Douay Genesis 18

Book Of Genesis  Chapter 18
Angels are entertained by Abraham. They foretell the birth of Isaac. Abraham's prayer for the men of Sodom.

[1] And the Lord appeared to him in the vale of Mambre as he was sitting at the door of his tent, in the very heat of the day. [2] And when he had lifted up his eyes, there appeared to him three men standing near him: and as soon as he saw them he ran to meet them from the door of his tent, and adored down to the ground. [3] And he said: Lord, if I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away from thy servant: [4] But I will fetch a little water, and wash ye your feet, and rest ye under the tree. [5] And I will set a morsel of bread, and strengthen ye your heart, afterwards you shall pass on: for therefore are you come aside to your servant. And they said: Do as thou hast spoken.

[6] Abraham made haste into the tent to Sara, and said to her: Make haste, temper together three measures of flour, and make cakes upon the hearth. [7] And he himself ran to the herd, and took from thence a calf very tender and very good, and gave it to a young man: who made haste and boiled it. [8] He took also butter and milk, and the calf which he had boiled, and set before them: but he stood by them under the tree. [9] And when they had eaten, they said to him: Where is Sara thy wife? He answered: Lo, she is in the tent. [10] And he said to him: I will return and come to thee at this time, life accompanying and Sara thy wife shall have a son. Which when Sara heard, she laughed behind the door of the tent.

[11] Now they were both old, and far advanced in years, and it had ceased to be with Sara after the manner of women. [12] And she laughed secretly, saying: After I am grown old and my lord is an old man, shall I give myself to pleasure? [13] And the Lord said to Abraham: Why did Sara laugh, saying: Shall I who am an old woman bear a child indeed? [14] Is there any thing hard to God? According to appointment I will return to thee at this same time, life accompanying, and Sara shall have a son. [15] Sara denied, saying: I did not laugh: for she was afraid. But the Lord said, Nay: but thou didst laugh:

[16] And when the men rose up from thence, they turned their eyes towards Sodom: and Abraham walked with them, bringing them on the way. [17] And the Lord said: Can I hide from Abraham what I am about to do: [18] Seeing he shall become a great and mighty nation, and in him all the nations of the earth shall be blessed? [19] For I know that he will command his children, and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord, and do judgment and justice: that for Abraham' s sake the Lord may bring to effect all the things he hath spoken unto him. [20] And the Lord said: The cry of Sodom and Gomorrha is multiplied, and their sin is become exceedingly grievous.

[21] I will go down and see whether they have done according to the cry that is come to me: or whether it be not so, that I may know. [22] And they turned themselves from thence, and went their way to Sodom: but Abraham as yet stood before the Lord. [23] And drawing nigh he said: Wilt thou destroy the just with the wicked? [24] If there be fifty just men in the city, shall they perish withal? and wilt thou not spare that place for the sake of the fifty just, if they be therein? [25] Far be it from thee to do this thing, and to slay the just with the wicked, and for the just to be in like case as the wicked, this is not beseeming thee: thou who judgest all the earth, wilt not make this judgment.

[26] And the Lord said to him: If I find in Sodom fifty just within the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake. [27] And Abraham answered, and said: Seeing I have once begun, I will speak to my Lord, whereas I am dust and ashes. [28] What if there be five less than fifty just persons? wilt thou for five and forty destroy the whole city? And he said: I will not destroy it, if I find five and forty. [29] And again he said to him: But if forty be found there, what wilt thou do? He said: I will not destroy it for the sake of forty. [30] Lord, saith he, be not angry, I beseech thee, if I speak: What if thirty shall be found there? He answered: I will not do it, if I find thirty there.

[31] Seeing, saith he, I have once begun, I will speak to my Lord. What if twenty be found there? He said: I will not destroy it for the sake of twenty. [32] I beseech thee, saith he, be not angry, Lord, if I speak yet once more: What if ten should be found there? And he said: I will not destroy it for the sake of ten. [33] And the Lord departed, after he had left speaking to Abraham: and Abraham returned to his place.

If you deny the Catholic Church, you deny Christ who speaks through her.

Lutero:
Are you really trying to say since I don't belong to the RCC , that I despiseth Jesus?? I really hope not.
Jesus's Church consists of all body of believers.

Christ speaks through the Catholic Church:

Ephesians 3:10

King James Version (KJV)
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,

If you deny the Catholic Church, you deny Christ who speaks through her.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Douay Genesis 17

Book Of Genesi Chapter 17
The Covenant of circumcision.

[1] And after he began to be ninety and nine years old, the Lord appeared to him: and said unto him: I am the Almighty God: walk before me, and be perfect. [2] And I will make my covenant between me and thee: and I will multiply thee exceedingly. [3] Abram fell flat on his face. [4] And God said to him: I AM, and my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. [5] Neither shall thy name be called any more Abram: but thou shalt be called Abraham: because I have made thee a father of many nations.

[6] And I will make thee increase, exceedingly, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. [7] And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and between thy seed after thee in their generations, by a perpetual covenant: to be a God to thee, and to thy seed after thee. [8] And I will give to thee, and to thy seed, the land of thy sojournment, all the land of Chanaan for a perpetual possession, and I will be their God. [9] Again God said to Abraham: And thou therefore shalt keep my covenant, and thy seed after thee in their generations. [10] This is my covenant which you shall observe, between me and you, and thy seed after thee: All the male kind of you shall be circumcised:

[11] And you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, that it may be for a sign of the covenant between me and you. [12] An infant of eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations: he that is born in the house, as well as the bought servant shall be circumcised, and whosoever is not of your stock: [13] And my covenant shall be in your flesh for a perpetual covenant. [14] The male, whose flesh of his foreskin shall not be circumcised, that soul shall be destroyed out of his people: because he hath broken my covenant. [15] God said also to Abraham: Sarai thy wife thou shalt not call Sarai, but Sara.

