Why do Catholics need Mary to guide them to Jesus?

[patmiron]

=HJ3822;13111013]Why do Catholics need Mary to guide them to Jesus? Why can’t they just pray to Jesus directly? I see that Mary should be venerated, because she is the mother of God and has carried Jesus in her womb for a very long time. And I understand the sentiment of paying respects to her for giving birth to Jesus. She is, after all, his mother as much as she is his disciple and probably deserves the honor. But still, why do Catholics feel the need to ask Mary to guide them and other people to Jesus? What power does she have that God doesn’t have? What kind of role does she play in salvation?

Also, I have visited a Catholic Mass a couple of times, and it seems that the liturgy seems to be very directed at God: “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us.” If Mary is so important in Catholicism, then why don’t Catholics mention her name during the service? Instead, all glory goes to God during the liturgy!

I am seriously confused.

In an absolute sense WE DON"T nor does the CC teach that we do:thumbsup:

That said it is nevertheless ABSOLUTELY not to take advantage of the FACT that Jesus gave His Mother to ALL of us in order to AID, to direct us and to assist us to doing ALL that Her Son expects from us

John 19: 25-28
" [25] Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’ s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen.[26] When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: **Woman, behold thy son. [27] After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. **And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. [28] Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst."

NOTICE the use of the generic }women" for His Mother, and “disciple” for John: This is to make CLEAR that Christ was giving His Mother to ALL of humanity to assist us, on our way to Her Son.

NOTICE also the “I Thirst”

This means that despite ALL that Christ had done, he STILL desired to do more: a HUGE part of the “more” was giving to ALL of humanity His Mother as an INTERCESSOR for us: not an essential element; BUT a most powerful and loving assist to our efforts to merit salvation.

A HUGE PART OF THE LACK OF PROTESTANT UNDERSTANDING FLOWS FORM THEIR WRONG NOTIONS OF HOW SALVATION ACTUALLY DOES OCCUR IN ACCORD TO WHAT THE ENTIRETY OF THE BIBLE AND CHRIST HIMSELF TEACH.

BECAUSE OF ONE ERROR; MANY MORE NATURALLY FOLLOW.

God Bless you, and thanks for asking,

Patrick

 

[zz912]

Wasn’t that betrothed to be married?

They were married. They were in the time period between being married and when the bride would enter her husband’s home and the marriage was consummated. This was usually about a year.

That is why Joseph considered divorcing Mary. You can’t divorce someone you aren’t married to.

 

[patmiron]

=HJ3822;13111013]Why do Catholics need Mary to guide them to Jesus? Why can’t they just pray to Jesus directly? I see that Mary should be venerated, because she is the mother of God and has carried Jesus in her womb for a very long time. And I understand the sentiment of paying respects to her for giving birth to Jesus. She is, after all, his mother as much as she is his disciple and probably deserves the honor. But still, why do Catholics feel the need to ask Mary to guide them and other people to Jesus? What power does she have that God doesn’t have? What kind of role does she play in salvation?

Also, I have visited a Catholic Mass a couple of times, and it seems that the liturgy seems to be very directed at God: “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us.” If Mary is so important in Catholicism, then why don’t Catholics mention her name during the service? Instead, all glory goes to God during the liturgy!

I am seriously confused.

Having previously addressed your 1st question; allow me now to address your second question.

Your astute observation about the Mass being God centered points out a critical difference in Catholicism & Orthodox] with all other forms of Christianity. Which is puzzling in that the term “Christian” clearly implies a need to be 'Christ-Focused, and at least IMO, not doing this in all “worship” services; is a significant short coming A missed opportunity.

The answer to your query is just as you stated: Mass is, as it is intended to do in fulfilling
Christ command to : "Do THIS in memory of ME:

**Lk. 22: 19-20 **“And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me. In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.”

1 Cor. 11: 23-25 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me."

Part of your confusion perhaps likes in the misconception that we Catholics “Worship” Mary [a separate topic] which we Do not

“Worship” is reserved for and ONLY for God, Triune.

So Mary;s most fitting and helpful role is not required here. we Do however have multiple Marian Feast-day’s where in the course of the Mass, Mary is singled out for special REVERENCE, recognition and honor, NOT to be confused with Worship of God.

Thanks for asking,

Patrick

 

[zz912]

Why do Catholics need Mary to guide them to Jesus?

