Why? Why did God choose freely to become a mortal man?

Another:
“I AM a Catholic” Lesson
by Patrick Miron

Why? Why did Almighty God freely choose to become a mortal-man?

While the reasons are many; the motivating factor is love. God’s inexplicable love for His “alter-image”; the singular sign of perfection of his Created universe. This reason separated from the many others is still a mystery in the 21st Century. So dear friends, let’s take a closer look at it.

Genesis 1: 26-28 “And he said: Let us make man to our image and likeness: and let him have dominion over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and the beasts, and the whole earth, and every creeping creature that moveth upon the earth. And God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it, and rule over the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the air, and all living creature s that move upon the earth”

And the answer at least in great part is found in the bibles book of Isiah. Chapter 43; verses 7, 10 and 21. This reason which explains God/s plan for man’s creation; depicts God’s “wants”; although God being “Perfect” cannot be made “more perfect” and actually can’t “want” or “need”; and yet, at the same time DOES “want certain thing’s”…. Think of God’s “wants” as God’s “expectations,” which enables us to comprehend God’s “wants.”
Isaiah 43:7, 10 & 21, 25 “And every one that calleth upon my name, I have created him for my glory, I have formed him, and made him. … .You are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that you may know, and believe me, and understand that I myself am. Before me there was no God formed, and after me there shall be none. …. & this people have I formed for myself, they shall shew forth my praise. … I am, I am he that blot out thy iniquities {highly conditionally; John 20:19-23} for my own sake, and I will not remember thy sin”

Nothing in God’s Created Universe exist without a precise reason for its existence. Nothing in God’s entire Created Universe exist that is more complex; more complete, more enabled and more like God Himself, than is humanity. And so we ask WHY this is? Without a precise reason for its “being there,” there can be no “effect” for what God has created and caused to exist.

Here then are the basic foundational “wants & expectations” of God for ALL of His Created Humanity. We are to understand that these are “category-headings” for possible sins, NOT the list of “all possible” sins. And we honor and Glorify God by NOT sinning!
Exodus. 20:

1. And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before me.”
“You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;

2. “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day”

3. “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. “

4. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
5. “You shall not kill. “
6. “You shall not commit adultery”.
7. “You shall not steal”.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”
9. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; or property”
10. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbors.”

The first three Commandments {representing the Blessed Trinity}, are inseparable. … Love Of and for God demands Knowledge Of Him, Respect for Him, Obedience to Him, and a desire to Serve Him, His way.

It is impossible for man to fulfill our reason for existence outside of God’s Love for man. It is this Love that motivates everything God offers and does for man from offering grace to forgiveness of our sins when it is done as God had commanded. {Mt. 28:19-20 & John 20:19-23}. … Only man can know God; and therefore only man can Honor and Glorify God; and or freely choose NOT to do either. Only man can sin and only man can merit God’s Eternal Salvation. It is this precise contradiction; this ability to choose God or NOT to choose God, that motivated his Incarnation. His becoming a mortal man like us in every way but sin. To model for us the right and only path to salvation, and to set in place One Church, with God’s One set of faith beliefs, so that man COULD {and ought to with God’s grace} be able to grasp exactly what he choose to do. One God; One set of faith beliefs and One Church. Eph. 4:1-7

Hebrews 4: 10-16 “for whoever enters God’s rest {Knows, Loves, Serves and Obeys} also ceases from his labors as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of him with whom we have to do. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

God choose to become incarnate man, to be born in a stable, to demonstrate the fact that without great-humility one cannot enter into Eternal Salvation; God choose to become an innocent and helpless baby so that man could understand the absolute need for man to become “one with God” and to work on his behalf. God choose not to it all, so that man COULD, with God’s Grace, merit salvation. … God became man, so that humanity could actually KNOW God and MEET God face to face. This He does today through the Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist.

God became man to establish His One True Church; the only Church He God founded, {Mt. 16:18-19} desired, {Mt. 28:20} protected {John 14: 26} and guided by Him. {John 17:18-20} This was following His Own Tradition of just One Chosen people {Exodus 6:7 & 2nd Cor. 6:16}; and always just one set of faith beliefs. {Mt 28: 18-19}. So that Catholics {all 22 branches connected to the Vine of Rome} then have become the “New” Chosen People
God became man; was born in a stable, of a virgin Mother {Luke 1:26-35}, a mortal man, like us in every way but sin; so that he could EXPERIENCE for himself, what he ask of all men. He suffered, so that our suffering could, if we allow it, to have meaning and merit, he loved everyone, so we could know that loving everyone is our mandate. “Love the sinner but hate the sin.” Christ became a man so that we could fully and freely choose to know, love and serve him. Which only man, only humanity in all of God’s Universe is enable and gifted to do. {Genesis 1:26-27}

{Hebrews 4:16} “Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace: that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid” {while we still can}.

{Matthew 22:36-40} ”Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus said to him: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments dependent the whole law and the prophets.”

{Ephesians} 1: 11- 14} “In whom we also are called by lot, being predestinated [means only “KNOWN beforehand”} according to the purpose of him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his will. That we may be unto the praise of his glory, we who before hoped Christ: In whom you also, after you had heard the word of truth, {SINGULAR: the gospel of your salvation;) in whom also believing, you were signed with the holy Spirit of promise, Who is the pledge of our inheritance, unto the redemption of acquisition, unto the praise of his glory.”

{2nd. Corinthians 6: 16—18} “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God saith: I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore, Go out from among them, {means ALL other forms of religion} and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing: {means do not accept false teachers.} And I will receive you; and I will be a Father to you; and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty”

{John 14:26-27} “But the Paraclete, the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, {”You” here is precisely directed to the Apostles and through THEM, as the holders of all the Keys to heaven.” Mt. 16:18-19, Mt. 28:16-20 & John 17:11-26 who are God’s chosen teacher of “all things necessary for ones to merit God’s salvation His way} and bring all things to your mind, whatsoever I shall have said to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid.”

{Mark 7: 6-16} “But he answering, said to them: Well did Isaias prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. And in vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines and precepts of men. [8] For leaving the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, the washing of pots and of cups: and many other things you do like to these. And he said to them: Well do you make void the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition. For Moses said: Honor thy father and thy mother; and He that shall curse father or mother, dying let him die. But you say: If a man shall say to his father or mother, Corban, (which is a gift,) whatsoever is from me, shall profit thee. And further you suffer him not to do anything for his father or mother, Making void the word of God by your own tradition, which you have given forth. And many other such like things you do. And calling again the multitude unto him, he said to them: Hear ye me all, and understand. There is nothing from without a man that entering into him, can defile him. But the things which come from a man, those are they that defile a man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.”

Luke 1:26-35 “And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’ s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God”

So Christ came to tell us that He Loves Us, that because He is God, He can and does have only One set of faith beliefs {Mt 28: 20 which are protected by God}, and founded only one Church so man COULD {should and ought to} where to seek and to find His [necessarily singular} truth.

{John 14: 6-7} “Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. {ALL Singular} … No man cometh to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would without doubt have known my Father also: and from henceforth you shall know him, and you have seen him.” {John 6:66-70} “ And he said: Therefore did I say to you, that no man can come to me, unless it be given him by my Father. After this many of his disciples went back; and walked no more with him. Then Jesus said to the twelve: Will you also go away? And Simon” Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” Today’s Catholic Church continues Peters Faith; which is God’s singular set of faith-beliefs} … have believed and have known, that thou art the Christ, the Son of God.”

Blessed are those that can hear, can see, and can know God’s truth; which is the primary reason for Christmas. Christ is the “way” Singular; and so is today’s Catholic Church. Amen!

God’s Peace can be found in God’s Truth. Singular/

Mary and our Catholic Catechism assembled by Patrick Miron

Start of Lesson #60 the a-A, b-B, c-C’s of Catholicism

TO be sent out around December 22nd.

ARTICLE 9: “I BELIEVE IN THE HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH”

Paragraph 6. Mary – Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church
CCC 963-972

963 Since the Virgin Mary’s role in the mystery of Christ and the Spirit has been treated, it is fitting now to consider her place in the mystery of the Church. “The Virgin Mary . . . is acknowledged and honored as being truly the Mother of God and of the redeemer. . . . She is ‘clearly the mother of the members of Christ’ . . . since she has by her charity joined in bringing about the birth of believers in the Church, who are members of its head.” “Mary, Mother of Christ, Mother of the Church.”

John 19:25-28 “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’ s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: “I thirst.”

Of the seven “WORDS” spoken by Christ from The Cross; this one is of critical understanding: Having been scourged, crowned with thorns, forced to carry His own Cross, then nailed to it; ALL without ANY nourishment or water; it is foolish to think that this was merely a plea for water or wine. NO, it was much more, it expresses Christ desire to do MORE FOR US and our efforts towards our personal salvation; and the fact that is comes right after having given His Church [singular] and the entire world of believers, Mary as our Mother, to aid us and to lead us to Her Son Jesus goes a long way in explaining Her exulted position within the Catholic Church. … . John represents all of us; and Mary, now called “women” is given to the world to be led to Her Son’s Kingdom. No other Saint has greater access or influence to Christ, than does Mary, His Mother and ours!

MARY’S MOTHERHOOD WITH REGARD TO THE CHURCH

Wholly united with her Son . . .

964 “Mary’s role in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ and flows directly from it. “This union of the mother with the Son in the work of salvation is made manifest from the time of Christ’s virginal conception up to his death”; it is made manifest above all at the hour of his Passion:

Thus the Blessed Virgin advanced in her pilgrimage of faith, and faithfully persevered in her union with her Son unto the cross. There she stood, in keeping with the divine plan, enduring with her only begotten Son the intensity of his suffering, joining herself with his sacrifice in her mother’s heart, and lovingly consenting to the immolation of this victim, born of her: to be given, by the same Christ Jesus dying on the cross, as a mother to his disciple, with these words: “Woman, behold your son.”

