Prayer to Mary, response to PBJ

 De Maria said...

PBJ said:

Imagine that Jones is a very godly man and that Smith is his less godly Christian friend. Smith has some problems in his life. One would never say to Smith, "Fly to Jones for refuge and ask him to deliver you from all dangers" meaning by that, "Ask Jones to pray for you." It wouldn't matter how great a person Jones was, how great a Christian, how much the passage in James could be presumed to apply to Jones. To talk about Jones in those terms would be to treat him as a superbeing or a magician, not just an especially godly man.

Imagine that you see an Angel approach Jones and say, "Hail Jones, God has told me to bring you a message. God says that you are the most blessed of men and He is always with you."

Now, will you fly to Jones' patronage? I sure would. Scripture says:

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

And we see, in Job, where God hears certain people whom He considers righteous:

Job 42:7-10King James Version (KJV)

7 And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. 8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job. 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord commanded them: the Lord also accepted Job. 10 And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

Not only that, but Scripture tells us that all who love God and hold the Gospel of Jesus Christ are seeds of the Woman. That Woman, gentlemen, is the woman who gave birth to the Messiah. That Woman, is Mary:

Revelation 12:17King James Version (KJV)

17 And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Who, except the most rebellious, wouldn't run to the patronage of She whom God the Father has assigned as their spiritual Mother?

See this one too.

Prayer to the Saints and to Mary

I'm having a discussion with PBJ on the Beggars all reformation website.  Its a busy site, so my messages may be lost amongst the others.  So, I thought I'd bring them to light here.  See this one also. It was actually the first.

 PeaceByJesus said...And just where does Scripture state that Mary uniquely was the most blessed among/above women and as having God with her? 

Luke 1:28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

 Well that is fitting, since Mormonic teaching also supports a Heavenly mother. ... 

I'm not a mormon, stick to the topic.

 Divine attribute to her or any created being the power to hear virtually infinite prayers addressed to them in Heaven, which only God is shown possessing.   Angels and elders offering up prayers as a memorial does not do it. 

Then, how did they receive those prayers and to what purpose?

Your simple rejection makes no sense here.  You need to be able to explain why you deny what is plain in the Scripture.  Elders and angels received the prayers of the faithful and brought them before God.  That is a powerful illustration of mediation between God and man.

 nowhere teaches or examples (out of over 200 prayers in Scripture e) by anyone except pagans making supplication or making offerings addressed to anyone in Heaven but the Lord.  

But Scripture tells us that those who are faithful to Christ, live although they die.  And Scripture tells us that when we come to the Church, we walk amongst the spirits of men who are made perfect.

John 11:26
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

Hebrews 12:22 but ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Because we believe these things in Scripture, we, Catholics, turn to our brothers and sisters who have proved their righteousness and have been made perfect in Christ and ask for their intercession:

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 Do you really think the Holy Spirit would be negligent or that God would see no warrant in providing even one prayer by a believer addressed to someone else in glory but the Lord for what is a common practice for Caths? 

That's because you don't believe that your brethren are in glory.  If you did, you would admit that they are alive in Christ.  Not only that, but we believe that those who are members of Christ's body are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, ready and waiting to give us a helping hand.

Besides, we read the Scriptures differently.

For instance, Scripture says.

Luke 1:28 (DRA)

28 And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

Catholics will recognize that as the beginning of the Hail Mary.

Luke 1:42 (DRA)

42 And she cried out with a loud voice, and said: Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

Catholics will recognize that as the end of that prayer.

When you read those Scriptures, you say to yourself, perhaps, "how nice."

When we read those Scriptures, we see that God praised Mary through His Angel and the Holy Spirit praised Mary through a Saint.  These are God's words.  This is God's message.  And He commanded that an Angel and a Saint pass this message to Mary.  So, we read that message as a command that we should imitate GOD and praise Mary throughout all generations.  And, in fact, Scripture gives us this precise instruction.

Luke 1:48  (AKJV)

48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:
for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

 But who instead supplies over 200 to God, and specifically teaches that believers are to pray after this manner, "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name," 

We do that as well.  Probably more than you, because we believe in repeating prayers.

  and who sets forth only one heavenly intercessor btwn God and man, that being the Lord Jesus? (1 Timothy 2:5-6)  

You misunderstand what you're reading.  Jesus Christ is the ONE Mediator because He is mediating by nature.  He is God AND man.

But we are commanded to mediate between Christ and our fellow man.  Read the very same excerpt you provided but with more context:

1 Timothy 2 Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Friend, that's mediation.  And St. Paul is commanding it for all of us to perform.

