I am just an ordinary Catholic

Gus said:
"But you are talking about mystics or saints, and I am neither. I am just an ordinary Catholic trying to save my soul."

Lutero responds:
Thank you for proving that Catholics think they can save themselves...

I add:

1 Timothy 4:16

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁶ Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

Show me from Scripture that we shouldn't attempt to save ourselves.
On the other hand, Scripture does not say that you have the right to judge your own salvation. Scripture does not say you can judge the merit of your faith alone and claim to be saved:

1 Corinthians 4:2-4

King James Version (KJV)
² Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
³ But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
⁴ For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

Especially not by a so called, "faith alone".
James 2:24

King James Version (KJV)
²⁴ Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Or if Scripture says that you are your own judge, show me the chapter and verse. Show me.

Romans 14:10

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁰ But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.

Sincerely,

De Maria

A Pastor's wife

Vote your faith!

November 6, 2012

Tuesday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 486

First Reading from St. Paul's epistle to the Philippians Phil 2:5-11

Brothers and sisters:
Have among yourselves the same attitude
that is also yours in Christ Jesus,

>>>Brothers and sisters, imitate Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1

King James Version (KJV)

1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God
something to be grasped.

>>>Who gave up the form of God without concern.

Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave,
coming in human likeness;
and, found human in appearance,
he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death,
even death on a cross.

>>>And humbled Himself to accept the form of a mortal, in the appearance of a man and becoming obedient to God and man unto death.

Hebrews 5:8

King James Version (KJV)

⁸ Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name
that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

>>>And because of this, God the Father glorified Him above all so that upon the mention of His name all must show reverence and worship Him.

Responsorial Psalm 

Ps 22:26b-27, 28-30ab, 30e, 31-32

R. (26a) I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

I will fulfill my vows before those who fear him.
The lowly shall eat their fill;
they who seek the LORD shall praise him:
"May your hearts be ever merry!"

R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

All the ends of the earth
shall remember and turn to the LORD;
All the families of the nations
shall bow down before him.

R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

For dominion is the LORD's,
and he rules the nations.
To him alone shall bow down
all who sleep in the earth.

R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

To him my soul shall live;
my descendants shall serve him.
Let the coming generation be told of the LORD
that they may proclaim to a people yet to be born
the justice he has shown.

R. I will praise you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.

>>>The assembling of the people of God is very important.  It is here that we proclaim the greatness of God with one voice and mind:

Romans 15:6

King James Version (KJV)

⁶ That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke 

Lk 14:15-24

One of those at table with Jesus said to him,
"Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God."

>>>Yesterday, we found Jesus at a dinner in a Pharisee's house.  We continue there.  Someone at the dinner table said, "Happy are they who will enjoy the blessing of all mighy God in heaven."

He replied to him,
"A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many.
When the time for the dinner came,
he dispatched his servant to say to those invited,
'Come, everything is now ready.'

>>>Jesus said to him, "A certain rich man prepared a dinner and sent his servant to call his friends."

But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves.

>>>But they all declined.

The first said to him,
'I have purchased a field and must go to examine it;
I ask you, consider me excused.'
And another said, 'I have purchased five yoke of oxen
and am on my way to evaluate them;
I ask you, consider me excused.'
And another said, 'I have just married a woman,
and therefore I cannot come.'

>>>One said, "I have this to do." Another that.

The servant went and reported this to his master.

>>>The servant reported to his master what had happened.

Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant,
'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town
and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.'

>>>The master became angry and said to his servant.  "Go into the town and bring in anyone you meet, be they poor or crippled, blind or lame."

The servant reported, 'Sir, your orders have been carried out
and still there is room.'

>>>The servant obeyed and reported that all had come.

The master then ordered the servant,
'Go out to the highways and hedgerows
and make people come in that my home may be filled.
For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'"

>>>The master said, "Now go out into the highways and into the farmlands and bring in all those you find until my house is full.  Because none whom I invited will taste any of my dinner."

This is a veiled reference to the New Testament.  We, the Gentiles,  are the poor and lame.  The Jews were the friends which were first invited.  God is the Master and Jesus is the Servant.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Marian apparitions are not in-line with the scriptures?

Hello Lutero,

You said:
A majority of the messages behind those Marian apparitions are not in-line with the scriptures. I am fully aware of it. Whatever may be the case we cannot further add to the Word of God as the concept is taught in Revelations 22:18.

