A case in point is a brief article in the recent newsletter from
his “Proclaiming the Gospel” ministry. The article reads as follows:
“In an article published
by Catholic News Agency
entitled Mary, Mother of Saints, Mother of
All, the author declares that both Mary and her iconography are omnipresent.
The author writes: ‘While Mary gives unfailing sustenance, it is precisely her gentle
omnipresence in our lives that can make us take her for
granted.’ In another paragraph the author says, ‘Our heavenly mother listens
and speaks to us, and comforts us in many guises. She is present to us under
many names, such as Mother of Mercy, Mother of Help, Mother of Divine Grace,
and many more. Her splendid iconography is omnipresent like the
crucifix, her love shining forth through the radiance of her face. Yet her
loving presence is always gentle. We know that she is always our last resort.’
Mike's comment:
Catholics continue to distort their version of Mary by giving her attributes of
God including: omnipresence, sinlessness, co-mediator and advocate. This is
what happens when an apostate church denies the supreme authority of God's
Word.”
To his
credit, Gendron included a link to the article, so readers can see exactly what
he misinterpreted and presented out of context.
The
article was about abortion, and argued that the discussion on this topic
focuses almost exclusively on the child, and does not also consider the mother.
The first paragraph concludes with “However, maternal love seen as an absolute
value must not be absent when addressing the tragedy of killing the unborn. For
children to be safe from harm, nothing must come between mothers and their
children.”
The next
paragraph begins: “As Catholics, we have a special knowledge of what having
a mother means.” It is in that context that the paragraph flows, ending
with “We know that [Mary] is always our last resort.” The author is saying that
Mary is our last resort in knowing what it means to be a mother, not
that she is our last resort in all things.
Gendron
writes: “Catholics continue to distort their version of Mary by giving her
attributes of God including: omnipresence, sinlessness, co-mediator and advocate.”
Really?
To
misconstrue this author’s meaning of “omnipresence” takes a very narrow and
biased mind. “Her splendid iconography is omnipresent like the crucifix.” Does
Gendron really think the author is attributing literal omnipresence to physical
objects? The author is simply saying we can find icons of Mary almost
everywhere, just as we can find crucifixes almost everywhere. To claim the
author is using the word “omnipresence” in the same context we use it for God
is ridiculous, grasping desperately for something to criticize.
To
revisit that sentence in its entirety: “Her splendid iconography is omnipresent
like the crucifix, her love shining forth through the radiance of her face.”
Have you ever looked at a picture of a loved one and felt their love shining
through their face? If so, are you raising the loved one to the level of an omnipresent
deity, or are you claiming the picture is actually that person, or that it has
some supernatural power to channel them? Or do you simply experience their love
when reminded of them by an image?
Have you
ever felt the presence of a loved one when they are not physically present to
you? By looking at a picture of them, or by a gift they gave you, or anything
else that reminds them of you?
If so,
don’t let Mike Gendron find out, for he will accuse you of giving them attributes
of God, such as omnipresence.
He thinks
the sinlessness Catholics attribute to Mary is on the same level of God’s
sinlessness. The difference is that God cannot sin; Mary could have, but never
chose sin. She was created in the same state of original justice as Eve, with
the same free will and the same choices, but did not abuse her gift of free
will. (For more perspective on this, read my article “Immaculate Conception and
Perpetual Virginity: Why Do They Strike Such a Nerve?”)
The
Catholic Church does not teach that Mary is a co-mediator. For more on that
read my article “Mary: Not Just an Ovum Donor.”
Does the
Catholic Church call Mary “Advocate?” Yes. If you find that objectionable, read
John 2:1-5, and come up with a better word.
