heaven)
We recognise that their prayers, as holy and righteous ones are powerful and effective. (Jas 5:16)
They are part of the cloud of witnesses who surround us and support us as we run the race (Heb 12:1).
Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations. The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning. There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and proclaiming prophecies; leaders of the people in their deliberations and in understanding of learning for the people, wise in their words of instruction; those who composed musical tunes, and set forth verses in writing; rich men furnished with resources, living peaceably in their habitations-- all these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times. There are some of them who have left a name, so that men declare their praise. Peoples will declare their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise. (Sir 44:1-8, 15)
It then goes on the give examples and what they did – Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses Aaron, Phinehas, Joshua, David, Solomon etc.
Mary
Mary was chosen and ordained to serve in the mystery of the Incarnation in a unique way. She was set apart and given a special position and privileges. She was given a unique relationship with God even before the Incarnation and a unique role in the salvation of mankind.
She was sovereignly chosen by the Father to bear His only begotten Son. In that role, Mary is the first person in all history to receive and accept Christ as her Saviour (Lk 1:47). We are called to enthrone the Lord in our hearts and lives-to follow her example in doing so. Early in Christian history she is called "the first of the redeemed".
Mary holds her unique position and has a "category of her own" not as a mere Virgin, but as the Virgin-Mother, parthenomitir, as the pre-chosen Mother of the Lord.
Mary was the Mother of God (Theotokos – God bearer), “the mother of my Lord” as Elizabeth put it, and the mother our Lord, who we are told “from now on will all ages call me blessed.”
At the annunciation Mary was told that “the power of the Most High will overshadow you”. The Greek word for overshadow is episkiazein, which is the same word used in ancient Greek translations of the OT to describe the cloud of God overshadowing the tabernacle at Mount Sinai (e.g. Ex 40:35 ). So Gabriel is indicating that Mary will be a new tabernacle, a new vessel of God’s holy presence, a new temple. Her womb is a sacred vessel, made sacred by the overshadowing and the presence of God himself.
Mary is the “Ark of the New Covenant” (Rev 11:19) as seen by John.
Mary is the mother of “those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus” (Rev 12:17).
There are four Marian dogmas:
Ever Virgin – Mary remained a virgin, even after bearing Jesus
Mother of God – because she is the mother of Jesus, who is God.
Immaculate Conception – Mary was preserved from the effects of original sin at the moment of her conception.
Assumption – Mary was assumed into heaven, body and soul at the end of her life on earth.
We give reverence to the Saints, and special reverence to Mary as befits her position, but we do not give her the adoration (worship) that is due to God alone.
Catholics believe the Church exists in three states, those on earth, those in heaven and those undergoing purgation. All are part of the one body of Christ (Rom 12:4-5) and with Christ as the head are linked together. We are not separated by death (Rom 8:35-39)
This is expressed in the phrase in the Apostles Creed – the communion of saints.
Whilst all who are part of the body of Christ are saints, the Church has discerned that some are particularly worthy as examples or role models for us. We call these Canonised Saints or just Saints with a capitalised ‘S’.
We believe the Saints in heaven are available to us to intercede on our behalf and so we pray to them (ask them) for their help, just as we ask others here on earth to interceded for us. (Rom 15:30) (see Praying to the Saints in Heaven)
We recognise that their prayers, as holy and righteous ones are powerful and effective. (Jas 5:16)
They are part of the cloud of witnesses who surround us and support us as we run the race (Heb 12:1).
Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers in their generations. The Lord apportioned to them great glory, his majesty from the beginning. There were those who ruled in their kingdoms, and were men renowned for their power, giving counsel by their understanding, and proclaiming prophecies; leaders of the people in their deliberations and in understanding of learning for the people, wise in their words of instruction; those who composed musical tunes, and set forth verses in writing; rich men furnished with resources, living peaceably in their habitations-- all these were honoured in their generations, and were the glory of their times. There are some of them who have left a name, so that men declare their praise. Peoples will declare their wisdom, and the congregation proclaims their praise. (Sir 44:1-8, 15)
It then goes on the give examples and what they did – Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses Aaron, Phinehas, Joshua, David, Solomon etc.
Mary
Mary was chosen and ordained to serve in the mystery of the Incarnation in a unique way. She was set apart and given a special position and privileges. She was given a unique relationship with God even before the Incarnation and a unique role in the salvation of mankind.
She was sovereignly chosen by the Father to bear His only begotten Son. In that role, Mary is the first person in all history to receive and accept Christ as her Saviour (Lk 1:47). We are called to enthrone the Lord in our hearts and lives-to follow her example in doing so. Early in Christian history she is called "the first of the redeemed".
Mary holds her unique position and has a "category of her own" not as a mere Virgin, but as the Virgin-Mother, parthenomitir, as the pre-chosen Mother of the Lord.
Mary was the Mother of God (Theotokos – God bearer), “the mother of my Lord” as Elizabeth put it, and the mother our Lord, who we are told “from now on will all ages call me blessed.”
At the annunciation Mary was told that “the power of the Most High will overshadow you”. The Greek word for overshadow is episkiazein, which is the same word used in ancient Greek translations of the OT to describe the cloud of God overshadowing the tabernacle at Mount Sinai (e.g. Ex 40:35 ). So Gabriel is indicating that Mary will be a new tabernacle, a new vessel of God’s holy presence, a new temple. Her womb is a sacred vessel, made sacred by the overshadowing and the presence of God himself.
Mary is the “Ark of the New Covenant” (Rev 11:19) as seen by John.
Mary is the mother of “those who keep God’s commandments and bear witness to Jesus” (Rev 12:17).
There are four Marian dogmas:
Ever Virgin – Mary remained a virgin, even after bearing Jesus
Mother of God – because she is the mother of Jesus, who is God.
Immaculate Conception – Mary was preserved from the effects of original sin at the moment of her conception.
Assumption – Mary was assumed into heaven, body and soul at the end of her life on earth.
We give reverence to the Saints, and special reverence to Mary as befits her position, but we do not give her the adoration (worship) that is due to God alone.
