June 20, 2013

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Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time 
Lectionary: 368

Reading 12 COR 11:1-11

Brothers and sisters:

If only you would put up with a little foolishness from me!

St. Paul is about to make a remark which seems foolish to people even today.

Please put up with me.

For I am jealous of you with the jealousy of God,

since I betrothed you to one husband

to present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

St. Paul reveals that in our Baptism, we, men and women, are united to Christ in the same manner as a man and woman are married.  We become one with Christ.  

795 Christ and his Church thus together make up the "whole Christ" (Christus totus). The Church is one with Christ. The saints are acutely aware of this unity:

Let us rejoice then and give thanks that we have become not only Christians, but Christ himself. Do you understand and grasp, brethren, God's grace toward us? Marvel and rejoice: we have become Christ. For if he is the head, we are the members; he and we together are the whole man. . . . The fullness of Christ then is the head and the members. But what does "head and members" mean? Christ and the Church.

Our redeemer has shown himself to be one person with the holy Church whom he has taken to himself.

Head and members form as it were one and the same mystical person.

A reply of St. Joan of Arc to her judges sums up the faith of the holy doctors and the good sense of the believer: "About Jesus Christ and the Church, I simply know they're just one thing, and we shouldn't complicate the matter."

Even today, Protestants ridicule us for believing that we are one with Christ. 

But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning,

your thoughts may be corrupted

from a sincere and pure commitment to Christ.

For if someone comes and preaches another Jesus than the one we preached,

or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received

or a different gospel from the one you accepted,

you put up with it well enough.

For I think that I am not in any way inferior to these “superapostles.”

Even if I am untrained in speaking, I am not so in knowledge;

in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.

In my opinion, it is evident from a close reading of the New Testament, that St. Paul seemed to believe that some of the Apostles, especially St. James, were teaching error.  And, it is equally evident, that St. James thought that St. Paul was teaching error.  The "super apostles" to which he refers here, are, in my opinion, those he calls the "pillars" in Galatians 2:

6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;  8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)  9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision

This is a very interesting subject and in order not to get too sidetracked, you might want to read my take on it, here and here. 

Did I make a mistake when I humbled myself so that you might be exalted,

because I preached the Gospel of God to you without charge?

St. Paul seems concerned that the Corinthians have lost faith in him.

I plundered other churches by accepting from them

in order to minister to you.

And when I was with you and in need, I did not burden anyone,

for the brothers who came from Macedonia

supplied my needs.

So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.

By the truth of Christ in me,

this boast of mine shall not be silenced

in the regions of Achaia.

And why? Because I do not love you?

God knows I do!

He pleads with them to understand that all which he has done has been out of love for them.

Responsorial PsalmPS 111:1B-2, 3-4, 7-8

R. (7a) Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I will give thanks to the LORD with all my heart
in the company and assembly of the just.
Great are the works of the LORD,
exquisite in all their delights.
R. Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Majesty and glory are his work,
and his justice endures forever.
He has won renown for his wondrous deeds;
gracious and merciful is the LORD.
R. Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
sure are all his precepts,
Reliable forever and ever,
wrought in truth and equity.
R. Your works, O Lord, are justice and truth.
or:
R. Alleluia.

The works of the Lord have to do with our salvation.  He mightily showed His power when He saved Noah and his family from the Flood.  He mightily showed His power when He saved the Hebrews from the Egyptians in the Exodus.   And now He mightily shows His power when we are made new creatures in Christ, in the Sacraments of the Catholic Church.

GospelMT 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.

We must understand what we are saying in our prayers.  Frequently, because we memorize many prayers, we say them without thinking.  Sometimes without even understanding what we are saying.  I remember a child who prayed, "Our Father who art in heaven, halloween they name…."  and another who said, "Hail Mary full of grass…."

Just as we understand what we are saying when we speak to each other, we need to know what we are saying when we speak to God.  It is good practice to turn our eyes to heaven, frequently, and simply talk to God as though He were standing beside us.  Because He is.

Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

‘Our Father who art in heaven,

God you are our Father because you created us.  And you live in a spiritual place we call heaven where we all wish to go when we die and be united to you.

hallowed be thy name,

Dear God, your name is holy beyond all other names.  You are the Saint of saints because you created them and made them holy.  Holy means that you are completely without sin.  And everything you do is right.   Therefore you are holy and your name represents you and reminds everyone of your holiness.  

thy Kingdom come,

We await the coming of your reign on earth.  When all men will recognize that your Kingdom is in the Church where you already reign in the Holy Eucharist.

thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.

