Cardinal Ratzinger's sermon at the funeral of pope John Paul II, addressing the deceased pope (April 8, 2005; emphasis added in each quote): "Bless us holy father. We entrust your dear soul to the mother of God, your mother, who guided you each day and who will guide you now to the eternal glory of her Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen". Ratzinger, after being elected pope and taking the name Benedict XVI, in his first apostolic blessing (April 19, 2005): "The Lord will help us, and Mary, his most holy mother, will be on our side". Ratzinger's first sermon to the college of cardinals (April 20, 2005): "I invoke the maternal intercession of Mary most holy, in whose hands I place the present and the future of my person and of the church. May the Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, and all the saints, also intercede". But there is Good News, Jesus is the Messiah and Jesus said "I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John the Baptist......." Luke Chapter 7 Verse 28 and Matthew Chapter 11 Verse 10 If you must pray to a human you might better pray to John the Baptist. Mary was "blessed among women" as the bible teaches but she isn't a God or Goddess and died just like the rest of us will die. She was buried and put in a grave and her remains turned to dust just as we all will. Jesus taught us to pray "Our Father" not "hail Mary." There are no "hail Mary's " or rosaries mentioned in the Bible. People - don't teach your babies to pray to Mary! Teach them to pray to God in Jesus Christ's name! |