The Catholic Undertow

Mary Ann Collins, A Former Catholic Nun

Chapter 13

Devotion to Mary

As a faithful Catholic, and later as a nun, I was devoted to Mary. The prayers and practices were so familiar. They were taught to me by sincere people. I prayed the rosary, including rosary novenas. I wore a Brown Scapular and a Miraculous Medal. I visited shrines that honor Mary. I had beautiful statues of Mary. I attended special services where we prayed to Mary and recited a litany of titles honoring her. I read books about apparitions of Mary, and dreamed of visiting Lourdes and Fatima. I participated in processions honoring Mary. A statue of Mary was put on a platform that was decorated with flowers. There were poles on the platform, so that men could carry it. The men walked through the streets, carrying the statue on the platform. We walked behind the statue, singing songs in Mary’s honor.

Was this worship? At the time, that question never occurred to me. Now, looking back on what I did, I believe that it was.

PRIORITIES

How can you tell what a person’s real priorities are? Watch what he or she does when faced with a life-threatening situation.

Pope John Paul II was shot by an assassin on May 13, 1981. While the ambulance was rushing him to the hospital, the Pope did not pray to God or call on the name of Jesus. Instead, he kept saying, over and over: “Mary, my mother!” Polish pilgrims placed a picture of Our Lady of Czestochowa on the throne where the Pope normally sat. People gathered around the picture. Vatican loudspeakers broadcasted the prayers of the rosary. When the Pope recovered, he gave Mary all the glory for saving his life, and he made a pilgrimage to Fatima to publicly thank her.[1]

Another test of a person’s priorities is what he or she does with money. Jesus said: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34)

Some statues of Mary wear real crowns, which are made of gold.[2] Vast sums of money are spent on some special statues of Mary. For example, a cathedral in Saragossa, Spain, has a statue of Mary that wears a crown made of 25 pounds of gold and diamonds, with so many diamonds that you can hardly see the gold. In addition, the statue has six other crowns of gold, diamonds, and emeralds. It has 365 mantles that are embroidered with gold, and decorated with diamonds and other jewels. It has 365 necklaces made of pearls and diamonds, and six chains of gold set with diamonds.[3]

HONORING MARY

In Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, preparations are underway to construct a 305-foot statue of Our Lady of the Rosary. (It will be as large as the Statue of Liberty.) There are also plans for chapels, conference rooms, apartments, a food court, observation decks, and radio and TV stations. The statue will be part of a 500-acre “Mystical City” complex.[4]

It is traditional to have processions in honor of Mary. They range in size from a few dozen people to multitudes. At Fatima, Portugal, crowds of over a million people gather on the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady of Fatima. The celebration includes a procession of a million people, who follow a statue of Mary and sing songs praising her.[5]

One traditional prayer in Mary’s honor is the “Hail Holy Queen,” which is known in Latin as the “Salve Regina.” It is traditionally included as part of praying the rosary. Please read this prayer and ask yourself: “Does this sound like worship?” It says:

“Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping, in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.”

Alfonsus de Liguori (1696-1787) was a principal proponent of the Marianist Movement, which glorifies Mary. He wrote a book called, The Glories of Mary, which is famous, influential, and widely read. In this book, de Liguori says that Mary was given rulership over one half of the kingdom of God. He said that Mary rules over the kingdom of mercy, and Jesus rules over the kingdom of justice. De Liguori said that people should pray to Mary as a mediator, and look to her as an object of trust for answered prayer. The book says that there is no salvation outside of Mary.

Some people suggest that these views are extreme, and not representative of Catholic Church teaching. However, instead of silencing de Liguori as a heretic, the Catholic Church made him a canonized saint. In addition, he is a “doctor of the Church” (a person whose teachings carry weight and authority). Furthermore, his book is openly and officially promoted by the Catholic Church, and his teachings have influenced popes.[6]

Pope Pius IX reigned from 1846 to 1878. He said that our salvation is based upon Mary.[7]

Pope Benedict XV reigned from 1914 to 1922. He said that Mary, with Christ, redeemed mankind.[8]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church says that Mary has a “saving office” and her intercession brings us our salvation. (Catechism, paragraph 969.)

