Mary on a half shell

         This would be the truncated version of today's (apparently obligatory) reading from Leviticus. There are chunks of stuff there in Leviticus. It is truly astounding how people have chosen that text for batter passages when there is so much more there that really makes everyone look quite hypocritical.

         Anyway, I am driving down one of our million farm roads here on this picturesque island and I see a statue of Mary and cannot help but make some comments about 'Mary on the half shell'. My husband is not familiar with this kind of commentary at all. It evolves into a commentary (again) about the Roman church and their practises involving all sorts of statues.  He's having trouble containing himself as I regale him with stories about religiosity and apparent statue worship. He loses it almost completely when I get into burying statues of Joseph upside down in your yard to guarantee that your property sells.

         If there is a medium ground to be found in this lecture on how we can possibly use statues as sources of mediation and prayer it is lost on how far flung the worship practises of the Roman church have gone in 'almost' defying' chunks of concrete and idol worship. 

       What part of this passage from Leviticus is lost on the Roman church, on anyone who sees fit to transfer devotion to Christ on a relative or follower of Christ so as to elevate that person to the same level as Christ himself? It is a curious phenomena that we have been clearly been warned of.

        Having said that and I feel justified in saying say especially since I've already risked my eternal soul by "attempting to marry another gentleman" (poking fun at the Romans again).  In all honesty there is merit in solemn Marian respect, worship is another thing though. 

       I have always noted what strength there was in Mary. More than strength really, it is strength of faith, guts, maybe even ballzy. Here is a young Jewish girl betrothed to an older obviously Jewish man. Visions of Lazer Wolf and Tzietel might come to mind.  Asked to carry the God child while in this social situation is precarius at best. What she is almost asking for is certain a broken engagement and a good possibility of being stoned to death.  The faith of this young girl is astounding and certainly can be emulated. Elevated to almost dietific status? Mais non!  

         Whoever said 'everything in moderation' would have a field day here.  We tread dangerously in glorifying objects close to God but that are not in fact God.  Guides, aids, objet d'art but not rising to the status of worship.  We tread this fine line with Saints. Examples of holy living, graced lives and ones to be emulated but not worshiped and certainly not as an intercessory to God.  No intermediary to God is necessary, not Mary nor anyone else.

Leviticus 26:1-2

You shall make for yourselves no idols and erect no carved images or pillars, and you shall not place figured stones in your land, to worship at them; for I am the Lord your God. You shall keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.