👉🏾👉🏾👉🏾What is #Intercede?
(Part 2)
Dear followers of Orthodox teachings, we greet you with the blessings of God. Today, on the topic of "Mamaled" (Intercede ), we bring you an important teaching that we entrust to each of you to read, reflect upon, and learn from. This lesson is meant to deepen your understanding of the sacred act of praying for one another and the roles of those involved in intercession.
I. A clear definition
The word “Mamaled”(Intercede) is derived from the Ge’ez verb “Tenbele,Amalede” which means that “to pray for one another.” In its simplest and most concrete sense, intercession is the act of pleading before God on behalf of another’s need: to carry the burden of a brother’s trouble into the presence of the Lord. This is no exotic doctrine; it is the familiar practice of the Church and of every faithful heart that loves its neighbor. Intercession is prayer that stands between the sufferer and God, a bridge of humility and love.
This concept is clear and relevant to all people and societies because it reflects an action we often see and practice in our daily lives caring for others through prayer and support.
II. The three parties in the economy of intercession
From the very definition we see that intercession always involves three distinct persons or parties, each with its own role. Attend to each one and understand their place.
1. The Intercessor
Intercession is a humble and compassionate act that reflects the nature of all created beings. Because of this, there are many who serve as intercessors. In general, these include saints and holy angels, yet Our Lady is regarded as the greatest of all intercessors.
The role of the intercessor is to stand before God on behalf of sinners, offering prayers for mercy and forgiveness in place of their sins.
Saints, while living in the flesh, endure great suffering through fasting, prayer, and penance, not only for their own sake but for the salvation of others. The Scriptures show that some saints were even willing to sacrifice their own eternal reward for the redemption of sinners.
the holy ones, while yet in the body, undergo ascetic labors fasting, unceasing prayer, tears, penance as though they were even bearing their neighbor’s judgments and sufferings. Scripture gives us this wondrous example: Moses interceded for the people of Israel, saying:
“Alas, this people has sinned a great sin and made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if You will not forgive their sin , blot me out of the book that You have written.”
(Exodus 32:31–32)
Likewise, in the New Testament, Saint Paul expressed a similar self-sacrificial love:
“I speak the truth in Christ I am not lying; my conscience confirms it in the Holy Spirit that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own people according to the flesh.”
(Romans 9:1–3)
The prophet Elijah, too, was deeply grieved by the people’s idolatry and cried out,
“It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
(1 Kings 19:4)
Through such examples, we see that the spirit of intercession is one of selfless love, humility, and sacrifice a reflection of divine compassion at work in human hearts.
Continues 👇🏾