Is God or Jesus stingy or tight fisted with graces?

[Eilish_Maura]

In a discussion about whether it was ok to pray to Jesus and God directly without asking for Mary’s intercession someone related this part of their early training:

"* They implied that God and Christ were not so easy about doling out grace, and we’d get more from our prayer time out of Mary.* "

I found this a horrible thing to be spreading to others as it seems to fly in the face of what Jesus has done and taught about the Father.

Any help you could give would be great.

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

This is not an uncommon misunderstanding unfortunately. Mary and the saints are not in competition with God. We are free to ask God directly for what we need. In fact, He has commanded us to do so. But He also expects us to pray for each other. It’s all a matter of understanding the prayer of petition.

The prayer of petition does not turn God into a divine vending machine that will cough up goodies if we just use the right formula or have an “in” with the right people. The prayer of petition is not a prayer to inform God of what He does not already know any more than it is a prayer to change His mind. It is a prayer that is designed to foster humility in us. It is meant to change us—not God! “Lord, I please grant me this favor, but I want what you want even more.” So when we ask the saints to pray for us, they do—but not only by asking for what we want, but by asking God to help us to be more trusting and loving. In doing so, they express their love for God in showing love for us. In Mk.:29-39 the disciples told Jesus that Peter’s mother-in-law was ill with fever. He could easily have known this without their intercession. But by interceding for her, they expressed their love for her. So everyone benefited from the experience. The Church is a communion of love. We are a part of each other.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.