Do Protestants HIDE from God or does God possibly hide from them?
Another “I AM a Catholic Lesson:”
by Pat Miron
This one based on ideas expressed in THE SPIRIT OF THE LITURGY; by then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. {More recently: Pope Benedict XVI}
Those ideas placed in quotations are for the most part from the above referenced book, and are too be credited to this good and holy man.
There is I think, in the terms of why discovering God in the both the manner possible and the precise method that Christ would have us discover Faith; through a hidden; a “new modality of Presence” that while available to “all”; nevertheless, being illogical [meaning here NOT discernable by strictly human means] and therefore quite commonly difficult, if not darn right impossible to rightly discern [because it relies on the offer and acceptance of God’s specific Graces] which God must choose to offer, and then mortal men must freely choose to accept; which in turn leads to a very tenuous, precarious, profoundly complex reality. … The “New modality” mentioned above is by the way; “new” only to those, who for whatever their personal reason, whatever is their own excuse, their own willingness or ability to experience truth as it is; remains as it ought, a matter between the Divine- Sublime Godhead, and the limitations imposed by God on mortal men, who are challenged to uncover and then discover the singularity of religious, of Faith God’s necessarily singular truths.
While God does hide Himself from some of us; evidence of His reality is contained in everything in the universe that He Created, maintains and exposes to us specifically so that we can and might discover Him; we alone, his humanity are gifted with the essential attributes indispensable to discover the Mystery of who [and where] is God; and then freely choose to accept Him or to reject Him; and thereby select our place of eternal existence. And yes, I do mean heaven or hell. God’s Divine Justice obligates Himself to OFFER at least sufficient grace to everyone for their possible salvation; thus no one has the excuse of not being able to attain their own personal salvation.
What is clear; or at-least ought to be is that God Remains here in our midst. Far less clear is that JESUS too remains here in our midst.
“He who has seen me, has seen the Father” {John 14:9} informs and teaches us the profound complexity of a God who heretofore choose to remain hidden; concealed in clouds, fire and wind, rather than expose Himself to men’s scrutiny. WHY God would later choose to lower Himself to the degradation, the baseness, the commonness, and imperfections of humanity remains one of the Great Mysteries confronting humanity today. Yet history affirms that it did happen. And that God remains in our midst. This mystery persist and leads to one of the critical and essential motives for the Incarnation to have taken place, which is that mortal men, who in times and history past would not even; could not even, as their Law prohibited it; express verbally out loud the name of Yahweh- God. We have Has now seen God, motivated by His Desire to be in a closer; a far more intimate relationship With His Created humanity choose to; not only reveal Himself in a manner never before evidenced; but inexplicitly, as “one of us.” Like us in every way but sin, in order that men might choose to merit their salvation and avoid sins through His Direct intercession. Even to the extent of the Real Presence of Jesus actually remaining available to us; always and everywhere in His Catholic Church’s.
Just why this; the greatest event in the history of humanity took place is further exposed and revealed in the mystery of Christ spoken words while hanging on the Cross for our collective and individual sin: {John 19: 25-30}
“ [25]Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’ s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. [26] When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. [27] After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. [28] Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. [29]Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar and hyssop, put it to his mouth. [30] Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost.”
While these passages are pregnant with hidden meanings for His humanity; I would like to cull and to expose and to bring into the light of God’s Truths, one teaching in particular. … Jesus while on the Cross, mere moments from Death shouted “I THIRST”…. What a strange thing to shout, and even stranger thing to teach in His waning moments, especially if God was speaking only of a slacked human thirst. …
OF COURSE Christ was thirsty; after all He has been up for more than a day; was deprived of all food and liquids; was severely scourged and crowned with thorns, and then forced to carry His Cross, a cross that weighed more that He did to the HILL of crucifixion; so it is profoundly logical, that our Crucified God meant MORE than a mere human thirst in this painfully shared expression. … It was extremely agonizing for Christ to speak anything from the Cross which was designed to “teach by example” rather than words; and explains why Christ spoke only seven times. Seven by the way in Jewish parlance & in the Jewish tradition of numbers having meanings beyond their numerical equivalence, represented “perfect and or complete.” That too is one of the hidden messages intended for all of us. But the Lesson that explains Christ proclamation: “I THIRST!” , is intended to let us know that while Jesus the man dies, as all men will do; Jesus was also, and always God. As God; Jesus desired to do even more that all that He had done; including Dying for humanities “Redemption”; which, by way does not mean necessarily also “salvation”. “Redemption was for and does include all of humanity; past, present and future; and is God’s gift to all; while salvation is more limited and depends on man’s chosen relationship; man’s knowledge and awareness of God, and then man’s, and man’s obedient and humble response to God’s Presence in our Midst, through Jesus in “Person” and the Holy Spirit in “Spirit.”
The “I THIRST” was a declaration that He desired to do even more; and WOULD Do More.
This “MORE” IS accomplished in two explicit, and precisely defined biblical teachings; in nearly unfathomable ways: John 19:25 teaches us that Jesus literally gives Mary, His Mother to all of humanity as OUR Mother too; to aid; and to DIRECT all Souls to Her Son. NOT to replace Him; but to aid humanity in knowing Jesus Her Son as She knows Him, and then leading all Souls to Him. Secondly; Jesus does the unimaginable; the unthinkable; and were it not taught by Him personally; the incomprehensible. BUT Jesus did fulfill, did complete His desire to do “MORE” by choosing to; and then actually; Really, Truly, and Substanually remaining in our midst; not is “spirit alone”; not as some mere “symbol”; not as just a “sign”; BUT REALLY Jesus and REALLY Jesus Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Testimony of this Truth is found taught by FIVE different Bible authors: Matthew 26:26-26; Mark 14: 22+24; Luke 22: 19-21; John ALL of Chapter six but especially verses 48-50 & 56-57 “[48] I am the bread of life. [49] Your fathers did eat manna in the desert, and are dead. [50] This is the bread which cometh down from heaven; that if any man eat of it, he may not die. & [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”
Exactly how this happens remains a mystery. We DO however know this: Catholic Holy Communion is FROM God the Father; OF God the Son; BY God the Holy Spirit through the hands, ad actions of His Chosen Priest.
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.”
This is further evidenced by Saint Paul a late date Apostle and a Jewish Convert, who did not “come to KNOW Christ” until AFTER Christ Resurrection 1st. Corinthians 11: 26-30 “ [23] 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. [24] 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. [25] 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.
[26] For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. [27] 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. [28] But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. [29] For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. [30] Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep.”