A lay movement called Vox Populi (Voice of the People) gathers signed petitions to send to the Pope, seeking to have him officially declare that Mary is Co-Redemptrix. This doctrine says that Mary and Jesus are Co-Redeemers. Over six million signatures have been sent to him, representing 138 countries and all seven continents. This doctrine is supported by over 40 cardinals and 600 bishops worldwide.[9]

I have seen pictures of crucifixes that show Jesus hanging on one side of the cross, and Mary standing on the other side. She isn’t nailed to it, but visually, she looks as essential to our salvation as Jesus does.

The Catholic Church exalts Mary as an idealized, larger-than-life, perfect mother. However, the Bible shows that, at one point, Mary misunderstood Jesus’ ministry. Mary and Jesus’ brothers tried to make him stop ministering. This is described in Mark 3:20-35. The first two verses say:

“And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.’” (Mark 3:20-21)

According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word that is translated “friends” has a variety of meanings, including “kinsmen.” However, we don’t have to depend on the exact meaning of the word here, because it will be made clear in verse 31.

Strong’s Concordance defines “lay hold on” as “to use strength, i.e. seize or retain.” It defines “beside himself” as “become astounded, insane.” In other words, these people thought that Jesus didn’t know what he was doing. They intended to take charge of the situation.

Verses 22 through 30 describe a confrontation that occurred between Jesus and the scribes. Then we get back to the people who thought that Jesus was “beside himself” and intended to “lay hold on” Him. The Bible says:

“There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him calling him. And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.” (Mark 3:31-35)

COMPARING SCRIPTURE WITH
CATHOLIC DOCTRINES ABOUT MARY

My sources for this section are the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the Bible. The Catechism summarizes the essential and basic teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. It was approved by Pope John Paul II in 1992. It has numbered paragraphs, which makes it easy to find things. It is available online with a search engine. You can search by paragraph numbers or topics. (Information is in the Notes.)[10]

For each doctrinal category, I will indicate the Catholic doctrine, followed by the appropriate references from the Catechism. (I will say “Catechism” followed by the relevant paragraph numbers.) I will follow this with quotations from the Bible that relate to the doctrine.

The last book in the Bible is called the Book of Revelation in Protestant Bibles. It is called the Apocalypse in Catholic Bibles. I will refer to it as Revelation.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Catholic doctrine says that Mary was preserved from all stain of original sin, from the first instant of her conception. (Catechism 491, 492, 508). However, according to the Bible, Mary knew that she needed a savior. The Bible records Mary’s words to her cousin Elizabeth:

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” (Luke 1:46-47, emphasis added)

The doctrine of the Immaculate Conception was first introduced by a heretic (a man whose teachings were officially declared to be contrary to Church doctrine). For centuries, this doctrine was unanimously rejected by popes, Fathers, and theologians of the Catholic Church.[11]

ALL-HOLY

Catholic doctrine says that Mary, “the All-Holy,” lived a perfectly sinless life. (Catechism 411, 493, 508) However, according to Scripture, all people have sinned. The Bible says:

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God...” (Romans 3:23, emphasis added)

“Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy...” (Revelation 15:4, emphasis added)

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one...” (Romans 3:10)

There is only one exception, one sinless person. Jesus Christ is the only human being who was never soiled by sin. The Bible says:

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feelings of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, emphasis added)

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, emphasis added)

“Who did no sin , neither was guile found in his mouth...” (1 Peter 2:22, emphasis added)

The Bible tells us that the parents of John the Baptist were “righteous before God” and that they were “blameless.” (Luke 1:6) If Mary was sinless, wouldn’t the Bible have told us so? It says that she was “highly favoured” and that God was with her. (Luke 1:28) But it does not say that she was sinless.

Mary herself said that she needed a Savior. If God was her Savior, then Mary was not sinless, because sinless people do not need a Savior. The Bible describes it as follows:

“And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” (Luke 1:46-47)

In the Book of Revelation, when they were searching for someone who was worthy to break the seals and open the scroll, the only person who was found to be worthy was Jesus. Nobody else in Heaven or on earth (including Mary) was worthy to open the scroll, or even look inside it. (Revelation 5:1-5)

PERPETUAL VIRGINITY

Catholic doctrine says that Mary was a virgin before, during, and after the birth of Jesus. (Catechism 499, 510) However, the Bible says:

“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.” (Matthew 1:24-25, emphasis added)

“Till” (until) means that, after that point, things changed. Joseph did eventually “know” Mary (have sexual relations with her). (See Genesis 4:1, where Adam “knew” Eve, and she conceived, and had a son.) In addition, “firstborn son” implies that there were additional sons.

