Catholicism Exposed — Mary Worship and Catholicism Revealed

Catholicism Exposed — Mary Worship and Catholicism Revealed 

Dear Catholics and those interested in Catholicism, I am an evangelical protestant and a follower of Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. I write this article in the hope that you will take time to think about what I'm bringing forth to your minds and hearts. We have all been told and taught doctrines which may or may not be found in the Bible, God's Holy Word. But, the Bible is the solid rock on which we stand, as Christians. Jesus said that anyone who builds his house on the sand will see it fall, but the one who builds his house on the solid rock will see it stand (Matthew 7). 

I pray that you consider what I present to you, and that you seek God about it. See what the Bible has to say about this information I present (Acts 17:11).  (Acts 17:11 (bold added). "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.")

Please don't close your minds off to this information, but consider it and see what the Holy scripture has to say about all doctrines and the beliefs of man. 

We now look at a statement about Mary posted on a Catholic website.

St. Mary's Catholic Campus Ministry website (sfacatholic.net) wrote:

"That Mary was but a creature and “all have sinned…” (Rom 3:23). Answer: This passage could refer to actual sin and be a general statement for the mass of mankind or it could refer to all being under original sin. A special action of god [sic] was then necessary to preserve Mary from it." [1] 

Catholics have been taught that Mary is to be honored and venerated above all women. Shrines have been built for Mary, and her image occupies the focal point of many Catholic services. Every year, millions of devout Catholics travel many miles to visit shrines of Mary, who they say is the "Mother of God." They will kiss the statue and pray in the direction of the statue of Mary and other statues of saints.

Every day Catholics say prayers to a person they consider to be their spiritual "mother." But, Mary is dead and is with God the Father and Jesus Christ in Heaven, and with all those who have left this earth to be with the Lord. Mary is not requiring your prayers to her. She is not asking for your veneration or adoration.

When Jesus Christ went to a marriage in Cana of Galilee, Mary asked Jesus if He would do a miracle for her (she mentioned that they had no wine), because she knew He could do miracles.

John 2:1-4
1 And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:
2 And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.
3 And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.
4 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

• {1.} The Greek word for woman is guné, which also means lady. Why did Jesus Christ Himself not refer to Mary as His mother?

Returning to the statement of St. Mary's Catholic Campus Ministry: "A special action of god [sic] was then necessary to preserve Mary from it [original sin] [1]." Is there any scripture in God's Holy Bible that says Mary was "preserved" from sin, and born without sin?

Jesus Christ's Humanness: His Emotional and Physical Suffering

Jesus Christ being both God and man (at the same time) suffered from the results of man's sin, such as getting exhausted enough to sleep in a boat while it was in a storm on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 8:24-25). His body suffered hunger (Matthew 4:2) and Satan tried to get Him to turn a stone into a loaf of bread, which Jesus Christ did not do. While Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane, He spoke to God the Father and requested: "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:42-44).

Jesus Christ did not sin, because He is the Only Begotten Son of God (John 3:16), and is Holy. He and God the Father are one God. In John 10:30, Jesus said: "I and my Father are one." But, Jesus Christ's earthy body was not incapable of feeling the results of mankind's sin (Hebrews 4:15-16) [2]. He was affected by the limitations of a human body and by human feelings, such as partially wanting to delay going to the cross. But, He chose His Father's will over His own will.

• {2.1.} If Jesus suffered from temptations (but never sinned because He is God and chose His Father's will over His own) how could Mary, a human created by Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13-17), be unable to sin?

• {2.2.} Romans 3:23 says: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Where in that verse, or anywhere else, does God's Word (The Bible) say that Mary is exempt?

Some Questions We Must Look At

• {2.3.} If Jesus, who is God the Son, suffered from the natural consequences of Adam's sin (even though Jesus never sinned), why should Mary be exempt from being affected by the consequences of sin? Why should Mary be considered "sinless?"

• {3.1.} Also, we need to ask an important question: "How did Mary remain a virgin, being married to Joseph?"

• When Jesus Christ visited Nazareth to teach in a synagogue, the townspeople said:

[Mark 6:3] "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him."

Matthew 13:55-56

55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

56 And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?

• {3.2.} The residents of Nazareth knew Joseph and Mary, and knew that they had children. Therefore, how could Mary truly be an eternal virgin?

• {4.1.} Another question to bring forth: "Why did Jesus Christ Himself never refer to Mary as His mother when addressing her?"

 John 19:26-27

"26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."

John 2:44. "Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come."

When Jesus was with a multitude of people and His disciples, someone told Jesus: 

Luke 8:20-21 (underlining added)

20 And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee.
21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.

• {4.2.} Notice how Jesus never called Mary His mother? What did Jesus say about this subject? He said: "My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it."

In other words, Jesus Christ's family consists of anyone who hears God's Word, and obeys it. Jesus reiterates this point in John 14:21. Jesus said: "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

• {5.} If Jesus Christ is calling us His family if we hear His Word, and obey it, how do we obey God's Word and commandments?

How do you obey this commandment: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."?

Matthew 22:37-40 (underline added)

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

There is only one way to obey this commandment. Romans 10:9-10 is the answer.

Romans 10:9-10
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Ephesians 2 brings forth more truth.

Ephesians 2:3-5 (underline added)

"3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"

See what Ephesians 2:8-9 says. Consider Galatians 5:1 and 4.

Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Galatians 5:1. "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

Galatians 5:4. "Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."

If you are seeking to know Jesus Christ personally and be saved from sin by God's love, mercy, and grace, and by the blood of Jesus, I encourage you to read this. God desires to have fellowship with you, as you make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior.

________________________

References:

[1] "Do we adore or worship Mary? What about her special privileges?" (St. Mary's Catholic Campus Ministry.) sfacatholic.net. <https://sfacatholic.net/mary-mother-of-god>

[2] Hebrews 4:15-16. (Jesus was "... touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.")

Hebrews 4:15-16.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.