Bringing you the
"Good News" of Jesus Christ
and His Church While PROMOTING CATHOLIC
Apologetic Support groups loyal to the Holy Father and Church's
magisterium
I have a question for you. I'm Catholic, and
I was recently questioned by some Protestant
friends about the Communion of Saints. I was
asked what the Scriptural basis was for praying
to the Blessed Virgin Mary and other Saints,
in light of a verse out of Deuteronomy where
God commands Israel not to pray to the dead.
My initial explanation of that verse, read
in context, was that God was referring to
the idolatrous worship practices of the Canaanite
nations that He was driving out of the Promised
Land.
As for the rest, I tried to remember what the
Catechism taught on the subject, but
didn't remember much. I did remind them
what Jesus said when He was speaking to
the Sadducees using the burning bush passage, about
how everyone is alive to God, but I
don't think they got that part.
If you could assist me with a better way of
explaining this, I'd appreciate it.
Thanks in Christ,
Jason Brantley
Tulsa, Oklahoma
{ What is the basis for praying to Mary and the Saints since God tells us not to pray to the dead? }
Bob
replied:
Hi, Jason —
You are on track in your Old Testament
analysis. Go one point further.
Jesus
Himself spoke and consulted with
Moses and Elijah while he was on
the Mount. If contact with the dead
was ultimately unlawful, Jesus Himself
would have been a law breaker. Since
He is Our Model, the Way the Truth
and the Life (John 14:6), we follow Him. This
apparent contradiction with Deuteronomy
leads us to certain conclusions.
The only explanation is that the
Old Testament prohibition is a restriction
meant to shield us from the evil
spirits that are not in communion
with God. However, those that are
in the province of God cannot be
considered unclean, and therefore,
those in communion with God on Earth
are protected by his Providence.
We know from Hebrews 12:1 that
the Saints in Heaven are fully aware
of our struggle and exhort us onward
in our race. Asking them for help,
because they are empathic brothers
and sisters in Christ, is no less
lawful than asking the same from
our earthly counterparts.
Peace,
Bob K.
Mike
replied:
Hi Jason,
I just wanted to add a bit to what Bob has said.
You said: I was
asked what the Scriptural basis was for praying
to the Blessed Virgin Mary and other Saints,
in light of a verse out of Deuteronomy where
God commands Israel not to pray to the dead.
The term "praying for the dead" can be confusing for both non-Catholic Christians and uncatechized Catholics alike. As I said in another question:
Many times even in our Church, we refer to those who have passed from this earthly life as having died and we have Masses "said for the dead". The reason we use this terminology is because we are looking at this through our own earthly eyes and those of our earthly family and friends.
When we look at this issue from a Christian view, they are not really dead but have departed to their particular judgment and hopefully, eternal life.
This is why you should never see any answer on this site refer to Masses for the Dead.
A better expression would be: Masses for the Faithful Departed.
As John said they are alive. Whether they are in Heaven, or being healed of their remaining self-inflicted wounds from Earth in Purgatory, both are saved and more alive than we are here on Earth.
Regarding the Communion
of Saints, I scanned three pages from the Beginning
Apologetics booklet from San
Juan Catholic Seminars that deal with the Communion of Saints.
The navigation links at the bottom of each page will bring you to the next page.
They are excellent. Tell me if you need more. These booklets
cover a lot, including Purgatory.
These passages may help too! They were taken from my Scripture Passages page:
Death cannot separate us from Christ.
So Catholics are praying to and asking for help from saints that are alive. We pray to Jesus and the saints. The Communion of Saints is not an either or issue, it is a family affair!
On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
Never get tired of staying awake to pray for all God's holy people, and pray for me to be given an opportunity to open my mouth and fearlessly make known the mystery of the Gospel.
I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ.
The angels in Heaven are always before the face of God.
We venerate angels because of their great dignity, which comes from their union with God. Saints are also in united with God. Veneration or honor is not worship.
Catholics worship [God|Jesus] alone.
You become imitators of us and of the Lord to all believers.
We believe we are called to "become imitators . . . of the Lord".
This is what Saints are for Catholics and all mankind: Examples of holiness to live by.
