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Zade's avatar

Mary and Jesus were innocent, and that's what makes her suffering as heartbreaking as His. I have a son in Catholic seminary now and I sometimes worry about the treatment he will receive as our country goes off the pagan, materialist deep end. I thank God that Mary is there to show me what motherhood can survive.

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Carolyn's avatar

Very grateful for your series Dr. Kheriaty. Many Blessings

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Nora Urrea's avatar

Without Mary there would be no Jesus. She plays a critical role in our salvation. So sorry you don't understand how her humanity is a shining example of what we are called to be as christians. She doesn't make us turn our gaze away from her Son. On the contrary, she proclaims "do whatever he tells you!"

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Christopher Rake, MD, MPH's avatar

“Without Mary there would be no Jesus”

Not even remotely true.

Yet Another pagan inversion.

The Truth: without Jesus, there would be no Mary.

He is the Creator of ALL things (John 1:3, Colossians 1:16). Including people.

And the unchanging, eternal God (John 8:58, Heb 13:8, Rev 1:8)

Thus, Jesus is Mary’s Creator.

Jesus could have chosen anybody to be His human mother.

That is His divine right, as God.

Please, heed the Scriptures and worship only God (Luke 4:8, Rev 19:10). Don’t be found to be an idolater, an adulterer at heart, bowing & praying to statues made by human hands, like the ancient Israelites who were destroyed for going after false (pagan) gods.

Jesus loves you.

Jesus died for you.

To Jesus alone belongs the honor, worship, and glory.

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Mary Cay Andrikidis's avatar

This makes her suffering so real !!!

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VictorDianne Watson's avatar

Bless this woman who sacrificed so much for her faith. I’ve been watching The Chosen that is bringing the life of Jesus to life. Very moving!

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Christopher Rake, MD, MPH's avatar

This is the problem with worship of Mary: you focus all your attention on the wrong things … on somebody RELATED to the person suffering and not on the suffering person HIMSELF.

I’m curious as to how you can turn your gaze away from Jesus, the One carrying the cross (YOUR cross) and lend it instead to his mother. He’s right there in the background of your picture of Mary! And yet you overlook Him.

In fact, this picture is a demonic inversion of what it should be. That Jesus is in the background and Mary in the foreground is the purest sign of pagan idolatry there is. Mary should be in the background (and, at the crucifixion she should be in the WAY WAY BACK background). Instead, you invert the picture.

I am not motivated by how Mary stood by and watched Jesus suffer. It’s not interesting. To the contrary, I am wonderfully motivated by the fact that my God loves me so much that He essentially blasphemes His own Name by stepping into frail, fallen, sinful human flesh. I am motivated by the depth of His love that would drive him to suffer such cruel, physical pain for me.

It was JESUS Who was beaten for my sins. Not Mary

It was JESUS Who was mocked, punched, and had clumps of His beard torn out for me. Not Mary.

It was JESUS Who created me (John 1:3, Col 1:16). Not Mary.

It was JESUS Who carried my cross. Not Mary.

It was JESUS Who loved me from time immemorial. Not Mary.

It is JESUS Who calls me to new life (John 5:25). Not Mary.

It is Jesus Who wants such an intimate love with me that He calls me His Bride (John 3:29, 2 Cor 11:2, Rev 21:9). Not Mary.

It was JESUS Whose side was pierced. Not Mary.

In this Lenten season, let’s keep our eyes on the right thing: JESUS. Anything else is idolatry. (Exodus 20:3-4)

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Un-silent's avatar

My thoughts exactly. Thank you.

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Carl Eric Scott's avatar

OT, but Kheriaty readers will want to know about my new solo substack Dissident Conservative. https://dissidentcon.substack.com/ Please come by and see what I'm up to--much of what I will write will be on the issue of the "conservative" Suppression of the full range of Covid/Vax Disaster news. We gotta get past that.

I've been meaning to read some of Aaron's Lenten writings, but I've been doing my Lenten meditations using a little book which collects apropos John Donne poems and prose. It's called "Lent with John Donne," and is a blessing indeed.

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E J Hermann's avatar

I never knew much about Mary - her travels and incredible faith - love and non violence over opression. Blame that at male dominance of religions I guess?

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