Praise, Worship

Isn’t there a difference between praise and worship? Doesn’t the former mean simple admittance that someone is greater and more powerful than you? Can’t the person who is praised humbly admit that an greater, ultimate being exists who is worthy of even more devotion (worship). Thus, can’t a person be praised without being worshipped? Specifically, I am talking about Mary. I believe the job of Mary is to help humans stay on the straight and narrow path. To guide us through the stormy waters known as life. In doing so, she gains thanks (praise), not worship, from us. In no way does this mean she believes herself to be that ultimate being who is to be worshipped. In fact, she must realize that her power came from an even greater being than herself. As an intercessor for us with God (another fact worthy of debate) she must realize there is a target of her intercedence. All this may not be biblically based, but I invite you to pursue it as if it were and see where it gets you

Praise does NOT mean that someone is greater or more powerful than you. You can praise your kid, your wife, your friends, or anyone else. The answer to your question about Mary is no. Mary does NOT have the power to help humanity stay on the right path. Luke 4:8 (KJV) says ” And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy, God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Praying to Mary and any living or dead saint is an act of worship reserved for God alone.Scripture does NOT tell us that Jesus nor anyone else directed their adoration, praise, or glory to Mary. Elizabeth, Mary’s relative, praised Mary based on her giving birth to the Messiah, but she was not in any way glorifying Mary (Luke 1:42-44). The apostles did not give Mary a prominent role. Mary’s death is not recorded in the Bible. Nothing is said about Mary ascending to heaven or having an exalted role there. As the earthly mother of Jesus, Mary should be respected, but she is not worthy of our worship or adoration.