Today, Gus prays an Intentional Rosary with listeners. In the middle of it, an angry listener named Kim called in and confronted Gus about Catholics praying to Mary. She didn’t have a prayer request, so Gus did his best to explain the Catholic belief in the Communion of Saints, which prompted her to try and yell over him. Gus continued his explanation for any listeners who may have the same question but are a little more receptive to Catholic teaching, and he discussed the errors in the belief in Sola Scriptura, a Protestant teaching that holds that all matters of faith can be found only in the Bible.
Afterwards, Gus reads and reflects on the writings of St. Justin Martyr in today's edition of Friday w/the Fathers.
Gus, as a loyal listener of yours myself, may I say you did an OUTSTANDING job outlining the many reasons why Catholics pray to Mary. Sadly, the person who called in was extremely rude to you, but people like that are not exemplifying being a good Christian nor a kind person. I am going to go back over your show that day so I can make additional notes of all the excellent reasons you brought up. Very comprehensive and well done!
Thanks for listening, Katie.
Luke 9:49-50 – Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”
I’m not sure what you heard, Katie, but I heard Kim call me a false prophet and Catholicism a cult. Does that sound like someone who is “for” me? The woman was nothing but combative and vulgar, and had no good intentions that I could see. I will defend my faith to the death for I know it to be true. God bless you and yours.
Gus
I listen to you often (love your show!) and heard Kim’s recent call and your response. I did not become a Christian until I was 32 years old. Everything I knew about Christianity at that point was related to Protestantism. In the last few years, I have developed a great interest in Catholicism – reading daily about the saints, listening almost exclusively to Channel 129 while driving, and even attending mass. I am conflicted about which is the most “true” – Catholicism or Protestantism. I intend to continue to read and research and perhaps I will become comfortable with one over the other at some point. In the meantime, I know I am a Christian and consider that to be the only important thing. If I die not knowing whether I agree more with Protestant or Catholic views, I believe that will be OK. In your response to Kim, you focused on justification for the view of Catholics and praying to Mary. It makes perfect sense that this is how you responded. However, as I was reading the Bible this morning – I came across Luke 9:49-50 and it brought to mind your conversation with and about Kim. Of course, one view must ultimately be correct—either God intends for us to pray to Mary, or He does not. Regardless of how much anyone thinks they know, no one can be 100% sure this side of Heaven which is the “right” way. Those that believe we shouldn’t pray to Mary surely are “OK” in God’s eyes if their hearts are true in this conviction and they feel they are doing (or not doing in this case) the right thing in practicing Christianity. Of course, the opposite is true in the case of Catholicism – if Catholics believe Jesus wants us to pray to His mother, that is exactly what they should do. It seems we shouldn’t focus as much on trying to prove each other wrong but allow for the difference. I am not saying you shouldn’t argue the case for praying to Mary, as I know that is what you 100% believe in your heart to be correct. I think you and Kim should both feel that the other is acting in accordance with their love for God in praying to Mary or in not praying to Mary, as long as the view held is in accordance with the basic tenants of Christianity and love for God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I believe that this agreeing to disagree would fall under what is discussed in Romans 14, but I am no theologian. I do know that I don’t currently pray to Mary but may one day decide that I want to speak to her every day. In the meantime, I do pray multiple times a day and love Jesus very much. I’d really love to hear your thoughts on how Luke 9:49–50 and Romans 14 might apply to your conversation with Kim. Thank you!
Gus, I called in about the chaplet to the immaculate heart of Mary but it’s really called the chaplet in praise of the Virgin Mary. Here’s a link: https://www.catholicdoors.com/prayers/chaplets/chap30.htm