965 After her Son’s Ascension, Mary “aided the beginnings of the Church by her prayers.” In her association with the apostles and several women, “we also see Mary by her prayers imploring the gift of the Spirit, who had already overshadowed her in the Annunciation.”

. . . also in her Assumption

966 “Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death.” The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son’s Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians:

In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death.

. . . she is our Mother in the order of grace

967 By her complete adherence to the Father’s will, to his Son’s redemptive work, and to every prompting of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary is the Church’s model of faith and charity. Thus she is a “preeminent and . . . wholly unique member of the Church”; indeed, she is the “exemplary realization” (typus)510 of the Church.

968 Her role in relation to the Church and to all humanity goes still further. “In a wholly singular way she cooperated by her obedience, faith, hope, and burning charity in the Savior’s work of restoring supernatural life to souls. For this reason she is a mother to us in the order of grace.”

969 “This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation . . . . Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix.”

970 “Mary’s function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin’s salutary influence on men . . . flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends entirely on it, and draws all its power from it.” “No creature could ever be counted along with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer; but just as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways both by his ministers and the faithful, and as the one goodness of God is radiated in different ways among his creatures, so also the unique mediation of the Redeemer does not exclude but rather gives rise to a manifold cooperation which is but a sharing in this one source.”

DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

971 “All generations will call me blessed”: “The Church’s devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship.”515 The Church rightly honors “the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of ‘Mother of God,’ to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion. . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration.” The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an “epitome of the whole Gospel,” express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.

Luke 1:26-35 “And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’ s name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying, and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God.
Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a son; and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob forever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.”

Luke 1:46-52 “And Mary said: My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. [48] Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; and holy is his name. And his mercy is from generation unto generations, to them that fear him.

{Explanation from the Douay Bible} [48] Shall call me blessed: These words are a prediction of that honor which the church in all ages should pay to the Blessed Virgin. Let Protestants examine whether they are any way concerned in this prophecy.}

MARY – ESCHATOLOGICAL ICON OF THE CHURCH
972 “After speaking of the Church, her origin, mission, and destiny, we can find no better way to conclude than by looking to Mary. In her we contemplate what the Church already is in her mystery on her own “pilgrimage of faith,” and what she will be in the homeland at the end of her journey. There, “in the glory of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity,” “in the communion of all the saints,” the Church is awaited by the one she venerates as Mother of her Lord and as her own mother.

In the meantime the Mother of Jesus, in the glory which she possesses in body and soul in heaven, is the image and beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected in the world to come. Likewise she shines forth on earth until the day of the Lord shall come, a sign of certain hope and comfort to the pilgrim People of God.” AMEN!
End of Lesson #60 the a-A, b-B, c-C’s of Catholicism

“Gaudete” {Rejoice!} Sunday by Patrick Miron

“Gaudete” {Rejoice!} Sunday
{1}Why and {2}What for?

Another: I AM A Catholic Lesson
by Patrick Miron

My dear friend s in Christ Our Risen Lord who wants to be your Savior’s Birth-celebration is December 25th. Time is SHORT!

{1} WHY? [Rejoice?}

Given the state of the world, with a focus on the Good Old USA, and our economy, which Forbes reports a true 12.6% unemployment which is shockingly HIGH!

http://www.forbes.com/sites/louisefron/2014/08/20/tackling-the-real-unemployment-rate We’ll turn to the state of Catholicism here is the USA! I’m using STATS

from:http://cara.georgetown.edu/caraservices/requestedchurchstats.html & http://www.pewresearch.org/key-data-points/u-s-catholics-key-data-from-pew-research/#popsize

Catholic Population 1965 = 48.5m 2010 =76.7m {self- identified}
Catholic Drop outs 7.5m 32.0m {have the highest drop- out rate of any Faith}
Attend Mass weekly 41.0% which means 59% do not {a Mortal Sin}
Marriage of 2 Catholics 3. 306% 2.486%
Baptized Infants 1.3 m 783,302
Baptized Adults 126,209 38,042 {mostly indicative of converts}
% of Self-identified Catholics who go to Sacramental Confession at least once a year
1960 about 60+% in 1975 about 38% & currently about 12%

What Happened to Confession?

FYI: The only God desired; Christ approved and Bible -confirmed method for forgiveness of all sins is Sacramental Confession:

1John.1 Verses 8 to 10 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

1John.5 Verses 16 to 17 “If any one sees his brother committing what is not a mortal sin, he will ask, and God will give him life for those whose sin is not mortal. There is sin which is mortal; I do not say that one is to pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which is not mortal.

John.20 Verses 20 to 23” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” {With God’s actual Authority and Power} And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”

Vote in Presidential Elec. D=52% BEFORE ABORTION WAS A Political ISSUE
{1952} R= 48%
{2012} D = 53% Pro-Abortion being a MAJOR issue {A Mortal Sin}
R = 44%
% of Catholics who support same sex-“marriage” currently at 54% {a Mortal sin}
% of Catholics who approve of abortion as “a valid personal option” 54% {a Mortal sin}
% 0f Catholics who claim contraceptive sex is “OK” is 84.1% {a Mortal sin}

John 1:1-9 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world”

Luke 1:26-38 “ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Hail, FULL OF RACE, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since know not man?” And the angel said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her”

As an USHER in my home parish I can testify that at least 90-95% of Mass attendees regularly present themselves for Holy Communion. Yet as we have shown only about 12% go to Sacramental Confession even Once per Year. {This is known as the Catholic “Easter Duty” & and possibly Grave Obligation}.

I have noted and identified a number of issues above that qualify as “Serious Matter”; 1 of 3 essential elements for an act to become a Mortal Sin. All of them leading to a Mortal sin. I don’t wish to get too far off track here; but the Catechism teaches:

1857 “For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must together be met: “Mortal sin is sin whose object is {1} grave matter and which is also {2} committed with full knowledge and {3} deliberate consent.”
1859 “Mortal sin requires full knowledge and complete consent. It presupposes knowledge of the sinful character of the act, of its opposition to God’s law. It also implies a consent sufficiently deliberate to be a personal choice. Feigned ignorance and hardness of heart do not diminish, but rather increase, the voluntary character of a sin.”

1037 God predestines no one to go to hell; for this, a willful turning away from God (a mortal sin) is necessary, and persistence in it until the end. In the Eucharistic liturgy and in the daily prayers of her faithful, the Church implores the mercy of God, who does not want “any to perish, but all to come to repentance”:

1035 “The teaching of the Church affirms the existence of hell and its eternity. Immediately after death the souls of those who die in a state of mortal sin descend into hell, where they suffer the punishments of hell, “eternal fire.” The chief punishment of hell is eternal separation from God, in whom alone man can possess the life and happiness for which he was created and for which he longs. :
http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1859.htm

Because all mortal sins gravity, and its effects of spiritually separating one from the Catholic Church and thereby Christ Himself, even one unconfessed; unforgiven mortal sin has the power to send one to hell for eternity. Which brings us back to {2} “What for” …. Why REJOICE?

There is no doubt that a great many self-professed Catholics are not taking advantage of Sacramental Confession; and therefore quite possibly they are in a spiritual condition that ought to prevent them from participation in Catholic Holy Communion; Jesus Christ HIMSELF in Person, and should they die in this condition; they condemn THEMSELVES to hell for eternity.

Ist. Cor. 11: 23-30“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new-testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. … For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep.” {“Sleep here means Spiritual Death}.

My dear friends there is NO such a thing as “an unforgiveable sin!”

1st Tim. 2:3-5 “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Who will have {this means Desires that ALL men be saved} all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator of God and men, the man Christ Jesus:“

Mt. 24:13-15 “ But he that shall persevere to the end, he shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom, shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all nations, and then shall the consummation come. When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him understand.”

Acts 4:11-12 “This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men, whereby we must be saved”

My dear friends IF you truly want cause to REJOICE!, please get to Confession before Christmas. Do not permit peer-pressure, laziness, fear, or anything else keep you from becoming worthy to present yourself to the New Born Christ, who came precisely to enable you to Worship Him. Excuse are from Satan, “the Father of Lies” John 8:44. Priest can never reveal to anyone for any reason; even if threatened with death. Confession is between you and Your God. The “Wise men” brought valuable gifts “from afar”; but you have have the gift of your SOUL to give to Jesus.

Luke 15:7 & 10 “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

May God encourage and Bless you and all those you love; Super-abundantly!
Patrick Miron

Exploring the meaning of “Church” by Patrick Miron

I’m Catholic
by Pat Miron
Our Catholic “Church”
Exploring the meaning of: “Church” …

It is common these day’s to hear Catholics Laity referred to as “the church.” The Biblical reference for this is from: 1st. Peter 2: 5 “and like living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

Some have taken this passage too literally; and have used this message-platform to usurp power and positions rightly reserved to the ordained Clergy. The Church, and therefore; “we“, are better served by understanding that we are “The Mystical Body;” [Spirit of the Church] and “The Church Militant.” [Defenders of the Church and our Faith.] We represent our Faith by our visible practice of it; and our visible Godly commitment; by knowing our Faith; living it and defending it in truth and charity, when called to do so. If a non-catholic or a non-Christian came into our church; would they even suspect that Christ is Present?…. In many, Not likely,…. No, we can’t do it “all;”…. but are we part of the problem; or part of the solution?

