Hail, Holy Queen

Anyone who's Catholic knows that for most of us laypeople, there's a lot to absorb and take in to really be educated on the Church's doctrine. Up to this point, I knew only a small amount of things about why we honored the BVM in the way we do. I always assumed that it was fairly cut and dry - she surrendered totally and completely to God's will, even when she likely knew that it would cause her grief and who knows what else back 2000 years ago, and as a result of her total and complete surrender, we should likewise follow Jesus everywhere and through all things.Luke 1:28 - And coming to her, he said, “Hail, favored one! The Lord is with you.” Verse 29 goes on to say, "But she was greatly troubled at what was said and pondered what sort of greeting this might be."Think about that - GREATLY TROUBLED. That means she PROBABLY HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS TAKING PLACE. If she did, why would she be troubled? If she wasn't troubled, why would Luke make mention of it in the Gospel? She would already know what was about to happen, and would have been waiting for that critical moment in time to take place.Verse 30: "Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God."Verse 38: "Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.' Then the angel departed from her. "I AM THE HANDMAID OF THE LORD. MAY IT BE DONE TO ME ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD. The definition of "handmaid" is "female servant". She is a servant, a follower, humbled before her God. Just as you. Just as me. Just as anyone who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ.The greatest lesson here - at least in my opinion - is that how many times does God call us to do things and we grumble, complain, and say "do I really HAVE to God?" *kicks at the dirt* "it's just soooooo hard what you're asking me to do... ugh..." *kicks at the dirt and looks up at the heavens with one eye* - and yet here was someone who was willing to sacrifice probably EVERYTHING at that time - even the man she loved - for the will of God.That, my friends, is the lesson (in my opinion, and I'm no scholar) that the Church teaches us to model our lives after. Never once did Mary question WHY. A lot of my Protestant friends quote the Scriptures where Jesus said "all those who follow the will of my Father are my brothers and sisters" - and I don't think this detracts from the role that the BVM played and continues to play. Nowhere in the Bible did Mary ever go around acting as though she was high and mighty because she bore the Son of God. She was all about humility and as a PERSON, she GAVE HERSELF FREELY TO THE WILL OF GOD. Her focus remained on Jesus, even until his death (and resurrection).For me, while this book is probably twice as long as it really needs to be, it has a lot of excellent information, and while it's a slow start, after I got about halfway through it, I had to finish reading it till the end. It's simple enough for someone as dumb as me to understand, yet high level enough to adequately defend Catholics' veneration of the BVM. I turned off my Kindle thinking wow... I learned so much just now... and I have a deeper understanding of just how intertwined and interconnected God's great plan is. When I venerate the BVM and pray the Rosary, I have a deeper understanding now and appreciation for how God really works. Marian devotion doesn't detract from God.I am Catholic in part because of my grandmother, who through her example showed me what it is to truly put others before yourself, love God above all else, and love one another. My honor and love for her doesn't detract from my love for God. In fact, it draws me closer to Him because she was an example that I yearn to be like and follow. Thus is the role of the BVM. She leads us to her Son, the source of all salvation.

This is a well thought out presentation of the Love of God working with the Full cooperation of a human person! That humanity lost the ability to totally cooperate with God's will is all too apparent! In this work, we see the only human person (that isn't divine!) that never operates outside of full union with the Divine Will.Scripture, using the language and conventions extant in the time of Christ, makes this point. Unfortunately, most of us need a guide to see this ancient e4 Christian's heritage.This is a scholarly work of love for Christ and for His mother. We simple humans will never love Mary more than her Son, our LORD, does!In loving the mother, we allow her to show us the Way-do what He tells you!

This book was a real eye opener for me, a cradle Catholic, and I highly recommend this to all Catholics who like me have wondered why all this devotion to Mary when it clearly offends our Protestant brethren. I now realise that if others have an erroneous view of something that is good and laudable, it doesn't mean I have to commit sins of omission for their sakes less I become like the other players in the parable of the good Samaritan.Hahn, here, as a former Mary-hater, explains in a very clear, succinct manner the teachings of the Church over the centuries in an easy way for us modern believers to understand using personal anecdotes and experiences together with his unique ability of being able to explain complex doctrine in everyday layman language.If you a Fundamental Protestant who has been brainwashed by your pastor with slanderous information about the true relationship between Mother Mary and the Catholic Church, I challenge you to read this and to learn the truth.Imagine if you went to your good friend's house, one whom you admire and love greatly, and met his mother there. Would you in front of your friend despise her and ignore her, totally disrespecting her? Good luck if your friend ever talks to you again. And yet, some Christians claim to love Jesus and yet despise His mother?Common sense and courtesy tells us that if we love someone very much, we should also love his family and the ones that he loves too. So while we only worship God, we can still honor and respect His Family.Great book and highly recommended; I dare you to read it!