For Some Reason, I Drew a Blank...

[Ziggamafu]

"Why do [many Catholics] put more emphasis on Mary [visually and devotionally] than they do on Jesus?"

I know Marian apologetics; I can explain and defend all her dogmas. But this is a question about practical application. I stammered something like, "Well, we can't possibly praise Mary too much since God is infinite and she's just a creature; no matter what good things we say about Mary [in art, prayer, decoration, etc.], we can't possibly eclipse God because he is worthy of infinite praise."

...I should have said something about the whole "praise the art, praise the Artist" thing...but it still seemed cheap. Since the Artist himself is worthy of infinite praise (and became, himself, part of his own art in the Incarnation) her question still makes more sense than my answer...

A little help?

[tojo]

[quote name='Ziggamafu' date='Oct 27 2005, 09:51 AM']"Why do [many Catholics] put more emphasis on Mary [visually and devotionally] than they do on Jesus?"

I know Marian apologetics; I can explain and defend all her dogmas. But this is a question about practical application. I stammered something like, "Well, we can't possibly praise Mary too much since God is infinite and she's just a creature; no matter what good things we say about Mary [in art, prayer, decoration, etc.], we can't possibly eclipse God because he is worthy of infinite praise."

...I should have said something about the whole "praise the art, praise the Artist" thing...but it still seemed cheap. Since the Artist himself is worthy of infinite praise (and became, himself, part of his own art in the Incarnation) her question still makes more sense than my answer...

A little help?
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Because they find it to be such a blessing to them?

[cmotherofpirl]

[quote name='Ziggamafu' date='Oct 27 2005, 09:51 AM']"Why do [many Catholics] put more emphasis on Mary [visually and devotionally] than they do on Jesus?"

I know Marian apologetics; I can explain and defend all her dogmas. But this is a question about practical application. I stammered something like, "Well, we can't possibly praise Mary too much since God is infinite and she's just a creature; no matter what good things we say about Mary [in art, prayer, decoration, etc.], we can't possibly eclipse God because he is worthy of infinite praise."

...I should have said something about the whole "praise the art, praise the Artist" thing...but it still seemed cheap. Since the Artist himself is worthy of infinite praise (and became, himself, part of his own art in the Incarnation) her question still makes more sense than my answer...

A little help?
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Mary is the first disciple and best example we have of how humans can love God.

[phatcatholic]

who says we do depict her more in art than we do Jesus? it could be that your mom just notices marian art more b/c she is so scandalized by it. the statement implied in her question is practically impossible to prove.

[Ziggamafu]

Well, for instance, I recently hung out with her and managed to take her to a Catholic bookstore -- she actually liked it and says she'll go back! But only for the stuff that doesn't ring in her mind as "blantently 'Catholic'". Anyway, the store had Mary stuff everywhere and the Jesus stuff was small and few in number in comparison. That's what prompted her to ask the question (in frustration). It's a milestone that she's able to go to a RC bookstore though (it's in a PARISH, no less!!)

[tojo]

[quote name='Ziggamafu' date='Oct 27 2005, 12:13 PM']Well, for instance, I recently hung out with her and managed to take her to a Catholic bookstore -- she actually liked it and says she'll go back! But only for the stuff that doesn't ring in her mind as "blantently 'Catholic'". Anyway, the store had Mary stuff everywhere and the Jesus stuff was small and few in number in comparison. That's what prompted her to ask the question (in frustration). It's a milestone that she's able to go to a RC bookstore though (it's in a PARISH, no less!!)
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Maybe that store had more Mary stuff because you can't really get it any where else. You can got lots of Jesus stuff all over.

[Proud2BCatholic139]

I am very passionate when I talk about Our Blessed Mother.
She is one a very important person in my life, and without her and her Son, Jesus, I would be nothing.
So when non-Catholics bash Our Blessed Mother, I am quick to defend, no matter how or what they think of me.

Edited October 27, 2005 by Proud2BCatholic139

[StColette]

She's right that Mary is a creature and that of course God deserve ultimate praise. But let's think about this. God poured so many graces into Mary, compared to any other creature He ever created. God created Mary to carry His Son within her womb and raise, teach, and care for Him. Mary believed before any other person that the Son of God was going to be born. She gave herself over completely, no matter the danger, to follow the Will of God. No other person was ever closer to God then Mary. Moses carried the 10 Commandments on stone tablets, but Mary carried the author of the 10 Commandments in her womb.

We praise God each day for everything that He created that includes people as well. By honoring Mary we are honoring God for His creation of her. The Immaculate Virgin Mary, who was created to carry the Son of God in her womb and to raise Him, to suffer with Him as He lay dying on the Cross, and to be given the duty to be Mother to every Child of God.

There's nothing in Mary's nature that does not deserve honoring. Each time we honor Mary, we honor God for His beautiful creation. Each time we honor her, we thank God for giving us such a loving mother to help guide us to His Son. No prayers from Intercession ever pass by God. They are brought directly to Him, so He's never igorned.