Pope' Homily and Mary's intercession

[godisgood77]

What does Pope Francis’ daily homily from 6/2 tell us about the idea of Mary’s universal mediation/intercession (if anything?)? The absence of any reference to Mary in this homily seems to contradict to the idea that some Catholics have that you can only go to Christ through Mary and that all grace comes to us through Mary.

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News from the Vatican - News about the Church - Vatican News](Pope’s Daily Homily from 6/2)

Pope at Mass: Jesus intercedes for us before the Father

Despite our many sins, Jesus always intercedes for us before the Father. He shows Him his wounds, through which we are saved. The daily readings at Mass at Casa Santa Marta Tuesday morning gave Pope Francis the opportunity to dwell on the power of intercessory prayer. The readings spoke of Jesus taking leave of his disciples and St. Paul taking leave of the Christian community to return to Jerusalem. Emer McCarthy reports:

The people are saddened by St. Paul’s departure from Miletus as were the disciples when Jesus took his leave of them before “going to Gethsemane and beginning His Passion”. The Pope noted that the Lord consoles them and “there is a small sentence of dismissal …that makes one think”. Jesus "speaks to the Father, in this discourse, and says, ‘I pray for them’. Jesus prays for us. "As he had prayed for Peter and for Lazarus before the tomb. Jesus tells us: "You are all of the Father. And I pray for you before the Father. "Jesus does not pray for the world, “he prays for us” he “prays for the Church”.

“The apostle John, thinking about these things and speaking of us, who are great sinners, says, ‘Do not sin, but if any of you do sin, know that we have an advocate before the Father, one who prays for us, defends us in front Father, justifies us’. I believe we should really think about this truth, about this reality: Jesus is praying for me right now. I can go on in life because I have an advocate who defends me and if I am guilty and I have so many sins … he is a good defense attorney and will speak of me to the Father”.

“He is the first” advocate and then sends the Paraclete. The Pope added that when we encounter problems or needs in the parish, at home, in the family, we must ask Jesus to pray for us. The Pope then asked: “How does Jesus pray? I don’t believe he talks too much with the Father.

"He doesn’t talk: He loves. But there is one thing that Jesus does , today , I’m certain he does this. He shows his wounds to the Father and Jesus, with his wounds, prays for us as if to say to the Father: ’ But, Father, this is the price of these! Help them, protect them. They are your children whom I have saved with these’.

Otherwise, why after the Resurrection did Jesus not have this glorious body, beautiful - with no bruises, no wounds from the scourging, everything nice? - but there were wounds. The Five Wounds . Why did Jesus want to bring them to heaven? Why ? To pray for us. To show the price [he paid] to the Father: ‘This is the price, now do not abandon them. Help them’".

“We must have this faith - Pope Francis said – that right now Jesus intercedes before the Father for us, for all of us”. And when we pray we must not forget to ask Jesus to pray for us :

“‘Jesus , pray for me. Show the Father your wounds that are mine too , they are the wounds of my sin. They are the wounds of my problem at this moment in time’. Jesus the intercessor only has to show the Father his wounds. And this is happening today , at this very moment. Look at the words that Jesus said to Peter, ‘Peter, I will pray for you that your faith may not fail’”.

“We are confident that he is doing this for everyone”. “We must have faith , concluded the Pope, “in this prayer of Jesus with his wounds before the Father .”

 

[pianistclare]

Since he doesn’t mention Our Lady I fail to see how this is any sort of commentary on her.
He’s talking about Jesus and the fact that we should ask Jesus to pray for us. We normally think that we should ask others to pray to Jesus for us. This is a lovely homily.

The notion that we have only one intercessor would make all the Saint prayers ineffective as well. Makes no sense. We know that many saints have said they would intercede for those left on earth. Our Lady points us in all instances to her Son. Not to herself, anyway.

Maybe this doesn’t answer your question but these were my first thoughts. Peace.

 

[godisgood77]

The reason I ask is this… there are many in the Church who believe that you can not go directly to Christ. Instead you must go through Mary to get to Christ. My Pastor in the Rockford, IL diocese recently gave a homily where he said the same to the entire congregation… I found and do find this to be troubling.

Over the past year, I have tried to better understand this idea of Mary’s universal mediation and movement in the Church to have this idea dogmatically declared… I have read St Montfort, St Kolbe, Pope Benedict XV, Pope Pius XII to understand their Marian spirituality. I have researched official Church documents including encyclicals, apostolic constitutions and the Catechism for this teaching. I have read scholarly theological works by noted mariologists Fr Rene Laurentin, Johan Roten, Mark Miravalle and others. The Marian movement in general would have us believe that there are no circumstances where you can have Jesus directly, instead you go to Christ through Mary and all of God’s grace comes back to us through her. The topic has been debated with seemingly equal contingents on both sides, with a slight majority stopping short of professing Mary’s universal mediation or co-redemption.

