☀️💛I’m a convert from Pentecostalism to Catholicism. It took me 7 years to appreciate and understand what Mary did for us. I fell in love with Mary and have never looked back. God bless Mark.
Interesting, the main converts to Catholicism seem to be from the more intellectual protestant denominations. In my conversations with charismatic evangelicals and pentecostals they often want a high level of lived experience explanation from me when engaging me on Catholic beliefs. An example would be "Mass is religion", i.e. 'form without power', "have you encountered Jesus at Mass?" "has your parish priest physically healed anyone? why not?".... What type of pentecostal background were you from? WOF?
@@michellea9857☀️💛My conversion was Purely Holy Spirit. My first experience of Holy Mass was I believed without doubt that Jesus was Present in The Holy Eucharist, a True Gift from God. Catholic since 1980, now only attend SSPX chapels. And the cherry on top of the cake - 24 years daily vision of the sun as Eucharist since 2000 after pilgrimage to Medjugorje. I Know God Loves me.
Much appreciated apologetics, helpfully explained, thank you. This was very helpful as a ‘Protestant’ looking to Rome. I do hope the bishops stay true to the Word and the church’s rich tradition. It is my one great concern having seen my episcopal denomination become increasingly apostate.
I think we're in the end times...MANY Catholic bishops, priests, & laymen may fall away in the persecutions & deceptions of the antichrist (and the possible antipope Francis may be one of them), but there will be a faithful remnant, probably saying traditional Latin Mass underground. Think how unfaithful the Jewish leaders (and Judas, one of the Twelve, handpicked by Our Lord!) were at the time of the coming of Jesus, their Messiah. But Judaism was still the true church of its day. God bless you & your loved ones!
Well done Mark. Lovely video. Be patient with these protestants. It will take time. I am a recent convert to the Catholic Church. If I can convert over, anyone can.
A very good explanation of our Blessed Mother. She has helped me through the years by interceding to her Son with my various requests. I’m now asking Her along with St. Jude for their intercession for my son and myself, as we are both going to an oncologist for the same messed up blood work here across the pond. I would appreciate it if you, Katherine and Gavin would put my son Dan and myself on your prayer list. Thank you. God bless you all and keep up the good work!
Great job Mark! I’m so happy that you are involved in that group and evangelizing so many about the Catholic faith! So many misunderstandings to clear up. You do a great job!
I have no religious faith. I respect entirely orthodox Catholicism. I agree with your comment re 'a sense of peace'. I also love the intellectual calibre of the podcast and look forward to it more than any other. Mark Lambert has become a compelling broadcaster with a style all his own.
Thank you Mark, I have also had similar experiences with evangelicals. One of my Baptist friends even asked me to get her a rosary. I am reminded of the account Steve Ray and his wife (both Baptists at the time) after going to Mass for the first time. After Mass, Steve asked his wife what she thought about it and her reply was "I am so angry with our (protestant) Church for lying to us all these years and I am angry with Catholics for not having the guts to tell us".
Thank you Mark. A great breakdown of Mary’s importance and role in the Church. Please more outdoor videos. It was so pleasant listening to the background wildlife.
I liked this, it reminds me of Bishop Strickland. I started out Southern Baptist and Catholics and Baptist are no so far apart- this was a very important presentation. We must all remember who we are trying to be.
Well done. Always fascinating how these baptists ( and all the other broken away denominations) claim scripture only and yet it was the Catholic Church who put it together in the first place
Thank you, Mark. I felt like we were in a very sacred place and you speak quietly felt like we were in church! Thank you so much for thisvideo more please.
Thank you dear Marc for this daily heroism of patient testimony to victims of cicumstance and history. Also noted down the beautiful Wordsworth quote-title: our tainted nature's solitary boast. Saint Charles of Foucauld confessed that after a life of testimony of simply being faithfully present among the very poor muslims in the Sahara he reckoned that with all his hope put into it but whitout trying to achieve anything missionary-like he could afirm that he knew he had been directly instrumental in the catholic conversion of only one muslim. Yet he stuck to living among muslims to the very end in humble presence, he being the guardian of the silent sacramental Host among them. What loftiness there can be through the best in Catholicism.
Thanks Guy - the full poem by Wordsworth is this: Mother! whose virgin bosom was uncrost With the least shade of thought to sin allied. Woman! above all women glorified, Our tainted nature's solitary boast; Purer than foam on central ocean tost; Brighter than eastern skies at daybreak strewn With fancied roses, than the unblemished moon Before her wane begins on heaven's blue coast; Thy image falls to earth. Yet some, I ween, Not unforgiven the suppliant knee might bend, As to a visible Power, in which did blend All that was mixed and reconciled in thee Of mother's love with maiden purity, Of high with low, celestial with terrene!
