Why Catholics Call Mary Their Mother

Summary

Father Mike Smith discusses the Catholic devotion to Mary, the mother of God, emphasizing that it does not detract from one's relationship with Jesus. He uses the analogy of meeting a partner's family to illustrate how loving those whom God loves can deepen one's love for God. Mary, as the 'perfect disciple,' directs us to Jesus, similar to how the moon reflects the sun's light. Jesus' words from the cross, particularly giving Mary to his disciples as their mother, solidify the Catholic belief in Mary's maternal role in the spiritual life.

Takeaways

• 🙏 Catholics believe in praying to Mary, the mother of God, not as a replacement for Jesus but to deepen their relationship with God.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Jesus is considered fully God and fully human, whereas Mary is a completely human being, known as the perfect disciple.
• 🌞 Mary's role is to point towards Jesus, similar to how the moon reflects the light of the sun, emphasizing that her purpose is to direct attention to her son.
• 💡 Loving Mary or other saints does not detract from one's love for God; instead, it amplifies it, as it reflects God's amazingness.
• 🤔 The fear that a relationship with Mary would diminish one's relationship with God is unfounded, as it can enhance the love for God.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker uses a personal analogy of meeting a partner's family to explain how knowing and loving those close to someone can increase your love for them.
• 🔗 The relationship with Mary is likened to a familial bond, as Jesus, in his last words from the cross, gave Mary to his disciples as their mother.
• 🏠 Jesus's command to 'take her into your home' is interpreted as an invitation for believers to incorporate Mary into their spiritual lives.
• 👩‍🏫 Mary is seen as a mother figure for all believers, guiding them towards Jesus and exemplifying obedience to God's will.
• 🌐 The script encourages believers to consider Mary's role in their lives and to embrace her as a spiritual mother given by Jesus.

Q & A

Why do Catholics talk to Mary when they can talk to Jesus directly?

Catholics believe that having a relationship with Mary does not take away from their relationship with Jesus. Instead, it amplifies their love for Jesus because Mary's role is to point to her son, Jesus.

How does loving Mary help in loving Jesus more?

Loving Mary, who is a human being and the mother of Jesus, helps in loving Jesus more because she reflects the light of Jesus, similar to how the moon reflects the light of the sun.

What is the significance of Mary being called 'the perfect disciple'?

Mary is called 'the perfect disciple' because she is seen as the ideal follower of Jesus, embodying complete submission and devotion to God's will.

Why is Mary referred to as 'the Mother of God'?

Mary is referred to as 'the Mother of God' because she gave birth to Jesus, who is both fully God and fully human.

What is the role of Mary in the life of a Catholic?

In Catholicism, Mary's role is to guide and intercede, helping believers to grow closer to Jesus by her example and her prayers.

How does the relationship with Mary relate to the relationship with God?

The relationship with Mary is seen as complementary to the relationship with God. It does not detract from it but rather enhances the believer's love and devotion to God.

What does the speaker mean when he says Mary is 'more than the perfect disciple'?

The speaker implies that Mary holds a unique and special place in the Christian faith beyond just being a disciple, as she is also the Mother of God.

What is the significance of Jesus' words from the cross about Mary?

Jesus' words from the cross, particularly his instruction to John to 'behold your mother', are significant as they establish Mary as the spiritual mother of all believers.

Why do Catholics consider Mary as their mother?

Catholics consider Mary as their mother because Jesus, in his last moments on the cross, gave his mother to his beloved disciple, symbolizing that she is to be the mother of all his followers.

How should a Catholic's relationship with Mary manifest in their daily life?

A Catholic's relationship with Mary should manifest through imitating her virtues, seeking her intercession, and allowing her to guide them closer to Jesus.

What is the potential pitfall the speaker warns against regarding the veneration of saints?

The potential pitfall is mistaking the creation (the saints) for the Creator (God). It's important to remember that the saints point to God's greatness, not replace God in one's devotion.

Outlines

00:00

🙏 The Role of Mary in Catholicism

The speaker begins by addressing a common question about why Catholics would pray to Mary, the mother of God, instead of directly to Jesus or God. He clarifies that Catholics believe Jesus is both fully divine and human, while Mary is a completely human being, often referred to as the 'perfect disciple.' The speaker then explains that having a relationship with Mary doesn't detract from one's relationship with God; rather, it enhances it. He uses an analogy of meeting a partner's family to illustrate how loving the people close to someone can deepen your love for that person. In the same way, getting to know and love Mary, who is loved by God, can amplify one's love for God. The speaker also mentions that Mary's role is to point to her son, Jesus, just as the moon reflects the light of the sun. He concludes by emphasizing that Catholics are not to mistake the creation (Mary) for the creator (God), but rather see her as a means to a deeper appreciation of God's greatness.

