Apostle of the Sacraments

It has only been recently, I guess since the year of St. Paul, that he became a more profound influence on my life.  Before that time, I was sort of irked by St. Paul, because I blamed him for the Protestant Revolution.

That's funny, huh?  Well my logic was this, if he had been less confusing in his epistles, St. Peter wouldn't have said about him:

2 Peter 3:16
King James Version (KJV)
¹⁶ As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

Obviously, Martin Luther was one of those, I figgered, who had wrestled with these confusing things which St. Paul said and had succumbed, been led astray and as a result, revolted against the Church.  Ergo, the Protestant Revolution.

Lol!  Thank God that I had long ago cultivated a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and all our brethren, the Saints.  Because, in my prayers, I told him so, directly.  I was sincerely angry with him and told him so.  This was before the Church declared the year of St. Paul.

Then, my son became a missionary for Net Ministries.  And, he asked us to pray to St. Paul on their behalf, because he is the Patron of missionaries and because the Pope had just declared the year of St. Paul.  So we did.

So, as a family, we made a year long novena to St. Paul.  In fact, we continue to pray to St. Paul everyday to this day.  

Suddenly, however, I began to see the Sacramental aspect of St. Paul's teachings.  Far from being confusing, his topics are hard to be understood because they are explanations or descriptions of the mysteries of Our Lord. 

Sincerely,

De Maria

Brief exchange with a Messianic Jew

I was talking to a fellow who claims to be a Messianic Jew.  I have noticed in previous discussions with Messianic Jews, that they hold some sort of grudge towards St. Paul.  I've yet to understand that part of their religion.  Anyway, this fellow seems to hold such a huge grudge against St. Paul, that he even considers the Gospel of St. Luke and the Acts of the Apostles as straw because of St. Luke's association with St. Paul.  In our last exchange, he was again calling into question the works of St. Luke.  He said:

And who is Ananias? Was he the cousin of the Ananias who was killed by the Spirit of God for lying to Peter? And who wrote Acts? Was it Luke, who said he was not an eye witness to anything (Luke: 1-3)? And who told Luke about Ananias? Was it Paul? You have a problem. Acts is not a first person witness of anything, which would not meet the standards given by Yeshua in Mt 18:16, and in Dt 19:15 to establish any matter. It all comes back to Paul, who is his own witness, which Yeshua disregards in John 5:31.

This is how I broke it down in my rebuttal.

He wrote:
And who is Ananias?

A disciple from Damascus.

Quote:
Was he the cousin of the Ananias who was killed by the Spirit of God for lying to Peter?

Is everyone who shares your first name your cousin?

Quote:
And who wrote Acts? Was it Luke

Yes.

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, who said he was not an eye witness to anything (Luke: 1-3)?

He said he spoke to those who had been there from the beginning.

Quote:
And who told Luke about Ananias? Was it Paul?

Since St. Luke was immersed in the Christian Community and traveled not just with St. Paul but with all the Apostles, I'm certain he had more than one source.

Quote:
You have a problem.

Your skepticism is not my problem, but yours.

Quote:
Acts is not a first person witness of anything,

In fact, it is:
Acts 16:
10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11 Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made ; and we sat down , and spake unto the women which resorted thither.

The fact that St. Luke traveled with St. Paul is also confirmed in St. Paul's epistles.
2 Timothy 4:11
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

Quote:
which would not meet the standards given by Yeshua in Mt 18:16, and in Dt 19:15 to establish any matter.

The evidence satisfied the Apostles and they were fervent believers in Jesus and the Scriptures.

Quote:
It all comes back to Paul, who is his own witness, which Yeshua disregards in John 5:31.

You, are mistaken. You think that someone must have to witness Saul, falling off his horse, in order to believe his story. But the falling off the horse is besides the point. His conversion to Christ is the point.

1. Saul of Tarsus was not an unknown person in his time.
2. He was especially notorious in the Christian community because he persecuted the Church.
3. He was also wellknown in the Jewish Community because he studied under the renowned Gamaliel. Possibly the greatest Jewish Theologian ever.