Good on you Mark 👍. Enjoyed this video and your account of treading sensitively with other denoms. Yes, the setting makes for an interesting back-drop, seems quiet peaceful. Love the electric green of the new foliage.
Love this! I'd be very interested to hear more of your adventures in evangelization. I'm sure you won more converts with your charity and gentleness that day than you probably would have if the others didn't get to see you challenged with an emotional confrontation. Very well done! - From a Catholic in Texas, USA
My daughter doesn’t believe that Our Blessed Mother remained a virgin. Whatever I say, she doesn’t accept and I find it upsetting. What you said Mark about being hungry for Jesus struck me. I don’t believe she is and that is the barrier. I pray every day that her heart and mind are opened to God’s grace.
"Some only come out by prayer **and fasting.**" Mark 9:29 (see note in Bible) Fasting, or any kind of **regular** penance or mortification, is a great & effective, but often overlooked, spiritual "weapon" for conversions and prayer intentions. For example, without saying a thing to your daughter, you could give up lunch two days a week, Wednesdays & Fridays, for her conversion. Or give up media on Friday nights. There are so many things we could fast from! I've had some great results from this so far. Hope this is helpful. God bless you and your loved ones!
@@Antonia_D I already fast and pray and also ask St Monica to pray for her. I am sure my prayers will be answered, in one way or another. This doesn’t stop me from feeling upset at times though.
@@barbararen3617 I bet it will all pay off in the end, and your daughter will thank you so much. I’m in the same boat with all my family members. St. Monica, pray for us!
Really interesting to hear this, thank you. It's fascinating how the challenges that were put to you in your class have led to such a rich explanation (if you have the knowledge and can bring everything together so effectively which you were able to do). I think you dealt with it brillianly - this has helped me too. I like the human aspect too about keeping your cool and being patient when the RC Church is coming under attack! Not an easy thing to do, I'm sure. I'd love to hear more of these types of discussions.
Hi Mark, great to hear you're defending of the Faith. I'm fairly candid about my involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous - the hostility I experience week after week, at AA meetings, toward the issues you address is astonishing. Since it's foundation in 1935, AA has always had an evangelical outlook - this despite the fact that AA's founder, Bill Wilson, had a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Dowling, as his spiritual director. As a certified Catechist, AA has provided an opportunity for me to defend the beauty & truth of our Faith in a light hearted manner - 'what will you protestants do when you meet Our Lady in heaven?' tends to provide pause for thought. In hoc signo vinces +.
This is a great video. I admire how you promote the faith to non-Catholic Christians. Here is the United States, even though their theology is off, there are many good Holy Baptists. Many of them hold Catholic values better than many Catholics. Our parish has a weekly Bible study. A dozen years ago, we had a Baptist join us for a while, but he left because he couldn't accept that JESUS was present in the Eucharist.
I was trying to explain Mary to a Baptist today. But she just kept saying Mary isn't a God, we don't worship her. I couldn't get through. I'm too new to church I think.
Not on this podcast, but I just wanted to say how much I like your intro.. the way the logo slowly appears, with the hosts' names gliding up the screen, all to lovely music. Well done.
It's a truly lovely video. I am a confirmed Catholic but also a devoted protestant. I love both. I find I run to the Catholic writings of the saints when I suffer, such as St. John of the Cross because I find my closest protestant family members don't really know how to enter into the sufferings of Christ or offer up the pain. Their instinct is to rebuke it as an attack of the devil, which it may be but we know God allows us to be sifted. I was saved in a Baptist church at 15 and was instantly miraculously healed of bulemia and have received many graces in non denominal churches including deliverance from demons and so I am grateful to both branches. I love the desert fathers and the saints and of course Mary but I can't bring myself to pray to anyone but my sweet Jesus and Our Father. I have asked God to show me the truth about the rosary and I remain open to His leading. If you're still reading... my question is regarding the idea that Mary was kept from Original Sin somehow. If God could do that for Mary, then He could have done that for everyone else, correct? Then Jesus, His only son would not have had to suffer the horrible death on the cross. Please help me to understand 🙏. ❤
@josefinborg3069 yhank you very much for your reply however it begs the question that could not God predestine others or even all and not have to slay his own son or cast any of His creatures to hell?
You have to remember that God instructs us through scripture To have a child like trust for a reason. The reason being that we can in this life only know the infinite God dimly. God's stupidity is greater that Man's wisdom. God is also infinite Love. A love beyond our wildest understanding. God has given to us the opportunity to become his adopted children. To become like Him. To become like Him we must have infinite freedom to accept but also to reject Him. Of course God could have done things differently. If we did not have this freedom then we could only be something less that the children of God. Also people who end in Hell do so of their own choice, if they had life to live 10 times over they would still make Exactly the same choice. As I said there is mystery involved and we need a child like trust in God and consentrate on what's in front of us and Going to the Sacraments and saying the Rosary.