 2 for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;  

And he says that it is God's will for us to do.

 4 who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. 

Now, understand this, because Jesus Christ is mediator, ST. PAUL is mediating through HIM.  St. Paul, ordained a priest of Christ is, through the Body of Christ, mediating to the Church.

Yea, you guys understand neither the Scripture nor the power of God.

 2 Corinthians 5:18-20Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 

When the Church preaches, it is God beseeching you through the Church.  When the priests of the Catholic Church pray for you, it is Christ praying through them for you.

This is Catholic Teaching 101 and its in Scripture.

 Who alone "was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16) 

That's actually a reference to the Sacraments, wherein we present ourselves with the disposition of faith and believing are counted as righteous and counted righteous, the saving grace of the Holy Spirit is poured into our hearts and washes away our sin as we call upon His name.

  Who ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)  

That is Catholic Doctrine.  How about this one:

Hebrews 13:17Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

That says that the priest gives an account of your soul?  That, is intercession.  And he can do so because this is an obvious reference to the Sacrament of reconciliation.  This is where we recount our sins to the Priest, who preaches to us in God's stead and prays for us in Christ's stead.


 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, (Hebrews 10:19) 

That's a reference to the Holy Eucharist.  Read the rest of that.

 Hebrews 10:19-31Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,  

We receive the body and blood of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.

 20 by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 

This is a Sacrament, established by Christ, that we may share in His Divine Life, through His flesh.

  21 and having an high priest over the house of God; 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.  

And since we believe in God and have been baptized and had our sins washed away, we may approach the Altar with confidence

 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 

This is a reference to our Public Profession of Faith in the Holy Mass.

 24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  

This is the preaching of the Priest at every Mass and the mission to we are sent from every Mass.

 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together,  

This is the Mass, which we are not to miss with impunity.

 as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.  26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

When we receive the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist, we receive the knowledge of the Truth.  But if we continue to sin, after receiving His Grace, in the Holy Eucharist, then we have received His Grace in vain and there is no other sacrifice for sins.  It is the only one and if we neglect, there is recourse to no other.


Now, pay attention:
 27 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 

If you miss the Mass and neglect the Holy Eucharist, you will be punished by God.

 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:  

consider that the shadows of the Mosaic law could not be neglected without punishment of death

 29 of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?  

What then, do you expect to happen, if you neglect the Holy Eucharist?  If you miss the Mass and neglect the Holy Eucharist, it is like stepping under your boots, the Body of our Lord which died for you!  And like blaspheming the blood which Christ poured out for you!

 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. 

Yeah, Catholicism 101, it is a mortal sin to miss the Mass.

 The fact that believers prayed to the Lord Jesus (1Co. 1.2) is a testimony to His deity. 

The fact that we can pray to those who died in Christ is also a testimony to His deity.

 Basing doctrine on arguments from silence places you with Mormons, as does a specious correspondence btwn relations on earthly and btwn heaven and earth by created beings.  

It is not we who base our arguments on silence, but you.  You claim to deny that which is not in Scripture.  But neither Scripture alone nor faith are in Scripture and you accept those doctrines from satan.

 Hearing mental prayers is what only God is shown able to do, while communication btwn created beings from Heaven and those on earth required both parties to be on the same realm.
Thus prayer to departed saints or angels in Heaven is invisible in Scripture and contrary to what it does teach. However, Rome basically is herself.  

On the contrary, Scripture teaches us that our brethren who died in Christ are still alive.  And if they are alive in Christ, they are still mediating for us, in Christ.

Addendum 

I didn't notice that PBJ had broken his response up into 2 parts, here's the other.

Blogger PeaceByJesus said...
Revelation 12:17King James Version (KJV)
And just where is this official indisputable RC teaching, and enjoys the unanimous consent of the "fathers?" 

Where is the teaching that disputes it which enjoys the unanimous consent of the "fathers"?

You see, what Protestants don't understand is that Scripture talks to us on many levels.   As long as they don't contradict Catholic Tradition, they are acceptable.

The notes in your own NAB Bible state,
The woman adorned with the sun, the moon, and the stars (images taken from Gn 37:9–10) symbolizes God’s people in the Old and the New Testament. The Israel of old gave birth to the Messiah (Rev 12:5) and then became the new Israel, the church, which suffers persecution by the dragon (Rev 12:6, 13–17); cf. Is 50:1; 66:7; Jer 50:12. 

