Posted on 08/21/2015 7:07:55 AM PDT by Salvation
There is a common Protestant claim that there is one (sole) mediator between God and Man—Jesus. Therefore, they say, asking the saints to pray for us is useless, wrong, and maybe even sinful. Those who object, usually cite some of the following texts:
To this claim, we should first answer that we do not teach a substitutional mediation in invoking the saints, as if we were trying to go to the Father apart from Jesus’ mediation.
Rather, we speak of a subordinate mediation, in which we seek the prayers of the saints, or of one another. For indeed we could have no communion with them or one another if it were not for Jesus Christ, who as the Head of the Body, the Church, unites all His members and facilitates our communion with one another.
Objectors seem to speak of there being one mediator in an absolute sense, excluding any other possible interaction or any subordinate mediation. But consider that if there is only one mediator in an absolute sense, then no one ought to ask ANYONE to pray for him; and neither should the objectors attend any church, read any book, listen to any sermon, or even read the Bible (since the Bible mediates Jesus’ words to you).
A “mediator” is someone or something that acts as a “go-between,” acting to facilitate our relationship with Jesus. And though Jesus mediates our relationship to the Father, He also asked Apostles, preachers, and teachers to mediate, to facilitate His relationship with us.
Thus Jesus sent Apostles out to draw others to him. St. Paul says, How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ (Rom 10:14-15, 17).
And thus Jesus has His relationship with us mediated through His Word and through the Apostles and others who announce that Word and draw us to Him.
But since some Protestants say that there is absolutely only ONE mediator, and no subordinate or deputed mediators, there is therefore no need to ask ANYONE or ANYTHING to mediate. So should they not burn their Bibles, stop asking anyone to pray for them, and seek no advice, since NO ONE can mediate a single thing? No one can do this because there is, as they say in an absolutely unqualified sense, only ONE mediator—one and only one.
But for those of us who see that there is a subordinated mediation in service of Christ’s supreme mediation, the prayers of others, preaching, and teaching all make sense. And just as the Bible can mediate His presence and will, or as a preacher can mediate His word, so too can the prayers of others (including the Saints) convey my prayers to Him. And Jesus can mediate my prayers to the Father and give graces to me by mediating them through others.
Consider the analogy of the body, since the Church is Christ’s Body. Jesus has one Body and all the parts are connected through the Head, who is Jesus. Now consider your own body. All the members of your body have communion and unity through your head, your mind. There are different ways to have interaction with others. Perhaps someone will reach you through your ears by speaking, or through the sense of touch by tapping you on the shoulder, or visually by waving. Various members of your body facilitate (mediate) interaction with others in different ways, but it is all facilitated through the head of your body, your mind. So, too, do I confidently expect to reach Jesus in different ways: directly, or through one of His members (realizing that He Himself facilitates it).
And thus for us Catholics, our relationship with Jesus is a rich tapestry of relationships with all the members of His body, those who are with us here and now as well as those who have gone on before us but remain members of the one Body, the Church, with Christ our Head.
Monsignor Pope Ping!
So, in other words, the Bible is wrong? Does the good Monsignor intend on going down that rocky road?
Even when I was a Catholic I thought this kind of thinking was blasphemous. Now I KNOW it is.
If the Bible doesn’t mean what it says, why doesn’t it say what it means?
I usually enjoy Msgr Pope.
I will even defend him against the foolish bigotry of Facebook.
But, given the choice, I would rather take the words of St. Paul and the Author of Hebrews to heart.
Either God is correct, or man is correct. Constant battle, isn't it?
Reading the bible is the best defense against this type of gobbledygook.
I guess that applies to only one side.
It doesn't mean what it says because it would be impossible to manipulate the masses with falsehoods if one followed the Bible. Look at the Koran, pure lies to manipulate the masses. Same thing with the Hindu Vedas and Buddhist texts. Sun Mying Moon has some stuff too. You want to get rich? Come up with some smooth-sounding writings that tell people what they WANT to hear instead of what they NEED to hear and you've got it made.
Politicians do it all of the time. The really SMART politicos ensure that their version of politics becomes the state religion (i.e. Communism and emperor worship).
As for me and my house, I will serve the Lord.
I.one who intervenes between two, either in order to make or restore peace and friendship, or form a compact, or for ratifying a covenantII.a medium of communication, arbitrator
There is only one who restores us to peace and friendship with our God, and that is Jesus Christ. When we have people pray for us, they are not acting as mediators, but petition Christ to intervene on our behalf.
In a legal sense, they are not our lawyer, our advocate, but are amicus curiae (friend of the court).
Grace and Peace.
Might as well disable replies on this one if no criticism is allowed....
I will ask live persons to pray for me or someone else. I do not ask dead people since they cannot be with us except by the will of God. I ask Him and His Son.
Thank you for the post!
But seriously, it will be hard to eliminate “Catholic bashing” as long as there are posts like this. One man’s positive assertion is another man’s insult, especially in the field of religion. This article is deliberately provocative toward Protestants. But I’m sure many Catholics think it’s a stouthearted defense of Holy Mother Church. Unhappiness will cease only if discussion of doctrine is banned altogether. Even then, a lot of religious news has a strong doctrinal component.
I love my Catholic brethren, but I cannot follow you down that road.
I cannot see asking a dead person to do anything on my behalf.
I love you all, but I cannot go there.
Peace.
Whether the departed or alive is another question. It would SEEM that you will ask others to mediate for you. Is that correct?
What balderdash! The Bible instructs us to pray for one another. Besides, there is a distinct division between the Church militant and the Church triumphant.
If I ask someone in the Church militant to pray for me, I can know that they heard me.
If I ask someone in the Church triumphant to pray for me, I do not know that they heard me and can only hope.
My hope is in Jesus, based on the word.
Since talking with someone in the Church triumphant is a one-way communication, maybe you should start incorporating a ouija board so you can receive answers. Because if a member of the Church triumphant does not have to obey the rules of time and space (how many people are praying to Mary at this time all over the world?) what big deal would it be to move a little piece of wood.
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