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You wrote:
Greek – ‘ah
Jewish – 251 (Morphology)
Brethren -n. brothers, kin, relatives (Archaic)
brother – n. male sibling; title of a monk used as form of address; fellow member, man who belongs to the same race, male who belongs to the same religion or profession
kin – n. family, kindred, relatives; relative, relation; kinship; family relationship
relative – family member, kinsman
Unfortunately your interpretations of these passages are in literalistic sense and can lead to dangerous interpretations and conclusions. Context of the word and used of the original text is most important. If I say, “That’s a cool car!” does one think the car is cold to the touch? Or is it that I really like the car? Another example would be the use of the terms Brothers and Sisters in a Christian environment. We do not mean of blood relations do we? If so, a long talk is needed with our parents. No we mean our union in the Body of Christ. As it was the tradition of the Jews, first and second centuries Christians. Brethren did not mean ” a male sibling” as you propose.
Jewish custom, as is ours today, recognized kin or family members as brethren. Vine Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (a non-catholic publication BTW) second definition is “a blood relative[/b] and use the following example – Abram’s nephew is termed his brother in Gen. 14:16 (KVJ) And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. We know they were not “male siblings” but they were relatives.
Further, St. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 11:2 (KVJ) Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. These letters of St. Paul was to the Church in Corinth, are we to believe that ALL who were in the Church in Corinth were his “male siblings”? And what of the women? I am not mocking you, God knows, but allowing literalistic interpretations guide you can only harm God’s Word! And if you say that it only applies to certain passages at certain times to support your believes, then no two people can understand God’s Word in the same or at least similar manner.
I also suggest you read CCC 500 and 501. You quote of the Catechism is not complete without the entire section of Mary – “ever-virgin”. It is much like law, one cannot quote parts of a law to make it fit unto ones action nor can the law omit case law that scopes it.
And lastly Protestant reformers even supported The Mary’s Perpetual Virginity of Mary:
[b:7iatevaa][i:7iatevaa] As already mentioned, Cousins is not a choice. The word brother is the Greek word “adelphos” which is a common word to describe blood brothers. In Matthew 13:55-56 the femine word “adelphe” is used to describe Jesus’ sistors. If these were cousins, the Holy Spirit could have used the Greek word anepsios as He does in Colossians 4:10 to describe Barnabas’ cousin Mark or the word suggenes which is often used to describe relatives in general (Acts 7:14). Mary’s perpetual virginity goes against Scriptures – In referrence to Jesus Psalmist wrote “I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother’s sons.” (Psalm 69:
The use of others as a “witness” does no good either as Galations 1:8-9 says “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
Youe Catechism is also negated because it basicly is just a sly attempt to get additions to the Bible dispite the Bible itself proving to be authorative
in 2 Timothy 3:15-17 – And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. [u:7iatevaa]All scripture is given by inspiration [/u:7iatevaa]of God, and [u:7iatevaa]is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. [/u:7iatevaa]
and warning others not to add onto the Bible
in Revelation 22:18 – For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (KJV)
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