In truth; “we are the church” ONLY when we represent her holiness, Her Goodness and manifest Her charity. QUOTE: “The Church’s Eucharistic faith“: SACRAMENTUM CARITATIS; [Sacrament of Love] OF THE HOLY FATHER BENEDICT XVI …

6. “The mystery of faith!” With these words, spoken immediately after the words of consecration, the priest proclaims the mystery being celebrated and expresses his wonder before the substantial change of bread and wine into the body and blood of the Lord Jesus, a reality which surpasses all human understanding. The Eucharist is a “mystery of faith” par excellence: “the sum and summary of our faith.” The Church’s faith is essentially a Eucharistic faith, and it is with the Risen Lord which takes place in the sacraments: “faith is expressed in the rite, while the rite reinforces and strengthens faith.” For this reason, the Sacrament of the Altar is always at the heart of the Church’s life: “thanks to the Eucharist, the Church is reborn ever anew!” The more lively the Eucharistic faith of the People of God, the deeper is its sharing in ecclesial life in steadfast commitment to the mission entrusted by Christ to his disciples. The Church’s very history bears witness to this. Every great reform has in some way been linked to the rediscovery of belief in the Lord’s Eucharistic presence among his people.” …. END QUOTE Precisely because of this reality; Catholics; similar to the Apostles are personally called by God; and are given a mission and the grace to fulfill it. “Seek and you shall find” it. Mark.4: 24-25 “And he said to them, “Take heed what you hear; the measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you. For to him who has will more be given; and from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”

My comments will include a few quotes from This Months “Adoremus Bulletin” [March 2011]]; from an article entitled: “Sacred Architecture: Encountering the Beauty and Mystery of God:” By his Eminence, Cardinal Justin Rigali. Currently Archbishop of Philadelphia. In addition, he is a member of several Roman- Curia departments; including the “Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.” I will show his quotes in Bold Print.

I’d like to begin with a quote intended for “The Church Building,” but very much inline with our first category: “Church.” …“The mystery which we gather to reflect upon today is at once timely and timeless. Timely, as Aime’-Georges Martimort has noted, “In our day the faithful have greater difficulty in achieving prayerful recollection and a sense of God’s presence.” At the root of this difficulty is a crisis, a contemporary crisis that surrounds the sacred. …”

While the reference is specifically applied to “church buildings,” I think it is far more than just church architecture that is greatly influenced in the realm of all that touches us, and the practice of our Catholic Faith. “Secular – Humanism“, founded on Pride, [“I know more and or; I know better”] is manifested in many evil ways proving that Satan is real; is present; and is effective in turning a great many away from God. Even the Faithful are under constant attack. In the past fifty years; “Fallen away Catholics” have blossomed into the second largest “religious” group in America.

Lev.11: 44 …“For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy, for I am holy” … Mt. 5:48 “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect“.

In this one verse; we are taught the entire “Spiritual Message” of the entire bible. 1. ‘I AM God [there is no other: Exo. 34-14] 2. Dedicate yourself’ to Me 3. Be holy because I am Holy. This is impossible without confronting God, and also, permitting God to confront you!

Few if any of us have not heard about the necessity of having a “personal relationship with God.” But are you aware that God desires this far more than the most ardent believer? This fact is proven by our being a Creation of God; “in God‘s Image“ [Gen. 1:26]. To this possible end, God gives us [and only humanity] the attributes necessary to accomplish this. A Mind; a Intellect; a FREEWILL, and all these are intricately and permanently connected to our Souls. We are able to “love,” which no other creation of God can do. …Isaiah 43: 7-8 “every one who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” “Bring forth the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears!” and … Isaiah 43:21” the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise“.

Catholic Catechism:

1844 “By charity, we love God above all things and our neighbor as ourselves for love of God. Charity, the form of all the virtues, “binds everything together in perfect harmony” (Col 3:14).”

2658 “Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Prayer, formed by the liturgical life, draws everything into the love by which we are loved in Christ and which enables us to respond to him by loving as he has loved us. Love is the source of prayer; whoever draws from it reaches the summit of prayer. In the words of the Cure of Ars

“ I love you oh my God, and my only desire to love you with every breath of my life.
my infinitely lovable God I would rather die loving you, than live without loving you.
I love you, Lord, and the only grace I ask is to love you eternally …. God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love you, I want my heart to repeat it to you as often as I draw breath.”

In an Absolute Sense each of us must confront God, both on His Terms; and in a manner suitable to who we are; what we are, and where we are. What this means is that as a first step, we must do a “self-inventory” on our spiritual status. Where am I now? What areas can I make improvement in? What do I need to do to grow closer to my God? The second step is to “write a plan of action.” Start small; when you have accomplished your goal; then set another one. ONE ATTAINABLE goal at a time. Take it seriously, and WORK at it. It would be a mistake to commit to something you can’t or would not do for a very long time. The key is to BE SUCCESSFUL and accomplish the goals you set for yourself. If you fail; ask God for more help and try again…. Small goals, build success; and success builds spiritual character …. Rom.5: 1-5 “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us“. Putting it in writing tends to cement the obligation..

Not only must we confront our God; but we must also confront ourselves. This self-evaluation MUST be candid, frank and sincere; if we are to benefit from the experience and Grow Closer to our God. SMALL steps will get us there much quicker than jumping around. Expect no improvement, no spiritual growth without prayer and without occasional personal sacrifices. When you hear of Catholics being referred to As “the church;” think about this as “what we ought to be perceived as being, by the way we live our life’s,” … we are to be the “light on the hillside for all to see.”

It is always best to “meet God; where God Is.”…. spend some time in adoration on a set basis. But God is also where “we-are;“ when we are in the state of Grace. A more regular use of the Sacraments would be a GREAT benefit to your Spiritual growth. Regular Confession, daily Mass if possible for you [even once a week], and Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. A disciplined prayer life is also critical. One of my favorite Saints: Saint Peter Julian Eymard has this to share about prayer: “PRAYER is the distinguishing characteristic of the Catholic Religion; it is the sign of the soul’s holiness; indeed it is its holiness. It both makes holy and is the first evidence of holiness. When you see someone living a life of prayer, you may say: “THERE GOES A SAINT”. “

One additional thing we all might be mindful of is: What kind and how much light is my personal living -witness giving to those who know that “I am a Catholic”, and those who might guess that we Love Jesus, by the way we live our life, and our faith?…..Matt.5: 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house…. Matt.6: 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light;

What and where we are currently is of far less important than where we choose to be and are willing to pay the price necessary to attain….. Ps.17: 13 “Arise, O LORD! confront them, overthrow them! Deliver my life from the wicked by thy sword,” [Grace.].

Go back now and reread that quote from 1st. Peter, above in the first paragraph, and take note of the fact that he speaks of a ‘”spiritual” house; not “Thee House / Thee church,” but a likeness of Her. Amen!

Our Catholic Church is Know and distinguished by “Four Marks,” four independent but related charactaristics.

1. She Is “One”, 2. She is “Holy” , 3. She is “Catholic” and 4. She is “Apostolic” What do these charisteristics actually mean?

865 The Church is ultimately one, holy, catholic, and apostolic in her deepest and ultimate identity, because it is in her that “the Kingdom of heaven,” the “Reign of God,” already exists and will be fulfilled at the end of time. The kingdom has come in the person of Christ and grows mysteriously in the hearts of those incorporated into him, until its full eschatological manifestation. Then all those he has redeemed and made “holy and blameless before him in love,” will be gathered together as the one People of God, the “Bride of the Lamb,” “the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God.” For “the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”

1. “One” Nowhere in the entire WORD of God, the Bible can we find a desire by Yahweh or Jesus Christ for belief in more than One God [Triune], One Faith [set of beliefs to be held and followed, and only One organization [Temple in the OT and “Church” in the NT]. … Mt. 16:18-19 “ And I [Jesus] tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, [SINGULAR] and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you [have now given you] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, [ALL access to heaven] and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” [This is the power to make, enforce or void laws and commands, and Teach with Authority.]

2. “HOLY” we speak here of the Church “Herself” as a separate and living entity. The CHURCH CANNOT SIN, although her members can. She is the Bride of Christ, and like Christ is both Perfect* and Holy. “Perfect*” when ever she teaches on matters of Faith beliefs and or Morals. She [the Church is literally incapable of error in these TWO AREAS.] … John 14: 16-17 “ And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, to be with you for ever,
even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him; you know him, for he dwells with you, and will be in you.” … John 17:15-19 “ I [Jesus] do not pray that thou should take them out of the world, but that thou should keep them from the evil one. Sanctify them in the truth; thy word is truth. As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be consecrated in truth.” Later Christ would use these identical words to Initiate the Founding of the CC. Note the transfer f Godly power and authority. Then Note that Christ literally gives HIMSELF as warranty for Her Truths. No other religion, faith or church is actually founded by God [Jesus Christ Himself] except for His Catholic Church. Nor has any other faith or church been promised the Holy Spirit as Guardian and protector of Her Truths. Only the Catholic Church.

3. “Catholic” The Church as we know it today was first termed “The Way.” …. How and why the name: ‘The Way” came into use… Matt.22: 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Hero’di-ans, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true, and teach the way of God truthfully, and care for no man; for you do not regard the position of men. Mark.1: 3 “the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight — ” … John 14: 6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” …. Acts.24: 14 But this I admit to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the law or written in the prophets,”

Next we were called “Christians” Acts.11: 26 “and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians” [around 80 to 90 A.D.], then in 110 AD the term ‘Catholic” was first used by Saint Ignatius of Antioch

The Word means “Universal.” And is necessary because of the mandate Jesus Gave to the Apostles. Matt. 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

4. She is “Apostolic” [from our catholic catechism]

857 “The Church is apostolic because she is founded on the apostles, in three ways:
– she was and remains built on “the foundation of the Apostles,” the witnesses chosen and sent on mission by Christ himself;

– with the help of the Spirit dwelling in her, the Church keeps and hands on the teaching, the “good deposit,” the salutary words she has heard from the apostles;
– she continues to be taught, sanctified, and guided by the apostles until Christ’s return, through their successors in pastoral office: the college of bishops, “assisted by priests, in union with the successor of Peter, the Church’s supreme pastor”:

You are the eternal Shepherd who never leaves his flock untended. Through the apostles you watch over us and protect us always. You made them shepherds of the flock to share in the work of your Son. . . .”