05:02

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Jesus' Last Words and Mary as Our Mother

In the second paragraph, the speaker discusses Jesus' last words from the cross, particularly focusing on his interaction with Mary and the 'Beloved Disciple,' traditionally believed to be John. Jesus' words to Mary, 'Woman, behold your son,' and to John, 'Behold your mother,' are highlighted as a pivotal moment where Jesus assigns Mary the role of a mother to all his disciples. The speaker explains that this act establishes Mary as the 'Mother of the Church,' indicating that just as Jesus emphasized the importance of family relationships, he also extended this to include Mary as a spiritual mother figure for all believers. The narrative concludes with the disciple taking Mary into his home, symbolizing the call for believers to incorporate Mary into their spiritual lives, seeing her as a guide that points towards Jesus.

Keywords

💡Mary

Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a central figure in Catholicism and is often referred to as 'Mother of God.' In the video, Mary is discussed as an essential part of the Christian faith, with the speaker emphasizing the importance of having a relationship with her. The video clarifies that Mary is not considered divine but is seen as the perfect disciple and a human being who reflects the light of God, much like the moon reflects the light of the sun.

💡Mother of God

The title 'Mother of God' refers to Mary's role as the mother of Jesus Christ, who is believed to be both fully human and fully divine. The video script explains that Catholics venerate Mary under this title, acknowledging her unique position as the mother of Jesus, yet it is also emphasized that she is not divine herself.

💡Perfect Disciple

The term 'Perfect Disciple' is used in the video to describe Mary's role as an exemplary follower of Jesus. The speaker suggests that Catholics see Mary as the epitome of faith and obedience, making her a model for all believers to follow. Her status as a perfect disciple is contrasted with her humanity, showing that she is a relatable figure for believers.

💡Relationship with Mary

The video discusses the concept of having a 'relationship with Mary,' which is a way for Catholics to deepen their faith and connection with Jesus. The speaker argues that having a relationship with Mary does not detract from one's relationship with Jesus but rather enhances it, as Mary's role is to point believers towards her son.

💡Amplifying Love

The concept of 'amplifying love' is introduced to explain how loving Mary or other saints can increase one's love for God. The video uses the analogy of meeting a partner's family to illustrate how getting to know and love the people important to someone can deepen your love for that person. Similarly, knowing and loving Mary is said to amplify one's love for Jesus.

💡Moon and Sun Analogy

The 'Moon and Sun Analogy' is used to describe Mary's relationship with Jesus and God. The video likens Jesus to the Sun, the source of all light, and Mary to the Moon, which reflects the Sun's light. This analogy is used to show that Mary's role is to reflect the divine light of Jesus and God, not to overshadow or replace it.

💡Saints

The term 'Saints' refers to holy people who are recognized in Christianity for their exceptional faith and deeds. In the video, the speaker discusses how praising saints is actually a way of praising God, as the saints' lives are seen as a testament to God's power and goodness. The video encourages believers to appreciate the saints as a means to appreciate God.

💡Creator

The 'Creator' in the video refers to God, who is the source of all life and the one who has made everything. The speaker explains that when believers appreciate the beauty of creation or the lives of the saints, they should not forget the Creator, God, who is the source of all that is good and beautiful.

💡Last Words from the Cross

The 'Last Words from the Cross' are a significant part of Christian theology, representing the final statements Jesus made while on the cross. The video highlights one of these words where Jesus entrusts Mary to his disciple, signifying a spiritual motherhood for all believers.

💡Beloved Disciple

The 'Beloved Disciple' is a term used in the Gospel of John to refer to one of Jesus' disciples, traditionally believed to be John himself. The video script uses this term to illustrate Jesus' command from the cross to care for Mary, implying that all of Jesus' followers should consider Mary as their spiritual mother.

💡Taking Mary into Your Home

The phrase 'Taking Mary into Your Home' is used metaphorically in the video to mean incorporating Mary into one's spiritual life. The speaker explains that just as the Beloved Disciple took Mary into his home, believers are invited to have a personal relationship with Mary, treating her as a mother figure in their faith journey.

