Positive results of our response to the Corona virus

Although the COVID bug is nothing to sneeze at, it is becoming clearer and clearer that it is not as deadly as first predicted.  This video from Youtube is the first indicator that I saw, which reveals that the bug is far more prevalent in society than we knew and that it has a similar mortality as the common flu:

Thank God for that!  I mean, if you listen to the hot mic incident, it is stated that the mortality is between .1 and .3 percent.  Which makes this disease a mere variation of the flu.  Not the deadly plague that was originally prophesied.

So, we can breathe more easily.  With all due respect to all those who lost loved ones during this time, there were some positive aspects of our human response to this emergency.

THE FEAR OF GOD

As Scripture says, "the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom".  And many people began to think of their eternal resting place during this pandemic.  Their personal mortality and frailty was on full display and as a result, many turned to God for help.  Some people whom I've never heard to invoke God before, suddenly were praying.  I consider this a good thing.  I pray that the grace of God remains with them after the fear for their lives, is gone.  Hopefully, we will again see packed houses when we are permitted to return to the Mass.

PRAYER AT HOME

Relatedly, I have heard that people are praying, lighting blessed candles and using holy water and oil, at home.  I pray that these customs persist long after the pandemic is relegated to the footnotes of history. 

HOMESCHOOLING

People have been forced to homeschool their children.  And, although there are some videos humourously panning the practice:

I have heard from a friend who spoke to a friend about another friend whose family is thoroughly enjoying their unexpected experience.  Apparently, they are using the Public School curriculum because their daughter is thoroughly familiar with it.  And, she has learned to give herself more vacation days by getting up to two weeks ahead and then, relaxing until the curriculum catches up!  Brilliant kid!

EATING TOGETHER

One of the sad facts of chasing the American dream, is that too many people did it at the expense of family life.  I don't know how many times my co-workers lamented to me that they never ate dinner with their family.  Everyone was too busy.

But now, many have rediscovered this beautiful tradition.  We homeschooled our kids and we've never ceased to eat together even though they are now grown up.  But to so many of my co-workers, this has been a surprise blessing.

WATCHING MOVIES TOGETHER

Again, something which comes naturally to homeschoolers.  But something which my co-workers said they seldom did.  Now that they are forced to be together at home, they are doing this more frequently, as well.  And thoroughly enjoying it.

SAVINGS

This is a personal thing.  By the grace of God, I'm still working.  Although my children have lost their jobs.  However, we are not adversely affected because we have suddenly stopped buying all the unnecessary things that we used to buy.  No more eating out at restaurants, uh, because they're closed.  No more going to the movies, because they're shut down.  No more shopping sprees because unnecessary trips outside the home, are discouraged.

So, actually my wife and I are saving more money.  And my kids are wondering why they have to return to work.  Because I said so!  That's why!

It seems to me, that God is turning this evil pandemic, into a blessing in disguise.

May God bless you and may you and your family remain safe.

The Teachings of Jesus Christ are best understood in the light

1. DE MARIA March 28, 2013 at 7:03 pm

   Hi RT,

   You said:

   RT March 28, 2013 at 4:15 pm
   De Maria,
   I have been reading your posts, and there is a lot to respond for. But just so you are aware, if you want Protestants to believe that:
   a. Jesus invested Peter with authority over all the apostles;

   That seems self evident in reading Matt 16:18-19. Or did Jesus give the keys to the Kingdom to anyone else?

   b. That Peter founded the church at Rome?  

   c. That Peter passed on this authority to his successors at Rome;

   I don’t remember that being mentioned in my commentary nor in any which I addressed. Are you now bringing that up?

   d. That the early church recognized the supreme binding authority of the bishop of Rome;?e. That the early church unanimously exegeted Matt. 16 to invest Peter and his successors to have authority over subsequent bishops

   That’s a red herring. The Church was up and running with St. Peter at the helm well before any of the Scriptures were written.

   f. and all the other Roman claims

   I’ll do my best. I just ask we do it piecemeal. I know its in your best interest to confuse several arguments at a time in order to muddy the waters and hinder understanding. But the Teachings of Jesus Christ are best understood in the light.

   You have to do more than just quote Matt. 16 as if any of those points are self-evident.

   The point I was making is self evident in that verse. Jesus named Simon Bar Jonah after Himself, thus indicating the position which Simon would occupy.

   There is a precedent for this in Scripture:

   Exodus 7:1
   King James Version (KJV)
   7 And the Lord said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.

