|
Dear Linda,
Personally, I don't know that I would try very hard. This appears to be a very big stumbling block for persons who are determined NOT to accord Mary the reverence that Catholics do.
I don't know what you have already said to your friend, but if you really think you can change her mind (as she is trying to change yours by her refusal to consider you a Christian), here are some points you might make.
1. You honor Mary, but you fully understand that she too was redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus and that Jesus is Lord...Mary's Lord as well as Mary's son.
2. You do not expect Mary to answer your prayers directly. You do expect her to act as she did at the wedding feast at Cana--to intercede for you now, as she did for the wedding hosts then. Jesus has the power, but Mary is indeed his mother. Mothers have influence.
3. You know that you don't HAVE to pray to Mary. You choose to, because Jesus took special care to entrust her to John--and John to her--from the cross. We are, like John, the apostle--entrusted to Mary.
4. You know that it appears that some CAaholics honor Mary more than they honor Jesus, but what child does not know that when his or her mother is honored, so is he or she. Jesus is pleased, then, when we honor Mary. |