At first glance, this question may sound strange. After all, God is the Creator, and we are merely His creatures. Yet the Bible itself gives us an answer — and it might surprise you.
When God or His Angels Spoke to Humans
Throughout the Holy Scripture, we find moments when Almighty God or His messengers (Angels) spoke directly to people. Angels are God’s messengers; they never speak their own words but deliver exactly what the Almighty commands. So Angels' words are also God's words!
| Person Spoken To | Bible Reference | Type of Message | Greeting of Honor?
| -------------------------- | ------------------------ | ------------------------- | ------------------ |
| Adam & Eve | Genesis 1–3 | Instructions, warning | No |
| Noah | Genesis 6–9 | Warning, covenant | No |
| Abraham | Genesis 12, 18, 22 | Promise, test | No |
| Hagar | Genesis 16, 21 | Comfort, direction | No |
| Jacob | Genesis 28, 32 | Promise, blessing | No |
| Moses | Exodus 3 | Mission | No |
| Joshua | Joshua 5:13–15 | Encouragement | No |
| Gideon | Judges 6 | Mission | No |
| Samuel | 1 Samuel 3 | Call to service | No |
| David | 2 Samuel 7 | Covenant | No |
| Elijah | 1 Kings 19 | Encouragement | No |
| Isaiah | Isaiah 6 | Mission | No |
| Daniel | Daniel 9–10 | Revelation | No |
| Zechariah | Luke 1:11–20 | Announcement | No |
| St. Joseph | Matthew 1:20–24; 2:13–15 | Guidance | No |
| Shepherds of Bethlehem | Luke 2:8–14 | Good news | No |
| Apostles | Acts 1:10–11 | Instruction | No |
| Mary, Mother of Jesus | Luke 1:28 | Mission, honor | YES — greeted with “Hail, full of grace” |
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A Singular Moment in History:
In all the Holy Bible, the Blessed Virgin Mary ONLY is greeted with words of honor before being given a message:
"Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” (Luke 1:28)
This was not just politeness — it was God’s own acknowledgment of Mary’s unique place in salvation history.
Why This Matters?
Lord Jesus Himself said in 'John 12:16':
"If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him."
Countless saints have served Christ with all their heart. Yet Mary’s service was beyond compare — she conceived Him, gave birth to Him, fed Him, washed and bathed Him, and followed Him faithfully from the manger to the Cross. No other human being’s service to Jesus Christ comes close to hers. (Of course the Saints who served the Lord are being honored by the Almighty Father through the innumerable miracles performed through their intercession.)
And God the Father honored Her — not merely by blessing Her, but by greeting Her through His own messenger with unique words never spoken to anyone else.
The Catholic Understanding
This is why Catholics give Blessed Virgin Mary 'hyperdulia' — the highest honor given to any creature, though far below the adoration (latria) given to God alone. Catholics do not worship Mary. We simply give Her the honor God Himself has already given Her!
It is ironic that some Protestant and Pentecostal groups, who claim to believe in Jesus Christ and follow the Bible alone, reject giving respect to the very person God filled with grace and personally honored. If the Almighty Himself chose to honor Blessed Mary, who are we to do otherwise?
So, will Almighty God respect any human?
Yes — if that person serves Christ. And in all of human history, no one has served Him like His Mother. That is why Catholics honor Holy Mary, not as a rival to Christ, but as the greatest example of what it means to serve Him perfectly.
Ave Maria