This “judgment” means choosing hell over heaven; Satan over Christ without out repenting and confessing and having one’s sins forgiven in the manner taught by Christ: John 20:19-23… . And the “sleep: here means choosing eternal damnation.
But my friend, today’s Lesson is not primarily about the Most Holy Eucharist; we’ve covered that topic in prior Lessons. Nor is it about the How or Why’s of the Eucharist, as that too has been previously covered, Today I wish to discuss the “WHERE” this miraculous event takes place and point out the significant differences in Protestant and Catholic “Worship services.”
Worship is by man; but its objective; its goal is to fulfill in great part the reason humanity exist, which is to recognize God for who and what He is. ALL worship services should have as their focus; God First. And as best as we are able to actually focus on giving God the Glory He seeks; that He alone is worthy of and thereby aim to fulfill the actual reason for our existence. This That leads us to understand that man exist for God; but also in a relationship way; God also exist for man. Only humanity is enabled to “Know, Love, Serve and Obey God.” That then defines man’s reason to exist: Isaiah 43 verses 7 & 21 “
If we do not meet God on His terms, under His Conditions, with His truths, with and in our manmade designs for worship; we may never attain the summit of truly “Divine Worship” and only settle for what makes us feel good about ourselves. We might well not only miss our opportunity to meet, to greet, and to be in a very personal; even an intimate relationship with our God; I fear, our actions prove that we may not even truly know God. That my friends is the risk of worship services that aim to please the masses; and relegate God to a very common secondary emphasis. We forsake the opportunity for the truly sublime and simply settle for what I choose to be “mine.” … By our choosing to Miss God; we greatly enhance the possibility of actually not even truly knowing God. Most certainly we do choose the opportunity NOT to meet God “face to face” while yet here on earth! We become so wrapped up in ourselves; what I like; what makes me feel good, that it does not even occur to us that in remaking God into OUR image of him; we leave little or no room for Him to remake US in HIS image.
I will now share some passages out of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger [Pope Benedict XVI] book: … THE SPIRIT OF THE LITURGY
Liturgy Definition by: Father John A. Hardon’s Catholic Dictionary:
I have admittedly taken some {but NOT all} of these passages out of their original context to make them more relevant to this discussion… Patrick Miron
LITURGY.” A public service, duty, or work. In Scripture it refers to the religious duties to be performed by priests and levites in the Temple, {Exodus 28:1-4 & Numbers 8:13-15} especially those related to the Sacrifice; in Christian use among the Eastern Churches it means the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
In present day usage liturgy is the official public worship of the Church and is thus distinguished from private devotion. It is the special title of the Eucharist, and the administration of the sacraments with the annexed use of the sacramentals.
From a theological viewpoint, the liturgy is the exercise now on earth of Christ’s priestly office, as distinct from his role as teacher and ruler of his people. Christ performs this priestly office as Head of his Mystical Body, so that Head and members together offer the sacred liturgy. Its function, therefore, is twofold: to give honor and praise to God, which is worship, and to obtain blessings for the human race, which is sanctification. (Etym. Latin liturgia; from Greek leitos, of the people + ergon, work: leitourgia, public duty, public worship.)”
From Joseph Ratzinger’s book:
- “It is this: steadfast adherence to the law of God, {the 1st. &3td Catholic- Commandments} which orders human affairs rightly, that is, by organizing them as realities that come from God and are meant to return God.”
- “Worship” that is the right kind of cult, of relationship with God, is essential for the right kind of human existence in the world.” {page 20}
- “Man himself cannot simply ‘make worship’. If God does not reveal Himself, man is clutching at empty space. … When God does not reveal Himself, man can, of course, from the sense of God within him build altars to the ‘unknown god.’ “ {Acts 17:23} –{page 21}
- … “Liturgy includes some kind of “institution”. It cannot spring from imagination, our own creativity —- then it would remain just a cry in the dark or mere self-affirmation. Liturgy implies a real relationship with another, who reveals Himself to us and gives our existence a new direction.” {page 22}
- {Inserted by Pat Miron: these man-made, man remodeled liturgies is what is being addressed here} Liturgy is no longer going up to God, but drawing God down into one’s own world.” {page 22}
- If God does not reveal Himself; man is clutching empty spaces …. When God does not reveal Himself man can, of course from the sense of God within him, build altars to the unknown god’ {Acts 17:23} The Apostasy is more subtle. There is no obvious turning away from God to the false gods.”{page 22}
- “The apostasy is more subtle. There is no obvious turning away from God to false gods. Outwardly, the people remain attached to the same God.{again inserted by Pat Miron… OR SO THEY THINK…. ‘Worship is no longer going up to God, but drawing God to one’s own world” {page 22}
- “Man is using God, and in reality, even if not outwardly discernible, he is placing himself above God. … Worship becomes a feast that the community gives itself, a festival of self-affirmation. … Ultimately it is no longer concerned with God but gives oneself a nice little alternative world, manufactured from one’s own resources. Then Liturgy {no longer being primarily Sacred …inserted by Pat Miron} really becomes pointless.” {page 23}
- “God makes His Dwelling in the world: Heaven and earth are united.” … :Now if worship rightly understood, is the soul covenant, then it not only saves mankind but is also meant to draw the whole of reality into communion with God.”
- “But everything is bound up with freedom, and the creatures {us Christians who} has the freedom to turn the positive ‘exitus =exit’ around , as it were to rupture it … to say no to the ‘raditus’ = return: this is the refusal to be dependent… Love is seen as dependence and is rejected. And we discover that Redemption now has need of the Redeemer. The {early Church} Fathers saw this, and for them the parable of the Lost Sheep; and the Ram caught in the thorn bush” represents man in general.” {Genesis 22:4-14} {page 33}
- “Of necessity {worship} takes place as a struggle for atonement, forgiveness, reconciliation. The awareness of guilt weighs down on mankind. Worship is the attempt, to be found at every stage of history, to overcome guilt and to bring back the worlds and one’s own life into right order. {INSERTED BY PAT MIRON: It is precisely this fact that leads to the enormous “grace-merit-gap” between all Catholic Mass Worship services, and any and all other non-Catholic Christian worship services. Because even in the modernity of today’s{Catholic} “Ordinary” form of the Mass’; Jesus Christ is still present; still available and still wanting to be in the most possible of all possible intimate relationships with us. It is the reality of God… Jesus Himself in Person in Catholic Holy Communion that no other type of service can duplicate; and therefore leave all of them ‘wanting’ in a way that remains impossible to fulfill.} …. “The only real gift man should give to God is himself .” {Again inserted by Pat Miron… and this ‘gift’ of oneself is precisely what joins God to man and man to God in Catholic Holy Communion, and creates the unfillable gap that exist between our worship services and all those of competing faiths. {Please read: 1 John 1:6-7, 1 John5: 16-17 & John 20:19-23}
12 “The Christian {read here as ‘Catholic’} theology of worship —- beginning with St. John the Baptist {Behold the Lamb of God …. John 1: 29 “The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world” ….’ Here the rules are laid down for the Sacrifice of the Passover Lamb {male unblemished} as the center of the liturgical year and of Israel’s memorial faith, which is at the same time an everlasting foundation of faith.’ ” … ‘More precious than sacrifice is obedience; submission more precious that the fat of rams.’ {Hosea 6:9 & Mt. 9:13, 12:7} … {pages 38-39}
Catholic Holy Communion is FROM God the Father; OF God the Son BY God the Holy Spirit. And is historical, biblical and through “Eucharistic Miracles”; is even visually verifiable; such is the desire of Our God to be truly known by all men:
http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/a3.html
Mt. 26:26-28, Mk.14: 22-23, Lk. 22: 19-21 … & 1st. Cor. 11: 26-30
John 6: “[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.