So, the entire Christian community knew him by reputation and many by face. So, when he converted, many suspected him of a ruse. They ran from him and hated him.

And the entire Jewish community did as expected also. They hated him and began to persecute him.

And 4. No one, in the Jewish or Christian communities or in any communities of the time, ever read the writings of St. Luke and said, "that didn't happen." And, if it is true that he made it all up, as you claim, they certainly would have said so. But, the Apostles and Disciples who walked with Jesus were all aware of the writings and did not object.

The only people who object, are like yourself, 2000 years removed from the events. And like "flat earthers" living on a round earth, refusing to accept any evidence to the fact. But your skepticism does not constitute evidence of anything but your own state of mind. 

I hope that makes sense.  Let me know if there is anything which needs further explanation.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Forgiveness of sins

It is so hard to understand how Protestants can claim that the forgiveness of sins comes through "preaching" only and not through the Sacraments when Scripture is outright:
Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Washing away one's sins must mean to "forgive their sins" in Baptism.

I guess I can understand how they question the Sacrament of Confession as I don't see it explicitly in John 20:23. However, this is where the understanding of the Traditions is invaluable to me. Especially, in this case, the Tradition of the Sacraments. When we present ourselves to the Priest in Confession, it is as though we present ourselves to Christ, who said:
Matthew 9:5
For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?

Christ can wash away our sins with water, Christ can wash away our sins with a word, Christ can wash away our sins through the ministry of reconciliation which He appointed to the Church:
2 Corinthians 5:18
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

Yeah and Amen! It is the Sacraments by which we become citizens of Sion, in this life:

Hebrews 12:
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Pentecost

One thing which had troubled me for a long time, was the fact that Jesus refers to this episode as a Baptism:

Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me 5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Obviously, Jesus is speaking to the Apostles and disciples whom I assume had already been Baptized in the Sacrament of water and the Holy Spirit.

However, the Church considers this episode as a reference to "Confirmation". It is here that the Apostles and disciples were empowered to teach the whole world (CCC 1302).

This is when I began to wonder about the meaning of Hebrews 6:2 and the mention of doctrine of baptisms. Since both Baptism and Confirmation are outpourings of the Holy Spirit and since Christ calls both "Baptism", then why would it not be correct to call all the Sacraments "outpourings of the Holy Spirit" and therefore, Baptisms?

In other words, the doctrine of Baptisms is the doctrine of the Seven Sacraments.

What do you think?

Sincerely,

De Maria

Romans 7:25

Question:
What is Paul saying in Romans 7:25?

