Christ leads the Church, therefore the Church is infallible

After Christ was smitten and crucified, He came back. Appeared to Peter and the Apostles and they came together again. Christ never again left the Church, but remains with the Church to this day. And the Church remains, infallible. 
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What did the Cross accomplish? What does Scripture say?

As far as I know, crucifixion is no longer practiced. But, in the ancient world, crucifixion was a horrible form of execution which accomplished both the torture and death of the persons sentenced to such a punishment. 
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Where does Jesus teach Scripture alone?

Where does Jesus teach Scripture alone?

If we look through Scripture, we find that Jesus selected a group of men. Then He organized them into a cohesive company of men to which He then gave a mission to accomplish. What was that mission? Was it that they should write down all which He commanded and hand it out so that others could read it and learn for themselves what He taught? 
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Where in Scripture, do we find that the Jewish Passover becomes the Mass?

Where in Scripture, do we find that the Jewish Passover becomes the Mass?

Today is Holy Thursday and this is what Jesus did on Holy Thursday. He transformed the Jewish Passover into the Christian Mas 
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What does Confirmation, confirm?

What does Confirmation, confirm?

For me, one of the more confusing Sacraments, was Confirmation. My question was, “What does Confirmation, confirm?” 
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Jesus is either God or He is a liar who died in his sins

Jesus is either God or He is a liar who died in his sins

And Jesus provided the evidence to prove that He is God by raising the dead, healing the sick, multiplying the fish and the loaves and turning water to wine. These things were testified by many witnesses. And His followers, many of them could also perform such miracles as he empowered them to perform. 
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Obedience unto death

Obedience unto death

Many of you know that Jesus obeyed God, the Father. But most of you, perhaps, have not thought about the fact, that Jesus also obeyed man. I’ll tell you a bit more about that later. You’ll hear a lot of people say, “We must obey God and not man.” But that is not what Jesus did. Jesus obeyed man and God. Both 
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Bring forth the Old and the New; concerning Baptism

Bring forth the Old and the New; concerning Baptism

You see, when I need to find something, I always say, “Babe, where are my old boots?” Or “Babe, have you seen my new tablet?” And she brings them out. My kids rely on her as much as I do. So, who’s the “head” of my household? Hmm? So, anyway, let’s see if we are good scribes who can bring from the Kingdom of Heaven, something old and something new, concerning Baptism. 
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Can a man do meritorious works before regeneration (i.e. being justified)?

Some Protestants say that man can do nothing good in God’s eyes.  Ever.  They claim that man is “totally depraved” and therefore, his works are like filthy rags in God’s eyes. If you don’t believe me, here’s an example:

All we assign to man is that, by his impurity he pollutes and contaminates the very works which were good. The most perfect thing which proceeds from man is always polluted by some stain. (Calvin, Institutes of Christian Religion)

Thus we sin even when we do good, unless God through Christ covers this imperfection and does not impute it to us. (Luther’s works, Vol 25).

Some Catholics, although they would disagree with these statements, say something similar.  They will say something like:

The Catholic Church teaches that good works done before regeneration, have no merit in God’s eyes.

Are these statements true?  You be the judge.   

The documents of the Council of Trent contain the infallible Teaching of the Catholic Church.  

In the Council of Trent, Session 6, Canon 7, the Council says:

Canon 7.

If anyone says that all works done before justification, in whatever manner they may be done, are truly sins, or merit the hatred of God; that the more earnestly one strives to dispose himself for grace, the more grievously he sins, let him be anathema.

Let’s break that down.

If anyone says that all works done before justification,

Anybody who says that works doen before Baptism

in whatever manner they may be done,

Whether they be good or bad

are truly sins, or merit the hatred of God;

are all against God’s law and deserve His punishment

that the more earnestly one strives to dispose himself for grace, the more grievously he sins,

or if anyone says that the more an unregenerate man tries to do good, the more he does evil

let him be anathema.

