Stephen Ray's, the Footprints of God

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The unmarried priesthood

ETPH:

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

So, you also discard and reject 1 Cor 7:32-33?

If not, where do you apply it?

1 Corinthians 7:32-33; 35

King James Version (KJV)

³² But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

³³ But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife....³⁵ And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

Sincerely,

De Maria

God is the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow

In the New Testament, God established one Holy Catholic Church in the Christian religion, through the mediation of Jesus Christ. This religion also has a ministerial priesthood and a common priesthood. An altar and a sacrificial system. Succession of authority through the Bishopric (i.e. High Priest). And, since this religion fulfilled the Jewish religion, it is now the one True Religion in the 
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What does the Bible say?

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

Well, let’s put that to the test.

What is your answer to this question?

Are you saved?

The Protestant answer to this question is an unequivocal, “YES!” They claim they were saved when they professed faith in Christ. They profess to have an "absolute assurance of salvation."

The Catholic answer is different. Ask a Catholic, any Catholic, "Are you saved?" What is the answer that he will give?

He will answer, "I don't know. I hope so.” Why? Because we are taught that Christ judges the merit of our works and that we "hope" in our salvation. But that it is "presumption" to claim salvation for ourselves. Here's what the Catechism says about "hope":

1820 Christian hope unfolds from the beginning of Jesus' preaching in the proclamation of the beatitudes. The beatitudes raise our hope toward heaven as the new Promised Land; they trace the path that leads through the trials that await the disciples of Jesus. But through the merits of Jesus Christ and of his Passion, God keeps us in the "hope that does not disappoint." Hope is the "sure and steadfast anchor of the soul . . . that enters . . . where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf." Hope is also a weapon that protects us in the struggle of salvation: "Let us . . . put on the breastplate of faith and charity, and for a helmet the hope of salvation." It affords us joy even under trial: "Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation." Hope is expressed and nourished in prayer, especially in the Our Father, the summary of everything that hope leads us to desire.

So, which is the more Biblical answer? The Protestant or the Catholic? Here’s what the Apostle said according to the quintessential Protestant Bible.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4 King James Version (KJV)

3But 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.

4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

That sounds like the Catholic answer. St. Paul says that he doesn’t care about any human judgment. He doesn’t even judge himself. Because he knows that he will be judged by Our Lord. So, St. Paul doesn’t claim salvation for himself, as do the Protestants.

Here’s another one:

Philippians 3:10-14 King James Version (KJV)

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Again, the Apostle sounds Catholic. He says that he wants to know Christ, therefore he undergoes sufferings in order to be more like Christ. And then he says, “if” by any means I “might” attain the resurrection of the dead.

IF, MIGHT. Those aren’t words of absolute assurance. And if the Apostle Paul could not be absolutely assured from the moment of his first proclamation of faith, what makes Protestants think that they can be so assured?

I could go on and on. There are many verses in the Bible which disprove absolute assurance of salvation. But I’ll just give you one more.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 King James Version (KJV)

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

Put on the hope of salvation. The "hope" of salvation is not the "absolute assurance" of salvation.

St. Paul sounds like a Catholic.

So, in your opinion, which is the more Biblical answer?

Jesus is God and Jesus died.

Our souls are said to die when they are separated from God. But that is not true death, just a manner of speaking. They in fact, continue to exist, they are not extinguished. The soul is spiritual. And since spirit is a synonym for life that means they continue to live. 
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Priests for Life in the Media Feb 22-29

February 22nd - February 29th

(Click here for February 15th - February 22nd)

Gospel of Life, a radio show hosted by Janet Morana on Radio Maria, airs every Tuesday at 6 p.m. ET.  Each show re-airs on Thursdays at 2am and Mondays at 12 midnight.  Ask questions on the live show at 866-333-6279 (MARY) or email us ahead of time at info@gospeloflife.com. Tune in at http://radiomaria.us/. Shows are archived at www.PriestsForLife.org/radiomaria.

Hear us on EWTN radio on Catholic Connection with Teresa Tomeo.  Fr. Frank will be on with Teresa Tomeo  on Thursday morning, February 25 at 8:35 AM.  Call-in to the live show with questions at 877-573-7825. For more information and to listen to the live show on the internet, go to http://www.avemariaradio.net/hosts/teresa-tomeo/.

