Mediation vs Intercession

[OneSizeFit]

I read the entry here http://www.catholic.com/library/Pray...he_Saints.asp;

and i understand that the family of god/body of christ is not dead, and that asking the saints to pray for us is no different than asking a friend of family member to do so. that i can wrap my head around.

i also cant imagine any christian, whether catholic or protestant asking jesus to "pray for them" - and while the reform defends jesus as one mediator against intercession, they do not use him as a mediator, priest, etc.

but the catholic website does not seem to explain the difference in catholic speak, between intercession and mediation.

what i am reading there is there are many mediators, but one unique mediator in christ.

can any EO or RCC explain for yours truly in your own words and/or experience, thx!



sorry for the rambling post.

[Catholicity]

what i am reading there is there are many mediators, but one unique mediator in christ.

can any EO or RCC explain for yours truly in your own words and/or experience, thx!

I'll be glad to help offer an explanation. Jesus is indeed the One Unique Mediator. In taking on flesh and blood He offered himself as a living sacrifice between God and man and made the only way by which we are saved through his Death Buriel and Ressurrection. There is no another grace or mercy that extends itself to us by which we are saved nor any other name by which we are saved.

Now on to the idea of other "mediators." The idea here is that the saints, (living and deceased) pray for us constantly. In so much they intercede on our behalf and speak to God for us on our behalf. (this does not negate the unique mediation of Christ nor does it negate His unique and only role). Webster's Dictionary defines mediator as a negotiator who acts between parties. to mediate is to intervene to bring about resolution. It is not unfounded to disbelieve that those who pray for us pray for our salvation so as to "mediate" to bring about resolution (we do as Catholics believe that the saints and angels interact with us, and speak to us, on behalf of the the Lord, however they act strictly within the Lord's direction), But again this doesn't take away (at least in our minds) from Christ's role in our Salvation. For example there have been times in this world where angels appear to people during distress periods and give some kind of message of hope or peace, but from the direction of God. this would be a type of both intercession and mediation. I hope this helps some.
C26

[Kelp]

Yep, you can pray (intercede) for someone, but you can't reconcile them to God, only Christ can.

[OneSizeFit]

Yep, you can pray (intercede) for someone, but you can't reconcile them to God, only Christ can.

ah so in orthodox doctrine christ is unique mediator in so far as salvation/reconciliation is concerned.

[OneSizeFit]

I'll be glad to help offer an explanation. Jesus is indeed the One Unique Mediator. In taking on flesh and blood He offered himself as a living sacrifice between God and man and made the only way by which we are saved through his Death Buriel and Ressurrection. There is no another grace or mercy that extends itself to us by which we are saved nor any other name by which we are saved.

Now on to the idea of other "mediators." The idea here is that the saints, (living and deceased) pray for us constantly. In so much they intercede on our behalf and speak to God for us on our behalf. (this does not negate the unique mediation of Christ nor does it negate His unique and only role). Webster's Dictionary defines mediator as a negotiator who acts between parties. to mediate is to intervene to bring about resolution. It is not unfounded to disbelieve that those who pray for us pray for our salvation so as to "mediate" to bring about resolution (we do as Catholics believe that the saints and angels interact with us, and speak to us, on behalf of the the Lord, however they act strictly within the Lord's direction), But again this doesn't take away (at least in our minds) from Christ's role in our Salvation. For example there have been times in this world where angels appear to people during distress periods and give some kind of message of hope or peace, but from the direction of God. this would be a type of both intercession and mediation. I hope this helps some.
C26

wow, thanks for the detailed reply. reason i asked this question is because a couple of months ago my child was baptized catholic, we did the rite, and whole the st paul, st peter, pray for us, john the baptist, pray for us, and you could feel the power and grace of god there. it was quite stirring, really felt like being part of gods family. we also took the catechism course, and everyone involved seemed so grounded, non pretentious, overall it was a lovely experience, the deacon and i especially got along well, it is a wonderful little parish. thinking about joining my wife. but i still have some hang ups since my mom raised me Presbyterian and my dad was a Muslim. hahahaha. thx again!

[Catholicity]

wow, thanks for the detailed reply. reason i asked this question is because a couple of months ago my child was baptized catholic, we did the rite, and whole the st paul, st peter, pray for us, john the baptist, pray for us, and you could feel the power and grace of god there. it was quite stirring, really felt like being part of gods family. we also took the catechism course, and everyone involved seemed so grounded, non pretentious, overall it was a lovely experience, the deacon and i especially got along well, it is a wonderful little parish. thinking about joining my wife. but i still have some hang ups since my mom raised me Presbyterian and my dad was a Muslim. hahahaha. thx again!

You are quite welcome. I can understand the hang ups. I am a baptist convert in to the Catholic Church myself. (3 years) And I had my daughter baptized as well. If you have any questions, feel free to ask

[Jawa Man]

I agree with Catholicity. Orthodox and Catholics don't always have to go head to head!

[OneSizeFit]

I agree with Catholicity. Orthodox and Catholics don't always have to go head to head!

it aint exacly sunni vs shia. thank god.

[Kelp]

ah so in orthodox doctrine christ is unique mediator in so far as salvation/reconciliation is concerned.

Bingo.

I'll probably wind up either Orthodox or conservative Lutheran.

[OneSizeFit]

Bingo.

I'll probably wind up either Orthodox or conservative Lutheran.

amen. i am taking the whole way my life (*read* god!!!) has lead me as towards orthodoxy. not only that, i want to present a unified front of family, god and tradition to my kids, and present them with a solid community, history, faith, and mythos - my wife's whole family are amazing and they were raised catholic (by their fruits, thy shall know), i myself went to catholic high school and saw the difference between the kids who went to cs all their life and the public school kids like me.

the more i research and learn about Catholicism/Orthodoxy and the more dis-satisfied i am with modern non denominational christianity the more i see god leading me to this exact point in time. i am starting the adult rites class next week, very excited. i want to go to service to worship and to partake (actual service), not to be entertained or listen to a pastor. and more importantly i am ready to serve (the Spirit?). but thats for another thread.

: )

btw: i day-lighted at a local Antiochian Church, but it was to much of a cultural thing, I was more or less an outsider. Looking for the Universal.

[Kelp]

I'm glad. May God bless you on your journey .

[OneSizeFit]

I'm glad. May God bless you on your journey .

right on kelp!

god bless you friend .

[Kelp]

Thanks.