Divine Mercy: The Heart of the Gospel

172 Divine Mercy: The Heart Of The Gospel tures, so also the unique mediation of the Redeemer does not exclude but rather gives rise to a manifold cooperation which is but a sharing in this one source {Lumen Gentium, no. 62). What then o f Maternal Mediation? How does the Mother o f Jesus uniquely participate in the one Mediation o f the Lord? In regard to Mary Mediatrix and her unique sharing in the one mediation o f Jesus Christ, Pope John Paul II tells us in his Wednesday audience o f 1 October, 1997: Mary’s maternal mediation does not obscure the unique and perfect mediation o f Christ. Indeed, after calling Mary ‘Mediatrix,’ the Council is careful to explain that this ‘neither takes away anything form nor adds anything to the dignity and efficacy of Christ the one Mediator’ {Lumen Gentium , no. 62) ... In addition, the Council states that ‘Mary’s function as Mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power’ {Lumen Gentium, no. 60). Therefore, far from being an obstacle to the exercise of Christ’s unique mediation, Mary instead highlights its fruitfulness and efficacy.... In proclaiming Christ the One Mediator (cf. 1 Tim 2:5-6), the text of St. Paul’s Letter to Timothy excludes any other parallel mediation, but not subordinate mediation. In fact, before emphasizing the one exclusive mediation o f Christ, the author urges ‘that supplications, prayers, intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men’ (2:1). Are not prayers a form o f mediation? Indeed, according to St. Paul, the unique mediation of Christ is meant to encourage other dependent, ministerial forms o f media­ tion. By proclaiming the uniqueness o f Christ’s mediation, the Apostle intends only to exclude any autonomous or rival media­ tion, and not other forms compatible with the infinite value o f the Saviour’s work. In fact, ‘just as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways both by His ministers and the faithful, and as the one good­ ness of God is radiated in different ways among His creatures, so also the unique mediation o f the Redeemer does not exclude but rather gives rise to a manifold co-operation which is but a sharing in this one source’ {Lumen Gentium, no. 62). ...In truth, what is Mary’s maternal mediation if not the Father’s gift to humanity?8