Do you see a denial there, that this is also Mary?   Pope JPII proclaims Mary Mother of the Church and that can only be a reference to this verse.  And when he does so, he provides many proofs from the Early Church:

According to St Irenaeus, Mary "became a cause of salvation for the whole human race" (Haer. 3, 22, 4; PG 7, 959), and the pure womb of the Virgin "regenerates men in God" (Haer. 4, 33, 11; PG 7, 1080). This is re-echoed by St Ambrose, who says: "A Virgin has begotten the salvation of the world, a Virgin has given life to all things" (Ep. 63, 33; PL 16, 1198), and by other Fathers who call Mary "Mother of salvation" (Severian of Gabala, Or. 6 in mundi creationem, 10, PG 54, 4; Faustus of Riez, Max. Bibl. Patrum, VI. 620-621).
In the Middle Ages, St Anselm addressed Mary in this way: "You are the mother of justification and of the justified, the Mother of reconciliation and of the reconciled, the mother of salvation and of the saved" (Or. 52, 8; PL 158, 957), while other authors attribute to her the titles "Mother of grace" and "Mother of life".

Who except those with cultic devotion would contrive rebellion as being only thinking of mortals consistent with what is written, (cf. 1Co. 4:6) while turning the Mary of Scripture into an almost almighty demigoddess? 

On the contrary, it is we who stay within the letter.  It is we who do our best to imitate Christ.  It is Christ who first ran to Mary and chose her to be His Mother.  And we, the Baptized are born again in the Body of Christ and therefore, she is our mother by virtue of being the Mother of Jesus Christ.  Have you not read in Scripture?

Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless <b>I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: </b>and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Or is that, yet another verse of Scripture which you don't believe?

Go even find one example of anyone bowing down/ kneeling before a statue and praising the created entity it represented in the unseen world, and as having Divine powers and glory, and making offerings and beseeching such for Heavenly help, directly accessed by mental prayer.
Moses, put down those rocks! I was only engaging in hyper dulia, not adoring her. Can't you tell the difference?

Moses is OT.  We are in a New Dispensation where we walk with the Saints.  Have you not heard the Good News?!

Hebrews 12:18-24Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19 and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: 20 (for they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: 21 and so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

22 but ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Catholics are the modern Bereans.

Calvin:
Beareans checked teachings against scripture.

So did the Thessalonicans.

RCC would be wise to do so.

The Catholic Church behaves precisely as did the Bereans. Catholics are the modern Bereans. We accept Tradition and Scripture according to the Teaching of the Church.

Sincerely,

De Maria

James 2:24 does argue against faith alone

De Maria said...
Anonymous December 26, 2014 at 10:32 PM

Hello De Maria,

You are indeed very good at reading things out of context.

I beg to differ.

James 2:24 does not argue against salvation by faith alone. 

Let's see what James 2:24 says:

James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Rather, it argues against a salvation that is alone, a salvation devoid of good works and obedience to God’s Word. Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." James’s point is that we demonstrate our faith by what we do (James 2:18). 

That is the Catholic Doctrine.

Regardless of the absence of the precise phrase “faith alone,” 

There is no absence of that phrase. St. James is clear. Above, I used the KJV, here, I'll use the NIV.

James 2:24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

the New Testament definitely teaches that salvation is the product of God’s grace in response to our faith. "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Romans 4:5)

That is a reference to the Sacraments. In the Sacraments, we are justified according to our faith, apart from works. This is why Catholics are said to be the descendants of Abraham. It is in the Sacraments, that God, seeing our faith, counts it to us as righteousness and pours His saving grace into our hearts.

Unless you know the Traditions of the Catholic Church which are the underpinning of the New Testament, you won't understand St. Paul.

Why are you so desperate to attack the wonderful articles published by Russell?

Why do you characterize me as desperate and my comments as an attack. I happen to believe that Russell is a sincere Christian and I love talking to him. But I believe he is sincerely in error and I want to point him to the Scriptures which show his errors.

Sincerely,

De Maria

December 28, 2014 at 3:46 AM

They accepted the Teaching of the Church after they searched the Scriptures

Catolico: 

who said Jesus lied? or his word lied? I am saying the bereans, who are always pointed to as evidence for the false doctrine of sola scriptura, where is no way sola scriptura. they needed paul and the church to guide them.

Lutero: 

No, they tested everything Paul said agasint the Scriptures....

So did the Thessalonicans. The difference between the Thessalonicans and the Bereans is that the Bereans accepted the Teaching of the Church. The Thessalonicans rejected the Teaching of the Church.

Catolico:
they accepted the preaching of Paul

Calvin: 

Not until they searched the Scriptures to see if those things were so… 

Exactly! They accepted the Teaching of the Church after they searched the Scriptures. They accepted Tradition, Scripture and Magisterium, not Scripture alone.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Why do we celebrate Christmas on Dec 25?