Let that man who says these things be condemned.

Let me explain.  

Before justification means before Baptism.  And it is in Baptism that we are regenerated.  Therefore, the context here is the man who has not yet been regenerated.

This canon, then, condemns the idea that one who is not baptized can only do evil in the eyes of God.    If we flip that around then, it means that the unbaptized can do good and meritorious works in the eyes of God.

That is the Council of Trent, there is no higher authority for a Catholic.  But, there is another authority which is very highly regarded in the Catholic Church.  It is that of St. Thomas Aquinas, who is called the Angelic Doctor of the Catholic Church. 

What does he say?

Summa Theologica > First Part of the Second Part > Question 21

Article 4. Whether a human action is meritorious or demeritorious before God, according as it is good or evil?

A human action, as stated above (Article 3), acquires merit or demerit, through being ordained to someone else, either by reason of himself, or by reason of the community: and in each way, our actions, good and evil, acquire merit or demerit, in the sight of God. On the part of God Himself, inasmuch as He is man's last end; and it is our duty to refer all our actions to the last end, as stated above (Question 19, Article 10). Consequently, whoever does an evil deed, not referable to God, does not give God the honor due to Him as our last end. On the part of the whole community of the universe, because in every community, he who governs the community, cares, first of all, for the common good; wherefore it is his business to award retribution for such things as are done well or ill in the community. Now God is the governor and ruler of the whole universe, as stated in the I, 103, 5: and especially of rational creatures. Consequently it is evident that human actions acquire merit or demerit in reference to Him: else it would follow that human actions are no business of God's.

What does it all mean?

I know, St. Thomas’ writings are difficult to understand.  But let’s  unpack that:

A human action, as stated above (Article 3), acquires merit or demerit, through being ordained to someone else, either by reason of himself, or by reason of the community:

1st, he says that all human actions have merit or demerit with regard to someone else.  In other words, you might do something that your mom or dad or you club, might like or dislike.  People around you, then, judge the merit of your actions. 

our actions, good and evil, acquire merit or demerit, in the sight of God.  On the part of God Himself, inasmuch as He is man's last end; and it is our duty to refer all our actions to the last end,

2nd, he focuses on God.  And he says that our actions are also judged by God.  Why?  Because all men are made in His image and are made for Him.  He is the “last end” of men.  In other words, God wills that all men be saved and judges their actions in accordance with that criteria in mind.

Consequently, whoever does an evil deed, not referable to God, does not give God the honor due to Him as our last end. On the part of the whole community of the universe, because in every community, he who governs the community, cares, first of all, for the common good; 

3rd, then he says, that all man’s actions are God’s business.  Because all our actions either move us in God’s direction or away.  They are either meritorious or demeritorious in His eyes.  

wherefore it is his business to award retribution for such things as are done well or ill in the community. Now God is the governor and ruler of the whole universe, as stated in the I, 103, 5: and especially of rational creatures. Consequently it is evident that human actions acquire merit or demerit in reference to Him:

4th, he concludes with this.  If men’s actions are not judged by God, then that would mean that man is God’s superior and can tell God to stay out of His business.  But that is wrong.  Everything that man does is God’s business.  God is sovereign over the entire world.

wherefore it is his business to award retribution for such things as are done well or ill in the community. Now God is the governor and ruler of the whole universe, as stated in the I, 103, 5: and especially of rational creatures. Consequently it is evident that human actions acquire merit or demerit in reference to Him: else it would follow that human actions are no business of God's.

Let me explain:

St. Thomas is saying that all men’s actions are God’s business.  It doesn’t matter if they are regenerated or not.  It doesn’t matter if they are pagan or Christian.  All human actions are God’s business and He judges them as to whether they are meritorious or not.  

Let’s play a game.  What do you think, merit or demerit?

A non-believer, who has never been baptized, murders his parents.  Merit or demerit in the eyes of God?

A Christian who has been baptized and church goer, murders his parents.  Merit or demerit in the eyes of God? 