[16] And I will bless her, and of her I will give thee a son, whom I will bless, and he shall become nations, and kings of people shall spring from him. [17] Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, saying in his heart: Shall a son, thinkest thou, be born to him that is a hundred years old? and shall Sara that is ninety years old bring forth? [18] And he said to God: O that Ismael may live before thee. [19] And God said to Abraham: Sara thy wife shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name Isaac, and I will establish my covenant with him for a perpetual covenant, and with his seed after him. [20] And as for Ismael I have also heard thee. Behold, I will bless him, and increase, and multiply him exceedingly: he shall beget twelve chiefs, and I will make him a great nation.

[21] But my covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sara shall bring forth to thee at this time in the next year. [22] And when he had left off speaking with him, God went up from Abraham. [23] And Abraham took Ismael his son, and all that were born in his house: and all whom he had bought, every male among the men of his house: and he circumcised the flesh of their foreskin forthwith the very same day, as God had commanded him. [24] Abraham was ninety and nine years old, when he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin. [25] And Ismael his son was full thirteen years old at the time of his circumcision.

[26] The selfsame day was Abraham circumcised and Ismael his son. [27] And all the men of his house, as well they that were born in his house, as the bought servants and strangers were circumcised with him.

Meriting salvation by faith

Hello Lutero, you simply ignored my message. Why didn't you answer my questions?

I asked:

Now, if grace can not be merited, how does faith save you? Salvation is a grace, isn't it?

Lutero:

Rome agrees that God's grace is unmerited favor, De Maria.

The Catholic Church teaches that the first grace of conversion is unmerited favor:
TRENT VI
CHAPTER V
THE NECESSITY OF PREPARATION FOR JUSTIFICATION IN ADULTS, AND WHENCE IT PROCEEDS
It is furthermore declared that in adults the beginning of that justification must proceed from the predisposing grace of God through Jesus Christ, that is, from His vocation, whereby, without any merits on their part, they are called;

But the grace of salvation is definitely merited:
CHAPTER XVI
THE FRUITS OF JUSTIFICATION, THAT IS, THE MERIT OF GOOD WORKS, AND THE NATURE OF THAT MERIT
Therefore, to men justified in this manner, whether they have preserved uninterruptedly the grace received or recovered it when lost, are to be pointed out the words of the Apostle: Abound in every good work, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.[93]
For God is not unjust, that he should forget your work, and the love which you have shown in his name;[94] and, Do not lose your confidence, which hath a great reward.[95]
Hence, to those who work well unto the end[96] and trust in God,

eternal life is to be offered, both as a grace mercifully promised to the sons of God through Christ Jesus, and as a reward promised by God himself, to be faithfully given to their good works and merits.[97]

For this is the crown of justice which after his fight and course the Apostle declared was laid up for him, to be rendered to him by the just judge, and not only to him, but also to all that love his coming.[98]

Are disagreeing with Rome and saying that God's grace is merited?

You are misunderstanding the Teachings of the Catholic Church. The unmerited grace is the initial grace of conversion. Many other graces are also gifts. But the grace of justification and of ultimate salvation is merited. Scirpture indeed says:
Romans 2:7

King James Version (KJV)
⁷ To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
Romans 2:13

King James Version (KJV)
¹³ (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

That’s not what Scripture says De Maria.

”What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” (Romans 4:1-2)

It is clear that we do not justify ourselves. Nor does the Catholic Church teach that we justify ourselves. Justification is the work of God:
1994 Justification is the most excellent work of God's love made manifest in Christ Jesus and granted by the Holy Spirit. It is the opinion of St. Augustine that "the justification of the wicked is a greater work than the creation of heaven and earth," because "heaven and earth will pass away but the salvation and justification of the elect . . . will not pass away." He holds also that the justification of sinners surpasses the creation of the angels in justice, in that it bears witness to a greater mercy.

However, God does not justify those who do not do the works which He has assigned since the beginning of the world:
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.

Scripture says that Salvation is a gift. Scripture also says that if the sinner has to act upon faith in order to be saved, then it’s not a gift.

That's funny, because I frequently give graduation gifts to those of my children, nephews and nieces who graduate from one level of school or another. And I don't give them those gifts if they don't graduate.

In fact, there are many such gifts given. For instance, scholarships are given as gifts to children who excel in one area or another. God has given the gift of eternal life (i.e. salvation) to those who merit it by doing His will:

Matthew 7:21

King James Version (KJV)
²¹ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

“Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due.” (Romans 4:4)

Contrary to what Rome teaches, God does not owe man anything but eternal damnation.

Show me from Scripture. As for Rom 4:4, it is a reference to the difference between a Christian and a Jew. The Jews received considered themselves to be God's workmen and expected quid pro quo according to His contract which He made with them:

Exodus 19:5-8

King James Version (KJV)
⁵ Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
⁶ And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
⁷ And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the Lord commanded him.
⁸ And all the people answered together, and said, All that the Lord hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the Lord.

Jesus made reference to the same contract in this parable:

Matthew 20

King James Version (KJV)
20 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard.
² And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
³ And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
⁴ And said unto them; Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
⁵ Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise.
⁶ And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
⁷ They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.
⁸ So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
⁹ And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
¹⁰ But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
¹¹ And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,
¹² Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
¹³ But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?
¹⁴ Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
¹⁵ Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
¹⁶ So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.

