Pope Benedict XVI is a Biblical Master who understands the affairs of the world and the lack of God that this pagan world professes. We are blessed to have him as our Papa! To understand what I mean fully, read his book, Jesus of Nazareth.
Christmas Homily can be read here.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 18, 2009
We Shouldn't Make Popes Saints? Wake Up Fr. Reese!
Greg Burke, a writer for Fox News just wrote an article about the Beatification of John Paul II. See his article here. My letter below is what I wrote back to Mr. Burke and his craziness when he quotes priests like Fr. Thomas Reese, S.J.
Mr. Burke,
I recently just read your article - "Blessed John Paul II, Book Your Hotel Now" on Fox News regarding the Beatification of John Paul II. I enjoyed the article up to the point where you quoted Fr. Thomas Reese. I understand that you are trying to give both perspectives, but I urge you next time to attain a quote from someone that supports John Paul II's Beatification as well.
Fr. Reese is an anti-Papal priest who has strayed from the faithful teachings of the Church and her Magisterium. So according to his logic and his quote, me as I lay person should not read the lives of the saints unless they are lay people? That is absolutely ridiculous!
I think John Paul II should be canonized for enduring the sexual scandals. Plus the seeds of that scandal began before he was Pope in the early to mid 1970's. Fr. Reese obviously needs a Church History lesson. Should we not consider the 12 Apostles saints then or the Popes from the Early Church that kept the Church alive, fought against the internal heresies in the Church and were even martyred for Jesus Christ?
On a more personal note, I enjoy reading your articles and I am glad that Fox News covers news that comes out of the Vatican. Just next time, get someone who knows what they are talking about and person who supports the Church, unlike Fr. Thomas Reese.
In Christ,
Tom Perna
Mr. Burke,
I recently just read your article - "Blessed John Paul II, Book Your Hotel Now" on Fox News regarding the Beatification of John Paul II. I enjoyed the article up to the point where you quoted Fr. Thomas Reese. I understand that you are trying to give both perspectives, but I urge you next time to attain a quote from someone that supports John Paul II's Beatification as well.
Fr. Reese is an anti-Papal priest who has strayed from the faithful teachings of the Church and her Magisterium. So according to his logic and his quote, me as I lay person should not read the lives of the saints unless they are lay people? That is absolutely ridiculous!
I think John Paul II should be canonized for enduring the sexual scandals. Plus the seeds of that scandal began before he was Pope in the early to mid 1970's. Fr. Reese obviously needs a Church History lesson. Should we not consider the 12 Apostles saints then or the Popes from the Early Church that kept the Church alive, fought against the internal heresies in the Church and were even martyred for Jesus Christ?
On a more personal note, I enjoy reading your articles and I am glad that Fox News covers news that comes out of the Vatican. Just next time, get someone who knows what they are talking about and person who supports the Church, unlike Fr. Thomas Reese.
In Christ,
Tom Perna
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
O NO!
O NO! Could this be the foreshadowing of what is to come one year from now? Is this the underwater earthquake that will generate the political tsunami for the Democrats in the House and Senate?
We need to take our country back from these left-wing, radical, pork spending, baby killing, socialists. They all need to go the way of the dodo.
See this article if you have not already!
Don't Tread on Me! Long Live the Revolution!
We need to take our country back from these left-wing, radical, pork spending, baby killing, socialists. They all need to go the way of the dodo.
See this article if you have not already!
Don't Tread on Me! Long Live the Revolution!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Busy, Busy and the White House Tyranny
I am so busy with school work I don't know which way is up right now. I am still working on my development of the veneration of relics paper. I have 9 pages and need another 11 by this time next week since it's due in 7 days. I have reading coming out of my ears and realize that my four day break might be spent reading, but I will find some time to relax. I also have to write a 4-6 page paper on the relationship between Scripture and Tradition from The Meaning of Tradition by Yves Congar, O.P. This paper is also due next Tuesday. Plus this weekend I am working a few shifts as a driver for the Bioethics Conference. I will be picking up and dropping off people from the airport. To say the least, I am very busy, but I will get the work done. Please pray for me as you are all in my prayers.
Now on a fun note, I am sitting here watching the Glenn Beck show on FOX NEWS. There is so much I could write on regarding our current administration, but as stated above, I have work to do for my graduate degree. I just thought of something, scary as it is, in a tyranny, such as Fascism and Socialism, I would be rounded up, put on truck, and set off to a death camp because I have graduate degrees in Theology and Education. These tyrannies, this goes back to Plato's Republic, get rid of the scholars, intellectuals, and teachers because we can teach others about the wrongs that are being committed against us and how our free speech is being destroyed. Sorry for that side note, but it had to be mentioned.
Our current White House administration is walking towards tyranny. From O, Axelrod, Dunn, Gibbs (who is softer than toilet paper), and the Czars, they are talking about taking away our freedom of speech. I can't believe they are attacking a news organization now. To see what Robert "Toilet Paper" Gibbs said today, click on - toilet paper.
What can we do about this current White House Administration? First, next year, vote out all those cry baby liberals in the House and Senate. Get involved! I know I am. Second, vote out O and all his radical, left-wing, socialist, we don't like to be criticized henchmen. November 2012 can't come soon enough. I know that I will be heavily involved in making him the next Jimmy Carter (by the way, this guy died and nobody told him). Third, PRAY! Storm the Heavens with Prayer!
Now on a fun note, I am sitting here watching the Glenn Beck show on FOX NEWS. There is so much I could write on regarding our current administration, but as stated above, I have work to do for my graduate degree. I just thought of something, scary as it is, in a tyranny, such as Fascism and Socialism, I would be rounded up, put on truck, and set off to a death camp because I have graduate degrees in Theology and Education. These tyrannies, this goes back to Plato's Republic, get rid of the scholars, intellectuals, and teachers because we can teach others about the wrongs that are being committed against us and how our free speech is being destroyed. Sorry for that side note, but it had to be mentioned.
Our current White House administration is walking towards tyranny. From O, Axelrod, Dunn, Gibbs (who is softer than toilet paper), and the Czars, they are talking about taking away our freedom of speech. I can't believe they are attacking a news organization now. To see what Robert "Toilet Paper" Gibbs said today, click on - toilet paper.
What can we do about this current White House Administration? First, next year, vote out all those cry baby liberals in the House and Senate. Get involved! I know I am. Second, vote out O and all his radical, left-wing, socialist, we don't like to be criticized henchmen. November 2012 can't come soon enough. I know that I will be heavily involved in making him the next Jimmy Carter (by the way, this guy died and nobody told him). Third, PRAY! Storm the Heavens with Prayer!
Friday, October 9, 2009
SAY IT AIN'T SO...
SAY IT AIN'T SO "O", SAY IT AIN'T SO!
I woke up this morning to text message from a friend of mine asking did I hear the crazy news about the President. I ran to my computer and found that Obama (who has only been President since January 20 - that's just shy of 9 months) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I gaffed at the article I read online. This is the BIGGEST load of crap I have read in the news in many many years. My friend who texted me this morning said that, "it just negated every nobel ever awarded."
