Catholics honor Mary the mother of Jesus Christ. They believe that she deserves this recognition because of her role in the birth of Christ. They argue that Mary’s obedience and submission to God’s will brought about salvation to the world. Her Son, Jesus Christ, was to save the entire human race from sin.
However, should we pray to Mary as we pray to God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit? Can we address any major or minor prayers to her? Does Mary have power to help us in any way? These are important questions we need to ask so we don’t practice things that are against the will of God the Father.
The Bible remains our guide and provides answers to questions about faith, prayer and Christian practices. Anything outside the Bible must be questioned and even discarded. Even when those things look or sound miraculous, we must not be carried away. Now what does the Bible say about the Blessed Virgin Mary?
Mary Was Not the Only Blessed Among Women
“And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.” – Luke 1:28 KJV
The angel of God called Mary a blessed woman among women in her time. Angel Gabriel recognized Mary as a woman, not as an angel or a god. Angels always said things exactly as God instructed. If God wanted to promote Mary to the status of a god, He would have instructed the angel to say so. We must align our thoughts and practices with the revealed Word of God.
Mary was highly favored in her own time. It didn’t make her anything above other women. Before Mary, another woman was called “blessed above women” under the prophetic gift of the Holy Spirit. “Blessed above women shall Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite be, blessed shall she be above women in the tent.”
This was a way to appreciate God’s mercy and favor in the Bible. It does not make anyone a god or give them permission to receive worship like God.
Mary Had No Special Influence on Jesus
In the Bible, we saw how Mary influenced Jesus Christ to turn water to wine. This happened at a wedding party at Cana of Galilee (John 2:1-11). Many Catholics argue that this instance is enough ground to conclude that Jesus always obeyed Mary’s instructions. But was this the only encounter between Jesus and Mary? There were other instances in the Bible. Here are some
Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. – Matthew 12:47-50 KJV
In this instance, someone told Jesus that His mother and other family members were waiting to see Him. Jesus kindly made some corrections. He told everyone listening that if there was anything like that, Mary and his siblings were not His only family members. By this explanation, Jesus burst the bubble of “Mary the Mother of Jesus.” In the sight of God and of Jesus, anyone who obeys God is a member of God’s family. No single person has the exclusive right to God or Jesus.
And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. – Luke 11:27-28 KJV
In this scenario, an excited woman went beyond her boundaries. She exalted motherhood, and almost turned Mary into a god because she was the physical mother of Jesus Christ. Immediately, Jesus corrected her by saying that everyone who listens to and obeys the Word of God is the truly blessed one.
Jesus Is Our Only Mediator
Catholics believe that Mary is the Mediatrix of all Graces. They see her as one who has power to obtain from God all the grace her spiritual children need. The Bible doesn’t support this idea. Jesus is the Only Mediator between God and men. There is no one else qualified to play the role except the Only Begotten Son of God (1 Timothy 2:5, Hebrews 8:6; 9:5; 12:24).
We Pray to God, Not Mary
The Bible does not encourage anyone to pray to any idol, angel or saint. God hates that practice from the beginning (Deuteronomy 4:16; Job 5:1; Isaiah 42:8).
We must direct all our prayers to God in the name of Jesus Christ. God has given Jesus authority to receive and answer prayers. The Almighty confirmed it at the River Jordan (Matthew 3:17), on Transfiguration Mountain (Matthew 17:5), and through John the Baptist (John 1:32-36).
Jesus Himself knew that He was the Only One God gave authority and power to save, heal and help humanity (John 5:19-47).
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. – John 10:7-9 KJV
It is by Grace
“Can We Pray to Mary the Mother of Jesus?” The answer is No. Mary was human as we are. She was born in sin and needed a Savior just like everyone else. She was merely favored by God to bring forth the Savior of the world as well as her Savior. If she had rejected the offer, God would have sent the angel Gabriel to another virgin in Israel. It was normal for girls in Israel at time to remain sexually pure until marriage. So Mary did nothing special to deserve this favor. She did what everyone young woman did in her own time.
What do you learn from this? Through God’s favor of choosing Mary, God was showing us how his grace works. We don’t deserve God’s favor, but God chose to give us anyway.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV