tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13273561103603990612024-03-18T20:25:34.853-07:00Biblical CatholicismNathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.comBlogger211125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-35545717798921899522017-01-11T16:24:00.000-08:002017-01-11T16:24:10.681-08:00What Does Baptism Do
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
What does baptism do?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>We know through Scripture that baptism makes us members of the Body of
Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For in one Spirit we were <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">all
baptized into one body</b>, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free persons, and
we were all given to drink of one Spirit</i>.” (1 Cor 12:13)</div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Baptism brings us in communion with each other by becoming
members of the One Body of Christ.</div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For
all of you who were <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">baptized into Christ</b>
have clothed yourselves with Christ</i>. </div>
<br />
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(Gal 3:27)</div>
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<br /></div>
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We are brought into the Body of Christ, the Church.</div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And
he is the head of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the body, the church</b></i>
(<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Col</st1:state></st1:place> 1:18)</div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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and,</div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">And
God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over
everything <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">for the church, which is his
body</b>, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way</i>. (Eph
1:22-23)</div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Since we are baptized into the one body of Christ and we now
know that Christ’s Body is the Church means that baptism brings us into the
Church.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And this is why there is no
salvation outside the Church because there is no salvation outside of Christ.</div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Baptism is the New Covenant fulfillment of the Old Covenant
symbol of circumcision.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As the Hebrews
circumcised those for entrance into God’s Covenant with <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">Israel</st1:country-region></st1:place>, so too does the New
Covenant fulfillment of circumcision bring entrance into the New Covenant of God
to His Church through baptism. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In
him you were also <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">circumcised with a
circumcision not administered by hand</b>, by stripping off the carnal body,
with the circumcision of Christ<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. You
were buried with him in baptism</b>, in which you were also raised with him
through faith in the power of God.</i> (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Col</st1:state></st1:place>
2:11-12)</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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If eight-day old children could enter the Old Covenant
through circumcision via the faith of their parents how much more so can
infants become adopted children of God through the New Covenant circumcision,
baptism?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The New Covenant is much more
inclusive than the Old seeing as the New can include the gentiles as opposed to
those of the line of Abraham.</div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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We have seen that baptism fulfills the Old Covenant practice
of circumcision (<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Col</st1:state></st1:place>
2:11-12).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Baptism was prophesied by
Ezekiel to bring graces through the sprinkling of water (Ez 36:25-27) and
washes away sins (Ez 36:26; Acts 2:38).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
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What else is baptism for?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Well, is baptism necessary for salvation?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The answer, very plainly is YES.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">…eight
in all, were saved through water.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This
prefigured <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">baptism, which saves you now</b>.</i>”
(1 Pet 3:20-21).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Pretty simple.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As plain as it can get.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Jesus taught this also in the Gospel of John </div>
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<br /></div>
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“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jesus answered and said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">no one can see the kingdom of God without
being born again</b>." Nicodemus doesn’t understand and so Jesus repeats
himself, He says "Amen, amen, I say to you, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and
Spirit.</b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
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One is born again through baptism, and that through baptism
one can enter the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">kingdom</st1:placetype>
of <st1:placename w:st="on">God</st1:placename></st1:place>, the Church…</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
And so we see that baptism brings Graces from God (Acts
2:38), washes away sins (Acts 2:38), we enter into a covenant with God through
baptism (<st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Col</st1:place></st1:state>
2:11-12), we become Christians through baptism (1 Cor 12:13) by becoming
members of the Church as through a door (Eph 4:4).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And baptism is instituted by Jesus Christ
when He sent out the disciples to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Make
disciples of all nations, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">baptizing</b>
them in the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">name</b> of the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Father, and of the Son, and of the holy
Spirit</b>, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”</i> (Mat
28:19)</div>
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<br /></div>
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Please take the time to read what the Early Church believed
about baptism and you’ll find a unanimous consensus on baptismal regeneration
and the acceptance of infant baptism.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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God Bless<br />
Nathan</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-13325106077868401312017-01-07T11:15:00.001-08:002017-01-07T11:15:46.955-08:00Who did God Send to Teach His Followers
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">I've heard
the verse on Romans 10 used a few times to explain that Protestant ministers
are sent by God to preach the Gospel, verse 15 says: "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How shall they preach unless they be sent?</i>"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">My question
to those individuals is which Protestant ministers?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Lutherans, Calvinist, Amish, Anglicans,
Methodist, Church of God, Church of Christ, Quakers, Episcopalian, Salvation
Army, Adventis, Presbytarian, Shakers, Wesleyan, Brethren, Church of Nazarene,
or one of hundreds of splinter denominations from these?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The
splintering of so many different denominations believing differently on key
salvific issues is an important factor in showing the most obvious problems of
finding the one who is truly speaking God's Word (Issues like "what kind
of faith saves? Is baptism necessary? Needed? Is baptism for infants? Must
baptism be by immersion only? Can one lose salvation? How? Can it be gotten
back? How? Is the Real Presence true? Are spiritual gifts like tongues and
healing for today? For everyone? What about predestination? What about free
will?).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">There seems
to be two possible solutions to this dilemma, one is to be sent by
extraordinary means and the other by ordinary means.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Let's look at the extraordinary means.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This method entails the individual to be sent
by God personally.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Seeing as there is a
definite possibility that many will be deceived into believing they were sent
by God there must be a way to verify their 'pedigree' as<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>you can appreciate the difficulty in finding
someone teaching God's Word amidst a sea of different ideologies and
beliefs.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Indeed, we find many instances
in the Bible where these individuals sent directly by God performing
supernatural signs to prove they were speaking God's Word (Exo 8:16-19;
13:7-16; 1 King 18:36-39; 2 Kings 4:15-17; Acts 13:6-11; Acts 3:5…).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Most notably in John (3:2; 9:16; 11:47;
12:37), even Jesus admitted "Do not believe me, then, if I am not doing
the things my Father wants me to do.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But
if I do them, even though you do not believe me, you should at least believe my
deeds, in order that you may know once and for all that the Father is in me and
that I am in the Father." (John 10:37-38).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But what
about false teachers?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>They too will
perform miracles.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There's the problem,
how can we discriminate between a true prophet and a false one?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>How are you to decide that question?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The person who authenticates that prophet
needs to be authenticated himself, and this authenticator needs to be
authenticated as well all the way down the line.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>So who can decide whether a prophet is true
or false?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Well, the answer to that
question is pretty straightforward:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It's
those who are placed in the ordinary capacity as God's teachers.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>To understand how this came to be, we need to
look back at John 21:15-17</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Three times
Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him: "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Simon
son of John, do you love me?</i>" And a third time Peter answers Him:
"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Lord, you know everything; you know
that I love you!</i>" And for the third time Jesus says to him, "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feed my sheep.</i>"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feed my sheep</i>."<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>These words are full of profound
meaning.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>All through His Passion and up
to His Ascension, Jesus seems to be acutely concerned of the future of His
fragile little flock. On the night of His betrayal we find Jesus "deeply
troubled", He lifted His eyes to heaven and called out a great
high-priestly prayer for this ragged band of working men: "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">While I was with them, I kept them in thy
name…But now I am coming to thee…Sanctify them in the truth.</i>" (John
17:13a, 17)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Sanctify them
in the truth.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Jesus has come to give
humanity the words of truth given to Him by His Father.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But now that the Son is going back to the
Father, how will the world know that He was ever here?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And that He really was sent by God?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>How will His work be preserved and
continued?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Would He commission His
Apostles to write letters and collect them into a book, the Bible?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>No.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I myself will be the shepherd of my sheep,
and I will find them a place to rest. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>"I will look for those that are lost,
bring back those that wander off, bandage those that are hurt, and heal those
that are sick … I will rescue my sheep and not let them be mistreated any more.
I will judge each of my sheep and separate the good from the bad.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>I will give them a king like my servant David
to be their one shepherd, and he will take care of them. I, the LORD, will be
their God, and a king like my servant David will be their ruler. I have spoken.</i>"<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(Eze 34:15, 16, 22-24)<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It was in this context that we find Jesus, the
humble carpenter, saying :</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">"<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am
the good shepherd</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, who is willing
to die for the sheep.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When the hired
man, who is not a shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees a wolf coming, he
leaves the sheep and runs away; so the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters
them.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>… And I am willing to die for
them.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There are other sheep which belong
to me that are not in this sheep pen. I must bring them, too; they will listen
to my voice, and they will become one flock with one shepherd.</i>"<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(John 10:14-16)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But what happens
to the flock once the shepherd returns to the Father? "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I did come from the Father, and I came into
the world; and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father</i>"
(John 16:28).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As we wondered before, how
will Christ's work be continued?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>If God's
sheep starved for truth at the hands of false religious teachers under the Old
Covenant, will not His New Testament flock again be defenseless after the
Shepherd ascends back "to my Father and your Father, to my God and your
God" (John 20:17)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The answer,
according to the testimony of the early Church, lies in these words, spoken of
the Good Shepherd to Simon Peter, representative of a simple band of Galilean
fishermen: "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Feed my sheep</i>."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">And what
about a few years down the road, when there were wolves in sheeps clothing
preaching in Jesus' name a different Gospel?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>In the years of Peter we find another shepherd tirelessly working among
God's lost sheep.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Like Peter, his given
name is Simon, Simon Magus, he is the founder of the ancient heresy called
Gnosticism, Christianity's oldest and most obstinate rival.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Former disciple of Philip the evangelist,
Simon apostatized to become the first person in recorded history to teach
falsehood in the holy name of Jesus.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>He
was in fact, the original fulfillment of one of Christ's darkest warnings:
"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Be on your guard against false
prophets; they come to you looking like sheep on the outside, but on the inside
they are really like wild wolves.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You
will know them by what they do</i>." (Matt 7:15)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But what
about the ordinary believers, how would they have reacted to a second set of
"Christian" apostles preaching on their streets?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Would it have been obvious that there was a
wolf under the sheepskin?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Yes. <span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Jesus had said that we would know them by
their fruits – but what if the fruits themselves can be counterfeited?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Recall that Simon Magus had many
"miracles" to his credit and a large number on converts as well.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The Apostle Paul seems to be addressing this
very dilemma when he wrote: "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">false
apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And no wonder, for even Satan disguises
himself as an angel of light</i>" (2 Cor 11:15)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The
predicament was very real, if the prospective shepherds all look like angels
how are they to choose between them?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>How
on earth does a common Roman laymen in AD 50 – only just hearing of Jesus
Himself for the first time – supposed to know which are the true disciples of
Christ and which are the false?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Do not
underestimate this problem, we may casually imagine that these early believers
had only to pull out their pocket New Testament to send these dangerous
pretenders packing, tails between their legs.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This was completely impossible; the Church had been preaching the gospel
for at least 10 years before a single line of the New Testament was
written.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She had been doing these things
for over fifty years before the final line was completed.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And even then some may have been introduced
to Matthew's Gospel and perhaps one or two letters from Paul – but even these
would have been circulating as loose individual works; over 300 years would
pass before they ever came to be bound together in one authoritative canon in a
book we call our Holy Bible.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The solution
is quite simple.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>When confronted with
two conflicting stories, all one needed to do was find the "…man [that]
was with Jesus of Nazareth" (Mat 26:71).<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>He had simply to ask to traditional question:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Which men had been with Jesus?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>That fact alone, once truly established,
banished all doubt.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Jesus Christ
appointed twelve apostles to teach His doctrines and exercise His authority
once He ascended into heaven (Matt 28:16-20).<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>He gave them specific authority to speak and teach what He taught (Eph
2:19-20, 1 Thess 4:2, 2 Pet 3:2), and He warned all of His followers of the
consequences of private teaching outside of the Church (Matt 18:16-17, 1 Cor
5:5, 1 Tim 2:20, 2 Pet 1:20-21).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Most
importantly, however, Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to guide the Apostles in the
truth (John 14:16-17), which would distinguish them from the false prophets who
would later introduce false doctrines and heresies (2 Pet 2:1).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This is the reason why St Paul described the
Church as the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">'pillar and foundation of
truth</i>' (1 Tim 3:15), and not the bible which can be twisted by the untaught
and unstable (2 Pet 3:16).<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The only way
that any group can claim to have the truth is if they teach what the Apostles
taught, either written or oral (2 Thess 2:15).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">But this begs
the question: what happens after the original Apostles die?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Is the Church not to continue the way Jesus
established it in its hierarchical structure?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>If Jesus' words were not meant eternally and were to be understood
simply in His time, then the authority of the Apostles which Christ instituted
would have died with the last Apostle.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>This would leave the Church without leadership and in total confusion
when serious doctrinal questions and problems occurred, which, inevitably, they
did.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>(No point in relying on Scripture
since many of the heretics used Scripture to defend their positions.)<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The other option, the much more likely and
divinely consistent one, is that the Apostles would choose successors, passing
on to them what they learned from the Lord, and in turn giving them not only
the authority to teach but also the divine promise to correctly interpret God's
written and inspired word.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We know that
this is the way it was done from the beginning by reading some of the Early
Church Fathers.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-24255438751450897282017-01-01T14:08:00.001-08:002017-01-01T14:08:17.496-08:00Why do Apologetics?
