From Angels to Apostles: How God Moves Through His People

Recently, in an online engagement with some non-Catholic Christians, I found myself in a deep and spirited exchange. The topic? The neverending debate about:

“Why do Catholics pray to Mary and the saints?”

One person firmly stated that the Book of Revelation is only about the future and hasn’t happened yet, and that God is a jealous God—He doesn’t need or want mediators. Why involve Mary, angels, or saints when “Jesus is enough”?

It’s a sincere question—and one I used to wrestle with too. But now, the more I understand Scripture, Church teaching, and the heart of God, the more I see that…

Our God is not a solo operator. He is a Father who loves teamwork.

💛 God Chooses Relationship Over Efficiency

If God truly rejected all forms of mediation or participation, then we must ask:

• Why did He send Gabriel to Mary in Luke 1 instead of announcing the Incarnation Himself?

• Why did He call Moses and Aaron to lead Israel in Exodus?

• Why did Jesus choose twelve apostles to spread His message instead of preaching to the whole world alone?

“As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”

— John 20:21, RSV-2CE

God could’ve accomplished everything directly, but He didn’t. Instead, He constantly involved others in His mission.

That’s not weakness. That’s divine love.

🕊️ Angels, Saints, and Apostles: God’s Delegation at Work

A common objection I hear is: “There is one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ” (1 Timothy 2:5). And yes, that’s true—He is the one Mediator of salvation.

But Scripture also calls us to pray for one another (James 5:16), and to intercede for each other (Romans 15:30). Why? Because we participate in Christ’s one mediation through love and unity.

God doesn’t “need” help. But He chooses to delegate out of love and divine humility.

He created angels as His messengers and servants.

He calls people like Mary, Joseph, Paul, and you and me to join His mission.

And He doesn’t stop involving people after they die.

“He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” – Mark 12:27

If God sent Angel Gabriel to deliver a message to Mary, are we supposed to believe that communication only works one way?

It’s not like heaven has a “no reply” email address.

If God sends angels to bring messages to us, it’s not hard to believe He allows them—and His saints—to carry our prayers back to Him, too.

🔥 But Isn’t God a Jealous God?

Yes. But not in the human, possessive sense. His jealousy is rooted in covenant love—like a spouse who longs for complete faithfulness.

“You shall have no other gods before me.”

— Exodus 20:3, RSV-2CE

That’s why Catholics don’t worship Mary or the saints. We worship God alone. But we honor the saints because they reflect His glory—just as the moon reflects the light of the sun. We ask their prayers just as we would ask a faithful friend on earth—only now, they are alive in heaven.

“He is not God of the dead, but of the living.”

— Mark 12:27, RSV-2CE

🧱 The Catholic Church: Heaven’s Blueprint on Earth

One of the most beautiful things I’ve discovered is how the structure of the Catholic Church reflects this divine teamwork:

• We have bishops, priests, and deacons—not to replace Christ, but to serve in His name through apostolic succession.

• We gather around the Eucharist, just as the early Church did (Acts 2:42).

• We live by one Catechism, which provides unity and clarity across the whole world—unlike Protestant communities, which often interpret Scripture through the lens of each local pastor or denomination.

“The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed… and the font from which all her power flows.”

— Catechism of the Catholic Church, §1074

“The Church… in the liturgy, especially in the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist, is associated with the heavenly liturgy and anticipates eternal life.”

— Sacrosanctum Concilium, Vatican II

We don’t create our own paths. We follow the one path Christ gave us—anchored in Scripture, Tradition, and the sacraments.

🙏 A Personal Reflection: Awed by His Design

The more I try to explain Catholic truth to others, the more I fall in love with its beauty.

It’s humbling to see how God builds His kingdom not through control—but through communion. Not by bypassing people—but by inviting them in.

And as I’ve opened my mind to conversations with non-Catholics, what amazes me is this:

The more we search honestly, the more it all points back to the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.

This Church, for all its flaws (because it’s filled with people like you and me), is rich with grace, structure, truth, and beauty.

And most of all—it draws me closer to God.

🕯️ Final Thought

So, why Mary? Why saints? Why angels? Why a Church at all?

Because our God doesn’t hoard His glory.

He shares it.

He delegates with love.

He invites us to participate in His work—on earth and in heaven.

And that’s not weakness.

That’s how Heaven runs. 🤍👼🏻