Answering Those Who Say There Is Only One Mediator

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 08-20-15 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

Answering Those Who Say There Is Only One Mediator

Msgr. Charles Pope • August 20, 2015 •

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:

• For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all (1 Timothy 2:5).
• Come to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel (Hebrews 12:24).
• For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant (Hebrews 9:15).

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.

[Grateful2God]

" God speed for you being with your Lord. "

Thank you! Syncro, belief in God and His Presence in my life, has always been a part of my life. We received a miracle when I was a baby, and an 88 pound woman with a tumor in her chest and a tube in her neck through which she breathed, was sent home to die, after 3 1/2 months at one of the top cancer hospitals in the country. She didn't die then. The doctors found that the tumor arrested, and they couldn't figure out why. Radiation and chemo hadn't done it. The tumor was still there and she was alive. It was God. It was prayer. Years later with all the latest technology- they still couldn't figure it out. They even took some bone marrow from her, to inject into mice- the mice didn't make it. My Mom lived to a good old age. She outlived my Dad by quite a few years, and we were together. I thank Him and I praise Him for that, among other things!

My personal relationship with God is just that: personal. Between Him and me. While I love to speak of Him, there exist things between a man and his God which no one is privy to. Some are in unspoken words; some in prayer; some in a language only God and the soul can understand: the mind cannot comprehend.

As for Scripture, I think the issue is often in the way we learn and use Scripture. We are not taught chapter and verse memorization. We learn, for example, first the actual reading itself; then its relation to God and Salvation History; how it instructs us to behave toward Him and our neighbor; it is the means through which we find guidance, consolation, things we need in our daily lives. The Sacraments, Mass, all those things we are so despised for, spring not from pieces of paper, but from a living Word written with real people in it, not as some kind of diary, but with both earthly and heavenly reality, given throughout the millennia. That is the best way I can say it; the words in my heart can't find the voice to describe what i know to be true, more surely than I know my own name. Lead Thou me on, oh Lord, and I shall do my best to follow.

God bless you for your concern.
Grateful

[Grateful2God]

Et cum spiritu tuo! Thank you!

[Cvengr]

And I don't believe in the rapture.

That's OK. The Rapture is independent of your belief. Semper Fi

[Cvengr]

You know what’s really great about God’s Plan?

It doesn’t allow arrogance into heaven.

All those folks who want access to God the Father, separately from faith in Christ, simply don’t have access.

All those who want a different mediator?

They don’t have access to God the Father.

Let them contrive as many doctrines they seek short of faith alone in Christ alone,...they simply fall short of His Plan.

[Grateful2God]

The Talmud consists both of writings which are Jewish Tradition and of the wisdom of Rabbis such as Gamaliel, St. Paul's mentor. The Pharisees and Sadducees argued over the points of the Law, not as the Rabbis to come to a concensus on that which was written, but as competing political parties. That's why Jesus was a threat to them. Jesus spoke against the Pharisees and Sadducees, for they used the Law to their own ends and lost sight of the heart of the Law. As for the narratives pertaining to the Scriptures of the time, there is, for example, a story in this Sacred Tradition of a shepherd who noticed that a lamb was missing. He left his flock and found the little one trying to lap water from a cleft in a rock. Instead of being angry at the lamb for running away, he took the responsibility for the lamb being thirsty in the first place. He gave the lamb of his own water to drink. As God saw this, He said that one who would have so much compassion on a little stray lamb would be a compassionate leader for His People Israel. The first Good Shepherd was a prefigure of Christ, for the story was speaking of Moses.

By the Parable of the Good Shepherd, with which His audience would be familiar- for even the illiterate could comprehend and share the oral tradition, Jesus showed not only that each one of us is as important to Him as another, but that He took responsibility for our sins, then gave us Living Water, His Own Flesh and Blood, to nourish our thirsting souls. He also identified Himself with Moses, The Law Giver in doing so. He later revealed Himself to Peter, James and John as He spoke with Moses, the Law and Elijah, the Prophets.

However you perceive it, remember that Jesus was part of God's Chosen People, and that history, whether secular or Biblical, does not take place in a vacuum. Jesus was raised as a Jew, in a place and a time in history. So is everyone. They had lives, habits, laughter, disasters- everything common to the human condition, whether or not it is explicitly documented in Scripture.