We Christians, are they who are given the same reward although we do no work. This is a reference to the Sacraments, wherein God washes our souls with grace and we simply believe in His promises.

“And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness", (Romans 4:5)

To understand this properly, you must refer to the book of James which says:
James 2:21-23

King James Version (KJV)
²¹ Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
²² Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
²³ And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

Both Romans 4:5 and James 2:23 are referring to Gen 15:6:

Genesis 15:6

King James Version (KJV)
⁶ And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

And St. James explains that this is a prophecy of what would occur in Gen 22:
¹¹ And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.
¹² And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

This is confirmed by St. Paul in Heb 11:
Hebrews 11:17
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,

Right off the bat, Paul eliminates works and says that it is by Faith that God’s righteousness is obtained. Amazing!

Its amazing that you can cast out so many Scriptures and pretend to come up with a proper understanding of the Word.

Answer me this. Do unrepentant sinners "merit" heaven or hell?
1 Corinthians 6:9

King James Version (KJV)
⁹ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

Therefore your statement is wrong. The sinner does not act upon faith in order to be saved. He acts upon faith to prove that he has faith.

 Why does he need to prove that he has faith? Is it because without faith he can't please God and therefore can't merit salvation?

Sincerely,

De Maria 

Douay Genesis 16

Book Of Genesis Chapter 16
Abram marrieth Agar, who bringeth forth Ismael.

[1] Now Sarai the wife of Abram, had brought forth no children; but having a handmaid, an Egyptian, named Agar, [2] She said to her husband: Behold, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: go in unto my handmaid, it may be I may have children of her at least. And when he agreed to her request, [3] She took Agar the Egyptian her handmaid, ten years after they first dwelt in the land of Chanaan, and gave her to her husband to wife. [4] And he went in to her. But she, perceiving that she was with child, despised her mistress. [5] And Sarai said to Abram: Thou dost unjustly with me: I gave my handmaid into thy bosom, and she perceiving herself to be with child, despiseth me. The Lord judge between me and thee.

[6] And Abram made answer, and said to her: Behold thy handmaid is in thy own hand, use her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai afflicted her, she ran away. [7] And the angel of the Lord having found her, by a fountain of water in the wilderness, which is in the way to Sur in the desert, [8] He said to her: Agar, handmaid of Sarai, whence comest thou? and whither goest thou? And she answered: I flee from the face of Sarai, my mistress. [9] And the angel of the Lord said to her: Return to thy mistress, and humble thyself under her hand. [10] And again he said: I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, and it shall not be numbered for multitude.

[11] And again: Behold, said he, thou art with child, and thou shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Ismael, because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. [12] He shall be a wild man: his hand will be against all men, and all men' s hands against him: and he shall pitch his tents over against all his brethren. [13] And she called the name of the Lord that spoke unto her: Thou the God who hast seen me. For she said: Verily here have I seen the hinder parts of him that seeth me. [14] Therefore she called that well, The well of him that liveth and seeth me. The same is between Cades and Barad. [15] And Agar brought forth a son to Abram: who called his name Ismael.

[16] Abram was four score and six years old when Agar brought him forth Ismael.

God's greatest work, Mary

Lutero:

I don't think God is much into used praise.

What in the world is "used" praise? If a man says to you, "O that was some good work you did." Is that used praise because he praised what you did rather than focusing upon you directly?

God loves His Saints. And amongst the Saints, He loves Mary most of all because she is His Mother and the Mother of His Son.  She is His greatest work.  When you praise Mary, you praise the work of God.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Douay Genesis 15

Book Of Genesis Chapter 15
God promiseth seed to Abram. His faith, sacrifice and vision.

[1] Now when these things were done, the word of the Lord came to Abram by a vision, saying: Fear not, Abram, I am thy protector, and thy reward exceeding great. [2] And Abram said: Lord God, what wilt thou give me? I shall go without children: and the son of the steward of my house is this Damascus Eliezer. [3] And Abram added: But to me thou hast not given seed: and lo my servant, born in my house, shall be my heir. [4] And immediately the word of the Lord came to him, saying: He shall not be thy heir: but he that shall come out of thy bowels, him shalt thou have for thy heir. [5] And he brought him forth abroad, and said to him: Look up to heaven and number the stars, if thou canst. And he said to him: So shall thy seed be.

[6] Abram believed God, and it was reputed to him unto justice. [7] And he said to him: I am the Lord who brought thee out from Ur of the Chaldees, to give thee this land, and that thou mightest possess it. [8] But he said: Lord God, whereby may I know that I shall possess it? [9] And the Lord answered, and said: Take me a cow of three years old, and a she goat of three years, and a ram of three years, a turtle also, and a pigeon. [10] And he took all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid the two pieces of each one against the other; but the birds he divided not.

[11] And the fowls came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away. [12] And when the sun was setting, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a great and darksome horror seized upon him. [13] And it was said unto him: Know thou beforehand that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land not their own, and they shall bring them under bondage, and afflict them four hundred years. [14] But I will judge the nation which they shall serve, and after this they shall come out with great substance. [15] And thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace, and be buried in a good old age.

[16] But in the fourth generation they shall return hither: for as yet the iniquities of the Amorrhites are not at the full until this present time. [17] And when the sun was set, there arose a dark mist, and there appeared a smoking furnace and a lamp of fire passing between those divisions. [18] That day God made a covenant with Abram, saying: To thy seed will I give this land, from the river of Egypt even to the great river Euphrates. [19] The Cineans and Cenezites, the Cedmonites, [20] And the Hethites, and the Pherezites, the Raphaim also,

[21] And the Amorrhites, and the Chanaanites, and the Gergesites, and the Jebusites.

