Catholics just don’t get what an ongoing relationship with Jesus is all about.
It’s not just something we do in a building called a church, once or twice a week.
It’s a moment by moment, vibrant continual relationship that is not dependent on location.
With Christ dwelling in my heart by faith, He’s available to talk to ANY time I want or need.
just don’t get what an ongoing relationship with Jesus is all about.
The new covenant God referred to in the OT deserves some reflection. The new covenant is with us as individuals, not the church.
jer_31:31 “The day is coming,” says the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah.
Jer_31:33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the LORD. “I will put My instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Luk_22:20 After supper He took another cup of wine and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and His people—an agreement confirmed with My blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice for you.
1Co_11:25 In the same way, He took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and His people—an agreement confirmed with My blood. Do this to remember Me as often as you drink it.”
2Co_3:6 He has enabled us to be ministers of His new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.
Heb_8:8 But when God found fault with the people, He said: “The day is coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah.
Heb_8:10 But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people.
Heb_9:15 That is why He is the One who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant.
Heb_10:16 “This is the new covenant I will make with My people on that day, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.”
Heb_12:24 You have come to Jesus, the One who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel.
That's a point many catholics seem to miss. Jesus is available to talk any time we approach Him. We don't need to go through Mary at all.
In fact, Paul tells us: 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Phil 4:6 NASB
We have DIRECT access to God.
Consider that for a moment. The Sovereign Creator of the Universe tells us to make our requests known to Him.