G-d ♡ bless you!
Grateful ✟ ✡

[Grateful2God]

"All those folks who want access to God the Father, separately from faith in Christ, simply don’t have access."

Friend, does a father turn his children away when they ask to speak to him? Of course not; any more than a father would give his son a stone if he asked for bread; a serpent of he asked for meat. Didn't Our Lord say that if we people would give or children what is good, how much more our Father in Heaven?

Access? God doesn't reside as if in an office. He waits for us, wants us to reach out to Him!

[Grateful2God]

" That's OK. The Rapture is independent of your belief. "

As is Mary being the Ever-Virgin Mother of God, Conceived without original sin, Queen of Heaven and earth, Assumed body and soul into Heaven, independent of yours.

Catholics are often accused of arrogance when we state our beliefs. I find it to be more arrogant to decide who goes to Heaven and who doesn't, when Jesus welcomed those who were outcast? It is God's decision, not ours, and His Ways are inscrutable.

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On another note, friend, you ended with "Semper Fi"- if you were in the Military, I wish to sincerely thank you for your service, from the bottom of my heart.

G-d ♡ bless you!
Grateful ✟ ✡

[Grateful2God]

Did you go to the News page? Click a link or two. Interesting...

[Iscool]

"All those folks who want access to God the Father, separately from faith in Christ, simply don’t have access."

Friend, does a father turn his children away when they ask to speak to him?

Access? God doesn't reside as if in an office. He waits for us, wants us to reach out to Him!

1Ti_2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Joh_14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

It doesn't get any simpler than that...You can not get to the Father by Mary...You can not get to the Father by anyone your religion tells you is a saint in heaven...

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

This is the key...If I have God in me, why would I waste any time praying to someone who may or may not be in heaven to get a message to God for me??? He's right here...And why would I waste my time going somewhere to eat Jesus to get him inside my stomach when he's already here, inside me???

Your religion has made scripture of such non effect that these scriptures apparently are meaningless to you guys...Your religion has replaced so much scriptural truth with its man made philosophical tradition that it's not tradition with scripture, it's tradition instead of scripture...

[Cvengr]

Well stated.

His Word is indeed the best response.

[Mark17]

Thanks for the info on "twilight" I will see if I can find it in the Apple apps thingie. Later.

God bless you too. 😀😃😄😃 The wave indeed. 😅

[Grateful2God]

" This is the key...If I have God in me, why would I waste any time praying to someone who may or may not be in heaven to get a message to God for me??? He's right here... "

On the premise that you have God in you, then why pray to Him at all? Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him, as Jesus said: yet, in practically the next breath, He gave us the "Our Father".
He told us ask and ye shall receive; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
He gave us the parable of the woman who knocked persistently at the judge's door.

Yes, God is with us, as Jesus' Name Emmanuel states. And Jesus taught us not only that prayer itself is important, but that we must sometimes persist in prayer, as God takes His own time, but not give up- He'll answer. (Although, if I may add from experience, He sometimes, like any good Father, has to say "no" for our own good.😊)

Again, God is with us. Yet Jesus said that wherever two or more are gathered in My Name, there I am among you. Why more than one? Because not only is there power in prayer, but there is power when we pray together. There is power when we pray one for another, as Scripture also tells us. There is comfort when we join in prayer, comfort that Jesus Himself sought when He asked Peter, James, and John to join Him in prayer: not only that they themselves would not be put to the test; but that they would pray united with Him, as He showed His sorrow that they who had seen Him in glory on Mount Tabor, chosen apart from the others, could not watch with Him one hour. Twice He, both God and man, looked to His brethren in humanity, as we all are, for comfort, and found none.

Moses; the Judges; the Prophets were all mediators between God and man. Even the High Priests, once a year, entered the Holy of Holies to commune with God- with a rope about their waist lest they died on the midst of God's Presence. God even sent angels as messengers from Him to the people: Abraham; Lot; even the lowly shepherds on the first Christmas night. Jesus sent His Apostles out, to forgive sins; heal the sick; cast out demons. (He also told them to take no provisions at all- but He did send them two by two- yet another example of strength when people pray together).