It's also important not to go beyond our capacity for wisdom and understanding. As St Paul's says you can not feed a baby steak (you would kill it) no you give it milk. So it's the same for us. Our lack of understanding and being in the dark can be a great submission to God and lead us to a place of great humility.
@johntaaffe4709 yes, the faith of a child is important but that doesn't mean we are to believe everything we hear outside of scriptures. There are many false doctrines and I am confident you are not suggesting we believe those with the faith of a child. I am willing for God to show me the truth which is why I'm asking but just saying it's a mystery so belive it like a child isn't helpful for me personally. I realize God is infinitely wiser than me but the Bible doesn't say that Mary was kept from Original Sin and this doctrine was later added by the Catholic church in the next couple hundred years unless you have a scripture that you feel states it? If so I'd love to hear more. Blessings.
Well done. You explained this so so well. Had Campion school choir in our church tonight!! They were 👏 brilliant. You would make Campion proud (with your explanation of Mary!!).ha ha you did go to that school?
Mark,...It is interesting that Eve, wasn't created from the Earth, but, the side of Adam....What ever Christ, has is hers by design Enthusiasm is contagious Yes, the format is very good!
17:45 When I heard “Everything about Mary points to Jesus,” I read that verse and it clicked- Jesus wasn’t publicly “rebuking” or dismissing His mother, He was revealing Himself as the Word Made Flesh. If that wasn’t what that verse was about, wouldn’t He have been breaking commandment by “disowning” His mother in public?
And Mary, without any sin ever, ABOVE ALL OTHERS kept His commandments absolutely perfectly! So it wasn't a rebuke at all. It was a compliment to Mary since she always obeyed perfectly with her fiat.
I recently heard something about pregnancy that has great potential importance for our understanding of Mary. I heard that mothers **permanently** retain in their bloodstreams some of the biological cells of the babies they have carried in their wombs. I have not fact checked this at all, so please check the data before using this in evangelization!! But IF this is correct, that means that Mary carried cells of Jesus in her body permanently. How holy do you have to be to become a tabernacle of God Himself, not just for 9 months, but for all your life - including for all eternity in Heaven?! And how lovely a gift from God this is for all mothers, but most especially for our Holy Blessed Mother!! If this is true, it might make a impact on Protestants who object to our veneration & prayer to Mary.
The mystical city of God written by Mary of agreda told by God and Mary about Mary's life should be read by every one who's says they are Christian.... nobody on earth gives her due reverence or veneration as should be.
A thousand upvotes! Terrific & beautiful connections there. You could also connect Luke 8:16 as well. God "lit" Mary up by His Grace and His Word (Jesus' spiritual & physical presence within her, in her heart and in her womb). Of course we don't worship Mary -- she's not the sun, the source of light, but a derivative light. However, smaller lights multiply the Light of God. Just as St. Paul, or the Apostles, or the Bible, are lamps to guide us in the faith, Mary is a lamp of the faith for us -- but an even brighter lamp because she is without sin. Let's not not hide her under the bed as Protestants do, but put her up on a stand in love and reverence, so she can give light for all to see.
The one I have is the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. Word on Fire do a beautiful one as well! If you google Catholic Study Bible with either Word on Fire of Ignatius you'll get options. Hope that helps Alison. God bless!
Mary is an ordinary human, but full of grace; likened to the Ark of the Covenant, which was made of wood, an ordinary material but covered inside and out with gold. The lid was made of solid gold, symbol of Mary being overshadowed (preserved from sin) by the HS as the lid seals the Ark and it's contents.
I sometimes attend our local Elim Church mid week meeting. Their meeting always ends with a communion service. I have spoken to the leader, who specifically denies the real presence or anything other than a symbolic remembrance of the Last Supper. Is it possible for a Catholic to join in such a communion service? The alternative is to walk out after the prayer and praise and teaching part of the meeting - possibly giving offence.
I believe you can "passively"" join in the service in the sense of being present physically and showing respect, (i.e. bowing your head and listening to the preacher) but you can't actively participate by taking the bread and wine. This is what I was taught when studying to become a Catholic.
@@valwhelan3533 That is my understanding. Fortunately, Mark is attending an ecumenical Bible study, hosted by the Baptist Church, so is not faced with the decision as to what to do if there is a communion service.
Definitely no communion! Probably best not to attend worship there either (I think traditional teaching is that Catholics are not to worship with others outside the Catholic Church). Bible study would be OK I think for evangelization purposes.