   Exodus 18:13-15
   King James Version (KJV)
   13 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.14 And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?15 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to enquire of God:

   Exodus 19:9
   King James Version (KJV)
   9 And the Lord said unto Moses, Lo, I come unto thee in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with thee, and believe thee for ever. And Moses told the words of the people unto the Lord.

   God put Moses in a position of authority over the people. Jesus has done the same thing with Simon. God covered Moses with the Cloud, Jesus gave Simon His own name:

   John 21:15-17
   King James Version (KJV)
   15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
   Jesus has appointed Simon as Shepherd over His flock. And in order to bring this point home, Jesus gave Simon His own name, “Rock” or “Peter”.

   This is to signify the type of authority which Jesus has given to Simon. He has the authority to bind and loose in the name of God (Matt 16:19).

   Many of the other questions you have asked specifically of me have been addressed in some of my comments on other postings. I will try and respond as I have time to things you have specifically directed to me, but I don’t know how much I will be able to. In any case, if you want to know why I reject Roman Catholic soteriology and ecclesiology, you can read the exegesis and theological works of Cyprian, Diogenetus, Athanasius, Augustine, John Calvin, Francis Turretin, R.C. Sproul, and James White. Obviously not all of those early church authors would necessarily disagree with every single aspect of what has become Roman Catholic theology and ecclesiology, but neither were they Roman Catholics. They weren’t Protestants either. They were the early church fathers.
   In other words, I’m not trying to say anything new.

   If you are preaching Protestant theology, you are saying something that was not seen for 1500 years since the Teaching of Jesus Christ came into the world. Therefore, you are supporting something new and full of error.

   Sincerely,

   De Maria

Questions about Osas for Protestants II

I had a response to my article Questions about OSAS for Protestants. 

Basically, it was just a link to my old nemesis' blog, Answering Catholic Claims.  The author of the article doesn't identify himself, but I'm assuming its Russell, the person who owns that blog.  And the link he provided is simply his testimony as to why he left the Catholic Church.

Anyway, I've got a few of my own testimonies recorded on this blog.  My testimonies explain why I left the Catholic Church and then, why I returned.  If you're interested, you'll find them here:

Analysis of a Conversion 

I think Russell and I track very closely as far as our shared experience of being cradle Catholics.  We diverge in the following facts.  

1.  I became an atheist.  He became a Protestant.

2.  I returned to the Catholic Church.  He did not.

In addition, I have a good opinion of Russell.  I think he speaks honestly and in good faith.

So, what I'd like to do is go through his testimony and simply point out where we differ and my reasons why I am of a different opinion.  So, let's go through it.

So, Russell says:

Today’s article will be different. It will be about my personal experience with the Catholic Church and its teachings. Anyone who has read this blog knows that I am not a Catholic and that I disagree strongly with the Catholic Church on many issues, although there are some things they teach with which we can agree. For the record, I did not leave the Catholic Church for personal reasons. I was not berated by a bishop. I was not molested by a priest. I did not leave the Catholic Church because I wanted to shack up and live guilt-free with my girlfriend, or because I found its views on contraception too strict. And it wasn’t because Catholics are mean people. In fact, I live in an area with a high concentration of Catholics and many of them are great people and wonderful neighbors.

No, I left the Catholic Church for doctrinal reasons. I strongly disagree with many of its teachings which I believe are not biblical.

Of course, I disagree.  I believe that the Catholic Church is the author of the New Testament and the Institution which gathered all the existing religious writings of the early Church and put them together in one volume which we know today as the Bible.  Furthermore, I believe that the New Testament was written on the basis of Catholic Doctrine and that the Old Testament texts which are included in the Bible were selected on the basis of their agreement with Catholic Doctrine.

My Childhood

I was raised on a farm and was one of six siblings and, for the most part, had a great childhood. We were raised Catholic, although we were not devout. We very seldom went to church except for weddings and funerals. My dad didn’t see attending church as a necessity, although he certainly taught us right from wrong. My mom was the one who taught us our prayers and helped us through First Communion, Confirmation, etc.

Even though I was hardly ever in church in my younger years, I was somewhat tender toward the things of God. I really did want to go to church, but just didn’t get much opportunity to do so as a child.

