Acting out

[seeker57]

I have noticed that many people here say they will pray for someone, or pray about something, etc.

I seem to remember something about Christian salvation including good deeds, acts, or whatever you wish to call them, as well as prayer, and, in the case of Catholics, receiving the sacraments.

I am grateful when people say they will pray for me, mainly because I believe they are wishing me goodwill.

But I have always felt that I should try to do something every day to make the world a little bit better for someone. I know I can’t change the world or alleviate suffering, but maybe I can do something that will make someone’s life just a bit better.

I would also hope that, when my number is up, I will leave this planet just a wee bit better than I found it, or at least will have tried to do so.

This is also one of the core beliefs of my church. Actually, we don’t do a lot of praying in UU congregations, but we do a lot of good deeds and reaching out to help.

I know many churches do a lot for people as organizations.

I was just wondering if others felt the need to bring this down to a personal level as we do?

 

[JackVk]

I like the way you think, friend
Believe me, a little kindness can go aLONG way. You don’t have to be as good as Mother Teresa; It’s little things that count. Smile at people. Tell the clerk “have a nice day”. Hug your best friend. Tell your significant other that you love him/her. Hey, Jesus said “love thy neighbor as thyself”.:hug1:

 

[Hoosiercommons]

I like the way you think, friend
Believe me, a little kindness can go aLONG way. You don’t have to be as good as Mother Teresa; It’s little things that count. Smile at people. Tell the clerk “have a nice day”. Hug your best friend. Tell your significant other that you love him/her. Hey, Jesus said “love thy neighbor as thyself”.:hug1:

 

[Tietjen]

I have noticed that many people here say they will pray for someone, or pray about something, etc…

…I was just wondering if others felt the need to bring this down to a personal level as we do?

Absolutely! I noticed that you were asking about the “many people here.” The people here are on an internet form so prayer is usually the only possible means of assisting those we don’t know. However, like your church, the Catholic Church DOES much in communities around the world. We have MANY hospitals, clinics, charities, throughout the world that physically assist those needing help. Additionally, every parish that I have ever been a part of his parish level assistance that extends not only to Catholics but to any person in the area that needs help (Room at the Inn, Food Drives, Catholic Charities, Pro-Life alternatives to abortion, etc). I live in Nashville, TN and recently Nashville was hit hard with flooding. For several weeks following, my parish had an extra collection (as I am sure all the Catholic parishes in the diocese did) to help those that lost their homes. Several parishners were assisting in helping others rebuild and they continue even now with this project of repairing because the damage caused by the flood will take many months to fix.

In addition to this however, we do pray too. Because we believe that God listens.

 

[Publisher]

I have noticed that many people here say they will pray for someone, or pray about something, etc.

I seem to remember something about Christian salvation including good deeds, acts, or whatever you wish to call them, as well as prayer, and, in the case of Catholics, receiving the sacraments.

I am grateful when people say they will pray for me, mainly because I believe they are wishing me goodwill.

But I have always felt that I should try to do something every day to make the world a little bit better for someone. I know I can’t change the world or alleviate suffering, but maybe I can do something that will make someone’s life just a bit better.

I would also hope that, when my number is up, I will leave this planet just a wee bit better than I found it, or at least will have tried to do so.

This is also one of the core beliefs of my church. Actually, we don’t do a lot of praying in UU congregations, but we do a lot of good deeds and reaching out to help.

I know many churches do a lot for people as organizations.

I was just wondering if others felt the need to bring this down to a personal level as we do?

“Christians” are people of deeds. One’s faith is displayed by the deeds they do. True faith is shown by what one does…not necessarily by what one believes or the words they use to speak of “faith”.

 

[JackVk]

“Christians” are people of deeds. One’s faith is displayed by the deeds they do. True faith is shown by what one does…not necessarily by what one believes or the words they use to speak of “faith”.

Of course! that goes without saying.

 

[MelanieAnne]

My Grandfather (I called him “Papa”) was the most “Christian” person I have ever had the privilege to know. When I describe him as “Christian” I am talking about the way he lived his life. Based on what I know about his early life, I believe he was originally Catholic (he had a confirmation name of “Joseph”) but later he went in another direction.

Papa prayed every day. He only had a 3rd Grade Education, but he read his Bible every day. In his later years, he sometimes fell asleep reading his Bible. To this day, nearly 20 years after the day he passed away, I cannot think of Papa without thinking of Jesus. That’s a powerful legacy. He made Jesus “present” to people by the way he lived his life. It’s a gift. But it’s a gift that we can all emulate.

That’s what we all need to do. We need to be just like Papa. We need to live our lives making Jesus “present” in the lives of others. My Papa once said that he thought his job was to “do as many good turns” as he could, every day. And he’s right. That’s our job, as Christians. We need to “do as many good turns” every day as we possibly can.

If we all did that, there would be no problems in the world, I have no doubt.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

Great point, comrade Melanie

My Grandfather (I called him “Papa”) was the most “Christian” person I have ever had the privilege to know. When I describe him as “Christian” I am talking about the way he lived his life. Based on what I know about his early life, I believe he was originally Catholic (he had a confirmation name of “Joseph”) but later he went in another direction.

Papa prayed every day. He only had a 3rd Grade Education, but he read his Bible every day. In his later years, he sometimes fell asleep reading his Bible. To this day, nearly 20 years after the day he passed away, I cannot think of Papa without thinking of Jesus. That’s a powerful legacy. He made Jesus “present” to people by the way he lived his life. It’s a gift. But it’s a gift that we can all emulate.

That’s what we all need to do. We need to be just like Papa. We need to live our lives making Jesus “present” in the lives of others. My Papa once said that he thought his job was to “do as many good turns” as he could, every day. And he’s right. That’s our job, as Christians. We need to “do as many good turns” every day as we possibly can.

If we all did that, there would be no problems in the world, I have no doubt.