Highlights

Catholics are often asked why they talk to Mary instead of directly to Jesus.

Jesus is fully God and fully human, while Mary is a completely human being.

Mary is considered the perfect disciple and the Mother of God.

Having a relationship with Mary doesn't detract from one's relationship with God.

Loving those whom Mary loves can actually increase one's love for her.

Mary's purpose is to point to her son, Jesus, similar to how the moon reflects the sun's light.

Praising saints like Mary is a way of praising God's wisdom and power.

Catholics are not called to mistake the creation for the Creator when it comes to saints.

Jesus' last words from the cross include giving Mary to his disciples as their mother.

The term 'woman' used by Jesus refers back to Eve and signifies Mary as the mother of all the redeemed.

By giving Mary to his disciples, Jesus establishes a mother-son relationship between her and his followers.

Disciples of Jesus are invited to take Mary into their homes and lives as their mother.

Mary's role in a Catholic's life is to continually point them towards Jesus.

Father Mike emphasizes the importance of understanding Mary's role in Catholicism.

The talk concludes with an invitation for viewers to reflect on Mary's place in their own lives.

Father Mike encourages viewers to be kind and understanding in discussions about Catholic beliefs.

Transcripts

[Music]

I'm reading from the Mike Smith's and

this is essential reasons so when it

comes to Mary I like Mary the mother of

God

a lot of times Catholics are asked the

question like why do you talk to Mary

when you could talk to Jesus like why

why go to a human being when you could

go to God himself and that is a great

question in fact one of the one of the I

think one of the fears people have is

that if you have a relationship with

Mary that would take away from your your

relationship with God Himself take it

really you take away from your

relationship with the God who made

everything because here's what we

believe we believe Jesus is fully God

fully human right that God is God Mary's

not God she's not even partly God she's

not even like a smidge god she's

completely human being we would call

Mary the perfect disciple but we also

call Mary something other than that

she's the perfect disciple she's Mother

of God but it's just something even more

something even more and so when it comes

to having a relationship with her like

how would you want that why would you

need that well for two reasons

well at least two reasons that I can

think of right now off the top of my

noggin the first reason is this one if I

have a real issue with Mary that'll take

away from the love I should have for

Jesus the love I actually have forgot

himself

good question camper I'm not so sure so

back in the day before I went to

seminary I was dating this gal and um at

one point she was like hey I want you to

be my family I want you to meet my

parents and my little brother so I met

her parents I met her her little brother

and really liked them and so I know I

had a relationship with them I with her

mom and with her dad with her little

brother when I got to know them and got

to learn to care for them and got to

love them it didn't take anything away

from the love I had for her it actually

increased the love I had for her so

actually loving the people that she

loved helped me love her more I mean

getting to know other people that she

knows helped me get to know her more and

the same thing a very very similar thing

is true when it comes to God so to get

to know someone that God Himself loves

and knows doesn't take our love away

from God it actually amplifies our love

of God the more you love Mary the more

you should love Jesus because what does

Mary do Mary's Mary's purpose really is

to point to her son

I remember hearing back in the day

someone pointing out that like Jesus is

the Sun God is the Sun the source of all

life our source of all light marries the

moon she simply reflects the light that

comes from the Sun that she doesn't have

any light of her own just like we don't

have any light of our own she reflects

the light that comes from the Sun and so

when you look at the moon he like man

that's beautiful tonight what you're

really saying is it's it's illuminated

the beauty there is illuminated it's

given by the source of the light which

is the Sun whenever we praise any of the

saints what we're really doing is we're

praising the the wisdom and the power

and the skill and then the the

amazingness of the creator of those

saints on our own every one of us is

basically a zero but with God or more

and every one of the saints when you

praise them and say my gosh look at this

person's life it's amazing we were

basically saying is look what God did in

this person's life he's amazing

so to pay attention to Mary or any of

the saints doesn't take away from God

because it points to God's amazingness

on secondly took to to love the Saints

doesn't take away from the look we have

for God it actually amplifies our love

for God is supposed to amplify our love

for God I guess yes you could fall into

the trap that some people do which is to

mistake the creation for the Creator

there are some people who are so

captivated by the beauty of nature that

they forget the one who created the

nature yes that's possible and maybe

maybe there's some people are so

