Responding to the Accusation of Mary-Worship

Probably one of the most common questions one hears on Catholic radio goes something like this:

"One thing I don't understand about the Catholic religion is why ya'll worship Mary.  Doesn't God say you'll worship Him and Him alone?"

This is probably one of the most common accusations which Catholics have to deal with when talking to their non-Catholic friends and acquaintances.  Today I want to look at a couple strategies I use for navigating these exchanges.

The Swiss Army Verses: The Rending of the Temple Veil

Today I wanted to begin a two-part series on a couple of New Testament passages which frequently appear in discussions between Catholics and non-Catholics.

These are verses which appear significant, but their implications are not explained in Scripture.  They are seized upon by preachers who say they know the real meaning of the text.  And frequently those interpretations are given in the context of protests against distinctive Catholic beliefs.

I call them .... the "Swiss Army Verses".

The Communion of Saints and the Tapestry of Christian Faith

Back in the 400’s there was a heresy known as Nestorianism.  It proposed that Jesus was not really God incarnate, but was rather a normal man whom God had kinda-sorta possessed.  The Council of Ephesus condemned this idea.  The people of Ephesus – who had always been offended by the heresy - held a torchlit parade to celebrate the council’s decision. 

This is sometimes held out as an example of the “Sensus Fidelium” – or the “Sense of the Faithful”.  It refers to a particular way in which the Holy Spirit guides the Church.  Namely, the people of God are drawn like homing pigeons to the true expression of the faith.  Christians will, in a way, sense the tapestry of the faith and know when something is out of place.

Today I want to point out something which I regard as an instance of Sensus Fidelium.  Namely, the intuitive, magnetic draw which Christians have to the Communion of Saints.  While this is often regarded as a peculiarly Catholic idea, I think it is actually the natural conclusion of Christian thought. 

Answering the Five Objections to the Communion of Saints

It's the month of October.  And in the run-up to Halloween I wanted to cover some different aspects of what is called "the Communion of Saints".  Last time I talked about praying for the deceased.

Today I wanted to discuss a practice which is common to Catholics and Eastern Orthodox, but is rejected by certain other Christians.  I'm referring, of course, to asking for the prayerful intercession of our blessed friends in Heaven.

All Christians agree we are supposed to pray for one another and ask for one another's prayers.  This builds up the community in mutual affection and can bring about powerful results.

In Catholic and Orthodox circles, we believe this role of intercessory prayer continues even after a person goes to be with God in Heaven.  We believe these people, whom we call "the Saints", can receive our prayer requests  - and indeed do pray for us in the presence of God.

There are five boilerplate objections to this practice. Let’s go through them:

Praying for the Dead?

A long while ago I was reading an article about the death of Harold Camping - the infamous predictor of the end times.  I left a comment on the article saying: "He was a strange and confused man, but we should pray that he finds rest with the Lord."

The reaction I got from the rest of the Christian audience was  .... unexpected.

Praying for the dead is a completely normal thing within Catholic circles, but is considered by many others to be bizarre and possibly heretical.  So what unfolded in that combox was a long, somewhat exasperating exchange in which I tried to explain the concept.

Why would one pray for the dead?

Short Answers: Repetitive Prayers and the Intercession of Saints

Dear Apologist, I was told that Jesus doesn’t want us to pray repetitious prayers like the Rosary. Is that true?

Do Our Ancestors Watch Over Us?

When someone dies, are they simply lost to us?  Are they absorbed into the Heavenly choir, never to think of us again?  Do they sink into a suspended animation, aware of nothing at all? 

Even for Christians who believe in the promise of eternal life, death can still have a cruel sting for those left behind on earth.  Our loved ones go on to a better place, but we are left with silence.