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><i><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Q:
Nothing personal, but I’m really not a big fan of what you do. All
of this apologetics stuff just seems to be filled with so much conflict and
tension. How does that evangelize anyone? Whatever happened to St.
Francis’ way of evangelization, “Preach the Gospel always and, when necessary,
use words.” </span></i></b><b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;"><br />
<br />
A: Well, first of all, and I know this may be difficult for
some to read, but St. Francis actually never said that, at least, not that
anyone has been able to find in anything his early biographers wrote about
him. Secondly, if you read about St. Francis, he actually used a whole
lot of words in his evangelization efforts. One story in particular,
about his meeting with the Sultan of Egypt during one of the Crusades, would
probably stun a lot of folks as to how “in your face” he was with the Sultan.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
Anyway, to your point about apologetics being filled with conflict
and tension, before I tell you why I disagree with what you’re saying, I want
to first address what I believe is a larger societal issue that seems to
underlie your contention. It seems, in my humble opinion, that just about
the only mortal sin a person can commit in our society today, is to tell
someone else they are wrong about something. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
We can’t tell the adulterer that he is wrong, so let’s have
no-fault divorce. We can’t tell anyone abortion is wrong, so let’s just
respect everyone’s privacy. We can’t tell homosexuals that same-sex
relations are wrong, so let’s just live and let live. Again, telling
someone they are wrong is just about the only sin one can commit in today’s
society. So, in such an environment, debate becomes inherently
wrong. Argument, in the classical sense of the word, becomes inherently
wrong. Disagreeing with someone on issues of faith and morals becomes
inherently wrong.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
Thus, engaging in apologetics seems to be inherently wrong under
such a prevailing societal attitude. To tell those who disagree with
Catholic teaching they are wrong, becomes a sin, of sorts. It is viewed
as being filled with “conflict and tension,” and as being unnecessarily
adversarial. But, it just isn’t so. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
First and foremost, apologetics is about seeking the truth.
Jesus said, “Know the truth and the truth shall make you free,” (John
8:32). Apologetics is not about argument for argument’s sake, but about
discovering truth. In order to help my separated brethren in Christ
discover the truth that the Eucharist is indeed the Body, Blood, Soul, and
Divinity of Jesus Christ, and not merely a symbol, I have to engage in
apologetics. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
Second, and closely related to the above, apologetics is about
love. If I truly love those who are not Catholic - whether they be
Baptist, Evangelical, Presbyterian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, or even atheist -
would I not want to do everything...everything!...in my power to bring them to
Jesus Christ in the Sacraments, and, particularly, to bring them to Him in the
Eucharist?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
I mean, if I really and truly believe that Jesus is present
in the Eucharist, and that a Catholic can receive Him at any given Mass, then
why would I not want to do all that I could to bring everyone into the Catholic
Church so as to receive Him? Why would I not want to share the truth with
them? Can I truly be said to love someone if I am unwilling to step out
of my comfort zone to share the truths of the Catholic Faith with them? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
Now, do discussions about faith and morals sometimes involve
conflict and tension? Absolutely. But, does searching for truth
sometimes involve conflict and tension? Does loving others sometimes
involve conflict and tension? Indeed they do.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
So, apologetics, just like any search for truth and anything that
involves love, sometimes involves conflict and tension. But, do you want
to know what can cause more conflict and tension than a Catholic who is versed
in apologetics conferring with a non-Catholic on some issue of faith or
morals? A Catholic who is not versed in apologetics conferring with a
non-Catholic on some issue of faith or morals. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
I would be willing to bet that the percentage of Protestant
churches in Birmingham that do not have at least one former Catholic in them is
very, very low. There are, in fact, some very large Protestant churches
in Birmingham that are made up of 20%, 30%, and even as much as 50% former
Catholics.</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
Why? Because those former Catholics were never taught how to
defend their faith, so they had no answer when someone came up to them and
asked them, “Are you saved?” Or, “Have you been born again?” Or,
“Why do you Catholics call your priests ‘father’ when the Bible says ‘Call no
man father?”’ Or, “Why do you Catholics say Mary was ever virgin when the
Bible says Jesus had brothers and sisters?” </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
Any one of those - or dozens of other - leading questions have
started many a Catholic down the path that leads straight out of the Catholic
Church. Why? Because they were defenseless. They didn’t know
apologetics. And do you know the kind of conflict and tension that is
caused in Catholic families when a son or daughter, a brother or sister, a mother
or father leaves the Faith? And, even worse, the tension and conflict
caused when these former Catholics come to a Thanksgiving or Christmas
gathering of the family and sometimes talk about how Catholics are not “saved”
and constantly question the faith of their family members? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
So, not only can apologetics bring non-Catholics, and fallen-away
Catholics, closer to, and even into, the faith, but it can help keep Catholics
in the faith and help them to deepen their understanding and love of that
faith, while enabling them to defend that faith. Conflict and
tension? Sometimes. But is love worth the risk? Is bringing
people to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist worth the risk? </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
I’ll close with a story about something that happened
to me a few years ago. My family and I had just moved to a new
parish. A few weeks after being there, a young lady came up to me and
said, “Do you remember me?” I told her she looked familiar, but that I
couldn’t place where I knew her from. She said, “You spoke at a Theology on
Tap meeting a few years ago and I was the one who hit you with a whole bunch of
questions.” Immediately I remembered the exchange I’d had with her.
She continued, “I was Baptist at the time and I was really mad at you that
night, and so I started doing a lot of research so that I could prove you
wrong.” </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
In other words, my apologetics talk had caused a lot of conflict
and tension. And then she told me where that research born of conflict
and tension led her...to an RCIA program and, a few months later, into the
Church. She now receives Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 31px 10px 0px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">
So, yes, what I did caused conflict and tension. Should I
not, then, have given the talk? Was it somehow wrong, then, to speak
about the truths of the Catholic Faith in an unapologetic manner and thus upset
one or more of my listeners? Was that counterproductive to
evangelization? Well, I’ll just let the young lady who now receives
Christ in the Eucharist answer those questions... </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">
Here’s the thing, if we are afraid of speaking the truths of the Faith - of
proclaiming them, explaining them, and defending them - because of some
overblown fear of offending someone, then we will never truly be like
Christ. He spoke the truth - in season and out. He offended people.
