Complexity of the Roman Catholic Church

[boomerang]

I’m not going to compare Jamestown to what Christ intended for His Church. But what I don’t see is what difference it makes if it’s now or 2000 yrs ago.

“For my yoke is easy and my burden light” seems to me should be the same and good enough for what Christ intended now just as it was then. Whether for a relatively few believers back then or billions today Yet the CC has come up with these volumes and volumes to carry.

So I can understand why the OP and others wonder. I too wonder and I have a Catholic background.

There are more administrative rules now because of the huge numbers of people in the Church. But regarding doctrine, if you cherry-pick (I’m not saying you do this) out of the NT the verses “For my yoke is easy and my burden light” and “For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God”, like most non-denominational Christians do, then you can get the false notion that absolutely nothing is required of you. No baptism, no anointing of the sick (Ja 5:14), no Eucharist, no “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17), no confession (Ja 5:16), no mortal or venial sin (1 Jo 5:16-18), no confirmation (Acts 8:14-17), no holy orders (Acts 6:6), no offering of sacrifices (1 Pet 2:5), no leadership (Mt. 16:18), not even good works (Ja 2:24).

When you look at the entire NT, you realize that Jesus left us with a much bigger legacy and even “burden” if you will, than the simple born-again Christian “I said the sinner’s prayer, I’m going to heaven!” business. If it were only that easy, why did Our Lord say: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

 

[Absolvo]

There are more administrative rules now because of the huge numbers of people in the Church. But regarding doctrine, if you cherry-pick (I’m not saying you do this) out of the NT the verses “For my yoke is easy and my burden light” and “For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God”, like most non-denominational Christians do, then you can get the false notion that absolutely nothing is required of you. No baptism, no anointing of the sick (Ja 5:14), no Eucharist, no “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17), no confession (Ja 5:16), no mortal or venial sin (1 Jo 5:16-18), no confirmation (Acts 8:14-17), no holy orders (Acts 6:6), no offering of sacrifices (1 Pet 2:5), no leadership (Mt. 16:18), not even good works (Ja 2:24).

When you look at the entire NT, you realize that Jesus left us with a much bigger legacy and even “burden” if you will, than the simple born-again Christian “I said the sinner’s prayer, I’m going to heaven!” business. If it were only that easy, why did Our Lord say: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

But by the other side of the coin, Catholic teachings on what it means to “follow Jesus” have (arguably) reached such a level of complexity and rigorous standards that no one is confident they’re going to heaven. I understand the criticism of the protestant “I’m saved so I can do what I want,” but on the other hand, I think criticism is also due of the Catholic “no matter what I do, no matter if I have all the sacraments from baptism to extreme unction, I"m still not saved.” Though I’m a Catholic, my conscience tells me that protestants like John Wesley sometimes have a good point or two to make: There’s the story Wesley relates of storm at sea, where he was terrified of dying, but noticed that some German Christians on the ship were strangely serene in the face of death. After the storm, Wesley asks one of them to explain their serenity; the German pastor tells him “either one believes that Jesus’ death on the cross meant something, or one doesn’t.” This completely changes Wesley’s life.

As someone who recently came back to the Catholic faith (and is really learning it for the 1st time), it strikes me that too much complexity has the ironic effect of watering down the simplicity of Jesus’ message. Forgive me, but it seems to me that some Catholics really don’t feel that Jesus’ death on the cross really meant something. I realize that saying this is itself an oversimplification (and I’m aware of all the arguments for why Catholicism is the way it is), but nevertheless, I feel that spiritual confidence that indeed, Jesus Saves, is perhaps the key reason why protestant sects exist, and maybe that emphasis is one that Catholics might take heed of. It may be better to err on the side of confidence rather than err on the side of complexity and even lugubriosity, as some Catholics are perhaps wont to do.

 

[captainmike]

I’m trying to tread lightly here because I have the utmost respect for the Roman Catholic church and the catholics I’ve met here in this forum. Please realize that I’m not trying to be offensive in any way. I just left this thread: “Primacy or Supremacy of the Bishop of Rome” in the Non-Catholic Religions" forum.