Mary loved Christ more than any other human being

Lutero:

They make it more complicated than what it is. Focusing on Christ means focusing on Christ.

Do you ever meditate over Christ's infancy narratives? How do you do it without including Mary?

Have you ever considered that Mary loved Christ more than any other human being who ever lived? She is His Mother, is she not?

Matthew 2:11

King James Version (KJV)
¹¹ And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Douay Rheims Genesis 14

Book Of Genesis Chapter 14
The expedition of the four kings; the victory of Abram; he is blessed by Melchisedech.

[1] And it came to pass at that time, that Amraphel king of Sennaar, and Arioch king of Pontus, and Chodorlahomor king of the Elamites, and Thadal king of nations, [2] Made war against Bara king of Sodom, and against Bersa king of Gomorrha, and against Sennaab king of Adama, and against Semeber king of Seboim, and against the king of Bala, which is Segor. [3] All these came together into the woodland vale, which now is the salt sea. [4] For they had served Chodorlahomor twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they revolted from him. [5] And in the fourteenth year came Chodorlahomor, and the kings that were with him: and they smote the Raphaim in Astarothcarnaim, and the Zuzim with them, and the Emim in Save of Cariathaim.

[6] And the Chorreans in the mountains of Seir, even to the plains of Pharan, which is in the wilderness. [7] And they returned, and came to the fountain of Misphat, the same is Cades: and they smote all the country of the Amalecites, and the Amorrhean that dwelt in Asasonthamar. [8] And the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrha, and the king of Adama, and the king of Seboim, and the king of Bala, which is Segor, went out: and they set themselves against them in battle array in the woodland vale: [9] To wit, against Chodorlahomor king of the Elamites, and Thadal king of nations, and Amraphel king of Sennaar, and Arioch king of Pontus: four kings against five. [10] Now the woodland vale had many pits of slime. And the king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrha turned their backs and were overthrown there: and they that remained fled to the mountain.

[11] And they took all the substance of the Sodomites, and Gomorrhites, and all their victuals, and went their way: [12] And Lot also, the son of Abram' s brother, who dwelt in Sodom, and his substance. [13] And behold one that had escaped told Abram the Hebrew, who dwelt in the vale of Mambre the Amorrhite, the brother of Escol, and the brother of Aner: for these had made league with Abram. [14] Which when Abram had heard, to wit, that his brother Lot was taken, he numbered of the servants born in his house, three hundred and eighteen well appointed: and pursued them to Dan. [15] And dividing his company, he rushed upon them in the night: and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hoba, which is on the left hand of Damascus.

[16] And he brought back all the substance, and Lot his brother, with his substance, the women also and the people. [17] And the king of Sodom went out to meet him, after he returned from the slaughter of Chodorlahomor, and of the kings that were with him in the vale of Save, which is the king' s vale. [18] But Melchisedech the king of Salem, bringing forth bread and wine, for he was the priest of the most high God, [19] Blessed him, and said: Blessed be Abram by the most high God, who created heaven and earth. [20] And blessed be the most high God, by whose protection the enemies are in thy hands. And he gave him the tithes of all.

[21] And the king of Sodom said to Abram: Give me the persons, and the rest take to thyself. [22] And he answered him: I lift up my hand to the Lord God the most high, the possessor of heaven and earth, [23] That from the very woof thread unto the shoe latchet, I will not take of any things that are thine, lest thou say I have enriched Abram: [24] Except such things as the young men have eaten, and the shares of the men that came with me, Aner, Escol, and Mambre: these shall take their shares.

Eternal life, a grace freely given to those who keep the Commandments

Lutero:

Grace, by definition is UNMERITED favor...

Is eternal life a grace? 

Matthew 7:21

King James Version (KJV)
²¹ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

1 Corinthians 6:9

King James Version (KJV)
⁹ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

No one MERITS salvation.

Then why do only certain people receive Salvation?

Are you flipping kidding me?? Who does He save then if not SINNERS?

Repentant sinners who obey His wil:
Hebrews 5:9

King James Version (KJV)
⁹ And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Did you even think before you posted this?

Did you think before you responded?

Salvation is a gift, it is eternal life...

This is what Scripture says about receiving salvation:
Philippians 2:12

King James Version (KJV)
¹² Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

This is what Scripture says about receiving eternal life:
Romans 2:7

King James Version (KJV)
⁷ To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Matthew 7:21

King James Version (KJV)
²¹ Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 25:46

King James Version (KJV)
⁴⁶ And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The gift of eternal life is merited as Scripture continually explains:
Matthew 19:17

King James Version (KJV)
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.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Douay Rheims Genesis 13

Book Of Genesis  Chapter 13
Abram and Lot part from each other. God's promise to Abram.

[1] And Abram went up out of Egypt, he and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. [2] And he was very rich in possession of gold and silver. [3] And he returned by the way that he came, from the south to Bethel, to the place where before he had pitched his tent between Bethel and Hai: [4] In the place of the altar which he had made before; and there he called upon the name of the Lord. [5] But Lot also, who was with Abram, had flocks of sheep, and herds of beasts, and tents.

[6] Neither was the land able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, and they could not dwell together. [7] Whereupon also there arose a strife between the herdsmen of Abram and of Lot. And at that time the Chanaanite and the Pherezite dwelled in that country. [8] Abram therefore said to Lot: Let there be no quarrel, I beseech thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen: for we are brethren. [9] Behold the whole land is before thee: depart from me I pray thee: if thou wilt go to the left hand, I will take the right: if thou choose the right hand, I will pass to the left. [10] And Lot, lifting up his eyes, saw all the country about the Jordan, which was watered throughout, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrha, as the paradise of the Lord, and like Egypt as one comes to Segor.