He afflicted people. He was crucified for it. And He did it all out
of love. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Taken from: </span></b><a href="http://www.biblechristiansociety.com/"><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Calibri;">www.biblechristiansociety.com</span></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span></b></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-8053318688145134162016-11-26T10:15:00.000-08:002016-11-26T10:15:35.990-08:00The Rapture
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">The
Rapture is a term most commonly used to describe an event in certain
interpretations of end-time studies where all true Christians are taken from
Earth by Jesus Christ at His secret second-coming.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Although almost all forms of Christianity
believe that those who are ‘saved’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, the term
‘rapture’ is usually applied specifically to those theories saying the
Christians alive before the end of the world will be taken into heaven.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>These Christians believe they will be
secretly translated, in the blink of an eye, into immortal bodies in the
Rapture before the persecutions by the Harlot Church and before the
Antichrist.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This period of time is
called the Tribulation.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>According to
this view, the Church has no vital role of witness during this seven-year
Tribulation.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">This
view is a recent addition to end-times interpretations.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In fact it is only about a few hundred years
old.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Therefore the burden of proof rests
on them.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The dramatic end-time scenario
proposed by these pre-tribulation rapture theorists is heavily based on a few
verses such as Paul’s First Letter to the Thessalonians, where he writes: “For
the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with the
voice of an archangel and the trumpet of God.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>The dead in Christ will rise first; then we, who are left alive, will be
snatched up with them on clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall
always be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">“With
a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">shout of command</b>…and the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">trumpet of God”, </b>kind of goes against a
‘secret’ rapture doesn’t it?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>And we can
see here that Paul conjures up images of an emperor, a king or a distinguished
person visiting a colony or province.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As
was the custom at the time, the citizens go out to meet him in open country and
then escort him into the city.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Paul’s
image of the people “meeting the Lord in the air” should be read with the
assumption that the people will immediately turn around and lead the Lord back
to the newly remade world.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This verse
taken into context is found to show that the ‘saved’ will be taken up for a
time and brought back down to Earth.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>But
when did Paul believe this event takes place, before or after the
Tribulation?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We find the answer to that
in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 60px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">“…it is a righteous thing with God to repay with
tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with
us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in
flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do
not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence
of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">in that Day</b>, to be glorified in His
saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony
among you was believed…” </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">For
the apostle Paul, the punishment of the wicked and the reward of the righteous
are to occur on the same day, immediately following the second coming of
Christ.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Are the elect taken before the
Tribulation as the Rapture theory says?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Take a look at John 6:40 “For my Father’s will is that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">everyone who</b> looks to the Son and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">believes in him shall have eternal life,
and I will raise him up <u>at the last da</u>y.</b>”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">So,
those who are saved will be raised up at the last day.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Now look at John 12:48 “There is a judge for
the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; that very word which I
spoke will condemn him <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">at the last day</b>.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">As
we can see the ‘saved’ will be raised up on the last day and those who reject
Him will be condemned on the last day.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Therefore, if the saved are raised on the day before the start of the
Tribulation, then those condemned will be sent to Hell on that same day.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It begs the question, who will be left to
suffer through the seven-year Tribulation?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">This
means that the ‘saved’, the believers in Christ will go through the Tribulation
with the unbelievers.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>We find support
for this in Matt 13:24-30 </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">“Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom
of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone
was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The
owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your
field? Where then did the weeds come from?'<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>'An enemy did this,' he replied. "The servants asked him, 'Do you
want us to go and pull them up?' "No, he answered, 'because while you are
pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">. Let both grow together until the harvest</b>. At that time I will
tell the harvesters: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">First collect the
weeds</b> and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring
it into my barn.'”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Jesus’
explained what this parable meant at the apostles urgings. Here is His answer a
few verses later in Matt 13:36-43 </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">“Then
he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said,
"Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He answered,
"The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the
world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the
sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is
the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the
fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his
angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and
all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will
be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in
the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">The
good seed, which stands for the sons of the kingdom, the ‘saved’, will be
living together with the weeds until the harvest where the weeds will be
harvested first and thrown into the fiery furnace.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>You will find an even clearer picture of this
event in </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Matt
24:37-41 </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 48px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">As it was in
the days of Noah</b>, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the
days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in
marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what
would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will
be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be
taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will
be taken and the other left.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Noah and his family were left behind, those who
listened to the word of God were saved, they were left behind.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Those who didn’t believe Noah or knew nothing
of the incoming flood were taken, the unbelievers were taken.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>As you can see, we find here also that the
unbelievers are taken on the same day as the elect and are saved by being left
behind.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">In
conclusion, I personally believe as the Church does that there is a rapture,
but it will only come at the end of the world, at Christ’s second coming where
the weeds and the wheat will be living together until Christ shall separate the
‘saved’ from the un-‘saved’ on the last day, that is the last day of the known
world.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">God
Bless</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; margin: 0px;">Nathan</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-20664327094912701322016-10-31T04:48:00.000-07:002016-10-31T04:56:25.439-07:00Non-Negotiables<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Some issues
allow for a diversity of opinion, and Catholics are permitted leeway in endorsing
or opposing particular policies.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This is
the case with the questions of when to go to war and when to apply the death
penalty.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Though the Church urges caution
regarding both of these issues, it acknowledges that the state has the right to
employ them in some circumstances (CCC 2309, 2267).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Pope
Benedict XVI, when he was still Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, spoke of this in a
document dealing with when Catholics may receive Communion:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px 48px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Not all moral issues
have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds
with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the
decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to
present himself to receive Holy Communion.<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and
to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may
still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse
to capital punishment.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>There may be a
legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and
applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and
euthanasia” </i>(WRHC 3).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The same is
true of many other issues that are the subject of political debate: the best
way to help the poor, to manage the economy, to protect the environment, to
handle immigration, and to provide education, health care and retirement
security.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Catholics may legitimately
take different approaches to these issues while the same cannot be said for
euthanasia and abortion, two actions which are always wrong no matter the
circumstances.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>The protection of innocent
life always takes precedence to all other issues.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>What good are all other rights if one does
not have the right to life?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Ref:
Catholic Answers, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Voter’s Guide for
Serious Catholics</u></i>, Catholic Answers Press, 16 pgs, 2016</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-43398632438665005372016-10-09T06:27:00.001-07:002016-10-09T06:27:26.079-07:00The Church on Abortion`
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">The Catholic
Church is pro-life.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>She teaches that
abortion is always wrong.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Where does
this teaching come from?<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>It all starts
“in the beginning.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In Genesis chapter
one – “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male
and female he created them.”<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Every human
person, from the moment of their conception, is created in the image and
likeness of God.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">Interestingly,
the teachings on abortion in the<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Catechism of the Catholic Church are in the section on the Fifth
Commandment – “You shall not kill.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">This is not
a new teaching, something that the Church has been trying to figure out for
centuries.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>Quite the contrary.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In the Catechism paragraph 2271, it says,
“Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every
procured abortion.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>This teaching has not
changed and remains unchangeable.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 107%; margin: 0px;">What about
exceptions for things like rape and incest?<span style="margin: 0px;">
</span>Regardless of the circumstances surrounding its conception, the child in
the womb is still a child of God.<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>In
paragraph 2270, the Catechism puts it succinctly – “Human life must be
respected and protected absolutely from the moment of conception.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">For further study:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">CCC 2270-2273;</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Genesis 1:26-28;<br />
Exodus 20:13;</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Deuteronomy 5:17</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Reference:<br />
Gus Lloyd, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A Minute in the Church, Vol
II,</span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">p.9, 2010</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike><br /></strike><br />
God Bless<br />
NathanNathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-82462991496923714592016-10-01T16:36:00.003-07:002016-10-01T16:36:48.236-07:00Apostolic Succession
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
The first Christians had no doubts about how to determine
which claimant, among the many contending for the title, was the true Church.
The test was simple: Just trace the apostolic succession of the claimants. This
simple procedure worked every time. (Why not try it yourself?)</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
___________________________________________</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Clement of Rome </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
"Through countryside and city [the apostles] preached,
and they appointed their earliest converts, testing them by the Spirit, to be
the bishops and deacons of future believers. Nor was this a novelty, for
bishops and deacons had been written about a long time earlier.... Our apostles
knew through our Lord Jesus Christ that there would be strife for the office of
bishop. For this reason, therefore, having received perfect foreknowledge, they
appointed those who have already been mentioned and afterwards added the
further provision that, if they should die, other approved men should succeed
to their ministry." (Epistle to the Corinthians 42:4-5, 44:1-3 [A.D. 80]).
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
________________________________________</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Irenaeus </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
"It is possible, then, for everyone in every church,
who may wish to know the truth, to contemplate the tradition of the apostles
which has been made known to us throughout the whole world. And we are in a position
to enumerate those who were instituted bishops by the apostles and their
successors down to our own times, men who neither knew nor taught anything like
what these heretics rave about....Surely they wished all those and their
successors, to whom they handed on their authority, to be perfect and without
reproach" (Against Heresies 3:3:1 [inter A.D. 180-199]). </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
________________________________________</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Irenaeus </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
"For all these [heretics] are of much later date than
are the bishops to whom the apostles handed over the churches, and this fact I
pointed out most carefully in the third book. It is of necessity, then, that
these aforementioned heretics, because they are blind to the truth, walk in
devious paths, and on this account the vestiges of their doctrines are
scattered about without agreement or connection. The path of those, however,
who belong to the Church goes around the whole world, for it has the firm
tradition of the apostles, enabling us to see that the faith of all is one and
the same" (Ibid. 5:20:1). </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
________________________________________</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Irenaeus </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
"Polycarp was instructed not only by the apostles and
conversed with many who had seen Christ, but was also appointed bishop of the
church in Smyrna by the apostles in Asia. I saw him in my early youth, for he
tarried a long time and when quite old departed this life in a glorious and
most noble martyrdom. He always taught those things which he learned from the
apostles and which the Church had handed down and which are true. To these
things the churches in Asia bear witness, as do also the successors of Polycarp
even to the present time" (Ibid. 3:3:4). </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
________________________________________</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Irenaeus </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
"It is necessary to obey those who are the presbyters
in the Church, those who, as we have shown, have succession from the apostles,
those who have received, with the succession of the episcopate, the sure
charism of truth according to the good pleasure of the Father. But the rest,
who have no part in the primitive succession [of bishops] and assemble
wheresoever they will, must be held in suspicion....The true gnosis [knowledge]
is the doctrine of the apostles, and the ancient organization of the Church
throughout the whole world, and the manifestation of the body of Christ
according to the succession of bishops, by which succession the bishops have
handed down the Church which is found everywhere" (Ibid. 4:26:2, 33:8). </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
________________________________________</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
Jerome </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
"Far be it from me to speak adversely of any of these
clergy who, in succession from the apostles, confect by their sacred word the
Body of Christ and through whose efforts also it is that we are
Christians" (Epistle to Heliodorus 14:8 [inter A.D. 374-379]). </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
For more:<span style="margin: 0px;"> </span>http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/1992/9209frs.asp</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px;">
God Bless</div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Nathan<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-84706448381110659292016-08-30T09:52:00.000-07:002016-08-30T09:52:29.710-07:00Tradition and Authority
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">In your worldview if one has a different
understanding even on eternal matters of truth as in matters of faith
and/or doctrine then they are the ones who must be wrong. That makes YOU
the ultimate authority, the pillar and bulwark of the truth if you will.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Protestant replies:<br />
1. The word of God is the authority but you rob the authority with your
tradition don't you? Matt:15:6</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
2. The called out separated ones (ecclesia) is the pillar and base of the truth
aren't they? 1 Tim. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">3:15</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Catholic answers:<br />
About comment #1<br />
First, the Word of God is not wholly contained in Scripture (John 21:25).