Journey Home - Doug Gonzales

A prayer of consecration to the Holy Cross

Consecration to the Holy Cross

    O Holy Cross: in gratitude and reverence we kneel before Thee.  Thou art the altar upon which the Eternal High Priest accomplished His Sacrifice for the redemption of the whole world.  With joy and faith we acknowledge and openly and loudly proclaim: Whatever there is on earth or in the lives of men of grace and blessing, of mercy and sanctity of virtue, and nobility, of fortitude and strength, all have been won and merited for us by Our Blessed Lord upon the Holy Cross.

    Grateful love demand that we should consecrate ourselves forever today to this Crucified Savior Who has sacrificed His Blood and His Life for us and for all mankind upon this symbol of our eternal salvation.

    Therefore we make the following promise: We will be messengers of the Cross and shall everywhere bear witness to the teaching of our Crucified Master that salvation is to be found only in the Cross.  We will be servants of the Cross and will carry its blessings to the best of our ability among our fellowman.  We will be friends of the Cross, completely filled with the spirit of Him Who died for us upon the Cross.

     Do Thou, O Crucified Lord and God, grant that out of love for Thee we may be able to bear with patience and resignation all the troubles of life.  Graciously pardon all the sins we have ever committed against Thee or Thy Commandments.  Grant that we may ever serve Thee faithfully in the future and always perform our daily actions for Thy greater glory.  We beseech Thee especially to grant that we may always confess Thee and Thy teaching freely and openly before the world.  Destroy in our hearts all fear of men and all cowardice.

     Grant, Our Lord and King, that Thy Holy Cross may always be our strength, our hope and our confidence in life that once, at the hour of our death, it may be the blessed sign of our eternal happiness.  Amen.

     Behold the Wood of the Cross on which the Savior of the world hung dying! Come let us adore it!

     This sign will appear in the heavens when the Son of Man comes to judge the world.

     Our whole glory is in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He is our Salvation, our Life, our Resurrection.  He has saved and redeemed us.

O Holy Cross, we greet Thee!

Thou art our only hope!

The Berean episode confirms the Teaching of the Church

Protestor: 

Plus he (De Maria) has forgotten the Bereans. They went directly to Scripture to see if they were being told the truth by Paul and Silas (what RCCers would call representatives of the church). And they were commended for doing so. They didn't just blindly accept what they were told.

Catolico: 

this claim about the bereans is tired and old. the thesselicans were the sola scriptura people. the listen to paul, studied the scriptures, didnt agree and tried to kill them.
the berenas listened to paul studied the scriptures and agreed with Paul. the bereans accepted preaching from Paul. the thessies didnt. they both searched the scriptures and they came to different conclusions about paul.
this on going clinging to the bereans as sola scriptura advocates is a joke. the accepted the preaching of Paul, without the NT and only the OT. they themselves needed paul to explain and teach them.

Protestor: 

So scripture is lying about the bereans? God lies in His word?
No one said a thing about sola scriptura. Please read the thread and keep up.

Catolico: 

who said Jesus lied? or his word lied? I am saying the bereans, who are always pointed to as evidence for the false doctrine of sola scriptura, where is no way sola scriptura. they needed paul and the church to guide them. they accepted the preaching of Paul as opposed to those jews in thessonia who clung only to their intepretation of scripture and refused to agree with paul and the church.

Protestor: 

Sola scriptura, again, is not in the OP.

Then what was Discerner talking about when he brought up the Bereans? Protestants often use that verse in the mistaken belief that it supports Sola Scriptura when in fact, it confirms Tradition, Scripture and Magisterium.

Sincerely,

De Maria

The Catholic Church continues to do what St. Philip did

Protestor: 

The Eunuch only had the prophecy of Isaiah in his hands which words could not be understood without a knowledge of what had happened at Calvary.

That is the point. The Church teaches the ignorant about what happened at Calvary. That is illustrated in this text and continues to be repeated throughout the world to this day. The Catholic Church instructs the world about what happened at Calvary.

(See Acts 8:29 35).

This just repeats the same example I gave. That doesn't at all confirm your claim that is no longer necessary to teach people the meaning of Scripture.
Acts 8:29-35

King James Version (KJV)
²⁹ Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
³⁰ And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?
³¹ And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.
³² The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
³³ In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.
³⁴ And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?
³⁵ Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Protestor: 

Of course, in this formative period when the gospel message had not been fully revealed and the story of the cross had not been told, one would have to be guided to the fulfillment of this dark prophecy to know who it was that "was led like a sheep to slaughter; and just as a lamb dumb before its shearer; so did he not open his mouth." However, now that we have the inspired record of the exact and literal fulfillment of this prophecy, we do not need interpretation to tell us what this means and to explain what the gospel requires of us.

