MARY
What role does Mary play in our relationship with God?
The Catholic Catechism teaches that
“...the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix” (para. 969).
“Advocate,” “Helper,” “Benefactress,” and “Mediatrix” are not just descriptions of Mary’s role in our relationship with God, they are titles given to Mary by the Catholic Church. Let’s look at these titles and compare them to how they are used in the Bible.
First, let’s look at “advocate.”
“...if anyone does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous one” (1 John 2:1).
“...I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you always, the Spirit of truth...” (John 14:16–17).
“The Advocate, the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name—he will teach you everything and remind you of all that (I) told you” (John 14:26).
Next, let’s look at “helper.”
“ ‘The Lord is my helper, [and] I will not be afraid’ ” (Hebrews 13:6).
“God is present as my Helper; the Lord sustains my life” (Psalm 54:6).
Next, let’s look at “mediatrix.”
“...There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Jesus Christ...” (1 Timothy 2:5).
Since Jesus is the “one mediator between God and the human race,” Mary cannot be another.
Finally, let’s look at “benefactress.” A benefactress, or benefactor, is basically a helper. Although God is never referred to as our Benefactor in The New American Bible for Catholics, as shown above, it is God who is our Helper.
“Advocate,” “Helper,” “Benefactress,” and “Mediatrix” are all applied to God the Father, God the Son, or God the Holy Spirit—all God. Nowhere does the Bible record any of these titles in reference to Mary, because the titles belong to God, not her. Although the Bible does not teach that all uses of these words are reserved only for reference to God, the Bible does not give any of these titles to any person to elevate their position above others, as the Catholic Catechism has done with Mary. While Mary was alive on Earth, she most likely helped others and most likely prayed for others; she therefore could have been considered a helper—but not our Helper; a mediator—but not our Mediator; an advocate—but not our Advocate; a benefactress—but not our Benefactress. These titles should be applied to her in the same manner that they would be to other godly people of the Bible, but not as they are applied to God the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. Giving Mary the title of Mediatrix between God and mankind clearly and directly contradicts God’s Word which states that there is
“...one mediator between God and the human race, Jesus Christ...” (1 Timothy 2:5).
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