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Second, I would only be robbing the authority of the
word of God with our traditions IF I went against the Word of God instead of
what you (mis)understand the written Word of God to mean. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Third, the final authority given to us by God in
understanding the Word of God (whether written or oral) is not Scripture or
your understanding of Scripture but the Church.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">About comment #2<br />
Unless the Church is visible, somewhere to go to settle
issues between the called out separated ones then the collection of called
out separated ones cannot determine with authority what is true in such a
matter as to settle the issue. Without an authoritative Church, the Church
is useless in settling issues making Jesus' directives moot in Mat 18:15-18 and
Paul's description of the Church as useless in 1 Tim 3;15.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Protestant replies:<br />
your spirit is dead.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">END</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">What do you do when someone answers your
well-thought out replies with something like this? Sometimes the best thing to do is to just let
it go. You’ve done your job. You’ve planted the seeds. Hopefully, with the help of God and your
ongoing prayers those seeds will germinate and grow.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: #555555; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-35351424638643354012016-08-11T09:43:00.001-07:002016-08-11T09:43:08.655-07:00Consuming Fire: A Reflection<h2 style="color: #202020; display: block; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 22px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 125%; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: georgia,times,times new roman,serif;">Consuming Fire:<br /><span style="font-size: 18px;">Scott <span class="il">Hahn</span> Reflects on the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time</span></span></h2>
<br />
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">Readings:</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3Da935d0c22f%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038274000&usg=AFQjCNE17_RYU-_wUyStolJd61GeDarulw" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=a935d0c22f&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jeremiah 38:4–6</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3D0732eda04a%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038274000&usg=AFQjCNEvgsLArTVGliT2p72bFA7NlAbecA" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=0732eda04a&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">8–10</a></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3Decaae38c06%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038274000&usg=AFQjCNGEm2xPbDh6K6Ybhn2vp-lj7MrTYQ" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=ecaae38c06&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Psalm 40:2–4</a>, <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3D366ec9f5cd%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038274000&usg=AFQjCNEE0p0TQtql8yG1rUZmq-pHjnycJQ" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=366ec9f5cd&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">18</a></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3D92d5de776e%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038274000&usg=AFQjCNHdKKPb90Yj_S_0IGegnPfzSr1s6g" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=92d5de776e&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Hebrews 12:1–4</a></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3Dc8b62cf0ad%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038274000&usg=AFQjCNGmzm406Z_U1BjFZHobWj-GSvml9w" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=c8b62cf0ad&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Luke <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_606954381"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">12:49</span></span></span>–53</a></div>
<hr />
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<br /><span style="color: black;">Our God is a consuming fire, the Scriptures tell us (see</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3D7895f63ea5%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038275000&usg=AFQjCNFQfWS_2NrtATqLtmQ4MhnaHpjaJg" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=7895f63ea5&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Hebrews <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_606954382"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">12:29</span></span></span></a>;<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3D6ed26f0478%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038275000&usg=AFQjCNGXL3bQRixPBWFQX2W-6GrHUgbJoQ" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=6ed26f0478&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Deuteronomy <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_606954383"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">4:24</span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">And in this week’s Gospel, Jesus uses the image of fire to describe the demands of discipleship.</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">The fire he has come to cast on the earth is the fire that he wants to blaze in each of our hearts. He made us from the dust of the earth (see</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3Df3cf6bfe94%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038275000&usg=AFQjCNE0v7S_BXWYAllvLTDDfnq-EuC2mw" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=f3cf6bfe94&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Genesis 2:7</a><span style="color: black;">), and filled us with the fire of the Holy Spirit in baptism (see</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3D09c201f745%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038275000&usg=AFQjCNHBTs1ym34drjV6pVSYeAC74a85Zg" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=09c201f745&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Luke <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_606954384"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">3:16</span></span></span></a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">We were baptized into his death (see</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3D84555353a9%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038275000&usg=AFQjCNFK4tMQ2QvviI6IxzPquxyIO40Zcg" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=84555353a9&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Romans 6:3</a><span style="color: black;">). This is the baptism our Lord speaks of in the Gospel this week. The baptism with which He must be baptized is His passion and death, by which He accomplished our redemption and sent forth the fire of the Spirit on the earth (see </span><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3D702fcbd28e%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038275000&usg=AFQjCNFSUruCerjHmzHNlhuiPlWg8abD1w" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=702fcbd28e&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Acts 2:3</a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">The fire has been set, but it is not yet blazing. We are called to enter deeper into the consuming love of God. We must examine our consciences and our actions, submitting ourselves to the revealing fire of God’s Word (see</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3D0ba841e8e9%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038275000&usg=AFQjCNFM8Qd87_6aIEdmqGMRQ1HV9Ftx2Q" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=0ba841e8e9&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">1 Corinthians 3:13</a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">In our struggle against sin, we have not yet resisted to the point of shedding our own blood, Paul tells us in this week’s Epistle. We have not undergone the suffering that Jeremiah suffers in the First Reading this week. </span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">But this is what true discipleship requires. To be a disciple is to be inflamed with the love of God. It is to have an unquenchable desire for holiness and zeal for the salvation of our brothers and sisters.</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">Being His disciple does not bring peace in the false way that the world proclaims peace (see</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3De1ce91f251%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038275000&usg=AFQjCNGT_O_JJzxkVc6kU7E36E4x4r8EWQ" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=e1ce91f251&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jeremiah 8:11</a><span style="color: black;">). It means division and hardship. It may bring us to conflict with our own flesh and blood.</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">But Christ is our peace (see</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3D3f9e1bce54%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038275000&usg=AFQjCNE7AOaRvPH1GpGQmjpyZF4epxhOYg" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=3f9e1bce54&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Ephesians 2:14</a><span style="color: black;">). By his cross, he has lifted us up from the mire of sin and death—as he will rescue the prophet Jeremiah (see</span> <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3D121fbe0408%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038275000&usg=AFQjCNFWmHGmIpxY339Lvz04mZDEiXDuIQ" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=121fbe0408&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Jeremiah 38:10</a><span style="color: black;">).</span></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<span style="color: black;">And as we sing in the Psalm this week, we trust in our deliverer. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="color: #202020; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 16px; line-height: 150%; margin: 10px 0; padding: 0; text-align: left;">
<a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u%3D2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9%26id%3Dfa05e784ae%26e%3De26cd96344&source=gmail&ust=1471020038275000&usg=AFQjCNHIrBS_LAabdxbUsZ58eTMOgkVO4Q" href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=fa05e784ae&e=e26cd96344" style="color: #2baadf; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black;">Yours in Christ,</span></a><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Scott Hahn, PhD</div>
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<br /></div>
Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-77864863518706855972016-08-04T04:04:00.000-07:002016-08-04T04:04:30.006-07:00Is Missing Mass a Mortal Sin?
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rather
than just approaching this question from the angle of "missing Mass is a
sin," we should first call to mind the importance of the Mass. Each
Sunday, we gather together as a Church with hearts filled with joy to worship
Almighty God. We remember and profess our faith once again in the mystery of
our salvation,that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, suffered, died, and rose for
our salvation. The saving actions of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter
Sunday coalesce in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. The Constitution on the
Sacred Liturgy of the Vatican Council II asserted, "For it is the liturgy
through which, especially in the divine sacrifice of the Eucharist, 'the work
of our redemption is accomplished,' and it is through the liturgy, especially
that the faithful are enabled to express in their lives and manifest to others
the mystery of Christ and the real nature of the true church" (#2). </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Moreover,
at Mass, each faithful Catholic is fed with abundant graces: First, we are
nourished by the Word of God — God's eternal truth that has been revealed to us
and recorded under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. We then respond by
professing our Holy Catholic Faith as presented in the Creed, saying not simply
“I believe" as a singular person, but “we believe" as part of the
Church. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Second,
if we are in a state of grace, then we have the opportunity to receive our Lord
in the Holy Eucharist. We firmly believe that our Lord is truly present in the
Holy Eucharist, and that we receive His body, blood, soul, and divinity in Holy
Communion. Not only does the Holy Eucharist unite us intimately with the Lord,
but also unites us in communion with our brothers and sisters throughout the
universal Church. The Holy Eucharist is such a precious gift! </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With
this in mind, no one should simply think of attending Mass as fulfilling an
obligation. To attend Mass is a privilege, and any faithful Catholic should
want to attend Mass. Our perspective should not be, "I have got to do
this"; rather, we should think, "I get to do this." </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nevertheless,
because the Mass offers such precious gifts, provides the nourishment of great
graces, and unites us as a Church, we do indeed have a sacred obligation to
attend Mass. Remember that the Third Commandment stated, "Keep Holy the Sabbath."
For the Jewish people, the Old Testament Sabbath was on Saturday, marking the
"Day of rest" after creation. For Christians, we have always kept
holy Sunday, the day of the resurrection. Just as creation unfolded on the
first day of the week with God commanding, "Let there be light," our
Lord, the Light who came to shatter the darkness of sin and death, rose from
the dead on that first day marking the new creation. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Given
how precious the Mass is plus the Old Testament precedent which was rightly adapted
by the Church, the Code of Canon Law (#1246) proscribes, "Sunday is the
day on which the paschal mystery is celebrated in light of the apostolic
tradition and is to be observed as the foremost holy day of obligation in the
universal Church." Moreover, "On Sundays and other holy days of
obligation, the faithful are bound to participate in the Mass..." (#1247).
Therefore, the Catechism teaches, "Those who deliberately fail in this
obligation commit grave sin" (#2181), and grave sin is indeed mortal sin.
Recently, our Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, repeated this precept in his
apostolic letter Dies Domini (Observing and Celebrating the Day of the Lord,
#47, 1998). </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of
course, serious circumstances arise which excuse a person from attending Mass,
such as if a person is sick, has to deal with an emergency, or cannot find a
Mass to attend without real burden. A pastor may also dispense a person from
the obligation of attending Mass for serious reason. For instance, no one,
including our Lord, expects a person to attend Mass who is so sick he cannot
physically attend Mass; there is no virtue in further hurting one's own health
plus infecting everyone else in the Church. Or, in the case of a blizzard, a
person must prudently judge whether he can safely travel to attend Mass without
seriously risking his own life and the lives of the others. When such serious
circumstances arise which prevent a person from attending Mass, he should
definitely take time to pray, read the prayers and readings of the Mass in the Missal,
or watch the Mass on television and at least participate in spirit. Keep in
mind when such serious circumstances arise, a person does not commit mortal sin
for missing Mass. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In
examining this question, a person must really reflect on how valuable the Mass
and the Holy Eucharist is. Every day, faithful Catholics in the People's
Republic of China risk educational and economic opportunities and even their
very lives to attend Mass. In mission territories, people travel many miles to
attend Mass. They take the risk and they make the sacrifice because they truly
believe in the Mass and our Lord's presence in the Holy Eucharist. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When
a person negligently "bags Mass," to go shopping, catch-up on work,
sleep a few extra hours, attend a social event, or not interrupt vacation, the
person is allowing something to take the place of God. Something becomes more
valuable than the Holy Eucharist. Sadly, I have known families who could walk
to the Church but choose not to attend Mass; ironically though, they send their
children to the Catholic school. Yes, such behavior really is indicative of
turning one's back on the Lord and committing a mortal sin. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God
must come first in our lives. On Sunday, our primary duty is to worship God at
Mass as a Church and to be nourished with His grace. The Didascalia, a third
century writing, exhorted, "Leave everything on the Lord's Day and run
diligently to your assembly, because it is your praise of God. Otherwise, what
excuse will they make to God, those who do not come together on the Lord's Day
to hear the word of life and feed on the divine nourishment which lasts
forever?" Yes indeed, what excuse will they make?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Source:
</span><a href="http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/is-missing-mass-a-mortal-sin.html"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="color: #0563c1;">http://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/is-missing-mass-a-mortal-sin.html</span></span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .25in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 6.0pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; font-family: "open sans",serif; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">God
Bless<br />
Nathan</span></div>
Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-54705477121437543492016-07-22T16:30:00.000-07:002016-07-22T16:30:02.250-07:00Which Churc is THE Church<u>Which Church is THE Church? </u><br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Did Jesus found a church? A) Yes; Matt 16:18</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) How many churches did Jesus found? A) One; the church is the Body of Christ and there is only one body of Christ - Rom 12:5, Eph 4:4, Col 1:18</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) So, if Jesus founded a church, then when was it founded? A) 2000 years ago</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Was that church guided by the Holy Spirit? A) Yes; John 14:26, John 16:13; Acts 2:3-4</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) If the church was founded by Jesus Christ and was guided by the Holy Spirit, could it teach doctrinal error? A) No; 1 Tim 3:15</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) So, could we say that the church founded by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, taught doctrinal truth infallibly - without error - to the 1st century Christians? A) Yes; Luke 10:16, John 14:16-17, 1 Ptr 1:12</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Did the church of the New Testament teach different doctrinal truths to different people in different areas? A) No; 2 Tim 1:12-14, Eph 4:14, Titus 1:9</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Are there any denominations in the church of the New Testament? A) No. The church in the New Testament is one, just as the Body of Christ is one - 1 Cor 1:10, 1 Cor 11:18-19, Jude 19</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Would a church founded by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit still be in existence today? A) Yes; Matt 16:18, Matt 28:20, Eph 3:21</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) How old would that church be? A) 2000 years old</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Would that church still be guided by the Holy Spirit? A) Yes; Matt 28:20, John 14:16</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Could that church founded by Jesus and still guided by the Holy Spirit teach doctrinal error? A) No; 1 Tim 3:15, 1 Cor 12:28</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) So we could say that the church founded by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit would still teach doctrinal truth infallibly? A) Yes; Luke 10:16, John 14:16-17, 1 Ptr 1:12</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Would that church founded by Jesus Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit teach different doctrinal truths to different people in different areas? A) No; Malachi 3:6, Heb 13:8, 1 Tim 4:6</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Would there be any denominations in that church? A) No; 1 Cor 1:13</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Can the Lutheran denomination be the church founded by Jesus in Israel 2000 years ago? A) No; It was founded by Martin Luther in Germany in the 1500's. </span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Can the Anglican/Episcopalian denomination, or any of its offshoots, be the church founded by Jesus in Israel 2000 years ago? A) No; It was founded by King Henry the VIII in the 1500's because he wanted to divorce his wife.</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Are there any Protestant, Baptist, Evangelical, Pentecostal, Fundamentalist, or Non-Denominational denominations that were founded by Jesus in Israel 2000 years ago? A) No.</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) So is there any Protestant, Baptist, Evangelical, Pentecostal, Fundamentalist, or Non-Denominational denomination that could be the church founded by Jesus Christ in Israel 2000 years ago? A) No.</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) So if Jesus founded a Church - one Church - in Israel 2000 years ago that was guided by the Holy Spirit and that Church is still in existence today and is still guided by the Holy Spirit, which means it teaches doctrinal truth infallibly, and there are no denominations of that Church now, just as there were no denominations of that Church 2000 years ago, then shouldn’t all Christians be in that one Church founded by Jesus? A) Yes</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Does it make sense to be in a church that was not founded by Jesus Christ in Israel 2000 years ago? A) No.</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) How can we identify which Church - of the thousands upon thousands - is THE Church founded by Jesus? A) The Church founded by Jesus, should at least claim to be THE Church founded by Jesus; it should be able to trace its leadership back 2000 years to the Apostles; and it should claim to be guided by the Holy Spirit and to thus teach doctrinal truth infallibly with the authority of Jesus Christ, its Founder. </span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) How many churches fit that description? A) 1</span></big> <br />
<br />
<big><span style="font-size: small;">Q) Which Church is that? A) The Catholic Church</span></big><br />
<div>
<big><br /></big></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Source: <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://www.biblechristiansociety.com/newsletter&source=gmail&ust=1469316305661000&usg=AFQjCNGTNWW9zzf2fJSVA04VbaX0WU4hHQ" href="http://www.biblechristiansociety.com/newsletter" target="_blank"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://www.</span><wbr></wbr>biblechristiansociety.com/<wbr></wbr>newsletter</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
God Bless</div>
<div>
Nathan<big></big></div>
<br />Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-3494947526417950382016-07-05T06:50:00.002-07:002016-07-05T06:51:25.008-07:00God-parents<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A few days ago I was asked by a friend what I thought of the
fact that one of her family members was refused baptism for their child because
they wanted to have their brother, a baptized and confirmed Catholic who just
happened to be living with her girlfriend, as their prospective godfather.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Being put on the spot, my reply was not as diplomatic as I
would’ve liked but I gave it a good college try. Well first, the Church Christ founded has a
primary role of “teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you.” (Mat 28:20)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, one of the primary roles of the Church
is to teach its members. One way to
assure a proper teaching is by making sure that those who are being baptized as
babies will be raised learning the faith.
The Church simply needs a reasonable expectation that the child will be
raised in the Catholic faith and the godparents are supposed to be role models
for them.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Everybody sins, but if you repent, ask
forgiveness and intend not to repeat the sin, then you are forgiven and are
then accepted as a godparent to the child in question. BUT, if you are an unrepentant sinner, that
is that you are living with your girlfriend outside of marriage, well that’s
called fornication and if you are unwilling to repent and turn of your ways
then the Church simply tells you that you are not suitable as a godparent and
the mother needs to choose another prospective godparent.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Now, if the mother is dead-set on an
ineligible godparent then she herself inevitably delays the baptism until she
is able to select someone who meets the requirements of the law.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">So, let’s recap. First the Church will never, ever refuse
baptism to anyone which is a primary function of the Church is to teach and baptize, a
commission given to the Church by Jesus directly (Mat 28). </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Second, in performing their duty in teaching
and performing baptism the Church also expects the parents and godparents to
raise the baptized child in the Catholic faith by requiring the parents to
choose godparents whom the Church can reasonably expect them to teach the child
the Catholic faith even if only by example.
Is that really too much to ask?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span>
</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-7147755738728741242016-06-23T09:48:00.000-07:002016-06-23T09:51:10.277-07:00Masonic Associations<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It has come
to my attention that many Catholics who are otherwise faithful Catholics are
unaware of the official position of the Catholic Church that not only are
faithful Catholics not to associate (to become members) of any Masonic
associations (including Shriners) but they are not to participate in Communion if
they do join a masonic group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
seriousness of this association is so severe that we are to avoid receiving the
Eucharist as if they had performed a mortal sin.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Below is the
entire document explaining the Church’s position on this situation written
because of the many confusions on why the most recent Code of Canon law seemed
to have changed its position from the previous years and centuries.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This document
can be found at the Vatican website located at the address below or one can simply
do a Google search with the terms “Masonic Associations Vatican” the first link
should be the actual document in question, <i>http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cfaith/documents/rc_con_cfaith_doc_19831126_declaration-masonic_en.html</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">This most
recent and official declaration on this subject was written by Joseph Card.
RATZINGER who later became Pope Benedict XVI and was ratified, ie accepted, by
Saint Pope John Paul II.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please pay
particular attention to the highlighted areas.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">DECLARATION ON MASONIC ASSOCIATIONS</span></i></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It has been asked
whether there has been any change in the Church’s decision in regard to Masonic
associations since the new Code of Canon Law does not mention them expressly,
unlike the previous Code. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This Sacred Congregation
is in a position to reply that this circumstance in due to an editorial
criterion which was followed also in the case of other associations likewise
unmentioned inasmuch as they are contained in wider categories. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Therefore the Church’s
negative judgment in regard to Masonic association remains unchanged since
their principles have always been considered irreconcilable with the doctrine
of the Church and therefore membership in them remains forbidden. <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">The faithful who enrol in
Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy
Communion. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 6pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background: yellow; color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It is not within the competence of local ecclesiastical
authorities to give a judgment on the nature of Masonic associations</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> which would imply a
derogation from what has been decided above, and this in line with the
Declaration of this Sacred Congregation issued on 17 February 1981 (cf. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">AAS </i>73 1981 pp. 240-241; English
language edition of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">L’Osservatore Romano</i>,
9<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>March 1981). </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In an audience granted to the undersigned Cardinal Prefect, the
Supreme Pontiff John Paul II approved and ordered the publication of this
Declaration which had been decided in an ordinary meeting of this Sacred
Congregation. </span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Rome, from the Office of
the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, 26 November 1983. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Joseph
Card. RATZINGER</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<i>Prefect</i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
God Bless<br />
Nathan</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-23038890746324228832016-06-16T10:21:00.000-07:002016-06-16T10:21:21.103-07:00Questions and Answers
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q. Do stories of evil
acts in the Bible necessarily mean that that the Bible is an “evil book” or take
away from its overall truth as the word of God?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A. Just because the Bible records an act, that doesn’t mean
God recommends it. The Bible is not evil because of the evil deeds it describes
any more than high school history textbooks are anti-Semitic because they
document the Holocaust. For example, Exodus 21:18 describes what should happen
“if men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone or with his fist and the
man does not die but keeps his bed.” Clearly the sacred author is not
commanding people to hit each other in the head with rocks. He is just giving
sound advice about what should be done if something like this happens.
Likewise, Exodus 21:10 and Deuteronomy 21:15 both describe a man with two wives
and how he should treat his wives and children, but the texts don’t recommend
marrying two women in the first place.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q. Many accuse the
Bible of being “anti-woman,” probably more so in the current social and
political climate. Does this claim have any legitimacy?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A. It’s true that
women had less rights in the ancient world than they do today, but the Bible is
testament to God’s plan for equality amongst the sexes. For example, Genesis
1:27 says, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created
him; male and female he created them.” It is not simply biological males who
share in the image and likeness of God; women, too, share this honor. In fact,
God’s eternal wisdom is personified as a woman (see Proverbs 8).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Also, women often
served God’s purposes by being the heroes in salvation history who paved the
way for the coming of the Messiah. Jesus’ genealogy includes Tamar, who
outwitted her uncle Judah and exposed his moral hypocrisy; Rahab, who protected
the Israelite spies and allowed them to conquer Jericho; Ruth, who courageously
left her Moabite heritage and became an Israelite; and Bathsheba, who secured
Solomon’s succession to David’s throne.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Let’s not forget the
other women in Israel’s history, like Deborah, who led Israel to victory
against the Canaanites; Judith and Esther, who saved the Jews from
extermination; and of course, Mary, the Mother of God, who the Bible says all
generations will call “blessed” (Luke 1:48). No other man in the Bible, save
for her son Jesus Christ, is given such an honorific title.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Q. Would you say that
most of the internal difficulties or contradictions that people find in the
Bible are a result of the manner in which they read the Bible?</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A. Most of the internal difficulties arise when people think
the Bible is written in the genre of a newspaper or a courtroom transcript and
so every detail needs to correspond exactly. However, in the ancient world
authors could vary secondary details in an account in order to meet the needs
of their audience. For example, consider what God says at Jesus’ baptism. In
Mark 1:11 and Luke 3:22, God says, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well
pleased." But in Matthew 3:17 God says, "This is my beloved Son, with
whom I am well pleased." So which is it? Did God say, “You are my beloved
son” or “This is my beloved son?”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> All three evangelists
agree that at this event God publicly revealed himself to be the father of
Jesus. Matthew, Mark, and Luke differ only in the words they used to describe
that revelation. Matthew chose to emphasize how this message affected the
crowd, whereas Mark and Luke emphasized how the message affected Jesus. There
is no contradiction, because all three writers are asserting the same
truth—that Jesus is God’s Son—but they do so in different ways.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Got to www.catholic.com for more</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-82573908027294280112016-06-10T09:11:00.003-07:002016-06-10T09:11:52.067-07:00Enabled Life
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Readings:<br />
</span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=d8a92d2324&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Samuel 12: 7–10</span></a><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=5e9cb7e580&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">13</span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=7d5a9ab40e&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Psalm 32: 1–2</span></a><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=824ed8dbd4&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">5</span></a><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,</span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=85cacbd60f&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7</span></a><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,</span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=1a70073f30&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11</span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=2fa76dce24&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Galatians </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2:16</span></a><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, </span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=dcfd2f03a2&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">19–21</span></a></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=176630c019&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luke </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7:36</span><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">–50</span></a><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div>
<br />
<div align="center" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<hr align="center" size="3" width="100%" />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In this Sunday’s readings we are like
the fallen king, David, and the woman who weeps at Jesus’ feet.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like David, the Lord has rescued us
from sin and death, anointed us with His Spirit in baptism and in confirmation.
