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State of the question. It seems not to be proper to Christ, because
this is also fitting to prophets, priests, and angels.
Reply. The answer is that Christ alone is the perfect mediator
between God and men; but there are other mediators in a qualified
sense, or secondary and subordinate mediators, inasmuch as
dispositively or ministerially they cooperate to unite men with God.
There are two parts to this conclusion.
Authoritative proof of first part. St. Paul says: "There is one
mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a
redemption for all."[1663] He also declares that Jesus is
called the mediator of the New Testament, because He reconciled us
to God by the shedding of His blood that speaks more eloquently than
the blood of Abel.[1664]
Theological proof of first part. It belongs properly to the office of
a mediator to unite those between whom he mediates. But to unite men
perfectively to God belongs to Christ, who reconciled men to God,
inasmuch as He condignly satisfied for them, and condignly merited for
them the graces necessary for salvation and eternal life. St. Paul
says: "God was in Christ reconciling the world to
Himself,"[1665] and again: "Christ gave Himself a
redemption for all."[1666]
Explanation of second part. There are other subordinate mediators
inasmuch as they cooperate in uniting men to God, either
dispositively, such as the prophets and priests of the Old
Testament, or ministerially, such as the priests of the New
Testament, who are strictly speaking Christ's ministers in the
bestowal of grace.
Even the prophets and priests of the Old Testament ministerially
cooperated in uniting men to God inasmuch as they foretold and
prefigured the true and perfect mediator.[1667]
In this sense the Blessed Virgin is called the universal Mediatrix,
subordinated to Christ, inasmuch as she merited strictly de congruo
with Him what He merited de condigno for us, inasmuch as she also
satisfied with Him de congruo. Now, too, she is also the Mediatrix
inasmuch as she intercedes for us along with Christ "always living to
make intercession for us,"[1668] and finally inasmuch as she is
the distributor of all our graces.[1669]
Reply to second objection. The good angels are also mediators
ministerially and dispositively, inasmuch as they are Christ's
ministers in the kingdom of God.
Reply to third objection. The Holy Ghost is not a mediator although
it is said of Him that "He asks for us with unspeakable
groanings,"[1670] because He makes us ask by special
inspiration.
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