Need? It’s not a “need”, but a very smart thing to do. Some people go it alone in this world, others ask for the help and wisdom of those who have already succeeded.

Why can’t they just pray to Jesus directly?

We can and do, as you note below. But we can ALSO ask others to pray for us. Why not do both? The prayers of the righteous are powerful.

I see that Mary should be venerated, because she is the mother of God and has carried Jesus in her womb for a very long time. And I understand the sentiment of paying respects to her for giving birth to Jesus. She is, after all, his mother as much as she is his disciple and probably deserves the honor.

All that and more. Mary is the Ark of the New Covenant. Take a look at Luke’s Gospel, and how intentionally he ties in the similarities between Mary and the Ark. Both went for 3 months to the hill country. Both had someone filled with the Holy Spirit leaping in front of them. Both carried the Word/word of God (Ark had the 10 Commandments). Both had the Bread/bread from Heaven (Ark had the manna from the desert). Both had the High Priest (Ark had Aaron’s staff). Both had the Holy Spirit “overshadow” them.

Even in Revelation, there is a “sign” of the Ark, and immediately after describes the “woman” who is the Mother of the King.

But still, why do Catholics feel the need to ask Mary to guide them and other people to Jesus?

She knows the way. Why not ask her help in getting there? The way is narrow and hard. Best to use all the people who could help you.

What power does she have that God doesn’t have?

None. Any gifts or graces she has is entirely from God.

What kind of role does she play in salvation?

She is the Mother of God. Say that 5 times slowly until it sinks in. God chose HER to raise Him. He chose HER to be His Mother. She is the Ark of the New Covenant. Jesus, our Savior, entered into the world through her.

Also, I have visited a Catholic Mass a couple of times, and it seems that the liturgy seems to be very directed at God: “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us.” If Mary is so important in Catholicism, then why don’t Catholics mention her name during the service? Instead, all glory goes to God during the liturgy!

Because the Mass IS all about God. At a couple points we ask for Mary and the saints to pray for us in the Mass, but the Mass is ALL about God. It is a participation in the Last Supper and Crucifixion on Calvary. We are at the wedding feast of the Lamb. We are participating in the offering that Jesus is making to the Father in Heaven.

I am seriously confused.

I hope I could help some!

 

[clem456]

Why do Catholics need Mary to guide them to Jesus? Why can’t they just pray to Jesus directly?
…

Because we are human beings. We are imperfect, and perfection is found in unity.

What does unity consist of? Being united to the Body of Christ.
Note that Christ did not love us as a slave-master, handing down edicts from a distant throne. He became one of us. To come close to Christ is to become more fully human, not to become other than human. To be come fully human, we need each other.
If you cannot accept that we need each other to come closer to Christ, then the Mary’s role will not be clear for you.

In the first place, why did God condescend to become human in the virgin’s womb? He is God, he can do what he wills, when he wills, how he wills, at his good pleasure. Yet he made himself flesh, dependent on a human mother, dependent on a human father for sustenance, dependent on a human people and society to thrive.

If we are to become united to him, we must become like him. We must ask each other for assistance, we must trust other human beings. We do not approach our salvation alone we have a communion of saints.
You have gifts that I do not, I have gifts that you do not. Mary has gifts that no other human beings have, she is “kecharitomene”.

Why should we not speak with her and ask her to approach her son? Are we more special than God himself, who not only spoke to her, but became flesh within her?

 

[Bruised_Reed]

Wasn’t that betrothed to be married?

Yes, they were. Thanks!

Even so - point being, even after they did get married, they were not going to have sex. They had both made vows of virginity, according to some of the Early Fathers (disciples of the first Apostles).

I wanted to make sure that this post wasn’t missed.

They were married. They were in the time period between being married and when the bride would enter her husband’s home and the marriage was consummated. This was usually about a year.

That is why Joseph considered divorcing Mary. You can’t divorce someone you aren’t married to.

 

[EasterJoy]

If someone wanted a full drink-out-of-the-fire-hose treatment to orient them to how the Church sees Mary, I’d send them to Lumen Gentium, the dogmatic constitution on the Church, chapter 8
vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html

From section 54: Wherefore this Holy Synod, in expounding the doctrine on the Church, in which the divine Redeemer works salvation, intends to describe with diligence both the role of the Blessed Virgin in the mystery of the Incarnate Word and the Mystical Body, and the duties of redeemed mankind toward the Mother of God, who is mother of Christ and mother of men, particularly of the faithful…

Not an exhaustive nothing-else-can-be-said study, as the Council points out elsewhere in the text, but a diligent description.

