St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
Although Rev Father Francis K. Thumbi would be better positioned to comprehensively and authoritatively answer your pertinent questions, I will hereby attempt to address the issues you so eloquently highlight.
WHY DO WE PRAY FOR INTERCESSION FROM THE SAINTS AND MARY?
Please allow me to point out that the verses preceding 1 Timothy 2:5, Paul notes and encourages Christians to intercede: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:1–4).
I do agree that Jesus Christ remains the supreme mediator between Man and God and there is no doubt in the Church's mind that this is the case. The practice of asking our departed brothers and sisters in heaven has been practiced since time immemorial, not to state that this makes it right if it is wrong but rather to point out that though Jesus Christ is the sole mediator, the intercession of other people does not in any way belittle HIS Supreme position. It is imperative to remember that it is God's intent and desire that all people are saved, it is in the words of men the logical way to help the people He created and love so much.
I t has been argued that God forbids contact with the dead, while in fact he has orchestrated the exact opposite such as the appearance of Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration of Christ.
You point that Mary the Mother of Jesus is dead, Yes she is dead and she died a servant of God, thus the reason we ask for her intercession. It is part and parcel of the Christian faith to pray for each other, thus the rationale behind the intercession from our departed brothers and Sisters.
On the matter of saints and Mary's position Vis a Vis that of Jesus Christ The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the supreme document that guides the Church's faith, sums it thus:
"1419 - Having passed from this world to the Father, Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge of glory with him. Participation in the Holy Sacrifice identifies us with his Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life, and unites us even now to the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints."
On the matter of 'giving more glory to Mary than God', allow me to argue that this is more a matter of perception than reality if not perception per se. The contest seems to be between the use of the words, "Hail Mary full of grace..." as opposed to "Our father who art in Heaven..." I would therefore urge you to look at the big picture, meaning what follows the beginning of the Lord's prayer i.e:
" Hallowed be thy name, thy KINGDOM come thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven........For the Kingdom, the power and the Glory are yours, now and (as I like to add definitely) FOREVER!
By hallowing God's name, we give its unique stature, identity and reflect on His importance to us.
ON MARY AND WHY SHE IS NOT MENTIONED AS MANY TIMES IN THE BIBLE:
Jesus Christ was born in a culture He did not organize, spoke a language He did not invent and was bound and lived a life in traditions He did not initiate. Mary on the other hand was a faithful servant of God, "the handmaid of the Lord", she bore the child Jesus because God wanted and saw her fit.
Jesus walked on this world for 33 years, and after He passed on Christianity was founded based on His teachings, He did not instruct everything that the New testament professes, but rather the inspiration that followed his death continued to mobilize the growth of Christianity. Mary as we all know was a humble woman thus the reason God chose her, she does not have to be inscribed in the bible all over the place, for us to know her importance and central position to Christians. It is about using the intellect, will, reason, logic and every weapon God gave man to decipher what His intentions are for His people.
In today's world, we honor the mothers and wives of our political leaders, we describe the spouses of our presidents as first ladies, the spouses of our Kings as queens, the sons of our royal families as Prince Harry, William, etc, why NOT venerate the woman who gave birth to our savior?
It is important to remember not everything all Christians do is written in the bible and directions given, the Bible remains a guide for all Christians, it teaches us to follow Christ and every little positive counts. It is not blasphemous to honor Mary, it is not heretic to recite Hail Marys, it is our price to pay for Mary's role in bringing the Child Jesus to this world so He may die for us.
I hope this helps, please revert with yr thoughts, questions and comments.
Sincerely
Simon Ngugi
Although Rev Father Francis K. Thumbi would be better positioned to comprehensively and authoritatively answer your pertinent questions, I will hereby attempt to address the issues you so eloquently highlight.WHY DO WE PRAY FOR INTERCESSION FROM THE SAINTS AND MARY?
Please allow me to point out that the verses preceding 1 Timothy 2:5, Paul notes and encourages Christians to intercede: "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way. This is good, and pleasing to God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:1–4).
I do agree that Jesus Christ remains the supreme mediator between Man and God and there is no doubt in the Church's mind that this is the case. The practice of asking our departed brothers and sisters in heaven has been practiced since time immemorial, not to state that this makes it right if it is wrong but rather to point out that though Jesus Christ is the sole mediator, the intercession of other people does not in any way belittle HIS Supreme position. It is imperative to remember that it is God's intent and desire that all people are saved, it is in the words of men the logical way to help the people He created and love so much.
I t has been argued that God forbids contact with the dead, while in fact he has orchestrated the exact opposite such as the appearance of Moses and Elijah during the Transfiguration of Christ.
You point that Mary the Mother of Jesus is dead, Yes she is dead and she died a servant of God, thus the reason we ask for her intercession. It is part and parcel of the Christian faith to pray for each other, thus the rationale behind the intercession from our departed brothers and Sisters.
On the matter of saints and Mary's position Vis a Vis that of Jesus Christ The Catechism of the Catholic Church, the supreme document that guides the Church's faith, sums it thus:
"1419 - Having passed from this world to the Father, Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge of glory with him. Participation in the Holy Sacrifice identifies us with his Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life, and unites us even now to the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints."
On the matter of 'giving more glory to Mary than God', allow me to argue that this is more a matter of perception than reality if not perception per se. The contest seems to be between the use of the words, "Hail Mary full of grace..." as opposed to "Our father who art in Heaven..." I would therefore urge you to look at the big picture, meaning what follows the beginning of the Lord's prayer i.e:
" Hallowed be thy name, thy KINGDOM come thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven........For the Kingdom, the power and the Glory are yours, now and (as I like to add definitely) FOREVER!
By hallowing God's name, we give its unique stature, identity and reflect on His importance to us.
ON MARY AND WHY SHE IS NOT MENTIONED AS MANY TIMES IN THE BIBLE:
Jesus Christ was born in a culture He did not organize, spoke a language He did not invent and was bound and lived a life in traditions He did not initiate. Mary on the other hand was a faithful servant of God, "the handmaid of the Lord", she bore the child Jesus because God wanted and saw her fit.
Jesus walked on this world for 33 years, and after He passed on Christianity was founded based on His teachings, He did not instruct everything that the New testament professes, but rather the inspiration that followed his death continued to mobilize the growth of Christianity. Mary as we all know was a humble woman thus the reason God chose her, she does not have to be inscribed in the bible all over the place, for us to know her importance and central position to Christians. It is about using the intellect, will, reason, logic and every weapon God gave man to decipher what His intentions are for His people.
In today's world, we honor the mothers and wives of our political leaders, we describe the spouses of our presidents as first ladies, the spouses of our Kings as queens, the sons of our royal families as Prince Harry, William, etc, why NOT venerate the woman who gave birth to our savior?
It is important to remember not everything all Christians do is written in the bible and directions given, the Bible remains a guide for all Christians, it teaches us to follow Christ and every little positive counts. It is not blasphemous to honor Mary, it is not heretic to recite Hail Marys, it is our price to pay for Mary's role in bringing the Child Jesus to this world so He may die for us.
I hope this helps, please revert with yr thoughts, questions and comments.
Sincerely
Simon Ngugi