A Baptism discussion by Patrick Miron & a Bloger

[quote]=singpeace; “Children are born with a sin nature; meaning it is in their nature to sin. However, until a child is old enough to understand what sin is and its consequences, he/she is considered blameless and innocent. So while we all are born with a sin nature, little children and babies are considered to have no sin held against them until they are come to the full age of understanding. The age of understanding differs from child to child.”

“The following scriptures indicate that the kingdom of heaven is full of little children.
Luke 18:16
But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.
Matthew 18:3
Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 21:16
They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?” “Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’”
Mark 10:16
Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
Zechariah 8:5
” And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.”
Deuteronomy 1:39
Moreover, your little ones who you said would become a prey, and your sons, who this day have no knowledge of good or evil, shall enter there, and I will give it to them and they shall possess it.[/quote] END QUOTE

My DEAR Friend In Christ,

Have you ever been exposed to [emphasis only, not shouting here] THE ONE INFALLIBL RULE FOR RIGHT UNDERSTANDING OF THE BIBLE?

HERE IT IS:

“NEVER, EVER, CAN. MAY OR DOES ONE
BIBLE VERSE; PASSAGE; OR TEACHING
MAKE VOID, OVERRULE, OR INVALIDATE ANOTHER
BIBLE VERSE PASSAGE, VERSE, OR TEACHING

WHERE THIS EVEN THE SLIGHEST POSSIBILITY [ITS NOT!] SUCH WOULD INVALIDATE, AND RENDER THE ENTIRE BIBLE WORTHLESS TO TEACH, LEARN OR SHARE ONES FAITH.”

Isaiah 55: 6-10

“Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found: call upon him, while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive. For my thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are my ways exalted above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts. And as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, and make it to spring, and give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater”

Because God “does not change”

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, and I change not”

Yahweh Commanded Circumcision: WHY?

Genesis 17: 6-15

“And I will make thee increase, exceedingly, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and between thy seed after thee in their generations, by a perpetual covenant: to be a God to thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give to thee, and to thy seed, the land of thy sojournment, all the land of Chanaan for a perpetual possession, and I will be their God. Again God said to Abraham: And thou therefore shalt keep my covenant, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant which you shall observe, between me and you, and thy seed after thee: All the male kind of you shall be circumcised: [FYI: women were is a sense “grandfathered into this through their fathers] And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, that it may be for a sign of the covenant between me and you. [ALL & Every] An infant of eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations: he that is born in the house, as well as the bought servant shall be circumcised, and whosoever is not of your stock: And my covenant shall be in your flesh for a perpetual covenant. The male, whose flesh of his foreskin shall not be circumcised, that soul shall be destroyed out of his people: because he hath broken my covenant. God said also to Abraham: Sarai thy wife thou shalt not call Sarai, but Sara” [WHY? Because like baptism this was the evidence God required as proof of being numbered the “chosen people.” & and like baptism was essentail for their salvation.]

So clearly; God who “does NOT change“, extends this practice. Christ in a real sense renews the New Covenant in a manner, similar but now expanded and PERFECTED as is the proper Role of the New Testament, through the Sacrament of Christian Baptism, which he personally instituted and COMMANDS FOR ALL, as a critical element of ones personal salvation.

Just as “infants” where COMMANDED to be circumcised; so too infants under the New Covenant too MUST BE; are COMMANDEDTO BE Baptized. SAY’S WHO?

Say’s Jesus Christ in person:

John 3: 3-5
“Jesus answered, and said to him: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. [4] Nicodemus saith to him: How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother’ s womb, and be born again? [5] Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man [meaning every person, both benders, and age does not matter or exclude anyone!] be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he [THEY; No-ONE] cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 28:16-20

“And the eleven disciples [Apostles: SEE And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; [MEANS EVERYONE W/O exclusion] baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.”

Ezekiel 36:25-26″I shall pour clean water over you and you will be cleansed; I shall cleanse you of all your filth and of all your foul idols. I shall give you a new heart, and put a new spirit in you instead…” –

Rom.2: 8,25 “but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury. .. Circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law; but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision”

John 3: 5 & 36 “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” [36] He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.”

Mark.16: 16 “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Acts: 16: 14-15 “And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, one that worshipped God, did hear: whose heart the Lord opened to attend to those things which were said by Paul. And when she was baptized, and her [ENTIRE} household, she besought us, saying: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there.”

1 Corinthians 1:16 “And I baptized also the [ENTIRE] household of Stephanus; besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.”

1 Corinthians 12:13 “For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free; and in one Spirit we have all been made to drink.”

WHY MUST in an absolute sense, Christian baptism be essentially necessary for EVERYONE regardless of age?

Because a man is not simply born; we ALONE ARE CREATED in the very image and likeness of our God. Genesis 1: 26-27

All of humanity has a shared sinful nature by CAUSE and the path of “Original Sin.” It is this sin which effectively is the one unforgivable sin [Denial of God… Mt. 12:32]. And this sin LEADING to man’s natural and born state of having a “fallen nature.”

4Ezra.14 “and put away from you mortal thoughts; cast away from you the burdens of man, and divest yourself now of your weak nature,” Esth.16: 6 “when these men by the false trickery of their evil natures beguile the sincere good will of their sovereigns.

Eph.4: [22] Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, [24] and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness”

A second reason is that in order to get into God’s Presence [the Beatific Vision], one must emulate God’s own perfection. Matthew 5:48 “Be you therefore perfect, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.” And Baptism ALONE and by itself can and DOES remove both the Stain of Original Sin and all of its penalties.

SEE for additional info: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11312a.htm#I

In a real sense this is a God imposed “Imputed Unrighteousness” by virtue of the FACT of being Created as were Adam and Eve by the same God for the same purpose: SEE Isaiah 43 verses 7 &21

God Bless you all,
Patrick

Keys to Christ Kingdom; a Advent thought by Patrick Miron

[The] Key’s {all of them} to Christ Kingdom

 … Is the Bible simply “WORDS” or do it’s “WORDS” contain critical lessons intended for all?  …  Is “proclamation” the same as “knowing & obeying?”

Another “I AM a Catholic Lesson”

By Patrick Miron

By seeking God’s Truths, unaltered by men; we ARE seeking God Himsef

As a youth I was raised on a small farm. One of the things I long ago learned was the importance of preparing the soil if one is to expect the planted seeds to take root and grow.

Having progressed now to being a Catholic Catechist {teacher} for and of  our Catholic Faith, it is prudent to at least try to do the same, in sharing Christ Teachings, to make possible greater, and correct understanding, and this is especially true when dealing with widely disputed passages, such as the one we are sharing today.

Matthew 6:9-10 “Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”

Matthew 26:42 “Again the second time, he went and prayed, saying: My Father, if this chalice may not pass away, but I must drink it, thy will be done.”

The lesson here is that we must fully-obey God, not simply, and not “only” to acknowledge Him, if we are to fulfill what Christ Himself teaches us in His Lesson on “how to pray.”

2^nd. Peter 1: 1-5, 18-21 “Simon Peter, servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained equal faith with us in the justice of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Grace to you and peace be accomplished in the knowledge of God and of Christ Jesus our Lord:  As all things of his divine power which appertain to {spiritual}  life and godliness, are given us, through the knowledge of him who hath called us by his own proper glory and virtue. By whom he hath given us most great and precious promises: that by these you may be made partakers of the divine nature: flying the corruption of that concupiscence which is in the world.  And you, employing all care, minister in your faith, {singular} virtue; and in virtue, knowledge;” … we heard this voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word made surer. You will do well to pay attention to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God”

Rom.10: 17 “So faith {again singular} comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ.”

 Matthew 21: 21-29 “Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but {only} he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock. …. And every one that heareth these my words, and doth them not, shall be like a foolish man that built his house upon the sand, And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell, and great was the fall thereof. And it came to pass when Jesus had fully ended these words, the people were in admiration at his doctrine. For he was teaching them as one having power, and not as the scribes and Pharisees.”

Psalm 134:16-17 “They have a mouth, but they speak not: they have eyes, but they see not.  They have ears, but they hear not: neither is there any breath in their mouths.” … Means that many choose to listen to mortal men and their newly created faiths and churches, rather than the One  Faith and One Church. Actually founded and taught by Christ.

Mark 7: 16 “If any man have ears to hear, let him hear”

Isaiah 55:6-11 “Seek ye the Lord, while {and where} he may be found: call upon him, while he is near.  Let the wicked {ignorant & uniformed} forsake his way, and the unjust man his thoughts, and let him {turn and or} return to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God: for he is bountiful to forgive.  For my thoughts are not your thoughts: nor your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are my ways exalted above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts.  And as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, {this refers to God’s enlightened-guided Teachers and Teachings} and return no more thither, but soak the earth, and water it, {with My “chosen Teachers” } to make it to spring, and give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:{make my salvation possible}  So shall my word be, {take careful note of singular tense WORDS in the Bible; not doing so is a primary cause of wrong understanding}  which shall go forth from my mouth: it shall not return to me void, but it shall do whatsoever I please, and shall prosper in the things for which I sent it” {“and save those that DO hear and DO understand correctly”.}

Matthew 10: 1-3 “And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. And the names of the twelve apostles are these:” The first”, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, [3] James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, Philip and Bartholomew, Thomas and Matthew the publican, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus,  ….. “

John 17:18, 20:21 “As thou hast sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world” … “He {Jesus} said therefore to them {Peter & the Apostles} again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you”

Matthew 16-20 “And the eleven disciples {Apostles} went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.  And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.  Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded {and taught to YOU: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.”

Now that the ground {work} has been done, let’s add a bit of water {keys to right understanding} to what we have done. Here then are a few guidelines, a few “key’s” to aid one in uncovering, and perhaps even discovering God’s Truths which must logically be singular per defined issue:

1. When reading the Bible one always ought to presume that the Authors WORDS are literal, unless it is obvious that this is not the case here. Keeping them in their full-context, rather than culling them, greatly aids this determination.