Topics include:
The Role of the Blessed Mother in the Economy of Salvation
On the Blessed Virgin and the Church
The Cult of the Blessed Virgin in the Church
Mary the sign of created hope and solace to the wandering people of God

 

[multitude]

Yes, but we have to approach out of love. And so live and preach, with love.

I think you have a point though. Especially because, whenever times seem to be moving deeper into secularism / atheism, this always coincides with so-called Catholics and Christians ignoring Our Lady, which further suggests, that where there is opposition to Our Lady, there the devil is, and furthermore, all who wish to draw close to the Saviour of mankind will need to do so through the loving Immaculate Heart of Our Lady.

I don’t think the invitation from the Cross for us to take Our Lady into our hearts was in fact an offer. I happen to think that it was more of a command to love, for those who wish to draw close to Him; therefore, even the word ‘devotion’ could be considered a little tame.

Too many people get converted to this world. Mother Mary starts off as what seems to be a harmless joke… “Jesus, born of a virgin? Sure?” Then it is, “who was his biological father? Some Roman soldier?” Then it is, “Oh Joseph never had a chance!” As if all Mary was, was a mere object. Then Christians inadvertently pick up on the spirit of this… “Mary was just a vessel”… “What has she got to do with anything?” They think they are being critical thinkers or something like this, but they are being led by wolves in sheep’s clothing.

 

[HJ3822]

But are they (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, etc.) “necessary” the way God set up things? Would YOU know about (and trust) a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, if Jesus did not use Matthew, Mark, Luke, etc.the way He did?

If “no”, you are asserting some sort of affirmation of God’s plan to include others by His design.

If “yes”, explain how YOU would have this relationship and knowledge apart from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, etc.

Your rhetorical questions have convinced me. That Mary should not be treated differently than Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, or any apostle who knew Jesus intimately. The assumption is that Mary, as Jesus’ mother, is very close to Jesus, so she has an authoritative voice above the other saints. Hence giving reverence and devotion to her is justified.

I have to admit that I come from a family background that values respect to authority. So, this reasoning is enough to convince me.

However, I think someone who emphasizes more on consent and individual preferences than respect to authority is not going to be so convinced. They may say, “I will only respect my parents, if they deserve it or if what they say is rational.” The underlying, unstated assumption is that they will disobey their parents, if their parents disapprove of what they are doing and seek to correct them. I have encountered viewpoints that say that parents should have the obligation to correct their children, and that say that parents should respect their children’s individual preferences or else be labelled as too controlling.

 

[Googler]