[Acts 10:47-48 ] "Can any one forbid/refuse water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days." These verses show that Baptism is something done TO a person by another person. However, confessing one's faith is not something done TO a person by another person. Therefore, baptism is NOT a confession of faith. PS: Baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21)
Absolutely. Baptism is what confers supernatural Faith, Hope, and Charity. Anyone who believes that one can have meritorious faith, without having been baptized, believes in salvation by works.
@@johncassani6780 Luther classified faith as a work in his Treatise on Good Works: "the most precious of all good works is faith in Christ, as He says, John vi"
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church which is a compendium of Christian doctrine (CCC), Mary was "preserved immune from all stain of original sin" and "remained free of every personal sin her whole life long." CCC 491. This means that she was never tainted by sin, either original or personal, and was thus perfectly good and holy. The CCC further states that Mary was "the most excellent fruit of redemption" and "full of grace," indicating that she was not only sinless, but actively graced by God. CCC 966 This aligns with the Church's teaching that Mary was the "Immaculate Conception," preserved from sin from the first moment of her existence. CCC 508 Moreover, the CCC describes Mary as the "exalted Daughter of Sion" and the "new plan of salvation," highlighting her unique role in God's redemptive work. CCC 498 This suggests that her sinlessness was not merely a passive state, but an active goodness that made her an integral part of the divine plan. In summary, the Catholic Church's belief that Mary was sinless means that she was not only free from sin, but also actively good and holy, graced by God and playing a crucial role in salvation history. Her sinlessness was a manifestation of her profound goodness. CCC 493
@@marklambert5232 So, Catholicism does believe that she is God and equal to Christ. Whenever I inquire of other Catholics, they lie to me and say it doesn't. Thanks!
@@mbgodwebsite5272 errrr nope! Mary's role is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. She is intimately united with the Church and serves as a model of faith, charity, and perfect union with Christ. Mary is the Mother of God and the Mother of the Redeemer, but she is still "one with all those who are to be saved" as a member of the human race.
@@mbgodwebsite5272Where in the world did you get that idea? Nothing he answered said Catholics believe Mary is equal to God or/and Christ. It would be uncharitable to ask a question, pretending to be genuinely interested in knowing the answer, but in the back of your mind already knowing you would reject it and come up with your own conclusion. I’m sure that’s not what you did, so I hope you study more about what the Catholic Church teaches with an open mind and ask the Holy Spirit to clear your confusion.
Biblically she CAN NOT be defended. Period! So leave it to catholicism andtheir mahic wand. The church has made mary omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. To do this they claim soke authority to interpret scripture. If that fiesnt work then its the dave all. "Not everything has to be in the bible." How clever. I tecal somebody else like that. He feceived sdam and eve. Dame lie. "God didn't really say that." And as they day, The trst is history.
☀️💛I’m a convert from Pentecostalism to Catholicism. It took me 7 years to appreciate and understand what Mary did for us. I fell in love with Mary and have never looked back. God bless Mark.
What first started your acceptance?
@@EpoRose1☀️💛The Holy Eucharist was my draw into the Catholic Church. From then the Faith and Knowledge grew. I have no regrets.
Fantastic! God bless you Violet!
Interesting, the main converts to Catholicism seem to be from the more intellectual protestant denominations. In my conversations with charismatic evangelicals and pentecostals they often want a high level of lived experience explanation from me when engaging me on Catholic beliefs. An example would be "Mass is religion", i.e. 'form without power', "have you encountered Jesus at Mass?" "has your parish priest physically healed anyone? why not?".... What type of pentecostal background were you from? WOF?
@@michellea9857☀️💛My conversion was Purely Holy Spirit. My first experience of Holy Mass was I believed without doubt that Jesus was Present in The Holy Eucharist, a True Gift from God. Catholic since 1980, now only attend SSPX chapels. And the cherry on top of the cake - 24 years daily vision of the sun as Eucharist since 2000 after pilgrimage to Medjugorje. I Know God Loves me.
Much appreciated apologetics, helpfully explained, thank you. This was very helpful as a ‘Protestant’ looking to Rome. I do hope the bishops stay true to the Word and the church’s rich tradition. It is my one great concern having seen my episcopal denomination become increasingly apostate.
I think we're in the end times...MANY Catholic bishops, priests, & laymen may fall away in the persecutions & deceptions of the antichrist (and the possible antipope Francis may be one of them), but there will be a faithful remnant, probably saying traditional Latin Mass underground.
Think how unfaithful the Jewish leaders (and Judas, one of the Twelve, handpicked by Our Lord!) were at the time of the coming of Jesus, their Messiah. But Judaism was still the true church of its day. God bless you & your loved ones!
