B
BrunoMaria
Guest
A dear friend of mine wrote:
There is one very general difference between European and American Catholics that struck me hard. One too often reads matters of faith in „black and white“ only. Fr. John here also mentioned as non-good sample: „……do so or be in danger of Hell“.
It’s this terrible thread of hell or heresy all the time, which in Europe is much less used, in fact hardly ever, for then THE JOY OF BELIEF get’s lost and runs danger to become a MUST instead of immeasurable richness.
The open Church which invites all people to come, does not do a rightly feared ba another friend, who wrote on Mar 25th, 2015:
Now, we still get the opinions:
In superficial reading this might be ambiguous. In German even clearer: kann das Opfer Christi für alle erlösend sein= CAN BE for all. „Possible” goes for both; first the divinity of Christ makes His deed possible, - second possible for all. So; a can be or could be or even could have been - if they wouldn’t refuse it.
#617 and 618 then refers on our other present theme, „communion issue“.
Now as I recited several times, Pope Benedict had a important word on "for many“ in his letter of 24th April 2012 when he said: As to how the Lord, the others - “all” - reaches in His own way, ultimately remains His secret.
I had the replie: „Safe to say that He died for all, but knowing that not all would believe in Him?"
Safe or unsafe though, is actually secondary. Let’s rather try to immerse into Christ’s words, which the world never will comprehend fully, but translate a lifetime. We all will see one day and understand, though never comprehend God fully - never in all eternity. But we should avoid to suspect brethren in Christ of our own or any Christian denomination of heresy, since all of them struggle to grab a patch of Christ’s garment.
If Christ had not died for all, then He had never tried to convert sinners. But as He spoke with all, wanted all to be saved, died for all, ALL had the chance to be saved. But a majority refused, only few enter that door. Would anyone think now that still He died for all; shed His blood for all - even the condemned…
This remains as the Pope put it: … His secret. What’s God’s unfathomable will and counsel, we can not decide.
Whilst Jesus taught these people of His time on earth and all - you and me alike, He easily could have simply planted as belief in all heads. But NO! It takes belief of free will, acceptance and compliance to be redeemed and saved! Many are - not all; for His blood is shed for many - not for all.
Yours
Bruno
Markus 2,13.jpg
How very refreshing! Thanks!
There is one very general difference between European and American Catholics that struck me hard. One too often reads matters of faith in „black and white“ only. Fr. John here also mentioned as non-good sample: „……do so or be in danger of Hell“.
It’s this terrible thread of hell or heresy all the time, which in Europe is much less used, in fact hardly ever, for then THE JOY OF BELIEF get’s lost and runs danger to become a MUST instead of immeasurable richness.
The open Church which invites all people to come, does not do a rightly feared ba another friend, who wrote on Mar 25th, 2015:
which of course would push off many as promptly the question arose:
Though we never must let any human being push us off belief. But as many clerics, laymen and all Popes keep pointing out: To carry out belief, is very strongly mere private matter between God and every single individual. Church can tell and teach, but never monitor right and wrong of the individual. We all are autonomous, self-responsible towards God. We can’t blame anyone else for our doing.
Now, we still get the opinions:
I never disagreed to this, why is this said often so threatening? The decisive texts are in RCC ## 605 - 617. In 605 the Church teaches, that Christ died for all - the complete humanity. Since some refuse it, we read in # 608 Christ gave his life as a ransom for many.“ In # 613 we again are told, that "blood of the covenant, was poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins“. In # 615 we read, that Christ “bore the sin of many and shall make many to be accounted righteous“. Finally in # 616 Catechism tells: …the existence in Christ of the divine person of the Son …. makes possible his redemptive sacrifice for all. Emphasis is placed on POSSIBLE.
In superficial reading this might be ambiguous. In German even clearer: kann das Opfer Christi für alle erlösend sein= CAN BE for all. „Possible” goes for both; first the divinity of Christ makes His deed possible, - second possible for all. So; a can be or could be or even could have been - if they wouldn’t refuse it.
#617 and 618 then refers on our other present theme, „communion issue“.
Now as I recited several times, Pope Benedict had a important word on "for many“ in his letter of 24th April 2012 when he said: As to how the Lord, the others - “all” - reaches in His own way, ultimately remains His secret.
I had the replie: „Safe to say that He died for all, but knowing that not all would believe in Him?"
Safe or unsafe though, is actually secondary. Let’s rather try to immerse into Christ’s words, which the world never will comprehend fully, but translate a lifetime. We all will see one day and understand, though never comprehend God fully - never in all eternity. But we should avoid to suspect brethren in Christ of our own or any Christian denomination of heresy, since all of them struggle to grab a patch of Christ’s garment.
If Christ had not died for all, then He had never tried to convert sinners. But as He spoke with all, wanted all to be saved, died for all, ALL had the chance to be saved. But a majority refused, only few enter that door. Would anyone think now that still He died for all; shed His blood for all - even the condemned…
This remains as the Pope put it: … His secret. What’s God’s unfathomable will and counsel, we can not decide.
Whilst Jesus taught these people of His time on earth and all - you and me alike, He easily could have simply planted as belief in all heads. But NO! It takes belief of free will, acceptance and compliance to be redeemed and saved! Many are - not all; for His blood is shed for many - not for all.
Yours
Bruno
Markus 2,13.jpg