I vividly remember one day speaking with my oldest brother about how old some people get. He said, “Yeah, some people grew to be 500 years old and even older. It’s in the Bible.” I thought, “Wow, that’s amazing! But it must be true if it’s in the Bible.” Now, I didn’t think this because we were Sola Scriptura (“Bible only”) believers. In fact, we didn’t even have a Bible at home (that I was aware of) and I knew almost nothing about the Bible, but somewhere down the line, I became aware that it was God’s Word and it needed to be taken seriously. From that moment, I had a greater respect for the Bible and I will ever be grateful to my brother for sharing that information with me that day.

Russell and I were raised miles apart and in very different cultures.  I am a first generation American of Mexican descent, born and raised in America on the Mexican border.  Yet, I also vividly remember discussions with my Catholic friends on the fact that the Bible contained no errors.  If the Bible said it, it was true.  This is Catholic Teaching.

The Skunk

As the years went by, I started attending catechism at my small-town elementary school. Almost everyone in that school was Catholic and I remember how most of the students knew a lot more about their catechism than I did, since they attended church every week.

Anyway, as a side note, there was kind of a funny thing that happened one day. As I said, it was a small school in a small town and we would sometimes walk from the school to the Catholic Church a few blocks away to attend catechism there. On one of these trips, a group of us were walking back to the school after catechism class and we found a dead skunk in the middle of the street. As we surrounded it, one of my good friends, Greg, somehow managed to toss it on me. I don’t remember how it happened, but it certainly did and the evidence was there! When we got back to school a few minutes later, the teacher immediately smelled it and scolded Greg for his mischievous deed. We still laugh about it today.

I don't have a skunk story to tell.  I have a bunch of others, but, you kind of had to be there to truly understand it.  So, I'll just pass on this.

Trouble on the rise…

As a kid, I very seldom got in trouble. I was basically a good person in everyone’s eyes, a “goody-two-shoes,” if you will. But the sinful nature of Adam in me prevailed and I grew tired of this image. I remember walking down my gravel road one day as I decided I was going to do something bad. I wasn’t even sure what I was going to do yet, but I really wanted to break out of this “good guy” mold. At that moment, all I can describe is that something definitely changed. Something seemed to “click” in my mind. My heart was set to do evil (Ecclesiastes 8:11).

Because of this, a series of personal events occurred and things quickly went south. It was almost as though God was saying to me, “Oh, so you want to be a tough guy, huh? You want to go against the good I’ve given to you all your life? Ok, then I’ll turn up the heat!” God loves us but He will discipline us for our own good (Job 5:17; Proverbs 13:24; 22:15; Revelation 3:19). And the “spanking” began. This was the start of the worst period in my entire life. Things began to happen that caused depression, bitterness and hatred to set in. I had become a miserable, lustful, foul-mouthed and angry young man and I found out that when God decides to spank a wayward child, you’ll know you’ve been spanked! I don’t know what would’ve happened if God had extended this period of misery, but only by His grace did I survive it.

Ditto.  I was a nice kid.  But I was also a pain in the butt.  But, when I started misbehaving, I didn't get the spankings from God that Russell describes.  In fact, I remember liking the results of my misadventures, at first.

In desperation one day, I suddenly remembered I had a book written by a preacher collecting dust on my bookshelf. I opened it and read for the first time about God’s plan for His people. It was as though the author was speaking directly to me. I began to cry like a baby in a much-needed emotional release. At this time, God wonderfully began to change my heart and my whole situation.

If you read my conversion story, you'll see that I didn't get to this point until my wife conceived our first child.  I was 30 years old by then.

Something Lacking

A short time later, my girlfriend and I got married and since we were both Catholic, we were attending a local Catholic church. One day at work, I met a guy named Elliot, who shared the gospel with me. He told me things from the Bible that I had never heard in the Catholic Church. He also encouraged me to read the Bible for myself. So, I bought one and began reading it. This was an eye-opening experience.

My wife and I were still going to the Catholic Church, but we both felt like it was similar to going to a restaurant with a large buffet, yet only taking a tiny taste and leaving unsatisfied. We enjoyed the very short “homily” (sermon), but everything seemed to be swallowed up in rituals. As time went on, we discovered that many things the Catholic Church taught were not found in Scripture and that some things actually went against what the Bible teaches. Once again, we did not leave the Catholic Church for personal reasons, but because of what it teaches. If you are wondering about which teachings I object to, there are many articles on this blog which will give details on different topics. One of the most important topics with which we disagreed with Catholics was justification, i.e., how a person is saved, and the differences here are too important to ignore.