So Jesus must not have spoken simply that He only could intercede between the Father and man. His role as Mediator went far beyond the simple request that a child, whose angels stand before the Throne of God would make and be heard. Jesus was the Messiah, the One Who reconciled mankind from the sin of Adam and Eve which we in humanity inherited. God chose to accomplish this by sending His Only-Begotten Son to assume our human nature, like to us in all things but sin. Jesus suffered in His Humanity, died and rose again, that in His example of Baptism by water, fulfilling all righteousness, we, too may be Baptised and, in our case, cleansed of original sin. Our responsibility lies in the sins we commit as individuals. A good Father does not allow his children to do wrong and not be admonished; perhaps punished; even made to make retribution when necessary. Would God be any different?
The Bible says to pray one for another. Jesus showed us by Word and example that prayer together is efficacious, even desirable. Why would we not, then ask our brethren in humanity, especially those who are no longer capable of sinning before God, to assist us in prayer?

[Grateful2God]

You ask many questions, both literal and rhetorical. I'm glad to take the time to answer. I hope you take the time to read them, or at least save them for later.

I state what my Faith teaches. You cite Scripture, chapter and verse, and that's wonderful.

The sniping at my "religion" is not. Nor is it necessary. If we are to discuss, then please do not be discourteous and make generalizations in a rude tone, about things you know very little about. Anyone faith is a lifelong, continuous journey, which should touch every aspect of one's life. If you ever did know Catholicism firsthand, it is not evident. I do not insult you in my replies: hence, if only for discussion's sake, I expect the same courtesy from you.

G-d ♡ bless you!
Grateful ✟ ✡

[Iscool]

The Bible says to pray one for another. Jesus showed us by Word and example that prayer together is efficacious, even desirable. Why would we not, then ask our brethren in humanity, especially those who are no longer capable of sinning before God, to assist us in prayer?

I never suggested any such thing...You are conflating prayer with mediation...Of course we pray...But we nor anyone else mediates...

Moses; the Judges; the Prophets were all mediators between God and man. Even the High Priests, once a year, entered the Holy of Holies to commune with God- with a rope about their waist lest they died on the midst of God's Presence.

That's true...But if you'll read Hebrews and other N.T. scriptures you will see that Jesus did away with that priesthood...Jesus replaced that entire priesthood by becoming the totally accessible High Priest...

Heb_7:27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.
Heb_10:11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

Jesus eliminated the entire bunch...

On the premise that you have God in you, then why pray to Him at all? Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him, as Jesus said: yet, in practically the next breath, He gave us the "Our Father".

We ask for a lot more than we need...We pray for our desires...We worship in prayer...

We do not need however to pray orally...The second we think a prayer it is conveyed to God who is within us...There are however obvious advantages to pray orally...

Jesus gave us the example of the 'Our Father' to show us how to pray, not necessarily what to pray...

Why would we not, then ask our brethren in humanity, especially those who are no longer capable of sinning before God, to assist us in prayer?

Jesus gave us the example with Lazarus in Abraham's bosom/Paradise...Lazarus couldn't shout out to anyone back on the earth's surface...Even the rich man knew that...He couldn't talk to anyone up there and neither could Lazarus...He asked Abraham that Lazarus might go back to the surface where he could communicate with others...

So Jesus must not have spoken simply that He only could intercede between the Father and man.

Well, he most certainly did...

[Syncro]

A lot of words but not related much at all to my posts to you.

God bless you for your concern

Review my concern:

I have great concern for those that need direction to having a personal relationship with Jesus

The Gospel of John, God breathed by the Holy Spirit, can be of benefit to you.

That being said, it seems you have a lot of hoops to jump through.

Your "best to follow" isn't what God needs, it's not "us" it is Him.

Our own works (and rituals etc etc) are nothing but filthy rags to God.

You can go directly to the Throne of Grace and talk to Jesus. He is always ready. Direct communication. Jesus in Christians and Christians in Jesus.

[Grateful2God]

"Our own works (and rituals etc etc) are nothing but filthy rags to God."

I shall never believe that. And again, with all due respect, it is kind of you to be concerned, but truly, you know nothing of me, nor of my journey. But I do thank you for what I feel are good intentions.

