WHILE WERE AT IT, SHOW ME IN THE BIBLE ANYTHING AT ALL ABOUT PRAYING TO OR THROUGH MARY?????????????????
TONY
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Dear Tony,
Interesting theory about what happened to Elijah. But if Elijah was reincarnated as John the Baptist, how did he & Moses appear to Jesus (Mk 9:4 par.)?
Biblical references to Mary's exalted status and role as intercessor are: Mt 1:20, Lk 1:28-30, Lk 1:42-43, Lk 1:48, Lk 2:19, Lk 2:35, Jn 2:5, Jn 19:27, Acts 1:14, Rev. 12:1.
Old Testament texts which adumbrate Mary, especially her perpetual virginity are: Gen 3:15, Is 7:14 and Ez 44:2. Also of great importance for understanding Mary's place in God's plan of salvation are the parts regarding the Ark and the Daughter of Sion.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Phil Bloom
P.S. Was the following what you were responding to?
Believers in reincarnation will often point to Mt. 11:14 where Jesus says that John the Baptist is "Elijah who is to come." However, from the context it is clear that Jesus is saying that John fulfills Elijah's role as precursor of the Messiah (cf. Mal. 4:5), not that he is the prophet's reincarnation. Moreover Elijah did not die but was taken up into heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). When Peter, James and John saw him at the moment of the Transfiguration, they did not confuse him with the Baptist. So the physical identification of Elijah with John does not make sense. They are two separate people, the latter taking on the former's role. A modern comparison might be the way Martin Luther King Jr. rather consciously took on the role of Moses. (See Reincarnation and the Bible)
Early Christian Teaching regarding Reincarnation
Praying to the Saints (Teaching of Bible & Church Fathers)
Mary, Mother of God (Bible & Early Church)
From Mystic Rose: What about John 1:21?