MARY : THE MEDIATRIX!!

Lumen Gentium 62: "The Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the Titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix. This, however, must be so understoodthat it neither takes away anything from, nor adds anything to, the dignity and efficacy of Christ, the one Mediator.

We must fully understand that all doctrine, especially those dealing with the Blessed Mother, be viewed with this in mind, that nothing takes away or adds to the finished work of Jesus Christ:mediator par excellence!!

Pope John Paul II said "Truth cannot contradict Truth". If we are to believe that the Church teaches the Truth, and it does, and the Scriptures proclaim the Truth, and they do, they can't contradict each other. When we hear a non-catholic attack the doctrines of the Church with this Bible verse, or that Bible verse, we need to exercise extreme caution. Usually, after a little research, you will find that they have wrenched that verse out of context, and given it a new meaning, a meaning not intended by the author.

St Augustine said that if he were to find a verse in contradiction between Scripture and the teaching of the Church, he knew that 1. he had obtained a bad translation, or 2. he has misunderstood the verse in question, or 3. he misunderstood the teaching of the Church. In another writing he says "I would not believe in the Gospel myself, if the authority of the Catholic Church did not influence me to do so"

With all that said lets look at the doctrine of Mary the Mediatrix. In this case you will hear 1Tim 2:5 quoted "there is one mediator between God and man, and that is the man Jesus Christ" You Catholics contradict Scripture by teaching that Mary is a "mediatrix"!!

Again the Church affirms that Jesus is the one mediator, as the verse teaches, but does that exclude secondary and even tertiary mediators? Does this verse exclude all other mediators. Lets take a look at this verse in context to see what it really says!!

1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men,2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.3 This is good, and it is acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Realise what Paul is saying. He commands us to pray "for all men, for kings and all who are in high places". What is it to pray for someone but to be their mediator?? Why pray for others?? "Verse 3:This is good and pleasing to God. Why is it good and pleasing to God? verse 4"God desires all men to be saved". Do you see the connection here between intercessory prayer (verses 1&2), and its ability towards the salvation of souls(verse 4)? How can this be?? Verse 5:" For there is one mediator between God and man and that is the man Jesus Christ!!" We can do all this praying and mediating only because Christ is the one Mediator!! He is my mediator, Dons' mediator, Gregs' mediator, the mediator of all in the world!!! All our prayers, and all the prayers of the Faithful go through that one mediator, Jesus Christ!!

This is the way that we are to understand the role of Mary as our Mediatrix. She is a mediator like us, but because of the special role given her by God in His plan of salvation, Her mediation far exceeds our own. James 5:16 says "The prayers of a just man availeth much." (The Greek word for 'man' here is gender inclusive, so it could read "Prayers of a just person availeth much")What creature was more just than Mary?? Her prays are much more efficacious than ours, for this reason we ask her to pray to Jesus with us (thus giving us a prayer group of two when only one is praying)!

After all, who was the mediator who brought the God-man to earth? Who was the mediator who spoke "and the baby leapt for joy"(was sanctified) in Elizabeths womb? Who was the mediator who presented Jesus to the world at the presentation in the Temple?? Who was the mediator who caused the first miracle of Jesus to be performed, right after Jesus Himself said "My hour has not come" in John 2?? And who is our Mediator today proclaimg "Do whatever He tells you" :The last recorded words of Mary in the Bible!!