I read through pages and pages of doctrines, decrees, rules and such and by the time I was finished my head was spinning. The first thing I thought of was how glad I am that I’m not a catholic. All these pages and pages of complex documents–and this was just concerning the power and authority of the papacy. My thought is: Did God really mean it to be this way? How far we’ve come from the clear and simple statements made to christians in the new testament such as the following:

John 3:16-20 New International Version (NIV) “16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.”

to the countless pages of complex doctrines of the catholic church. When I put my image of the church in the earliest days beside my image of the catholic church today, I have trouble reconciling the two as being the same church. Again, no offense intended; just my honest thoughts. God bless.

As a former Protestant (grew up Baptist, became Episcopalian at 18, became Catholic at 40), I have frequently had the same feeling, even after becoming Catholic. But I have come to believe that the Church which has the Mass, the sacrament of reconciliation, and the Rosary is the right church to be in. In particular, I think the Mass is the way God wants us to worship (try it a few times and see what you think).

Mainly, I love the Mass and love the Rosary. That’s why I’m Catholic. And confession is great too. And our priests are great.

 

[Duane1966]

But by the other side of the coin, Catholic teachings on what it means to “follow Jesus” have (arguably) reached such a level of complexity and rigorous standards that no one is confident they’re going to heaven. I understand the criticism of the protestant “I’m saved so I can do what I want,” but on the other hand, I think criticism is also due of the Catholic “no matter what I do, no matter if I have all the sacraments from baptism to extreme unction, I"m still not saved.” Though I’m a Catholic, my conscience tells me that protestants like John Wesley sometimes have a good point or two to make: There’s the story Wesley relates of storm at sea, where he was terrified of dying, but noticed that some German Christians on the ship were strangely serene in the face of death. After the storm, Wesley asks one of them to explain their serenity; the German pastor tells him “either one believes that Jesus’ death on the cross meant something, or one doesn’t.” This completely changes Wesley’s life.

As someone who recently came back to the Catholic faith (and is really learning it for the 1st time), it strikes me that too much complexity has the ironic effect of watering down the simplicity of Jesus’ message. Forgive me, but it seems to me that some Catholics really don’t feel that Jesus’ death on the cross really meant something. I realize that saying this is itself an oversimplification (and I’m aware of all the arguments for why Catholicism is the way it is), but nevertheless, I feel that spiritual confidence that indeed, Jesus Saves, is perhaps the key reason why protestant sects exist, and maybe that emphasis is one that Catholics might take heed of. It may be better to err on the side of confidence rather than err on the side of complexity and even lugubriosity, as some Catholics are perhaps wont to do.

Actually, for EVERY Catholic I know Jesus’ death on the cross means everything. It is what the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is all about. It is that Sacrifice that redeems us. NOW we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

By the way, I don’t find Her complex at all. What do you specifically feel is complex?

 

[boomerang]

But by the other side of the coin, Catholic teachings on what it means to “follow Jesus” have (arguably) reached such a level of complexity and rigorous standards that no one is confident they’re going to heaven. I understand the criticism of the protestant “I’m saved so I can do what I want,” but on the other hand, I think criticism is also due of the Catholic “no matter what I do, no matter if I have all the sacraments from baptism to extreme unction, I"m still not saved.” Though I’m a Catholic, my conscience tells me that protestants like John Wesley sometimes have a good point or two to make: There’s the story Wesley relates of storm at sea, where he was terrified of dying, but noticed that some German Christians on the ship were strangely serene in the face of death. After the storm, Wesley asks one of them to explain their serenity; the German pastor tells him “either one believes that Jesus’ death on the cross meant something, or one doesn’t.” This completely changes Wesley’s life.

As someone who recently came back to the Catholic faith (and is really learning it for the 1st time), it strikes me that too much complexity has the ironic effect of watering down the simplicity of Jesus’ message. Forgive me, but it seems to me that some Catholics really don’t feel that Jesus’ death on the cross really meant something. I realize that saying this is itself an oversimplification (and I’m aware of all the arguments for why Catholicism is the way it is), but nevertheless, I feel that spiritual confidence that indeed, Jesus Saves, is perhaps the key reason why protestant sects exist, and maybe that emphasis is one that Catholics might take heed of. It may be better to err on the side of confidence rather than err on the side of complexity and even lugubriosity, as some Catholics are perhaps wont to do.