Well done Mark. Lovely video. Be patient with these protestants. It will take time. I am a recent convert to the Catholic Church. If I can convert over, anyone can.
I wish I was as good at explaining the Faith as you and many others do. Great talk. Thank you.
A very good explanation of our Blessed Mother. She has helped me through the years by interceding to her Son with my various requests. I’m now asking Her along with St. Jude for their intercession for my son and myself, as we are both going to an oncologist for the same messed up blood work here across the pond. I would appreciate it if you, Katherine and Gavin would put my son Dan and myself on your prayer list. Thank you. God bless you all and keep up the good work!
I will pray!
If you think prayer works, why are you going to an oncologist?
What a beautiful perspective. Thank you for sharing.
Mark, an inspiring video. You know so much about the Catholic faith and are able to share it graciously. I so admire you.
Great job Mark! I’m so happy that you are involved in that group and evangelizing so many about the Catholic faith! So many misunderstandings to clear up. You do a great job!
I love listening to you, all three of you... I always get a sense of peace. The setting was nice.
Thank you Juliette!
I have no religious faith. I respect entirely orthodox Catholicism. I agree with your comment re 'a sense of peace'. I also love the intellectual calibre of the podcast and look forward to it more than any other. Mark Lambert has become a compelling broadcaster with a style all his own.
@@frasersutherland1834 wow, many thanks for the compliment!
@@frasersutherland1834 Totally agree!
Thank you Mark, I have also had similar experiences with evangelicals. One of my Baptist friends even asked me to get her a rosary. I am reminded of the account Steve Ray and his wife (both Baptists at the time) after going to Mass for the first time. After Mass, Steve asked his wife what she thought about it and her reply was "I am so angry with our (protestant) Church for lying to us all these years and I am angry with Catholics for not having the guts to tell us".
Thank you Helen and thanks for watching!
Thank you Mark. A great breakdown of Mary’s importance and role in the Church.
Please more outdoor videos. It was so pleasant listening to the background wildlife.
Thanks Mark
I liked this, it reminds me of Bishop Strickland. I started out Southern Baptist and Catholics and Baptist are no so far apart- this was a very important presentation. We must all remember who we are trying to be.
Thank you Richard!
Mark, how beautifully you handled this situation! I am most impressed. And I love the outdoor venue!
Well done. Always fascinating how these baptists ( and all the other broken away denominations) claim scripture only and yet it was the Catholic Church who put it together in the first place
Thank you, Mark. I felt like we were in a very sacred place and you speak quietly felt like we were in church! Thank you so much for thisvideo more please.
Thank you Mark, you did so well, staying your lovely good natured self helped.
It may have been a blessing in disguise. As you were answering her objections to the catholic church the other protestants were listening too.
God Bless you,Mark.And I do enjoy your outdoor videos!🙏🏼
Thank you dear Marc for this daily heroism of patient testimony to victims of cicumstance and history. Also noted down the beautiful Wordsworth quote-title: our tainted nature's solitary boast. Saint Charles of Foucauld confessed that after a life of testimony of simply being faithfully present among the very poor muslims in the Sahara he reckoned that with all his hope put into it but whitout trying to achieve anything missionary-like he could afirm that he knew he had been directly instrumental in the catholic conversion of only one muslim. Yet he stuck to living among muslims to the very end in humble presence, he being the guardian of the silent sacramental Host among them. What loftiness there can be through the best in Catholicism.
Thanks Guy - the full poem by Wordsworth is this:
Mother! whose virgin bosom was uncrost
With the least shade of thought to sin allied.
Woman! above all women glorified,
Our tainted nature's solitary boast;
Purer than foam on central ocean tost;
Brighter than eastern skies at daybreak strewn
With fancied roses, than the unblemished moon
Before her wane begins on heaven's blue coast;
Thy image falls to earth. Yet some, I ween,
Not unforgiven the suppliant knee might bend,
As to a visible Power, in which did blend
All that was mixed and reconciled in thee
Of mother's love with maiden purity,
Of high with low, celestial with terrene!
Loved this video Mark, thank you for sharing. Loved the vineyard as well.
Thanks for watching Kristinas!
Good on you Mark 👍. Enjoyed this video and your account of treading sensitively with other denoms.
Yes, the setting makes for an interesting back-drop, seems quiet peaceful. Love the electric green of the new foliage.
Excellent Mark. Praying to Mary is obviously endorsed by scripture in the Wedding at Cana.
God bless you Mark, I throughly enjoyed this beautiful video.
Thank you!