1. The Church examines all claims and decides which are in line and which are not in line with the Revelation of Jesus Christ in Tradition and Scripture.
2. The majority of the messages from Marian apparitions are probably not in line with the errors taught by the Protestants. And therefore, since you follow Protestant errors, you probably would not recognize the truth which they teach.
3. As I have said prior, it is Protestants who have violated the condition of Rev 22:18 in the past and continue to in the present.
4. And finally, the approved Apparitions of Jesus, Mary and the other Saints, all point to Christ and the Truth which He revealed. They add nothing new. It is Protestants who add novelties and error to the faith.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Grace before meals, Portabello steaks

November 5, 2012

Monday of the Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 485

First Reading from St. Paul's epistle to the Philippians

Phil 2:1-4

Brothers and sisters:
If there is any encouragement in Christ,
any solace in love,
any participation in the Spirit,
any compassion and mercy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,
united in heart, thinking one thing.

>>>St. Paul said to the Philippians, "If Christ is good, if He is merciful and loving, Then make me proud by being the same as He.  Imitate Christ."

Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests,
but also everyone for those of others.

>>>Do not fight amongst yourselves out of selfishness and pride but look out for one another.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3

R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.

R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother's lap,
so is my soul within me.

R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.

R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

>>>Hope in God.  Seek Him always and He will give you the peace only He brings.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

Lk 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.

>>>On a certain Sabbath, Jesus went to dinner at the house of a prominent Pharisee.

He said to the host who invited him,
"When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.

>>>Jesus said to the host, "If you have a banquet, don't invite the wealthy.  They can repay you.

Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.

>>>Instead, invite the poor, crippled, blind and lame and you will be blessed by God.

For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

>>>Because you will receive your reward at the resurrection of the righteous.

Sincerely,

De Maria

The Bible is the Word of God

Hello Lutero,

The Bible is the Word of God,

The Bible is a book which contains the Word of God, Lutero. Jesus is the Word of God. He is not contained in a book (John 21:25).

whatever one may say or think otherwise.

Whatever you may so or think otherwise, the Bible in your hand is not Jesus Christ and it is not God. It is a book.

I/we magnify God’s Holy and precious Word above everything else.

We magnify God above everything else (Luke 1:46).

That is my strong conviction of the truths of His Holy Word and as an ambassador in chains as St.Paul says – for the sake of the Gospel.

YOU consider yourself an ambassador of Christ but deny that the Church and the Pope are ambassadors. Mighty humble of you.

I however, recognize the authority of the Church as Scripture teaches (1 Tim 3:15; Eph 3:10) and the authority of the Pope (Matt 16:18). But your authority, I see nowhere in Scripture.

Protestants never make a idol of a book its simply your imaginations.

It is you who said you hold it above the name of God.

They only abide in the Word of God because its all sufficient for them.

The Word of God is sufficient for us as well. However, we acknowledge the truth of Scripture which tells us that the Church teaches the Word of God (Eph 3:10) and that our Priests teach the Word of God (Heb 13:7) and that the Word of God is passed down by word in Tradition (1 Thess 2:13). And we also see that the Word of God teaches against Sola Scriptura.

After all the scale of preference in a democratic society is always an alternative forgone.

The Kingdom of God is not a democratic society. It is a Kingdom, ruled by Christ through His Church.

Sincerely,

De Maria

He ain't heavy....

Stronger

November 4, 2012

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 152

First Reading from the book of Deuteronomy

Dt 6:2-6

Moses spoke to the people, saying:
"Fear the LORD, your God,
and keep, throughout the days of your lives,
all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you,
and thus have long life.

>>>Those who keep the Commandments of God are they who love Him:

John 14:23

King James Version (KJV)

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.

Hear then, Israel, and be careful to observe them,
that you may grow and prosper the more,
in keeping with the promise of the LORD, the God of your fathers,
to give you a land flowing with milk and honey.

>>>And Moses tells them that to choose life.  To follow God's commandments and He will bring them to the Promised Land.  The Promised Land is a veiled reference to God's Heavenly Kingdom.

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone!
Therefore, you shall love the LORD, your God,
with all your heart,
and with all your soul,
and with all your strength.
Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today."

>>>This is the first and greatest Commandment.  Jews call it the Shema.  Everything flows from our love of God.  St. John says:

1 John 4:20

King James Version (KJV)

²⁰ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Responsorial Psalm Ps 18:2-3, 3-4, 47, 51

R. (2) I love you, Lord, my strength.

I love you, O LORD, my strength,
O LORD, my rock, my fortress, my deliverer.