G-d ♡ bless you!
Grateful ✟ ✡

[Grateful2God]

Quote from G:So Jesus must not have spoken simply that He only could intercede between the Father and man.

Response from I:Well, he most certainly did...

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My apologies for taking awhile to answer- I have a zooey schedule this week!

Please re-read my last paragraph, if you would. I find that most of the responses I receive quote St. Paul. Catholics are taught to consider the Bible as a whole, and our difference here is a matter of interpretation and context. We believe that Jesus stating that no one goes to the Father but through Him refers to His being the one to be crucified for the sin of Adam and Eve, which we have inherited, and which precluded the possibility of our ever attaining Heaven. In that, He alone is the Mediator between God and humanity. Note some of the examples I included of why praying for one another is important, and how even the angels interceintercede for us before the Throne of God. I have more to comment, including the post re: our Mass, but I must go for now.

G-d ♡ bless you!
Grateful ✟ ✡

[Grateful2God]

"Jesus gave us the example with Lazarus in Abraham's bosom/Paradise...Lazarus couldn't shout out to anyone back on the earth's surface...Even the rich man knew that...He couldn't talk to anyone up there and neither could Lazarus...He asked Abraham that Lazarus might go back to the surface where he could communicate with others..."

And did Jesus not say that the rich man's family should listen to Moses and the Prophets in order to know how to live their lives? We look at Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, rather than their nullification.

"17Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. 18For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled. 19He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 5, Douay-Rheims Edition

Jesus also reinforces the tenets of the Commandments, as well as the virtue of voluntary poverty and alms of charity:

"17And when he was gone forth into the way, a certain man running up and kneeling before him, asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may receive life everlasting? 18And Jesus said to him, Why callest thou me good? None is good but one, that is God. 19Thou knowest the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, bear not false witness, do no fraud, honour thy father and mother. 20But he answering, said to him: Master, all these things I have observed from my youth. 21And Jesus looking on him, loved him, and said to him: One thing is wanting unto thee: go, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."
Mark, 10, Douay-Rheims Edition

A main focus of St. Paul's mission was to gather in those who were not Jews. His contention was that, whether Jew or Gentile, they who believed in Christ were not bound to the practice of circumcision. Were they bound solely to the Law, they would have to live accordingly. They did not need to be: in context he was speaking to newly-formed groups of Christians. Jesus spoke to all mankind; His context is universal.

" 27Where is then thy boasting? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28For we account a man to be justified by faith, without the works of the law. 29Is he the God of the Jews only? Is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also. 30For it is one God, that justifieth circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith. 31Do we, then, destroy the law through faith? God forbid: but we establish the law. "
Romans 3 Douay-Rheims Edition

The Law being that the common denominator is belief in Jesus.
Will continue later, 'Cool!
G-d ♡ bless you!
Grateful ✟ ✡

[Syncro]

you know nothing of me, nor of my journey.

You have posted several long posts describing much of what you deny that I know.

Did you read your posts, I did?

Me: "Our own works (and rituals etc etc) are nothing but filthy rags to God."

You: I shall never believe that.

It's in the Bible, but maybe Tradition trumps the Bible in this area.

King James Bible, Isaiah 64:6
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Again my quote: "Our own works (and rituals etc etc) are nothing but filthy rags to God."

Mat 23:27, 28

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

Very similar to what is happening today.

[Grateful2God]

" Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. "

" You have posted several long posts describing much of what you deny that I know. "

That last comment is an aspersion on my integrity, which you have neither reason nor right to make. I resent it, and will not tolerate it further: please be advised; I will report it as abuse if you do so again.

As for the remainder, you're entitled to your opinion. Think of me as you will, my friend. My relationship with my God is between Him and me- and He knows my soul much better than I do. In the final analysis, It is He Who makes the decision.

What is shared of my spiritual life, in forum, or my homepage is what I choose to disclose. It is but a tip of the iceberg. Do you have the courage to speak of your own journey, or are you simply here to point a finger at others?

In answer to your question, yes, I do read my own posts.
Do you read the Letter of St. James?

Whatever your opinion,
G-d ♡ bless you!
Grateful ✟ ✡