So, here's a big diversion in our experience.  The Bible had a great deal to do with my leaving the Catholic Church.  I thought the Bible was ridiculous.  And the Bible had nothing to do with my returning to the Catholic Church.  In fact, at the time that I returned to the Catholic Church, I was still unaware of the relationship of the Bible to Catholic Teaching.

Conclusion

I want everyone to know that this blog was not produced out of bitterness or to personally attack Catholics.

Well thanks.  And I want everyone to know that I also have no bitterness towards Protestants.  Many Protestants are good friends of mine.

Throughout the blog, I am just attempting to share what God has shown me.

I'm doing the same thing.  I'm sharing what God has shown me.  I don't think God is giving contradicting messages.  So, one of us is wrong.

Again, I have many great Catholic friends (and family) and this blog is not meant to disparage them. Rather, I hope that this article arouses their interest and lets everyone know where I am coming from.

Ditto.  I have many Protestant friends and family.  I am not disparaging them.  But I hope someone will understand where I am coming from.

Having said that, if I am wrong about the content of all these articles, you may have nothing to lose… but if I am right, there are serious spiritual consequences for those Catholics who choose to continue to embrace the teachings of Rome.

Same here.  If I'm wrong, you have nothing to lose.  But, if I'm right, then there are serious spiritual consequences for the Protestants who choose to continue to reject the Catholic Church.

There's a difference though.  The Catholic Church teaches that a righteous person can be saved whether he is Catholic or not.  So, according to Catholic Teaching, a righteous Protestant will be saved.  Righteousness is achieved by keeping the Commandments.

Lastly, I want to urge everyone – Catholics, Protestants and otherwise – to test all things (1 Thessalonians 5:21), including the things I say, with Scripture, since it is the only God-breathed revelation for mankind today (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Certainly, I agree.  Please test all things.  I'd urge you to start with Russell's interpretation of 2 Tim 3:16-17.  It does not say that Scripture is the only thing that is God breathed.  It merely says that Scripture is God breathed.  In other passages, men are also God breathed.  See, for example,

John 20:22And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

Since Jesus was breathing on the Apostles, the Foundation of the Church, we know that the Church is also, God-breathed.

It also does not say that one should pick up the Scriptures and interpret them apart from the Church.  It describes teacher, teaching, preaching and admonishing a student.  Something the Bible, a simple book, can't do.  Here's what it says:

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Sanctify them through Thy truth. Thy word is truth. (John 17:17)

It also says that the Church is the Pillar of Truth:

1 Timothy 3:15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

And that His Word is brought down to us in oral Teaching:

2 Thess 2:13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits[a] to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.  15 So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings[b] we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)

Yes, but God assigned the Church to Teach us all that He commanded.  And all that He commanded has to be true.

Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

So, that's where Russell and I differ.  Jesus Christ established the Catholic Church.  That's why I follow the Catholic Church.  The Catholic Church put the Bible together and wrote the New Testament.  That's why I believe everything in the Bible.  Protestant teaching contradicts the Bible. 

Questions about OSAS for Protestants

Questions for Protestants

First, am I right that you don’t believe that anyone who has once professed Christ in faith, can turn away from Him?

Second, am I also right in understanding that you believe that Christ’s sheep know who they are and that they are assured of salvation?

Here's what Scripture says to me:

Matthew 7:21-23
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’

Now, it seems to me, anyone calling Jesus, Lord, is doing it by the Holy Spirit. Am I right? 1 Corinthians 12:3

It seems to me, they had faith and were indwelt by the Holy Spirit and therefore, they called Jesus, “Lord”. Does my logic follow, so far?

will enter the kingdom of heaven,

Let me back up a bit. The entire idea which Jesus just pronounced is this:

Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven,

That says nothing about rewards. Nothing about eternal life. It just says that they will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. But it is in the Kingdom of Heaven that the elect dwell and enjoy their rewards, one of which is eternal life, isn’t it? Or does one enjoy these rewards including eternal life, outside of heaven in eternity?

It sounds rhetorical, but its a serious question. I answer, “No. One can not enjoy his crowns and rewards (i.e. sit on thrones, Luke 22:30) nor eternal life outside of heaven. Or at least, they are not permanent until they reside in Heaven, with God.”

but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

This expression sounds very clear. Those who do the will of the Father will enter heaven. Of course, the will of the Father is to believe in Christ. But then, these people called Jesus, Lord, so purportedly, they believed in Christ. Is there more to the Father’s will than merely proclaiming faith in Christ?