R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

My God, my rock of refuge,
my shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold!
Praised be the LORD, I exclaim,
and I am safe from my enemies.

R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

The LORD lives! And blessed be my rock!
Extolled be God my savior.
You who gave great victories to your king
and showed kindness to your anointed.

R. I love you, Lord, my strength.

>>>Love of God is the reason for our existence.  We were conceived in love and with a purpose to return to God the love that He gives to us.

Second Reading from St. Paul's epistle to the Hebrews

Heb 7:23-28

Brothers and sisters:
The levitical priests were many
because they were prevented by death from remaining in office,
but Jesus, because he remains forever,
has a priesthood that does not pass away.

>>>The Levites were all human, therefore their priesthood passed away.  Whereas Jesus is God.  Jesus' priesthood is perpetual.

Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach God through him,
since he lives forever to make intercession for them.

>>>Therefore those who come to the Father, come through Him and He can save them because that is He is always there to make intercession for them.

It was fitting that we should have such a high priest:
holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners,
higher than the heavens.

>>>And it is as it should be, that our high Priest should be perfect as the Father in heaven is perfect.

He has no need, as did the high priests,
to offer sacrifice day after day,
first for his own sins and then for those of the people;
he did that once for all when he offered himself.

>>>Christ sacrificed once for all people.  He has no need to offer sacrifice daily.

For the law appoints men subject to weakness to be high priests,
but the word of the oath, which was taken after the law,
appoints a son,
who has been made perfect forever.

>>>Because Christ's word is forever and not subject to the weakness of normal men.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Mark

Mk 12:28b-34

One of the scribes came to Jesus and asked him,
"Which is the first of all the commandments?"

>>>A student of the Law asked Jesus, "what is the greatest Commandment?" 

Jesus replied, "The first is this:
Hear, O Israel!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your soul,
with all your mind,
and with all your strength.

>>>Jesus said, "it is the First, Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength."

The second is this:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
There is no other commandment greater than these."

>>>The second is to love your neighbor.  These are the two greatest commandments.

The scribe said to him, "Well said, teacher.
You are right in saying,
'He is One and there is no other than he.'
And 'to love him with all your heart,
with all your understanding,
with all your strength,
and to love your neighbor as yourself'
is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."

>>>And the Scribe agreed with Christ.

And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding,
he said to him,
"You are not far from the kingdom of God."
And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

>>>And Christ approved of the young man.  No one else dared to ask any questions.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Once the canon of scripture was closed....

Hello Lutero,
You said to Gus,
Once the canon of scripture was closed, Gods revelation to mankind is complete in the 66 books 
of the bible.

There are 73 books in the true Bible. 7 books were removed by Luther.

These extra biblical revelation are therefore invalid if one scrutinizes the “messages” that power behind those apparitions.

There is nothing new being taught in Marian apparitions. The only ones inventing new and false doctrines are the Protestants.

The Catholic church is in error for approving them

This is what Scripture says:

1 Thessalonians 5:18-21King James Version (KJV)18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.  19 Quench not the Spirit.  20 Despise not prophesyings.  21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Yet you advise we quench the Spirit, despise prophesyings and dispense with all which is good.

and is a violation to the closed canon of scripture.

On the contrary, the revelations of God lead one to Scripture.

By adding these extra biblical revelations, we are making God a liar that his Word in the 66 books are in-sufficient.

God has given you a great sign which you ignore. 66 reminds you of anything? The number of the beast is 666. 6 is also the mystical number signifying error.

How about 73? That is the number of the books in the Catholic Bible. What does 7 represent? Seven comes from the Hebrew word “sheva” which means oath or covenant. And three should remind you of the Trinity. God has given you a message which you don’t recognize. The Catholic Bible is the Covenant of the Trinity. 73

Whereas the Protestant Bible has error introduced by the Beast. 66

What is needed is spiritual discernment.

Also we must be aware that scripture teaches that satan is able to transform himself into an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14).

That is true. But read the context. Many who come in the name of Christ, are actually sent by the Devil:

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
King James Version (KJV)
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

The apparitions of Mary are of God. You can test them by their fruits. Many conversions and much prayer and good work in accordance with God’s will have resulted from those apparitions.