He has made us heirs of His promise to the children of Israel.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And like David, and like the woman in
the Gospel, we fall into sin. Our crimes may not be as grave as David’s (see</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=6b1fc669f1&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">2 Samuel 11:1–26</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">) or as “many” as
that woman’s (see</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=f22427aa55&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luke </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7:47</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">).</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But we often squander the great gift of
salvation we’ve been given. Often we fail to live up to the great calling of
being sons and daughters of God.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The good news of today’s readings, the
good news of Jesus Christ, is that we can return to God in the sacrament of
confession. Each of us can repeat Paul’s wondrous words in this week’s Epistle:
“The Son of God has loved me and given himself up for me.”</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our faith will save us, as Jesus tells
the woman today. Our faith that no matter how many our sins, or how serious, if
we come to him in true sorrow and repentance we will hear his words of
forgiveness. Like David. Like the woman in the Gospel this </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sunday</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We hear David’s heartfelt confession in
the First Reading. The Psalmist, too, confesses his sins to God. And we hear
our Lord’s tender words of mercy and pardon in the Gospel.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">By His word of healing and his promise
of peace, He makes it possible for us to join Him at the banquet table of the
Eucharist.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We can’t be like the Pharisee in the
Gospel. We should never disdain the sinner or doubt the Lord’s power to convert
even the worst of sinners.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Instead, we should pledge today to
better imitate that sinful woman. In gratitude for the debt we’ve been
forgiven, let us promise to live by faith and for God alone. Like her, let us
devote our lives to serving Him with great love.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 7.5pt 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=7ca495b93f&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yours in Christ,</span><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></a><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scott Hahn, PhD</span></div>
Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-88136720237459280482016-06-05T13:31:00.003-07:002016-06-05T13:31:46.737-07:00Restored Life
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Restored to Life: </span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 15.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scott Hahn Reflects on the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time</span><span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Readings: </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1 Kings 17-17-24</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=e381fae6fa&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Psalms 30: 2</span></a><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,</span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=7a1848b552&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">4-6</span></a><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">,</span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=5b8cc9bc92&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">11-13</span></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=5b74d036f0&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gal 1:11-19</span></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=e9a7cd76aa&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luke 7:11-17</span></a><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></div>
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<span style="color: maroon; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
<hr align="center" size="3" width="100%" />
</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus in today’s Gospel meets a funeral
procession coming out of the gates of the town of Nain. Unlike when he
raised Jairus’ daughter</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> (Mark 5) </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">or Lazarus </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(John 11)</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, no one requests his assistance. Moved by compassion for
the widow who had lost her only son, Jesus steps forward and, laying his hand
on the bier, commands him to arise.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The onlookers were reminded of the
story of Elijah in the first reading who raised the dead child of the widow of
Zarephath and “gave him [back] to his mother.” They proclaimed that “a
great prophet has arisen in our midst.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus of course is more than a prophet;
he is the ruler over life and death. In the Mosaic law, contact with a
dead body renders an Israelite unclean for a week (</span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=170755b70d&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Numbers 19:11-19</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">). Jesus’ touch
and word reverses that; instead of being defiled by contact with death, he gave
life.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Like the physical healings that he
performed, Jesus’ raising people from the dead is a sign of the Messiah’s
arrival </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">(</span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=6bce592ed4&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Luke </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">7:22</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">). But it is more than that; these healings are visible
signs of the awakening and liberating of men from the spiritual death caused by
sin (see</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=e8a63e0664&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mark 2:1-12</span></a><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Church Fathers return to this theme
again and again. St. Ambrose writes, “the widow signifies Mother Church,
weeping for those who are dead in sin and carried beyond the safety of her
gates. The multitudes looking on will praise the Lord when sinners rise
again from death and are restored to their mother.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When we are dead in sin, it is the
outstretched hand and the words of Christ spoken by his priest that raise
us from spiritual death and restore us to the arms of our mother, the
Church. With the Psalmist, then, we can sing “I will praise you, Lord,
for you have rescued me. You brought me up from the nether world; you
preserved me from those going down into the pit."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<a href="http://stpaulcenter.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=2105b9ae357c6e5425a6abcf9&id=b2c327313f&e=e26cd96344" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yours in Christ,</span><span style="color: #2baadf; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></a><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Scott Hahn, PhD</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-45050596377745811082016-05-25T10:13:00.000-07:002016-05-25T10:14:05.881-07:00The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This Sunday we commemorate the Most Holy Body and Blood of
Christ. And for this occasion I thought
I’d bring out another solid argument on the Real Presence of our Lord in the
Eucharist.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In today’s second reading we find Paul reciting what he was
told about Jesus’ words at the Last Supper but what you don’t hear is the
explanation on why this is not a mere symbolic remembrance. At the end of today’s reading, the very next
verse and following we find Paul stating:
</span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">“</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Whoever, therefore,
eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be
guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the
bread and drink of the cup. For anyone
who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon
himself. That is why many of you are
weak and ill, and some have died</span></i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.” (1 Cor 11:27-30)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The clue that precludes a mere symbolic understanding of the
Eucharist is St. Paul’s usage of “guilty of blood,” which is a figure of speech
connoting murder (Nm 35:27; Ez 35:6).
One incurs the “guilt of blood” only if the victim is present in
person. If someone fires a gun at a
picture of the President of the United States, that person is not guilty of the
President’s blood. But if someone
actually shoots the President, then that person is guilty of the President’s
blood.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">St. Paul says that we are guilty of Jesus’ blood if we
partake of the Eucharist unworthily.
Therefore, we cannot conclude that St. Paul understood the Eucharist to
be a mere symbol. He must mean the
Eucharist is Jesus present in person, with his body, blood, soul, and divinity.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And lastly, There are several other ways Jesus could have
more clearly indicated that His words of institution (This is my body, this is
my blood) was symbolism if He had wished to do so. Aramaic [Jesus’ native language] has around
three-dozen words that can mean ‘represents.’
That’s why Paul warns us that we are to discern the body (if we partake
in an unworthy manner, then we are guilty of the blood of Christ. Now, how can we ‘discern’ the body if it’s
merely a symbol? We can’t! We are to discern the body in the Eucharist
because the Eucharist IS the body.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Adapted from
a Catholic Answers Newsletter</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
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<br /></div>
Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-2155751098379628282016-05-12T09:46:00.000-07:002016-05-12T09:46:13.156-07:00The First and the Last
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After some contemplation of last Sundays Mass Readings I
felt the Holy Spirit guiding me to talk about the Divinity of Jesus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This feeling came to me when I read the
Scripture readings and fell on the passage of John describing the voice that
said to him: “Behold, I am coming soon. I bring with me recompense I will give
to each according to his deeds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am the
Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning ant the end.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One sentence later we find out that Jesus is the one
speaking here but I’ve already heard from those who do not believe Jesus to be
God that the one speaking was God the Father and that Jesus began speaking
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Context is pretty plain that it
is indeed Jesus speaking about being the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the
last but since this verse isn’t convincing for some, I thought I’d bring out
some other verses that are a little clearer on this.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First, we know with certainty that the Lord God is the first
and the last because the Old Testament explains this explicitly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isaiah 44, verse 6 tells us: “Thus says the
Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first
and I am the last; besides me there is no god.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God also describes Himself as the Alpha and Omega in the
first chapter of Revelation when He says: “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says
the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Rev
1:8)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, it’s established that God is
the Alpha and the Omega.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And earlier in
Isaiah we see that God describes Himself as the first and the last.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The New Testament being written in Greek, the
idea of ‘the first and the last’ is expressed using the first and last letters
of the Greek alphabet, alpha and omega.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, does Jesus call himself the first and the last to
describe himself as God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, He
does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the Book of Revelation the
Apostle John writes: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">When I saw him, I
fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said:
“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was
dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death
and Hades.</i>”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do you see it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God is
the First and the Last and here the one calling Himself the ‘First and the
Last’ also says in the same breath that he once was dead but now is alive for
ever and ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only one that can
claim this title is God, and yet Jesus is also the only one who can say that he
once was dead but is alive once again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Therefore since Jesus describes Himself by a title that only God can
have tells us that Jesus, right here in Scripture, declares Himself to be God.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span></div>
Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-30665615955215743742016-04-27T05:50:00.001-07:002016-04-27T06:14:18.713-07:00Friendly Exchange with Fallen-Away Catholic on Savation by Faith Alone<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 23.25pt 0in 0in;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Fallen away Catholic:</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 23.25pt 0in 0in;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was most refreshing
[talking with you]--I didn't do a complete look at faith versus works
(according to what we discussed); however, I would like for you to consider
Ephesians Chapter 2 starting at verses 4 through 10 with special emphasis on
verse 8. I am sending this not in the spirit of argument but for your
consideration.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 23.25pt 7.5pt 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Again it was enjoyable talking to you. Best
regard</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I replied:</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
Hi [his name]</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I so appreciate you taking the time to share your
thoughts with a fellow brother in Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I really enjoyed talking with you as well and anticipate some good
exchanges in these emails.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">I have a pretty thick skin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will take whatever is said here on your
part as someone who loves Christ and wants to share what he has found to
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And so, don't worry about hurting my
feelings or fear of insulting me or something.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ok?</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">You recommended that I read Ephesians 2, verses 4
through 10 with an emphasis on verse 8.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, let's have a quick look at those verses shall we.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are those exact verses from the NIV (its
a little easier to read then the KJV) I hope you don't mind.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Eph 2</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">4 </span></sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">But because of his great love for us,
God, who is rich in mercy, </span><sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">5 </span></sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">made us
alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by
grace you have been saved. </span><sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">6 </span></sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">And God
raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in
Christ Jesus, </span><sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">7 </span></sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">in order that in the coming ages he
might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to
us in Christ Jesus. </span><sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">8 </span></sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">For it is by grace you have been
saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of
God – </span><sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">9 </span></sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">not by works, so that no one can
boast. </span><sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">10 </span></sup><span style="color: #555555; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 107%;">For we are God’s handiwork, created in
Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And so we see that we are saved through faith, not
by works.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, if you look closely Paul
couldn't be talking about the uselessness of good works, ie works of God since
he goes on in the very next verse on the idea the God Wills that we do certain
works (verse 10).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul then, is
referencing the works of the law (sacrificial law, circumcision and so on...)
when he says that one is saved through faith and not by works of the law.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Look at verse 10, it says: "</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God has prepared in advance for us to do."</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Now, God has prepared in advance some good works
that we are to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is His Will that
we do them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happens if we do not do
the Will of God?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Answer: "</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">"<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Mat 7:21)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Faith alone isn't enough, we must also do the will
of God and if we knowingly refuse to do God's Will means that we will not enter
the kingdom of heaven.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">The verse that I believe best explains the role of
faith and works is in Gal 5:6</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">"</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 107%;">the only thing that
counts is faith <b>working</b> through love.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">"</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-30115266040369042142016-04-15T10:17:00.000-07:002016-04-15T10:17:16.000-07:00Primacy of Peter?<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We find that Peter is mentioned 155 times and the rest of
the apostles combined are only mentioned 130 times in the New testament of our Bibles. Peter is also always listed first except in 1
cor 3:22 and Gal 2:9 (which are obvious exceptions to the rule). In light of this maybe we should have a look
at the role that Peter received from Jesus in our Bible.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">In today’s Gospel reading we find that Jesus is making Peter
the shepherd of all, including the other apostles. After Peter denied Jesus 3 times at the
beginning of His Passion, Jesus asked the same basic question after His
Resurrection when He appeared to the twelve.