The Catholic Church continues to do what Philip did here. To this day, the Catholic Church teaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

It is conspicuous by its absence that you posted nothing else about your claims against the Church Fathers.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Since Martin Luther violated Scripture's injunction to obey the Church, I find it very silly indeed.

Hi Alan,

Since you have experience on both sides, then you possibly have considered the following questions already.  They describe, in my opinion, a vast difference in the way we approach the Faith (i.e. Religion) of Christ.

1.  Did Christ write any Scripture?  Or did He rather, establish a Church, impart His Traditions upon that Church and command that Church to teach them to the world (Matt 28:19-20)?

I think you will admit that Jesus did not write any Scripture but in fact built an authoritative hierarchy and taught them His Traditions which He commanded be passed down to every generation.  Anyway, if you don't admit this to be true, this is what we believe and can prove from Scripture and history.

2.  Did the Church write the New Testament and put the Old Testament together with the New in the Bible?

Again, I think you have to admit this is true.  But even if you don't, this is what we believe and can prove from Scripture and history.

The reason I mention this is because these are important foundations from which we logically proceed.

Now, you proceed from an assumption of Scripture alone.  And
you said,

There is no evidence of her sinlessness,

Is there evidence of her sinfulness?  Is there any evidence at all, in Scripture, that Mary committed any sin?  Please provide chapter and verse so that we may discuss it.

 her perpetual virginity,

Please provide the verses which you think deny her perpetual virginity. Chapter and verse.

 her assumption into Heaven

We see in Scripture (Rev 12:1) where a Woman who gave birth to the Messiah is found bodily in heaven.  Since Mary is the mother of the Messiah, Jesus, we conclude that the Woman depicted in Rev 12 is symbolically teaches that Mary the mother of Jesus Christ is in heaven.

Do you have any proof, from Scripture, to the contrary?

or her majesty there as Queen of Heaven.

Following the same logic as above, we see Mary symbolically crowned with 12 stars in heaven.  Therefore, we conclude that God is telling that Mary is crowned the Queen of Heaven.

Do you have any evidence, from Scripture, to the contrary?

However, I believe the Protestants have it wrong by not talking about her at all. They’ve thrown the baby’s mother out with the bath water, so to speak. She is a major component in the life of Jesus, she is most certainly blessed among women, a tower of faith, grace and motherhood and should be talked about much more than she is – but she is not deity

Who said she was?

and therefore should not be prayed to 

To pray is to request.  That is the ancient meaning of the term.  Have you ever heard a phrase such as, "I pray thee, pass the salt."  That is a request for the salt.  We still use prayer to the saints in the same sense.

and worshiped like she is.

We do not worship Mary as God.  Although, worship is also not adoration when understood in the ancient sense.  Let me give you an example:
Joshua 5:14  KJV
And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, <b>and did worship,</b> and said unto him, What saith my Lord unto his servant?

Did Joshua here hold the angel as God?  No.  He simply venerated the angel and humbled himself before the Messenger of God.

In the same way, we do not adore Mary nor hold her as a deity.  But we do humble ourselves before her and venerate her because she is the Mother of God.  And we also praise her in imitation of God.  God sent His messenger with the following message, "Hail Full of Grace....blessed art thou amongst women...."  That is praise.  But even that pales by the fact that God selected her to be the mother of His son.

 Jesus is the mediator between God and man, as Deacon Harold pointed out, but the role of intercessor belongs not to Mary or the saints but to the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit who intercedes and points to Jesus. 

Should we then, disobey the Scriptures?
1 Timothy 2:1
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

According to Revelation 19:10, we are to worship God only. RCs do a little more than just pray to Mary. We are not to fall down before angels, 

See reference to Joshua above.

saints or even the mother of Jesus, unique and blessed though she is. What would you think if you saw a Protestant praying to Martin Luther? It seems silly to me.

Since Martin Luther violated Scripture's injunction to obey the Church (Matt 18:17) and to submit to and obey the rulers of the Church (Heb 13:17), I find it very silly indeed.

Sincerely,

De Maria

12 Days of Christmas

The 12 days of Christmas begin today.  They represent the Christmas season leading to the Epiphany.

It is considered a catechism song, which teaches the truths of the Catholic Faith.

The songs gifts are hidden meanings to the teachings of the faith. The "true love" mentioned in the song doesn't refer to an earthly suitor, it refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person. The partridge in a pear tree is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In the song, Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge which feigns injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings, much in memory of the expression of Christ's sadness over the fate of Jerusalem: "Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered thee under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but thou wouldst not have it so..."

