Karlo Broussard, an author and expert on Catholic doctrine, tackles the role of saints in intercessory prayer. He addresses common objections, such as the claim that Jesus is the sole mediator, using Scripture to clarify this notion. Broussard explains that saints in heaven are aware of our prayers and actively intercede for us. He dives into key biblical references and the theology of mutual prayer among believers, highlighting the significance of the communion of saints in our spiritual lives.
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insights INSIGHT
Jesus' Unique Mediation Explained
Jesus is the only one with unique mediation as the God-man between God and man.
The saints intercede for us in and through Jesus, not replacing His unique role.
insights INSIGHT
Saints' Awareness Post-Ascension
The dead souls before Christ's ascension knew nothing naturally about earthly affairs.
After the ascension, saints in heaven gain supernatural knowledge through the beatific vision.
insights INSIGHT
Biblical Evidence of Saints' Prayers
Revelation 6:9 shows saints in heaven knowing earthly affairs and actively praying for justice.
This confirms their awareness and intercessory role concerning events on earth.
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In this episode of Catholic Answers Live, Karlo Broussard tackles one of the most common objections to Catholic teaching: If Jesus is the “one mediator” between God and man, why ask Mary and the saints to intercede for us? Drawing from 1 Timothy 2:5, Ecclesiastes 9:5, and Revelation 5:8, Karlo addresses Protestant concerns about the awareness and intercessory role of the saints in heaven. He explains what the Bible really says about heavenly mediation, the beatific vision, and whether the saints are aware of and respond to our prayers. Along the way, he refutes key counterarguments and clarifies Catholic teaching with clarity and Scripture.
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Questions Covered:
13:50 – You ask Mary and the saints to intercede for you. But doesn’t Paul say in 1 Timothy 2:5 that Jesus is our one mediator?
19:20 – If Paul isn’t denying mutual Christian intercession (whether that’s between us here on earth or the saints in heaven and us), then what does he mean by “one mediator”?
21:57 – It’s true that the Bible says we can pray for each other. But the Christians in heaven have died. They aren’t aware of what’s going on here on earth. Ecclesiastes 9:5 says, ‘the dead know nothing.’ So, your requests are futile.
33:23 – Okay, you say that it’s at least possible the saints in heaven could know what’s going on here on earth in virtue of the beatific vision, which the saints in the afterlife before Christ’s ascension didn’t have. But is there any biblical evidence that the saints in heaven in fact are aware of what’s going on here on earth?
36:00 – Okay, so you’ve shown that the saints in heaven can at least be aware of the affairs of men here one earth. But what about their intercessory prayer? Is there any biblical evidence that the saints in heaven in fact pray for us?
“But Karlo, you’re assuming that the 24 elders are human souls. You’re also assuming that the “prayers of the saints” refers to petitions made by Christians on earth. How do you know these assumptions are true?
46:07 – I’ll concede that Revelation 5:8 shows the 24 elders interceding for Christians on earth in a general way. But I don’t think this text gives the Catholic what he’s after—namely, intercessory prayers for specific requests.
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