Yeah, I know. I feel the same way! What are you gonna do? I just try to follow the Lord the best I can, and throw myself, like a child, on His mercy when I fail. Peace!

 

[Sy_Noe]

There are more administrative rules now because of the huge numbers of people in the Church. But regarding doctrine, if you cherry-pick (I’m not saying you do this) out of the NT the verses “For my yoke is easy and my burden light” and “For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, for it is the gift of God”, like most non-denominational Christians do, then you can get the false notion that absolutely nothing is required of you. No baptism, no anointing of the sick (Ja 5:14), no Eucharist, no “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess 5:17), no confession (Ja 5:16), no mortal or venial sin (1 Jo 5:16-18), no confirmation (Acts 8:14-17), no holy orders (Acts 6:6), no offering of sacrifices (1 Pet 2:5), no leadership (Mt. 16:18), not even good works (Ja 2:24).

When you look at the entire NT, you realize that Jesus left us with a much bigger legacy and even “burden” if you will, than the simple born-again Christian “I said the sinner’s prayer, I’m going to heaven!” business. If it were only that easy, why did Our Lord say: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."

Here’s though what I sometimes get the feeling Catholics miss: You have to believe.

Who truly knows if Ja 5:14 is a good thing to do (I’d say so!) or is it really a necessity? You refer to Ja 5:16. Others will refer to Jn 20:23. I could refer you to Mt 6: 5-6, 12.

This is not at all to say confession to a priest or to one another can not be ways in which to confess. But did Christ mean for instance that confession to a priest is the only way?

You might answer that generally yes it is. Just as you would interpret the Eucharist and a whole host of other matters. Because you believe Mt 16 means Christ was building His Church upon Peter not just upon Peter’s profession. And you believe only Peter was given the keys and you believe the word “key” even in that instance had a special Biblical meaning, though others were given power to bind and loosen, the function of keys, as well right afterwards. You believe in the Catholic Church’s interpretation of ECFs and I don’t know, might even believe the humans of the early Church could not have erred in interpreting something.

But instead of me being forced to go to a priest for confession, why can’t I have the option for an easier yoke and lighter burden that Jesus promised me, to carry a lighter cross than Jesus already did for us, and just do as Jesus taught in Matthew 6: Go into my bedroom in private and shut the door. And pray in secret to our Almighty Father, asking His forgiveness for my trespasses as I forgive those trespassing against me. And as Jesus said He see us in secret and repays us.

I know when I do this and when I rise up I believe I know too that I am forgiven. Just as Catholics believe they know they are when coming out of the confessional when a priest has not retained any of their sins. I know because I believe too in what He said in Mt 6. And I feel His mercy flowing from my heart deeply into the depths of my inner soul and conscience where we each according to CCC hear His voice. It grants me peace. Why? Because though I believe there is no way any human can truly say they know for sure what are, when you get right down to it, matters of faith … I, like you, believe.

As you said in another post after the one I quoted. What are we gonna do but just try to follow the Lord the best we can. I might add the best we can according to our understanding. And throw ourselves, like a child, on His mercy.

Amen to that. And peace be with you as well. God bless!

 

[Randy_Carson]

But instead of me being forced to go to a priest for confession, why can’t I have the option for an easier yoke and lighter burden that Jesus promised me, to carry a lighter cross than Jesus already did for us, and just do as Jesus taught in Matthew 6: Go into my bedroom in private and shut the door. And pray in secret to our Almighty Father, asking His forgiveness for my trespasses as I forgive those trespassing against me. And as Jesus said He see us in secret and repays us.

Because that only SEEMS lighter.

Your experience may differ, but for many people, forgiving themselves is hard to do. Consequently, when they are along in their bedrooms asking for forgiveness, GOD hears and forgives, but they have not really forgiven themselves, and as a result, they carry the burden of guilt with them…a burden that is NOT light.

For this reason (and others), Jesus established confession as the normative means by which we receive God’s grace when we repent.

 

[boomerang]

Here’s though what I sometimes get the feeling Catholics miss: You have to believe.