 Being especially aware of singular tense nouns and adjectives used by the Author, can add clarity and right understanding to the WORDS. Understanding that the words used are carefully chosen to aid the right understanding of what is being shared.

 And always follow the “Infallible Rule” for right understanding of God’s Divinely Inspired WORDS: 2^nd. Tim. 3:16-17 “All scripture, {is} inspired of God, {and} is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.”

 Never ever, can, may or does

One passage, verse or teaching

Have the Power or Authority to

Make Void, invalidate or Override another

Passage, Verse or Teaching …

 … Such, even as a possibility {it’s NOT} would render the entire bible as worthless to teach or learn one’s faith correctly.

[The] Key’s {all of them} to Christ Kingdom …

To discover God’s True teachings is find a sure path to GREAT JOY!

Matthew 16: 13-19 {Key 1}”And Jesus came into the quarters of Caesarea Philippi: and he asked his disciples, saying: Whom do men say that the {Key 2} Son of man is? [But they said: Some John the Baptist, and other some Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. {Key 3} Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am?  {Key 4} Simon Peter answered and said: {Key 5} Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.  And Jesus answering, said to him: {Key 6} Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven. {Key 7} And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; {Key 8} and upon this rock {Key 9} I will build my church, and {Key 10} the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. {Key 11} And I {Key 12}will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And {Key 13} whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it{Key 14}  shall be bound also in heaven: and {Key 15} whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it{ Key 16}  shall be loosed also in heaven.”

Key #1 “Why did Jesus choose this precise time and location of Caesarea Philippi?

Caesarea Philippi was a Port city, a very important and prosperous city by the sea that was “home” to the area’s largest and most- widely used Pagan Temple.

 Christ carefully choose this precise location to make clear and to make evident that the Church with its One Faith He was about to establish are intended to not only override the teachings of all of the world’s the man-made-religions; and not only to destroy and replace them with God’s necessarily singular truths. … “Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life.{ all singular} No man cometh to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would without doubt have known my Father also: and from henceforth you shall know him, and you have seen him” John 14:6-7

 Key #2 Jesus address the group by referring to himself as the “Son of man” WHY?

 Christ cleverly** calls himself the “son of man”; that is to say, “that he is Fully human”, just when he is about to make evident that he is ALSO the “Son of God.”  … BOTH true man and True God.

 ** “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30

Key #3 Jesus ask a critically important question: “But whom do you say that I am?  WHY?

 Jesus wants {even needs to} make clear and evident that he IS both a man and at the same time GOD. His reply in Jewish Law is a Blasphemy…. And could therefore be grounds for His being “justly killed.”  Yet knowing this, he does not hesitate to ask:

Matthew 12:50 “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father, that is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother”

Key #4 “Simon Peter” presumes the right to speak on behalf of his fellow “Apostles” {a term meant to “be sent out,”} John 21 {the last chapter of John} 13-17 “And Jesus cometh and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish in like manner. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead. When therefore they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter: Simon son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He {Peter} saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs. He saith to him again: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith to him: Yea, Lord, thou knowest that I love thee. He saith to him: Feed my lambs.  He said to him the third time: Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved, because he had said to him the third time: Lovest thou me? And he said to him: Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. He said to him: Feed my sheep.”   …   Mark 6:34 “And Jesus going out saw a great multitude: and he had compassion on them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things”

Key #5 “Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God” This proclamation is both extremely profound, and to be the heart of the Mission Christ will Mandate and give to the Apostles through Peters leadership. A mere-mortal man has now acknowledged that Christ is GOD!  Mark 16: 14-15 “At length he {Jesus} appeared to the eleven {the remaining Apostles after Judas had hung himself} as they were at table: and he upbraided them with their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe them who had seen him after he was risen again.  And he said to them: Go ye {singular]   into the whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature”

Key #6 “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven” … That this very clear and precise fact is overlooked is itself very interesting. Here Christ who too is God {self-proclaimed here again} decrees that Peter alone has just been granted Divine and Direct enlightenment. This adds to the later teachings of God/s Church ALWAYS being guided and guarded by Divine intervention. Matthew 28:16-20 & John 17: 11-26

Key # 7 “And I say to thee {singular} That thou art Peter” … Here it is, here is the critical- issue so hotly debated, and from other faiths perspective, essential for them to be able to refute or at least explain and nullify it’s Catholic teaching in a manner that justifies their own competing faith-belief systems existence.

The most often man-made-faith explanation tries to justify themselves by claiming that “in Greek”, the bible used word for “Peter” means “pebbles” NOT “Rock” as is clearly expressed.

First of all Christ {whom they quote here} would have been speaking in Aramaic; the common language of the Jews of that time and place. And in Aramaic the term “Peter” has only one translation: ROCK.

Secondly: Peter in Greek is a gender sensitive noun that “in the male gender” means ROCK, and in the female gender it means “pebbles.” … Some Enlightened Protestant Exegetist {bible experts} now affirm this and have moved on to other more winnable {in their view} points.

Strong’s Lexicon of terms: {a non-Catholic source}

Peter in Hebrew:

Result of search for “Peter”:

6363 peter peh’-ter or pitrah {pit-raw’}; from # 6362; a fissure, i.e. (concretely) firstling (as opening the matrix):–firstling, openeth, such as open.

Peter in Greek

Result of search for “Peter”:

2786. Kephas kay-fas’ of Chaldee origin (compare 3710); the Rock; Cephas (i.e. Kepha), a surname of Peter:–“Cephas”. … Reference: Jn. 1:42; 1^st Cor. 15:5; & Gal. 2:11 to name a few uses of this “surname.”
2787. Petros pet’-ros apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than 3037); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:–Peter, rock. Compare 2786

Key # 8 “and upon this rock”  The term “ROCK” used here is carefully chosen by Christ and becomes important not only in this passage; but others as well. Which is WHY non-Catholics strive to diligently to come up with a new and more to their liking definition of the term.

Matthew 7:24 “Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock”

Luke 6:47 “Every one that cometh to me, and heareth my words, and doth them, I will shew you to whom he is like. [48] He is like to a man building a house, who digged deep, and laid the foundation upon a rock. And when a flood came, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and it could not shake it; for it was founded on a rock.”

Romans 9:33 “As it is written: Behold I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and a rock of scandal; and whosoever believeth in him shall not be confounded.”

1^st. Peter 2: 8 “And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto also they are set. “

Ephesians 2:28-29 {“The Church”} “Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone: In whom all the building, being framed together, groweth up into an holy temple in the Lord” {singular}

2^nd. Timothy 2:19 “But the sure foundation of God standeth firm, having this seal: the Lord knoweth who are his; and let everyone depart from iniquity who nameth the name of the Lord. “

Key # 9 “I will build my church” Both “My” and “Church” are carefully chosen by Christ, and both are specifically singular in their use and meaning. BOTH means “One and only One.”

Also the term “church” itself is significant: Pagans were to have their TEMPLES, Jews their Synagogues, but “the Way” {verified term in Acts 24:14}, later called “Christians,” {Acts 11:26 around 80 AD} and still later called “Catholics”***{around 100 AD} are to have: One God; with One common set of Faith beliefs and Churches, thus signifying a near total break from Jewish Law and Traditional-faith-beliefs: {Yet retaining much that was still relevant to the New Covenant:****}.  … The New Covenant super-ceded but did not void the Older Covenants. Ephesians 4: 1-7 “I {Paul} therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation {again singular}in which you are called, With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.  Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. {Only} One body {“Church”} and one Spirit; {Faith} as you are called in one hope of your calling.  One Lord, one faith, {Only One set of religious beliefs} one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all. But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.” … Thus some are able to understand, and others not so much…. ALL is dependent upon God’s grace being Offered, accepted or rejected and having humility in all faith matters.

*** Catholics: First used by St. Ignatius of Antioch (A.D. 35-107) (Letter to the Smyrneans, 8, 2),  … http://www.catholic.com/tracts/what-catholic-means

 **** “New Covenant”: 2^nd. Cor.3:6; Heb.8:8, 13; Heb.9:15

 Key #10 “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Here we are taught several important truths:

 “It” of course refers to the {singular} truth that Christ is establishing a new form of Religious practice, a “church” that is the singular “way” ”truth” “and spiritual-life.” In other words [mysteriously, the sole Portal to heavens access].

 I wish to be clear here and express that I and the Catholic Church are NOT saying that “everyone” MUST be a Catholic in order to get to heaven. …However because of the Sacraments; the likelihood for Informed and fully practicing Catholics, to attain their salvation is FAR greater because of Sacramental-Grace extended to us, and being associated with the only Church founded and desired by Christ’s; BUT that does not mean that one in an absolute sense MUST be a member of the Catholic Church. Christ and the Church hold out the POSSIBILITY that those who “through no fault of their own” do not know of the Church or the need to be associated with Her; might also in a mysterious manner, merit Christ salvation.   … If you desire verification of this position please see the Catechism of the Catholic Church; numbers: 819; 754; 846; & 847 http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

 This church’s members will be attacked by Satan; BUT never, ever totally-defeated by Satan.  “The gates of hell shall never prevail against Her!”

 Mt. 28:20; John 17: 16-22. Like Christ Himself who is Perfect and Holy; so too His Church is, and has to be, and CAN ONLY BE Perfect and Holy.  The Church Herself is impervious to sin; and simply cannot sin. Yet Her members, Ordained, Avowed, and laity can and sadly do. But She is protected Infallibly when the Pope teaches from “the Chair of Peter”; to the entire world, on matters of Faith beliefs and Morals only, She alone can  unerringly , teach the singular truths of Christ One Faith.

 Key # 11 “And I” Jesus Christ; True God and true man

Key # 12 “will give to thee {Peter} the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” Highly notable are the following facts:

Clearly and indisputably Jesus Christ gave, entrusted and empowers Peter DIRECTLY and exclusively with all of the Key’s to heaven’s gate. ***** {RE: Succession}

Mt. 10: 1-2 “And having called his twelve disciples together, he gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of diseases, and all manner of infirmities. And the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother,  …….”