Here’s what the Father said directly to the People of God,
Luke 9:35
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”

This would seem to me to be an expression of His Will. Listen to Him. In other words, it is the Father saying, “Obey my Son.” And that is the Father’s will. Do we agree?

In terms of Scripture interpreting Scripture, it also agrees with this verse:
Hebrews 5:9
New American Standard Bible
And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

So, there’s more to this, isn’t there? These folks should have been secure. But they seem to have received the surprise of their lives. But let’s continue.

22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord,

Jesus says that “Many” will call Him Lord.

did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many [a]miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

But He will say to Him, “I never knew you.”

So, even though, they thought they knew Him, He did not acknowledge them.

So, just from a simple study of those verse, I come to the conclusion that a simple profession of faith in Christ is not enough to assure one’s eternal salvation. And, that many who think they are followers of Christ, are not acknowledged by Him.

What do you think?

Sincerely,

De Maria

Catholic Homeschooling - the way of the future

This pandemic has turned the lives of many families upside down.  But the social distancing rules barely affected homeschoolers, who went about their business, as usual.

If you have your children in public school, its time to take stock.These new viruses don't just make you sick for a little while.  They are deadly.  And everyone knows that public schools are breeding ground for disease and infection.  Every year, our children live through epidemics that sweep through the school systems.  Can you really afford to take the risk that your child will be infected by something as dangerous as the coronavirus?

Add to that the fact that public schools are also rampant with gang activity, drugs, immoral behavior and to top it all off, failing to teach children even the basics, and the decision to start homeschooling is a no-brainer.

And, finally, Catholics aren't supposed to put their children in Godless institutions which are designed to take away their faith.  Remember that public schools don't permit prayer and treat all religions  with equal disdain.

So, it's time.  Homeschool your children for their health and for the good of their soul.

When was the last time you had Communion?

My wife and I are daily Communicants.  At least, we were before the shelter in place rules were issued.  Thank God for the parishes that are streaming the Daily Mass online and for those which are providing the Sacrmaments, like drive in Confession and Confession by appointment. 

But the Eucharist is the source and summit of our Faith and I'm sure that many of you, like myself, are hungering for the Bread of Life. 

What can we do?

Well, we must be obedient.  But, we can write to our Bishops and to the Pope and ask that they begin to think about ways that the Eucharist could be provided to the Faithful.  One way that I can think of, is for more extra-ordinary ministers of the Eucharist to be appointed, many more.  And for the Eucharistic hosts to be distributed to them, so that they could distribute them to their families.

What about you?  Do you have any ideas?

Remember the Sensus Fidelis.  The Sense of the Faithful.  We are allowed to communicate to our Bishops and to the Pope, what we believe the Holy Spirit is communicating to us in order to guide the Church.

God is merciful

DE MARIA June 8, 2013 at 6:40 pm

TOA June 8, 2013 at 5:05 pm
DeMaria,
I give up. You win. Good luck. I sincerely hope that you are able to do enough…and for the right motives.

God is merciful. I put my trust in Him:
Hebrews 6:9-11
King James Version (KJV)
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:

Thanks for the sentiment though. May the Lord also show mercy unto you on that day,

Sincerely,

De Maria

God accomplishes His works through us

DE MARIA June 8, 2013 at 1:34 pm

TOA June 8, 2013 at 7:14 am
The more that I interact on Christian blogs the more I realize that my pastor is right.
When I talk to him about people’s objections to the grace of God in favor of self-ascendant “Christian” schemes. he tells me, “The clay is baked.” He says, “why do you think Jesus told the disciples to dust off their sandals and leave?”

That is a false allegation. We neither separate the grace of God from His works accomplished through us, nor do we call it self ascendancy. It is you who describe it so. And it is this type of dishonesty which will prove your downfall.

In fact, it is you and all Protestants who practice so called, “self ascendancy ” since it is you who promote the idea of claiming your own salvation and thus usurping God’s authority to judge your soul.

Sometimes the clay is baked. And that’s it.
The older I get, the smarter my pastor gets.

Whether you are saved or not is God’s to decide. And God promised salvation only to those who obey His Son:
Hebrews 5:9
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

That means, keeping the Commandments:
John 14:21-24
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.

24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

Sincerely,

De Maria