Three apparitions: Zietun, Vailankanni and Lourdes. What do they show us? What is similar?
For information on Zietun see my post from January 16 (link). In brief, Mary appeared and was seen by Christians and Muslims alike. As a lasting sign, many have been healed. People of all faiths have been healed.
At Lourdes, Mary appeared to St. Bernadette. To this day, many are healed there. People of all faiths or no faith, have been healed. As a further sign of unity, the best book on Lourdes has been written by Ruth Cranston. She is a Protestant, and wrote the best and most moving work on what is considered a Catholic place.
At Vailankanni Mary appeared to a shepherd boy and then a lame boy. The people built a church for the Holy Mother. The crew of a Portugese ship prayed to be saved from a storm, and were amazed to already find a church when they landed. The sailors began the process that transformed the small church into the "Lourdes of the east." It is called the shrine of Our Lady of Good Health. Thousands go there, and people are healed...again, no matter what their faith.
These healings lead people to Christ through Mary. All of the different denomonations of the Christian faith are welcomed. And Christ, through His mother, heals the One Body.
In the West, the Mid-East and Far East...Christ has sent His mother. I am asked, "Why do Catholic pay such attention to Mary?" Because it is her Son, who sends her. Her soul magnifies the Lord and her spirit rejoices in God her savior.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus and The Immaculate Heart of Mary, they shower love upon the world. That love, with Scripture and Tradition... will heal the beating heart of the One Body in Christ the Lord.
2 comments:
You've stated that it is Mary's son that sends her? In what translation of the Catholic/Christian/Jewish Bible's does any reference of Mary's divine nature become present? G-d created Isa (Yeshuah,Jesus)and the angel Gabriel informed Mary that she would have a child of flesh and blood (born). Was not Mary also created by G-d? There are millions upon millions of unfortunate people that cannot read, so they are forced to follow the teachings of others. Any person claiming to be a Muslim and in attendance of this shrine is committing what we call "shirk". Are not the millions of Indians in Vailankanni practicing "Thomas Christianity" influenced by the earlier pagan actions of the Portugese? Not more than 1% of the visitors to the Vailankanni Church can or have ever read the Jewish Bible (what Christians claim as their Bible). These "miracles" and stories are very familiar from other cultures thoughout the world from the 14th and 15th centuries, prior to the established Vailankanni Church and massive Christian conversion campaign by the Portugese sailors(army). Did not G-d command that no engraven images be created. Did HE not say, "You shall not make for yourself an idol…You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God!" (Exod. 20:4,5) "You shall have no other gods before me." (Exod. 20:3) Peace be upon you.
Mary is not divine, nor do we think she is. Any power or ability that she has comes from God. All of what we call, "Marian Doctrine" only serves to glorify God. If anything does not glorify the Lord it is not good.
Graven Images are images you worship. They are images that at times are the god. Images in the Catholic faith are not worshiped, they are there to focus the mind toward God or to remind us of the holy examples of the faith.
It is true that sometimes Superstition gets into faith, and it should not.
St. Thomas Christians are indeed not in union with most Christianity. They have some practices that most of the larger branches do not agree with. They are reformed Syrian Orthodox Church and the revisions to their liturgy and practice are more reflective of protestant theology.
Miracles and stories of such are in every culture. The church is very careful with what apparitions it says are real. And mandates none of them for belief.
If I understand what you are basically saying, and please correct me if I am wrong...is that it is all either superstiton or worse. And I say it can turn into that and every worshiper must be active in turning to God for guidance. But God sends us these signs.
Miracles at Lourdes are medically documented and proved beyond (in my opinion)reasonable doubt.
I'm sure people disgree, but may the Lord guide us to His truth. And may all conversation between us be blessed.
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