If, then, I would attempt to grasp your exceptional glory and greet you in a worthy way from the depths of my heart, I must advance with a very pure spirit, for those who presume to approach your door without due reverence obtain not glory but a justified disgrace.
Anyone approaching you [Mary] must proceed with the greatest reverence and humility, but also with great hope of being admitted in virtue of your mercy and clemency.
I come to [Mary] you, therefore, with humility and reverence, with devotion and confidence, and with the greeting of Gabriel on my lips–a greeting that I joyously repeat with head bowed in respect and with hands open in deep devotion. I pray that this greeting may be repeated a hundred, a thousand, and even more times on my behalf by all the heavenly spirits. Indeed, I do not know anything dearer and more worthy I can offer you than this greeting.
Listen now to one most enamored of your name: "Heaven rejoices and earth is amazed when I say: Hail, Mary!
Satan flees, hell trembles when I say: Hail, Mary!
The world becomes contemptible, the flesh foul, when I say: Hail, Mary!
Sadness disappears and joy returns when I say: Hail, Mary!
Tepidity vanishes and the heart is inflamed with love when I say: Hail, Mary!
Devotion grows, compunction is born, hope intensifies, and consolation is increased when I say: Hail, Mary!
The soul is renewed and the inclination to good is strengthened when I say: Hail, Mary!
So intense is the sweetness of this blessed greeting [Hail Mary!] that it cannot be expressed in human words. It remains forever loftier and more profound than any creature can grasp. Therefore, I kneel again before you, Most Holy Virgin Mary, and say: “Hail, Mary! full of grace.”
My most merciful Lady, Holy Mary, accept this very devout greeting and, with it, me as well, so that there may be something in me that pleases you, strengthens my trust in you, enkindles in me an ever increasing love, and keeps me forever devoted to your holy name.
Heaven grant that in order to satisfy my desire to honor you and greet you eternally from the depths of my heart, all my members may be transformed into tongues and the tongues into fiery voices. Mother of God, I want to be able to utter this greeting as a pure and holy sacrifice of prayer that will atone for all the sins by which I have merited God’s wrath, greatly saddened your Son, and very often dishonored and offended you and the entire heavenly court.
Since my life is a frail thing and transient due to all my excesses, my negligences, and my vain, unclean, and perverse thoughts, may heaven grant that all the blessed spirits and the souls of the just may turn to you, Most Blessed Virgin Mary, with pure devotion and ardent prayer.
May they repeat over and over in your honor that loftiest of greetings which the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were the first to use to you through the mouth of the Angel. Thus, I would in a way find an incense worthy of being a sweet odor, for in me there is nothing good and nothing deserving of reward.
But now, impelled by heartfelt devotion, I prostrate myself before you. Wholly on fire with reverence for your holy name, I repeat that joyful new greeting, never heard until the Archangel Gabriel, sent by God, entered your room and there on bent knee honored you by saying: “Hail, full of grace; the Lord is with you.”
In keeping with the precious custom of the faithful, I desire to address you and to do so with pure lips as far as is possible for me. How I desire with all my heart that all creatures would address you in the same way: “Hail, Mary , full of grace, The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus Christ. Amen.”
~Thomas a Kempis

 

[IGotQuestions]

This is a very good question. One that many non-Catholics need to hear.

 

[anon98328916]

Why do Catholics need Mary to guide them to Jesus? Why can’t they just pray to Jesus directly? I see that Mary should be venerated, because she is the mother of God and has carried Jesus in her womb for a very long time. And I understand the sentiment of paying respects to her for giving birth to Jesus. She is, after all, his mother as much as she is his disciple and probably deserves the honor. But still, why do Catholics feel the need to ask Mary to guide them and other people to Jesus? What power does she have that God doesn’t have? What kind of role does she play in salvation?

Also, I have visited a Catholic Mass a couple of times, and it seems that the liturgy seems to be very directed at God: “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us.” If Mary is so important in Catholicism, then why don’t Catholics mention her name during the service? Instead, all glory goes to God during the liturgy!

I am seriously confused.

Mary has no power on Her own, only God has power though Mary being chosen to be the mother of Jesus from the moment of Her conception She was part of Gods plan…She had to be born free from sin to be to be the mother of Jesus. Mary suffered with Jesus throughout His bitter passion, imagine watching your Son being crucified an unimagable cruelty being afflicted upon Him, her heart was broken. Jesus on the cross gave Her to us as our mother. When She died she was taken up to heaven body and soul and crowned queen of heaven. Mary then was given a very important role by God to pray and guide Her children US! She has been given many graces by God “Hail Mary full of grace” God wants us to pray to her cause she is our Mother and Jesus would deny His Holy Mother nothing…just remember the wedding feast in Cana when they ran out of wine and the servants asked Mary to intercede for them to Jesus. God sent Mary to teach us the rosary (Fatima) Mary is the key! Cause She leads us to Jesus. Jesus wants us to love And honour His mother, how can we say we love Jesus but not His mother? The rosary so touches the heart of Jesus.

 

[MartinJordan]

To answer the OP, it is not only Catholics that ask for guidance from Mary so do the Orthodox, Lutherans and Anglicans as well. It is also fair to say other Christian traditions regardless aren’t actually going to Jesus directly always either because even when they pray use the Bible as guidance too. :yup:

Now as far as I am concerned I think of it this way: When Mary went to visit Elizabeth, Jesus was living inside his mother when she proclaimed “My soul Glorifies the Lord…all generations shall call me blessed my spirit rejoices in God my saviour…”. In other words Jesus was the youngest who could actually hear his Mother proclaim the Greatness of God.

Therefore , there is no doubt in my mind Jesus would be the happiest that we give honour to his Mother, as they/we pray for his Mercy. If this Unity could be restored the world can know how much we Love Jesus and Believe in Him.

MJ