Well, let's see: Romans 7 King James Version (KJV) 1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) St. Paul is speaking to everyone, but he is emphasizing that this is something which those who are from a Jewish background, should know. how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? So, then, the law of Moses, he says, has dominion over the Jews as long as they live. 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. Now, he compares that to matrimony. What some find confusing here, is that the woman has not died. The woman continues to live. So, let's look at this in detail. The woman in the matrimony is subject to her husband as the Jewish man is subject to the Law. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: So then, if the woman marries another while her husband is still alive, she commits sin. So, if the Jewish man changes religion, while that religion is still in effect, he commits sin. but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. But now, if the husband dies, the woman is free to love another an marry him. So, if the Jewish religion has died, the Jewish man is free therefore from the Law of Moses. Let's look at another Scripture: Hebrews 9: 15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Note the twist. Suddenly, everyone is dead. The woman is dead and the husband as well. The woman is dead and her husband resurrected and she is resurrected in her husband. Is she therefore marrying another? No, it is the same God. But He has brought with Him a New Law. And so, the Jewish man has become died in Christ, but is resurrected in Christ and may then become married to Christ and thereby embrace the Law of Christ. 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death. This is an interesting metaphor because it is saying, before we died in Christ, we were dead in the flesh because of our sins. 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. Now, then, we are dead to sin and freed from the law because we are alive in the Spirit. 7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid.Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. Is the Law evil? Of course not. It is the Word of God which highlights for us what is sin so that we may avoid it. As the Scripture says elsewhere: 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, 8 But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. This is a reference to childhood. Before we know the difference between good and evil, while we are still children, we commit no sins. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. But when we are older, we learn to discern right and wrong and we learn the Commandments, the will of God and we die. Because we sin. 10 And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. The Commandment was supposed to guide us to righteousness, but since we could not uphold them, led us to dead instead. 11 For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Therefore, Satan deceives us as he deceived Adam. 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. The Law and Commandments of God are holy. They are the Word of God. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. The Commandments are good, but sin continued in the flesh. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Sins temptation is so strong, that even when I don't want to do it, I succumb. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. But if I sin even when I don't want to sin, I admit that the Law which leads to righteousness is good, because it reveals sin. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. But I no longer commit sins, even though sin dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. And yet, I do nothing good. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. But the good I want to do, I don't, but the evil I don't want to do, I wind up doing. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Therefore, since I do what I don't want to do, it isn't because of me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Therefore, there is a law at work. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: I delight in God's law in my heart. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. But there is another law at work in my members which is against that law. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? How then, can I be saved? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. By the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Romans 8 King James Version (KJV) 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Therefore, we must walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For the law of the Spirit. The law of Christ has freed me from the law of sin. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: Because I was too weak to overcome sin by knowledge of the Law. Therefore God sent Jesus Christ to save me. 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. So that we could fulfill the Law of Moses, the Commandments of Christ, by walking after the Spirit of Him who died for our sins. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Those that pine after the deeds of the flesh are dead. But those who live according to the Spirit are alive. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Because the flesh is against God and will not submit to His law. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. So, all who live according to the temptations of the flesh will be condemned. Essentially then, this whole treatise is summarized in Rev 22:13-15: 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. Sincerely, De Maria PS  See also updated version, here.  And see my commentary on Romans 8

Justification, forgiveness and works

Justification, literally, is to be made righteous (or just) in the eyes of God.  It is simultaneously, the process of Sanctification.  Being made right in the eyes of God, we are made holy.  Sanctified.

The entire process begins, in my opinion, with the process of "sanctification".  Turning to and seeking God.  At this point, one begins to seek justification but has already begun the process of sanctification because in seeking God, one acts in a holy manner.

Christ's Corporation?

I don't know how much sense this will make, but I liken the Catholic Church to a "corporation". The very first ever created. 

The word, "corporation" comes from the word "corpus" or "body". We are the Body of Christ. When Jesus established the Catholic Church, He started an "ongoing concern". He appointed a Chief Executive and a board of Directors. And He gave them a mission.

This Corporation then appointed directors and officers as "She" saw fit from then on. And continues to perform Her mission to this day.

Its just a metaphor. And metaphors don't fit all situations. But it seems easy to grasp and helps explain the governing of the Church.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Is the Canon of Scripture closed?

I love debating.  I learn so much.  Recently, while researching my "Response to Russell, DID THE CATHOLIC CHURCH GIVE US THE BIBLE?....", I was reading the Council of Trent on the Canon of Scripture.  It dawned on me that the Church only validated the canon in the Vulgate but did not condemn or invalidate any other canon of Scripture in Christendom.

For instance, the Orthodox Canon is different than that which we use. Some Ortthodox have 78 books in their canon.  Some 81.  But, taking the Council of Trent literally, those canons are not invalidated by Trent's decree.

The only thing condemned by the Council of Trent is that anyone should claim that the canon of the Vulgate is invalid.

Read it yourself and let me know what you think:
http://www.ewtn.com/library/councils/trent4.htm

Sincerely,

De Maria

Grace, justification, sanctification, and divinization.

In a recent discussion with a potential convert, we had this exchange:

When that day comes I want to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

With that in mind, I have to tell you a few things because I want to hear those same words.

1. You are right about the difference between you and I in that metaphorical room. You said, "You know for certain, but I don't."

(Note:  What I meant was, that I know for certain, that the Catholic Church is the Teacher of the Wisdom of God.  I have no doubts.)

Twenty five years ago, I was like you. I was trying to understand everything before I believed. After many years of testing and probing, I came to the conclusion that the Catholic Church is always right. Therefore, I have come to a point where I trust the teaching of the Church implicitly. 