However, there is someone telling us to quench the spirit of God, to disregard prophesying and to contradict the Word of God at every turn. Someone to whom the proof of Scripture has been provided that Sola Scriptura is heretical and contradicts the will of God. That sola fide is a false doctrine. Yet despite all the proof, that person holds on to his heretical beliefs and preaches them to all.

I think I’ll listen to the Catholic Church (Eph 3:10).

Sincerely,

De Maria

Journey Home: Dr. Scott and Mrs. Kimberly Hahn

One Gospel

Originally Posted by Lutero

You're the one doing that. There isn't two different gospels. You're confusing salvation itself with what results from it.

There is only one Gospel. It is taught in the Catholic Church. 
Ephesians 3:10

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁰ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

Sincerely,

De Maria

November 3, 2012

Saturday of the Thirtieth Week in Ordinary Time

Lectionary: 484

A reading from St. Paul's epistle to the Philippians

Phil 1:18b-26

Brothers and sisters:
As long as in every way, whether in pretense or in truth,
Christ is being proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.

>>>Brethren, whether it is proclaimed by hypocrites or by the righteous all I care is that the Gospel is proclaimed.

Indeed I shall continue to rejoice,
for I know that this will result in deliverance for me
through your prayers and support from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

>>>To understand this verse, you need to read a bit more of the context before Phil 1:18.  He is "in bonds", so he is restricted physically.  And he has heard that some are preaching the Gospel although perhaps they are doing it half heartedly or not practicing what they preach.

So, as I understand it, these who are preaching Christ, imperfect as they are, will be considered to His credit by God.

My eager expectation and hope
is that I shall not be put to shame in any way,
but that with all boldness, now as always,
Christ will be magnified in my body,
whether by life or by death.

>>>Even at this late date, he still seems concerned that he will not finish the race:

1 Corinthians 9:27
King James Version (KJV)
²⁷ But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

For to me life is Christ, and death is gain.
If I go on living in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me.

>>>St. Paul longed to be with Christ.  But for the sake of the Church, he sacrificed glory in order to continue to merit his salvation.

And I do not know which I shall choose.
I am caught between the two.
I long to depart this life and be with Christ,
for that is far better.
Yet that I remain in the flesh is more necessary for your benefit.

>>>But he had trouble deciding which to choose.  But he felt that his remaining in this life would be more helpful to his flock.

And this I know with confidence,
that I shall remain and continue in the service of all of you
for your progress and joy in the faith,
so that your boasting in Christ Jesus may abound on account of me
when I come to you again.

>>>But he was determined to preach and teach the Gospel to the end in order that their boasting in Christ would accrue more grace to his account.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 42:2, 3, 5cdef

R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.

As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.

R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.

Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?

R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.

I went with the throng
and led them in procession to the house of God.
Amid loud cries of joy and thanksgiving,
with the multitude keeping festival.

R. My soul is thirsting for the living God.

>>>I think this Psalm describes King David leading the throngs to Jerusalem while dancing in front of the Ark of the Covenant:

2 Samuel 6
King James Version (KJV)
¹⁴ And David danced before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.¹⁵ So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. Luke

 Lk 14:1, 7-11

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully.

>>>On a certain Sabbath, Jesus went to dinner with a Pharisee.  And the people were regarding Him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.

>>>Jesus was also regarding them and He told them a lesson about their behavior as they fought for the places of honor at the table.

"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.

>>>When you are invited to a wedding, don't assume that you are the guest of honor.

A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
'Give your place to this man,'
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.

>>>Because if the guest of honor walks in, you will be embarrassed when the host tells you to move out of his way.

Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
'My friend, move up to a higher position.'

>>>Instead, take a lower place.  And when the host looks for you, he will say, "friend, come closer to me."

Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.

>>>Then all present will admire you.

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

>>>Because all who think of themselves too highly before God, God will put in their place.
But those who humble themselves before Him, God will glorify.

Sincerely, 

De Maria

Does the Catholic Church officially teach to “pray” to Mary and the saints?

Hi Lutero,

Does the Catholic Church officially teach to “pray” to Mary and the saints? I read on a Catholic blog that its not official teaching of the CC. :=x

I read the same blog. Apparently you didn’t understand it. He explained that “pray” does not mean “worship”. Its hard for people like you and seven to understand because you don’t understand the spirit of the Word of God. And because you read the Scriptures apart from the culture and Traditions from which it was written. But it is true. “Prayer” does not mean “worship”.