He asked Peter if he loved Him: “</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Do
you love more than these</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">?” (referring to the twelve apostles who were
present.) Peter answers that yes, of
course he loves Him. Jesus then tells
him to “tend my lambs, “tend my sheep,” “feed my sheep,” which refers to all
His followers, including the other apostles themselves. Jesus charges Peter “feed my lambs,” “tend my
sheep,” “feed my sheep.” Sheep means all
people, even the apostles.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">Another verse that I find clear that Jesus was gave Peter
the Primacy of the twelves authority is when Jesus explained to Peter: “</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Simon, Simon, behold, Satan
demanded to have you,</span><sup data-fn="#fen-RSVCE-30061a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-RSVCE-30061a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">[</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A31-32&version=RSVCE#fen-RSVCE-30061a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">a</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">]</span></sup><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> that he might sift you</span><sup data-fn="#fen-RSVCE-30061b" data-link="[<a href="#fen-RSVCE-30061b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">[</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A31-32&version=RSVCE#fen-RSVCE-30061b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">b</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">]</span></sup><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> like wheat, </span><sup><span id="en-RSVCE-30062"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">32 </span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "calibri";">but
I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned
again, strengthen your brethren</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.” (Luke 22:31-32)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">A couple of things to notice. First, Simon was Peter’s name before Jesus
changed it when He said “You are Peter and on this rock…” Second, the ‘you’ marked with [a] is the
singular ‘you’, the one marked with [b] is the plural ‘you’. We’re losing a key distinction when
translating the original Greek text into English. The word ‘you’ in English is the same whether
in singular form or plural form but this isn’t so in the Greek of the New
Testament times. An easier way of
reading that won’t lose the differences could be this way: “</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have
you</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">[,Simon]</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">,</span><sup data-fn="#fen-RSVCE-30061a" data-link="[<a href="#fen-RSVCE-30061a" title="See footnote a">a</a>]"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">[</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A31-32&version=RSVCE#fen-RSVCE-30061a" title="See footnote a"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">a</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">]</span></sup><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> that he might sift you </span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">[all]</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">[</span><a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+22%3A31-32&version=RSVCE#fen-RSVCE-30061b" title="See footnote b"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">b</span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">]</span></sup><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> like wheat, </span><sup><span id="en-RSVCE-30062"><span style="font-family: "calibri"; font-size: x-small;">32 </span></span></sup><span style="font-family: "calibri";">but
I have prayed for you </span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">[,Simon]</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">, that
your faith may not fail; and when you</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">[, Simon]</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"> have turned again, strengthen your brethren</span></i><span style="font-family: "calibri";">.”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">We can plainly see that Jesus is showing
Peter and the apostles that Peter is indeed the ‘leader’ of the twelve, the one
with primacy of authority. But let’s
confirm this understanding by looking at some early Christian writings.<br />
</span>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Clement of Alexandria</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
"[T]he blessed Peter, the chosen, the preeminent, the first among the
disciples, for whom alone with himself the Savior paid the tribute [Matt.
17:27], quickly grasped and understood their meaning. And what does he say?
‘Behold, we have left all and have followed you’ [Matt. 19:27; Mark
10:28]" (Who Is the Rich Man That Is Saved? 21:3–5 [A.D. 200]). <br />
</span>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">The Letter of Clement to James</span>
</b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">"Be it known to you, my lord, that Simon [Peter], who, for the sake of
the true faith, and the most sure foundation of his doctrine, was set apart to
be the foundation of the Church, and for this end was by Jesus himself, with
his truthful mouth, named Peter, the first fruits of our Lord, the first of the
apostles; to whom first the Father revealed the Son; whom the Christ, with good
reason, blessed; the called, and elect" (Letter of Clement to James 2
[A.D. 221]). <br />
</span>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Origen</span>
</b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">"[I]f we were to attend carefully to the Gospels, we should also find,
in relation to those things which seem to be common to Peter . . . a great
difference and a preeminence in the things [Jesus] said to Peter, compared with
the second class [of apostles]. For it is no small difference that Peter
received the keys not of one heaven but of more, and in order that whatsoever
things he binds on earth may be bound not in one heaven but in them all, as
compared with the many who bind on earth and loose on earth, so that these
things are bound and loosed not in [all] the heavens, as in the case of Peter,
but in one only; for they do not reach so high a stage with power as Peter to
bind and loose in all the heavens" (Commentary on Matthew 13:31 [A.D.
248]). </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Cyprian of Carthage</span>
</b><span style="font-family: "calibri";">"The Lord says to Peter: ‘I say to you,’ he says, ‘that you are Peter,
and upon this rock I will build my Church.’ . . . On him [Peter] he builds the
Church, and to him he gives the command to feed the sheep [John 21:17], and
although he assigns a like power to all the apostles, yet he founded a single
chair [cathedra], and he established by his own authority a source and an
intrinsic reason for that unity. Indeed, the others were that also which Peter
was [i.e., apostles], but a primacy is given to Peter, whereby it is made clear
that there is but one Church and one chair. So too, all [the apostles] are
shepherds, and the flock is shown to be one, fed by all the apostles in
single-minded accord. If someone does not hold fast to this unity of Peter, can
he imagine that he still holds the faith? If he [should] desert the chair of
Peter upon whom the Church was built, can he still be confident that he is in
the Church?" (The Unity of the Catholic Church 4; 1st edition [A.D. 251]).<br />
</span>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">Augustine</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">
"Who is ignorant that the first of the apostles is the most blessed
Peter?" (Commentary on John 56:1 [A.D. 416]).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-35422225364916594702016-04-04T03:41:00.000-07:002016-04-04T03:41:09.655-07:00Infallibility - A Challenge?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgyDAuUWGP9s7GtsXuFI7ZKW-oBKWfgxXHGd9eqad62viFFUdKWwVG1wXEW3LjLy86N1Pv-kiEnBrIyxMPPl02Hley69wWVJE2Zz4lYJxD3xOvga46yCIvpjoqRA-wIT5du8YcnVbRSs/s1600/Triablogue-Header.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="140" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJgyDAuUWGP9s7GtsXuFI7ZKW-oBKWfgxXHGd9eqad62viFFUdKWwVG1wXEW3LjLy86N1Pv-kiEnBrIyxMPPl02Hley69wWVJE2Zz4lYJxD3xOvga46yCIvpjoqRA-wIT5du8YcnVbRSs/s640/Triablogue-Header.png" width="640" /></a><br />
Recently, on <a href="http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2016/03/hans-kung-to-pope-francis-re-open.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">Triablogue</span></a>, John Bugay posted a query using Hans Küng as his primary source for challenging infallibility - as if a dissident "theologian" is a good place to start from. I guess from a Protestant perspective, a dissident Catholic is "better" than an orthodox one, but even Bugay refers to Küng as a "renegade Roman Catholic theologian."<br />
<br />
According to Bugay,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Küng says he is not writing to destroy, but if ever there was a need for destruction, it is here. <a href="http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2013/04/before-infallibility-was-twinkling-in.html"><span style="color: #336699;">Wrong-headed from the start</span></a>, both “papal infallibility” and “the papacy” both need to be headed toward “the ash-heap of history”. If anyone can muddy the waters right now (further than they have been muddied), it will be “Pope Francis”."</blockquote>
In short, Küng is writing to destroy. The link there takes you to another Triablogue article on Papal Infallibility, also written by Bugay and while using another source, Küng wrote the introduction to that source - already opening it to the question of its orthodoxy. That article opens with a discussion of the "Johannine Comma" and goes into a discussion about later popes overturning decisions by earlier popes.<br />
<br />
It is apparent that Bugay (and perhaps his sources) is oblivious to the fact that not EVERYTHING decreed by a pope is infallible! The fact of the matter is, VERY FEW decrees are actually considered to be infallible. Yes, such a decree is binding upon all faithful Catholics - but again, a non-infallible decree can be (and several have been) overturned.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApFjFnDcG0N15a969s_qaolR3zt_XvNmSRMKYIBXoQFCrN6afP2ZNZKXjNZPLq3heTIvXoIw-cOPNcsyGoCNo6Kbkyq5zuH6E5-2chNlHoETF0NbaRRK9h84xsRye4jTYtDEOqBqi57U/s1600/infallibility+you+keep+using+that+word.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApFjFnDcG0N15a969s_qaolR3zt_XvNmSRMKYIBXoQFCrN6afP2ZNZKXjNZPLq3heTIvXoIw-cOPNcsyGoCNo6Kbkyq5zuH6E5-2chNlHoETF0NbaRRK9h84xsRye4jTYtDEOqBqi57U/s320/infallibility+you+keep+using+that+word.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My response to the first article I cited is quite simple and straightforward:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Something which is bound in heaven, by its very nature, is then infallible - for nothing fallible could be "bound" in heaven. If Peter, and thus his successors, has this authority, then Bugay's point is moot. If Peter has not this authority, then <a class="lbsBibleRef" data-reference="Matthew 16.18-19" data-version="douayrheims" href="http://biblia.com/bible/douayrheims/Matthew%2016.18-19" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;">Matthew 16:18-19</span></a> is a lie. You can't have it both ways.</blockquote>
That response, if it is approved, was also posted to<a href="http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2016/03/hans-kung-to-pope-francis-re-open.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #336699;"> the original article on Triablogue</span></a> (slightly paraphrased here because I did not copy it before I submitted it). The bottom line is, if the Bible is the true and final authority for Bugay, then his objections to infallibility are pure folly and even scandalous in opposing the Word of God.Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-35997226213738329652016-03-25T18:18:00.000-07:002016-03-25T18:18:22.095-07:00Is Sterilization Acceptable?<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I had a nice
exchange with 2 of my co-workers last the other day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someway or another our conversation turned to
pregnancies and what people can do to avoid them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One co-worker is a non-practicing, nominal
Catholic and the other was a non-denominational Christian.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">After I told
them that I didn't agree with having a vasectomy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nominal Catholic laughed and said: “Wait,
wait, lets see what the extremist has to say about this.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I told them that we shouldn’t ‘mutilate’
our bodies for our convenience he started giggling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The purpose of medicine is to return our
bodies to a natural state. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said that
it wasn't a natural thing to do to your body and so we shouldn't do anything to
disrupt the natural functioning of our organs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He (the nominal Catholic) just started laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He thought that I'd disagree with removing a
kidney stone since that was a natural thing. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">My answer to
that though was kinda simple.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I told him, and the other non-denominational
Christian that medicine is suppose to repair or return the organs and body in
general to its original purpose which is why wearing glasses is ok since it
improves the functioning of the eyes and the same for the kidney stone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stone impedes the kidney from functioning
properly hence it is ok to remove it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The only thing he had left was to turn around and he kept smirking but he
gave up the argument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully I was
able to plant a seed to both of them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have great hope that the other individual listening will chew on this for a
while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least he seemed <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>to be receptive of this idea of the true role
of medicine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just thought I'd share
with you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope they'll be more of
those moments, I just hope I have a ready response when/if they do and please
do not shy away from defending the Catholic position on moral issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her reasons that the Church holds these
positions are on very solid ground, we just need to go look them up and share
them when the opportunities arise.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-66579510893724138792016-03-20T16:09:00.000-07:002016-03-20T16:09:22.348-07:00Communion of Saints, pt3<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Fundamentalists often challenge the
Catholic practice of asking saints and angels to pray on our behalf. But the
Bible directs us to invoke those in heaven and ask them to pray with us. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Thus, in Psalm 103 we pray, "Bless the
Lord, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the
voice of his word! Bless the Lord, all his hosts, his ministers that do his
will!" (Ps. 103:20–21). And in the opening verses of Psalms 148 we pray,
"Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise him in the
heights! Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his host!" </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Not only do those in heaven pray <em><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">with</span></em> us, they also
pray <em><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">for</span></em> us.
