Hypothetical Question about Mary

[Guest Aluigi]

answer this question more like would it be alright to fall to your knees, don't think well I'd just talk to her or something (you know, like the whole would I dance for you Jesus or to my knees would I fall? that's not the question here, so it's more like would it be okay for you to do that)

if you're non-Catholic, and you answered yes, think about this: that's the mentality of any Catholic when they are kneeling and praying an Ave Maria or any type of prayer to Mary et cetera.

she's in heaven, in the beatific vision, so she's in God's presence just as much as she was when she was pregnant with Jesus.

if you say no, think about this: that is the Incarnate God in her womb, Jesus Christ! would you kneel in front of Him when He's got a beard and long hair? then why not when He's an infant in the womb?

[Micheal5403]

that is a very interesting point of view. how did you come up with this question?

[crusader1234]

I'm hesitant to vote - it all depends on a few things.

1) Do I know it is Mary at the time?
2) Would I be able to sense the greatness?

While number 2 is most likely a yes, you never know. If I was walking down the street and had no idea who she was or who Jesus was (well he wouldnt be born yet now would he), I wouldn't unless she eminated glory - which she probably would.

So put me down for... yes?

[Guest Aluigi]

M, just came to me. i am very interested in what the non-Catholics will vote.

c, yes, the question assumes you know it's Mary pregnant with Jesus. whether or not you could sense the greatness is irrelavant. you see Mary pregnant with Jesus, would it be okay to fall to your knees?

Edited November 26, 2004 by Aluigi

[Micheal5403]

i see. well i was just wondering b/c i've never thought anything like that before.

[mulls]

why isn't there a "no-- i'm a catholic" response.

[Guest Aluigi]

i'm a [b] pretend [/b] Catholic. if any Catholic wouldn't think falling to your knees in front of the pregnant Virgin Mary, they're prolly Catholic 'in name only'

of course, perhaps someone could make the case somehow. i was just being cute putting that pretend in there

Edited November 26, 2004 by Aluigi

[Guest Aluigi]

so mulls, you have a vote? perhaps you need to think about it, that's cool, if you're thinking about it, i've done my job

-Pax-

[crusader1234]

I'd think its ok to fall on your knees? Why wouldnt it be?

[Guest Aluigi]

read the first post; the question is designed to give protestants more insight into Catholic Marian devotion. We're in the interfaith dialogue table, I'm of the same Faith as you so obviously we're gonna agree . It's the non-Catholics (or the pretend Catholics) that could potentially disagree.

Back to the subject.

[CatholicCrusader]

Even if a prot says yes, how does that make them believe in Marian devotion? Their whole purpose is to kneel to Christ, Who is present in the womb, since life begins at conception. They could easily say: She is no longer pregnant.

Do they reject the Immaculate Conception and the sinlessness of the Blessed Virigin even up until She conceived? If so, that would be another reason: after She gave birth, they think She committed sin. (I don't know if they even believe She was free from sin before).

In any event, I see your point, but it is not a very effective argument, unless I am missing something.

[Guest Aluigi]

it's just another perspective for them. read the first post- Mary is in Heaven, as much in the presence of God as she was when she was pregnant with Jesus. it's not 'start doing Catholic Marian devotion!' or nothing, i'm inviting them to think about what Marian devotion really is and to come to a deeper understanding. oi ve, with all these Catholic arguing against my question lol... this is really supposedta be an interfaith dialogue moment, so I would still really appreciate non-Catholic responses.

[StColette]

That would be a yes from me

[conservativecatholic]

I would most definately fall on my knees!

[Guest Aluigi]

i'm most interested in the non-Catholic vote...

[mulls]

i dont know if this is even a valid question....how much of a choice might we actually have in this situation?

what i mean is, if we were in the presence of God, say in heaven for example, we would instinctively fall on our knees and worship God, no question about it (in my mind). it would be more of a necessary, logical reaction, to worship the Lord.

i don't know if Jesus in the womb would have this same effect. maybe so, maybe no. if it did, then would it be safe to assume that we should fall to our knees and worship Jesus when He's contained in any sort of vessel, such as a chalice or monstrance? because i've never had the sort of reaction in the past.

[Guest Aluigi]

did Jesus' apostles automatically fall to their knees while He walked among them? no, they walked together, talked together. at certain times the fell to their knees, but at certain times they sat at His feet at listened, at certain times they laughed at His jokes (just assuming He would tell jokes who knows) or had fun.

okay, so you're back in time and you encounter Mary on her way to bethlehem. she Has Jesus in her womb (that made John the Baptist leap in the womb himself). would it be alright to fall to your knees in front of Mary?

[Quietfire]

Did Elizabeth fall to her knees?

(no fair if you use the pregnant clause for that)



Pax

[mulls]

oh, so the question is more about if it's ok to do, rather than would you actually do it?


i suppose it's ok to do, i'm not sure if i would actually do it. hypotheticals are tough.

[Guest Aluigi]

yeah, there's the whole "would I dance for you Jesus or to my knees would I fall?" question, but all would admit falling to your knees would be a legitimate reaction to seeing Jesus.

so would you admit it as a legitimate reaction to seeing Mary pregant with Jesus is the question.