{** inserted from explanation by Douay Bible} } [54] Eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood: To receive the body and blood of Christ, is a divine precept, insinuated in this text; which the faithful fulfil, though they receive but in one kind; because in one kind they receive both body and blood, which cannot be separated from each other. Hence, life eternal is here promised to the worthy receiving, though but in one kind. Ver. 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. Ver. 58. He that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. Ver. 59. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever.
[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. [58] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. [59]
It is this Reality that fosters the title of this Lesson. Do Protestants {and some Catholics, who too lack or refuse sufficient Grace} miss God? And Does God Hide Himself from them by limiting their faith and understanding? Yes and YES!
Missing Christ IS “missing God”. Our God who seeks OBEDIENCE more than Sacrifice foresaw the Protestant Revolution, and knew that His Son would be denied; ignored; and overlooked not because of a lack of clear biblical-teaching; but rather because mortal men usurped the right to what God wants, commands and Ordains, and prefer to develop their own methods; actually dictating to God, how He will forgive their sins; and how there Godless Presence; accepting at times the Holy Spirit; but missing Christ who desires to be in their midst
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.27: [10] “You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you this day.”
Rom.1: [5]” through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations”
Rom.2: [8] “but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.”
John 3: 35-36 “[35] the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. [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. {No-one can claim to belief in the Son if they do not accept His Teaching & His Teaching AUTHORITY:
Mt. 28: 16-20 [16] And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. [17] And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. [18] And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. [19] Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. [20] 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. …READ Mt. 10:1-8 and compare it to this final teaching of Jesus Christ recorded by St. Matthew, if you doubt this.
Acts 20:26-30 “26] Wherefore I take you to witness this day, that I am clear from the blood of all men; [27] For I have not spared to declare unto you all the counsel of God. [28] Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. [29] I know that, after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. [30] And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them”
Now friend look how Martian Luther {a former & now an apostate Catholic priest” changed this text to suit HIS new competing religion}….
Luther’s original bible translated from German into English: Acts 20: 26-30 “NIV 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. NIV 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. NIV 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. NIV 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. NIV 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/parallel-bible/passage/?q=acts+20:+26-30&t=lut&t2=niv
FROM THE KING JAMES bible:
Acts 20:26-30
KJV 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. KJV 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. KJV 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. KJV 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. KJV 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise , speaking perverse things , to draw away disciples after them.”
http://www.biblestudytools.com/parallel-bible/passage/?q=acts+20:+26-30&t=lut&t2=kjv
I will end this by sharing that the bible IS a “Catholic Book” and that the ONLY “Christian Faith” to exist for at least a thousand years after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is today’s Catholic Church. So whatever your current faith beliefs they have as the foundation; our Catholic Faith beliefs and teachings.
The very same Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger; as Pope Benedict XVI, had this insight to share:
“THERE CANNOT BE YOUR TRUTH AND MY TRUTH OR THERE WOULD BE NO TRUTH.”
May God’s continued Grace and Blessings be your’s
Patrick Miron
[PM1]
Do Protestants HIDE from God or does God possibly hide from them?
Another “I AM a Catholic Lesson:”
by Pat Miron
This one based on ideas expressed in THE SPIRIT OF THE LITURGY; by then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. {More recently: Pope Benedict XVI}
Those ideas placed in quotations are for the most part from the above referenced book, and are too be credited to this good and holy man.
There is I think, in the terms of why discovering God in the both the manner possible and the precise method that Christ would have us discover Faith; through a hidden; a “new modality of Presence” that while available to “all”; nevertheless, being illogical [meaning here NOT discernable by strictly human means] and therefore quite commonly difficult, if not darn right impossible to rightly discern [because it relies on the offer and acceptance of God’s specific Graces] which God must choose to offer, and then mortal men must freely choose to accept; which in turn leads to a very tenuous, precarious, profoundly complex reality. … The “New modality” mentioned above is by the way; “new” only to those, who for whatever their personal reason, whatever is their own excuse, their own willingness or ability to experience truth as it is; remains as it ought, a matter between the Divine- Sublime Godhead, and the limitations imposed by God on mortal men, who are challenged to uncover and then discover the singularity of religious, of Faith God’s necessarily singular truths.
While God does hide Himself from some of us; evidence of His reality is contained in everything in the universe that He Created, maintains and exposes to us specifically so that we can and might discover Him; we alone, his humanity are gifted with the essential attributes indispensable to discover the Mystery of who [and where] is God; and then freely choose to accept Him or to reject Him; and thereby select our place of eternal existence. And yes, I do mean heaven or hell. God’s Divine Justice obligates Himself to OFFER at least sufficient grace to everyone for their possible salvation; thus no one has the excuse of not being able to attain their own personal salvation.
What is clear; or at-least ought to be is that God Remains here in our midst. Far less clear is that JESUS too remains here in our midst.
