What do Anthony Hopkins, Netflix and Joel Osteen have in common? The Virgin Mary. It sounds like the start of a joke, but this Christmas, in the midst of the movies filled with snowstorms and over-worked business executives who rediscover the magic of Christmas in small town America, Netflix have released Mary, a feature film about the mother of Jesus.
Read MoreMay 1st the Catholic Church in Italy will dedicate the entire nation to Mary, demonstrating yet again how deeply rooted Marianism is in the DNA of Catholicism. This act of dedication is a clear demonstration of Catholic theology that indicates where the Church's loyalty lies in times of need. While the Church professes its adoration of the divine Trinity, it is actually to Mary that the church directs its attention and devotion, for it is Mary that is closer, more motherly, and more willing to listen to the supplications of the Church. This then begs the question: Where is Christ? What is His role? Is he not Emanuel, God with us? Is he not the only mediator between God and man? Being God himself in human form, is it not He that intercedes on our behalf? What about the Holy Spirit? Where is He and what is His role? Is He not the one who brings our prayers before the Father in the name of Christ? Is it not He that actively and constantly comforts and consoles the faithful?
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