A non-believer, who has never been baptized, helps a little old lady across the street.  Merit or demerit in the eyes of God?

A non-believer, who has never been baptized, feeds the hungry, helps the poor, heals the sick and helps orphans and widows in their afflictions.  Merit or demerit in the eyes of God?

Have you ever read the Scripture which says:

Matthew 21:31…. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the kingdom of God ahead of you.

Conclusion

God is the Judge of all men’s actions.  Whether they are baptized or not.  Whether they are regenerated or not.  

Acts 10:34…. God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.

Battling against Obama's HHS

March 16, 2016

As you well know, it is not just Catholic Sisters who are battling against Obama's HHS mandate in the Supreme Court. It's priests, brothers, and lay people, too! It's men and women, employers and students, Catholics and Evangelicals, in a wide array of Americans standing up for a basic Constitutional and human right -- religious freedom!

There are some 37 different plaintiffs combined into the seven cases that the Supreme Court has combined and is hearing in oral argument this Wednesday, March 23.

One of those seven cases is Priests for Life vs. HHS, and of all the plaintiffs in the Supreme Court right now, we were the first to challenge the mandate with a lawsuit.

Among the various groups that have sent in "Friend of the Court" briefs, moreover, are numerous Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical and Jewish groups, as well as the Church of the Lukumi Babalu Aye, the International Society For Krishna Consciousness, the Islamic Center Of Murfreesboro, and the Lipan Apache Tribe.

All of this diversity reflects the fact that religious freedom is a human issue -- not merely a Catholic issue or a woman's issue. Nobody has a monopoly on religious freedom, and that is precisely the argument we are making before the Court.

I wanted to share with you  my two articles below that were recently published in key publications; you can also find more at http://www.priestsforlife.org/library/5621-op-eds-regarding-the-hhs-mandate. Please read, share, and comment upon these pieces.

And please be sure to spread the word about our prayer campaign for success in this Supreme Court case. See www.SupremeCourtVictory.com.

The oral arguments in the Supreme Court take place this Wednesday, March 23. I will be in the court, and will be sending out commentary as soon as we are finished. Plaintiffs Janet Morana and Alveda King of Priests for Life will be speaking at a rally outside the Court.

And the night before, that is, Tuesday night March 22, we will hold a national prayer rally in front of the Court from 7:30 to 8:30pm. Please promote it (see https://www.facebook.com/events/987383398016534/), and please come if you are able!

Blessings, and onward to victory!

Fr. Frank Pavone

National Director, Priests for Life

The Upcoming Court Battle Over the HHS Mandate (By Fr. Frank Pavone, Crisis Magazine, March 14, 2016)

In what way can simply signing a document be a burden on you or your freedom? Obviously, the answer to that question depends on the document that you’re asked to sign.  If you’re a celebrity and a fan hands you a scrap of paper for an autograph, your burden consists of a few seconds of your time—and in fact, it’s probably a joy for you... More

Are Some Priests More Catholic Than Others? The Government Seems to Think So (By Fr. Frank Pavone, National Catholic Register, March 3, 2016)

My classmates and I at St. Joseph’s Seminary in the Archdiocese of New York took the same classes – Sacred Scripture, Sacraments, homiletics and many others – and we were ordained together in November 1988 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral by Cardinal John J. O’Connor. We all looked forward to our first parish assignments as brand new priests...MORE

Priests for Life
PO Box 141172
Staten Island, NY 10314
Phone: 888-735-3448
718-980-4400
Fax: 718-980-6515
Email: mail@priestsforlife.org
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Do you know others who may be interested in our work? Please refer them to us.

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Which is more biblical?

Frequently, Protestants call themselves “Bible” Christians. And they claim that they get their doctrines from the Bible “alone”.

Well, let’s put that to the test.

What is your answer to this question?

Are you saved?....(Read More).

If I was baptized a Catholic, am I still Catholic?