[11] And Lot chose to himself the country about the Jordan, and he departed from the east: and they were separated one brother from the other. [12] Abram dwelt in the land of Chanaan; and Lot abode in the towns that were about the Jordan, and dwelt in Sodom. [13] And the men of Sodom were very wicked, and sinners before the face of the Lord, beyond measure. [14] And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him: Lift up thy eyes, and look from the place wherein thou now art, to the north and to the south, to the east and to the west. [15] All the land which thou seest, I will give to thee, and to thy seed for ever.

[16] And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: if any man be able to number the dust of the earth, he shall be able to number thy seed also. [17] Arise and walk through the land in the length, and in the breadth thereof: for I will give it to thee. [18] So Abram removing his tent came and dwelt by the vale of Mambre, which is in Hebron: and he built there an altar to the Lord.

Dos Santos- Parable of the Sower

Scriptural penance - works meet for repentance

Lutero:
For what? penance? There is NONE in Scripture

I already gave several which are completely in line. Especially this one:
Acts 26:20

King James Version (KJV)
²⁰ But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Now, show us where penitents do not have to do "works meet for repentance" (i.e. penance).

Or course you did...you compared David's punishment from God to PENANCE doled out by your apostate church.

God's penance is much harsher than that imposed by the Church. But they are based upon the same principle. One must atone for one's sins because one has given God's enemies reason to blaspheme. Now, its your turn. Show me from Scripture that God does not expect us to atone for our sins in any way and that God forbids the imposition of penances by the Church.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Douay Rheims Genesis 12

Book Of Genesis Chapter 12

The call of Abram, and the promise made to him. He sojourneth in Chanaan, and then by occasion of a famine, goeth down to Egypt.

[1] And the Lord said to Abram: Go forth out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and out of thy father' s house, and come into the land which I shall shew thee. [2] And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and magnify thy name, and thou shalt be blessed. [3] I will bless them that bless thee, and curse them that curse thee, and IN THEE shall all the kindred of the earth be blessed: [4] So Abram went out as the Lord had commanded him, and Lot went with him: Abram was seventy-five years old when he went forth from Haran. [5] And he took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother' s son, and all the substance which they had gathered, and the souls which they had gotten in Haran: and they went out to go into the land of Chanaan. And when they were come into it,

[6] Abram passed through the country into the place of Sichem, as far as the noble vale: now the Chanaanite was at that time in the land. [7] And the Lord appeared to Abram, and said to him: To thy seed will I give this land. And he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. [8] And passing on from thence to a mountain, that was on the east side of Bethel, he there pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east; he built there also an altar to the Lord, and called upon his name. [9] And Abram went forward, going, and proceeding on to the south. [10] And there came a famine in the country; and Abram went down into Egypt, to sojourn there: for the famine was very grievous in the land.

[11] And when he was near to enter into Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife: I know that thou art a beautiful woman: [12] And that when the Egyptians shall see thee, they will say: She is his wife: and they will kill me, and keep thee. [13] Say, therefore, I pray thee, that thou art my sister: that I may be well used for thee, and that my soul may live for thy sake. [14] And when Abram was come into Egypt, the Egyptians saw the woman that she was very beautiful. [15] And the princes told Pharao, and praised her before him: and the woman was taken into the house of Pharao.

[16] And they used Abram well for her sake. And he had sheep and oxen, and he asses, and men servants and maid servants, and she asses, and camels. [17] But the Lord scourged Pharao and his house with most grievous stripes for Sarai, Abram' s wife. [18] And Pharao called Abram, and said to him: What is this that thou hast done to me? Why didst thou not tell me that she was thy wife? [19] For what cause didst thou say, she was thy sister, that I might take her to my wife? Now, therefore, there is thy wife, take her, and go thy way. [20] And Pharao gave his men orders concerning Abram: and they led him away, and his wife, and all that he had.

Douay Matthew 3

Gospel According to Saint Matthew Chapter 3
The preaching of John: Christ is baptized.

[1] And in those days cometh John the Baptist preaching in the desert of Judea. [2] And saying: Do penance: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [3] For this is he that was spoken of by Isaias the prophet, saying: A voice of one crying in the desert, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. [4] And the same John had his garment of camels' hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins: and his meat was locusts and wild honey. [5] Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea, and all the country about Jordan:

[6] And were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins. [7] And seeing many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them: Ye brood of vipers, who hath shewed you to flee from the wrath to come? [8] Bring forth therefore fruit worthy of penance. [9] And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham for our father. For I tell you that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham. [10] For now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doth not yield good fruit, shall be cut down, and cast into the fire.

[11] I indeed baptize you in the water unto penance, but he that shall come after me, is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear; he shall baptize you in the Holy Ghost and fire. [12] Whose fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly cleanse his floor and gather his wheat into the barn; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire. [13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to the Jordan, unto John, to be baptized by him. [14] But John stayed him, saying: I ought to be baptized by thee, and comest thou to me? [15] And Jesus answering, said to him: Suffer it to be so now. For so it becometh us to fulfill all justice. Then he suffered him.

[16] And Jesus being baptized, forthwith came out of the water: and lo, the heavens were opened to him: and he saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon him. [17] And behold a voice from heaven, saying: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The Rosary is a meditation on the life of Christ.

Lutero:

It is punishment to have to recite the rosary and all those prayers !

The Rosary is a meditation on the life of Christ. You consider it punishment to meditate upon the life of Christ?

I couldn't think of a worse thing than if the priest said to say a rosary, do you know how long all of those prayers to Mary is?

