Why do Catholics make such a big deal about Mary?

That is a such a strange question to me. If Mary were not the mother of Jesus Christ, I could understand the question. If Mary were the mother of St. Peter, I could understand. If Mary were the mother of President Kennedy, I could understand.

But Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.

Therefore, I have a great deal of trouble when a professed Christian asks this question. If it were not for Mary, Jesus would not have been born. Therefore, we would not have the opportunity to go to heaven. So, how can anyone who claims to love and believe in Jesus Christ, ask this question?

Let's turn to Scripture:

Scripture calls Mary the Mother of God

Luke 1:43-45
New International Version (NIV)
43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

Lets break this down:
1. The word "Lord" is here mentioned two times.
2. In the second instance, it is an obvious reference to God. "Blessed is she who believes that the LORD would fulfill His promises." That is an obvious reference to God.
3. Therefore, then, what could she possibly have meant when she said, "mother of my LORD"?
4. Since she was inspired by the Holy Spirit to utter these words, she must have meant what is most obvious. Is Jesus, God? Yes. Therefore, the words she uttered could also be translated, "mother of my GOD".

So, God explicitly teaches us, in His Word, that Mary is the Mother of God.

Is there any higher praise than that?

Consider this, also. St. Elisabeth did what the Holy Spirit inspired her to do. Therefore she was doing GOD'S WILL. And we also take her as our example. In order to do God's will, we must also make a big deal about Mary.

This is confirmed by Mary herself when she says, "From now on all generations will call me blessed (Luke 1:48)."

That is why we make such a big deal about Mary. Because it is God's will expressed in His Scriptures.

What was the original question again? Why do Catholics make such a big deal about Mary?

The Answer: Because it is God's will that we do so!

That's no big deal, you say? Let's go on.

Hail Full of Grace

Luke 1: 26 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God

Notice what that says. God sent His angel to Mary.

unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, 27To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. 28And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Again, pay special attention. There are many unspoken assumptions here which we need to understand in order to get the full, spiritual message of this verse (2 Cor 3:6).

ANGEL GABRIEL
1. an angel is a messenger of God. That is what the word, angel, means.
2. this angel, Gabriel, is one of the four angels that stands before the throne of God.

WAS SENT FROM GOD
1. God sent this angel to Mary.
2. Since this angel is a messenger of God's, God sent Him to deliver a message.
3. Therefore, the angel was not speaking on his own, but was communicating God's message to Mary.
4. If we skip down to verse 28, we see that this was a message of praise (i.e. blessed art thou).
5. Therefore God praised Mary through His Angel.

That is great praise indeed! God's word is far weightier than man's. The Angel was passing on the Word of God. And the Word of God said that Mary is blessed among women. Scripture attests that the Angel was sent from God to make a big deal, about Mary.

Now, consider this. The Angel was doing what God commanded. Therefore he was doing GOD'S WILL. And we take him as our example. In order to do God's will, we must also make a big deal about Mary. Because it is God's will that the Angels praise Mary.

What was that question again? Why do Catholics make such a big deal about Mary?

The Answer: Because God, the Father, made a big deal about Mary!

What, that's not enough?

The babe in her womb leaped for joy

But let's read on.

Still in Luke chapter 1: 41And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: 42And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

Deja vu all over again!
1. The Holy Spirit is God the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.
2. Therefore, God inspired Elisabeth to praise Mary.
3. This praise is inscribed in the Word of God for all generations.
4. Since Elisabeth is a member of the human race, then it is safe to conclude that God wills that men praise Mary.
5. And we find, again, that God praised Mary through His Saint.

Now, consider this. Saint Elisabeth praised Mary when she was inspired by the Holy Spirit to do so. That means that it is the Holy Spirit's praise which she passed on. That is why Scripture is called the Word of God. Because it is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Therefore, it is the will of the Holy Spirit that His Saints, praise Mary!

What was that question again? Why do Catholics make such a big deal about Mary?

The Answer: Because God, the Holy Spirit, made a big deal about Mary!

A better question would be, why don't you make a big deal about Mary?