Expert: Charlie B - 1/28/2011

Question
QUESTION: "Why is it, that catholicism places so much honour on Mary? Considering Jesus said this about His mother...
ISV: Matthew Chapter 12:
[46] While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him.
[47] Someone told him, “Look! Your mother and your brothers are standing outside asking to speak to you.”
[48] He asked the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?”
[49] Then pointing with his hand at his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!
[50] For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Also...
ISV: Matthew Chapter 11:
[11] Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has appeared who is greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

And also..
KJV: Luke Chapter 11:
[27]
And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

[28] But he said, Nay,but rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

Something in great error in that teaching?

Mr. B."

ANSWER: Barelohim,
Thanks for your question.  I'm willing to give it a full and comprehensive answer, yet one question:  what Bible version are referencing?  
God bless you,
Charlie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The International Standard Version, The King James Version, The American Standard Version, and the English Standard Version.. Plus Strongs Greek translations of the New testament.

Plus the teachings of the Holy Spirit Himself, using Spiritual thought, with Spiritual words...1 Cor 2:

Sincerely In Him

Mr.B.

Answer
Mr. B,
Thanks for your question and prompt reply.  First, I don't see how in your original post that Jesus said anything in error about his Mother.  What precisely is "in error" in the passages that you quoted?  

You seem to be fond of scripture (a very good attribute), so let me begin with scripture:
MARY EVER VIRGIN
Luke 1:27 ...to a virgin betrothed to a man…”
Matthew 1:23 ...Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son…
Matthew 1:25 ...but knew her not until she had borne a son…
Luke 1:34 ...how can this be since I do not know man…
Luke 1:43 ...and why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
Galations 4:4 ...God sent forth his Son, born of woman.
IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Luke 1:28 ... Hail full of Grace, the Lord is with you.
Luke 1:30 ... You have found favor with God.
Luke 1:47 ...my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Catholics don't "worship" Mary but do give her special Honour (or honor), asking and praying for her intercession.  Catholics believe that the cradle and womb of our Savior, Jesus Christ would naturally and necessarily be above and beyond most other women, and yes -- conceived without sin, and assumed body and soul into Heaven where she is crowned Queen of Heaven.  I defer you to http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p2.htm

Sir, I'm a former Protestant who began to read books like The Thunder of Justice by Ted & Maureen Flynn and The Final Hour by Michael Brown, and listening to Dr. Scott Hahn, a former Presbyterian minister Catholic convert.  Both books detail the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in places like Fatima, Portugal (where over 30,000 people were eye-witness to several miracles), Lourdes France and other locations around the world.  I challenge you to read any one of these two books and see the evidence for yourself.  Or start with learning about Fatima at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracle_of_the_Sun .  It's hard to fool a crowd estimated between 30,000 and 100,000 people.  

Many people when they read the early Church Fathers like Augustine, Chrysostom, Polycarp and Ignatius are surprised at the reference given to Mary.  Mr. B, even Muslims hold a special reverence in Islam for Mary, Mother of Jesus (see http://www.islamfortoday.com/galvan03.htm).  What would be the harm if you did, too?

Final thought:  is your mother alive?  If not, would you ever consider praying to her to intercede on your behalf or simply to send her your love?   Yes, send her your love in prayer.   What's wholly different from sending Jesus' mother love in prayer?   Hummm... the Holy Family is Jesus, Mary and Joseph... and we've lost most of any sense of family in the world today.  Amen?

Faith is a gift, and faith is a mystery. Keep asking good questions...
God bless,
Charlie