It takes me one hour to pray an entire Rosary:
Matthew 26:40

King James Version (KJV)
⁴⁰ And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?

However, how can you possibly reflect on anything while engaged in vain repetitions of prayers which the Lord specifically told us not to do in Matthew 6:7

You are projecting. Because you pray in vain does not mean that we do so.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. (kjv)

We repeat our prayers in imitation of Christ:
Mark 14:39

King James Version (KJV)
³⁹ And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

His repeating of prayers was not in vain, nor is ours.

I get more reflection out of this. When I know I have committed a sin and I reflect on that sin...when I talk to Jesus about it and ask Him to forgive me and help me not to go down that path again...inside I feel the conviction the Holy Spirit gave me...I reflect more in talking with Jesus about it and asking for his help. In the end I know I am forgiven by his word.

You know you are forgiven, why? Did God speak to you? Or did you wash your sins calling on your own name? Protestants have taken God completely out of the picture. 

We obey God:
James 5:16

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Hebrews 13:17

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁷ Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

We obey God's word and therefore submit to the Priests, our rulers whom God appointed in the Church. 

And look, I didn't need a middle man

Even the Apostles asked for prayers from the Brethren:
1 Thessalonians 5:25

King James Version (KJV)
²⁵ Brethren, pray for us.

or vain repetitions to Mary.

We don't repeat prayers in vain. 

Of course that is my opinion and my experience, but again, why in the world should you complicate the simplicity of the gospel?

It is Protestants who have complicated the Gospel with their inventions. Look at the thousands of different theologies they have derived from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Bewildering. But Christ's Gospel is simple:
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.

John 14:21-23

King James Version (KJV)
²¹ He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
²² Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world?
²³ Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Douay Matthew 2

Gospel According to Saint Matthew Chapter 2
The offerings of the wise men: the flight into Egypt: the massacre of the Innocents.

[1] When Jesus therefore was born in Bethlehem of Juda, in the days of king Herod, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem. [2] Saying, Where is he that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to adore him. [3] And king Herod hearing this, was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. [4] And assembling together all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, he inquired of them where Christ should be born. [5] But they said to him: In Bethlehem of Juda. For so it is written by the prophet:

[6] And thou Bethlehem the land of Juda art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come forth the captain that shall rule my people Israel. [7] Then Herod, privately calling the wise men, learned diligently of them the time of the star which appeared to them; [8] And sending them into Bethlehem, said: Go and diligently inquire after the child, and when you have found him, bring me word again, that I also may come to adore him. [9] Who having heard the king, went their way; and behold the star which they had seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. [10] And seeing the star they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

[11] And entering into the house, they found the child with Mary his mother, and falling down they adored him; and opening their treasures, they offered him gifts; gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [12] And having received an answer in sleep that they should not return to Herod, they went back another way into their country. [13] And after they were departed, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and fly into Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him. [14] Who arose, and took the child and his mother by night, and retired into Egypt: and he was there until the death of Herod: [15] That it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: Out of Egypt have I called my son.

[16] Then Herod perceiving that he was deluded by the wise men, was exceeding angry; and sending killed all the men children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. [17] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremias the prophet, saying: [18] A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great mourning; Rachel bewailing her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. [19] But when Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, [20] Saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child.

[21] Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. [22] But hearing that Archelaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee. [23] And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by prophets: That he shall be called a Nazarene.

Douay Rheims Genesis 11

Book Of Genesis  Chapter 11

The tower of Babel. The confusion of tongues. The genealogy of Sem down to Abram.

[1] And the earth was of one tongue, and of the same speech. [2] And when they removed from the east, they found a plain in the land of Sennaar, and dwelt in it. [3] And each one said to his neighbour: Come, let us make brick, and bake them with fire. And they had brick instead of stones, and slime instead of mortar. [4] And they said: Come, let us make a city and a tower, the top whereof may reach to heaven: and let us make our name famous before we be scattered abroad into all lands. [5] And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of Adam were building.

[6] And he said: Behold, it is one people, and all have one tongue: and they have begun to do this, neither will they leave off from their designs, till they accomplish them in deed. [7] Come ye, therefore, let us go down, and there confound their tongue, that they may not understand one another' s speech. [8] And so the Lord scattered them from that place into all lands, and they ceased to build the city. [9] And therefore the name thereof was called Babel, because there the language of the whole earth was confounded: and from thence the Lord scattered them abroad upon the face of all countries. [10] These are the generations of Sem: Sem was a hundred years old when he begot Arphaxad, two years after the flood.

[11] And Sem lived after he begot Arphaxad, five hundred years, and begot sons and daughters. [12] And Arphaxad lived thirty-five years, and begot Sale. [13] And Arphaxad lived after he begot Sale, three hundred and three years; and begot sons and daughters. [14] Sale also lived thirty years, and begot Heber. [15] And Sale lived after he begot Heber, four hundred and three years; and begot sons and daughters.

[16] And Heber lived thirty-four years, and begot Phaleg. [17] And Heber lived after he begot Phaleg, four hundred and thirty years: and begot sons and daughters. [18] Phaleg also lived thirty years, and begot Reu. [19] And Phaleg lived after he begot Reu, two hundred and nine years, and begot sons and daughters. [20] And Reu lived thirty-two years, and begot Sarug.

[21] And Reu lived after he begot Sarug, two hundred and seven years, and begot sons and daughters. [22] And Sarug lived thirty years, and begot Nachor. [23] And Sarug lived after he begot Nachor, two hundred years: and begot sons and daughters. [24] And Nachor lived nine and twenty years, and begot Thare. [25] And Nachor lived after he begot Thare, a hundred and nineteen years: and begot sons and daughters.

