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THE MOVING STATUE OF MARY IN BALLINSPITTLE
(A sermon preached when the statue reportedly moved again)
Back
in 1985 the statue of the Virgin Mary, first erected during the Marian
year of 1954, situated just outside the village of Ballinspittle,
Kinsale, Co. Cork was reported to have moved supernaturally. This
attracted huge crowds of people - numbering thousands - to the site.
Doubtless many were mere curiosity seekers, others were pilgrims who contented themselves with the saying of the Rosary.
The Roman Catholic Church did not
officially endorse the happenings, but neither did they disassociate
themselves from it. After a while, the crowds dwindled away and life
got back to normal in the small village.
Recently i.e. February 2000 the statue was reported to have moved again
and afresh large crowds along with the media have attended the site.
One visitor who lectures in psychiatry at the local University
witnessed the statue rocking steadily. She said that she came with an
open mind, was pleased to have witnessed the actual rocking but did
have any spiritual feelings during or after the occasion. Not every one
witnesses the statue moving. Some will claim that they see it moving,
while others at the exact same time can see nothing unusual. Those
closely associated with this shrine have emphasised the need for
spirituality - a reference to the Rosary - as opposed to the
sensational. The local parish priest has complained about the excessive
behaviour of the media especially the television crews.
THE QUESTION IS: WHAT SHOULD BE OUR RESPONSE TO THESE EVENTS?
Unless it is all a gigantic hoax, we may assume that the statue does move supernaturally.
It may even be that we could visit the scene ourselves and observe it moving with our own eyes.
Our experience might be collaborated with that of others.
We might be loath to confess what we have just witnessed, but honesty would compel us to own the encounter as true.
What then? Surely, there must be some kind of response?
1) WE MUST PROCEED WITH ABSOLUTE CAUTION:
A/ THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH IS MOST CAUTIOUS: Rome, whether official or not, is the sponsor of this event.
When all is said and done, it is occurring on a site owned and patronised by her adherents.
The hierarchy is cautious about endorsing the situation.
Of course the reason for such slowness is to protect the "integrity" of
those other shrines where such activity has been endorsed e.g. Knock
(Co. Mayo) and places like Lourdes, Fatima etc.,
However, we can argue on the need of caution from the Roman Church herself.
B/ THE BIBLE WARNS US THAT IN THE LAST DAYS, THERE WILL BE SIGNS & WONDERS PERFORMED THAT ARE DESIGNED TO DECEIVE:
Little children, it is the last time…1 John 2:18
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew
great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall
deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:24 (Also Mark 13:22)
Note the words "signs and wonders" These are supernatural events for
which there is no natural explanation. In other words, miracles. And
yet they are attributed here to false prophets and false Christs who
perform them in order to deceive. Deception is bad enough in any area
of life, but especially in the matter of the eternal welfare of the
soul. Caution! is the order of the day. We need to get any sign - no
matter how "great" - and wonder tested. It is not a sin to investigate.
Jesus spoke elsewhere about counting the cost (Luke 14:28) and this
implies an honest investigation. Only a fool would rush in without
asking questions first.
2) WE MUST PROCEED WITH A BIBLE IN OUR HAND:
A/ WE NEED AN INFALLIBLE GUIDE ITSELF INCAPABLE OF BEING DECEIVED:
Where the blind lead the blind, both fall into the ditch (Matthew
15:14) It is useless to follow one who himself has been deceived. Here
the Bible scores away and above all others.
The Bible is incapable of being led astray. It is the word of Him before whom all things are naked and opened (Hebrews 4:13)
You cannot deceive someone who is the know.
B/ THE PSALMIST DAVID USED HIS BIBLE TO DISCERN WHAT WAS RIGHT AND WHAT WAS WRONG:
Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. (Psalm 119:128)
How could David discern every false way, never mind hate it?
Simply, because he used his Bible to do so. In an age when there were
many snares laid for wandering feet, David's Bible became a most useful
tool to have:
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)
When others slipped and fell or took wrong paths, David's feet were kept from falling.
When others embraced what is described elsewhere as "lying wonders" (2
Thessalonians 2:9) David refrained and kept his soul safe.
C/ IF YOU HAVE A BIBLE - USE IT IN THIS MATTER OF DISCERNING THE REAL NATURE OF BALLINSPITTLE:
Although the Bible is an ancient Book, yet it is paradoxically most contemporary.
It is the word of Him who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8)
It is more up to date than the latest news fresh from off the newspaper presses.
Even when we can go to an event "live" on the television - "as it is
happening" - we find the Bible waiting there for us to catch up.
And if we would be wise, we will consult the Bible to see whether or
not Ballinspittle is of God or if its origins are sourced elsewhere.
Just as some visitors to the grotto will consult a road map to find the
place, likewise we consult our point of reference to discern whether we
are witnessing something that has the favour of Heaven.
3) WE MUST HAVE A DESIRE IN OUR HEART TO HEED THE BIBLE WHATEVER ITS VERDICT MAY BE:
A/ THE BIBLE IS NOT A GOOD LUCK TALISMAN:
Precious though the possession of a Bible may be, it does not automatically bring blessing to us.
It is not a religious relic.
