From the Friars: The One Mediator

Our Protestant brothers and sisters often accuse Catholics of disobeying the Bible by praying to Our Blessed Mother or to the Saints. They will especially quote St. Paul from today’s second reading where he says, “There is one mediator between God and Men, the man Christ Jesus,” (1Tm2:5) This is a good example of how an oversimplification can cause division and misunderstanding. It is one of the great dangers in religion and philosophy to take a too narrow perspective on things. We tend to avoid the sometimes difficult intellectual work of thinking a question through in all its aspects.

The Church affirms that the mediation of Jesus is unique in that only He is true God and true Man. Only Our Lord could reconcile us to the Father and open the gates of Heaven for us. But it is precisely because Christ has become our bridge to Divine Life that others can share in His mediation. Apart from Him we can do nothing. (Jn 15:5) But with Him and in Him we can act as His helpers. As members of the mystical body, we can pray for each other just as Scripture admonishes us to do. (James 5:16…)

Intercession is a form of mediation.

Another similar truth is that only God is Creator but He allows us to participate in His work of creation. An artist or a carpenter create beautiful and practical things to serve and inspire others. This is a sharing in the work of the Divine craftsman.

Also, a husband and wife can become the source of a new human life, with the help of God (Gen 4:1) That is why it is called procreation. A mother giving birth is a beautiful example of a participation in the Fatherhood of God. As the Second Vatican Council stated: “Mary’s unique function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power.” (Lumen Gentium 60) Let us be grateful for the privilege to share in Jesus’ mediation and faithful to the responsibility that it requires of us.

Peace. ~Fr. Peter