Scripture Post #469: *FOCUS REDIRECTED*

Luke 11:

27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

[Disclaimer: The image here (in its original form) was from an image search-engine. The original source of this image is unbeknown to me. I own no rights of this image.]

A woman who heard JESUS' teachings directed her focus on JESUS' Mother (Mary). I suppose she thought: "Bless this woman who birthed such a wonderful and powerful Son and Lord!" But JESUS redirected her focus with the response: "Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." Those who hear and keep (keep = hold-to & do) the WORD of GOD are "rather" blessed than Mary. I believe JESUS said this to redirect focus away from Mary, because it can become dangerous to focus on the wrong things. Too much admiration for Mary can turn into idolatry. This is what Catholicism suffers from. Just read some quotes from some of their Popes and you'll see how the focus of Catholicism is misdirected. 

"Holy Scripture was written to Mary, about Mary, and on account of Mary." 

~ St. Bernard

 "No one ever finds Christ but with and through Mary. Whoever seeks Christ apart from Mary seeks Him in vain." 

~ St. Bonaventure

"What will it cost you, oh Mary, to hear our prayer?…You sit crowned Queen at the right hand of your Son…You alone, oh Mary, save us from the hands of Satan." 

~ Pope Pius Xl

"O Mary Mother of Mercy and Refuge of Sinners!"

~ Pope Pius XII

John Paul II underlined that "…The history of Christian piety teaches that MARY IS THE PATH THAT LEADS TO CHRIST…"

Let's direct our attention on the *only* SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST, and worship HIM as LORD! And let's "hear" & "keep" the WORD of GOD—these are the important things. 

Source of info regarding these Popes' quotes: remnantofgod.org

Originally Published: Wed. 12/25/13