captivated by the stories of the Saints

that they forget the one who made it the

Saints God himself that's possible but

that's not what a cat that's not what

Catholics are called to what cats are

called to do is have a relationship with

Mary as what with Mary has our mom say

well that seems ok so ok I was going I

was tracking with your father like ok

make sense that yes I get that when I

got to know my in-laws hopeful if

they're good in-laws and whatnot that

yeah I can I can love my spouse better

and yes that when we point to the beauty

of the Saints we're really actually

pointing to the power of the and the

goodness of the creator okay I got that

but what do you mean what even marries

your mom because that's like that's kind

of out there but it's not that out there

because one of the last words of Jesus

from the cross right Jesus had seven

what they call

last words from the cross not seven

literal words but seven last things he

said from the cross and one of the

things we need to understand is when

here is Jesus when he's on the cross and

he is dying

he's literally gasping for breath he's

literally fighting for air he's dying of

asphyxiation and so when he says these

last seven things from the cross from

you know Mount Calvary from Gotha these

are seven very important things and one

of these seven things that Jesus says

with his last breaths from the cross as

he looks this in John's Gospel in John

chapter 19 where Jesus it says that when

he saw his mother and the disciple there

whom he loved now here's a little thing

that a simple whom he loved is always

always been traditionally understood to

be John himself the guy who wrote the

Gospel of John and throughout the course

of the Gospel John refers to himself as

the Beloved Disciple this is when Jesus

saw his mother there and the disciple

there whom he loved he said to his

mother woman behold your son woman

what's that mean woman is the title it's

not a title of derision it's not it's

not a demotion woman refers back to Eve

Eve is what the mother of all the living

that's a close call to Eve for the

mother of all the living that first

woman to Jesus is saying woman Eve now

the mother of all the redeemed Eve or

woman there is your son and then he said

to the disciple behold your mother and

this is so important this is super

important for us um again why did G why

did John refer to himself as the Beloved

Disciple me well one we think like me

because humility like just like I'm

gonna put myself kind of in the

background I was there I don't need to

access the fact that it was me there

secondly because of a deeper meaning

that deeper meaning being that from the

cross Jesus says to his beloved disciple

there's your mother which means anyone

who's my beloved disciple Jesus is he

implicitly saying anyone who is a

disciple of mine whom I love my mom is

your mom if you're gonna be my disciple

my mom is your mom and he's saying to

his mother and woman new Eve mother of

all the redeemed my beloved disciples

are your children

why do we call Mary our mother is

because Jesus gave her to us all

disciples as mom from the cross you have

a mom you have a earthly mom you have a

mommy of the church is her mother but

you also have a mom that Jesus himself

gave to you from the cross and so we

have to have a relationship with her

that's one of the reasons we have to

have a relationship with her because

Jesus the one who upheld very very

powerfully the roles and

responsibilities that children have to

their parents and parents have to their

children is also the one who said okay

my mom is your mom is that means we must

have a relationship with Mary as our

mother why because the next line in

John's Gospel is and from that hour the

disciple took her into his home you need

to say okay cool like Oh Mary is kind of

like my mom I got it thanks Jesus from

the cross you did that for me that's

really nice you know from that hour he

took her into his home and the Beloved

Disciple the one whom Jesus loved and

one who loved Jesus also loved Jesus's

mom as his own mom didn't just have you

know backstage but you know that kind of

on the back shelf or didn't just have

kind of like a oh that's a nice little

thought it was he took her into his home

and that's what we're invited to do as

well as disciples of Jesus as disciples

of Jesus he gave his mom to us as our

mom and if we're gonna do what he's

intends us to do we must take her into

our home as well to have some kind of

relationship with her he is God he's the

source he's though he's the one right he

is the one but to love the ones Jesus

loves is not to take love away from him

it's to multiply is to amplify it's to

grow in love so where's Mary in your

life is she your mom where's Mary in

your life have you taken her into your

home where is Mary in your life is she

the one who just like in the scriptures

continually points that says go to him

go to him go to him do whatever Jesus

tells you because that's what mom does

she points us to Jesus for all's here as

Center presents my name is father Mike

god bless be sure to LIKE subscribe and

comment what do you think I mean I don't

know share what's up be print be

friendly to each other you guys kind of

load whenever we bring up these like

Catholic versus you know non Catholic

kind of topics people sometimes get a

little ramped up so hey

be kind Gilles