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How many kinds of Baptist Churches are there?

About twenty years ago, my daughter was having a ballet recital at a Baptist Church. They usually practiced at a gym near my house. And I knew where that was. But the only thing I knew about the show location was what my wife had told me, that it was at the Baptist Church near our house. 
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A House Divided Against Itself, Can Not Stand

The number of Protestant denominations, is astounding. Some say more than 20,000. Is this a good thing? Scripture says that we can judge good things by their fruit 
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Trending, on Catholic365

New and Trending Articles • Feb 19, 2016

Does the Catholic Church have authority over the Bible? By De Maria People who believe in Sola Scriptura will frequently make the statement that the Bible alone is the highest authority over men. And they make the claim that the Catholic Church holds itself as the authority over the Bible. Thus, making itself the highest authority. Read More... The Divine Dentist By Mikalah Schmidt People might wonder why should we go to Confession if we know we are going to turn back to sin? We will only end up right where we started, with a dirty unclean heart. Read More... Did the Catholic Church give us the Bible? By De Maria In everyday speech, “Sacred Scripture” is used interchangeably with, “the Bible”. And in most contexts, there is no problem with that. But not in this one. Because the Catholic Church certainly gave us the Bible, but the Catholic Church did not give us all of Sacred Scripture. Read More... Both, and By Faith-Full Writer Do You Go to Mass every Week? Well Good, but That is NOT What It's All About By Lorrie McNickle All truth passes through three stages: First, it is ridiculed; Second, it is violently opposed; Third, it is accepted as self-evident. By Joe Reciniello The Second Station of the Cross: A Mercy Reflection By Bobbie Ann Taylor Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking. The way to trouble God is not to come at all. By Joe Reciniello The One Thing Necessary By Teresa Hurst

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Copyright © 2016 Catholic Answers, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are subscribed to forums.catholic.com. Our mailing address is: Catholic Answers 2020 Gillespie Way El Cajon, CA  92020 Add us to your address book unsubscribe update subscription preferences

Did the Catholic Church give us the Bible?

In everyday speech, “Sacred Scripture” is used interchangeably with, “the Bible”. And in most contexts, there is no problem with that. But not in this one. Because the Catholic Church certainly gave us the Bible, but the Catholic Church did not give us all of Sacred Scripture. 
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Priests for life

February 17, 2016

Many of you have subscribed to my biweekly columns. Fortunately, more and more of them are being picked up by major print and online publications. Below, I've included links to some of those published most recently. I invite you to read and comment on them and also share them on your own social media accounts, email lists etc. This is a simple action you can take to help spread the pro-life message and counter any anti-life comments that others may have submitted.

On other matters… As we make our Lenten journey, I invite you to make use of our Lenten resources found at PriestsForLife.org/Lent, which include a Lenten Prayer for Life to be said every day.

May I ask you once again to demonstrate that you stand with Priests for Life in our Supreme Court case by submitting your name on the form at IStandWithPFL.com, if you have not already done so. I want to show the media and the members of Congress all of the people that are on our side in this battle. The more names we have the better! I would be grateful if you would also encourage others to submit their names as well.

Please continue to pray with us for victory in the Supreme Court at SupremeCourtVictory.org and also for the 2016 elections ElectionPrayer.org.

This week I sent out some action alerts. The alerts are designed to give you the ability to act quickly on urgent issues that need immediate attention. You can find them at StopAbortionNow.org.

Thanks in advance, and here are some of my recent op-eds:

President’s Day In A Nation Past Presidents Wouldn’t Recognize (DailyCaller.com, February 15, 2016)

President’s Day is an opportune moment to consider the office of the President of the United States, its previous holders, the man who sits in the Oval Office today, and the man or woman who might become the leader of the free world before the next President’s Day.  GOP presidential hopeful Marco Rubio has run into trouble for his insistence that President Obama is intentionally trying to alter the kind of country the United States has always been. I can’t disagree with him, but I can say that our country, and the kind of government we have, changed in 1973 with the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. We can lay the blame for that on the steps of the Supreme Court.…MORE

NARAL Can't Win Against Ultrasound, Science and Common Sense (National Catholic Register, February 8, 2016)