“He who has seen me, has seen the Father” {John 14:9} informs and teaches us the profound complexity of a God who heretofore choose to remain hidden; concealed in clouds, fire and wind, rather than expose Himself to men’s scrutiny. WHY God would later choose to lower Himself to the degradation, the baseness, the commonness, and imperfections of humanity remains one of the Great Mysteries confronting humanity today. Yet history affirms that it did happen. And that God remains in our midst. This mystery persist and leads to one of the critical and essential motives for the Incarnation to have taken place, which is that mortal men, who in times and history past would not even; could not even, as their Law prohibited it; express verbally out loud the name of Yahweh- God. We have Has now seen God, motivated by His Desire to be in a closer; a far more intimate relationship With His Created humanity choose to; not only reveal Himself in a manner never before evidenced; but inexplicitly, as “one of us.” Like us in every way but sin, in order that men might choose to merit their salvation and avoid sins through His Direct intercession. Even to the extent of the Real Presence of Jesus actually remaining available to us; always and everywhere in His Catholic Church’s.
Just why this; the greatest event in the history of humanity took place is further exposed and revealed in the mystery of Christ spoken words while hanging on the Cross for our collective and individual sin: {John 19: 25-30}
“ [25]Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’ s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. [26] When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. [27] After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. [28] Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. [29]Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar and hyssop, put it to his mouth. [30] Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost.”
While these passages are pregnant with hidden meanings for His humanity; I would like to cull and to expose and to bring into the light of God’s Truths, one teaching in particular. … Jesus while on the Cross, mere moments from Death shouted “I THIRST”…. What a strange thing to shout, and even stranger thing to teach in His waning moments, especially if God was speaking only of a slacked human thirst. …
OF COURSE Christ was thirsty; after all He has been up for more than a day; was deprived of all food and liquids; was severely scourged and crowned with thorns, and then forced to carry His Cross, a cross that weighed more that He did to the HILL of crucifixion; so it is profoundly logical, that our Crucified God meant MORE than a mere human thirst in this painfully shared expression. … It was extremely agonizing for Christ to speak anything from the Cross which was designed to “teach by example” rather than words; and explains why Christ spoke only seven times. Seven by the way in Jewish parlance & in the Jewish tradition of numbers having meanings beyond their numerical equivalence, represented “perfect and or complete.” That too is one of the hidden messages intended for all of us. But the Lesson that explains Christ proclamation: “I THIRST!” , is intended to let us know that while Jesus the man dies, as all men will do; Jesus was also, and always God. As God; Jesus desired to do even more that all that He had done; including Dying for humanities “Redemption”; which, by way does not mean necessarily also “salvation”. “Redemption was for and does include all of humanity; past, present and future; and is God’s gift to all; while salvation is more limited and depends on man’s chosen relationship; man’s knowledge and awareness of God, and then man’s, and man’s obedient and humble response to God’s Presence in our Midst, through Jesus in “Person” and the Holy Spirit in “Spirit.”
The “I THIRST” was a declaration that He desired to do even more; and WOULD Do More.
This “MORE” IS accomplished in two explicit, and precisely defined biblical teachings; in nearly unfathomable ways: John 19:25 teaches us that Jesus literally gives Mary, His Mother to all of humanity as OUR Mother too; to aid; and to DIRECT all Souls to Her Son. NOT to replace Him; but to aid humanity in knowing Jesus Her Son as She knows Him, and then leading all Souls to Him. Secondly; Jesus does the unimaginable; the unthinkable; and were it not taught by Him personally; the incomprehensible. BUT Jesus did fulfill, did complete His desire to do “MORE” by choosing to; and then actually; Really, Truly, and Substanually remaining in our midst; not is “spirit alone”; not as some mere “symbol”; not as just a “sign”; BUT REALLY Jesus and REALLY Jesus Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Testimony of this Truth is found taught by FIVE different Bible authors: Matthew 26:26-26; Mark 14: 22+24; Luke 22: 19-21; John ALL of Chapter six but especially verses 48-50 & 56-57 “[48] I am the bread of life. [49] Your fathers did eat manna in the desert, and are dead. [50] This is the bread which cometh down from heaven; that if any man eat of it, he may not die. & [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”
Exactly how this happens remains a mystery. We DO however know this: Catholic Holy Communion is FROM God the Father; OF God the Son; BY God the Holy Spirit through the hands, ad actions of His Chosen Priest.
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.”
This is further evidenced by Saint Paul a late date Apostle and a Jewish Convert, who did not “come to KNOW Christ” until AFTER Christ Resurrection 1st. Corinthians 11: 26-30 “ [23] 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. [24] 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. [25] 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.
[26] For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. [27] 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. [28] But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. [29] For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. [30] Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep.”
This “judgment” means choosing hell over heaven; Satan over Christ without out repenting and confessing and having one’s sins forgiven in the manner taught by Christ: John 20:19-23… . And the “sleep: here means choosing eternal damnation.
But my friend, today’s Lesson is not primarily about the Most Holy Eucharist; we’ve covered that topic in prior Lessons. Nor is it about the How or Why’s of the Eucharist, as that too has been previously covered, Today I wish to discuss the “WHERE” this miraculous event takes place and point out the significant differences in Protestant and Catholic “Worship services.”
Worship is by man; but its objective; its goal is to fulfill in great part the reason humanity exist, which is to recognize God for who and what He is. ALL worship services should have as their focus; God First. And as best as we are able to actually focus on giving God the Glory He seeks; that He alone is worthy of and thereby aim to fulfill the actual reason for our existence. This That leads us to understand that man exist for God; but also in a relationship way; God also exist for man. Only humanity is enabled to “Know, Love, Serve and Obey God.” That then defines man’s reason to exist: Isaiah 43 verses 7 & 21 “
If we do not meet God on His terms, under His Conditions, with His truths, with and in our manmade designs for worship; we may never attain the summit of truly “Divine Worship” and only settle for what makes us feel good about ourselves. We might well not only miss our opportunity to meet, to greet, and to be in a very personal; even an intimate relationship with our God; I fear, our actions prove that we may not even truly know God. That my friends is the risk of worship services that aim to please the masses; and relegate God to a very common secondary emphasis. We forsake the opportunity for the truly sublime and simply settle for what I choose to be “mine.” … By our choosing to Miss God; we greatly enhance the possibility of actually not even truly knowing God. Most certainly we do choose the opportunity NOT to meet God “face to face” while yet here on earth! We become so wrapped up in ourselves; what I like; what makes me feel good, that it does not even occur to us that in remaking God into OUR image of him; we leave little or no room for Him to remake US in HIS image.
I will now share some passages out of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger [Pope Benedict XVI] book: … THE SPIRIT OF THE LITURGY
Liturgy Definition by: Father John A. Hardon’s Catholic Dictionary:
I have admittedly taken some {but NOT all} of these passages out of their original context to make them more relevant to this discussion… Patrick Miron
LITURGY.” A public service, duty, or work. In Scripture it refers to the religious duties to be performed by priests and levites in the Temple, {Exodus 28:1-4 & Numbers 8:13-15} especially those related to the Sacrifice; in Christian use among the Eastern Churches it means the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
In present day usage liturgy is the official public worship of the Church and is thus distinguished from private devotion. It is the special title of the Eucharist, and the administration of the sacraments with the annexed use of the sacramentals.