And yes, the Catholic Church officially teaches us to pray to Mary and the Saints:

II. DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN

971 "All generations will call me blessed": "The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship."⁵¹⁵ The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration."⁵¹⁶ The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an "epitome of the whole Gospel," express this devotion to the Virgin Mary.⁵¹⁷

957 Communion with the saints. "It is not merely by the title of example that we cherish the memory of those in heaven; we seek, rather, that by this devotion to the exercise of fraternal charity the union of the whole Church in the Spirit may be strengthened. Exactly as Christian communion among our fellow pilgrims brings us closer to Christ, so our communion with the saints joins us to Christ, from whom as from its fountain and head issues all grace, and the life of the People of God itself":

We worship Christ as God's Son; we love the martyrs as the Lord's disciples and imitators, and rightly so because of their matchless devotion towards their king and master. May we also be their companions and fellow disciples!

Sincerely,

De Maria

LHCM, Bible App for iPhone and Androic

November 2, 2012

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed  (All Souls)

All souls day, on this day we pray for all souls of the faithful departed.  We ask God to show mercy upon them and lead them to His Kingdom.  Read more.

Lectionary: 668

 The following are a selection of the readings that may be chosen for this day.

First Reading from the holy book of Wisdom

Wis 3:1-9

The souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.

>>>God loves the righteous and keeps their souls from harm:

Isaiah 41:10

King James Version (KJV)
¹⁰ Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.

>>>Atheists (called fools in Scripture because they don't believe in God) think that when the righteous die they have disappeared from all existence.

But they are in peace.

>>>But little do they know that they are peacefully resting in the arms of God.

For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;
chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.

>>>Although righteous men suffer in the hands of the wicked it is simply a trial permitted by God in order that He may profoundly bless them:

1 Peter 1:7
King James Version (KJV)
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:

As gold in the furnace, he proved them,
and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

>>>St. John says elsewhere:

Revelation 3:18
King James Version (KJV)
¹⁸ I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

In the time of their visitation they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;
they shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the LORD shall be their King forever.

>>>

1 Corinthians 6:2-4
King James Version (KJV)² Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?³ Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?⁴ If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love:

>>>

John 14:23
King James Version (KJV)
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.

because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.

>>>

Titus 3:5
King James Version (KJV)
⁵ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

or:

R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

or:

R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
with your rod and your staff
that give me courage.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

or:

R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

or:

R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

or:

R. Though I walk in the valley of darkness, I fear no evil, for you are with me.

>>>God is our shepherd.  And we are His sheep.  Therefore, let us strive to follow and not a false one:

John 10:11-14
King James Version (KJV)
¹¹ I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.¹² But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.¹³ The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.¹⁴ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

Second Reading from St. Paul's epistle to the Romans

 Rom 5:5-11

Brothers and sisters:
Hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts
through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

>>>Those of us who hope in God will not be disappointed.

For Christ, while we were still helpless,
died at the appointed time for the ungodly.

>>>Because our Lord Jesus died for us on the Cross.

Indeed, only with difficulty does one die for a just person,
though perhaps for a good person
one might even find courage to die.

>>>Human beings will not die for even a righteous person or maybe but with great difficulty.

But God proves his love for us
in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

>>>But God proves His love for us by sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins.

How much more then, since we are now justified by his Blood,
will we be saved through him from the wrath.

>>>How much more will He save those who are baptized in the Blood of His Son and have become His children.

Indeed, if, while we were enemies,
we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son,

>>>Indeed, by His death, Christ united us to His Father.

how much more, once reconciled,
will we be saved by his life.

>>>And now that we are one with His Body, we are saved by His Resurrection.

Not only that,
but we also boast of God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom we have now received reconciliation.

>>>And we now glory in the Lord through the grace bestowed upon us by His Son through whom we are reunited with the Father.

Or the alternate second reading also from the St. Paul's epistle to the Romans 

Rom 6:3-9

Brothers and sisters:
Are you unaware that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus
were baptized into his death?

>>>Do you not know that in Baptism we are united to the Cross of Christ?

We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death,
so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead
by the glory of the Father,
we too might live in newness of life.

>>>Indeed, we died with Christ in Baptism and therefore, just as He was raised from the dead, we also await the Resurrection.

For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his,
we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.

>>>Because being united with Him in death we will be united with Him in life.