…. 10: 5-6 “These twelve Jesus sent: commanding them, saying: Go ye not into     the way of the Gentiles, and into the city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go ye rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

Mt. 28:16-18 “And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them…  And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth

Mt. 28:19-20 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.”

John 17:18 “As thou hast sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world”

John 20:21 “He said therefore to them again: Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent me, I also send you”

***** Key, critical translation and explanation of the Catholic Doctrine of Succession

In Matthew 10; 1-2 we see that Christ HAS actually given the Apostles {by name; Peter First} some of His Godly Powers to heal, cast out Satan and even raise the dead to life. Then in verses 5-6 we are somewhat shocked to discover that with specificity; Christ COMMANDS them to go Cf. “Only to the Jews.” … This is changed significantly in the final passages of Matthew chapter 28:19 {also Mark 16:14-15} Christ NOW expands His Mandate to the Apostles and through them; to His Catholic Church to now include the ENTIRE WORLD; thus creating and requiring Succession of Powers and Authority.  So it is Christ who initiate’s Catholic Doctrine of papal –succession, which was and is absolutely necessary to complete the New Mission He gave exclusively to them and His Catholic Church.

In Matthew 10: 1-3; John 17:18; John 20;21 and again in Matthew 28:19 we see very clearly that Christ intends to pass along to the Apostles and through them todays Catholic Church some of His Godly Powers and Authority. “Cf. As You {Father} have sent Me {Jesus}; I in turn send THEM {singular to the Catholic Church}

Why did Christ choose this analogous terminology of “Key’s” to the “GATE” {singular again}

Matthew 7:13-15 “Enter ye in at the narrow gate: {again singular} for wide is the gate, {singular} and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in danger. How narrow is the gate, {singular} and strait is the way {again notably singular} that leadeth to{spiritual} life:{again singular} and few there are that find it!  Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”

Christ choose this analogy {Keys; Gate and Kingdom} because of its relevance and significance to those present when He was teaching them this truth. Walled in cites at that time were, as was Jerusalem actually walled in and DID have gates {front back and sides} that were locked at night and reopened during the day. These cites generally did have a KING; thus a ”kingdom”; who appointed One Man to whom he entrusted the Keys to that city and at the same time empowered him to with unlimited authority, answerable to the KING Alone Govern that kingdom on behalf of the King. … So everyone there KNEW clearly and absolutely what Christ was saying and doing, in empowering Peter with the Key’s to His Heavenly Kingdom.  

http://www.touropia.com/walled-cities-in-the-world/

Key #13 & 15 “whatsoever thou shalt bind” & “whatsoever thou shalt loose”.” Once again we note the singular tense of the authors.

Given the above analogy of a walled in kingdom, with gates and key’s and the appointment of a “visar”; one man who is granted also all of the needed {unlimited} powers of governance of that kingdom-city, in order to be able to fulfill the Mission given exclusively to him, and who answers only and directly to that king alone.

The terms “to bind” and or “to loose” is exactly this same scenario; wherein Christ “the King”, appoints Peter, His “visar”, and empowers Him to govern that Kingdom, answerable only and directly to Christ the King. Giving, and Granting unto Him alone all that is essential to merit one’s salvation. Any and all other form that portend to be “sufficient” to merit one’s salvation are sadly, and completely false and except in the rare circumstances I referenced about the Catholic Catechism of the Catholic Church, articulated earlier; are {most often these days unknowingly}, the “wolf in sheep’s clothing” that all of us are warned about.

Key # 14 & 16 “shall be bound also in heaven” & “shall be loosed also in heaven

   Sorry about being so repetitive on the singular-tense, but that IS the critical key to the entire teaching. One and Only One God; who can logically, theologically and morally have only One set of Faith beliefs {Mt. 28:18-19} “Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.” And founded exactly what He desired; ONLY One Church.

Ephesians   1-7 “I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called, with all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity. Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your calling. One Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.  But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.

John 17: 11-26 “And now I am not in the world, and these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy name whom thou has given me; that they may be one, as we also are. While I was with them, I kept them in thy name. Those whom thou gavest me have I kept; and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition, that the scripture may be fulfilled. And now I come to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy filled in themselves. I have given them thy word, and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world; as I also am not of the world.  I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from evil. .. Sanctify them in truth. Thy word is truth. [18] As thou hast sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world.  And for them do I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in me; That they all may be one, as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee; that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou hast given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, as we also are one: I in them, and thou in me; that they may be made perfect in one: and the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast also loved me.  Father, I will that where I am, they also whom thou hast given me may be with me; that they may see my glory which thou hast given me, because thou hast loved me before the creation of the world.  And I have made known thy name to them, and will make it known; that the love wherewith thou hast loved me, may be in theof His {once again singular}m, and I in them.”

My dear friends in Christ, there is great joy in discovering for oneself, Christ truths and the desires of His Heart, so grievously wounded by our sins. We Catholics don’t simply “make this stuff up” as is sometimes charged. The time of Christ Visitation was about 2,000 years ago; and today’s Catholic Church has its roots and foundation from that very time and place. And She alone was chosen by Christ, Founded, guided, guarded and protected by Him, and therefore ABLE to alone teach the totality and Completeness {once again singular} Faith beliefs.

Indisputably there is only:

One True God

Who can and does have just One True and complete set of Faith belief

& who Founded, exactly what HE desired; just one Church.

And it is a logical and moral impossibility that Christ lived, died and rose form the dead 2,000 years ago; and while on earth founded His One Church with just One set of Faith beliefs; BUT then somehow out everything on hold for about 1,500 YEARS for the Protestant Reformation {revolution.} until Haus, Wycliffe, Calvin, Luther, Smith or whoever founded your church, to make an appearance, and discover anew what Christ actually wanted. That is presumptuous in the extreme. Jesus promised that the Gates of hell would NEVER prevail over His Church.

Matthew 7: 14– “How narrow is the gate, and strait is the way that leadeth to life: and few there are that find it! [15] Beware of false prophets, who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. [16] By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? [17]Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, and the evil tree bringeth forth evil fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can an evil tree bring forth good fruit. [19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down, and shall be cast into the fire. [20]Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.

[21] Not every one that saith to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doth the will of my Father who is in heaven, he shall enter into the kingdom of heaven. [22]Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have not we prophesied in thy name, and cast out devils in thy name, and done many miracles in thy name? [23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. [24] Every one therefore that heareth these my words, and doth them, shall be likened to a wise man that built his house upon a rock,[25] And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and they beat upon that house, and it fell not, for it was founded on a rock.” {That is on Peter}. Amen.”

Can Catholics and non-Catholics actually discuss faith matters Objectively?

Yet another “I AM a Catholic” Teaching document

by Patrick Miron

Friends is it even possible for Catholics and non Catholics to have a charitable and Objective faith discussion?

Choose of of these or introduce your own. But support your position with facts please.

From your post: [This is an on-going discussion with a well informed Protestant Blogger who is explaining there position vrs our Catholic Understanding, on the “Five Sola’s”

“How, then, does the Messiah, the God-Man, tell us that we are saved?

“Jesus said to Him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (Jn. 14:6)”

The disagreement between Protestants and Catholics/Orthodox arise in the realm of sacraments, meritorious works and the role of Mary and the saints (who, to my understanding, form a sort of repository or treasury of faith and works the Christian today can access and benefit from). Let us consider each separately.

The word “sacrament” is defined as a sacred act or ceremony. Most Protestant denominations engage in only two sacraments, Baptism and Communion/Eucharist, neither of which are understood to confer grace in and of themselves. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, by contrast, defines the sacraments as: [ONLY Baptism is valid and what about Marriage?’

“efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. The visible rites by which the sacraments are celebrated signify and make present the graces proper to each sacrament. They bear fruit in those who receive them with the required dispositions.” (1131)

In other words, to a Protestant, grace already exists in the life of the Christian by virtue of His belief and the sacraments are the outward signs or rites of that inward reality. The Catholic Church teaches that the sacraments (of which there are seven – Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and Matrimony) are avenues (instituted” by Christ) through which grace is deposited into the Christian. We may think of Protestants as having an abstract idea of grace while Catholics have a material one, as in comparing a painting of a table to the actual table itself.

MY RESPONSE [QUITE-a bit late due to my recent travels and limited computer access along my route”] … I am fascinated  by this series and in particular your understanding of the Sacraments and how, if I am understanding you, they have little if any “real” effect on humanities POSSIBLE salvation. I think “Granted” would be a more clear term of what takes place than is the term, “deposited”.

In order not to belabor the “Catholic Position” on the Soli’s or to defuse or lessen the impact of your teachings, as well as addressing my current temporary time demands, I’ll sort of lump all of your post up to this point in this one personal reply and explanation.

I’ll attempt to do so by using the example of the Sacraments correctly understood, biblically grounded and God approved and rightly explained., and at the same time by asking and tying in a single; but critical to ones’ own salvation, perplexing question.

The Question that must be asked and answered is:

Can anyone actually be a “follower of Christ” without: Actually knowing [and and therefore Morally obligating themselves to fully accepting] what Christ Himself, as a Perfect and unerring God has taught, instituted and Ordained? NO! They cannot. The fact that so many attempt to do so is a Grave Error that ONLY God can, and certainly will Judge the merits of.

Allow me my friend to further address this  question before responding to the issue of the Seven Catholic Sacraments, as these issues are tightly intertwined and have great relevancy to this question both as a legitimate question and its “right response.”

Here is a site you may wish to check out. It is the comments of a Protestant on the topic of OSAS; which seems to underscore much Protestant thinking?

www.straitwaytruth.com

My favorite “Faith Book” next to the bible is one authored by the late Archbishop of New York; Fulton J. Sheen whose cause is being studied for possible declaration of Sainthood. It’s entitled “Life of Christ”, and I try to read it annually.