From a theological viewpoint, the liturgy is the exercise now on earth of Christ’s priestly office, as distinct from his role as teacher and ruler of his people. Christ performs this priestly office as Head of his Mystical Body, so that Head and members together offer the sacred liturgy. Its function, therefore, is twofold: to give honor and praise to God, which is worship, and to obtain blessings for the human race, which is sanctification. (Etym. Latin liturgia; from Greek leitos, of the people + ergon, work: leitourgia, public duty, public worship.)”
From Joseph Ratzinger’s book:
- “It is this: steadfast adherence to the law of God, {the 1st. &3td Catholic- Commandments} which orders human affairs rightly, that is, by organizing them as realities that come from God and are meant to return God.”
- “Worship” that is the right kind of cult, of relationship with God, is essential for the right kind of human existence in the world.” {page 20}
- “Man himself cannot simply ‘make worship’. If God does not reveal Himself, man is clutching at empty space. … When God does not reveal Himself, man can, of course, from the sense of God within him build altars to the ‘unknown god.’ “ {Acts 17:23} –{page 21}
- … “Liturgy includes some kind of “institution”. It cannot spring from imagination, our own creativity —- then it would remain just a cry in the dark or mere self-affirmation. Liturgy implies a real relationship with another, who reveals Himself to us and gives our existence a new direction.” {page 22}
- {Inserted by Pat Miron: these man-made, man remodeled liturgies is what is being addressed here} Liturgy is no longer going up to God, but drawing God down into one’s own world.” {page 22}
- If God does not reveal Himself; man is clutching empty spaces …. When God does not reveal Himself man can, of course from the sense of God within him, build altars to the unknown god’ {Acts 17:23} The Apostasy is more subtle. There is no obvious turning away from God to the false gods.”{page 22}
- “The apostasy is more subtle. There is no obvious turning away from God to false gods. Outwardly, the people remain attached to the same God.{again inserted by Pat Miron… OR SO THEY THINK…. ‘Worship is no longer going up to God, but drawing God to one’s own world” {page 22}
- “Man is using God, and in reality, even if not outwardly discernible, he is placing himself above God. … Worship becomes a feast that the community gives itself, a festival of self-affirmation. … Ultimately it is no longer concerned with God but gives oneself a nice little alternative world, manufactured from one’s own resources. Then Liturgy {no longer being primarily Sacred …inserted by Pat Miron} really becomes pointless.” {page 23}
- “God makes His Dwelling in the world: Heaven and earth are united.” … :Now if worship rightly understood, is the soul covenant, then it not only saves mankind but is also meant to draw the whole of reality into communion with God.”
- “But everything is bound up with freedom, and the creatures {us Christians who} has the freedom to turn the positive ‘exitus =exit’ around , as it were to rupture it … to say no to the ‘raditus’ = return: this is the refusal to be dependent… Love is seen as dependence and is rejected. And we discover that Redemption now has need of the Redeemer. The {early Church} Fathers saw this, and for them the parable of the Lost Sheep; and the Ram caught in the thorn bush” represents man in general.” {Genesis 22:4-14} {page 33}
- “Of necessity {worship} takes place as a struggle for atonement, forgiveness, reconciliation. The awareness of guilt weighs down on mankind. Worship is the attempt, to be found at every stage of history, to overcome guilt and to bring back the worlds and one’s own life into right order. {INSERTED BY PAT MIRON: It is precisely this fact that leads to the enormous “grace-merit-gap” between all Catholic Mass Worship services, and any and all other non-Catholic Christian worship services. Because even in the modernity of today’s{Catholic} “Ordinary” form of the Mass’; Jesus Christ is still present; still available and still wanting to be in the most possible of all possible intimate relationships with us. It is the reality of God… Jesus Himself in Person in Catholic Holy Communion that no other type of service can duplicate; and therefore leave all of them ‘wanting’ in a way that remains impossible to fulfill.} …. “The only real gift man should give to God is himself .” {Again inserted by Pat Miron… and this ‘gift’ of oneself is precisely what joins God to man and man to God in Catholic Holy Communion, and creates the unfillable gap that exist between our worship services and all those of competing faiths. {Please read: 1 John 1:6-7, 1 John5: 16-17 & John 20:19-23}
12 “The Christian {read here as ‘Catholic’} theology of worship —- beginning with St. John the Baptist {Behold the Lamb of God …. John 1: 29 “The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world” ….’ Here the rules are laid down for the Sacrifice of the Passover Lamb {male unblemished} as the center of the liturgical year and of Israel’s memorial faith, which is at the same time an everlasting foundation of faith.’ ” … ‘More precious than sacrifice is obedience; submission more precious that the fat of rams.’ {Hosea 6:9 & Mt. 9:13, 12:7} … {pages 38-39}
Catholic Holy Communion is FROM God the Father; OF God the Son BY God the Holy Spirit. And is historical, biblical and through “Eucharistic Miracles”; is even visually verifiable; such is the desire of Our God to be truly known by all men:
http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/a3.html
Mt. 26:26-28, Mk.14: 22-23, Lk. 22: 19-21 … & 1st. Cor. 11: 26-30
John 6: “[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.
{** inserted from explanation by Douay Bible} } [54] Eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood: To receive the body and blood of Christ, is a divine precept, insinuated in this text; which the faithful fulfil, though they receive but in one kind; because in one kind they receive both body and blood, which cannot be separated from each other. Hence, life eternal is here promised to the worthy receiving, though but in one kind. Ver. 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. Ver. 58. He that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. Ver. 59. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever.
[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. [58] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. [59]
It is this Reality that fosters the title of this Lesson. Do Protestants {and some Catholics, who too lack or refuse sufficient Grace} miss God? And Does God Hide Himself from them by limiting their faith and understanding? Yes and YES!
Missing Christ IS “missing God”. Our God who seeks OBEDIENCE more than Sacrifice foresaw the Protestant Revolution, and knew that His Son would be denied; ignored; and overlooked not because of a lack of clear biblical-teaching; but rather because mortal men usurped the right to what God wants, commands and Ordains, and prefer to develop their own methods; actually dictating to God, how He will forgive their sins; and how there Godless Presence; accepting at times the Holy Spirit; but missing Christ who desires to be in their midst
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.27: [10] “You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you this day.”
