Quintessence of Religious Doctrines - Malankarasyriac Voice

54On the Prayer to the Saints 107Conversely, they are also getting the benefits from theirbrethren in the world. This certainly is mutual spiritualmediation. The S.O.C., while encouraging this practice, doesnot in any way discount the mediation of Jesus to God. If it isargued that by the practice of the mutual spiritual mediationof saints and the faithful, the role of Jesus as the solemediator is marginalized, the same argument applies whileintercessory prayers are offered by the living for the living.Further, as per the testimony of Church Fathers, it may benoted, that praying to the saints has been in vogue sincethe infancy of the Church.Theme No: 20On the Prayer for the Departed1. Our Lord incarnated, fasted, gave himself as a sacrifice,descended to the Sheol, preached to the souls there, wasresurrected, ascended to the Heaven, sat at the right hand sideof God the Father and offered mediation. All these are for thesake of the whole mankind, from Adam to the last man. He didall these things, is offering mediation for the sake of savingmankind, motivated as He is, by the fullness and perfection ofhis love towards human beings.Ref: (a) Rom. 5:18. So then, as the one sin condemned allmankind, in the same way, the one righteous actsets all mankind free and gives them life.(b) 1Pet. 3:19. And in his spiritual existence he went andpreached to the imprisoned spirits.(c) Jn. 17:20 ...I am also praying for everyone else whowill have faith because of what my followers willsay about me. (L.B.)(d) Lk. 7:14-15. The seeds that fell among the thornbushes are also people who hear the message. Butthey are so eager for riches and pleasures that theynever produce anything. Those seeds that fell ongood ground are the people who listen to the messageand keep it in good and honest hearts. They lastand produce a harvest. (L.B.)CommentThe purpose of Christ-Events, from Incarnation to Ascensionis detailed. It is specified that all this was out of the pure andself-giving love of Jesus towards mankind. The purpose, inshort, was the salvation of the entire mankind, from Adam tothe last man. The point to be noted here is that, Jesus diedand continues His meditation, not only for the living but forthe dead as well. After all, the differences of the living andthe dead are made by man who is guided by the earthly