Mary and Joseph had at least six children. The Bible names four brothers of Jesus. It also says that he had sisters. The Bible says:

“And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are they not all with us?” (Matthew 13:54-56; also see Mark 6:2-3)

When I was a Catholic, I was taught that the word for “brothers” in this passage was a general term that could refer to any kind of kinsman, including cousins. I was taught that Mary was not the mother of these “brothers,” and therefore these “brothers” did not interfere with her virginity.

The Hebrew language has a general term that can mean brothers, cousins, or other kinsmen. However, the New Testament was not written in Hebrew. It was written in Greek. The Greek language is very precise. It makes it quite clear whether or not people have the same parents.

According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word used here for the “brothers” of Jesus is adelphos. It means, “from the same womb.” These are men who have the same mother. Adelphos is also used to describe the brothers of Jesus in Matthew 12:46; John 2:12; John 7:3; and Acts 1:14. Adelphos is used to describe “James the Lord’s brother” in Galatians 1:19. Adelphos is also used to describe the brothers Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18), and the brothers James and John (Matthew 4:21). Adelphe (the feminine form of adelphos) is used to describe Jesus’ sisters (Matthew 13:56)

The Greek language has another word that is used for relatives who don’t come from the same womb. The word suggenes is used to describe Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth (Luke 1:36). Suggenes means, “a blood relative.”

Some people who were raised Catholic may wonder why I am talking about Greek and Hebrew words, because they remember hearing the Bible read in Latin during Mass. The Old Testament was written by Israelites who spoke Hebrew and Aramaic. It was written primarily in Hebrew, with some Aramaic. (Jews in modern Israel still speak Hebrew.) The New Testament was written in Greek. This was the common language of the people who lived in the eastern area of the Mediterranean Sea. Greek had been widely spoken since the reign of Alexander the Great. In the fifth century, Saint Jerome translated the Bible into Latin. Until the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), the Bible was read in Latin during Mass.

Greek is a very precise language. The Greek words used for “brothers” and “sisters” in Matthew 13:54-56 make it clear that Mary was their mother. So why does the Catholic Church insist that she wasn’t?

Perhaps it is because of Saint Augustine. His essay, On Marriage and Concupiscence, influenced the Catholic Church for 1,500 years. Augustine said that if couples have intercourse in order to have children, without wanting to gratify their sexual desires, that is good. If they want to have children, but they also want to gratify their sexual desires, then that is a forgiveable sin that is allowable within marriage. If they want to gratify their sexual desires, and they don’t want to have children, then what they are doing is as bad as adultery or prostitution.[12]

Since the marriage bed was thought to be sinful, it is not surprising that Catholic theologians did not want to think of Mary as being a normal wife.

MOTHER OF GOD

Catholic doctrine says that, because she is the mother of Jesus, and Jesus is God, Mary is therefore the Mother of God. (Catechism 963, 971, 2677). However, this is opposed to Scripture. The Incarnation means that Jesus was both fully God and fully man. Mary was only the mother of Jesus as man. She was not the mother of Jesus as God.

According to the Bible, the world was created through Jesus. This was long before Mary was born. Scripture says:

“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds...” (Hebrews 1:1-2, emphasis added)

“For by him [Jesus] were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16-17, emphasis added)

Jesus existed before the world began. He created everything (including Mary). Jesus came first--not Mary. Jesus said:

“And now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” (John 17:5, emphasis added)

MOTHER OF THE CHURCH

According to Catholic doctrine, Mary is the Mother of the Church. (Catechism 963, 975). However, this is not seen in the Bible. The Book of Acts gives a picture of a group of people praying together. Mary is mentioned as one of them, but nothing indicates any special prominence. The Bible says:

“And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Phillip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” (Acts 1:13-14)

Mary was probably in the Upper Room when the tongues of fire fell upon the 120 disciples. However, she is never mentioned again in the Book of Acts, which is our only historical record of how the Church was born. She is also not specifically identified in the epistles. Paul did send greetings to “Mary,” but that was a common name. The Gospels and the Book of Acts refer to “Mary the mother of Jesus,” in order to distinguish her from other women named Mary.