We also await the time when all men will obey you here on earth as the Saints and Angels already obey you in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

Dear God give us the physical sustenance we need to live day by day and the spiritual food, the Eucharist, which we need to become holier day by day in order to achieve that holiness without which no man can see you.

and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;

And dear Lord, when we ask forgiveness, please wash away our sins as we have also cast away the sins of those who have asked us to forgive them.

and lead us not into temptation,

And protect us from every temptation to do evil and walk not your straight and narrow path.  Keep us in your light and open our eyes that we may see how to follow and stay close to you.

but deliver us from evil.’

And protect us Lord from the Enemy and all who would do us harm.  Protect us also from doing any evil to others.

“If you forgive others their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

Remember that in order to be forgiven of your sins, you must first forgive the sins of others against you.

One is “through the work of the Law”

Lutero said:
Romans 4 Faith, Works, Righteousness, Unrighteousness and LogizomaiI will begin by providing the background of Romans 4. After Paul has argued that only the “doers of the Law are justified” (2:13) but that “all have transgressed the law and held accountable by the measure of the Law” (3:9, 3:19(1)); …. There are two sources of gaining righteousness here. One is “through the work of the Law” which is based on ones performance before the Law. Or “through the redemption that is in Jesus” (3:24) for “all who believe” (3:22).

De Maria says:
That is not “or”. That is “and”. It should read:
One is “through the work of the Law” which is based on ones performance before the Law. AND “through the redemption that is in Jesus” (3:24) for “all who believe” (3:22).

Protestants have cast away the Works of the Law, that is, the keeping of the Ten Commandments. But Scripture has not. That is, God has not. It remains a requirement for all Christians (CCC#2068):

Revelation 22:13-15
King James Version (KJV)
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

You seem to believe that St. Paul Romans 2 only to turn around and contradict himself. Read Romans 2:1-13. You’ll see that we are all alike to “continue in well doing” if we want to receive eternal life (Rom 2:7). And this is commanded of Jew and Gentile. In other words, of everyone. This is why doers of the law are justified. But not by the Law. By God.

God justifies doers of the Law.
God does not justify hearers of the Law.

The former locates the basis of justification on the inherent work of man while the latter on an external/alien work done by someone in his behalf. It is clear from a Pauline perspective that “faith” is the instrument of appropriating this Righteousness.(6)

Again, you have misunderstood. The latter and the former point to faith. Faith is the reason for works. Faith is always the reason for God’s mercy.

Look at the Gospels. When Jesus healed the multitudes, what did they do? They approached Him in faith. Not works. But what did Christ say to the Young Rich Man?

Matthew 19:17
And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

This is precisely what is going on in Catholic Soteriology. When we approach the Sacraments, we approach in the proper disposition of faith, believing that He can do what He promised.

But only those who have first, proven their faith by their works, will receive the mercy of God in the Sacraments. This is done by first studying to show ourselves approved (RCIA). These are they who are justified because they are “doers of the law” (Rom 2:13).

Say for instance that you are a doer of the law, but you are not Catholic or Orthodox. Will you be justified by God? God is your judge. But if you are truly a doer of the law, you will be justified, ON THE LAST DAY. (Rev 20)

Now, say that you are a doer of the law, but you are Catholic or Orthodox. Will you be justified by God? Again, God is judge. But if you are truly a doer of the law, you will be justified, in the Sacraments.

That is not a guarantee of salvation for those who attend the Sacraments. Remember Scripture says:

1 Peter 4:17
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

And also:

Mark 16:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

One must approach the Font of Grace in the proper disposition.

2 Corinthians 5:11   

Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

Romans 4 is an extended argument of the third point. More specifically it is an expansion of the argument in Romans 3:27-31.a. Where then is boasting? It is excluded. (3:27)?He has something to boast about – but not before God. (4:2)b. For we consider that a person is declared righteous by faith apart from works of the law (3:26)?But to the one who does not work, but believes in the one who declares the ungodly righteous, his faith is credited for righteousness (4:5)c. Since God is one, he will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. (3:30)

Pay special attention to c.
Since God is one, he will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.

God is one. Therefore, He is doing the same thing in either case. It is by faith that we please God.

The problem here, I believe, is that Protestants take the cart and set it in front of the horse. When Scripture says we are justified by faith. That doesn’t mean that WE JUDGE OUR FAITH. God does. And He judges faith by works.