He has done nothing! He has not helped this country, actually, he is making this country weak. All this will do is add to his narcissistic egotistical personality. Obama is a ego-maniac! I am going to make a prediction - I bet he uses that he won the award in his upcoming speeches to promote his left-wing, socialist, and radical views.
The man is an empty suit. He brings nothing to the table. He has no experience for this position and the GOP was correct in establishing this point against him pre-election last year. He has no clue what do with Iran and the Islamic terrorists, he has given us a pork package that couldn't stimulate a female pig (that's hard to do since animals don't have the ability of self-control as humans do), Health Care is a stinking mess, he is giving Al Qaeda more time in Afghanistan since we won't make a decision on troop levels, he is now controlling the auto industry and he wants to control the internet, so people like me, people that are free, can't write blogs that will damage his narcissistic personality. There are probably other things he is doing that we just don't know about yet or because CNN, MSNBC and the other "state" controlled media are not reporting it.
I remember when I was 18 years and Bill Clinton was elected to the Presidency, my Father said to me, "Every few years, the American people do something stupid." Well Dad was correct this year too - they elected this clown from the political cesspool called Chicago, Illinois. Not only have the American people done something stupid this year, it looks like the world has joined in on the stupid party too.
I woke up this morning to text message from a friend of mine asking did I hear the crazy news about the President. I ran to my computer and found that Obama (who has only been President since January 20 - that's just shy of 9 months) was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. I gaffed at the article I read online. This is the BIGGEST load of crap I have read in the news in many many years. My friend who texted me this morning said that, "it just negated every nobel ever awarded."
He has done nothing! He has not helped this country, actually, he is making this country weak. All this will do is add to his narcissistic egotistical personality. Obama is a ego-maniac! I am going to make a prediction - I bet he uses that he won the award in his upcoming speeches to promote his left-wing, socialist, and radical views.
The man is an empty suit. He brings nothing to the table. He has no experience for this position and the GOP was correct in establishing this point against him pre-election last year. He has no clue what do with Iran and the Islamic terrorists, he has given us a pork package that couldn't stimulate a female pig (that's hard to do since animals don't have the ability of self-control as humans do), Health Care is a stinking mess, he is giving Al Qaeda more time in Afghanistan since we won't make a decision on troop levels, he is now controlling the auto industry and he wants to control the internet, so people like me, people that are free, can't write blogs that will damage his narcissistic personality. There are probably other things he is doing that we just don't know about yet or because CNN, MSNBC and the other "state" controlled media are not reporting it.
I remember when I was 18 years and Bill Clinton was elected to the Presidency, my Father said to me, "Every few years, the American people do something stupid." Well Dad was correct this year too - they elected this clown from the political cesspool called Chicago, Illinois. Not only have the American people done something stupid this year, it looks like the world has joined in on the stupid party too.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Pro-Life America
I had friends that walked across the United States of America this summer in the annual Pro-Life Walk sponsored by CROSSROADS and they said to me that nearly everywhere they walked they were greeted very well and it seemed as if America was PRO-LIFE. This is good news since we have the most Pro-Abortion President in the history of this country sitting in the Oval Office for another three painful years. Read this article - Pray To End Abortion!
Pew poll finds abortion support at new low, especially among certain Catholics
Shared via AddThis
Pew poll finds abortion support at new low, especially among certain Catholics
Shared via AddThis
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Appointed to be Missionaries
This was taken from the Meditation of the Day (October 1, 2009) in the Magnificat. The Magnificat is essentially a smaller version of the Liturgy of the Hours/Office of Readings (The Official Prayer of the Church). It contains Morning and Evening Prayers, the Readings for Mass, Meditations of the Day, Saint of the Day, and the Eucharistic Prayers.
Today's Meditation of the Day was written by Saint Therese of Lisieux, whose feast day is today. St. Therese was a Carmelite Nun who died at the age of 24. She is considered one of the great modern saints of the Church, a patron saint of Missionaries - although she never left her convent, she was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II, and she is one of my favorite saints. She is known as the "Little Flower" and often the smell of roses accompanies her prayerful intercession for you. After reading this meditation, you will see what she is 1 of the 33 Doctors of the Catholic Church.
Ah! my Jesus, pardon me if I am unreasonable in wishing to express my desires and longings which reach even into infinity. Pardon me and heal my soul by giving her what she longs for so much!
To be your spouse, to be a Carmelite, and by my union with you to be the Mother of souls, should not this suffice me? And yet it is not so. No doubt, these three privileges sum up my true vocation: Carmelite, Spouse, Mother, and yet I feel within me other vocations. I feel the vocation of the WARRIOR, THE PRIEST, THE APOSTLE, THE DOCTOR, THE MARTYR. Finally, I feel the need and the desire of carrying out the most heroic deeds for you, O Jesus. I feel within my soul the courage of the Crusader, the Papal Guard, and I would want to die on the field of battle in defense of the Church.
I feel in me the vocation of the Priest. With that love, O Jesus, I would carry you in my hands when at my voice, you would come down from heaven. And with what love would I give you to souls! But alas! while desiring to be a Priest, I admire and envy the humility of St. Francis of Assisi and I feel the vocation of imitating him in refusing the sublime dignity of the Priesthood.
O Jesus, my love, my Life, how can I combine these contrasts? How can I realize the desires of my poor little soul?
Ah! in my spite of my littleness, I would like to enlighten souls as did the Prophets and the Doctors. I have the vocation of the Apostle, I would like to travel over the whole earth to preach your name and to plant your glorious cross on infidel soil. But O my Beloved, one mission alone would be sufficient for me, I would want to preach the Gospel on all the five continents simultaneously and even to the the most remote isles. I would be a missionary, not for a few years only but from the beginning of creation until the consummation of the ages. But above all, O my Beloved Savior, I would shed my blood for you even to the very last drop.
Today's Meditation of the Day was written by Saint Therese of Lisieux, whose feast day is today. St. Therese was a Carmelite Nun who died at the age of 24. She is considered one of the great modern saints of the Church, a patron saint of Missionaries - although she never left her convent, she was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1997 by Pope John Paul II, and she is one of my favorite saints. She is known as the "Little Flower" and often the smell of roses accompanies her prayerful intercession for you. After reading this meditation, you will see what she is 1 of the 33 Doctors of the Catholic Church.
Ah! my Jesus, pardon me if I am unreasonable in wishing to express my desires and longings which reach even into infinity. Pardon me and heal my soul by giving her what she longs for so much!
To be your spouse, to be a Carmelite, and by my union with you to be the Mother of souls, should not this suffice me? And yet it is not so. No doubt, these three privileges sum up my true vocation: Carmelite, Spouse, Mother, and yet I feel within me other vocations. I feel the vocation of the WARRIOR, THE PRIEST, THE APOSTLE, THE DOCTOR, THE MARTYR. Finally, I feel the need and the desire of carrying out the most heroic deeds for you, O Jesus. I feel within my soul the courage of the Crusader, the Papal Guard, and I would want to die on the field of battle in defense of the Church.
I feel in me the vocation of the Priest. With that love, O Jesus, I would carry you in my hands when at my voice, you would come down from heaven. And with what love would I give you to souls! But alas! while desiring to be a Priest, I admire and envy the humility of St. Francis of Assisi and I feel the vocation of imitating him in refusing the sublime dignity of the Priesthood.
