We are not Jesus.
1Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. Matt 17:1-3 NASB
This was unique situation in the NT.
Many people in both the OT and the NT interacted with angels. Evidently there is communication between these dear heavenly persons and ourselves.
Agree....and in those instances the angels were sent by God to earth to talk with the person IIRC.
The books of Tobit and Maccabees likewise present the angels and holy ones in heaven (specifically, Onias the High Priest who was martyred, and Jeremiah, 2 Macc 12-15) interceding for God’s people on earth. I suppose you have not kept Tobit and Maccabees in your Bible, but still, it should be interesting to you to see what Jesus and the Apostles and the NT Christians were reading in the Septuagint: *their* Bible.
Tobit and Maccabees, while interesting books to read, are not considered canon.
The strongest testimony comes from St. Paul, who repeatedly urges us to see that we are all living members of the Body of Christ. At no point does he say that this intimate relationship, of giving and receiving prayers and love and spiritual gifts thanks to Jesus Christ -— with Him, and through Him, and in Him-— will cease once you are in heaven!
Actually Paul is the strongest opponent of Roman Catholic claims in this matter...and others.
In all of his writings his instructions regarding prayer is that it is always directed to God. Yes, we on earth pray for each other, but those prayers are directed to God.
On the contrary, it is certain that the ties of love and the eagerness in Christ to shower each other with mutual aid are, in that heavenly realm, unimaginably stronger: eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the mind of man to imagine, what God has ready for those who love Him.
Presumption on the part of the Roman Catholic and actually a rejection of NT teaching.
The Catholic assumes we do not have the "ear" of God because we are here on earth. I think this is one of the beliefs behind praying to Mary....that somehow she is "closer" to God than we are so her prayers are answered first. There are even some Roman Catholic writings that say we should go to Mary first if we want things done. Sheer blasphemy.
However, the NT teaches us otherwise.
14This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 NASB
4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 NASB
Does that sound like God isn't listening or doesn't want us to pray straight to Him??
My impression is that some people-— you? I don’t know, but some people -— think of Christ as a very limited and simple minded fellow, a singer who knows how to do solos but has no idea how to conduct a symphony orchestra or direct vast splendid choral music.
Perhaps some people cannot see Him as having any talent for filling and vivifying His people, actually incorporating them into his Body and sounding forth His genius, His music through them. Becoming part of Christ has astounding implications, and, unimaginable though it is, He goes yet further, making us partakers in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:3).
!!!
The divine nature!
By way of comparison, think of how much we can interact with people even here on this earth, and with reference only to our puny human skills and sciences: cloud computing, simultaneous digital connection, communicating with millions or billions. And that’s just our feeble natural accomplishment. Puny.
Do you think IN HEAVEN for God’s sake, we will be unable to do even that? Will we be held incommunicado? Unable to see, or hear? We will be inconsequential and insignificant? We will be LESS capable than our own puny, earthly electronic devices, in Eternity, in the realm of God’s infinite power, in Him in Whom we live and move and have our being??
Why put such incredibly narrow limitations on Christ!
BTW, thank you for your prayers, an offer I take seriously and with a grateful heart.