Rom.1: [5]” through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations”
Rom.2: [8] “but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.”
John 3: 35-36 “[35] the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. [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. {No-one can claim to belief in the Son if they do not accept His Teaching & His Teaching AUTHORITY:
Mt. 28: 16-20 [16] And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. [17] And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. [18] And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. [19] Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. [20] 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. …READ Mt. 10:1-8 and compare it to this final teaching of Jesus Christ recorded by St. Matthew, if you doubt this.
Acts 20:26-30 “26] Wherefore I take you to witness this day, that I am clear from the blood of all men; [27] For I have not spared to declare unto you all the counsel of God. [28] Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. [29] I know that, after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. [30] And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them”
Now friend look how Martian Luther {a former & now an apostate Catholic priest” changed this text to suit HIS new competing religion}….
Luther’s original bible translated from German into English: Acts 20: 26-30 “NIV 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. NIV 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. NIV 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. NIV 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. NIV 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/parallel-bible/passage/?q=acts+20:+26-30&t=lut&t2=niv
FROM THE KING JAMES bible:
Acts 20:26-30
KJV 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. KJV 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. KJV 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. KJV 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. KJV 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise , speaking perverse things , to draw away disciples after them.”
http://www.biblestudytools.com/parallel-bible/passage/?q=acts+20:+26-30&t=lut&t2=kjv
I will end this by sharing that the bible IS a “Catholic Book” and that the ONLY “Christian Faith” to exist for at least a thousand years after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is today’s Catholic Church. So whatever your current faith beliefs they have as the foundation; our Catholic Faith beliefs and teachings.
The very same Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger; as Pope Benedict XVI, had this insight to share:
“THERE CANNOT BE YOUR TRUTH AND MY TRUTH OR THERE WOULD BE NO TRUTH.”
May God’s continued Grace and Blessings be your’s
Patrick Miron
[PM1]
Do Protestants HIDE from God or does God possibly hide from them?
Another “I AM a Catholic Lesson:”
by Pat Miron
This one based on ideas expressed in THE SPIRIT OF THE LITURGY; by then Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger. {More recently: Pope Benedict XVI}
Those ideas placed in quotations are for the most part from the above referenced book, and are too be credited to this good and holy man.
There is I think, in the terms of why discovering God in the both the manner possible and the precise method that Christ would have us discover Faith; through a hidden; a “new modality of Presence” that while available to “all”; nevertheless, being illogical [meaning here NOT discernable by strictly human means] and therefore quite commonly difficult, if not darn right impossible to rightly discern [because it relies on the offer and acceptance of God’s specific Graces] which God must choose to offer, and then mortal men must freely choose to accept; which in turn leads to a very tenuous, precarious, profoundly complex reality. … The “New modality” mentioned above is by the way; “new” only to those, who for whatever their personal reason, whatever is their own excuse, their own willingness or ability to experience truth as it is; remains as it ought, a matter between the Divine- Sublime Godhead, and the limitations imposed by God on mortal men, who are challenged to uncover and then discover the singularity of religious, of Faith God’s necessarily singular truths.
While God does hide Himself from some of us; evidence of His reality is contained in everything in the universe that He Created, maintains and exposes to us specifically so that we can and might discover Him; we alone, his humanity are gifted with the essential attributes indispensable to discover the Mystery of who [and where] is God; and then freely choose to accept Him or to reject Him; and thereby select our place of eternal existence. And yes, I do mean heaven or hell. God’s Divine Justice obligates Himself to OFFER at least sufficient grace to everyone for their possible salvation; thus no one has the excuse of not being able to attain their own personal salvation.
What is clear; or at-least ought to be is that God Remains here in our midst. Far less clear is that JESUS too remains here in our midst.
“He who has seen me, has seen the Father” {John 14:9} informs and teaches us the profound complexity of a God who heretofore choose to remain hidden; concealed in clouds, fire and wind, rather than expose Himself to men’s scrutiny. WHY God would later choose to lower Himself to the degradation, the baseness, the commonness, and imperfections of humanity remains one of the Great Mysteries confronting humanity today. Yet history affirms that it did happen. And that God remains in our midst. This mystery persist and leads to one of the critical and essential motives for the Incarnation to have taken place, which is that mortal men, who in times and history past would not even; could not even, as their Law prohibited it; express verbally out loud the name of Yahweh- God. We have Has now seen God, motivated by His Desire to be in a closer; a far more intimate relationship With His Created humanity choose to; not only reveal Himself in a manner never before evidenced; but inexplicitly, as “one of us.” Like us in every way but sin, in order that men might choose to merit their salvation and avoid sins through His Direct intercession. Even to the extent of the Real Presence of Jesus actually remaining available to us; always and everywhere in His Catholic Church’s.
Just why this; the greatest event in the history of humanity took place is further exposed and revealed in the mystery of Christ spoken words while hanging on the Cross for our collective and individual sin: {John 19: 25-30}
“ [25]Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’ s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. [26] When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. [27] After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. [28] Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. [29]Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar and hyssop, put it to his mouth. [30] Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost.”
While these passages are pregnant with hidden meanings for His humanity; I would like to cull and to expose and to bring into the light of God’s Truths, one teaching in particular. … Jesus while on the Cross, mere moments from Death shouted “I THIRST”…. What a strange thing to shout, and even stranger thing to teach in His waning moments, especially if God was speaking only of a slacked human thirst. …
OF COURSE Christ was thirsty; after all He has been up for more than a day; was deprived of all food and liquids; was severely scourged and crowned with thorns, and then forced to carry His Cross, a cross that weighed more that He did to the HILL of crucifixion; so it is profoundly logical, that our Crucified God meant MORE than a mere human thirst in this painfully shared expression. … It was extremely agonizing for Christ to speak anything from the Cross which was designed to “teach by example” rather than words; and explains why Christ spoke only seven times. Seven by the way in Jewish parlance & in the Jewish tradition of numbers having meanings beyond their numerical equivalence, represented “perfect and or complete.” That too is one of the hidden messages intended for all of us. But the Lesson that explains Christ proclamation: “I THIRST!” , is intended to let us know that while Jesus the man dies, as all men will do; Jesus was also, and always God. As God; Jesus desired to do even more that all that He had done; including Dying for humanities “Redemption”; which, by way does not mean necessarily also “salvation”. “Redemption was for and does include all of humanity; past, present and future; and is God’s gift to all; while salvation is more limited and depends on man’s chosen relationship; man’s knowledge and awareness of God, and then man’s, and man’s obedient and humble response to God’s Presence in our Midst, through Jesus in “Person” and the Holy Spirit in “Spirit.”