Here from my “today’s meditation” is a very timely quote: “When Herod saw how the astrologers had tricked him he fell into a passion [fury], and gave orders for the massacre of all male- children in Bethlehem and its neighborhood, of the age of two or less, corresponding with the time he had ascertained from the astrologers. [Mt. 2:16]

“Herod will forever be the model of those who make inquiries about religion, but who never act rightly on the knowledge they receive. Like train announcers they know all the stations, but never travel. Head knowledge is worthless, unless accompanied by submission of the will and right action.” END. …Surely your aware of Devine Providence in action?

In a previous response I provided biblical evidence that God; both Yahweh – God and Christ always, with unfailing consistency demanded that we must hold as a singular truth a belief in only One God [that we now know is Triune], always and everywhere and only that One God’s Own Teaching, Commands and ordinances; and that for reasons only God Himself fully understands, only one “church” a term Jesus himself instituted in FORMING His One Catholic Church. [Beyond the logic of “only one” bearing the weight of common logic as the only place to find God’s singular teaching-truths having weight of merit.] … In the Old Testament Times in was the Hebrew nation /”The Jews”; and in New testament / Under a New Covenant in the Blood of Christ Himself it rest with the Only Church, taught, founded, and protected by both the Holy Spirit and Jesus Himself. [Mt. 10: 1-7; and again in Mt 28: 16-20 as well as John 14:16-17; John 17:15-19 and John 20:19-23] It is a FACT that the NT alone has more than 100 references to “only One Church.”

Gen.26: 5 “because Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” ….

Exod.19: 5 “Now therefore, if you will obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my own possession among all peoples; for all the earth is mine”

Deut.4: 30 “When you are in tribulation, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, you will return to the LORD your God and obey his voice, Deut.8: 20 “Like the nations that the LORD makes to perish before you, so shall you perish, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God“ Deut.11: 13 “And if you will obey my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, 27 the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day, 28 and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods which you have not known“.

Deut.13: 4 “You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him, and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and cleave to him. 18 if you obey the voice of the LORD your God, keeping all his commandments which I command you this day, and doing what is right in the sight of the LORD your God. Deut.15: 5 if only you will obey the voice of the LORD your God, being careful to do all this commandment which I command you this day. Deut.17: 12 “The man who acts presumptuously, by not obeying the priest who stands to minister there before the LORD your God, or the judge, that man shall die; so you shall purge the evil from Israel.”

 GOD IS “JUST” AND “UNCHANGING“

 John.3: 36 “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.

 Acts.5: 29 “But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. 32 “And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.”

 Rom.2: 8 “but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury“.

 2Thes.1: 8 “inflicting vengeance upon those who do not know God and upon those who do not [FULLY] obey the gospel [SINGULAR] of our Lord Jesus”

 Heb.5: 9 “and being made perfect he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him”

Heb.13: 17 “Obey your leaders and submit to them; for they are keeping watch over your souls, as men who will have to give account. Let them do this joyfully, and not sadly, for that would be of no advantage to you

1Pet.4: 17 “For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

1John.5: 2 “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.

Deut.32: 4 “The Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and right is he”

 Ps.110: 4 “The LORD has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchiz’edek.”

Mal.3: 6 “For I the LORD do not change…

Heb.7: 12 “For when there is a change in the priesthood, there is necessarily a change in the law as well. 21 Those who formerly became priests took their office without an oath, but this one was addressed with an oath, “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, `Thou art a priest for ever.'”

The overriding issue and “TEST” then becomes total and complete obedience to the Mind, Heart, Will and Demands [mandates, teachings and commands] of our “Just and Unchanging” God, if one is to merit salvation which can only happen in accord to what God / Christ Himself Ordained, instituted, guides, protects teaches and demands. Something which I think we have agreement?

The term “Protestant” stems from the words “to PROTEST!.” Protest what? Why the Bible itself; the only set of Faith beliefs taught, acceptable and protected by God Himself, and there-by and therefore; God Himself. …Either thee Bible IS Inspired and unfailing in its truths; or it is completely worthless to learn, teach or share God necessary Faith.

 The Basic premise of the many Protestant Faiths rest on the following [seemingly indisputable facts]. 1. God either was wrong in His teachings 2. God did not keep His promises of infallibility [Mt. 16:15-19 and John 20:19-23]on ALL matters Necessary for Faith beliefs acceptable to God as well as ALL Moral issues granted to Peter; the Apostles [Mt. 18:18] and through them to the CC [Mt. 28: 1-16-20] 3. The “church” must have for more than 1,500 YEARS taught incorrectly, or at least incompletely 4. That somewhere hidden in the bible is Gods authorization and approval of personal interpretations with the consequent development of ones own Faith beliefs being completely OK with God. ALL of which presume to either demand a position of  “I“ “know More” or at least “know better” than Christ only Founded Church and Christ Himself [noting that Protestants frequently put “words into the mouth of Christ” in order to alter and in there views “correctly clarify” NOT Christ words; but what Christ actually meant when He said them.] Which would seem to deny that God really is and “must absolutely be“, “Perfect” and unable to lie or deceive? Or that God ordained from the beginning only One set of Faith beliefs as being acceptable to Him. PLEASE feel free to point out what I’m missing here.

Deut.4: 2 “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it; that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.} … Prov.30: 6 “Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” … Rev.22: 18” I warn every one who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if any one adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,”  Wis.12: 10 “But judging them little by little thou gavest

them a chance to repent, though thou wast not unaware that their origin was evil and their wickedness inborn, [BY CHOICE] and that their way of thinking would never change”  Ps.15: 4

“In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change“ .. Hos.4: 7 “The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame”

 Mark 9:7 “And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”

 “Proverbs 30:5-6  Every word of God is tested; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Add nothing to his words, lest he reprimand you, and you be proved a liar.

 1 Samuel 15:22-23 “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

As in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king.”

 Mark 8:34-38 “And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Now lets discuss the Seven Sacraments. First lets show a BIBLICAL foundation for each of them.

Each of the seven  Sacraments were instituted by Christ. Four explicitly and three, implicitly. So LET’S REVIEW THE BIBLICAL FACTS.

Baptism; explicitly: John 3:5 “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Confirmation: explicitly: John 20:19-22 “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” hen he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

Confession / Reconciliation / Penance: explicitly John 20:19- 23 “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

3. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

 Eucharist: The Real Presence: explicitly

 Matthew 26: 26-28

And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body. And taking the chalice, he gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto remission of sins.

MARK 14: 22-24

And whilst they were eating, Jesus took bread; and blessing, broke, and gave to them, and said: Take ye. This is my body. And having taken the chalice, giving thanks, he gave it to them. And they all drank of it.  And he said to them: This is my blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many

Luke 22: 19-21

And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me. In like manner the chalice also, after he had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in my blood, which shall be shed for you.

Paul 1 Cor.11: 23-29

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread.  And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me.  For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord, until he come. Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: [to be worthy of the privilege]  and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks judgment to himself

John from Chapter 6: 47-57

Amen, amen I say unto you: He that believeth in me, hath everlasting life. I am the bread of life.  I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world. The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, abides in me, and I in him.

Marriage: implicitly John 2: 1-9 “On the third day there was a marriage at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there; Jesus also was invited to the marriage, with his disciples. When the wine failed, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” And Jesus said to her, “O woman, what have you to do with me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Now six stone jars were standing there, for the Jewish rites of purification, each holding twenty or thirty gallons. Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the steward of the feast.” So they took it. When the steward of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and did not know where it came from (though the servants who had drawn the water knew), the steward of the feast called the bridegroom … This was the first miracle that Jesus did and one of the few not somehow related to essential elements of our personal salvation. Theologians have attributed the raising of Marriage to a sacramental level as one of the goals and effects of this act.

 This is further augmented by Mark 10: 1-9 “ And he left there and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan, and crowds gathered to him again; and again, as his custom was, he taught them. And Pharisees came up and in order to test him asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to put her away.”

But Jesus said to them, “For your hardness of heart he wrote you this commandment.
But from the beginning of creation, `God made them male and female.’ `For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder.”

 Holy Orders/The catholic priesthood implicitly

The evidence begins when Jesus gives the Keys to the kingdom of heaven to Peter in Mt. 16:15-19 and is extended to the others in Mt. 18:18. The precise instant though is in John 20:21-22 “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Here Jesus transfers His actual Powers and Authority as God to His new CC. And Formally Ordains the catholic Priesthood.

 Matt. 10: 1-6 “ And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zeb’edee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;

Simon the Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out, charging them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans,
[6] but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matt. 10: 16 ““Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.  Matt.10: 40 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.” Matt. 28: 16-20 “Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him.. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

The “Last Rites” the final anointing implicit Matt. 10:1”And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity”

 James 5: 13-15 Is any one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

Isa.45: 9 “Woe to him who strives with his Maker, an earthen vessel with the potter!

Does the clay say to him who fashions it, `What are you making’? or `Your work has no handles’?”

 Isa.29: 16 ” You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay; that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?

Isa.64: 8 “Yet, O LORD, thou art our Father; we are the clay, and thou art our potter; we are all the work of thy hand.”

This my friend is WHY the CC holds to Seven Sacraments; each “Instituted” by Christ Himself. Either explicitly as are Baptism, Reconciliation /Confession of sin, The Most Holy Eucharist and Conformation, and implicitly with the authority handed on to the Church by Christ; founded on Sacred Tradition and the bible in “implicit manner.” …

Marriage, Holy Orders and the Last Rites,  Mt. 16:15-19; Mt. 28: 16-20 Mt. 10: 1-8 and the Transfer of God’s OWN POWERS and authority to the Apostles in Both John 17:15-19 and again in John 20:19-23.

 Now to the Sacraments; Grace and it’s necessity in mans salvation.