Love this! I'd be very interested to hear more of your adventures in evangelization. I'm sure you won more converts with your charity and gentleness that day than you probably would have if the others didn't get to see you challenged with an emotional confrontation. Very well done! - From a Catholic in Texas, USA
Great to hear you….thank you and God bless you
My daughter doesn’t believe that Our Blessed Mother remained a virgin. Whatever I say, she doesn’t accept and I find it upsetting. What you said Mark about being hungry for Jesus struck me. I don’t believe she is and that is the barrier. I pray every day that her heart and mind are opened to God’s grace.
"Some only come out by prayer **and fasting.**" Mark 9:29 (see note in Bible)
Fasting, or any kind of **regular** penance or mortification, is a great & effective, but often overlooked, spiritual "weapon" for conversions and prayer intentions. For example, without saying a thing to your daughter, you could give up lunch two days a week, Wednesdays & Fridays, for her conversion. Or give up media on Friday nights. There are so many things we could fast from! I've had some great results from this so far. Hope this is helpful.
God bless you and your loved ones!
@@Antonia_D I already fast and pray and also ask St Monica to pray for her. I am sure my prayers will be answered, in one way or another. This doesn’t stop me from feeling upset at times though.
@@barbararen3617 I bet it will all pay off in the end, and your daughter will thank you so much. I’m in the same boat with all my family members. St. Monica, pray for us!
@@Antonia_D Amen. 🙏🏻
How is she on other stuff Barbara? Does she love Jesus?
Well done brother.
Thanks Mark for an insightful and definitely helpful presentation, I just wish I could remember it all.
Well it is here for posterity so you can always go back over it for a refresher! God bless you Clive and thank you for watching!
Really interesting to hear this, thank you. It's fascinating how the challenges that were put to you in your class have led to such a rich explanation (if you have the knowledge and can bring everything together so effectively which you were able to do). I think you dealt with it brillianly - this has helped me too. I like the human aspect too about keeping your cool and being patient when the RC Church is coming under attack! Not an easy thing to do, I'm sure. I'd love to hear more of these types of discussions.
Thank you very much!
Hi Mark, great to hear you're defending of the Faith. I'm fairly candid about my involvement with Alcoholics Anonymous - the hostility I experience week after week, at AA meetings, toward the issues you address is astonishing. Since it's foundation in 1935, AA has always had an evangelical outlook - this despite the fact that AA's founder, Bill Wilson, had a Catholic priest, Fr Edward Dowling, as his spiritual director.
As a certified Catechist, AA has provided an opportunity for me to defend the beauty & truth of our Faith in a light hearted manner - 'what will you protestants do when you meet Our Lady in heaven?' tends to provide pause for thought. In hoc signo vinces +.
Thank you Mark. enjoyed this video and yes, would love to have more!
Thank you for watching!
More videos outside please! God bless you!
This is a great video. I admire how you promote the faith to non-Catholic Christians. Here is the United States, even though their theology is off, there are many good Holy Baptists. Many of them hold Catholic values better than many Catholics. Our parish has a weekly Bible study. A dozen years ago, we had a Baptist join us for a while, but he left because he couldn't accept that JESUS was present in the Eucharist.
Very sweet to hear about your experience with the British Baptists. I think the woman challenging you was appointed by God.
I was trying to explain Mary to a Baptist today. But she just kept saying Mary isn't a God, we don't worship her. I couldn't get through. I'm too new to church I think.
Not on this podcast, but I just wanted to say how much I like your intro.. the way the logo slowly appears, with the hosts' names gliding up the screen, all to lovely music. Well done.
It's a truly lovely video. I am a confirmed Catholic but also a devoted protestant. I love both. I find I run to the Catholic writings of the saints when I suffer, such as St. John of the Cross because I find my closest protestant family members don't really know how to enter into the sufferings of Christ or offer up the pain. Their instinct is to rebuke it as an attack of the devil, which it may be but we know God allows us to be sifted. I was saved in a Baptist church at 15 and was instantly miraculously healed of bulemia and have received many graces in non denominal churches including deliverance from demons and so I am grateful to both branches.
I love the desert fathers and the saints and of course Mary but I can't bring myself to pray to anyone but my sweet Jesus and Our Father. I have asked God to show me the truth about the rosary and I remain open to His leading.
If you're still reading... my question is regarding the idea that Mary was kept from Original Sin somehow. If God could do that for Mary, then He could have done that for everyone else, correct? Then Jesus, His only son would not have had to suffer the horrible death on the cross. Please help me to understand 🙏. ❤
The Virgin MARY. was. predestined to be the Mother of His Son so She was conceived without sin, She was full of grace .
@josefinborg3069 yhank you very much for your reply however it begs the question that could not God predestine others or even all and not have to slay his own son or cast any of His creatures to hell?