In the book of Revelation, John sees that "the twenty-four elders [the
leaders of the people of God in heaven] fell down before the Lamb, each holding
a harp, and with golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the
saints" (Rev. 5:8). Thus the saints in heaven offer to God the prayers of
the saints on earth. </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Angels do the same thing: "[An] angel
came and stood at the altar [in heaven] with a golden censer; and he was given
much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar
before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with the prayers of the
saints from the hand of the angel before God" (Rev. 8:3–4). </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Jesus himself warned us not to offend small
children, because their guardian angels have guaranteed intercessory access to
the Father: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones; for I
tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in
heaven" (Matt. 18:10). </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">Because he is the only God-man and the
Mediator of the New Covenant, Jesus is the only mediator between man and God (1
Tim. 2:5), but this in no way means we cannot or should not ask our fellow
Christians to pray with us and for us (1 Tim. 2:1–4). In particular, we should
ask the intercession of those Christians in heaven, who have already had their
sanctification completed, for "[t]he prayer of a righteous man has great
power in its effects" (Jas. 5:16). </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">As the following passages show, the early
Church Fathers not only clearly recognized the biblical teaching that those in
heaven can and do intercede for us, but they also applied this teaching in
their own daily prayer life. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333366; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Hermas<br />
</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"[The Shepherd said:] ‘But those who
are weak and slothful in prayer, hesitate to ask anything from the Lord; but
the Lord is full of compassion, and gives without fail to all who ask him. But
you, [Hermas,] having been strengthened by the holy angel [you saw], and having
obtained from him such intercession, and not being slothful, why do not you ask
of the Lord understanding, and receive it from him?’" (<em><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Shepherd </span></em>3:5:4
[A.D. 80]). </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333366; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Clement of Alexandria<br />
</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"In this way is he [the true
Christian] always pure for prayer. He also prays in the society of angels, as
being already of angelic rank, and he is never out of their holy keeping; and
though he pray alone, he has the choir of the saints standing with him [in
prayer]" (<em><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Miscellanies </span></em>7:12
[A.D. 208]). </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333366; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Origen<br />
</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"But not the high priest [Christ]
alone prays for those who pray sincerely, but also the angels . . . as also the
souls of the saints who have already fallen asleep" (<em><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Prayer </span></em>11 [A.D.
233]). </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333366; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Cyprian of Carthage<br />
</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Let us remember one another in concord
and unanimity. Let us on both sides [of death] always pray for one another. Let
us relieve burdens and afflictions by mutual love, that if one of us, by the
swiftness of divine condescension, shall go hence first, our love may continue
in the presence of the Lord, and our prayers for our brethren and sisters not
cease in the presence of the Father’s mercy" (<em><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Letters </span></em>56[60]:5 [A.D. 253]). </span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333366; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Anonymous<br />
</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Atticus, sleep in peace, secure in
your safety, and pray anxiously for our sins" (funerary inscription near
St. Sabina’s in Rome [A.D. 300]). </span></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Pray for your parents, Matronata
Matrona. She lived one year, fifty-two days" (ibid.). </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"Mother of God, [listen to] my
petitions; do not disregard us in adversity, but rescue us from danger" (<em><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Rylands Papyrus </span></em>3 [A.D.
350]). </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: #333366; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">Augustine<br />
</span></b><span lang="EN" style="color: #181818; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">"A Christian people celebrates
together in religious solemnity the memorials of the martyrs, both to encourage
their being imitated and so that it can share in their merits and be aided by
their prayers" (<em><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Against
Faustus the Manichean</span></em> [A.D. 400]). </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN;">Adapted from:
http://www.catholic.com/tracts/the-intercession-of-the-saints</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">God Bless<br />
Nathan</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-34908377519157984492016-03-15T09:54:00.002-07:002016-03-15T09:54:24.439-07:00Communion of Saints, pt2<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
What would be the point of asking for intercessory prayers
if the people we are asking are not aware of us or of our prayers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well we can find that they ARE aware of us
in:</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<br /><br />
Heb 12:1<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span> “Therefore, since we are surrounded by
such a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">great cloud of witnesses</b>, let
us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and
let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Mt 17:3<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Just
then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
(If Jesus didn’t want any contact
between saints on earth and saints in heaven, why did our Lord make a special
point of appearing to Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration in
the company of Moses and Elijah, two ‘dead’ saints? (Patrick Madrid))</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
Rev 6:9-10<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under
the altar the souls of <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">those who had
been slain</b> because of the word of God and the testimony they had
maintained. They called out in a loud voice, How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and
true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
Luke 15:10<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>…There is joy in the presence of the
angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0in;">
<br /><br />
We have just learned that
the ‘dead saints’ are indeed aware of earthly doings, but can they do anything
about it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are there intercessory prayers
effective?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course there are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prayers of the righteous availeth much (Jas
5:16).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who are more righteous than those
in heaven?</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /><br />
I feel I must make clear that Jesus alone is our mediator,
John Henry Cardinal Newman pointed out: </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0.5in;">
<br /><br />
The Catholic Church allows no…Saint,
not even the Blessed Virgin herself, to come between the soul and its
Creator…The devotions then to angels and saints as little interfered with the
incommunicable glory of the Eternal, as the love which we bear our friends and
relations, our tender human sympathies, are inconsistent with that supreme
homage of the heart to the Unseen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>(Newman, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Apologia Pro Vita Sua,</i>
p.284-285)</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /><br />
We can therefore see that asking saints to pray for us
(whether they are ‘living’ or ‘dead’) is acceptable, approved by God, and
availeth much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The communion of the
Saints is nothing more that the recognition that saints after death (and
angels) are more alive than us, aware of happenings on earth, desirous of
aiding us, and able to be asked for help and to assist us with their prayers of
intercessions, always through Jesus, just as saints who are still ‘alive’ are
able to do for us.</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /><br />
Can this practice be found in the 2,000 year history of the
Christian faith?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll answer that next
week.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /><br />
Text adapted from <a href="http://www.catholicapologetics.org/ap070100.htm"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.catholicapologetics.org/ap070100.htm</span></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
God Bless</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
Nathan</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1327356110360399061.post-53787572526230288362016-03-15T09:53:00.004-07:002016-03-15T09:53:39.725-07:00Communion of Saints pt1<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
The word in the Bible for “saint” or “saints” in the Greek
texts can also be translated as “sanctified, consecrated” or “holy ones”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s Paul who calls <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all his fellow believers</i> “saints,” and not just the notably holy
ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We see an example of this in Phillipians
4, verse 21 and 22.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It says: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Salute ye every saint in Christ Jesus. The
brethren who are with me salute you. All the saints salute you: especially they
that are of Caesar's household.</i>”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Paul also uses the term for both those who are living and for those who
are dead. We find this very clearly in 2 Thess 1:9-10 and also in Jude 14-15: </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /><br />
2 Thess 1says:</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
“These (who do not acknowledge God
nor heed the good news) will pay the penalty of eternal ruin, separated from
the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power, when he comes to be
glorified among his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">holy ones</i> and to
be marveled at on that day among all who have believed, for our testimony to
you was believed.”</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /><br />
And Jude 14-15 says: </div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in;">
<br /><br />
“Enoch, of the seventh generation
from Adam, prophesied also about them when he said, ‘Behold, the Lord has come
with his countless <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">holy ones</i> to
execute judgment on all and to convict everyone for all the godless deeds that
they committed…”</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<br /><br />
This practice of Paul corresponds to one of the earliest
creedal statements of Christian faith: The Apostles Creed: “I believe in the
communion of saints.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Communion of
saints refers to the bond of unity among all believers, both <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">living and dead</i>, who are or have been
committed followers of Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
the eyes of God, in eternity, the distinction between His People who are
‘living’ or who are ‘dead’ is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> at
all important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This statement can be
supported by the following Scripture verses:</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
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Mk 9:4<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“Then Elijah appeared to them along
with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.”</div>
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Mk 12:26-27<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>“As for the dead being raised, have you not
read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the bush, how God told him, ‘I
am the God of Abraham, (the) God of Isaac, and (the) God of Jacob’?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not God of the dead but of the
living.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You are greatly misled.”</div>
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Rom 12:5<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>…so we, though many, are one body in
Christ and individually parts of one another.</div>
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Rom 8:38-9<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">For
I am convinced that</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">neither death
nor life</b>, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">will be able to separate us from the love
of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.</b></div>
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This one body in Christ is called by the Catholic Church as
The Mystical Body of Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This concept,
as seen in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, is explained as: “The life of
each of God’s children is joined in Christ and through Christ in a wonderful
way to the life of all the other Christian brethren in the supernatural unity
of the Mystical Body of Christ, as in a single mystical person.” (par. 1474)</div>
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Since we are “members one of another,” we can, in Christ and
only in Christ, seek the prayers and help of fellow members of the Body, both
here and in Heaven.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seeing as all
believers as a whole make up the one body in Christ, we are all connected to
each other with Christ at the head.</div>
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Luke 15:7 points to the fact that those in heaven (the
saints and angels) are aware of the happenings here on earth since they would
rejoice over one sinner who repents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>James Cardinal Gibbons explains it this way:</div>
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“ The angels [and saints] are glad
whenever you repent of your sins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now,
what is repentance?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a change of
heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is an interior operation of
the will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The saints, therefore, are
acquainted –we know not how – not only with your actions and words, but even
with your very thoughts.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Gibbons, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Faith of our Fathers</i>, p.127)</div>
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Text adapted from:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.catholic.com/tracts"><span style="color: #0563c1;">www.catholic.com/tracts</span></a></div>
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But can they hear us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More on this next week.</div>
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God Bless</div>
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Nathan</div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />Nathanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01465317273535850045noreply@blogger.com0