Goats vs sheep Gospel

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crenfro

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Hello.

Just read from a Catholic blog that, to me, inferred that acts of piety (which to me are things like frequent Confession, saying a daily Rosary, etc.) are sort of worthless and that giving to the poor is the one thing that’ll get a soul into heaven.

I started thinking to myself, does that mean if I do whatever I like, just so I give lots of money that I’ll be saved and that it’s pointless to practice spiritual devotions?

It was the over-generalization of the statements in this blog and the over-simplification that got to me. And I know these questions have been answered, and answered with orthodoxy and answered well, far better than I could ever attempt to… but still…

Any comments?

Thanks for listening.
 
The devotion won’t be pointless because it shows how much we love God! In fact, we pray because we should talk to God and Mary of course! Wouldn’t you be sad if you had children and even though they do whatever you want, never talk or so affection to you?
 
It’s not an either/or choice.

Faith without works is dead. (works of mercy, not works of the Mosaic Law)

We are to be generous with what we have, whether it’s time, money, gifts etc.

Remember in the sheep and goats parable Jesus says what you did to the least of these you did to ME, and when he met Paul on the Damasus Road, he did not say, why are you prosecuting the church, he said why are you prosecuting ME.

We can’t say we love God without also loving our neighbour.
 
What we do matters a whole lot. Giving money alone won’t get you to heaven. In your heart you must admit that Jesus is who He said He is, and believe that only he can save you. Devotions spring from the faith that comes through this. Our devotions need to reflect our faith in the Lord who died for us. If giving money was the only way to heaven, then the rich would be the first ones there. The poor people would be left out. It’s a faith plus works deal. Giving money isnt’ the only way we can show our faith. Our actions speak louder than words. Ever heard that expression? If I go giving tons of money to those in need, but talk like these people are a waste of space or whatever, then what does that show? If I were married and claimed to love my spouse, but slept around with whoever caught my attention, what would that say about who I really love? Have faith, believe and go where the Lord leads you. I believe that Mother Theresa has been quoted as saying, “do small things with great love.”

Does this help?
 
Shalom

That is great. goats vs sheep story is basically a reality now and yet to be. You are right in saying that the act of piety, saying or attending Mass, praying the rosary and other approved prayers. These prayers expressed in good actions, giving with love, helping others (even goats) in their different ‘burdens’ with love as they are all brothers and sisters in Christs who are in need of any sort. You just have to be honest with Christ to do what you can do to others to bring the Love of Christ to others, materially or spirituality and in all human need you can serve.

This is who we are as sons and daughter of God. Thus these acts of piety and good needs become a life to live as Christ tells us so in words and deeds and continue to tell us, to some in a supernatural way.

God bless.
 
Giving to the poor is a very good work, just like Cornelius did in verse 2.

Acts 10:
2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway.
3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.
4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.
5 And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:
6 He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

God noticed Cornelius’ works and prayers. But God still required Cornelius to do something else.

44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

Cornelius received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues !
 
crenfro said:
Hello.

Just read from a Catholic blog that, to me, inferred that acts of piety (which to me are things like frequent Confession, saying a daily Rosary, etc.) are sort of worthless and that giving to the poor is the one thing that’ll get a soul into heaven.

I started thinking to myself, does that mean if I do whatever I like, just so I give lots of money that I’ll be saved and that it’s pointless to practice spiritual devotions?

It was the over-generalization of the statements in this blog and the over-simplification that got to me. And I know these questions have been answered, and answered with orthodoxy and answered well, far better than I could ever attempt to… but still…

Any comments?

Thanks for listening.
Click to expand...
Our faith, the New Covenant, is first of all about a restored relationship of an individual with God-restored because man was originally meant to “walk” with God, to commune with Him. All good works are to flow from this relationship of love or else they’re just fluff, “filthy rags”, as scripture puts it. Se we need to nurture our devotion to God, to put Him first-and He’s pleased when we do. Read about Mary and Martha, Luke 10:38-42, and especially John 12:3-8.
 
It depends on what your calling is.

If you are ‘Franciscan’ you would be called to work among the poor.
If you are ‘Jesuit’ you would be called to educate the young.
If you are ‘Cistercian’ you would be called to live apart and pray.
If you are ‘Redemptorist’ you would be called to evangelize.

