Truths of the Catholic Church series

Mary - The Perfect Disciple

The Church honors Mary with special devotion, which means that we regard her with a reverential respect, admiration and with deference of her being holy and having nobility. However, Catholics reserve worship for only God; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The perfect disciple of Christ is

one who is holy,

always serves Christ,

never betrays or abandons Christ

and always leads other to follow Christ.

The Catholic Church views Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the perfect disciple of Christ.

The perfect disciple of Christ is one who is holy

For I, the LORD, am your God; and you shall make (conform) and keep yourselves holy, because I am holy Lev 11:44

"...from henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed" Luke 1:46-48

Blessed means to be pronounced as holy. To have conformed oneself to God’s divine or moral law.

 It is friendship with God, communion with Him and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

always serves Christ  -  always leads others to follow Christ  -  and never betrays nor abandons Christ

From the moment the angel came to Mary:  Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid (servant) of the Lord  Lk 1:38

To the wedding a Cana:  His mother said to the servers, "Do whatever he tells you." Jn 2:5

Through the scourging and crucifixion of Jesus when other disciples could not be found:  Standing by the cross of Jesus was his mother… Jn 19:25

And following the instructions of Jesus to wait in the upper room for the Holy Spirit: All these devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.  Acts 1:14

The Catholic Church recognizes Mary, the mother of Jesus, as the perfect disciple of Christ

Go ahead and put a picture or statuette of Mary in your home, Mary is deserving of respect, admiration and devotion from all Catholics.  

But, always remember that the ultimate purpose of devotion to Mary is to glorify God and to lead Christians to commit themselves to a life which is in absolute conformity with His will, as did Mary.

 Mary is like the Christmas star, always leading others to Christ - learn from her.

Always lead your own family to the Eucharist, which is Christ.