Sunday 15 August 2021

Confusion About Mary

 

Let's clear some confusion about Mary and specifically about the Catholics.
 
Praying TO Mary, or any other Saints, is wrong. Many Catholics get this wrong and need to be put right.
 
We should not pray to a Saint but ask a Saint to pray for us. That's what it means to pray to Mary, or any other Saint.
 
But ... Christ said "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me."

And ... Paul's letter to Timothy says, "there is one God, and there is one mediator who brings God and mankind together, Christ Jesus."

Both these statements are right and true. So let's look at this another way.
 
When someone is ill we often pray for them and ask God to come to their aid. This shows our charitable loving intentions on our part; it shows our generosity of spirit and caring. Prayers are the greatest gifts we can give to or receive from someone. God loves to hear our prayers on behalf of someone else.

When we pray for others we are mediating for them. 
 
So ... are we wrong when praying for others? Are we contradicting what Paul said to Timothy? Should we tell our sick friend to pray to God himself?
 
Remember the paralysed man who was carried in his bed by his friends and taken to Jesus for healing. Should his friends have left him to go to Jesus by himself?
 
We all need every help we can get. We all need someone to put in a good word for us. We all need someone to pray for us and to mediate for us.
 
That's what we should do when we pray to Mary and the Saints. We ask them to put in a good word for us with Jesus and God.
 
I repeat, as a Catholic, I know many Catholics get this bit wrong. They pray TO the Saints, place flowers and light candles by their statues, promise to recite the Rosary or whatever other promise. THIS IS WRONG.
 
Mary or the Saints cannot be bought with flowers and candles, any more than Jesus or God can be bought by our offerings. There is nothing we can do to repay what Jesus did for us. God loves us for what we are, for who we are; His creations. He does not need our gifts and trinkets as repayment.
 
It's a pity the Catholic Church does not explain this better to its own people as well as everyone else.
 
Oh ... and another thing ...
 
God chose Mary to be the Mother of His only Son. He obviously had, and still has, high regard for her. Do you think that when I get to meet God face to face He will punish me for daring to love Mary and thank her for saying "Yes" to God? 
 
Would YOU have said "Yes" if the Angel Gabriel had appeared to you with such a proposition? Or would you have feared for your life. What people, family and friends would say; to have an unmarried woman carrying a child and then claiming He is the Son of God.
 
She took a great risk. She deserves our thanks. I see nothing wrong in asking her to put in a good word for me with Jesus her Son. This in no way devalues Jesus and the love I have for Him; nor does it devalue God's mighty power and glory.
 
But then ... some would say I am wrong.

29 comments:

  1. ...I don't know what to say!

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    1. Thank you, Tom. It's great to have you visiting here.

      God bless.

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  2. I always say there is no way we can truly understand the ways of God. WE are limited to thinking like humans, on our plain; and it is a fact, no matter how hard we try (MHO).. BTW we loved the graphic yesterday of forgiveness and math.
    We do the best we can and know, doing the problems of math is NOT a problem with Him.
    I enjoyed the read and education.
    Sherry & jack

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    1. Thank you so much Jack and Sherry. Yes, you are right. We cannot truly understand the way of God. We can only trust Him. It's so good to see you here.

      God bless always.

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  3. Dearest Victor,
    Praying to or praying with, is both okay. Worshipping God is different but we can always communicate with Mary and other saints! As long as humanity is still praying!
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Well said, Mariette. A lot of people confuse their prayers and communications with God and the Saints.

      God bless you and yours.

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  4. Interesting! Thank you for addressing what I (non-Roman Catholic) have often wondered about. Wishing you a most blessed day, my friend.

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    1. Thank you, Mevely. There's a lot of misunderstanding, even amongst Catholics.

      Best wishes.

      God bless always.

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  5. Thank you for clearing up the confusion of many of us Non-Catholics. Hope you and yours are well, Victor.
    Blessings!

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    1. It really is so nice to see you visiting here again, Lulu. Thank you so much.

      I hope you and your family are well. Please call again soon ... and often.

      God bless you, dear friend.

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  6. What you've written here, Victor, certainly addresses an area with which non-Catholics are unfamiliar. I find no issue with asking saints to pray for us, just as we would ask a friend to do.
    Blessings!

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    1. Yes, you got it right, Martha. We pray to Saints, like friends, and ask them to put in a good word for us with Jesus, and God. Most Saints, (ex-disciples), have known Jesus personally.

      Sadly, many Catholics pray to the Saints as if they are Deity. THIS IS WRONG. They make deals ... if I have this miracle I'll do this or that. THIS ALSO IS WRONG.

      The Catholic Church needs to address these misunderstandings and teach its people better. I feel the Church is failing in this task.

      God bless you, Martha.

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    2. That was what I was taught, too.

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    3. You are right, Kathy. Sadly, the message is not sinking through in today's society. Many Catholics think/believe they can win favours by lighting a candle or placing flowers.

      God bless.

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  7. I've often wondered about praying to Mary - thanks for clearing that up.
    I like to take the direct approach and go right to God. :)

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  8. When you pray for someone else, are you not also praying for yourself. Healing of a loved one is not an unselfish act.

    I understand your point, I certainly need an intermediary for my requests.

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    1. Good point very well made, JoeH. Although there are times when people pray for someone they do not know at all. I often pray for my readers and commenters here. And also when Bloggers bring sad situations to our attention.

      I pray for you often, my friend. Whatever your needs.

      God bless.

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  9. I understand your words! Good message, Catholic and Protestants alike.

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  10. That is a beautiful image.
    Happy Sunday Wishes.

    All the best Jan

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  11. An excellent explanation. To my reading, Deuteronomy 18:11 clearly forbids consulting with the dead, which is why i do not have a clear conscience to ask those who've gone to Heaven before us to pray for me. Your conscience is different, and that's okay. St. Paul said we need to respect each other's differing in conscience.

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  12. I don't think it is wrong to pray for others on their behalf, when people are suffering for any reason, it can't be wrong to offer up a prayer or two for them. I don't pray myself, but others do and praying for help for others seems to bring a bit of peace and love, a feeling that they are not alone in their troubles.

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    1. Praying, whether it is for ourselves, or for others, is to offer our thoughts, concerns and needs to a higher Being we believe exists and does listen and respond to our calls.

      God bless, River.

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  13. There is only One Mediator between God and man, that is the Lord Jesus. When we are born again of God's Spirit we become the body of Christ on earth. Where two of us agree as touching anything on Earth it will be done for us by our Father in Heaven. Faith is the most important thing, as the scriptures say it is the substance of things hoped for. I have had many prayers answered, as I am sure many other believers have. Matthew ch. 21 v.22 says 'Believe and you shall receive.' God bless.

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I PRAY FOR ALL WHO COMMENT HERE.

God bless you.