O Jesus, my love, my Life, how can I combine these contrasts? How can I realize the desires of my poor little soul?
Ah! in my spite of my littleness, I would like to enlighten souls as did the Prophets and the Doctors. I have the vocation of the Apostle, I would like to travel over the whole earth to preach your name and to plant your glorious cross on infidel soil. But O my Beloved, one mission alone would be sufficient for me, I would want to preach the Gospel on all the five continents simultaneously and even to the the most remote isles. I would be a missionary, not for a few years only but from the beginning of creation until the consummation of the ages. But above all, O my Beloved Savior, I would shed my blood for you even to the very last drop.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
President or Candidate for the Presidency?
Will he ever be our President or just a candidate for the Presidency for the next 3 years?
Don't you think with two wars, the health care mess (that he created), the economy, Iran, and other issues at home, he would want to focus his attention on this country? But NO - he wants to go and be a salesperson for the 2016 Olympics with his wife and the other corrupt "officials" from Chicago. God help us since Washington is now seeing Illinois politics first hand.
Don't you think with two wars, the health care mess (that he created), the economy, Iran, and other issues at home, he would want to focus his attention on this country? But NO - he wants to go and be a salesperson for the 2016 Olympics with his wife and the other corrupt "officials" from Chicago. God help us since Washington is now seeing Illinois politics first hand.
5 Weeks In
It's been nearly a month since I have written anything on this blog, so I thought I would update you all on what is happening here in the beautiful town of Steubenville - ha ha ha! The Fall Semester is already 5 weeks in. Mid-terms are right around the corner, but the good thing for me is that I only have one this term and it's a take home, plus it's in the class that I love very much - Biblical Foundations with Dr. John Bergsma. To learn more about him and to order his CD's, check out his website by clicking on his name: Dr. John Bergsma - I would suggest ordering one or two of his CD's to start. He records them in the classes I have taken with him.
My other two classes are as equally as good. Grace and Virtues has been a study in Grace by way of spirituality and poetry. Dr. Martin has such a passion for the subject and for teaching as a whole. The Meaning of Grace by Charles Journet is a book I suggest to everyone. It is a fantastic explanation of grace and the five existential states of grace. My third course is Catholic Theology and Development of Catholic Doctrine. I am very glad that I transferred into this class. It has been a decent class so far and really has helped me understand the development of Catholic Tradition much better. I am excited to start reading John Henry Newman soon. I am also writing a 2 papers, 15-20 pages a piece for this class. My topic is the Doctrinal Development of the Veneration of Relics. A very interesting topic to say the least. I am going to visit St. Anthony's Chapel in Pittsburgh this Saturday since they have the largest collection of relics in the world outside of Rome. From what I have been told by others, it's quite an amazing mini-pilgrimage. (Note: Pittsburgh is also second to Venice, Italy in having the most bridges in a city).
Those of who read this blog for - A Baptist Knocking At My Door - at this time the correspondence with Matthew has ceased. I have emailed him a few times, but have not received a response back. We are both back in school so that could be the reason why I have not heard from him.
On the weather note, since I know Zonies (persons that come from the state of Arizona) are reading this blog and could be interested in the Ohio climate, I will give a short update. The Autumn season has arrived. The trees are changing colors and the temperature have quickly dropped. Yesterday was 56 degrees and today will be the same. Tonight's low is expecting to reach 39 degrees. However, the temps are to increase into the the 60's during the day for the weekend. The weather is stating that over the next 10 days, we will have 4 days of sunshine. That is pretty good actually!
Remember that you are all in my prayers. Please pray for me and my studies here at Franciscan. Please also pray for our country because it needs very much - see other blog entries.
My other two classes are as equally as good. Grace and Virtues has been a study in Grace by way of spirituality and poetry. Dr. Martin has such a passion for the subject and for teaching as a whole. The Meaning of Grace by Charles Journet is a book I suggest to everyone. It is a fantastic explanation of grace and the five existential states of grace. My third course is Catholic Theology and Development of Catholic Doctrine. I am very glad that I transferred into this class. It has been a decent class so far and really has helped me understand the development of Catholic Tradition much better. I am excited to start reading John Henry Newman soon. I am also writing a 2 papers, 15-20 pages a piece for this class. My topic is the Doctrinal Development of the Veneration of Relics. A very interesting topic to say the least. I am going to visit St. Anthony's Chapel in Pittsburgh this Saturday since they have the largest collection of relics in the world outside of Rome. From what I have been told by others, it's quite an amazing mini-pilgrimage. (Note: Pittsburgh is also second to Venice, Italy in having the most bridges in a city).
Those of who read this blog for - A Baptist Knocking At My Door - at this time the correspondence with Matthew has ceased. I have emailed him a few times, but have not received a response back. We are both back in school so that could be the reason why I have not heard from him.
On the weather note, since I know Zonies (persons that come from the state of Arizona) are reading this blog and could be interested in the Ohio climate, I will give a short update. The Autumn season has arrived. The trees are changing colors and the temperature have quickly dropped. Yesterday was 56 degrees and today will be the same. Tonight's low is expecting to reach 39 degrees. However, the temps are to increase into the the 60's during the day for the weekend. The weather is stating that over the next 10 days, we will have 4 days of sunshine. That is pretty good actually!
Remember that you are all in my prayers. Please pray for me and my studies here at Franciscan. Please also pray for our country because it needs very much - see other blog entries.
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Fighting Rabbi's?
Everyone has heard of the Fighting Irish, but the Fighting Rabbi's? Check out this article from the New York Post that is about a Jewish Security Force who are teaching Rabbi's how to protect their synagogues from Islamic terrorists.
Since the Old Covenant has been replaced by New and Everlasting Covenant, I still wonder what Aaron, his sons, and the Levitical Priests who followed would have thought about this since it was their job to work and GUARD the Sanctuary. This takes guarding up to a whole new level!
GO AHEAD, MAKE MY HIGH HOLIDAY
Since the Old Covenant has been replaced by New and Everlasting Covenant, I still wonder what Aaron, his sons, and the Levitical Priests who followed would have thought about this since it was their job to work and GUARD the Sanctuary. This takes guarding up to a whole new level!
GO AHEAD, MAKE MY HIGH HOLIDAY
Thursday, September 3, 2009
White House withdraws call for students to 'help' Obama
Even though the language has "changed" from the White House, I still don't trust this administration. They have a hidden agenda just as all of us thought during the Presidential Election. Continue to stand up and resist the evils that this administration wants to bring to us. 2010 is almost here! We must do everything we can to get rid of those politicians who stand arm and arm with this administration - VOTE them out! If I had children who attended a public school on this day, I still would keep them home and not subject them to this socialist administration.
WH withdraws call for students to 'help' Obama - Washington Times
Shared via AddThis
WH withdraws call for students to 'help' Obama - Washington Times
Shared via AddThis
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Critics Decry Obama's 'Indoctrination' Plan for Students
This is the now the biggest load of garbage that I have seen come out of this White House Administration or should we begin to say, White House Dictatorship. Everyone who subscribes to this blog or reads this blog must pass this article on to their friends. We are losing our great country to socialists who want our children to assist them in their socialistic ways. This has the stench of Red Communism and Nazi Germany. The Nazi's had the Hitler Youth (Hitler-Jugend) who used propaganda and now it looks like our president wants to do that with American schoolchildren. As a former high school teacher, this is an absolute crime and outrage.