Most every Catholic is called to have all of these aspects, but there is usually one this is more clear than another. The power of prayer does not eliminate the needs of the poor, but the need of education does not eliminate the need of evangelazation.
 
Those who were given much much will be required, and the greatest gift people on earth were given is the Eucharist and the Catholic faith; thus Catholics will be held to a much higher standard than Protestants, and non-Christians. We are the wealthy, by the mere fact that we have access to grace through the Sacraments in overflowing measures.

When we go to mass and we receive grace it’s not simply for our personal selfish sanctification, but rather for us to share the grace, the truth and the light with those who lack it. Woe to Catholics who squander, abuse and misuse the gifts we are given in the Sacrifice of the Mass.

People not only hunger for food or lack material shelters, there are people starving for love, for truth, for goodness, for hope and a home in the heart of Jesus Christ.

Every single word, act and omission that we willfully conceive in this world will be judged. We will not be judged on how much theology we know or even by our religion but by our LOVE for God and our neighbor, nothing else. When we sin, we do not love God and injure our neighbor. Being Catholic means that we were given a great *talent, *thus we must not hide, squander or fail to use the talents entrusted to us.

Here is a good video about the Sheep and the Goats👍

And here is a good talk by Bishop Sheen on how Christians are to live in a non-Christian world.
 
crenfro said:
Hello.

Just read from a Catholic blog that, to me, inferred that acts of piety (which to me are things like frequent Confession, saying a daily Rosary, etc.) are sort of worthless and that giving to the poor is the one thing that’ll get a soul into heaven.

I started thinking to myself, does that mean if I do whatever I like, just so I give lots of money that I’ll be saved and that it’s pointless to practice spiritual devotions?

It was the over-generalization of the statements in this blog and the over-simplification that got to me. And I know these questions have been answered, and answered with orthodoxy and answered well, far better than I could ever attempt to… but still…

Any comments?

Thanks for listening.
Click to expand...
Ho hum. I would bet that the “Catholic blogosphere” includes everything from “every pope since Pius XII (and he may be suspect) is a heretic” to “all popes are heretics, there are no miracles and just be nice”

I suggest the Catechism of the Catholic Church as a source of true Catholic polity.

I can assure you this board, while nice for discussion and sometimes interesting, is not a source of truth (not that many do not express it here, just that many don’t) in the ultimate question of salvation.

Any goober that thinks that acts of piety are not an aid to attain the graces of salvation is wrong. Anyone who does not become as a little child (pietistic) has got a problem. Isn’t the order of a sacrament (baptism for instance) pietistic?
 
Acts of piety, rosaries, prayer, Adoration, etc are far from worthless. They have great significance in our spiritual lives. They can also be the very means through which God allows grace to pass to others. The bible and tradition tell us specifically that prayer of the righteous are very powerful and effective. But they don’t excuse us to ignore the plight of those around us.

For instance, while walking in downtown Chicago you are likely to come across a few homeless people who are in genuine need. Let us imagine walking by a young woman, who looks at you and asks you if you could spare some change or something to eat. You can respond to this in many ways.

You could offer to pray for her and go on your way.

You could give her whatever small change you have or buy her a meal and go on your way.

You could do both.

You could do neither.

Now praying for her is much better than doing neither… doing both is much better than doing just the one. She needs both your food AND your prayers.
 
Many who were last will be called first for they that wait upon The Lord will renew their Strength.

They that love and practice evil will be called ‘least’ in The Kingdom of God for the goat is the last offered in the Sacrifices and The Greatest is the least among these for many will come proclaiming many signs and miracles and then I Will tell ‘them’ plainly; ‘away from Me evil doers’.
 
cybrland said:
Many who were last will be called first for they that wait upon The Lord will renew their Strength and they that love and practice evil will be called ‘least’ in The Kingdom of God for the goat is the last offered in the Sacrifices and The Greatest is the least among these for many will come proclaiming many signs and miracles and then I Will tell ‘them’ plainly; ‘away from Me evil doers’.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure what this sentence compiled from various scripture put together in this particular way implies or is expected to mean?
 
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