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Quintessence of Religious Doctrines - Malankarasyriac Voice

Quintessence of Religious Doctrines - Malankarasyriac Voice

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50On the Mother <strong>of</strong> God 99<strong>of</strong> the archangel Gabriel. If an archangel can honour Herwhy should not ordinary mortals do so? Moreover, myriads<strong>of</strong> men and women vouch on the efficacy <strong>of</strong> Her intercession.S.O.C., however, is cautions to see that the dulia that Sheaccords to the Divine Mother does not verge on hyperduliaor over veneration. It is true that the S.O.C. hails St. Mary asthe gate <strong>of</strong> Heaven. But She is not hailed the Lady <strong>of</strong>Immaculate Conception as the Roman Catholic Churchpredicates Her.Theme No: 19On the Prayer to the Saints1. As the Saints who have departed from the mortal body are stillalive in the spirit,Ref: (a) Lk. 20:38. “He is the God <strong>of</strong> the living, not <strong>of</strong> thedead, for to him all are alive.” (G.N.B.)(b) 1 Pet. 3:19. And in his spiritual existence he wentand preached to the imprisoned spirits. (G.N.B.)CommentPersons who had led a pious and saintly life and haveapparently departed from us are still alive. On the authority<strong>of</strong> the dominical words, deeds, the Bible and Tradition, theS.O.C. contends that such people are alive in spirit. True,they are not visible to mortal eyes. It is because they arespirits without sensory faculties.2. It is quite behoving that affection and honour are accorded tothem in the name <strong>of</strong> Christ. As they are the loved ones <strong>of</strong> ourLord, respecting and loving them are like giving the same toHim.Ref: Mt. 10:40, 41. “Whoever welcomes you welcomesme; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the onewho sent me.” (G.N.B.)CommentAs the saints are still alive, <strong>of</strong> course, in the spiritual planeand as they have won the love <strong>of</strong> Christ, it is only fit that, werevere them and commemorate their feasts; on the basis <strong>of</strong>the utterance <strong>of</strong> Jesus, that whatever has been done to Hisservant will be deemed as a service to He Himself. So, whatwe do to the saints are <strong>of</strong>ferings to Him.3. As the prayer <strong>of</strong>fered by the children <strong>of</strong> the ancient PatriarchsAbraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David in grateful memory <strong>of</strong> them,was heard and answered by God, so our prayers beseeching

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