The “I THIRST” was a declaration that He desired to do even more; and WOULD Do More.
This “MORE” IS accomplished in two explicit, and precisely defined biblical teachings; in nearly unfathomable ways: John 19:25 teaches us that Jesus literally gives Mary, His Mother to all of humanity as OUR Mother too; to aid; and to DIRECT all Souls to Her Son. NOT to replace Him; but to aid humanity in knowing Jesus Her Son as She knows Him, and then leading all Souls to Him. Secondly; Jesus does the unimaginable; the unthinkable; and were it not taught by Him personally; the incomprehensible. BUT Jesus did fulfill, did complete His desire to do “MORE” by choosing to; and then actually; Really, Truly, and Substanually remaining in our midst; not is “spirit alone”; not as some mere “symbol”; not as just a “sign”; BUT REALLY Jesus and REALLY Jesus Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Testimony of this Truth is found taught by FIVE different Bible authors: Matthew 26:26-26; Mark 14: 22+24; Luke 22: 19-21; John ALL of Chapter six but especially verses 48-50 & 56-57 “[48] I am the bread of life. [49] Your fathers did eat manna in the desert, and are dead. [50] This is the bread which cometh down from heaven; that if any man eat of it, he may not die. & [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”
Exactly how this happens remains a mystery. We DO however know this: Catholic Holy Communion is FROM God the Father; OF God the Son; BY God the Holy Spirit through the hands, ad actions of His Chosen Priest.
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.”
This is further evidenced by Saint Paul a late date Apostle and a Jewish Convert, who did not “come to KNOW Christ” until AFTER Christ Resurrection 1st. Corinthians 11: 26-30 “ [23] 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. [24] 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. [25] 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.
[26] For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come. [27] 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. [28] But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. [29] For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. [30] Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep.”
This “judgment” means choosing hell over heaven; Satan over Christ without out repenting and confessing and having one’s sins forgiven in the manner taught by Christ: John 20:19-23… . And the “sleep: here means choosing eternal damnation.
But my friend, today’s Lesson is not primarily about the Most Holy Eucharist; we’ve covered that topic in prior Lessons. Nor is it about the How or Why’s of the Eucharist, as that too has been previously covered, Today I wish to discuss the “WHERE” this miraculous event takes place and point out the significant differences in Protestant and Catholic “Worship services.”
Worship is by man; but its objective; its goal is to fulfill in great part the reason humanity exist, which is to recognize God for who and what He is. ALL worship services should have as their focus; God First. And as best as we are able to actually focus on giving God the Glory He seeks; that He alone is worthy of and thereby aim to fulfill the actual reason for our existence. This That leads us to understand that man exist for God; but also in a relationship way; God also exist for man. Only humanity is enabled to “Know, Love, Serve and Obey God.” That then defines man’s reason to exist: Isaiah 43 verses 7 & 21 “
If we do not meet God on His terms, under His Conditions, with His truths, with and in our manmade designs for worship; we may never attain the summit of truly “Divine Worship” and only settle for what makes us feel good about ourselves. We might well not only miss our opportunity to meet, to greet, and to be in a very personal; even an intimate relationship with our God; I fear, our actions prove that we may not even truly know God. That my friends is the risk of worship services that aim to please the masses; and relegate God to a very common secondary emphasis. We forsake the opportunity for the truly sublime and simply settle for what I choose to be “mine.” … By our choosing to Miss God; we greatly enhance the possibility of actually not even truly knowing God. Most certainly we do choose the opportunity NOT to meet God “face to face” while yet here on earth! We become so wrapped up in ourselves; what I like; what makes me feel good, that it does not even occur to us that in remaking God into OUR image of him; we leave little or no room for Him to remake US in HIS image.
I will now share some passages out of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger [Pope Benedict XVI] book: … THE SPIRIT OF THE LITURGY
Liturgy Definition by: Father John A. Hardon’s Catholic Dictionary:
I have admittedly taken some {but NOT all} of these passages out of their original context to make them more relevant to this discussion… Patrick Miron
LITURGY.” A public service, duty, or work. In Scripture it refers to the religious duties to be performed by priests and levites in the Temple, {Exodus 28:1-4 & Numbers 8:13-15} especially those related to the Sacrifice; in Christian use among the Eastern Churches it means the Eucharistic Sacrifice.
In present day usage liturgy is the official public worship of the Church and is thus distinguished from private devotion. It is the special title of the Eucharist, and the administration of the sacraments with the annexed use of the sacramentals.
From a theological viewpoint, the liturgy is the exercise now on earth of Christ’s priestly office, as distinct from his role as teacher and ruler of his people. Christ performs this priestly office as Head of his Mystical Body, so that Head and members together offer the sacred liturgy. Its function, therefore, is twofold: to give honor and praise to God, which is worship, and to obtain blessings for the human race, which is sanctification. (Etym. Latin liturgia; from Greek leitos, of the people + ergon, work: leitourgia, public duty, public worship.)”
From Joseph Ratzinger’s book:
- “It is this: steadfast adherence to the law of God, {the 1st. &3td Catholic- Commandments} which orders human affairs rightly, that is, by organizing them as realities that come from God and are meant to return God.”
- “Worship” that is the right kind of cult, of relationship with God, is essential for the right kind of human existence in the world.” {page 20}
- “Man himself cannot simply ‘make worship’. If God does not reveal Himself, man is clutching at empty space. … When God does not reveal Himself, man can, of course, from the sense of God within him build altars to the ‘unknown god.’ “ {Acts 17:23} –{page 21}
- … “Liturgy includes some kind of “institution”. It cannot spring from imagination, our own creativity —- then it would remain just a cry in the dark or mere self-affirmation. Liturgy implies a real relationship with another, who reveals Himself to us and gives our existence a new direction.” {page 22}
- {Inserted by Pat Miron: these man-made, man remodeled liturgies is what is being addressed here} Liturgy is no longer going up to God, but drawing God down into one’s own world.” {page 22}
- If God does not reveal Himself; man is clutching empty spaces …. When God does not reveal Himself man can, of course from the sense of God within him, build altars to the unknown god’ {Acts 17:23} The Apostasy is more subtle. There is no obvious turning away from God to the false gods.”{page 22}
- “The apostasy is more subtle. There is no obvious turning away from God to false gods. Outwardly, the people remain attached to the same God.{again inserted by Pat Miron… OR SO THEY THINK…. ‘Worship is no longer going up to God, but drawing God to one’s own world” {page 22}
- “Man is using God, and in reality, even if not outwardly discernible, he is placing himself above God. … Worship becomes a feast that the community gives itself, a festival of self-affirmation. … Ultimately it is no longer concerned with God but gives oneself a nice little alternative world, manufactured from one’s own resources. Then Liturgy {no longer being primarily Sacred …inserted by Pat Miron} really becomes pointless.” {page 23}
- “God makes His Dwelling in the world: Heaven and earth are united.” … :Now if worship rightly understood, is the soul covenant, then it not only saves mankind but is also meant to draw the whole of reality into communion with God.”
