Can't I Go Straight to Jesus? Do I Need the Catholic Church? [Fr. Mike Weighs In]
Jul 18, 2024
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Fr. Mike, a Catholic priest, delves into the role of the Catholic Church as a mediator between individuals and Jesus, emphasizing the importance of the Church in connecting believers to God through various means such as intercessory prayer and confession.
Jesus is the sole mediator between God and man, yet other mediators like intercessory prayers are acknowledged.
The Catholic Church provides divinely instituted mediators like sacraments for spiritual growth and guidance.
Deep dives
Direct Access to God and One Mediator - Jesus Christ
As a Christian, you have direct access to the Father at all times through Jesus Christ. The podcast discusses the biblical truth that Jesus is the one mediator between God and man, bridging the gap caused by sin. The speaker emphasizes that Jesus's role as the mediator does not negate the presence of other mediators, such as intercessory prayers and assistance from fellow believers. The concept of having direct access to God while also acknowledging the role of mediators is highlighted as a balance in Christian faith.
Divinely Instituted Mediators and the Role of the Church
The podcast delves into the idea of divinely instituted mediators within the Church, specifically through sacraments like confession. It explains how Jesus granted the apostles the authority to forgive sins, establishing a form of mediation between God and humanity. The speaker emphasizes that these mediators are not obstacles but aids provided by God to guide and assist believers. The Catholic Church's view of having a visible structure with designated individuals to lead, teach, and guard is presented as a supportive framework for spiritual growth and guidance.
Maybe you've heard the phrase before, "the middleman is a lie." Or maybe you've found yourself wondering why we have an institutional church as Catholics when the Scriptures state clearly that there is only one mediator between God and man, namely Jesus Christ.
Today, Fr. Mike tackles this question and offers some guidance for those who may be tempted to get frustrated with the human and sometimes sinful element of the Catholic Church in its hierarchy and its members. Hint: It's another one of those "both/and" Catholic situations.