NSoC 23: The Woman Clothed with the Sun

See Notes on this series...

Merton's most Catholic chapter thus far is a tribute to the Blessed Virgin.

He states that most non-Catholics misunderstand devotion to Mary, almost like it is our fault. He states that Mary's appeal is in her "nothingness," and that nothing she did was done on her own, outside of the work of God. He says the son and the mother cannot be separated because she, above all humanity, was closest to the mystery. All generations must bless her because without her obedience they would not have received the "supernatural life and joy...granted to them."

Quibble:
As I said in the series notes, I won't spend much time and energy on apologetics. But I don't see where scripture teaches that Mary was "free from all sin" as Merton does. She's not even mentioned outside the gospels; you'd think that Peter, James, or John would have said something as notable as that. Mary was a special vessel, yes, even to be considered blessed by all generations. But God opened Sarai's womb, too. (This example is not in any way meant to compare the fruit of Sarai's womb with the fruit of Mary's. See why I said I'd rarely dabble in apologetics?)

Quip:
"That's all I have to say about that." - Forrest Gump