- “But everything is bound up with freedom, and the creatures {us Christians who} has the freedom to turn the positive ‘exitus =exit’ around , as it were to rupture it … to say no to the ‘raditus’ = return: this is the refusal to be dependent… Love is seen as dependence and is rejected. And we discover that Redemption now has need of the Redeemer. The {early Church} Fathers saw this, and for them the parable of the Lost Sheep; and the Ram caught in the thorn bush” represents man in general.” {Genesis 22:4-14} {page 33}
- “Of necessity {worship} takes place as a struggle for atonement, forgiveness, reconciliation. The awareness of guilt weighs down on mankind. Worship is the attempt, to be found at every stage of history, to overcome guilt and to bring back the worlds and one’s own life into right order. {INSERTED BY PAT MIRON: It is precisely this fact that leads to the enormous “grace-merit-gap” between all Catholic Mass Worship services, and any and all other non-Catholic Christian worship services. Because even in the modernity of today’s{Catholic} “Ordinary” form of the Mass’; Jesus Christ is still present; still available and still wanting to be in the most possible of all possible intimate relationships with us. It is the reality of God… Jesus Himself in Person in Catholic Holy Communion that no other type of service can duplicate; and therefore leave all of them ‘wanting’ in a way that remains impossible to fulfill.} …. “The only real gift man should give to God is himself .” {Again inserted by Pat Miron… and this ‘gift’ of oneself is precisely what joins God to man and man to God in Catholic Holy Communion, and creates the unfillable gap that exist between our worship services and all those of competing faiths. {Please read: 1 John 1:6-7, 1 John5: 16-17 & John 20:19-23}
12 “The Christian {read here as ‘Catholic’} theology of worship —- beginning with St. John the Baptist {Behold the Lamb of God …. John 1: 29 “The next day, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world” ….’ Here the rules are laid down for the Sacrifice of the Passover Lamb {male unblemished} as the center of the liturgical year and of Israel’s memorial faith, which is at the same time an everlasting foundation of faith.’ ” … ‘More precious than sacrifice is obedience; submission more precious that the fat of rams.’ {Hosea 6:9 & Mt. 9:13, 12:7} … {pages 38-39}
Catholic Holy Communion is FROM God the Father; OF God the Son BY God the Holy Spirit. And is historical, biblical and through “Eucharistic Miracles”; is even visually verifiable; such is the desire of Our God to be truly known by all men:
http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/a3.html
Mt. 26:26-28, Mk.14: 22-23, Lk. 22: 19-21 … & 1st. Cor. 11: 26-30
John 6: “[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.
{** inserted from explanation by Douay Bible} } [54] Eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood: To receive the body and blood of Christ, is a divine precept, insinuated in this text; which the faithful fulfil, though they receive but in one kind; because in one kind they receive both body and blood, which cannot be separated from each other. Hence, life eternal is here promised to the worthy receiving, though but in one kind. Ver. 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. Ver. 58. He that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. Ver. 59. He that eateth this bread, shall live for ever.
[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. [58] As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth me, the same also shall live by me. [59]
It is this Reality that fosters the title of this Lesson. Do Protestants {and some Catholics, who too lack or refuse sufficient Grace} miss God? And Does God Hide Himself from them by limiting their faith and understanding? Yes and YES!
Missing Christ IS “missing God”. Our God who seeks OBEDIENCE more than Sacrifice foresaw the Protestant Revolution, and knew that His Son would be denied; ignored; and overlooked not because of a lack of clear biblical-teaching; but rather because mortal men usurped the right to what God wants, commands and Ordains, and prefer to develop their own methods; actually dictating to God, how He will forgive their sins; and how there Godless Presence; accepting at times the Holy Spirit; but missing Christ who desires to be in their midst
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.27: [10] “You shall therefore obey the voice of the LORD your God, keeping his commandments and his statutes, which I command you this day.”
Rom.1: [5]” through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations”
Rom.2: [8] “but for those who are factious and do not obey the truth, but obey wickedness, there will be wrath and fury.”
John 3: 35-36 “[35] the Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. [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. {No-one can claim to belief in the Son if they do not accept His Teaching & His Teaching AUTHORITY:
Mt. 28: 16-20 [16] And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them. [17] And seeing him they adored: but some doubted. [18] And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. [19] Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. [20] 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. …READ Mt. 10:1-8 and compare it to this final teaching of Jesus Christ recorded by St. Matthew, if you doubt this.
Acts 20:26-30 “26] Wherefore I take you to witness this day, that I am clear from the blood of all men; [27] For I have not spared to declare unto you all the counsel of God. [28] Take heed to yourselves, and to the whole flock, wherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops, to rule the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. [29] I know that, after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. [30] And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them”
Now friend look how Martian Luther {a former & now an apostate Catholic priest” changed this text to suit HIS new competing religion}….
Luther’s original bible translated from German into English: Acts 20: 26-30 “NIV 26 Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of all men. NIV 27 For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. NIV 28 Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. NIV 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. NIV 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/parallel-bible/passage/?q=acts+20:+26-30&t=lut&t2=niv
FROM THE KING JAMES bible:
Acts 20:26-30
KJV 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day that I am pure from the blood of all men. KJV 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. KJV 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. KJV 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. KJV 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise , speaking perverse things , to draw away disciples after them.”
http://www.biblestudytools.com/parallel-bible/passage/?q=acts+20:+26-30&t=lut&t2=kjv
I will end this by sharing that the bible IS a “Catholic Book” and that the ONLY “Christian Faith” to exist for at least a thousand years after the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is today’s Catholic Church. So whatever your current faith beliefs they have as the foundation; our Catholic Faith beliefs and teachings.
The very same Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger; as Pope Benedict XVI, had this insight to share:
“THERE CANNOT BE YOUR TRUTH AND MY TRUTH OR THERE WOULD BE NO TRUTH.”
May God’s continued Grace and Blessings be your’s
Patrick Miron
[PM1]
On God's Payroll 