It is notable that John, who took Mary into his home after Jesus was crucified, did not mention her in his epistles. He only mentioned her twice in his Gospel (the wedding at Cana and the crucifixion of Jesus). John mentioned Mary Magdalene more often than he mentioned Jesus’ mother.

ASSUMPTION

Catholic doctrine says that, at the end of her life, Mary was taken up (“assumed”), body and soul, into Heaven. (Catechism 966, 974) However, there is no biblical reference to the assumption of Mary. The Gospel of John is generally believed to have been written around 90 years after Jesus was born. If Mary had been supernaturally assumed into Heaven, wouldn’t John (the disciple that Mary lived with) have mentioned it? When Enoch and Elijah were taken up to Heaven, the Bible recorded it. With Elijah, it was recorded in some detail. (See Genesis 5:24 and 2 Kings 2:1-12.)

The Assumption of Mary was officially declared to be a dogma of the Roman Catholic faith in 1950. This means that every Roman Catholic is required to believe this doctrine without questioning it. However, as we will see, the teaching of the Assumption originated with heretical writings that were officially condemned by the early Church.

In 495 A.D., Pope Gelasius declared that men who taught that Mary was assumed into Heaven were heretics. In the sixth century, Pope Hormisdas also condemned men as heretics for teaching it. “Infallible” popes declared the doctrine of the Assumption of Mary to be a heresy. Then, in 1950, Pope Pius XII (another “infallible” Pope) declared it to be official Roman Catholic doctrine.[13]

MEDIATRIX

Catholic doctrine says that people should invoke Mary as Advocate and Mediatrix, and her prayers contribute to our salvation. (Catechism 969). It says that we can trust Mary to take care of our concerns and our petitions. (Catechism 2677) However, according to the Bible, Jesus Christ is the only mediator between God and mankind. Scripture says:

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus: Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6, emphasis added)

“Wherefore he [Jesus] is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)

“In whom [Jesus] we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” (Ephesians 3:12)

If Jesus is constantly interceding for us, and He is able to save us “to the uttermost” (utterly, completely), then He doesn’t need Mary’s help. If we can approach God with “boldness” and “confidence,” because of our faith in Jesus, then we don't need Mary’s help, either.

QUEEN OF HEAVEN

Catholic doctrine says that God has exalted Mary in heavenly glory as Queen of Heaven and earth, and she should be praised with special devotion. (Catechism 966, 971, 2675) However, in the Bible, “Queen of Heaven” is the title of a pagan goddess. God was angry with His people for worshiping her, and He brought judgment on them because of it. (Jeremiah 7:17-20; Jeremiah 44:17-28) The Bible makes it quite clear that only God’s name (not Mary’s) is to be exalted. It says:

“Let them praise the name of the LORD: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven.” (Psalm 148:13, emphasis added)

When people tried to give Mary special honor and pre-eminence, because she was His mother, Jesus corrected them. The Bible describes this incident, saying:

“And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:27-28)

Jesus is saying that we should not give special honor to His mother. What matters is that we hear and obey the Word of God. We need to concentrate on that. Jesus’ response clearly shows that He did not want people to be distracted by giving undue honor or attention to Mary.

In chapters four and five of the Book of Revelation, we are given a quite detailed picture of Heaven. God is seated on the throne, surrounded by 24 elders and four living creatures. The Lamb (Jesus) is standing in the center of the throne. Thousands upon thousands of angels circle the throne, singing God's praises. And Mary is not in the picture at all. If she is the Queen of Heaven, then why is she not mentioned?

HOW DID WE GET HERE?

How did modern Catholic doctrine about Mary wander so far away from what the Bible says? Two reasons are: (1) the importance given to Catholic tradition; and (2) the doctrine of papal infallibility.

The Catholic Church officially states that Catholic tradition is equal in authority to the Bible. (Catechism 80, 84, 97) This tradition is based on the religious practices and beliefs of the Catholic people. (Catechism 78, 113, 2650, 2661) Therefore, it is constantly subject to change. It is also subject to unchristian cultural influences. Because tradition is difficult to define, Catholic theologians can make it appear to mean whatever suits their purposes at any given moment.

