I was a fan of Jackie Chan growing up. The jumps and stunts in the movies inspired my childhood shenanigans to my mother’s chagrin. The stories involved overcoming obstacles both physical and spiritual. The protagonist is on a path of self-discovery and must adapt and change to find the fulfillment that they are looking for. What’s that got to do with the Virgin Mary?
One of my favorite plotlines is the master vs apprentice. That the student rises to the level of the master and wonders have they surpassed their teacher. The legendary line of Vader, “When I left you, I was but the learner; now I am the master.” The show could have the protagonist be the master or the student, but the plot captures my imagination like no else.
I have received a lot of questions about Mary and why do we give her above and beyond attention than anyone else in history besides Jesus. The concern is that the attention that Catholics and some other denominations give to Mary is idolatrous. As an outsider looking in, it could seem that Catholics “worship” Mary. There is two ways to push back. 1) Their idea of worship is devoid of the full possibilities of how to worship God. 2) What is the activity of the people who make it into heaven.
In Kungfu movies, my favorite scenes involve the training montage. There is normally a process where the student doesn’t even realize the capacity they possess until the master displays great acts of excellence. The student arrives thinking he’s the “best” or “strongest” only to be humbled by the master. The student can’t believe they can break a brick, but the master does it with ease. Luke Skywalker couldn’t lift up the x-wing not because it was impossible, but because he lacked faith in himself. The role of the master empowers the student.
A comparison would be the significance of holding hands in different cultures. The United States is a colder culture. Physical touch and affection tends to be reserved for more private and intimate settings. Public displays of expression tends to be frowned upon or even outlawed in some areas. If we went to warmer cultures, then it would be a common sight for two people to be holding hands as a sign of friendship. In the United States, holding hands tends to signify a romantic involvement, but that significance may not exist in other cultures.
When we are accused of worshipping Mary, then a valid discussion is what are forms of worship. If worship is only singing and raising your hands, then it would seem Catholics worship Mary. There are songs and processions towards Mary which scandalizes protestants. It’s important to discuss the full spectrum of worship. Not long ago in human history, we would have live sacrifices of blood and suffering and screaming. Do we offer blood sacrifices to Mary? Absolutely not. Already we make room that Catholics don’t worship Mary in this extreme example.
Whatever activity we do towards Mary, we need to show we do even more extreme acts towards the three persons of the Triune God. Catholics may show veneration or hyperdulia towards Mary, but it pales in comparison to what we do towards God. At Mass, Mary is an afterthought while God is front and center. In religious orders, they have hours devoted to the Eucharist and Liturgy. Ideally, any conversation about Mary is always directed back towards Jesus and the other persons of the Trinity. Mary is only the student. She is not the Master. Perhaps, the greatest of students, but never the master.
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. — Matthew 5:48
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. — Matthew 10:24-26
The activity of heaven is a relevant topic. Why do we pray to Saints? Why do we believe Mary has any power? The question is what happens to someone who makes it to Heaven? What activity does a person who made it to heaven (A.K.A. a saint) do? Let us say a saint is perfectly configured to God. They went through the cleansing fires to receive their eternal reward. (1 Corinthians 3:10-15) Now in heaven, all of the saints’ thoughts, words, and deeds align with God’s Will without error. The miracle of Mary is that she lived this life before she died. But be it Mary or the Saints we believe in intercessory prayer BECAUSE they have made it to heaven.
Why would a Saint who made it to heaven even care about our intercessory prayers? Why did God become Man? The answer would be the same: Love. The saints have made it to heaven. The student has been raised to the level of the master. Of course, Saints would be active on Earth, because Jesus is active on Earth. The Saints and Mary are only doing what their Master taught them to do. That’s why we believe in intercessory prayer and the communion of Saints.
No, Mary is not God. No, Saints do not become angels or deities. Any power they have is derived from God. Any effect they have on Earth is made possible through the one Mediator Jesus Christ. Jesus promised us, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12) The Catholics takes this to a degree that Protestants fear to tread.
The student comes to challenge the master, “You taught me everything that I know.” And the master responds, “That may be, but I didn’t teach you everything that I know.” If we take a Ven diagram of God vs Mary and the Saints, then it would be a circle with God completely encompassing them. The Saints maintain their individuality yet are in complete communion with God. It is a paradox that we learn to embrace through prayer, spirituality, and worship.
Mary is human. Mary is human. Mary is human. She does not deserve to be worshipped and only God ought to be worshiped. But the fact Mary is human should give us hope for our own frail human condition. Jesus is our Master and has showed us the way. Mary is the student that shows following the Master is possible. Yes, we give special attention to Mary. Because she guides us to Jesus and how to grow closer to Jesus. Exactly what does Jesus aspire for us to become? Master knows more than the student, so obey the master and trust in His teachings.
“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”— 1 Corinthians 2:9
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. — 1 John 3:2
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. — 2 Peter 1:3-4
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