2. Ironically, by testing and probing and relying upon my own understanding, I came to the point where I believe the Scripture which says:

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.

St. Augustine puts it really well, "believe that you may understand".

3. You ask:

Yes, but isn't the answer to that question the key to knowing the truth really is true?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you just wanted to find a quote from an early Church Father didn't you? 

And the answer to that question is merely, "Yes, that would be good evidence. But it certainly wouldn't be the key."

(note:  The reason being that even early Church Fathers could err.  Only the Catholic Church is infallible.)

Now, for me, Tradition (Baptism in this case) is just as helpful in understanding the doctrine of Grace as an explicit quote from an early Church Father. Here is how I arrive at the solution.

First. The Holy Spirit is also known as the Power of God (Luke 1:35).

2nd. It is in Baptism that the Holy Spirit is given us (Acts 2:33; 38-39).

3rd. The Holy Spirit then is He who infuses in us His grace (1 Cor 12:1-4).

(Note:  If that syllogism is not enough for you.  Scripture also says that we are saved in Baptism.  Mark 16:16; 1 Pet 3:21; And it is in Baptism that we receive grace by the Holy Spirit, per #2 above.)

Earlier you also said:

But if we are saved by grace alone,

I would say we are saved by grace. The term "grace alone" carries too many erroneous suppositions.

and grace is God's power to make us like Christ, then are we saved by allowing this power to make us like Christ? 

Yes.

We call that the process of Sanctification. It is the other side of the coin which is Justification. We consider them to be the result of one and the same process of coming closer to God. I actually prefer the Orthodox terminology in this case. They call it "divinization". I believe it is St. John Chrysostom who said, "God became man that we might become gods."

St. Thomas Aquinas put it like this, "If an iron poker is thrust into a hot fire, though it never itself becomes fire, still it begins to glow red-hot, white-hot, with the characteristics of fire. It gives off light and heat. It shares in the nature of the fire. Our God is a consuming fire. When the Son united human nature to Himself in the Incarnation, He plunged human nature into the consuming fire of God."

Sincerely,

De Maria

Being good without God

An atheist said:

I am better than Christians.  Christians are good because they fear the pains of hell.  I am good because I believe it is the right thing to do.

Good luck doing that without God.

The reason for our existence is that we should love God in this life in order that we should be with Him in the next.

Did you notice the continuity? There is no real separation between this life and the next.

If you love God in this life, that entails obeying Him and keeping all the Commandments. By definition, that means being righteous. Then:

Hebrews 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Even though you are still alive, you are already walking with the Saints. When you die, you will continue walking with the Saints in the presence of God.

However, if you deny the existence of God in this life, it then becomes very difficult to sustain an attempt at righteousness. In addition, those who deny God's existence will not ask for His grace which He grants to all who pray.

The main thing though, is that you have denied Him in this life and therefore He will deny you in the next. Unless you change your mind between now and the end of your life, you have made your destiny.
Deuteronomy 30:
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

Romans 6:
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

I hope that helps.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Is Salvation caused by works?

As a Protestant I learned that good works are a result of salvation.  But does the Catholic Church teach that works cause salvation?

Neither.

Good works are a result of faith. 

The causes of salvation are explained in the Council of Trent (Session VI, chapter 7) and boil down to the Mercy of God.

I'll quote the pertinent portion below:

The causes of this justification are:
the final cause is the glory of God and of Christ and life everlasting;

the efficient cause is the merciful God who washes and sanctifies[31] gratuitously, signing and anointing with the holy Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance,[32]

the meritorious cause is His most beloved only begotten, our Lord Jesus Christ, who, when we were enemies,[33] for the exceeding charity wherewith he loved us,[34] merited for us justification by His most holy passion on the wood of the cross and made satisfaction for us to God the Father, 
the instrumental cause is the sacrament of baptism, which is the sacrament of faith,[35] without which no man was ever justified finally, (Note: Remember, Baptism is the work of God to which we submit. It is not our work.)

the single formal cause is the justice of God, not that by which He Himself is just, but that by which He makes us just, that, namely, with which we being endowed by Him, are renewed in the spirit of our mind,
http://www.ewtn.com/library/councils/trent6.htm

In other words, God is the cause of our salvation. No one and nothing else.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Who is saved?