The abortion industry and its apologists have tried for decades to persuade us that the baby in the womb isn’t a baby.  NARAL, for instance, took exception on Twitter to a Doritos ad that aired during the Super Bowl that, in their words, tried to “humanize” the child in a mother’s womb. A Twitter storm of derision for NARAL followed.  Science, common sense, and the ultrasound images of unborn sons and daughters posted on refrigerators across the country have refuted such nonsense for years.  Now, as more and more women come forward to share their emotional, psychological, and physical pain from abortion, the truth-deniers in the abortion lobby have come up with a new tactic.  They are trying to tell us that women who suffer after an abortion don’t really exist….MORE

Florida Trying To Give Women Time to Consider The Price of Abortion (Breitbart.com, February 9, 2016)

Hindsight is 20-20, as the adage goes. Where abortion is concerned, that clarity of vision comes fatally late. Florida’s 24-hour waiting period before abortion is an attempt to give women time to think before they do something that will impact them forever. Abortion is a matter of life and death – sometimes for the mother, always for her child – and giving a woman an extra 24 hours to consider the ramifications of that action should not be controversial. It just makes sense. I hope Florida’s First District Court of Appeals agrees after hearing oral arguments today….MORE

Blessings,

Fr. Frank Pavone
National Director, Priests for Life

Priests for Life
PO Box 141172
Staten Island, NY 10314
Phone: 888-735-3448
718-980-4400
Fax: 718-980-6515
Email: mail@priestsforlife.org
www.priestsforlife.org

Does the Catholic Church have authority over the Bible?

People who believe in Sola Scriptura will frequently make the statement that the Bible alone is the highest authority over men. And they make the claim that the Catholic Church holds itself as the authority over the Bible. Thus, making itself the highest authority. 
Read More...

The unmarried, focus upon the Lord

LG:

1 Timothy 3:2
King James Version (KJV)
A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

So, you're pitting one verse of Scripture against another?

1 Corinthians 7:32-33

King James Version (KJV)

³² But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:
³³ But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

We accept both. Apparently, you deny and reject 1 Cor 7:32-33.

Sincerely,

De Maria

Is salvation conditional or unconditional?

Many times, you’ll hear people to say that salvation is an unconditional gift from God. I’ve heard that from Catholics and Protestants. However, the saying is not true. Salvation is a gift of God, but it is not an unconditional gift. 
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Paraphrasing the Summa, First Part, Question 4

Question 4. The perfection of God

Is God perfect?  There are people who do not believe that God is perfect because they see an imperfect world.  They claim that a perfect God would not permit sin and death.  They claim that a perfect God would not create creatures that were deformed.  

CCC#1 God, infinitely perfect and blessed in himself, in a plan of sheer goodness freely created man to make him share in his own blessed life. For this reason, at every time and in every place, God draws close to man. He calls man to seek him, to know him, to love him with all his strength. He calls together all men, scattered and divided by sin, into the unity of his family, the Church. To accomplish this, when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son as Redeemer and Savior. In his Son and through him, he invites men to become, in the Holy Spirit, his adopted children and thus heirs of his blessed life.

310 But why did God not create a world so perfect that no evil could exist in it? With infinite power God could always create something better. But with infinite wisdom and goodness God freely willed to create a world "in a state of journeying" towards its ultimate perfection. In God's plan this process of becoming involves the appearance of certain beings and the disappearance of others, the existence of the more perfect alongside the less perfect, both constructive and destructive forces of nature. With physical good there exists also physical evil as long as creation has not reached perfection.

In this part of the Summa, St. Thomas wrestles with the following questions.  

1. Is God perfect?
2. Is God perfect universally, as having in Himself the perfections of all things?
3. Can creatures be said to be like God?

How would you answer them?

Is God perfect?

Yes.  By definition, God is all knowing, all powerful and eternal.  Can't get anymore perfect than that, can we?

Is God perfect universally, as having in Himself the perfections of all things?

God is all good and all good things come from God.  Therefore, yes.

Can creatures be said to be like God?

I would say, "only in a metaphorical sense."  God is the way, the truth and the life.  We are like God in the attributes that He has shared with us.  Such as life.  We are living beings sharing in the life which He has given to us.

Let's see how close those are to St. Thomas' answers.