STAND UP AND FIGHT this nonsense!
What's going to be next? The President's Term should be extended or will they start questioning all the intellectuals and teachers who could instruct others to resist this socialist trash.
Critics Decry Obama's 'Indoctrination' Plan for Students - Political News - FOXNews.com
Posted using ShareThis
STAND UP AND FIGHT this nonsense!
What's going to be next? The President's Term should be extended or will they start questioning all the intellectuals and teachers who could instruct others to resist this socialist trash.
Critics Decry Obama's 'Indoctrination' Plan for Students - Political News - FOXNews.com
Posted using ShareThis
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Cardinal Mahony calls Kennedy a champion of the powerless - REALLY?
This is pure nonsense! The powerless? The voiceless? When did Ted Kennedy ever speak for the unborn of this country? 40 million human lives have been silenced because of abortion. Many of my generation never had a chance to life. I understand he is a priest and all, so I will refrain, but when does he turn 75? He has got to go!!!
Cardinal Mahony calls Kennedy a champion of the powerless [Updated]
Posted using ShareThis
Cardinal Mahony calls Kennedy a champion of the powerless [Updated]
Posted using ShareThis
Friday, August 28, 2009
Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist
I worked with three of these Dominican Sisters at St. Mary's High School in Phoenix, Arizona. Summer of 2008, I attended a Final Profession for one of the sisters I worked with and also a few others I knew from Phoenix. They are an amazing order that continues to grow by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Please pray for them!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
First Week of Classes at Franciscan - Fall 2009
Well I just finished my first week of classes or should I say my first two days of classes. I only have class this semester on Tuesday and Thursday. I am very excited for my courses this semester. I am now taking Biblical Foundations with Dr. John Bergsma (I had him for PBS 1 & 2 - great prof!). Grace and Virtue with Dr. Regis Martin - this class is going to be very good. I like his poetic style of teaching. And today I just added Catholic Theology of Tradition and the Development of Doctrine with Dr. Steven Hildebrand (he honestly scares me a bit..ha ha). I was taking a course on the Catholic Philosopher, Dietrich Von Hildebrand, but chose to drop that course. I know my limits and what I am capable of and I was not going to do well in this class since it's a high level philosophy course. Even though I have a B.A. in Philosophy, this class was over my head. I can admit that and feel fine with it. I will read the books from the class though on my own time.
The books for each of my classes all look fantastic and just packed full of orthodoxy. Particularly, I am looking forward to read Jesus of Nazareth by Pope Benedict XVI, Letter and Spirit by Dr. Scott Hahn, and The Meaning of Tradition by Yves Congar, O.P. This book should help me with my dialogue I am having with the young Baptist missionary (see A Baptist Knocking At My Door on this blog). I am excited to read all of my texts, but these three caught my attention.
Those of you who are read this blog, please keep me in your prayers. I am praying whether or not I should study in Rome in the Spring. There are some obstacles in my way at the moment. If I don't go to study in Rome, I might take a trip in May to Rome. Please pray for me as I begin another semester here at Franciscan. You are in my prayers as well.
I am off to have a beer and cigar on my front porch.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Catholics should imitate Mary and say 'yes' to God, Pope Benedict says
Check out what Pope Benedict XVI says about Catholics imitating Mary. We should always do what Mother does. We are blessed to have such a Pope that loves his flock.
Shared via AddThis
Saturday, August 15, 2009
The Assumption of Our Lady
Defined a Dogma by the Catholic Church on November 1, 1950. The Definition of the Dogma is that the Immaculate Mother of God, the Ever Virgin Mary having completed the course of her earthly life was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.
There are five general sources of support for this Dogma:
1. The consensus of the teaching church –
Pope Pius XII asked the Bishops of the world in 1946 -
a. Is the Assumption definable?
b. Do you and your flock desire a definition?
8 million petitions over 95 years wanted this Dogma declared. There was a petition from the Fathers in Vatican I to make this a dogma.
2. Sacred Scripture – Pope Pius XII returns us to Genesis 3:15 and the teachings of St. Paul on sin. Mary shares the same victory over sin and death Jesus does due to their mutual entity with Satan and sin. St. Paul tells us (Romans 5-8, 1 Cor 15, 24, 26) the effects of the seed of Satan are sin and death, therefore Mary had to triumph over sin and death. She triumphs over sin through her Immaculate Conception and triumphs over death in her Assumption.
a. Luke 1:28 – Full of grace: her being full of grace would not be tainted by the effects of sin which would not be bodily death.
b. Psalm 131:8 – Arise O Lord out of your resting place and you and the Ark which you have sanctified.
c. Rev 11:19 – Mary as the Ark of the Heavenly Jerusalem
d. Rev 12:1 – Woman crowned is the woman assumed.
3. Sacred Tradition – First clear reference in the homilies of St. Gregory of Tours (+593) by this time there are established liturgies.
4. Sacred Liturgy – In Egypt and Syria there are liturgies on our Lady by the 5th and 6th centuries. There is a clear and common teaching. By the 7th century, the Assumption is celebrated in Gaul and 8th century it’s celebrated in Rome. 12th century – accepted as doctrinal teaching.
5. Connection between the Assumption and other Marian Dogmas –
a. Theotokos – Mary would be presented from the decay of the grave by a privilege their her divine son could grant her.
b. Immaculate Conception and the Assumption – the Assumption is the natural effect of the Immaculate Conception.
Now arises the question that has been debated for centuries and is still debated today - Did Mary Die? There are two schools that make their respective arguments on this question, the Mortalists and Immortalists.
First, the Mortalists position is that Mary experienced a temporary separation of spirit and body but without body corruption. Her spirit would assume directly into heaven and her body would be on earth for three days like Jesus. She wants to be a disciple. [Stronger position] Pope John Paul II favored this position. The Eastern Church also views this position as the Dormition of Mary (August 14).
Second, the Immortalists position is that Mary with Body and Soul intact was just assumed into heaven. She could not do this on her own power. Her assumption is active.
Personally, after studying this Dogma and reading of I have read about it, I favor the Mortalist view. My favoring of this view is rooted in the Death of Christ. If Jesus had to die, why wouldn't have Mary had to die? Both were perfect and without sin, but I think Our Lord allowed his Mother to see death. Her body did not corrupt as our bodies do at death. Like Jesus, the body of Mary remains here on earth for three days. The Body of Mary is then assumed into heaven where it is united again with her soul.
Then there is the question, Where did Mary die?
1. Jerusalem – She ended her life with the Apostles in Jerusalem.
2. Ephesus – Mary did go with John to Ephesus.
Mary, Assumed Body and Soul into Heaven - Pray for Us!
This information came from notes that I took in Theology 655 - Mary in the Modern World with Dr. Mark Miravalle, Spring 2009.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
A Baptist Knocking At My Door, Part 4
As promised in Part 3, I would answer the questions Matthew brought up in his lastest email to me. This is by far the most extensive response I have given him so far. Sorry for the length everyone! I have a hard time saying things simply.