So with all of the above said, I find it encouraging that Pope Francis, who has a beautiful devotion to Mary, has on a number of occasions spoke in homilies about the need to go to Christ for intercession.

I’ve gotten in to to number of conversations and debates where I was told that my devotion to Mary was inadequate and outside of Church teaching because it does not include the belief Mary’s intercession is universal. My devotion to Mary includes the rosary, frequent prayers to our heavenly mothers, icons in my families’ home, conviction that she is the mother of God, the second Eve who said yes to God, she was the first christian and a model for all of us in the one mystical body of Christ… As a creature, she is closer to us than to God, but she brings us to him… I’m encouraged that I can do all of these things and believe that I can go to God directly as well and not have the question of whether or not that is in line with the Catholic religion.

So that’s why I ask. I’m interested in whether or not any others see the same in his words.

 

[pianistclare]

The Pope’s homily was indeed food for thought.

I just came out of Adoration. We prayed as the entire Church does the Divine Praises at the conclusion.
If Mary is not that important to our salvation, why is she mentioned so many times in this prayer?
This only one example of persons who don’t “get” Mary trying to dismiss her importance.
True, one doe not HAVE to develop a devotion to Our Lady.
But for the life of me, I don’t see how it can hurt. True devotion to Mary leads us to her Son. Always. It is not fanatical, not for any sort of glory for herself or for special “powers” for herself.
But I did very much enjoy the homily. Thank you for posting and God bless you.

 

[godisgood77]

This only one example of persons who don’t “get” Mary trying to dismiss her importance.

This is the sentiment that I normally encounter. Namely, that the devotion I outline is inadequate and is somehow dismissing her importance because I do not subscribe to Marian ‘maximalism’ devotional practices.

How is what I’ve outlined dismissing her importance?

 

[pianistclare]

Jesus is never inadequate.
But the Church is clear on the importance of Our Lady in salvation history.
As I said already, noone is mandated to Marian devotions.

It’s like saying “I love your mom!”
and your other friend says “I don’t see what the big deal is. She’s his mom. That’s all.”

Not hurtful on its own, but also not very nice. And you certainly would take offense.
I (myself) would imagine that if I show Our Lady respect, and ask her to intercede for me, that Jesus would look kindly on my intentions. My prayer is to Him, through His mother, whom He loves.

I am more reacting to those who continually speak of Jesus’ mother by stating that she was just a Jewish girl used for God’s Divine purpose.
God doesn’t “use”. God chose her and created her in a manner worthy to bear His Divine Son.
I think that’s pretty special.
Some people make a mistake in thinking that if we love Mary, we somehow “lessen” our love of Jesus. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Peace to you.

 

[TimothyH]

Over the past year, I have tried to better understand this idea of Mary’s universal mediation and movement in the Church to have this idea dogmatically declared… I have read St Montfort, St Kolbe, Pope Benedict XV, Pope Pius XII to understand their Marian spirituality. I have researched official Church documents including encyclicals, apostolic constitutions and the Catechism for this teaching. I have read scholarly theological works by noted mariologists Fr Rene Laurentin, Johan Roten, Mark Miravalle and others.

That’s a lot of reading and study. But have you tried it?

Have you prayed to Mary, asking her to take you to her Son? Have you prayed to Jesus, asking him to introduce you to his Mother.

Patient, persevering prayer might be a better place for gaining understanding.

-Tim-

 

[godisgood77]

That’s a lot of reading and study. But have you tried it?

Have you prayed to Mary, asking her to take you to her Son? Have you prayed to Jesus, asking him to introduce you to his Mother.

Patient, persevering prayer might be a better place for gaining understanding.

-Tim-

Look… I’m very happy with my relationship with God and Mary. What I don’t understand or accept is that there is something wrong or lacking in my devotion. If you read back through the thread and there are only a few posts… It’s already been implied twice that I don’t ‘get’ or
I don’t understand.

I’m looking for someone who can articulate what I don’t or don’t understand. Not looking to provoke, just a dialogue.

 

[pianistclare]

Well, since you are talking about ME…I didn’t assert that YOU were lacking in devotion to Mary, did I?
Your original question escapes me if that is the case. It sounded like you were glad that the Pope didn’t mention Mary.

I just tire of the endless “why Mary” threads.
If yours is not one…well…nevermind.