Two, two letter words...How comprehensive can it get??? You can't get to the Father unless you go thru the Son...
Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
I realize that's not your argument tho...Your argument is that you need (or desire) a mediator between you and Jesus...Problem is, you have no idea whether your mediator has contact with Jesus...
Be a pity to have someone mediate and not have your petitions make it to God...
But I wouldn't waste 10 seconds asking Mary or a 'saint' to mediate between Jesus and me...And here's why...
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Heb 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Heb 4:15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
This doesn't require a comprehensive description either...You can take your petitions right to the One who can grant your petitions...And you do it boldly...
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Oh Bless God! Thank you.
You have no idea how gratified I am to be treated like a thinking person instead of some Catholic-bot.
I know it's rather hard to tell, but I really do have a deep love for Evangelical Protestant believers. That's where my entire Christian formation came from. Nevertheless, my Catholic convictions come from exactly that: being convinced.
Problem is, you have no idea whether your mediator has contact with Jesus...
But you see, that's our fundamental disagreement. I have every bit as much confidence that "my" mediator has contact with Jesus as you have that Jesus rose from the dead. Both convictions ultimately came from the same source in my estimation. You just don't accept the authority of one of my sources. That does not mean I accept the idea my sources are in any way inferior to yours.
When Protestants argue theology with Catholics on a strictly Scriptural basis, it's like a single person discussing something of great import with a husband, all the while ignoring he has a wife. To treat the husband as another fundamentally single person is to totally miss who he is.
Be a pity to have someone mediate and not have your petitions make it to God...
I think you're getting into a "Can God make a rock so heavy even he can't lift it" assumption here. Catholics don't require a "legal" explaination for everything. We are very comfortable with the concept of "mysteries."
I don't know of any Catholic that seriously thinks God doesn't hear a prayer unless Mary passes it through, even if it was directed to the BVM.
But I wouldn't waste 10 seconds asking Mary or a 'saint' to mediate between Jesus and me...And here's why...This doesn't require a comprehensive description either...You can take your petitions right to the One who can grant your petitions...And you do it boldly...
And while your citation is absolutely on the mark, recognize the Scriptural text presents the "bold approach" as somewhat less than a categorical imperative. I think a fair-minded textual critic would have to permit the possibility the writer's intent is to instill confidence in the reader, rather than give the reader a command.
Presenting oneself before the Lord *should* be a fearful and awe inspiring undertaking as has been recognized by God's people throughout history. Catholics take that very seriously, despite the "boldness" encouraged by the book of Hebrews.