Evangelization in the Trenches

By Joe Sullivan, MJ • Phoenix, AZ

“What do you need a rosary for?” A few months ago, while doing street evangelization, I was theologically ambushed by some big brothers from the Sicario Evangelization Church. These guys were zealous in spreading their brand of Christianity. I was passing out rosaries for free and they began mocking the rosary and how Catholics, they believe, worship Mary. After a long debate I decided to write a Catholic Answer on why Catholics do not worship Mary. Here is an excerpt:

Q. Isn’t Jesus enough?

A. Yes, Jesus is enough. Now, it is just a matter of getting closer to Him. We all have a free will to choose Him or reject Him. We can choose to get closer to Him or wander away from Him. If we want to get closer to Him, doesn’t it make sense to imitate those who are closer to Him, and even seek their help and advice about how they got closer to Jesus? All relationships have a degree of love and closeness. Catholics believe Mary is closest to Jesus and is a special intercessor for us to her son. Mary was called by God as a creature worthy to be the mother of Jesus, His son. In the gospel of Luke 1:28 God sent His angel to announce the coming of Jesus His son as the Messiah. What is the first word the angel utters to Mary? It is “Hail!” The Greek word Luke writes is Xaipe, which means “Hail” and “Rejoice”. This Greek word also denotes wholeness, sacredness, and well-being. The Angel does not address Mary by her name. God is saluting Mary through His messenger, the angel. God is recognizing the uniqueness of Mary and the beginning of her role in salvation.