You have to remember that God instructs us through scripture To have a child like trust for a reason. The reason being that we can in this life only know the infinite God dimly. God's stupidity is greater that Man's wisdom. God is also infinite Love. A love beyond our wildest understanding. God has given to us the opportunity to become his adopted children. To become like Him. To become like Him we must have infinite freedom to accept but also to reject Him. Of course God could have done things differently. If we did not have this freedom then we could only be something less that the children of God. Also people who end in Hell do so of their own choice, if they had life to live 10 times over they would still make Exactly the same choice. As I said there is mystery involved and we need a child like trust in God and consentrate on what's in front of us and Going to the Sacraments and saying the Rosary.
It's also important not to go beyond our capacity for wisdom and understanding. As St Paul's says you can not feed a baby steak (you would kill it) no you give it milk. So it's the same for us. Our lack of understanding and being in the dark can be a great submission to God and lead us to a place of great humility.
@johntaaffe4709 yes, the faith of a child is important but that doesn't mean we are to believe everything we hear outside of scriptures. There are many false doctrines and I am confident you are not suggesting we believe those with the faith of a child. I am willing for God to show me the truth which is why I'm asking but just saying it's a mystery so belive it like a child isn't helpful for me personally. I realize God is infinitely wiser than me but the Bible doesn't say that Mary was kept from Original Sin and this doctrine was later added by the Catholic church in the next couple hundred years unless you have a scripture that you feel states it? If so I'd love to hear more. Blessings.
Well done. You explained this so so well. Had Campion school choir in our church tonight!! They were 👏 brilliant. You would make Campion proud (with your explanation of Mary!!).ha ha you did go to that school?
Mark,...It is interesting that Eve, wasn't created from the Earth, but, the side of Adam....What ever Christ, has is hers by design
Enthusiasm is contagious
Yes, the format is very good!
17:45 When I heard “Everything about Mary points to Jesus,” I read that verse and it clicked- Jesus wasn’t publicly “rebuking” or dismissing His mother, He was revealing Himself as the Word Made Flesh. If that wasn’t what that verse was about, wouldn’t He have been breaking commandment by “disowning” His mother in public?
Exactly - as a devout Torah-observant Jew, Jesus would certainly have kept the commandment about honouring his parents.
And Mary, without any sin ever, ABOVE ALL OTHERS kept His commandments absolutely perfectly! So it wasn't a rebuke at all. It was a compliment to Mary since she always obeyed perfectly with her fiat.
I recently heard something about pregnancy that has great potential importance for our understanding of Mary. I heard that mothers **permanently** retain in their bloodstreams some of the biological cells of the babies they have carried in their wombs.
I have not fact checked this at all, so please check the data before using this in evangelization!! But IF this is correct, that means that Mary carried cells of Jesus in her body permanently.
How holy do you have to be to become a tabernacle of God Himself, not just for 9 months, but for all your life - including for all eternity in Heaven?!
And how lovely a gift from God this is for all mothers, but most especially for our Holy Blessed Mother!! If this is true, it might make a impact on Protestants who object to our veneration & prayer to Mary.
The mystical city of God written by Mary of agreda told by God and Mary about Mary's life should be read by every one who's says they are Christian.... nobody on earth gives her due reverence or veneration as should be.
Hi Mark we met a few months ago 😊 n Chicago
Hi Phillip how are you doing!?
@@marklambert5232 My journey to the Catholic Church from Protestantism is indeed unique.
@@marklambert5232 I am doing fine
I can’t recommend enough the book Under The Mantle. If you can only read one book about the Blessed Virgin Mary, read that one.
Unusual biblical defense of Mary, in 3 simple steps:
1. Luke 1:42
2. Luke 6:43-44
3. Luke 8:15,21
A thousand upvotes! Terrific & beautiful connections there. You could also connect Luke 8:16 as well. God "lit" Mary up by His Grace and His Word (Jesus' spiritual & physical presence within her, in her heart and in her womb).
Of course we don't worship Mary -- she's not the sun, the source of light, but a derivative light. However, smaller lights multiply the Light of God.
Just as St. Paul, or the Apostles, or the Bible, are lamps to guide us in the faith, Mary is a lamp of the faith for us -- but an even brighter lamp because she is without sin. Let's not not hide her under the bed as Protestants do, but put her up on a stand in love and reverence, so she can give light for all to see.
Hi what is a Catholic study Bible please? Could you recommend one? Thank you.😊
The one I have is the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible. Word on Fire do a beautiful one as well! If you google Catholic Study Bible with either Word on Fire of Ignatius you'll get options. Hope that helps Alison. God bless!
@@marklambert5232 thank for pointing me in the right direction. If you have a tough time in a group setting...pray for clarity from the Holy Spirit?