If I was baptized a Catholic, am I still Catholic?

There is a difference between being considered a Catholic and being “baptized”. Baptism confers upon us a spiritual seal which is permanent. One can not remove or undo Baptism. Some people, especially those who convert to non-Christian religions or become atheist, may want to be unbaptized. But, according to my understanding of the Catholic Faith, that is impossible. 
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What is "Forensic" justification?

What is "Forensic" justification?

What Protestants call “forensic” justification, the Catholic Church calls “conversion”. Conversion is the point at which we turn to God in faith and begin to please Him. 
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Can we "merit or earn" salvation?

Can we "merit or earn" salvation?

The quick answer to the question, “Can we earn salvation?” is: “Yes, by the grace and mercy of God.” 
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State of grace

VG:As many of us are familiar with the RC dogma the Immaculate Conception where the belief is that Mary was sinless in order to carry God in her womb.Please explain why Catholics who were not conceived without sin and are sinners can recieve God into their sinful selves?

HR:Totally fabricated dogma not mentioned in the NT or by the ECFs. Same for PV. Purely invented in spite of all evidence to the contrary.

Read the Scripture:
1 Corinthians 11:27-29

²⁷ Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
²⁸ But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
²⁹ For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

At the time we receive the Body and Blood of our Lord, we are in a state of grace. Forgiven of sin in Baptism and in the Sacrament of reconciliation:

Acts 22:16

¹⁶ And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Catholic365 trending March 8th 2016

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You don't see in Scripture, where God elevated Mary above all of mankind?

VG:

As many of us are familiar with the RC dogma the Immaculate Conception where the belief is that Mary was sinless in order to carry God in her womb.

TT:

This is a misstatement. It wasn't a requirement for Mary to be sinless. Like all things from God, that was a gift.

Also, I don't think you can relate receiving God into our hearts and carrying God in your womb. How many people in the history of the human race has carried God in their womb?

DC:

One, someone had to.

Yeah!  But not just anyone.  Only the Woman whom God deemed worthy of the greatest honor that anyone human could receive.

And yet we don't see Christ anywhere elevating her or exalting her above all others

Really? You don't see that in electing her to be His mother, He elevated her above all women?

And in Scripture, when she is crowned Queen of Heaven (Rev 12:1), you don't see that as God elevating her above all of mankind?

and we find no Scripture that does so either.

You do, you simply deny those Scriptures.

In fact, I think He (i.e. God) was careful not to do so....and yet here we still have Catholics turning her into some kind of goddess and ascribing things to her which neither Christ nor Scripture do. Ever think there might be a reason why Jesus never called her mother in Scripture but only referred to her as woman?

On the contrary. The problem is that you read the Scriptures with eyes of sinful flesh. Whereas the Scriptures are spiritually discerned:

1 Corinthians 2:14
King James Version (KJV)
¹⁴ But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Until you can learn to receive the Spiritual truths of Scripture, you will continue to misunderstand the Word of God.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Do you believe that Jesus Christ promised to lead the Church unto the end of the world?

 

Protestants say that they believe in Jesus Christ and in Scripture. But not that the Catholic Church is infallible. In fact, they don’t believe that any Church is infallible. Not even their own. What is it that they are missing? 
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What does it mean, to believe on Jesus Christ? A study on John 6:40

Are claims of belief alone enough for salvation? Let’s think about this. Let’s start with an illustration. 
Read More...

The Catholic Church's doctrine is that "matrimony" is the office of motherhood

ETPH:

And not once do we see, "don't have pleasure with your wife". And not once with the command of the children is there a command on how many to have, if any.....it's just IF they have children, siding on the fact that most married people do.

LG:

ssssh...don't mention that inconvenient fact ! You will wake up their sleeping minds........

Are you implying that the Catholic Church limits the number of children a couple may have?

You are really out of touch. The Catholic Church's doctrine is that "matrimony" is the office of motherhood and a couple may have as many children as God gives them.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Is Missing the Mass a mortal sin?

