In the case of Mary, we pray to her both out of respect and also to ask her, essentially, to put in a good word for us with her Son.
We also pray to other persons we consider to be holy (that’s not the word I want to use, but I can’t think of the word I want right now) asking that they intercede on our behalf. Sometimes they do, and when they do miracles occur. When that happens we recognize them as Saints.
But why wouldn’t you just pray to Jesus Christ as He is all you need? It is not Biblical to call on any intercessor BUT Him.
In the Bible all who believe in Jesus Christ are saints. It is no more “special” than that. You will know who Jesus Christ is when you read the Word of the Bible as He IS the Word.
It saddens me that the Catholic church leads people astray and away from the simple, life giving truth that you need nothing (further, should not seek anything else) but the life giving blood of Jesus Christ.
In the case of Mary, we pray to her both out of respect and also to ask her, essentially, to put in a good word for us with her Son.
-——————————————————————————I Don`t want to take sides here but you say that you pray to Mary while so many others deny actually praying to her.
So is it taught different in one Church than it is in another or what?
Why would someone need to put in a *good word* for us with the Savior who came to seek and save the lost, the One who went to the cross to die for us HIMSELF?
What kind of image of Jesus do Catholics have that they think that someone needs to put in a good word to Jesus on their behalf?
And still, why involve Mary at all in redemption? She didn't die for us. She cannot save us. It's not her job to point us to Jesus. That's the job of the Holy Spirit.
So what's the point of all the Mary stuff anyway? Why the claims that she's sinless, perpetually virgin, mother of us all, etc?
None of that is found in Scripture. Is Jesus and His promises not adequate for Catholics?