Dear Matthew,
I apologize for my absence over the past few days, but I have been dealing with a medical issue and spending some quality time with my family while I am back home in Phoenix. Before we get back to our discussion, I wanted to thank you for sharing with me some personal information about your life. It is good for us to know one another on a personal level. I have B.A in Philosophy and a Masters in Secondary Education. You know already that I am working on a second masters in Theology. I enjoy watching baseball and football. I am a big NY Yankees and NY Giants fan. I also enjoy playing golf when time permits.
Okay...let's return to the Saints. Yes, Jesus did walk the earth and yes he did experience all things that we experience without sin, but that still does not take away from his glory if we ask our fellow humans, who were just like us, to pray for our intercession. The saints in heaven are in the presence of God perpetually. The saints worship God, but they also intercede for us if we request them to do so. Not sure what you meant when you said, "those saints are worshipping God and not interceding for him." The saints are in full communion with God since they are in heaven with him. Having others pray for us should be a good thing. It should not be despised or just thrown aside. It's essential that we ask Christ to pray for us directly in all that we desire (John 14:13-14). This is something that the Catholic Church encourages quite a bit during the highest form of worship and prayer - the Catholic Mass. The Mass is the central form of worship which is directed towards God and Jesus, not the saints. However, this does not mean we should not ask our fellow Christians to pray for us, especially those in heaven, who are in the ever presence of God and Jesus. Those who claim that our fellow Christians in heaven do not hear our prayers are narrow-minded. The Bible points out to us in numerous places that those in heaven (which includes the angels) pray with us and for us. Please see Psalm 103:20-21, 148:1-2, and Revelation 8:3-4.
Furthermore, you bring up the words - "dead saints" a few times in your latest response to me. I imagine you are referring to Deuteronomy 18:10-11 when God commands not to talk to the dead. However, Christ himself speaks to the dead! At the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3, Mark 9:4, Luke 9:30), Jesus speaks with both Moses and Elijah. Moses represents the Old Law and Elijah is the greatest of the prophets. They appear to attest to the authority of Christ. What God does not allow when speaking with the dead is the practices such as seances that want to contact spirits. God commands us not to contact the dead to gain information - we are to look to the prophets for that. There is clearly a difference between trying to contact the dead for personal gain and asking a fellow Christian who has passed to pray for us on God's behalf. In regards to your point about James 1:5-7 -- you are taking it out of context to fit your argument against me. It does state that we should ask God for wisdom if we lack it, but it says nothing about not praying to others who also have wisdom and have gone before us. You clearly misunderstand what the passage is saying. Also, Jesus does not say that we can't pray to the saints. Prayers that are offered as intercession for others is "good and pleasing to God" (1 Timothy 2:3). I am not sure what you are trying to prove when you say that Jesus gave us the Our Father and that he did not say pray to saints.
I am happy to hear that you have heard of Augustine. He is one of my favorite fathers of the church. His conversion story, Confessions, is a classic. Have you ever read it? His mother, Monica, who is also a canonized saint, prayed for his conversion. Finally after 25 YEARS (can you imagine?) of prayer from his mother, he converted. What other Early Church Fathers have you read or heard about? Please tell me. I love the Early Church Fathers.
Asking for the intercession of the saints is not something the Catholic Church just decided to make up one day. This practice of praying to the saints began in the Early Church. The catacombs throughout Europe, specifically in Rome, clearly show that the Early Christians asked the saints to pray for them. In the catacombs in Rome, there are writings on the walls asking for Paul and Peter to pray for them. The Early Church was persecuted and the Early Christians knowing that both Peter (crucified upside down) and Paul (beheaded) were martyred for the faith prayed for their intercession and guidance since they could be martyred as well.
In regards to Catholics worshipping religious pictures and statues of saints -- this claim has been made for hundreds of years. I still can't believe people bring this up. You think that Catholics are breaking the commandment in Exodus 20:4-5 and 32:31, right? First, it is correct to warn people about idolatry. From the early days of the apostles, the Catholic Church has boldly condemned the sin of idolatry, the early Church Fathers condemned it and so have many Church councils. Someone who calls a Catholic an idol worshipper simply because he or she has a statue of a saint or a picture of Jesus in his home, clearly is ignorant of what the Bible teaches about statues. Second, there are many scripture passages where God clearly commands that statues be made. When giving instructions on how the Ark of the Covenant was to be made, he speaks of the cherubim statues (Exodus 25:18-20). Again, David's plan for the temple which included statues of angels (1 Chronicles 28:18-19). Also, in Ezekiel 41:17-18, the prophet speaks of the images that were to be carved in the inner room and on the nave looking like cherubim. More so, in Numbers 21:8-9, we read about when Moses was told by God to make a statue of a fiery serpent (bronze serpent) and set it on a pole so whoever looks at it would be healed (they were bitten by a plague of serpents for punishment). This passage clearly shows that the statues were not just religious decorations, but could be used within a ritual.
So why do so many faithful and practicing Catholics have statues, paintings and other religious devices in their homes or on their front porch (I imagine you saw that in Steubenville on your mission trip)? Simply: Catholics use statues and religious images to depict or recall the person. By looking at pictures of the saints or Jesus, it helps Catholics to remember that person in a more visual way. Think about this Matthew. As human beings, we come to know the world through our five senses. Having a statue or a picture amplifies us to use our sense of touch and sight more. Catholics DO NOT worship these pictures or statues. We do not bow down to them as the Greeks and Romans did with their gods. They are merely there to help us pray more and to remember more what that person was like here on earth. I have a statue of Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, in my living room. I ask St. Joseph to pray for me so I can be a great role model for other men since he is such a great role model for men. Imagine his vocation, he was to care and protect Mary and Jesus! What a job! I do not worship that statue, but it helps me to remember who he was when he lived on this earth.
Let's put it another way - do you have pictures of your family and friends either in your home, wallet, or your dorm room/apartment at school? Why do you have these pictures? Is it to remember who they are and how important they are to you?? Do you worship these "images"? Do you bow down to these "images"?
Just as you use pictures of your family members, those still alive and those who are deceased, to remember them when you are away from them, so do Catholics use the pictures and statues to remind them of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us. Catholics also use statues and religious art as tools for teaching. Throughout the history of the Church, there have been periods of illiteracy (illiterate = those who cannot read). The Church would use the religious art to often explain the Biblical stories to the faithful. In Art History, Stain Glass Windows were known as the "Bible of the Poor." [Make sure you click on that link for stain glass windows]. I imagine that your community has images of Jesus and other biblical pictures they use for Sunday school. Catholics also use statues to remember certain people and events, similar to Protestant communities who have three-dimensional nativity scenes during Christmas.
Well...I think that is a good place to stop for now. I have given you a lot to read and think about regarding the saints. Remember, this is just one topic. Wait till we get to Scripture and Tradition, The Last Things, The Blessed Mother, The Sacraments, the Papacy and so much more. If you want to wait and get back to me after you return from your missionary work in Nicaragua on August 21, that is okay too. If you want to write me before you go too, that is fine as well.
You are in my prayers. Pray for me.
In Christ,
Tom
Please pray for Matthew's conversion!
