Luke 1:46-48 And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me BLESSED,
First of all, what does it mean to HONOR someone? HONOR can be defined as: personal integrity; allegiance to moral principles; GREAT RESPECT, ESTEEM; a woman’s chastity; out of respect; to hold in respect: TO CONFER A DISTINCTION UPON etc.
Hence…that said. Is it right for the believer to hold Mary, the mother of Jesus in esteem? If yes. Why do you think we should? If not. Why do you disagree? I would love to hear your thoughts on this one! As for me, I personally hold Mary in great esteem and these are my reasons:
FOR HER OBEDIENCE
Luke 1:38 ‘I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. ‘May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
FOR HER HUMILITY
Luke 1: 47-48 ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the HUMBLE STATE of his servant.
FOR HER FAITHFULNESS
Luke 2:22 When the time of purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord.
FOR HER LISTENING HEART
Luke 2: 34-35 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: ‘This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many will be revealed. AND A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR OWN SOUL TOO.”
FOR HER MOTHERLY LOVE
Luke 2:49-51 ‘Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. BUT HIS MOTHER TREASURED ALL THESE THINGS IN HER HEART.
FOR HER SERVANT SPIRIT
John 2:4-5 “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied, “My time has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”
FOR STANDING BY HER SON
John 19:25 Near the cross of Jesus, STOOD HIS MOTHER, his mother’s sister Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.
FOR HER FAITH IN HIM AS HER SAVIOUR
Acts 1:13-14 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Phillip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zeolot, and Judas son of James. They all joined together CONSTANTLY IN PRAYER, along with the women and MARY, the mother of JESUS, and with his brothers.
Do you still have doubts about honoring Mary for all the right reasons? Honoring Mary should not be borne out of religiousness but rather by knowing the truth which always sets one free!
You are loved and blessed!
RAINBOW GULF OF LOVE 
Hi Gladwell! This is a thought provoking article. This is the 5th time I’ve tried to comment on this article and everytime something happened.
Honor means to show respect and Mary is certainly worthy of that from us. The great thing about the mean and women of the bible is that we have so many wonderful people who give us a true picture of God’s servants who love Him and who walk in faith and have a heart for Him. Mary again is certainly a primary example.
My neighbors are Jewish (with many being Hassidic), Middle-Eastern Catholics, Muslims from other countries, Baptist, Pentecostal, non-denominational and much more. We are very diverse.
Often, when I am walking I see statues of Mary in people’s yards and on their porches. I believe this is what causes alarms for many. It gives the impression to some…that Mary is being worshipped and in the bible …the KJV; there is nothing that I have seen that would instruct me to worship Mary. However, I do honor Mary… I adore her. I do not pray to Mary and I know that there are people who do. It is not my job to judge it or to criticize it. WE ARE ALL ONE BODY…with many members. That I know!
So there’s my thoughts…thank you for allowing me to shed light on the view from my eyes. This was very insightful! Love E
Thank you, Elaine.
Mary the mother of Jesus is at the top of my most loved New Testament Bible characters. I honor her in my heart because she is my model for obedience, humility, and a listening heart. At a young age she said, “I am the maidservant of the Lord, be it done unto me according to thy word.” That is a fantastic heart response… oh I would love to be able to say those words often to God!
I also love they way she pondered things in her heart.
I honor her, not adore her… and she is a good model to me of what a lovely Christian woman is!
Thank you for sharing your heart about Mary, and for putting all those Bible verses. I know some Christian groups act as if they wanted us to hate Mary… but I love Mary. I love her heart, and her love for God.
Love
Lidj
Thank you so much Lidj. You see, I honor and truly admire many women of the Bible; Ruth, Sarah, Deborah, Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus to name a few. Because its by looking at their lives…and godliness that I can see and believe that God also has a purpose and plan for my life. I don’t worship nor adore Mary, but yes, I honor her for all the right things which the Bible shows me.
Love and hugs,
Gladwell
I’m sure that the heavens must have chosen Mary for all her qualitiles…and I respect and honor her for that…But when our respect and honor takes us to a new level…to worship her…then it goes beyond the principles of the Bible….
God Bless,
Rani John
Good insight Gladwell and I like the way you cite Scripture to support your assertion.
Being around more Catholics after I entered the working world, I asked myself in what esteem that I hold Mary. Honoring her for her faith and other quailities are where I am.
Hi Slamdunk,
I too agree with you…Every believer should ask themselves such a question….and rightfully find the reason why they should honor her…something which should not be confused with worshipping or praying through her. That’s why I felt led to write on the topic.
Blessings,
Gladwell
Dear Gladwell,
I have never heard it put that way, but what a beautiful way to describe the mother of Christ. I agree that Honoring Mary is good and you have done that. There is a big difference between Honor and worship, which I have never agreed with. You sparked some new thoughts with me sister. Thank you!
God be with you!
Jim
You see, after living in Catholic Poland for now over five years, I have often encountered the question….WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MARY? Hence, the topic above. I am learning that its good to know where people are coming from before you can actually reach out to them. And of course….sometime you hit the target and on others you might miss. But above all, God desires that our faith be based on knowledge of His Word and not just myth or assumption.
Blessings.
Gladwell
I agree that Mary should be honored for her humility and for her recognition that God is her savior. It is difficult to imagine acting with such dignity and grace in the circumstances she faced. She is an inspiration to us all!
You should read the book “Desperate Women of the Bible.” It covers 8 or 9 unnamed women and how they trusted in God. My church used it for a women’s retreat several years ago and it was such a blessing to us all.
Thank you, Linda. I will look out for the book. Who is the author?
The author is Jo Kadlecek, and is available on Amazon.com.
Thank you, Linda.
Gladwell – Thank you for this post. All these scripture references together are powerful. I have always deeply connected with Mary’s story as a young woman and her obedience to God. I think about what she must have personally endured as a young, pregnant woman in her culture in her obedience to God. Thank you for expanding my thoughts about honoring Mary. –Godspeed, Elizabeth
Of late, I have been thinking about the women in my life who have been influential in one way or another. Of course, some of those women are the Bible women and their faith plus…women in my present life who have helped shape my faith to become who I am today. Naturally, we want to honor people who have been there for us. And Mary, the mother of Jesus deserved to be called Blessed as the Word says!
Blessings,
Gladwell