Who truly knows if Ja 5:14 is a good thing to do (I’d say so!) or is it really a necessity? You refer to Ja 5:16. Others will refer to Jn 20:23. I could refer you to Mt 6: 5-6, 12.

This is not at all to say confession to a priest or to one another can not be ways in which to confess. But did Christ mean for instance that confession to a priest is the only way?

You might answer that generally yes it is. Just as you would interpret the Eucharist and a whole host of other matters. Because you believe Mt 16 means Christ was building His Church upon Peter not just upon Peter’s profession. And you believe only Peter was given the keys and you believe the word “key” even in that instance had a special Biblical meaning, though others were given power to bind and loosen, the function of keys, as well right afterwards. You believe in the Catholic Church’s interpretation of ECFs and I don’t know, might even believe the humans of the early Church could not have erred in interpreting something.

But instead of me being forced to go to a priest for confession, why can’t I have the option for an easier yoke and lighter burden that Jesus promised me, to carry a lighter cross than Jesus already did for us, and just do as Jesus taught in Matthew 6: Go into my bedroom in private and shut the door. And pray in secret to our Almighty Father, asking His forgiveness for my trespasses as I forgive those trespassing against me. And as Jesus said He see us in secret and repays us.

I know when I do this and when I rise up I believe I know too that I am forgiven. Just as Catholics believe they know they are when coming out of the confessional when a priest has not retained any of their sins. I know because I believe too in what He said in Mt 6. And I feel His mercy flowing from my heart deeply into the depths of my inner soul and conscience where we each according to CCC hear His voice. It grants me peace. Why? Because though I believe there is no way any human can truly say they know for sure what are, when you get right down to it, matters of faith … I, like you, believe.

As you said in another post after the one I quoted. What are we gonna do but just try to follow the Lord the best we can. I might add the best we can according to our understanding. And throw ourselves, like a child, on His mercy.

Amen to that. And peace be with you as well. God bless!

So true. There are many seeming “rules” in the NT. The Catholic Church tries vigorously to follow every single one of them, which is not wrong, but it can become a burden when you think you are not following the rules well enough, which leads to scrupulosity. And scrupulosity can really be depressing and can cripple our relationship with our Lord. The opposite of scrupulosity is the way some Christians, especially “born-againers” think that once they accept the Lord as their Savior, they don’t ever have to alter their behavior and try to avoid sin and do good. They seem to think they can go on sinning against their fellows and still waltz into heaven because they are “saved” (I know someone like this). I think that attitude displeases God. I believe the single best thing we can do is to take seriously the words of Our Lord, “Love one another as I have loved you”. Peace to you too, and Happy Thanksgiving! ☜ (Italian Thanksgiving)

 

[Absolvo]

Actually, for EVERY Catholic I know Jesus’ death on the cross means everything. It is what the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is all about. It is that Sacrifice that redeems us. NOW we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

By the way, I don’t find Her complex at all. What do you specifically feel is complex?

If Jesus’ death on the cross literally means “everything,” they why the qualifier about “now we must work out our own salvation”?

It really doesn’t make sense to me. If we want to say that Jesus’s death truly means “everything,” ie a cosmic event that freed man from sin, then where arises the need to work out a personal salvation with fear and trembling? In other words, what can any of us work out that Christ’s death on the cross couldn’t?

As far as what is complex in Catholic theology or practice, one can begin with prayer. To whom do we pray? Seems a simple question, but look at what the Catechism says specifically on that subject: Everything it says is extremely complex and even contradictory. And that’s just on the topic of praying to God through the holy trinity; there is a byzantine explanation for this in the catechism. Then one factors in prayers to Mary, to the saints, to souls on purgatory, and so on. How much time should be devoted to each? How much time daily? The catechism doesn’t say exactly.

There are other aspects of Catholic theology I could mention, but perhaps more pertinent is that we have all these teachings because they’re authorized by the bishops. Here we are in 2014, and we see that these bishops (working through the Holy Spirit, we’re told) are yet again in fierce disagreement over what’s Divine Revelation and what isn’t. This adds a whole nother dimension to the complexity of Catholicism. To my eyes anyway.

 

[Duane1966]

If Jesus’ death on the cross literally means “everything,” they why the qualifier about “now we must work out our own salvation”?