If we have two groups of people:

The first group, composed of people who obey God, keep the Commandments and feed the hungry, clothe the naked and do good deeds.

The second group, fornicators, adulterers, liars, and all around ne'er do wells. 


Which group will have the right to the tree of life? (Rev 22:14-15). 

Don't get me wrong. We are not saved by the works. But only those who do the works will be saved.

Someone might ask, what if someone does nothing good and nothing bad, but claims to have faith in Christ? Scripture is absolutely clear about that person, he is condemned (Matt 25:31-46). 

John 15:2
Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.....⁶ If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Purgatory a second chance?

Catholics say that Purgatory is a second chance to be saved.

That is a misunderstanding of Catholic Doctrine.  We don't consider it a second chance, but the application of God's mercy in the after life to those who have died in an imperfect state of grace.

St. John of the Cross called this life the "purgative" way. I believe that most Protestants are in agreement with Catholics in the teaching that we are being tested in this life. The object of the test is to perfect our faith. Scripture says:
1 Peter 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

The Curse of the Law

What is the "curse of the law" to which St. Paul refers?

Galatians 3:10

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹⁰For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Galatians 3:13

King James Version (KJV)

 ¹³Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

You can read the opposite of the Ten Commandments in Deuteronomy 27:

 ¹⁵Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.
 ¹⁶Cursed be he that setteth light by his father or his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
 ¹⁷Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen.
 ¹⁸Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way. And all the people shall say, Amen.
 ¹⁹Cursed be he that perverteth the judgment of the stranger, fatherless, and widow. And all the people shall say, Amen.
 ²⁰Cursed be he that lieth with his father's wife; because he uncovereth his father's skirt. And all the people shall say, Amen.
 ²¹Cursed be he that lieth with any manner of beast. And all the people shall say, Amen.
 ²²Cursed be he that lieth with his sister, the daughter of his father, or the daughter of his mother. And all the people shall say, Amen.
 ²³Cursed be he that lieth with his mother in law. And all the people shall say, Amen.
 ²⁴Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
 ²⁵Cursed be he that taketh reward to slay an innocent person. And all the people shall say, Amen.
 ²⁶Cursed be he that confirmeth not all the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

This is what St. Paul is talking about.  And this is why the law identifies sins:

Romans 3:20

King James Version (KJV)

 ²⁰Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Did the Catholic Church eliminate one of the Commandments?

I believe the Catholic Church removed the idol Command from the Ten Commandments.  Although there is no numbering system in the ancient biblical text of the Ten Commandments.  I CAN count. There is one missing.

You are counting them according to the system imposed by your tradition. But the Commandments listed in Exodus 20 and Deut 5 contain more than 10 imperatives. Approximately 14 or 15.

If one removes the idol command from the ten then that leaves nine.

Hm? The Douay Rheims is an English Translation Catholic Bible based upon St. Jerome's Latin Vulgate. Let's see what Commanmdents are included therein:

The listing in Exodus 20:

[1] And the Lord spoke all these words: [2] I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. [3] Thou shalt not have strange gods before me.

[4] Thou shalt not make to thyself a graven thing, nor the likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or in the earth beneath, nor of those things that are in the waters under the earth. [5] Thou shalt not adore them, nor serve them: I am the Lord thy God, mighty, jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me:

Answers to some objections to Catholic Teaching

I'll give you four reasons I wouldn't be a Catholic:

Number one reason is that it purports to be the only true Church of Chirst.

When I came back to the Church, that was a positive reason in my book. Suddenly, I realized, "Wow, what a step in faith!" 

There is no historical evidence for such a theory

On the contrary, all the historical evidence points to that fact.
1. The archaelogical evidence for that period shows that all the first Churches practiced the same rites the Catholic Church practices today.
2. The historical evidence of that period is written by Bishops and Priests who hold held to all the same teachings of the Catholic Church.

Who is right? St. James or St. Paul?

