Saints In Heaven

[luciasclay]

Attempting to formulate in my mind a correct understanding of Catholic teaching…

In Tobit I see the angels presenting prayers before God. In Revelation of John I see angels with the prayers and the saints with the prayers. The martyrs under the altar ec.

I see that Christ preached to the souls in hades and when he ascended “he led captives in his train”

Because of Christ, Hebrews says we have the confidence to enter before the Throne. We come to the cloud of witnesses to the spirits of just men made perfect.

So what happened at the resurrection was that, among other things, those righteous in sheol were now able to appear before God in heaven, just as the angels have always done. Prior to Christ’s resurrection that wasn’t possible and now it is.

So now that they are in heaven and present our prayers to God that is the basis for why we appeal to them to intercede for us, just as we ask others down here to intercede for us ?

Am I anywhere close to describing this right from a Catholic way of thinking ? Without nitpicking to much isn’t this the teaching ?

( And to the protestants around here who disagree with Catholic teaching please just sit this one out ).

 

[Nita]

Attempting to formulate in my mind a correct understanding of Catholic teaching…

In Tobit I see the angels presenting prayers before God. In Revelation of John I see angels with the prayers and the saints with the prayers. The martyrs under the altar ec.

I see that Christ preached to the souls in hades and when he ascended “he led captives in his train”

Because of Christ, Hebrews says we have the confidence to enter before the Throne. We come to the cloud of witnesses to the spirits of just men made perfect.

So what happened at the resurrection was that, among other things, those righteous in sheol were now able to appear before God in heaven, just as the angels have always done. Prior to Christ’s resurrection that wasn’t possible and now it is.

So now that they are in heaven and present our prayers to God that is the basis for why we appeal to them to intercede for us, just as we ask others down here to intercede for us ?

Am I anywhere close to describing this right from a Catholic way of thinking ? Without nitpicking to much isn’t this the teaching ?

Yes.

 

[LilyM]

Good line of reasoning, actually - well done

 

[VociMike]

I would just add to your formulation that Rev 5:13 gives us the evidence that those in heaven really can hear those on earth, and also demonstrates that the prayers directly to God (which are represented in scripture as spoken words) are different from the prayers for intercession (which are represented as incense, or as mixed with incense).

 

[Abisko]

I would just add to your formulation that Rev 5:13 gives us the evidence that those in heaven really can hear those on earth, and also demonstrates that the prayers directly to God (which are represented in scripture as spoken words) are different from the prayers for intercession (which are represented as incense, or as mixed with incense).

Interesting but I’m not sure if I understand this correctly, so Prayers to God are different than Prayers to Saints is it that when we pray to Saints we ask them to pray for us, are there any other differences?

 

[JJHIII]

Interesting but I’m not sure if I understand this correctly, so Prayers to God are different than Prayers to Saints is it that when we pray to Saints we ask them to pray for us, are there any other differences?

That is how I’ve always understood it.

It is written that Christ is our only mediator to God. If that is the case then the Saints in Heaven pray for us through Christ.

Is my thinking anywhere close?

 

[Lerato]

I think praying through the Saints is a powerful affirmation that we are truly a communion of saints. Otherwise, what hope do we have if we don’t believe that those gone before us are with Christ? HAPPY ALL SAINTS DAY.

 

[TheDoctor]

That is how I’ve always understood it. It is written that Christ is our only mediator to God. If that is the case then the Saints in Heaven pray for us through Christ. Is my thinking anywhere close?

Yes.

For me, the clearest way to picture this is to remember James 5:16: “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.” Jesus does tell us to pray for each other, however He also says that the prayers of a righteous person are more powerful than the prayers of a less righteous person. Well, who is more righteous than a Saint in Heaven standing before God?

P.S. - And while each Saint stands in a special place before God, it is not logical to ask who would be the most righteous Saint in all of Heaven? Perhaps, oh, uh, um…Mary?