It really doesn’t make sense to me. If we want to say that Jesus’s death truly means “everything,” ie a cosmic event that freed man from sin, then where arises the need to work out a personal salvation with fear and trembling? In other words, what can any of us work out that Christ’s death on the cross couldn’t?

There is a HUGE difference between Redemption and Salvation. Here is an excerpt from an article found here that should help explain it.

catholicstand.com/pope-francis-knows-the-difference-between-redemption-and-salvation-do-you/

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy cross,You have redeemed the world.
Yes, the whole world — which includes all atheists, all sinners, all people, even allthings –was redeemed by the Blood of Christ that was shed for us on Calvary. Jesus paid the ransom (the word \”redemption\” literally means the \”buying back\” of a thing), and His atoning sacrifice opened the gates of Heaven,which had been previously closed to humanity due to Adam\’s sin.
”For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as aransom for all….\” 1 Timothy 2:5-6
The Cross redeemedall. Bam!But (and it\’s abigbut)… not everyone will choose toacceptthe redeeming love of God and its invitation to salvation. While God didn\’t need our cooperation or permission to redeemus, without our cooperation and permission He will notsaveus. God is a gentleman, and He will not bring us into union with Him unless we desire that union.Redemptionhas come to all of us, thanks to Christ\’s atoning work on the Cross approximately 2,000 years ago, but*salvationis an individual choice that we each must make, a gift that we can accept or reject even up to our dying breath.

 

[benhur]

The simplicity of the early Church as found in the Franciscan Order?

Precisely. He was and still would be an aberration. Francisacans are Catholics but not all Catholics are like Franciscans.

 

[Duane1966]

As far as what is complex in Catholic theology or practice, one can begin with prayer. To whom do we pray? Seems a simple question, but look at what the Catechism says specifically on that subject: Everything it says is extremely complex and even contradictory. And that’s just on the topic of praying to God through the holy trinity; there is a byzantine explanation for this in the catechism. Then one factors in prayers to Mary, to the saints, to souls on purgatory, and so on. How much time should be devoted to each? How much time daily? The catechism doesn’t say exactly.

No one can tell you how long to pray. That is part of the working out of your salvation. The important part is that you set aside some time to pray EVERY day. Studies have shown that those who have a consistent prayer life (and for many the exact same time every day), are more satisfied in their spiritual life, than those who are not consistent in their prayer life. My own prayer life is something I need to improve on. Sometimes I pray to the Father, sometimes the Son, and sometimes the HS. When I pray the rosary, I rotate between specific loved ones that have passed away, anonymous souls in Purgatory, and needs that I see in my family, and sometimes for myself. I have a particular Saint that I ask to pray with me (Edmund Campion).
Hope this helps.

 

[Absolvo]

There is a HUGE difference between Redemption and Salvation. Here is an excerpt from an article found here that should help explain it.

catholicstand.com/pope-francis-knows-the-difference-between-redemption-and-salvation-do-you/

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless You, because by Your holy cross,You have redeemed the world.
Yes, the whole world — which includes all atheists, all sinners, all people, even allthings –was redeemed by the Blood of Christ that was shed for us on Calvary. Jesus paid the ransom (the word \”redemption\” literally means the \”buying back\” of a thing), and His atoning sacrifice opened the gates of Heaven,which had been previously closed to humanity due to Adam\’s sin.
”For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as aransom for all….\” 1 Timothy 2:5-6
The Cross redeemedall. Bam!But (and it\’s abigbut)… not everyone will choose toacceptthe redeeming love of God and its invitation to salvation. While God didn\’t need our cooperation or permission to redeemus, without our cooperation and permission He will notsaveus. God is a gentleman, and He will not bring us into union with Him unless we desire that union.Redemptionhas come to all of us, thanks to Christ\’s atoning work on the Cross approximately 2,000 years ago, but*salvationis an individual choice that we each must make, a gift that we can accept or reject even up to our dying breath.

Well yes, but this is what I mean what I write that Jesus’ death on the cross doesn’t mean “everything” to the Catholic. How Paul and the later Church Fathers defined the meaning of Jesus’ death is something a bit different from Jesus’ own words about salvation found in the synoptic Gospels.