St. James actually teaches the imprecise lesson. We are saved by faith and works, "so to speak". Because they are necessary prerequisites.

I think we all agree that "faith" is a necessary prerequisite, do we not?

Hebrews 11:6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

And works are also a necessary prerequisite. St. John says:

John 15:2

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away:....

Does that mean then, that we work our way to heaven? By no means. 

Does it mean that we cleanse our own souls of sins? No way.

Here is what the Catholic Church officially says:

Trent 6

CHAPTER VIII

HOW THE GRATUITOUS JUSTIFICATION OF THE SINNER BY FAITH IS TO BE UNDERSTOOD

But when the Apostle says that man is justified by faith and freely,[44] these words are to be understood in that sense in which the uninterrupted unanimity of the Catholic Church has held and expressed them, namely, that we are therefore said to be justified by faith, because faith is the beginning of human salvation, the foundation and root of all justification, without which it is impossible to please God[45] and to come to the fellowship of His sons; 

and we are therefore said to be justified gratuitously, because none of those things that precede justification, whether faith or works, merit the grace of justification.

For, if by grace, it is not now by works, otherwise, as the Apostle says, grace is no more grace.[46]

http://www.ewtn.com/library/councils/trent6.htm

Note the bold italics.

St. Paul teaches the same thing, but more precisely. He says:

Romans 2:13

For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

The only thing he needs to add to that to be absolutely precise are the words, "by God". It would then read:

For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified by God.

Here's the rest of the Catholic Teaching from Trent:

CHAPTER VII

IN WHAT THE JUSTIFICATION OF THE SINNER CONSISTS, AND WHAT ARE ITS CAUSES

This disposition or preparation is followed by justification itself, which is not only a remission of sins but also the sanctification and renewal of the inward man through the voluntary reception of the grace and gifts whereby an unjust man becomes just and from being an enemy becomes a friend, that he may be an heir according to hope of life everlasting.[30]

The causes of this justification are:

the final cause is the glory of God and of Christ and life everlasting; the efficient cause is the merciful God who washes and sanctifies[31] gratuitously, signing and anointing with the holy Spirit of promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance,[32] the meritorious cause is His most beloved only begotten, our Lord Jesus Christ, who, when we were enemies,[33] for the exceeding charity wherewith he loved us,[34] merited for us justification by His most holy passion on the wood of the cross and made satisfaction for us to God the Father, the instrumental cause is the sacrament of baptism, which is the sacrament of faith,[35] without which no man was ever justified finally, the single formal cause is the justice of God, not that by which He Himself is just, but that by which He makes us just, that, namely, with which we being endowed by Him, are renewed in the spirit of our mind,[36] and not only are we reputed but we are truly called and are just, receiving justice within us, each one according to his own measure, which the Holy Ghost distributes to everyone as He wills,[37] and according to each one's disposition and cooperation.

Again, please note the bold italics.

What the Church teaches is that it is God who justifies....those who have faith in Him and obey His will. In other words, those who permit Him to work through them to achieve His purpose.

Again I hope that I have not overcomplicated the matter for you. Your understanding is already correct.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Polygamy?

There's a fellow I'm talking to on an anti-Christian board who seems to believe that God intended  for man to be polygamous?

What he doesn't understand is that God revealed His marriage in the beginning and also revealed that man disobeyed and fell from grace. What followed afterward was a record of man's continued disobedience toward's God. 

The fact that God did not intend for man to be polygamous, is implied strongly by the fact that the first polygamous relationship was that of the evil and murderous son of Cain: 

Genesis 4: 

17 And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech. 19 And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah....23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. 

Therefore, if this murderous fellow is the father of polygamy, then what God is revealing is that polygamy is the evil fruit of an evil man.

Next, we have the Sons of God falling to polygamy: 

Genesis 6: 

6 And it came to pass, when men began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born unto them, 

2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. 

3 And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years..... 

And then God sent the Flood to wipe out all the sinful men from the earth. That includes all the polygamous men from the earth. 

Therefore God's plan for mankind was certainly not polygamy.

Sincerely,

De Maria