There are a few things that have been on my mind a lot lately, and Mary, the Mother of God, is one of them. I know she isn't a thing. I'm referring to the title "Mother of God", or as the original Greek word theotokos.
Now, some people get really upset about this topic of discussion, and that's ok, I am fully aware that we don't all agree on this title; however, believe it or not, agree with it or not, it is what it is. She is, in fact, the mother of God. Why? How? Well, it's actually quite simple to explain.
I'd say that all Christian denominations believe in the Holy Trinity--God, the Father, God, the Son, and God, the Holy Spirit. In this belief we are ask to accept the unexplained notion that there is ONE God, but that one God has three identities. This is one of the oldest beliefs held by all Christians, before the rise of the heresies in the 1st century. It was defended and defined as official dogma at the first council of Constantinople in 381AD. In believing this, we accept that Jesus is God. He is a member of the Holy Trinity, the 3 in 1. He IS God. So, if Mary is the mother of Jesus, she is the mother of God.
Now, we aren't saying God originated with the physical birth of Christ. I mean, seriously, that's absurd, and anyone who thinks we are saying Mary is the mother of God in the sense of preceeding Him or having authority over or equal to Him needs to do some research. What we are saying is that, in being the mother of Christ, she is the Mother of God, because Jesus IS God incarnate (in the flesh).
If you believe in the Incarnation--which you do, if you believe that Jesus was God--then you believe, whether you like it or not, that Mary is the theotokos: the Mother of God. Sorry if this disappoints you, but it is the truth.
Second thing that is on my mind: Praying to Mary and the saints. Oh, good grief, I just offended a whole lot more of you, I know, but just keep reading and try as hard as you can to have an open mind.
Okay, so we have established that Mary is the mother of Jesus, and that Jesus is God, and that in order for Him to be incarnate, he had to be born. He was born, raised, and buried by his mother. Is she totally human? Yes. Does she play a special role in the history of our salvation? Yes. Can we expect her to have power or divinity over that of any human mother? No. What she has is the place any mother would have along side her son who loves her, and her son just happens to be Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. Can she hear our prayers? Yes. How? Well, I can explain it the way I understand it, but it's going to give you a headache.
Time, for us, exists in a line. It is broken down into segments of minutes, hours, days, years, etc. We exist on a plane that only allows us to move about within the restrictions of linear time. Time, as a whole, exists infinitely, meaning there is no defined beginning or end. All events can be seen and observed simultaneously if you have the right seat from which to observe. This isn't a theological concept alone, it's actually a very serious scientific concept that involves all kinds of slices and stuff. Einstein actually explained it in his theory of space time continuum. So, the spiritual realm of Heaven is not linear. It doesn't exist like we do, governed by laws of time. Also, if you believe in the truth of the Bible, then you know that when we die, it's only our flesh that dies. Our souls, which is who we really are, goes on to either Heaven or Hell. We are no longer governed by our fleshly laws of time. We no longer exist on a fixed plane.
Mary, and all of those who have gone before us, no longer exist on a fixed plane. They can see all that has been and all that will be. It's not ridiculous to know that they can hear us! Why not? They aren't dead!!! Just as we ask people here on Earth to pray for us, we ask those in Heaven to pray for us. Who better to ask than those that are right there in the presence of God? They pray just as we pray, with the power of the name of Jesus. What more "power" could you ask for, if you believe in the power of the name of Jesus (which I hope you do). That's all the power we need anyone to have to perform miracles.
We don't "worship" Mary and the Saints. We acknowledge that they are very special people who lived exemplary lives that we want to mimic. It isn't crazy to say they have performed miracles! Jesus said we would, if we believe! He said that there would be works done even greater than His, so why would we say that miracles can't be attributed to the actions of the Saints?
So, there you go. That's my ramble for the night. Mary is special...she's the Mother of God. I ask her to pray for me and my family all the time, because I know she has a special place, and I know that she and all of those who have gone before us are still alive! Do they have power to help? Yes, they do. They have the power to invoke the name of Jesus in prayer, which is the most powerful thing anyone can do.
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