The other symbols mean the following:
1 Partridge in a Pear Tree = Jesus Christ, Son of God
2 Turtle Doves = The Old and New Testaments
3 French Hens = Faith, Hope and Charity, the Theological Virtues
4 Calling Birds = the Four Gospels and/or the Four Evangelists
5 Golden Rings = The first Five Books of the Old Testament, the "Pentateuch", which gives the history of man's fall from grace.
6 Geese A-laying = the six days of creation
7 Swans A-swimming = the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven sacraments
8 Maids A-milking = the eight beatitudes
9 Ladies Dancing = the nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit
10 Lords A-leaping = the ten commandments
11 Pipers Piping = the eleven faithful apostles
12 Drummers Drumming = the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostle's Creed

December 25, 2014 - Mass During The Day

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Lectionary: 16
Reading 1 IS 52:7-10

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings glad tidings,
announcing peace, bearing good news,
announcing salvation, and saying to Zion,
“Your God is King!”

Hark! Your sentinels raise a cry,
together they shout for joy,
for they see directly, before their eyes,
the LORD restoring Zion.
Break out together in song,
O ruins of Jerusalem!
For the LORD comforts his people,
he redeems Jerusalem.
The LORD has bared his holy arm
in the sight of all the nations;
all the ends of the earth will behold
the salvation of our God.

Jesus Christ is the King of Kings. God has made himself visible to his people. He has come to save all who were lost.

Responsorial Psalm PS 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6

R. (3c) All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
break into song; sing praise.

R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.
Sing praise to the LORD with the harp,
with the harp and melodious song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
sing joyfully before the King, the LORD.
R. All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God.

The Catholic Church has taught the saving power of Jesus Christ throughout the world. It is by the faith of the saints who preceded us that the gospel has been preached to alter world. We owe them a great debt.

Reading 2 HEB 1:1-6

Brothers and sisters:
In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways
to our ancestors through the prophets;
in these last days, he has spoken to us through the Son,
whom he made heir of all things
and through whom he created the universe,
who is the refulgence of his glory,
the very imprint of his being,
and who sustains all things by his mighty word.

Christ is the image of God. He is God in the flesh.

When he had accomplished purification from sins,

When he had established the sacraments.  When he had established the sacraments.  When he had shed his blood upon the cross for the forgiveness of sins, he established the sacraments to which the grace which he released by his death upon the cross is applied to the faithful.

he took his seat at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
as far superior to the angels
as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.

And then he rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.

For to which of the angels did God ever say:
You are my son; this day I have begotten you?
Or again:
I will be a father to him, and he shall be a son to me?
And again, when he leads the firstborn into the world, he says:
Let all the angels of God worship him.

And he takes his place upon the throne at the right hand of the Father.   Let all creation worship him.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
A holy day has dawned upon us.
Come, you nations, and adore the Lord.
For today a great light has come upon the earth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel JN 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.

Jesus is the Word. And from eternity he is at the right hand of the Father. Because Jesus is God, the second person of the holy Trinity.

He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,

All things were created through Christ. He is he in whom we live, move, and have our existence.

and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.

Christ is life. He gave us our human life. And extends to us the hope of eternal life.

A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.

St. John the Baptist announced into the world the coming of the Savior. But the world rejected their Savior.

But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.

But some in the world, we ejected the world, and accepted Jesus Christ. These are they who were born again of the Spirit in the sacrament of baptism.

And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.

The law was given to Moses for our benefit. The sacraments were given to Jesus for our benefit. It is two sacraments there we receive the grace of eternal life.

 No need for further commentary on the alternate reading which follows. 

Or JN 1:1-5, 9-14

In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only Son,
full of grace and truth.

To whom do you submit and obey and give such authority as prescribed by the WORD OF GOD?

Calvin: 

Sure we do.
We follow Jesus and the bible and He is are authority and leader.

Then, please tell me which man it is to whom you submit and to which you acknowledge that he is responsible for your soul?

Hebrews 13:17

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁷ Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves:

for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account,

that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Who is it? I can tell you that we submit to our priests and obey them every time we go to Sacrament of Confession and get advice from them how to live our lives because they watch over our souls.

To whom do you submit and obey and give such authority as prescribed by the WORD OF GOD?

Sincerely,

De Maria

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2014 - Christmas, Mass at Dawn

Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)
Lectionary: 15

Reading 1 IS 62:11-12

See, the LORD proclaims
to the ends of the earth:
say to daughter Zion,
your savior comes!