We know that our old self was crucified with him,
so that our sinful body might be done away with,
that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.

>>>For in Baptism we crucified our passions to the Cross that we might be free of sin.

For a dead person has been absolved from sin.

>>>For a dead person can commit no sin.

If, then, we have died with Christ,
we believe that we shall also live with him.

>>>And since we have died with Christ, we believe we will live with Him in heaven for eternity.

We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more;
death no longer has power over him.

>>>Because by overcoming death, He has given us life, we who are His Body.

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to St. John

Jn 6:37-40

Jesus said to the crowds:
"Everything that the Father gives me will come to me,
and I will not reject anyone who comes to me,
because I came down from heaven not to do my own will
but the will of the one who sent me.

>>>Christ said to the people, "all who come to me are sent by the Father.  And I will not reject them.  Because I came not to do my own will but my Father's.

And this is the will of the one who sent me,
that I should not lose anything of what he gave me,
but that I should raise it on the last day.

>>>And He does not will that any whom He sent me, perish.

For this is the will of my Father,
that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him
may have eternal life,
and I shall raise him on the last day."

>>>And this is the will of God, that all who believe in me shall live and be raised on the last day.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Un-biblical works based-salvation?

Hi Lutero,

Looks like you’re struggling with “un-biblical works based-salvation”.

Lol! I guess that means that you don’t think you have any problem being humble. It shows.

Mary does a better job than you. So You’re un-worthy to even step into her shoes.

Thank you for judging me. I believe that statement is true. But I wonder who set you up as my judge? Is that in Scripture?

Any Tom, Dick and Harry for that matter. He chose Mary. If she refused, then he could have well chosen someone else.

So the Woman whom God said is “Blessed among women” is no better than any Tom, Dick and Harry? Please, keep revealing your real beliefs. This is quite interesting and shows where your faith truly comes from.

Look at the Old Testament when many times the Israelite’s spurned away from God, despite they being His chosen people. So what God said? He cried after them? No!!! Look below what he said in Deutronomy:

Deutronomy 32:20 – And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. 

Deutronomy 32:21 They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

The foolish nation is the Gentiles – as the salvation plan changed course towards the Gentiles from Acts Chapter 10. God is now using/saving Gentiles as “agents of provocation” to make the nation israel jealous so that they turn back to embrace Him. This is happening as of now.

You are getting yourself confused. Mary did not say, “No.” So how can this be happening as of now?

Yeah? Its nice to know you are God’s mind reader. He certainly would have as in the case i have mentioned what he said in Deuteronomy, above.

Where does that say anything about Mary?

In comparing the Woman whom God said is “blessed among women” to any Tom, Dick and Harry, you have blasphemed. You are calling sinful she whom the Word of God says is Full of Grace. And it reveals that you don’t read the Scripture according to the Spirit in which it was written (2 Corinthians 3:6).

Sincerely,

De Maria

Purgatory, the mercy of God

Purgatory, the Mercy of God

First of all, it seems rather strange to me that any would object to such a pure expression of the mercy of God. In Purgatory, it is God, the All Consuming Fire, which purifies us of our sins. We do nothing except yearn to be purified that we may admitted to His Presence.

God, could, of course, leave us to our sins and let us be condemned. But then, the majority of human beings would be condemned.

This is what Scripture says:

Matthew 7:13-14
King James Version (KJV)

13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Does that mean, do you think, that God will destroy most of the world? After all, most of us die with sins on our souls, do we not?

But Scripture also says:
1 John 5:17
All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.

So, then we can be comforted that not all sin is mortal.

How is it then, that anyone with any kind of sin can enter heaven? They can't:

Revelation 21:27
And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Therefore, in order to enter into heaven, one must be purged of sin. Scripture says so:

1 Corinthians 3:15
King James Version (KJV)
15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Saved by fire? What? How is it that the righteous are burned?

Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life

Yeah, before we enter heaven, those of us who have incurred the temporal punishments for sin, we must be purified. Whether we do this in heaven or here on earth, that is our decision to make:

Luke 11:41
But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.

If we have not been made pure in this life, God will make us pure in the next.

Yeah and Amen! Catholic Doctrine puts it all together.   Leaving no stone unturned.

Anyway, I hope that helps anyone who might be wondering about the doctrine of Purgatory in Scripture.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Journey Home: Alex Jones

Religious Freedom and Sexual LIberationism - Helen Alvare at Franciscan University