"I often wonder how Jesus' mother forgave all the people she saw torture her Son. She is a beautiful example, I am sure."


She saw him risen from the grave, and decend into glory. Lets not give her to much credit

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Originally Posted by JayD "I often wonder how Jesus' mother forgave all the people she saw torture her Son. She is a beautiful example, I am sure."

Before she saw him resurrected, she saw him crucified, JayD. Even if she had the faith to believe for the victorious outcome of the glad Sunday morning...she witnessed the torture and subsequent death of her son before she saw him raised from the dead.

Don't be too worried as a Protestant JayD, that you might be giving Mary too much credit by recognizing her supreme example of a faith-filled and gracious woman. Aren't children to rise up and call their mothers blessed?

Well then you can just believe that Jesus does rise up and call his mother blessed. And believing to be the "bride of Christ", then it seems to me that it is fitting for all of us to rise up and call her blessed too, whether being in the Roman Church or a Protestant offshoot.

Do you get that too?

OD

I get concerned for people when it seems they hold Mary Higher than she was, or even equal to Jesus himself. The Catholics striaght pray to her, which goes directly against Christs teachings. To me, Mary was a great women, and privilegde as being the women who birthed our God. But she is a sinner just like you and me, and was in need of salvation just like you and me.

At the begining of his ministry Jesus was in his home town preaching. Mary was ashamed of it, and called on his brother to go get him. So his brother say's to him, your mother, and brothers wait for you outside the temple, go to them. And Jesus said to him, "who is my mother? and who are my brother's? Verily I say to you, he who believes in my word, they are my mother, and they are my brothers" Not to say that Jesus rejected her, but clearly you can see she wasnt much different from you or I, in the sight of God.

JayD voices this:

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I get concerned for people when it seems they hold Mary Higher than she was

And me, I guess I think far too many, afraid of lifting her "too high" lose out on extolling her wonderful virtues as much as Her Son would wish.

You see, for me JayD, a very traumatic thing happened to a child of mine. And afterward, months later, though I am not Catholic, I found a good place to go and get away from the rush of life and the buzzing thoughts that could overwhelm, was to a monastery grounds not far from where I live.

There and going up a hill, were the Stations of the Cross. I made the climb, looking at the many depictions of the Life of Christ, and when I got to the one that showed Mary holding the body of Jesus her Son after he had died, I was riveted with all the images I had ever seen in religious art, in movies, and definitely in The Bible of the arrest, trials and crucifixion of Jesus. I thought about it through the eyes of his mother. And I could nearly believe to hear Jesus speak special words of honor to his mother from the cross. "John behold your mom" and "Mom behold your son"...

I was in awe of what must have been her grace to forgive those who had injured her son. Had violated him. And as I looked at this one particular station of the cross and considered her very human nature and all the heartstrings of motherhood, I knew I too would find forgiveness possibleonly cos it was prophesied of Old, "Unto US a child is born." She who knew him born of her, witnessed his suffering firsthand.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is to me the highest example of motherhood I can think of. I love her and thank God for her.

OD

Im terribly sorry and saddend by the loss of your child. I pray everyday that he not put me through the same test.(or worse) I think its wonderfull that you were able to find comfort in the story of Christs death, and Marys heart for him. Thats what the word is there for, to find comfort, to find peace beyond understanding. So what I was talking about I dont think really aplies to you. Theres nothing wrong with thanking God for Mary. Its when one starts to thank Mary for God, is when they get into dangerous waters.

I dont know if you were telling me that you accualy lost this child. But know, (and I believe this with every inch of my being) That on that day, you to like Mary, will see there child whole, and received into Glory. But im sure you already know that

Thanks JayD. No, all my children are living.

But with the need for more healing after being raped.

(and I anticipate you care and will pray, and I am most grateful for anyone who will remember us in your hearts, but now, cos I need to not define my day by thinking about this too much, it is on to other topics for me)

OD