Dear Matthew,
I apologize for my absence over the past few days, but I have been dealing with a medical issue and spending some quality time with my family while I am back home in Phoenix. Before we get back to our discussion, I wanted to thank you for sharing with me some personal information about your life. It is good for us to know one another on a personal level. I have B.A in Philosophy and a Masters in Secondary Education. You know already that I am working on a second masters in Theology. I enjoy watching baseball and football. I am a big NY Yankees and NY Giants fan. I also enjoy playing golf when time permits.
Okay...let's return to the Saints. Yes, Jesus did walk the earth and yes he did experience all things that we experience without sin, but that still does not take away from his glory if we ask our fellow humans, who were just like us, to pray for our intercession. The saints in heaven are in the presence of God perpetually. The saints worship God, but they also intercede for us if we request them to do so. Not sure what you meant when you said, "those saints are worshipping God and not interceding for him." The saints are in full communion with God since they are in heaven with him. Having others pray for us should be a good thing. It should not be despised or just thrown aside. It's essential that we ask Christ to pray for us directly in all that we desire (John 14:13-14). This is something that the Catholic Church encourages quite a bit during the highest form of worship and prayer - the Catholic Mass. The Mass is the central form of worship which is directed towards God and Jesus, not the saints. However, this does not mean we should not ask our fellow Christians to pray for us, especially those in heaven, who are in the ever presence of God and Jesus. Those who claim that our fellow Christians in heaven do not hear our prayers are narrow-minded. The Bible points out to us in numerous places that those in heaven (which includes the angels) pray with us and for us. Please see Psalm 103:20-21, 148:1-2, and Revelation 8:3-4.
Furthermore, you bring up the words - "dead saints" a few times in your latest response to me. I imagine you are referring to Deuteronomy 18:10-11 when God commands not to talk to the dead. However, Christ himself speaks to the dead! At the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3, Mark 9:4, Luke 9:30), Jesus speaks with both Moses and Elijah. Moses represents the Old Law and Elijah is the greatest of the prophets. They appear to attest to the authority of Christ. What God does not allow when speaking with the dead is the practices such as seances that want to contact spirits. God commands us not to contact the dead to gain information - we are to look to the prophets for that. There is clearly a difference between trying to contact the dead for personal gain and asking a fellow Christian who has passed to pray for us on God's behalf. In regards to your point about James 1:5-7 -- you are taking it out of context to fit your argument against me. It does state that we should ask God for wisdom if we lack it, but it says nothing about not praying to others who also have wisdom and have gone before us. You clearly misunderstand what the passage is saying. Also, Jesus does not say that we can't pray to the saints. Prayers that are offered as intercession for others is "good and pleasing to God" (1 Timothy 2:3). I am not sure what you are trying to prove when you say that Jesus gave us the Our Father and that he did not say pray to saints.
I am happy to hear that you have heard of Augustine. He is one of my favorite fathers of the church. His conversion story, Confessions, is a classic. Have you ever read it? His mother, Monica, who is also a canonized saint, prayed for his conversion. Finally after 25 YEARS (can you imagine?) of prayer from his mother, he converted. What other Early Church Fathers have you read or heard about? Please tell me. I love the Early Church Fathers.
Asking for the intercession of the saints is not something the Catholic Church just decided to make up one day. This practice of praying to the saints began in the Early Church. The catacombs throughout Europe, specifically in Rome, clearly show that the Early Christians asked the saints to pray for them. In the catacombs in Rome, there are writings on the walls asking for Paul and Peter to pray for them. The Early Church was persecuted and the Early Christians knowing that both Peter (crucified upside down) and Paul (beheaded) were martyred for the faith prayed for their intercession and guidance since they could be martyred as well.
In regards to Catholics worshipping religious pictures and statues of saints -- this claim has been made for hundreds of years. I still can't believe people bring this up. You think that Catholics are breaking the commandment in Exodus 20:4-5 and 32:31, right? First, it is correct to warn people about idolatry. From the early days of the apostles, the Catholic Church has boldly condemned the sin of idolatry, the early Church Fathers condemned it and so have many Church councils. Someone who calls a Catholic an idol worshipper simply because he or she has a statue of a saint or a picture of Jesus in his home, clearly is ignorant of what the Bible teaches about statues. Second, there are many scripture passages where God clearly commands that statues be made. When giving instructions on how the Ark of the Covenant was to be made, he speaks of the cherubim statues (Exodus 25:18-20). Again, David's plan for the temple which included statues of angels (1 Chronicles 28:18-19). Also, in Ezekiel 41:17-18, the prophet speaks of the images that were to be carved in the inner room and on the nave looking like cherubim. More so, in Numbers 21:8-9, we read about when Moses was told by God to make a statue of a fiery serpent (bronze serpent) and set it on a pole so whoever looks at it would be healed (they were bitten by a plague of serpents for punishment). This passage clearly shows that the statues were not just religious decorations, but could be used within a ritual.
So why do so many faithful and practicing Catholics have statues, paintings and other religious devices in their homes or on their front porch (I imagine you saw that in Steubenville on your mission trip)? Simply: Catholics use statues and religious images to depict or recall the person. By looking at pictures of the saints or Jesus, it helps Catholics to remember that person in a more visual way. Think about this Matthew. As human beings, we come to know the world through our five senses. Having a statue or a picture amplifies us to use our sense of touch and sight more. Catholics DO NOT worship these pictures or statues. We do not bow down to them as the Greeks and Romans did with their gods. They are merely there to help us pray more and to remember more what that person was like here on earth. I have a statue of Saint Joseph, the foster father of Jesus, in my living room. I ask St. Joseph to pray for me so I can be a great role model for other men since he is such a great role model for men. Imagine his vocation, he was to care and protect Mary and Jesus! What a job! I do not worship that statue, but it helps me to remember who he was when he lived on this earth.
Let's put it another way - do you have pictures of your family and friends either in your home, wallet, or your dorm room/apartment at school? Why do you have these pictures? Is it to remember who they are and how important they are to you?? Do you worship these "images"? Do you bow down to these "images"?
Just as you use pictures of your family members, those still alive and those who are deceased, to remember them when you are away from them, so do Catholics use the pictures and statues to remind them of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone before us. Catholics also use statues and religious art as tools for teaching. Throughout the history of the Church, there have been periods of illiteracy (illiterate = those who cannot read). The Church would use the religious art to often explain the Biblical stories to the faithful. In Art History, Stain Glass Windows were known as the "Bible of the Poor." [Make sure you click on that link for stain glass windows]. I imagine that your community has images of Jesus and other biblical pictures they use for Sunday school. Catholics also use statues to remember certain people and events, similar to Protestant communities who have three-dimensional nativity scenes during Christmas.
Well...I think that is a good place to stop for now. I have given you a lot to read and think about regarding the saints. Remember, this is just one topic. Wait till we get to Scripture and Tradition, The Last Things, The Blessed Mother, The Sacraments, the Papacy and so much more. If you want to wait and get back to me after you return from your missionary work in Nicaragua on August 21, that is okay too. If you want to write me before you go too, that is fine as well.
You are in my prayers. Pray for me.
In Christ,
Tom
Please pray for Matthew's conversion!
