The web is in an uproar right now about that which the Pope said recently concerning atheists. But it is all consistent with Catholic Teaching and with Scripture:
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14
King James Version (KJV)
11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off 12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
If a pagan harlot can do good, anyone can do good.
James 2:25
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
Yes, even atheists have a duty to do good. That is why, those who do not repent will be condemned. God is the God of all. If they do not do good, they will also stand before the judgment seat and be judged by their actions:
Romans 14:9-12
King James Version (KJV)
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Yes, even the atheists will stand before God and be judged according to their works.
What does the Scripture say?
Ezekiel 18:20
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
So, let us all meet together in the realm of righteousness, doing good one to the other. There, we shall all meet God.
Sincerely,
De Maria
The Pope said:
"The Lord created us in His image and likeness, and we are the image of the Lord,
Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
and He does good and all of us have this commandment at heart: do good and do not do evil. All of us.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14
King James Version (KJV)
11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off 12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
‘But, Father, this is not Catholic! He cannot do good.’ Yes, he can. He must. Not can: must! Because he has this commandment within him. Instead, this ‘closing off’ that imagines that those outside, everyone, cannot do good is a wall that leads to war and also to what some people throughout history have conceived of: killing in the name of God. That we can kill in the name of God. And that, simply, is blasphemy. To say that you can kill in the name of God is blasphemy.”
If a pagan harlot can do good, anyone can do good.
James 2:25
Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
"The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! ‘Father, the atheists?’ Even the atheists. Everyone! And this Blood makes us children of God of the first class! We are created children in the likeness of God and the Blood of Christ has redeemed us all! And we all have a duty to do good.
Yes, even atheists have a duty to do good. That is why, those who do not repent will be condemned. God is the God of all. If they do not do good, they will also stand before the judgment seat and be judged by their actions:
Romans 14:9-12
King James Version (KJV)
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Yes, even the atheists will stand before God and be judged according to their works.
And this commandment for everyone to do good, I think, is a beautiful path towards peace. If we, each doing our own part, if we do good to others, if we meet there, doing good, and we go slowly, gently, little by little, we will make that culture of encounter: we need that so much. We must meet one another doing good. ‘But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!’ But do good: we will meet one another there.”
What does the Scripture say?
Ezekiel 18:20
20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.
22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.
23 Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
So, let us all meet together in the realm of righteousness, doing good one to the other. There, we shall all meet God.
Sincerely,
De Maria
Text from page http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2013/05/22/pope_at_mass:_culture_of_encounter_is_the_foundation_of_peace/en1-694445
of the Vatican Radio website
I knew why uproar coz the elect and righteous have been left behind. LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteGood job papa Francis !
How true.
DeleteLuke 5:32
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.