The Early Fathers used Scripture as the standard against which they tested Catholic tradition. The modern Catholic doctrine that Catholic tradition is equal in authority with the Bible is contrary to the writings of the Early Fathers.[14]

According to Jesus, Scripture is the plumb line for measuring everything else. He judged religious traditions by comparing them to Scripture. When religious traditions contradicted Scripture, he condemned them. The Bible says:

“Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” (Mark 7:5-13, emphasis added)

This shows clearly that nothing is equal in authority to Scripture. The Bible stands alone as the standard by which all other things are to be judged.

According to the official teaching of the Catholic Church, Catholic men and women are not allowed to believe what they read in the Bible without checking it out with the Catholic Church. They are required to find out how the Catholic bishops interpret a passage, and they are required to accept what the bishops teach, as if it came from Jesus Christ Himself. They are not allowed to use their own judgment, or to follow their own conscience. They are required to believe whatever the bishops tell them, without questioning it. (Catechism 85, 87, 100, 862, 891, 2034, 2037)

The Catholic Church teaches that the Pope is infallible whenever he makes an official decree on matters of faith and morals. According to Catholic doctrine, it is impossible for the Pope to teach false doctrine. Catholics are expected to obey the Pope without question, even when he is not making an “infallible” statement about doctrine. They are expected to submit their wills and minds to the Pope without question. (Catechism 87, 892, 2037, 2051)

APPARITIONS OF “MARY”

Something has been appearing to people. It claims to be the Virgin Mary. Often only one person, or a few people, can see it. In some places, many people can see it. These apparitions are sometimes accompanied by supernatural manifestations, such as physical healings.

Some apparitions (such as the ones in Lourdes and Fatima) have been officially approved by the Catholic Church. Official approval means that Catholic Church hierarchy has decided that an apparition is a valid supernatural event, the thing that is appearing is the Virgin Mary, and nothing that the apparition has said or done is contrary to Catholic doctrine.

If these really are supernatural events, how do we know that they don’t come from the devil? The Bible warns us that the devil can appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14) and he can cause deceptive supernatural events (2 Thessalonians 2:9).

Millions of Catholics make pilgrimages to places where “Mary” has appeared. Pope John Paul II has encouraged this, by visiting many apparition sites himself. He has a special devotion to Our Lady of Fatima (an apparition that appeared in Fatima, Portugal).

When Pope John Paul II was shot, he prayed to Mary, instead of praying to God. He believed that Mary saved his life. The Pope made a pilgrimage to Fatima to thank her, and to consecrate the entire human race to her.[15] The video, Catholicism: Crisis of Faith, shows the Pope bowing down before a statue of Mary and kissing its feet.[16]

Millions of pilgrims go to shrines that honor apparitions of Mary. Every year, fifteen to twenty million pilgrims go to Guadalupe in Mexico, five and a half million go to Lourdes in France, five million go to Czestochowa (Jasna Gora) in Poland, and four and a half million go to Fatima in Portugal. Special dates draw huge crowds. On August 15, half a million pilgrims go to Czestochowa. On October 13, a million people go to Fatima. On December 12, 1999, five million pilgrims went to Mexico, to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe.[17]

Are these pilgrims worshiping Mary? You can observe them and come to your own conclusions, thanks to the video, Messages from Heaven.[18] (You can watch it online.)[19]

If you watch the video, you will see the Pope bow in front of a painting of Mary and cover the area with incense. You will see a million pilgrims walking in a procession, following a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, and singing songs in Mary’s honor. You will see several million people in a procession following a painting of Our Lady of Guadalupe. You will see the largest assembly of bishops and cardinals since the Second Vatican Council, gathered together to join Pope John Paul II in solemnly consecrating the entire world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

CONCLUSION

Our minds can be deceived, and so can the minds of bishops and popes. Only the Bible is totally trustworthy. The Bible warns us:

“Beware lest any man spoil [ruin] you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” (Proverbs 14:12; also see Proverbs 16:25)

When religious traditions conflict with the plain meaning of Scripture, then we need to discard those traditions. We cannot afford to do otherwise, because our eternal destiny is at stake.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

The Bible tells of occasions when men fell at the feet of angels or apostles to worship them. In every case, the angel or apostle was deeply distressed. He insisted that only God is to be worshiped. I believe that Mary would feel the same way about having people exalt her and pray to her.

When I engaged in Mary worship, I was sincere and well meaning. I acted in ignorance, not realizing that it was really a form of idolatry. God understands. He loves us. But we still need to repent and ask God to get these things out of our heart.