 

[Duane1966]

There are other aspects of Catholic theology I could mention, but perhaps more pertinent is that we have all these teachings because they’re authorized by the bishops. Here we are in 2014, and we see that these bishops (working through the Holy Spirit, we’re told) are yet again in fierce disagreement over what’s Divine Revelation and what isn’t. This adds a whole nother dimension to the complexity of Catholicism. To my eyes anyway.

Do you realize that canon of scripture that we call the Holy Bible was formulated in fierce disagreement? We take for granted that the Book of Revelation is inspired, but there were many bishops who thought that it was not. And in the Book of Acts, we see these same fierce arguments as to whether the Gentiles should be circumcised. As a Catholic, we trust that through the disagreements, somehow the Spirit will guide the bishops to the Truth.

 

[Duane1966]

Well yes, but this is what I mean what I write that Jesus’ death on the cross doesn’t mean “everything” to the Catholic. How Paul and the later Church Fathers defined the meaning of Jesus’ death is something a bit different from Jesus’ own words about salvation found in the synoptic Gospels.

Please give me the exact quotes from Jesus.

 

[Absolvo]

No one can tell you how long to pray. That is part of the working out of your salvation. The important part is that you set aside some time to pray EVERY day. Studies have shown that those who have a consistent prayer life (and for many the exact same time every day), are more satisfied in their spiritual life, than those who are not consistent in their prayer life. My own prayer life is something I need to improve on. Sometimes I pray to the Father, sometimes the Son, and sometimes the HS. When I pray the rosary, I rotate between specific loved ones that have passed away, anonymous souls in Purgatory, and needs that I see in my family, and sometimes for myself. I have a particular Saint that I ask to pray with me (Edmund Campion).
Hope this helps.

Yes, but if it’s true that we are left to work out our own salvation, it would seem prayer is a pretty significant part of that effort. Yet there’s no directions or guidelines to do so? To me this is evidence of complexity.

 

[Absolvo]

Please give me the exact quotes from Jesus.

That salvation was far more a matter of belief, rather than what one worked out on their own? I think the gospels speak for themselves on this. But they don’t speak on original sin, of which Jesus said nothing, and which imo seems to be the basis for the qualification of Jesus’s death on the cross.

 

[Absolvo]

Do you realize that canon of scripture that we call the Holy Bible was formulated in fierce disagreement? We take for granted that the Book of Revelation is inspired, but there were many bishops who thought that it was not. And in the Book of Acts, we see these same fierce arguments as to whether the Gentiles should be circumcised. As a Catholic, we trust that through the disagreements, somehow the Spirit will guide the bishops to the Truth.

Yes, I did know all that. All I can say is that such a long history of fierce debate means something different to me that it means to other people.

 

[Sy_Noe]

Because that only SEEMS lighter.

Your experience may differ, but for many people, forgiving themselves is hard to do. Consequently, when they are along in their bedrooms asking for forgiveness, GOD hears and forgives, but they have not really forgiven themselves, and as a result, they carry the burden of guilt with them…a burden that is NOT light.

For this reason (and others), Jesus established confession as the normative means by which we receive God’s grace when we repent.

That’s why I didn’t rule out people having the option of confessing to a priest if it’s the means that works best for them to really forgive themselves. But if my experience differs and I find it easier to forgive myself after God has heard me in my bedroom and has forgiven me, does that mean I may receive the Eucharist Sunday?

 

[Sy_Noe]

So true. There are many seeming “rules” in the NT. The Catholic Church tries vigorously to follow every single one of them, which is not wrong, but it can become a burden when you think you are not following the rules well enough, which leads to scrupulosity. And scrupulosity can really be depressing and can cripple our relationship with our Lord. The opposite of scrupulosity is the way some Christians, especially “born-againers” think that once they accept the Lord as their Savior, they don’t ever have to alter their behavior and try to avoid sin and do good. They seem to think they can go on sinning against their fellows and still waltz into heaven because they are “saved” (I know someone like this). I think that attitude displeases God. I believe the single best thing we can do is to take seriously the words of Our Lord, “Love one another as I have loved you”. Peace to you too, and Happy Thanksgiving! ☜ (Italian Thanksgiving)

and to you