James 2:18 

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

And he received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised, so that he would become the father of all those who believe but have never been circumcised that they too could have righteousness credited to them. (4:11)

Do you think that St. Paul cast aside this Scripture:

Genesis 26:5
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

When he said that about Abraham?

I don’t think so, you see, Abraham was justified by faith BECAUSE he obeyed God’s Commandments, Statutes and Laws. IN HIS HEART. They have no excuse remember? The law is written in every man’s heart.

Romans 2:15
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

The structure of Romans 4 has great similarities both in word usage and the thought pattern as Romans 3:27-31. For me this is decisive as to the nature of this passage – that it is an extended explanation and illustration of why righteousness is by faith apart from works.

It is because that is what you were taught. But you were taught wrong. St. Paul is there giving the Sacramental Teaching. In the Sacraments, we approach Christ as the blind men,

Matthew 9:27
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us.

or the cripple.

Matt 9:2
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Or we present our children to Christ as did the woman of great faith.

Matthew 15:28
Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.

The number one exhibit is Abraham and secondarily David. It is a passage designed to prove point three above. We’ll see later that the interpretation of the historical event in Abraham’s life and as well as David though pre-Christ and therefore the whole concept of the substitutionary atonement of Christ is not developed should not be divorced from a christocentric narrative as uniquely argued by Paul against his Jewish (Scripture exegetes) contemporaries. This will be shown later in the analysis of Romans 4 and Paul’s usage and exegesis of OT passages.

The Catholic Church never divorces any doctrine from Christ. All of Catholic doctrine has one aim . Union with Christ.

Sincerely,

De Maria

June 19, 2013

USCCB »  Bible »  Daily Readings

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Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time 
Lectionary: 367

Reading 12 COR 9:6-11

Brothers and sisters, consider this:
whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
Each must do as already determined, without sadness or compulsion,
for God loves a cheerful giver.

St. Paul continues in his request for alms from the Corinthians.  Explaining the grace of charity.  God loves a cheerful giver.  God didn't give us our treasures so that we could spend them on ourselves.  He gave them to us so that we could spend them on those He loves.  The poor and the afflicted.

Moreover, God is able to make every grace abundant for you,
so that in all things, always having all you need,
you may have an abundance for every good work.

That which He gives us, He gives us so that we can accomplish His work.

As it is written:

He scatters abroad, he gives to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.

The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food
will supply and multiply your seed
and increase the harvest of your righteousness.

You are being enriched in every way for all generosity,
which through us produces thanksgiving to God.

If we are being given much, it is so that we can do much for our fellow man.  And this ought to be our response in thanksgiving to God.  The more we have, the more we are expected to give.  For it is better to give than to receive.  So says the Lord.

Responsorial PsalmPS 112:1BC-2, 3-4, 9

R. (1b) Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Blessed the man who fears the LORD,
who greatly delights in his commands.
His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth;
the upright generation shall be blessed.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Wealth and riches shall be in his house;
his generosity shall endure forever.
Light shines through the darkness for the upright;
he is gracious and merciful and just.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Lavishly he gives to the poor;
his generosity shall endure forever;
his horn shall be exalted in glory.
R. Blessed the man who fears the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Let us give of our time and treasure to help those who are in need.  It is the will of God and He will greatly reward those who are merciful and compassionate.

GospelMT 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

Don't be prideful in your giving.  Don't tell everyone how good you are.  Give from the bottom of your heart without expecting anything in return.  This is what God wants.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

When you praise and communicate with God, do so in your inmost heart.  Keep God close to you and know that He is with you everywhere.  But do not announce to the world how holy you think you are.  Your holiness is God's to judge.  It is His righteous Judgment you seek.  

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Do not make a show of piety.  But love God and offer your sacrifices in secret.  Seek God's pleasure first. 

Jesus and the 13/14 Apostles all taught LOADS of DOGMAS that the Holy Spirit chose to keep out of the Church.

Lutero:

The Catholic perspective.....

Jesus and the 13/14 Apostles all taught LOADS of DOGMAS that (for reasons never explained) the Holy Spirit chose to keep out of His Scriptures to the Church.

Lets compare your dogmas to Scripture and our doctrines to Scripture. 

NONETHELESS (in a process never explained).... perhaps many centuries later..... somehow (how is never explained) the RC Denomination found out about it.... and eventually (for reasons never explained) did what the Holy Spirit chose not to do - disclose it. BTW, this is a fundamental LDS concept, too. Follow?