It's value lies solely in and according to its use.
B/ THE BIBLE IS TO BE READ AS THE FINAL AUTHORITY IN ALL THING SPIRITUAL:
It is not to be a mere voice among many. God does not offer you His opinion.
God's word is used in the definition of sin: Sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4)
Therefore to let the Bible take place to another is to sin against God.
To put something/someone else above God is to slight God's wisdom or knowledge.
It is to tell God either that He has got it wrong or that His word is subject to the imprimatur of another.
To approach the Bible with even the least entertainment of such a thought is not to honour God.
It may be that God will not instruct you from His word if you hold such thoughts.
Whilst we accept that the word of God is not bound (2 Timothy 2:9) and
God can override your erroneous views, yet remember also that you can
make the word of God of none effect by your tradition (Mark 7:13)
Far wiser and safer, to approach the word of God with the right frame of mind.
Claim the promise: If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God (John 7:17)
C/ THE BIBLE IS TO BE OBEYED EVEN IF GOES AGAINST OUR DEAREST THOUGHTS OR HOPES:
Where there is disagreement with the word of God, then we have evidence
of the natural man (1 Corinthians 2:14) and remember that such a man
has a fallen i.e. sinful nature.
The carnal (natural) mind is enmity against God (Romans 8:7) and results in death (Romans 8:6)
We ought therefore to really ask ourselves: Are my fondest dreams etc.,
really worth the price of running contrary to God's revealed will in
His word?
The Bible is littered with those who thought that they could harden themselves against God and prosper (Job 9:4)
Again, far better for us to sever the link with that which God declares
against - painful though it might be - than to hold on to it and bring
upon our heads and souls the wrath of a sin hating God.
Fond dreams? Even fond realities are not worth that price.
Jesus said: For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (Romans 8:36)
4) WE SHOULD TURN AWAY FROM THE WHOLE ISSUE OF THE STATUE AT BALLINSPITTLE IMMEDIATELY:
Hear me out. Judge me by Scripture alone.
The Bereans were described by the Spirit of God as being more noble in
that they searched the scriptures daily as to whether these things were
so (Acts 17:11) They are there as worthy examples.
A/ WHETHER THE STATUE MOVES OR NOT IS REALLY IRRELEVANT:
The whole idea of praying to a statue is totally unknown in the New Testament church.
Why did the Apostles not practice this if it is considered so helpful?
Ans:- Because it is far from helpful indeed most dangerous. The
distinction of praying through as opposed of to a statue or image
exists only on paper. It does not carry through into reality. Augustine
observed:
"No man prays on worships looking on an image, without being impressed with the idea that it is listening to him." (Epistle 49)
"Images have more force to bow down and crook the silly soul, than to teach it."(Comments of Psalm 113)
Such quotes from other Church Fathers can be easily multiplied.
The Bible rightly forbade the use of idols (for such the image becomes
whether knowingly or not) in several places both Old Testament (Exodus
20:4-6) and also in the New (Acts 15:20/1 John 5:21)
B/ THE WHOLE GROTTO AT BALLINSPITTLE IS DEDICATED TO THE ELEVATING OF
MARY TO A POSITION TOTALLY UNKNOWN TO HER AND THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH:
There is no New Testament evidence that anyone ever prayed to Mary or
considered her to be a mediatrix either between them and God or between
them and Christ.
To go beyond what Scriptural has revealed is dangerous ground indeed.
God
concluded His canon of Scripture without making reference to such a
thing and it is inconceivable that He would do so if such Marian
doctrines were in the least needful.
We have in the Scriptures alone that which can make the man of God
perfect (2 Timothy 3:15-17) and therefore do not need to resort to any
other source of help.
Certainly the church is the ground and pillar of truth (1 Timothy 3:15)
but only as and when it's teaching is in agreement with the Bible.
Where there is disagreement, the error lies with the church and not the
Bible.
Do not surrender your Bible up to the teaching of men. It is your sole light in a night that is dark and treacherous.
Those who uphold those Marian
doctrines which elevate Mary to positions she never was deemed to hold
in New Testament times are in serious error concerning the whole matter
of the gospel.
Read the Book of Acts and underline every reference to Mary.
Observe if the apostles ever prayed to or through her or called her "Our Lady of Succour" etc.,
Likewise the epistles of Paul or even Peter, or John into whose home she was received.
I love Mary too but it is not true love to change what the Bible says about her.
It is not unwise to ask ourselves: "Do I really love the Mary of the
New Testament? Or am I a devotee of another person who carries Mary's
name?"
The Bible speaks of those who preach "another Jesus" (2 Corinthians 11:4)
It is not impossible therefore that there are those who preach "another
Mary" - a Mary far removed from the humble handmaiden of the Lord who
confessed her need of a Saviour (Luke 1:46-48)
CONCLUSION
To some the above will bring feelings or hurt or even anger.
This was not my intention. But the man of God must be faithful.
We wound only to heal.
We take the words of Mary herself in closing.
She soon learned to point away from herself and pointed to her Son.
She said: "Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it."
The word of God is clear.
It remains only for you to yield to its commands and experience the
rich blessing that God has promised to those who do His will: Matthew
7:24-28
THE END