Daughter Zion is a reference to Jerusalem. And Isaiah is prophesying to Jerusalem the coming of the Savior.

Here is his reward with him,
his recompense before him.

There is a reference to the end times, when Jesus Christ will come in power to judge the living and the dead (Rev 22:12-15).

They shall be called the holy people,
the redeemed of the LORD,
and you shall be called “Frequented,”
a city that is not forsaken.

At that time, the elect of Christ will be gathered in the heavenly Jerusalem.

Responsorial Psalm PS 97:1, 6, 11-12

R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice;
let the many isles be glad.
The heavens proclaim his justice,
and all peoples see his glory.

R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.
Light dawns for the just;
and gladness, for the upright of heart.
Be glad in the LORD, you just,
and give thanks to his holy name.
R. A light will shine on us this day: the Lord is born for us.

Alleluia! The King of Kings is born! Let all creation rejoice!

Reading 2 TI 3:4-7

Beloved:
When the kindness and generous love
of God our savior appeared,
not because of any righteous deeds we had done
but because of his mercy,

This, is what St. Paul is talking about when he says that it came about without all works. It being our justification through Christ. God, our Savior, took flesh and became man to save us from our sins. There is no work that any man could do to bring this about.

He saved us through the bath of rebirth
and renewal by the Holy Spirit,
whom he richly poured out on us
through Jesus Christ our savior,
so that we might be justified by his grace
and become heirs in hope of eternal life.

And this, is what St. Paul is talking about when he says that we are justified by grace. He is talking about the sacraments. Especially, in this verse where he mentions the "bath of rebirth", which is a euphemism for "baptism". When we present ourselves for baptism, we ask God for his grace out upon us. And we do so in a proper disposition of faith alone. There is nothing that we can do to wash our souls. God alone cleanses us of sin in the sacrament of baptism. It is his work

Alleluia LK 2:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to those
on whom his favor rests.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 2:15-20

When the angels went away from them to heaven,
the shepherds said to one another,
“Let us go, then, to Bethlehem
to see this thing that has taken place,
which the Lord has made known to us.”
So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph,
and the infant lying in the manger.
When they saw this,
they made known the message
that had been told them about this child.
All who heard it were amazed
by what had been told them by the shepherds.
And Mary kept all these things,
reflecting on them in her heart.
Then the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God
for all they had heard and seen,
just as it had been told to them.

God our Savior took upon himself our flesh. This is what the shepherds saw. This is what the shepherds announced to the world.

December 25, 2014 - Mass at Night, Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Lectionary: 14

Reading 1 IS 9:1-6

The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;

This is a very deep verse which has many spiritual meanings. The people walked in darkness could be the misbehaving Jews which God had punished the time of Isaiah. It could also be sinners who have repented. Or it could be the Gentiles who had seen the son of God in the time of Jesus.

upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom
a light has shone.

Similarly, the land of gloom could be the land of the Gentiles where the Jews were punished and exiled.

You have brought them abundant joy
and great rejoicing,
as they rejoice before you as at the harvest,
as people make merry when dividing spoils.

The harvest could be a reference to the harvest at the end of time. When God will harvest the souls of the righteous. And destroy the souls of the wicked. Or, it could be a reference to the joy which people have when they harvest their crops.

For the yoke that burdened them,
the pole on their shoulder,
and the rod of their taskmaster
you have smashed, as on the day of Midian.

The yoke which burdened them could be a reference to Satan's oppression. Or it could be a reference to the Babylonians enslavement of the Jews where they were exiled by God.

For every boot that tramped in battle,
every cloak rolled in blood,
will be burned as fuel for flames.
For a child is born to us, a son is given us;
upon his shoulder dominion rests.
They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero,
Father-Forever, Prince of Peace.
His dominion is vast
and forever peaceful,
from David’s throne, and over his kingdom,
which he confirms and sustains
by judgment and justice,
both now and forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this!

This of course, is a very famous prophecy of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Responsorial Psalm PS 96: 1-2, 2-3, 11-12, 13

R. (Lk 2:11) Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Sing to the LORD a new song;
sing to the LORD, all you lands.
Sing to the LORD; bless his name.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Announce his salvation, day after day.
Tell his glory among the nations;
among all peoples, his wondrous deeds.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice;
let the sea and what fills it resound;
let the plains be joyful and all that is in them!
Then shall all the trees of the forest exult.

R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.
They shall exult before the LORD, for he comes;
for he comes to rule the earth.
He shall rule the world with justice
and the peoples with his constancy.
R. Today is born our Savior, Christ the Lord.

Joy to the world the Lord is come. Let Earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare him room. Joy to the world!