 Grace is a “free gift from God” granted in the type, amount to whom HE CHOOSES. [I’ll explain Mary’s Role later]. This Catholics Understand as a Dogma of our Faith [which means that it simply cannot be in error or God is a liar]. While most forms of Grace are initiated By God’s Will ALONE; God ordains, permits, desires and Wills that “sacramental grace” be made “always conditionally-available to His humanity” and that man not only cooperates in this form of grace; but actually causes its application reality by: 1. Proper administration of His priest and 2. the willing desires of the  recipient  who MUST conform to ALL of the conditions prescribed by the Church for proper and full access to these Graces. It is a infusion of Grace by and from God caused [enacted] by human will and compliance to Church commands.

 One of the conditions Christ demands for our personal salvation is total and complete obedience to ALL that He makes possible and Commands. Because We emulate God [Gen. 1:26-27] by being the ONLY Created things to have similar to God, a mind, intellect, FREEWILL [each a “spiritual entity” similar to God Himself],  all permanently attached to our infinite souls; and because of the effects on our souls and freewill imputed by “Original Sin” we have a “Natural Tendency” to sin. Grace, in all of its forms is God’s way through His Love for us, to be enabled IF we cooperate and to the degree that we freely choose to cooperate with God to in a sense, block or alter these sinful inclinations, and thus enable us to remain open to God’s desire and ability to provide us with the graces necessary for our salvation. It is incomprehensible that God DOES allow, even encourage man to access further graces, through the SACRAMENTS including the GREATEST grace available to humanity; [In merit, quantity and Spiritual value], the Most holy Eucharist; the very gift from God the Father; of God the Son By God the Holy Spirit… God Himself. This is precisely why Christ WORDS in John 6: 51-55 have such urgency, Power and Authority and everlasting relevance.

[51] “I am the living bread which came down from heaven. [52] If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world. [53] The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? [54] Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. [55] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day. [56] For my flesh is meat indeed: and my blood is drink indeed. [57] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him ” [DR Bible]. … And this IS exactly what takes place in Catholic Holy Communion.

 That God allows mere mortals to be able to have such a HUGE effect on there own salvation which can only be understood by recognizing how and WHY made as He did; and then grasp dimly how much God Loves us and desires that we attain our salvation by our actions and choices. This is also HIGHLY indicative that Salvation is as the CC teaches and proclaims; A PROCESS; not any single act.

While God can [COULD IF HE CHOOSE TO DO SO] cause salvation; to do so would contradict both His Devine Will and humanities “freewill.” Thus this is an impossibility, a complete Moral and Theological impossibility. God limits Himself to Permit us to Freely choose by total and complete Obedience to His Will and teachings and does NOT coheres or command/demand anyone’s salvation. It is we, us who decide by our actions on either heaven or hell and God confirms OUR OWN choices.

 Have you ever pondered why we Catholics insist on “leaving Christ Corpus on His Cross” and Protestants have removed it? The Theological implications are profound. This act leads naturally to a GREAT vacuum of misunderstanding “where Protestants devise there own suitable salvation needs and Catholics stick to what the bible says, and implies and Sacred Tradition in forming our conditional salvation understanding.”

Protestants seem to confuse what God COULD DO and WHAT GOD ACTUALLY CHOOSE TO DO.  Our “Omnipotent God” who is CAPABLE of doing any good thing speaks ONLY to Gods ability; NOT to His Divine and Perfect Will which HAS TOO factor in His necessary Devine Justice. The fatal error is mixing what God can do and what God in Devine Justice Wills and has Chosen to do. It really is a “facts versus fiction” comparison.

Discussing this topic is “a bit dicey” for Catholics because we accept BOTH “the Crucifix” and “The Cross” as completely valid and legitimate signs and evidence of Christ Love for His Created humanity. And “The Church” has no official teaching on this issue that I am aware of, but does command that every Catholic Church have a predominate crucifix visible to all, and further [sadly not adhered too everywhere] every “main altar is to have a “crucifix” visible to the presiding priest during celebration of the Mass.

For me PERSONALLY the choice of Catholics for the Crucifix and Protestants for a cross is a clear testimony our theologically differing positions relating to our salvation. WHY and HOW this is thus require investigation and discussion.

While different Protestant Faiths hold differing views [of what can only be a single truth]; the “common ground” seems to be that Christ somehow does all that is necessary for one’s salvation so long as “we believe”, are Baptized and in a “personal relationship” [undefined] with Christ. Everything is somehow magically taken care of for us. Christ has “done everything necessary.” “All” we have to do is accept the benefits is the common Protestant understanding.

This position would be far more difficult to hold [IMO] were there a more clear understanding of Christ still suffering. The truth and the facts are that CHRIST does continue to suffer from our sins, neglect, denial, rejection at many levels, everyday. And THAT is a primary reason we keep Christ on the Cross. Knowing full well “that Christ [human nature] can and did die only once.” But ever mindful that Christ was in addition to effecting humanities “Redemption” through the Cross [and thus Once Again making heaven a POSSIBILITY…but not effecting anyone’s salvation by or through this Supreme Act alone, ones Salvation ] Jesus is demonstrating for us that Salvation “Comes at a VERY HIGH PRICE.” If Christ “had to die” then we too would in a sense “HAVE TO die with Him.” BECAUSE Christ paid a great price so to MUST WE pay a “great price.” Thus Salvation is a Process NOT the result of any single act on our part.

The idea that Christ / God would do ALL “of the heavy work” and demand ONLY acknowledging Him as “our God and Savior” in return “to be saved” is shallow thinking, not biblically grounded, and at best recent [a few hundred years] of theological wishful thinking.

Rom.6: 2-10 “How can we who died to sin still live in it? For he who has died is [means must and ought to be] freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him. For we know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died he died to sin, once for all, [conditionally]  but the life he lives he lives to God.”

Take Up your Cross and Follow Me

 Phil.2: 8 “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross Luke.9 :23 And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Mark.8: 34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke.9: 23 And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke.14: 7 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Matt.5: 19 “Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. “ Matt.19: 17 “… If you would enter life, keep [all of] the commandments.“

Matt. 20: 22-23 “ But Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” [WHAT CUP?…  Mark.14: 36 “And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt.” …] They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”

Because God choose through Devine Providence this “same cup” for ALL of His Apostles [Martyrs all except John whom they attempted to boil alive but failed in killing him] we ought to be able to see that God EXPECTS a lot more from us than “only” acknowledging Him as Our God. Phil.2: 12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” Heb.6: 10 “For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.” Rev.2: 23 “and I will strike her children dead. And all the churches shall know that I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you as your works deserve.” 1 Peter 1: 17 “Now if you invoke as Father him who judges impartially according to each one’s works, conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning, “

 Lev.19:22 “And the priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the guilt offering before the LORD for his sin which he has committed; and the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.” but is what is held as still being valid by most Protestants: …THIS IS THE OLD AND NOW DELETED COVENANT 2Cor.3: 6, 14 “who has made us [the Apostles and through them the CC] competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not in a written code but in the Spirit; for the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life.  …But their minds were hardened; for to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away… Heb. 8:7 “For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second.”

Heb.8: 8, 13 ” For he finds fault with them when he says: “The days will come, says the Lord,
when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah; In speaking of a new covenant he treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.”

1Pet.4: 13 ” But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed… 1Pet.5: 1, 9  “So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in the glory that is to be revealed. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experience of suffering is required of your brotherhood throughout the world.” .. Phil.1: 29 “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, “ ..

2Thes.1: 5 “This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be made worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering “

New King James Version (NKJV)

1 John 5:16-17 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, [also] there is sin not leading to death.

 John 20:21-23 “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” . And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. . If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”  [How do you reconcile this with Sola Scriptura?]

 Heb.5 Verses 1 to 6  “For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.”   John.15: 16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

 Now to address briefly a few of your other issues. If my memory serves I addressed Mary and the Saints in a previous response. If you’d like more information please let me know.

Mary is ONLY by God’s benevolence “the dispenser” of ALL graces. God alone determines who, what type, when, and how much grace is to be offered. Once offered and accepted THEN Mary distributes God’s grace.

Grace takes many forms as it is in accord to God’s Plan essential for our salvation. With the exception of “Sacramental Grace” God ALONE determines who is offered grace, in what form, in what amounts, and on what basis and time-frame. BUT Grace always acts IN US THROUGH GOD to lead us to Him. Grace does NOT “pre-exist” in anyone. What is your biblical foundation for this position?

Rom.5:1-2 “Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.” Eph.2: 8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not your own doing, it is the gift of God”

 Please check out these sites for the catholic position on Salvations needs

http://carm.org/catholic-salvation-attain

http://www.catholic.com/tracts/assurance-of-salvation

May Our God continue to Bless and guide you , love and prayers, Pat

Reposted from ‘a safe harbor” THANKS

New post on A Safe Harbor is Jesus

Delays by God do not always mean Denials! by Jesus is a safe harbor If you’re discouraged because of God’s delay in answering your prayers, understand the delay is not a denial. Just because the answer or the miracle hasn’t come yet doesn’t mean God isn’t going to answer or that he’s forgotten you or that he doesn’t care about you. It could simply means “not yet”! Have a wonderful day in His presence as you wait patiently for your answers. “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, ‘In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.’” Hebrews 10:36-37 God does it so you can see how patient you are — so you’ll know what’s inside you, and you’ll be able to know your level of commitment. God tests you so that you can know He is faithful, even if the answers you seek are delayed. You may be going through difficult times right now. You may be discouraged because the situation you face seems unmanageable, unreasonable, or unfair. It may seem unbearable, and inside you’re basically saying, “God, I can’t take it anymore. I just can’t take it anymore!” But you can. You can stay with it longer because God is with you. He’ll enable you to press on. Remember, you are never a failure until you quit. Resist discouragement, and finish the race God has set before you. If you’re discouraged, turn it around by remembering God teaches you patience during delay. Ask him to transform your discouragement into patience. Jesus is a safe harbor | December 3, 2014 at 2:32 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL:http://wp.me/p3mVVp-EA