One great thing about being Catholic is that conversion is more than a single event, but rather an entire life lived under heaven before the bright eyes of God. We are always being converted; that is the Baptized, sometimes even when it feels like we are being unconverted. We are living epistles of God’s dealing with men. All of us hold stories and experiences that stand out in our lives–good and bad–that ultimately lead to a deeper and more profound sense of the God who is.

Christians often fail to understand that truth is not a set of doctrinal or dogmatic statements as such, but rather ultimate reality, or things as they really are. Doctrine and dogma are useful in so far as they lead us to this pure destiny of heaven as it really is. We have a tendency to put concepts or doctrine on a shelf in our intellect in nice compartments where dust gathers. I would be the first in line to declare that I have fallen prey to this silly behavior.

Now when it comes to the glorification of Jesus Christ, I can forever dance before the King.  My humanity sits on throne with God in heaven.  The Orthodox call it deification, I call it the great exaltation of little men. “When I am lifted up, I shall draw all men unto me.” Holy God, if this can’t get us excited nothing will. It is greater than a dogma; it is the ultimate joy and hope of every man and woman in the universe!  Jesus Christ is Lord to the Glory of God the Father. Yabba Dabba Doo!!!!!!  This is Dogma but I know it as ultimate joy, hope, and love.

Following my prior tales of the Mother of God, I have failed to live out that which I received from the Holy Spirit. I received enough revelation about Mary to accept the dogmatic statements of the Church, while failing to embrace her fully as she is as person, as Mother and Mediatrix of grace amongst other teaching. Why would I do this?  It’s simple.  I was comfortable being Christocentric in my little bubble of the Kingdom and I was afraid to practice what I knew to be true. But God is not concerned about my comfort level, or my fear. He is saying to me, even to all of us, “thy Kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  He wants us to go up and in, deeper and further, casting off restraint to live on the edge of faith, hope, and love. To have courage as opposed to fear, faith instead of doubt and self-protection.  Let me tell you friends, it is not safe to have a static Bible and think eternal light could only be quoted chapter and verse. The Kingdom is not static.  It is pushing forward to a climax of resurrection glory, where the Mother of God has received her eternal reward.  To fear her or doubt her glorification is to fear and doubt our own glorification that awaits us, for she is the first fruits of our new humanity, my Mother and your Mother.

‘Hail Mary full of grace the Lord is with thee, blessed are you among women, and blessed be the fruit of your whom Jesus, holy Mary Mother of God pray for us sinners now and at the our of our death.’ Amen