The Catholic Church is described in Scripture. First, Jesus Christ appointed a Pastor as head of the entire Church: 
John 21:17 
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 

I see only a few Churches with such a Pastor. Further, Jesus Christ said that the Pastor over His Church would be infallible: 

Matthew 16:17-19 (King James Version) 
17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 

The list of Churches accept this teaching gets smaller. Certainly, all Protestant denominations can now be eliminated. 

Jesus Christ not only said that the Pastor was infallible but Scripture describes the Church as infallible: 
Ephesians 3:10 
To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 

The list remains the same, but now I can certainly eliminate all Protestant denominations. 

Back to Matt 16:18, Scripture says that Jesus Christ established one Church. History shows that all the Churches sprang from the Church which is frequently described as the Mother Church. The Catholic Church. 

By simple logic of elimination, that leaves only the Catholic Church.

Of course, all this is theoretically possible, but every Catholic known to me freely admits that there is NOTHING, nothing at all, absolutely ZERO, to suggest that it's true.

You mean every ex-catholic who left the Catholic Church because they didn't understand their faith.

It's a claim - entirely unsubstantiated but of course theoretically possible (since Scripture says ALL THINGS are possible with God).

It is not only possible, it is true. Whereas we can easily eliminate EVERY Protestant Church from Scripture:

Scripture alone? Scripture says:
2 Thessalonians 2:15

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁵ Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

Faith alone? Scripture says:
James 2:24

King James Version (KJV)²⁴ Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Is there any Protestant doctrine which doesn't believe those two heresies?

BTW, the OOC and EOC both have the same "tradition" it just isn't at all the same; SOMEONE is "remembering" this Tradition wrong, obviously. But since none of them will share what this "tradition" is (they keep it a secret phantom), no one has any way of knowing whether anyone is right about what this "tradition" says - these teachings the Holy Spirit chose to not include in His Scriptures to the church. The RCC says that Tradition says the Pope is Infallible, the EOC says it does not - but neither will show us this "Tradition" so we can see who is right. The RCC says that Tradition teaches Purgatory, but the EOC says it doesn't but neither will show us this Tradition so we can see who is right. It's a phantom. Each claiming it "has" it, referring to it often, but never revealing what "it" is, only what IT exclusively says it says (but disagreeing with the others who "see" it but won't share it).

Protestant doctrines contradict Scripture. 

EOC's, at least, have the Sacraments. And because of them, they are saved in this life. 

When we approach the Sacraments, we approach Jesus Christ in the proper disposition of faith, believing that He can do what He promised.

But only those who have first, proven their faith by their works, will receive the mercy of God in the Sacraments. This is done by first studying to show ourselves approved (RCIA). These are they who are justified because they are “doers of the law” (Rom 2:13).

Say for instance that you are a doer of the law, but you are not Catholic or Orthodox. Will you be justified by God? God is your judge. But if you are truly a doer of the law, you will be justified, ON THE LAST DAY. (Rev 20)

Now, say that you are a doer of the law, but you are Catholic or Orthodox. Will you be justified by God? Again, God is judge. But if you are truly a doer of the law, you will be justified, in the Sacraments.

That is not a guarantee of salvation for those who attend the Sacraments. Remember Scripture says:
1 Peter 4:17?For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

And also:
Mark 16:16
King James Version (KJV)
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

One must approach the Font of Grace in the proper disposition of faith.

For example, a Catholic will insist, "The DOGMA of the Assumption of Mary was first alluded to, well, sort of, as early as the FIFTH CENTURY!!!!!"

That's a lot earlier than any Protestant doctrine. 

This, somehow, proves that Jesus and all 13/14 Apostles taught it, as Dogma, before 31 AD, but somehow no one seems to have known about it until maybe as early as the Fifth Century when, somehow, sort of, the RC Denomination began to teach it - sort of, and in the maybe 1500 years later decided to tell the world that it's a dogmatic fact. Okay.... but how this all reveals that Jesus and the 13/14 Apostles taught it was always a point of some mystery to me during my Catholic days. BTW, the EOC says there is NOTHING of the sort in Tradition. Who knows? Neither denomination will tell us the content of this mysterious "Tradition."

Read the Scriptures. Rev 12:1 shows Mary in heaven. And the book of Revelations was written by the Apostle John.

Sincerely,

De Maria