Monday, August 10, 2009
A Baptist Knocking At My Door, Part 3
After not hearing from Matthew for a few days, I decided to write him again to see if he was still interested in having this discussion with me. Finally after nearly a week, I heard from him again. He first asked about the Protestant Reformation. He claims that Martin Luther and Jean Calvin both brought their "churches" back to the way the Church was originally set up by the apostles. He also asked me why do Catholics pray to the saints. I am not sure why he chose such vast differnt topics.
After thinking about it for a short time, I replied and below is what I said to him --
Dear Stephen,
A discussion on the Protestant Reformation is a vast topic. We can discuss this later. Plus, it was not in your original email to me and I want to focus on the topics you gave to me there. I will not jump from one topic to another.
Let's start on the saints first -- You are asking why shouldn't we pray to just God the Father or to God the Son Jesus?
Catholics do pray to God directly! Last night I prayed for a friend of mine who is having surgery this week. I went directly to Christ! However, it does not mean that it is not a good thing to ask others to pray for us as well. Catholics believe that there are holy men and women in heaven already that can pray for us, just as if I asked you to pray for me. Do you ask others to pray for you? I know I do.
The saints are our brothers and sisters in the faith that have come before us and are now in the presence of the Holy Trinity. The saints intercede for us when we ask them to do so. Catholics do not omit God the Father from their prayers at all. They simply just ask others (the saints) to pray to God the Father since they are already in his presence in heaven. If we look at Revelation 5:8 - here we see the saints actively interceding for us. As John writes, the incense the saints offer up to God are our prayers. Prayers are not physical and cannot be offered up physically to God. The saints as they intercede for us offer up our prayers to God mentally.
Now does this violate the mediatorship of Christ? Not at all! Christ is the unique mediator between God and man because he is both human and divine. He is the bridge between the two since he is the God-man (John 1:14). The role as mediator is not compromised at all by the fact that others intercede for us. Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant which binds God and man (Hebrews 9:15, 12:24) just as Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant (Greek - mesitas). Galatians 3:19-20 shows this. The saints in heaven do not violate this mediatorship because what Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:1-4. The intercessory prayers of Christians, which includes the saints in heaven, does not violate Christ's role as mediator, but is "good and pleasing to God." Paul in other places asks for people to pray for him. Please see Romans 15:30-32, Epheisians 6:18-20, Colossions 4:3, 1 Thessolonians 5:25, and 2 Thessolonians 3:1. It is important to note, that Jesus himself required us to pray for others and not those who just asked us to do so (Matthew 5:44).
In conclusion, since the saints are already in heaven and are not distracted with the day to day dealings we face in life, they can help us by interceding for us. They are there to support us in our trials and sufferings since they themselves at one point were here on earth dealing with the same daily activities we face. The saints, since they are in the presence of God, have a greater devotion and confidence to God. Jesus himself supplied for one person based on another person's faith (see Matthew 8:13, 15:28, 17:15-18, Mark 9:17-29, and Luke 8:49-55). Just as the saints intercede for us from heaven, so too must we pray for one another here on earth.
You are in my prayers. In the Peace of Christ, Tom
Matthew responded by saying that he now has a better understanding of this topic. However, this was not good enough for me. During these emails that will go back and forth between us, I am really looking to draw him out to fully understand where he is coming from in this thoughts. I, playing "devils advocate", asked to some more questions about the saints - i.e. statues, relics, religous pictures. He responded by saying -
After thinking about it for a short time, I replied and below is what I said to him --
Dear Stephen,
A discussion on the Protestant Reformation is a vast topic. We can discuss this later. Plus, it was not in your original email to me and I want to focus on the topics you gave to me there. I will not jump from one topic to another.
Let's start on the saints first -- You are asking why shouldn't we pray to just God the Father or to God the Son Jesus?
Catholics do pray to God directly! Last night I prayed for a friend of mine who is having surgery this week. I went directly to Christ! However, it does not mean that it is not a good thing to ask others to pray for us as well. Catholics believe that there are holy men and women in heaven already that can pray for us, just as if I asked you to pray for me. Do you ask others to pray for you? I know I do.
The saints are our brothers and sisters in the faith that have come before us and are now in the presence of the Holy Trinity. The saints intercede for us when we ask them to do so. Catholics do not omit God the Father from their prayers at all. They simply just ask others (the saints) to pray to God the Father since they are already in his presence in heaven. If we look at Revelation 5:8 - here we see the saints actively interceding for us. As John writes, the incense the saints offer up to God are our prayers. Prayers are not physical and cannot be offered up physically to God. The saints as they intercede for us offer up our prayers to God mentally.
Now does this violate the mediatorship of Christ? Not at all! Christ is the unique mediator between God and man because he is both human and divine. He is the bridge between the two since he is the God-man (John 1:14). The role as mediator is not compromised at all by the fact that others intercede for us. Christ is the mediator of the New Covenant which binds God and man (Hebrews 9:15, 12:24) just as Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant (Greek - mesitas). Galatians 3:19-20 shows this. The saints in heaven do not violate this mediatorship because what Paul says in 1 Timothy 2:1-4. The intercessory prayers of Christians, which includes the saints in heaven, does not violate Christ's role as mediator, but is "good and pleasing to God." Paul in other places asks for people to pray for him. Please see Romans 15:30-32, Epheisians 6:18-20, Colossions 4:3, 1 Thessolonians 5:25, and 2 Thessolonians 3:1. It is important to note, that Jesus himself required us to pray for others and not those who just asked us to do so (Matthew 5:44).
In conclusion, since the saints are already in heaven and are not distracted with the day to day dealings we face in life, they can help us by interceding for us. They are there to support us in our trials and sufferings since they themselves at one point were here on earth dealing with the same daily activities we face. The saints, since they are in the presence of God, have a greater devotion and confidence to God. Jesus himself supplied for one person based on another person's faith (see Matthew 8:13, 15:28, 17:15-18, Mark 9:17-29, and Luke 8:49-55). Just as the saints intercede for us from heaven, so too must we pray for one another here on earth.
You are in my prayers. In the Peace of Christ, Tom
Matthew responded by saying that he now has a better understanding of this topic. However, this was not good enough for me. During these emails that will go back and forth between us, I am really looking to draw him out to fully understand where he is coming from in this thoughts. I, playing "devils advocate", asked to some more questions about the saints - i.e. statues, relics, religous pictures. He responded by saying -
I believe there is much to be learned from the people God has used for his purposes on this earth, however I don't need to communicate with them for wisdom on how to live even if they have been in my shoes. Jesus has walked this earth and experienced everything they have without sinning so that he is able to help fill that role Heb 4:15-18. In fact he says that if you lack wisdom, ask the Lord (James 1:5-7) not dead saints who have gone to be with him. Those saints are worshipping God and not interceding for him. What could they have to offer that is more valuable than communion with God who came as a man and lived a full life on earth engaging and surrounded by every human experience and temptation. I think much can be learned from the early church fathers and I read about St. Augustine and other influential saints throughout the history of Christianity. However, Jesus never instructs us to pray to them. He said pray like this... Our Father which art in heaven... Never did he say.. sometimes pray to saints in heaven. A concern about the statues of saints would be that they arise to the level of idols. In the old testament the people of Israel made asherah poles and worshipped statues of idols to Baal. God detested this. My question is..what's the difference.