Mary is an ordinary human, but full of grace; likened to the Ark of the Covenant, which was made of wood, an ordinary material but covered inside and out with gold. The lid was made of solid gold, symbol of Mary being overshadowed (preserved from sin) by the HS as the lid seals the Ark and it's contents.
Wow! Thanks for the details on the wood, the gold, and the seal. I hadn't heard these before. BEAUTIFUL!!!
I sometimes attend our local Elim Church mid week meeting. Their meeting always ends with a communion service. I have spoken to the leader, who specifically denies the real presence or anything other than a symbolic remembrance of the Last Supper. Is it possible for a Catholic to join in such a communion service? The alternative is to walk out after the prayer and praise and teaching part of the meeting - possibly giving offence.
I believe you can "passively"" join in the service in the sense of being present physically and showing respect, (i.e. bowing your head and listening to the preacher) but you can't actively participate by taking the bread and wine. This is what I was taught when studying to become a Catholic.
@@valwhelan3533 That is my understanding. Fortunately, Mark is attending an ecumenical Bible study, hosted by the Baptist Church, so is not faced with the decision as to what to do if there is a communion service.
Definitely no communion! Probably best not to attend worship there either (I think traditional teaching is that Catholics are not to worship with others outside the Catholic Church). Bible study would be OK I think for evangelization purposes.
@@Antonia_D Thank you.
@@Mark3ABE You’re very welcome. Hope all goes well with the group, and may God bless you and your loved ones.
[Acts 10:47-48 ] "Can any one forbid/refuse water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days."
These verses show that Baptism is something done TO a person by another person.
However, confessing one's faith is not something done TO a person by another person.
Therefore, baptism is NOT a confession of faith.
PS: Baptism saves (1 Peter 3:21)
Absolutely. Baptism is what confers supernatural Faith, Hope, and Charity. Anyone who believes that one can have meritorious faith, without having been baptized, believes in salvation by works.
_However, confessing one's faith is not something done TO a person by another person._ Are you a Christian?
@@tco13v What are you disagreeing with?
@@johncassani6780 Luther classified faith as a work in his Treatise on Good Works: "the most precious of all good works is faith in Christ, as He says, John vi"
@@tombretislow7091 Are you a Christian? Can you answer that or would you rather not confess person to person that you make known your faith in Christ?
I have a question. Catholics believe that Mary was sinless. So, does this mean that she was good?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church which is a compendium of Christian doctrine (CCC), Mary was "preserved immune from all stain of original sin" and "remained free of every personal sin her whole life long." CCC 491. This means that she was never tainted by sin, either original or personal, and was thus perfectly good and holy.
The CCC further states that Mary was "the most excellent fruit of redemption" and "full of grace," indicating that she was not only sinless, but actively graced by God. CCC 966 This aligns with the Church's teaching that Mary was the "Immaculate Conception," preserved from sin from the first moment of her existence. CCC 508
Moreover, the CCC describes Mary as the "exalted Daughter of Sion" and the "new plan of salvation," highlighting her unique role in God's redemptive work. CCC 498 This suggests that her sinlessness was not merely a passive state, but an active goodness that made her an integral part of the divine plan.
In summary, the Catholic Church's belief that Mary was sinless means that she was not only free from sin, but also actively good and holy, graced by God and playing a crucial role in salvation history. Her sinlessness was a manifestation of her profound goodness. CCC 493
So, Catholicism does believe she is God and equal to Christ.@@marklambert5232
@@marklambert5232 So, Catholicism does believe that she is God and equal to Christ. Whenever I inquire of other Catholics, they lie to me and say it doesn't. Thanks!
@@mbgodwebsite5272 errrr nope! Mary's role is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. She is intimately united with the Church and serves as a model of faith, charity, and perfect union with Christ. Mary is the Mother of God and the Mother of the Redeemer, but she is still "one with all those who are to be saved" as a member of the human race.
@@mbgodwebsite5272Where in the world did you get that idea? Nothing he answered said Catholics believe Mary is equal to God or/and Christ. It would be uncharitable to ask a question, pretending to be genuinely interested in knowing the answer, but in the back of your mind already knowing you would reject it and come up with your own conclusion. I’m sure that’s not what you did, so I hope you study more about what the Catholic Church teaches with an open mind and ask the Holy Spirit to clear your confusion.
Biblically she CAN NOT be defended. Period! So leave it to catholicism andtheir mahic wand. The church has made mary omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. To do this they claim soke authority to interpret scripture. If that fiesnt work then its the dave all. "Not everything has to be in the bible." How clever. I tecal somebody else like that. He feceived sdam and eve. Dame lie. "God didn't really say that." And as they day, The trst is history.