The Catholic Church teaches that missing the Mass is a mortal sin.

Protestants object vehemently to this teaching. They claim that the Catholic Church oversteps its bounds when she requires her members to attend the Mass on pains of mortal sin. Many nominal Catholics, having been convinced of the Protestant argument, have fallen away because of it. But, what does the Bible say?

Let's examine the Protestant idea first. Is it true that we are not required to attend any Christian gathering? Protestants point to a particular verse, in the Bible to support it. That's the one where Jesus says to the Samaritan woman at the well:

John 4:19-23 King James Version (KJV) 19 The woman saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. 21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Protestants interpret this to mean that they are free to worship from anywhere. That there is no more need to gather in one place for public worship of God.

But, is that what Jesus truly means? Let's examine the words more closely.

20 Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

First, the woman says that the Jews worship in Jerusalem. Which was true in that period. That is the site of God's Temple.

But, she also says, that the Samaritans worship on a separate mountain. The Samaritans had built an opposing Temple where they could worship the way they wanted because they did not believe the Jews had the authority to designate any place of worship. This was also true, in those days.

21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

Jesus announced that there would come a time when God would be worshipped neither there nor in Jerusalem. This is also true. Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans in 77ad. But the Samaritans, as far as I know, converted to Christianity. So, after Christ's resurrection, neither continued to worship as they had in the past.

22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Jesus is not implying that believers will no longer assemble for worship. He is merely pointing out that it will no longer be just in Jerusalem nor only in Samaria. But in every part of the world that they gather to worship the Father in Spirit and Truth.

And where is that?

Let's skip to Heb 10:25-31.

Vengeance belongeth unto me

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 willfully 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.

Those fallen away Catholics who left the Church for Protestantism will be surprised at what this says. The Bible says, that if we miss the Mass, "Vengeance belongs to me!" Wow! Strong language. Before we break it down in detail, a cursory reading seems to say that the Jews of Moses' time would be stoned to death for missing their assembly. How much more, the Apostle stresses, those who miss the Christian assembly which Christ died upon the Cross to provide us.

Does anyone disagree with that summary?

Ok, so let's look at this verse in a bit more detail. I think the first thing we must make clear is the meaning of the term, "mortal sin". A mortal sin is a sin unto death. Not the death of the body, but the death of the soul. Anybody who commits a mortal sin, becomes an enemy of God and is said to die spiritually. It is related to the second death.

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Ok, so let's look at it in detail.

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.

The Apostle says that we should encourage ourselves to assemble and not to neglect the assembly.

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

Note that he describes it as a willful or intentional sin to do so. In fact, if we intentionally miss the Mass, there is no other sacrifice that will wash away our sins. So, he equates the Christian assembly, which we call the Mass, with Christ's sacrifice for our sins.

27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

And if we miss the Mass, we can look forward to going to judgment and fiery indignation. Does that sound like the second death?

28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Those who missed the Jewish assembly suffered the death penalty. Death of the body.

29 Of how much sorer punishment,

Those who miss the Christian assembly deserve a worse punishment. What could be worse than death of the body? Death of the soul.

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?

Now, if the Eucharist is not the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, then why does he say that those who miss the Mass are guilty of offending the Body and Blood of Christ?

And, this is the key to understanding why the Catholic Church says it is a mortal sin to miss the Mass. Protestants don't believe the Eucharist is anything but a piece of bread or cup of wine. But we believe in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Therefore, any Catholic who prefers to watch the Super Bowl on Super Sunday and neglects the Mass, has thereby despised Jesus Christ's sacrifice upon the Cross.

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.

And as a result, the individual who misses the Mass, has made himself God's enemy. God will take vengeance upon him for his neglect of Christ's sacrifice.

There are some things in Scripture which are difficult to understand. But this one seems plain as day. So, what do you think, does the Bible say that missing the Mass is a mortal sin?