Reading 2 TI 2:11-14

Beloved:
The grace of God has appeared, saving all
and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires
and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age,
as we await the blessed hope,
the appearance of the glory of our great God
and savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to deliver us from all lawlessness
and to cleanse for himself a people as his own,
eager to do what is good.

This is probably the best summary of the Gospel. Jesus Christ did not die on the cross in order that we would continue to live in our same sinful ways. Jesus Christ died for all in order that those who live would turn to him who died for us.

Alleluia LK 2:10-11

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I proclaim to you good news of great joy:
today a Savior is born for us,
Christ the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel LK 2:1-14

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.

Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
“Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger.”
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
“Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

December 25, 2014 | Vigil Mass The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Lectionary: 13

The Vigil Mass is held on the night before Christmas.  It is the evening Mass celebrated on December 24th between 4pm  and midnight.

Reading 1 IS 62:1-5

For Zion’s sake I will not be silent,
for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet,
until her vindication shines forth like the dawn
and her victory like a burning torch.

Zion and Jerusalem are the same thing.  Zion stands for Mount Zion which is right outside of Jerusalem. Therefore, Isaiah is saying that he will speak out until Jerusalem is saved.

Nations shall behold your vindication,
and all the kings your glory;
you shall be called by a new name
pronounced by the mouth of the LORD.

The new name for Jerusalem is the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is the new Jerusalem, the bride of Christ, the body of Christ. The whole world has seen the Catholic Church because she is active in spreading the word of Christ throughout the world.

You shall be a glorious crown in the hand of the LORD,
a royal diadem held by your God.
No more shall people call you “Forsaken,”
or your land “Desolate,”
but you shall be called “My Delight,”
and your land “Espoused.”
For the LORD delights in you
and makes your land his spouse.
As a young man marries a virgin,
your Builder shall marry you;
and as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride
so shall your God rejoice in you.

I think it is more beautifully stated in 

Ephesians chapter 5:24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;  26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,  27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.  28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:  30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.  31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.  32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.  33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Responsorial Psalm PS 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29

R. (2a) For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
I have made a covenant with my chosen one,
I have sworn to David my servant:
Forever will I confirm your posterity
and establish your throne for all generations.

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
Blessed the people who know the joyful shout;
in the light of your countenance, O LORD, they walk.
At your name they rejoice all the day,
and through your justice they are exalted.

R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.
He shall say of me, “You are my father,
my God, the rock, my savior.”
Forever I will maintain my kindness toward him,
and my covenant with him stands firm.
R. For ever I will sing the goodness of the Lord.

We are sons in the Son. We call God, "Abba, Father". Therefore let us always sing the goodness of the Lord sent his only begotten son to sacrifice himself so we may be united to him.It's

Reading 2 ACTS 13:16-17, 22-25

When Paul reached Antioch in Pisidia and entered the synagogue,
he stood up, motioned with his hand, and said,
“Fellow Israelites and you others who are God-fearing, listen.
The God of this people Israel chose our ancestors
and exalted the people during their sojourn in the
land of Egypt.
With uplifted arm he led them out of it.
Then he removed Saul and raised up David as king;
of him he testified,
‘I have found David, son of Jesse, a man after my own heart;
he will carry out my every wish.’
From this man’s descendants God, according to his promise,
has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus.
John heralded his coming by proclaiming a baptism of repentance
to all the people of Israel;
and as John was completing his course, he would say,
‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he.
Behold, one is coming after me;
I am not worthy to unfasten the sandals of his feet.’”

St. Paul recalled the salvation history of the Jews. He recalled the salvation of the Jews from the captivity of Egypt. And we called the time of Saul being replaced by David. And recalled the promise which God made to David. And then he recalled the coming of Christ, the son of David.

Alleluia

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Tomorrow the wickedness of the earth will be destroyed:
the Savior of the world will reign over us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel MT 1:1-25

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar.
Perez became the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amos,
Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers
at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.
Abiud became the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok.
Zadok became the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar became the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Thus the total number of generations
from Abraham to David
is fourteen generations;
from David to the Babylonian exile,
fourteen generations;
from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,
fourteen generations.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.

St. Joseph did not know how the Virgin Mary had become pregnant. So he had decided to divorce her quietly. But Angel of God came to him in a dream informed him that the child which would be born would be the son of God.

The alternate gospel is a subset of the first. No commentary necessary.

Or MT 1:18-25 

Or MT 1:18-25

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
“Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins.”
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means “God is with us.”
When Joseph awoke,
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him
and took his wife into his home.
He had no relations with her until she bore a son,
and he named him Jesus.