The scary thing about Protestantism in general is that the women of the Bible are downplayed, and many times barely mentioned. Mary, I think, is relegated to the nativity and sort of just a supporting character because Protestants don't want to seem like they are venerating her like the Catholics do. Many times the Christmas story is given a disclaimer about Mary so Protestant congregants know that she ought not to be thought of as more than an obedient, brave, young lady who bore Jesus.
I never thought much about Mary because of this. I was afraid that if I thought too much of her it was too "Catholic-looking" and thus wrong.
At the start of this school year I was in Goodwill and I found a Madonna music box, a little statuette of Mary and infant Jesus that played Ave Maria. I bought it and declared a name for my homeschool. I named it Academy of the Madonna with the tag line "Mother and Son, Learning as One." That's where my thoughts towards Mary began. (I should add that I felt a little guilty buying the music box because I was taught that it is wrong to have any sort of Madonna because it venerates Mary, and that Ave Maria is wrong to sing.)
Over the course of the school year, I heard little bits more about Mary and her role and purpose and veneration in the Catholic Church. I decided that perhaps it isn't at all wrong to consider Mary.
Then, on facebook, I saw the above statue. It really touched me in my spirit. Being a mother of sons who are quickly outgrowing my arms and lap, I felt I could relate to Mary. Suddenly, I realized that we had things in common, Mary and I, as mothers. Mothers who love God, and mothers who love our son(s), and mothers who can only give our sons up to God for His purpose, no matter how hurting it is. I want to know Mary. She is a friend, a kindred spirit.
Did she think of us when she had Jesus? Did she think of us when she watched Him fulfill His sacrificial purpose? Did she think of us when He rose again and later ascended to Heaven? Does she know us now? I suppose the only way to know is to ask.
Protestants don't ask. They believe she is in Heaven, but Heaven is closed off from us. The dead cannot know or access or hear us from Heaven. Or, they believe to pray to her is a sin akin to summoning the dead as witchcraft or necromancy.
How hurtful our Christian division is.
What is the Truth?
I never thought much about Mary because of this. I was afraid that if I thought too much of her it was too "Catholic-looking" and thus wrong.
At the start of this school year I was in Goodwill and I found a Madonna music box, a little statuette of Mary and infant Jesus that played Ave Maria. I bought it and declared a name for my homeschool. I named it Academy of the Madonna with the tag line "Mother and Son, Learning as One." That's where my thoughts towards Mary began. (I should add that I felt a little guilty buying the music box because I was taught that it is wrong to have any sort of Madonna because it venerates Mary, and that Ave Maria is wrong to sing.)
Over the course of the school year, I heard little bits more about Mary and her role and purpose and veneration in the Catholic Church. I decided that perhaps it isn't at all wrong to consider Mary.
Then, on facebook, I saw the above statue. It really touched me in my spirit. Being a mother of sons who are quickly outgrowing my arms and lap, I felt I could relate to Mary. Suddenly, I realized that we had things in common, Mary and I, as mothers. Mothers who love God, and mothers who love our son(s), and mothers who can only give our sons up to God for His purpose, no matter how hurting it is. I want to know Mary. She is a friend, a kindred spirit.
Did she think of us when she had Jesus? Did she think of us when she watched Him fulfill His sacrificial purpose? Did she think of us when He rose again and later ascended to Heaven? Does she know us now? I suppose the only way to know is to ask.
Protestants don't ask. They believe she is in Heaven, but Heaven is closed off from us. The dead cannot know or access or hear us from Heaven. Or, they believe to pray to her is a sin akin to summoning the dead as witchcraft or necromancy.
How hurtful our Christian division is.
What is the Truth?
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