I will answer these questions this week. Please pray for Matthew's conversion.
A Baptist Knocking At My Door - To be continued...
Sunday, August 9, 2009
A Baptist Knocking At My Door, Part 2
I was intrigued by the whole account with Matthew on July 21 that I decided to email him on July 22. Below is what I wrote to him:
Hello Matthew,
I am the guy who was reading on my porch that you spoke to yesterday in Steubenville. As I promised, I would email you to have the discussion you wanted to have with me yesterday. I am sorry if I came off as impatient and uncharitable yesterday, but I am taking a 3 week course on the Nature of Love. It's a graduate theology/philosophy course at the Franciscan University of Steubenville - www.franciscan.edu Check out the school when you get the chance. This class is an amazing course in the discussion of love. I am reading some amazing texts and the content is as equally impressive. As Christian men, we really need to fully understand the importance of love and how we are to love others, especially, our beloved wives.
Now I might not be able to answer your questions for another two weeks, but I would like to know what questions you were seeking yesterday on my porch. I have to give you and the other two kids some credit. It takes courage to go out door-to-door and preach the gospel to the world. The genesis of missionary work begin in the Catholic Church, but I have to admit it's something we don't do enough here in this country as much (I mean door-to-door). There are great Catholic missions in the world today, especially in Nigeria, where so many vocations to the priesthood are originating. If you want to have this dialogue with me, that is fine.
I look forward to hearing from you.
In Him,
Tom
P.S. The book I was reading yesterday - A Severe Mercy, by Sheldon Vanauken is fantastic. Read it - it's well worth it!
Six days later on July 28, Matthew wrote back to me. He thanked me for being a man of my word by emailing him like I said I would. He told me again, like he did on my porch, that his "catholic" friends really had no idea what the Church taught. He told me that the bible answers so many of the questions of life in a simple way. His claims were those I had heard many times before - Mary is elevated above Jesus robbing him of his glory, the traditions of the church are false (this is humorous since 2 Thessalonians 2:15 speaks of the traditions taught by the apostles), no one man could have infallible thoughts, the Pope is the Anti-Christ, the teaching of purgatory was invented because of money purposes and the worship of idolatry when speaking of the saints. He also claimed that the Church makes "Christianity a religion and not a relationship with God." Not sure where he is going with this one.
Matthew thinks that it is fate that he and the two others came to my door that day. He thinks that it is his mission to pull me out of the deception of the Catholic Church, which he also claims is a product of Satan. In his own words -
"Tom, I think God sent us to your doorstep that day for a reason, could it possibly be to let you see that many Catholics will be deceived on the day they stand before Christ because they are not putting all of their trust in Christ on the cross. They are putting their hope in Religion, hoping they will be "Good Enough" to enter heaven. It will be a sad day when they see that they are among the "many" Jesus refers to in Matthew 7:21-23."
When I first read his email, honestly, I laughed a bit. I then forwarded it on to two of my professors for them to read it. Dr. John Bergsma responded and said that I had a live one on the line. He also said that it will be good experience for me to talk to him and answer his questions.
In my response, I told him that I thought his email was harsh and uncharitable. I told him that he clearly attacked Catholicism and I never once attacked his faith tradition. I went on and said to him numerous times that whoever gave him this information about the Catholic Church has gravely mislead him. The Church is not some evil organization looking to take over the world. I lovingly, yet forcibly, told him that I would never leave the Catholic Church and that I believe the Church is the one true church established by Christ 2000 years ago. I told Matthew that I would not hold any of his claims against him and that I was looking forward to explaining what Catholics believe and why we believe it. I told him that he is in my prayers and that I would write again soon.
That day I went to Holy Mass and offered up my mass intention for him. Please pray for Matthew's conversion!!
A Baptist Knocking At My Door - To be continued...
Hello Matthew,
I am the guy who was reading on my porch that you spoke to yesterday in Steubenville. As I promised, I would email you to have the discussion you wanted to have with me yesterday. I am sorry if I came off as impatient and uncharitable yesterday, but I am taking a 3 week course on the Nature of Love. It's a graduate theology/philosophy course at the Franciscan University of Steubenville - www.franciscan.edu Check out the school when you get the chance. This class is an amazing course in the discussion of love. I am reading some amazing texts and the content is as equally impressive. As Christian men, we really need to fully understand the importance of love and how we are to love others, especially, our beloved wives.
Now I might not be able to answer your questions for another two weeks, but I would like to know what questions you were seeking yesterday on my porch. I have to give you and the other two kids some credit. It takes courage to go out door-to-door and preach the gospel to the world. The genesis of missionary work begin in the Catholic Church, but I have to admit it's something we don't do enough here in this country as much (I mean door-to-door). There are great Catholic missions in the world today, especially in Nigeria, where so many vocations to the priesthood are originating. If you want to have this dialogue with me, that is fine.
I look forward to hearing from you.
In Him,
Tom
P.S. The book I was reading yesterday - A Severe Mercy, by Sheldon Vanauken is fantastic. Read it - it's well worth it!
Six days later on July 28, Matthew wrote back to me. He thanked me for being a man of my word by emailing him like I said I would. He told me again, like he did on my porch, that his "catholic" friends really had no idea what the Church taught. He told me that the bible answers so many of the questions of life in a simple way. His claims were those I had heard many times before - Mary is elevated above Jesus robbing him of his glory, the traditions of the church are false (this is humorous since 2 Thessalonians 2:15 speaks of the traditions taught by the apostles), no one man could have infallible thoughts, the Pope is the Anti-Christ, the teaching of purgatory was invented because of money purposes and the worship of idolatry when speaking of the saints. He also claimed that the Church makes "Christianity a religion and not a relationship with God." Not sure where he is going with this one.
Matthew thinks that it is fate that he and the two others came to my door that day. He thinks that it is his mission to pull me out of the deception of the Catholic Church, which he also claims is a product of Satan. In his own words -
"Tom, I think God sent us to your doorstep that day for a reason, could it possibly be to let you see that many Catholics will be deceived on the day they stand before Christ because they are not putting all of their trust in Christ on the cross. They are putting their hope in Religion, hoping they will be "Good Enough" to enter heaven. It will be a sad day when they see that they are among the "many" Jesus refers to in Matthew 7:21-23."
When I first read his email, honestly, I laughed a bit. I then forwarded it on to two of my professors for them to read it. Dr. John Bergsma responded and said that I had a live one on the line. He also said that it will be good experience for me to talk to him and answer his questions.
In my response, I told him that I thought his email was harsh and uncharitable. I told him that he clearly attacked Catholicism and I never once attacked his faith tradition. I went on and said to him numerous times that whoever gave him this information about the Catholic Church has gravely mislead him. The Church is not some evil organization looking to take over the world. I lovingly, yet forcibly, told him that I would never leave the Catholic Church and that I believe the Church is the one true church established by Christ 2000 years ago. I told Matthew that I would not hold any of his claims against him and that I was looking forward to explaining what Catholics believe and why we believe it. I told him that he is in my prayers and that I would write again soon.
That day I went to Holy Mass and offered up my mass intention for him. Please pray for Matthew's conversion!!
A Baptist Knocking At My Door - To be continued...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