[26] And Thare lived seventy years, and begot Abram, and Nachor, and Aran. [27] And these are the generations of Thare: Thare begot Abram, Nachor, and Aran. And Aran begot Lot. [28] And Aran died before Thare his father, in the land of his nativity in Ur of the Chaldees. [29] And Abram and Nachor married wives: the name of Abram' s wife was Sarai: and the name of Nachor' s wife, Melcha, the daughter of Aran, father of Melcha, and father of Jescha. [30] And Sarai was barren, and had no children.

[31] And Thare took Abram, his son, and Lot the son of Aran, his son' s son, and Sarai his daughter in law, the wife of Abram his son, and brought them out of Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Chanaan: and they came as far as Haran, and dwelt there. [32] And the days of Thare were two hundred and five years, and he died in Haran.

Douay Matthew 1

Gospel According to Saint Matthew Chapter 1
The genealogy of Christ: he is conceived and born of a virgin.

[1] The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham: [2] Abraham begot Isaac. And Isaac begot Jacob. And Jacob begot Judas and his brethren. [3] And Judas begot Phares and Zara of Thamar. And Phares begot Esron. And Esron begot Aram. [4] And Aram begot Aminadab. And Aminadab begot Naasson. And Naasson begot Salmon. [5] And Salmon begot Booz of Rahab. And Booz begot Obed of Ruth. And Obed begot Jesse.

[6] And Jesse begot David the king. And David the king begot Solomon, of her that had been the wife of Urias. [7] And Solomon begot Roboam. And Roboam begot Abia. And Abia begot Asa. [8] And Asa begot Josaphat. And Josaphat begot Joram. And Joram begot Ozias. [9] And Ozias begot Joatham. And Joatham begot Achaz. And Achaz begot Ezechias. [10] And Ezechias begot Manasses. And Manasses begot Amon. And Amon begot Josias.

[11] And Josias begot Jechonias and his brethren in the transmigration of Babylon. [12] And after the transmigration of Babylon, Jechonias begot Salathiel. And Salathiel begot Zorobabel. [13] And Zorobabel begot Abiud. And Abiud begot Eliacim. And Eliacim begot Azor. [14] And Azor begot Sadoc. And Sadoc begot Achim. And Achim begot Eliud. [15] And Eliud begot Eleazar. And Eleazar begot Mathan. And Mathan begot Jacob.

[16] And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ. [17] So all the generations, from Abraham to David, are fourteen generations. And from David to the transmigration of Babylon, are fourteen generations: and from the transmigration of Babylon to Christ are fourteen generations. [18] Now the generation of Christ was in this wise. When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child, of the Holy Ghost. [19] Whereupon Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing publicly to expose her, was minded to put her away privately. [20] But while he thought on these things, behold the angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.

[21] And she shall bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name JESUS. For he shall save his people from their sins. [22] Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which the Lord spoke by the prophet, saying: [23] Behold a virgin shall be with child, and bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. [24] And Joseph rising up from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him, and took unto him his wife. [25] And he knew her not till she brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Biblical suffering

Lutero:

Where is that taught in the scriptures?

I posted the Scripture. 

Maria you continue to show your inability to rightly divide scripture..

If I had not rightly divided the word, you could show me my error. But all you are doing is alleging something which you can't prove.

Please read Hebrews 9-10
To understand the fulness of the sacrifice of Christ comparing Christ to the High priest on the day of atonement which had to be done every year.. but Christ as our high priest sacrificed once for all ..if His sacrifice was insufficient , he would have to keep offering Himself over and over

The only one here who has said that the sacrifice of Christ was insufficient is you. 

As for me, I understand the nature of Biblical sacrifice and especially the sacrifice of the Passover Lamb in the OT. Jesus, the Lamb of God transferred the OT Passover to the Christian Mass:

1 Corinthians 5:7

King James Version (KJV)
⁷ Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

Just as in the OT Passover, the Jews had to eat the Passover Lamb in order to complete the sacrifice, otherwise they would die:
Numbers 9:13

King James Version (KJV)
¹³ But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the Lord in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

The man who rejects the Christian Passover, the Mass, is also cut off from God's people:
Hebrews 10:25-31

King James Version (KJV)
²⁵ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
²⁶ For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
²⁷ But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
²⁸ He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
²⁹ Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
³⁰ For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
³¹ It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men” (Romans 5:18)

Does this verse say that all men are saved?

Maria, do you believe that God knows all things?

Yes. I answer your questions. When will you answer mine?


Sincerely,

De Maria

Mass Readings March 16, 2014

Second Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 25


Reading 1 GN 12:1-4A

The LORD said to Abram:
“Go forth from the land of your kinsfolk
and from your father’s house to a land that I will show you.

“I will make of you a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
so that you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you
and curse those who curse you.
All the communities of the earth
shall find blessing in you.”

Abram went as the LORD directed him.

Responsorial Psalm PS 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22

R/ (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.

R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.

R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
Our soul waits for the LORD,
who is our help and our shield.
May your kindness, O LORD, be upon us
who have put our hope in you.
R/ Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.


Reading 2 2 TIM 1:8B-10

Beloved:
Bear your share of hardship for the gospel
with the strength that comes from God.

He saved us and called us to a holy life,
not according to our works
but according to his own design
and the grace bestowed on us in Christ Jesus before time began,
but now made manifest
through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus,
who destroyed death and brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel.


