Rex, thanks for your response.
I prefer not to engage in deep theological discernings and interpretations of original Scripture language, and so on. For one, it is very often the case that two believers can find Biblical verses that appear to contradict each other, and in some cases do contradict each other on a certain level. So, for example, when you cite a passage Hebrews that assumedly must include every human ever conceived then that leaves no exceptions, but also leaves a lot of other fantastic insights to our faith looking rather out of sorts. I do not accept this. Nor do I accept one interpretation of one passage to be "gospel" and to be applied in all circumstances.
The teachings on Mary are from every generation. The countless saints who gave us revelations on her unmatched favor given to her by God is of extreme importance. Now either they were intended by God to reveal greater truths to His Church and to the faithful, or they were lies from the evil one to deceive us. There is simply too much glory in the mother of God for her creator God to allow her to be so maligned, misused and as a deception for the devil. I cannot accept that, I see no reason Jesus would allow it either. Nor can I see how an all Holy God would pass through the womb of one with sin. Nor is the thought of Mary ever having carnal relations conceivable. Nor can I see all these incredible appearances of the Virgin Mary to be tools of the devil telling us to repent and pray. God's ways are not our ways. If He so chooses to honor His mother / daughter above all of creation, none of that is in opposition to God's love for man, nor Jesus' sacrifice for man. We are instructed to pray to Mary because it is our way of honoring her. Her prayers, I am certain, are far greater in weight than asking my neighbor to pray for me. As the archangel Gabriel declared "Hail Mary, full of grace."
Again, that is my belief and the Catholic Church's belief. Not insisting others are in great peril if they do not.
