Total Consecration

[HisChildForever]

I think this "feeling" I have is more a feeling of worry than uncertainty. I begin to think - what if this Marian thought is really bordering on heresy, and it's not what God (or Mary) wants? Of course, I don't want to think/do something contrary to what God wants. And then, maybe somewhere along the line, Marian teaching got a bit out of hand, carried way further than it was supposed to be carried.

But then I try to reason, well, I fully believe everything the Church teaches, so how could I possibly think the Church has made a mistake with this?

It's not pride, I promise, I'm not at all pleased that I have this concern - I feel a bit foolish though, that I'm putting my nagging concern (thinking that there's something wrong here) over a Church that has exited way longer than myself. (I did order True Devotion off of Amazon about two hours ago, in fact.)

[johnnydigit]

i still struggle with it sometimes, but then i have faith in the Church, faith that i have reasoned this through to the best of my ability and concluded it is in fact good, and hope that in His mercy i am not culpable if i end up being wrong. sometimes i even wonder about Christianity all together, but then i come to my senses, shake it off, and get back on track. in the worst case, just think of Blessed Mother Teresa and how she persevered to the end..

[picchick]

I am not sure if anyone else posted this so I apologize if it has been done.

HisChildForever:


This is how I think of Mary and her role within the Church. She is the Coredemptrix because without her fiat or "Yes" to the Will of God then Jesus could not come into this world. Of course God could use another way but it was His Will that it happened the way it did. Imagine, how would our redemption come about if it were not for her fiat? In the Old Testament way back at the sin of Adam and Eve, God laid out His plan through salvation and Mary was included. Again, I am sure that God could have found another way but this was His Divine Plan: to have His Son born of a woman and entrusted to her care.

There are many paths to Jesus. Mary is the straightest surest path. She was the only human being on earth who bore Jesus and was entrusted with His care. Inside of her, Jesus grew. He grew up under her care. She was the one who saw Him off on His mission. She was there at the cross seeing her Son die. Consider this, if you made dinner and it took you a long time and you prepared everything as perfectly as possible and it was really hard work, wouldn't you want people to enjoy it? Wouldn't you want to share it with everyone? You wouldn't want it to be hidden for only you. You would not want your time to be wasted. The same can be applied to Mary. Mary, in full knowledge of His divinity, saw her Son die a horrible, painful death. She would not want this great act of suffering to go wasted. She wants people to know her Son. She wants them to know what He has done for their salvation. So by trusting ourselves to her, we are lead to Jesus by Mary.

We can trust Mary because we know that God entrusted her with His only Son. If God can trust Mary with His only Son, how much more can we trust her to lead us to His son?

I hope this helps. Again, sorry if I am repeating anyone

Meg

[Deb]

For me, the only thing I look at in anything is what is the Church telling us? As a Catholic, I am obedient to the Church. I believe that Jesus Christ did what he said he would do in sending the Holy Spirit to guide the Church. I do not believe that decisions in the Church were made by a single person or without the guidance or even the request of the Holy Spirit.
If one follows Church teaching and by some bizarre chance something was not at God's request, I really don't see God looking on your actions as sinful or offensive in any way.
Do not be afraid. Have great faith. Love Your Mother. She is calling you to her son and to everlasting salvation.

[picchick]

[quote name='Deb' post='1618034' date='Aug 5 2008, 12:00 PM']For me, the only thing I look at in anything is what is the Church telling us? As a Catholic, I am obedient to the Church. I believe that Jesus Christ did what he said he would do in sending the Holy Spirit to guide the Church. I do not believe that decisions in the Church were made by a single person or without the guidance or even the request of the Holy Spirit.
If one follows Church teaching and by some bizarre chance something was not at God's request, I really don't see God looking on your actions as sinful or offensive in any way.
Do not be afraid. Have great faith. Love Your Mother. She is calling you to her son and to everlasting salvation.[/quote]

For me, I like to know the why and how to what I believe. I know that not everything we believe in has a why or a how. But I think that the journey to answering the why and how brings us deeper and firmer in our faith.

If only my original post was not deleted. It was worded way much better than this one.

Meg

[HisChildForever]

Thanks to Meg and Deb - I'm just going to have to really pray about this and read that book.

[Deb]

[quote name='picchick' post='1618048' date='Aug 5 2008, 12:06 PM']For me, I like to know the why and how to what I believe. I know that not everything we believe in has a why or a how. But I think that the journey to answering the why and how brings us deeper and firmer in our faith.

If only my original post was not deleted. It was worded way much better than this one.

Meg[/quote]

I agree completely. Actually finding the theological basis for Church decisions is fun and enlightening. If only I had time to read a book a day! The Church is so rich with history and Saints and Doctors. I could spend my life in study and still die without really knowing anything. But, until you do, trust the Church. The Church is guided by God.

[picchick]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1618051' date='Aug 5 2008, 12:08 PM']Thanks to Meg and Deb - I'm just going to have to really pray about this and read that book.[/quote]


And I will pray for you as well

[HisChildForever]

[quote name='picchick' post='1618069' date='Aug 5 2008, 12:23 PM']And I will pray for you as well [/quote]

[MissyP89]

HCF, do let me know what you think of the book. I'm very curious.

For me, I think I have to take baby steps. I've asked Mary to help me model myself after her in the way I live my life, particularly in the way I love. I have to know her before I can understand her.

Time.

[mommas_boy]

To MissyP89 and HisChildForever,

Wow. I just have to say that I really admire how open you two are to this. You've really done a good job asking questions and seeking answers. Do it right, and take it slow.

Prayers for you both, and again, if you need more questions answered, post away!

Pax Christi,
Kris

[HisChildForever]

I'll let you know, Missy.

And thanks Kris (I can't say it enough, really). Your patience and your knowledge have been truly wonderful gifts.

[johnnydigit]

[quote name='MissyP89' post='1618559' date='Aug 5 2008, 05:27 PM']HCF, do let me know what you think of the book. I'm very curious.[/quote]

or you can read it online in the links i posted..

[HisChildForever]

[quote name='johnnydigit' post='1618796' date='Aug 5 2008, 11:33 PM']or you can read it online in the links i posted..[/quote]

There's nothing like reading a [good] book. I've tried to read books online but it's just not the same experience.

[Lil Red]

[quote name='HisChildForever' post='1618821' date='Aug 5 2008, 10:06 PM']There's nothing like reading a [good] book. I've tried to read books online but it's just not the same experience.[/quote]
+J.M.J.+
totally agreed!