Gospel MT 17:1-9

Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother,
and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
And he was transfigured before them;
his face shone like the sun
and his clothes became white as light.
And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them,
conversing with him.
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,
“Lord, it is good that we are here.
If you wish, I will make three tents here,
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
While he was still speaking, behold,
a bright cloud cast a shadow over them,
then from the cloud came a voice that said,
“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased;
listen to him.”
When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate
and were very much afraid.
But Jesus came and touched them, saying,
“Rise, and do not be afraid.”
And when the disciples raised their eyes,
they saw no one else but Jesus alone.

As they were coming down from the mountain,
Jesus charged them,
“Do not tell the vision to anyone
until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Douay Rheims Genesis 10

Book Of Genesis  Chapter 10

The genealogy of the children of Noe, by whom the world was peopled after the flood.

[1] These are the generations of the sons of Noe: Sem, Cham, and Japheth: and unto them sons were born after the flood. [2] The sons of Japheth: Gomer, and Magog, and Madai, and Javan, and Thubal, and Mosoch, and Thiras. [3] And the sons of Gomer: Ascenez and Riphath and Thogorma. [4] And the sons of Javan: Elisa and Tharsis, Cetthim and Dodanim. [5] By these were divided the islands of the Gentiles in their lands, every one according to his tongue and their families in their nations.

[6] And the sons of Cham: Chus, and Mesram, and Phuth, and Chanaan. [7] And the sons of Chus: Saba, and Hevila, and Sabatha, and Regma, and Sabatacha. The sons of Regma: Saba and Dadan. [8] Now Chus begot Nemrod: he began to be mighty on the earth. [9] And he was a stout hunter before the Lord. Hence came a proverb: Even as Nemrod the stout hunter before the Lord. [10] And the beginning of his kingdom was Babylon, and Arach, and Achad, and Chalanne in the land of Sennaar.

[11] Out of that land came forth Assur, and built Ninive, and the streets of the city, and Chale. [12] Resen also between Ninive and Chale: this is the great city. [13] And Mesraim begot Ludim, and Anamim, and Laabim, Nepthuim, [14] And Phetrusim, and Chasluim; of whom came forth the Philistines, and the Capthorim. [15] And Chanaan begot Sidon, his firstborn, the Hethite,

[16] And the Jebusite, and the Amorrhite, and the Gergesite, [17] The Hevite and the Aracite: the Sinite, [18] And the Aradian, the Samarite, and the Hamathite: and afterwards the families of the Chanaanites were spread abroad. [19] And the limits of Chanaan were from Sidon as one comes to Gerara even to Gaza, until thou enter Sodom and Gomorrha, and Adama, and Seboim even to Lesa. [20] These are the children of Cham in their kindreds, and tongues, and generations, and lands, and nations.

[21] Of Sem also, the father of all the children of Heber, the elder brother of Japheth, sons were born. [22] The sons of Sem: Elam and Assur, and Arphaxad, and Lud, and Aram. [23] The sons of Aram: Us and Hull, and Gether, and Mess. [24] But Arphaxad begot Sale, of whom was born Heber. [25] And to Heber were born two sons: the name of the one was Phaleg, because in his days the earth was divided: and his brother' s name Jectan.

[26] Which Jectan begot Elmodad, and Saleph, and Asarmoth, Jare, [27] And Aduram, and Uzal, and Decla, [28] And Ebal, and Abimael, Saba, [29] And Ophir, and Hevila, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Jectan. [30] And their dwelling was from Messa as we go on as far as Sephar, a mountain in the east.

[31] These are the children of Sem according to their kindreds and tongues, and countries in their nations. [32] These are the families of Noe, according to their peoples and nations. By these were the nations divided on the earth after the flood.

Jesus gave the Church the authority to forgive sins

Lutero:

In order to gain forgiveness for sin, God teaches that we must admit our wrongs to Him, not a Roman Catholic priest.

Show me from Scripture. Because what I see, is that Jesus gave the Church the authority to forgive sins:

John 20:23

King James Version (KJV)
²³ Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.

Roman Catholic priests do not represent Christ in any way,

Perhaps Protestant ministers don't. But Catholic Priests, in fact every Catholic does:
2 Corinthians 5:20

King James Version (KJV)
²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Any Catholic or former Catholic can see in that verse, a reference to the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

a Roman Catholic priest can only represent himself as a minister of the religious cult he believes in, swears his alliegence to, and thus affliates himself with.

It is Protestants who represent a cult. Their coming was forecast in Scripture:

2 Timothy 4:3

King James Version (KJV)
³ For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (I John 1:9).

 Again, that is another reference to the Sacrament of Confession.

Once again, the confession of sin is to God

 Through the Church.  Scripture says:

James 5:16

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁶ Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

because it is God whom we offended, thus only God can release ("forgive") us of our debt due to our sin.

God will forgive your sins if you ask His beloved Priests to pray for you as God forgave Job's friends only after Job prayed for them:

Job 42:7-9

King James Version (KJV)
⁷ And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
⁸ Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
⁹ So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the Lord commanded them: the Lord also accepted Job.

Christians don't have a mediator between themselves and God.

Really?1 Timothy 2:5

King James Version (KJV)
⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Every true Christian is a priest and has the right to approach God directly.

And every true Christian has advocates to God in the Body of Christ:

1 Timothy 2:1

King James Version (KJV)
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

Even the Apostles were humble enough to request their congregations to be advocates in their behalf:

1 Thessalonians 5:25

King James Version (KJV)
²⁵ Brethren, pray for us.

"You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (I Peter 2:5).  Spiritual Sacrifices? What are those?

Alms. 

Luke 11:41

King James Version (KJV)
⁴¹ But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

Physical sufferings:

Colossians 1:24

King James Version (KJV)
²⁴ Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:

Charity:


Mark 10:21

King James Version (KJV)
²¹ Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Sincerely,

De Maria