How do I choose a Church?

[awantz]

Actually, we place our faith in Jesus Christ; not in the Bible.

The Bible is useful for devotion, for teaching, and for correction, but it is not the Judge, it is not the Teacher, and it is not God.

Well, then you need to relay that to all Catholics, because I’m sorry to say that I know Catholics who put their faith in the church/ the Pope more than God.

 

[jmcrae]

Well, then you need to relay that to all Catholics, because I’m sorry to say that I know Catholics who put their faith in the church/ the Pope more than God.

Well, God doesn’t normally speak to us directly - He uses people like the Pope, and members of the church, so that’s why we pay attention to those people.

 

[Harpazo]

Well, then you need to relay that to all Catholics, because I’m sorry to say that I know Catholics who put their faith in the church/ the Pope more than God.

Catholics put their faith and trust in the Pope because they have faith in God. If we didn’t, what would be the point of being Catholic at all?

Alaha minokhoun,
Andrew

 

[Steven_John]

Well, then you need to relay that to all Catholics, because I’m sorry to say that I know Catholics who put their faith in the church/ the Pope more than God.

This is so true in my parish and diocese.

some of us are battleing to put the word in its place, the hearts of our brethren.

 

[Steven_John]

Well, God doesn’t normally speak to us directly - He uses people like the Pope, and members of the church, so that’s why we pay attention to those people.

My God is so huge he will speak in the hearts of the pious.
Sorry you missed the message of Jesus (PBWH).
Try the lords prayer, its great and it works.

 

[jmcrae]

My God is so huge he will speak in the hearts of the pious.

God speaks to my heart, but He does not give me theology lessons. He leaves that to the people that He has appointed to be my teachers.

Sorry you missed the message of Jesus (PBWH).

Since you are a Muslim, I would say that you are the one who missed it. (PBWY)

Try the lords prayer, its great and it works.

I pray the Lord’s Prayer every day.

(Why would a Muslim recommend the Lord’s Prayer, by the way? )

 

[Steven_John]

Catholics put their faith and trust in the Pope because they have faith in God. If we didn’t, what would be the point of being Catholic at all?

Alaha minokhoun,
Andrew

The point to being Catholic is to share your gifts with a community.
It is not about receiving gifts, Jesus (PBWH) has given a gift for you so you may see you are to give your gifts.

Jesus (PBWH) said he is the way to the Father.

May God bless the pope for the sacrifice he makes for the good of all, may He do the same for you.

 

[Steven_John]

God speaks to my heart, but He does not give me theology lessons. He leaves that to the people that He has appointed to be my teachers.

Since you are a Muslim, I would say that you are the one who missed it. (PBWY)

I pray the Lord’s Prayer every day.

(Why would a Muslim recommend the Lord’s Prayer, by the way? )

The lords prayer is great, do Muslims not like it? does it contradict the Quran?

How have i missed the message of Jesus (PBWH)? please dont make assumptions just quote me.

It is awesome that God speaks to your heart, I give Him thanks and praise for this.

May He continue to bless you and yours as He wills.

 

[jmcrae]

The lords prayer is great, do Muslims not like it? does it contradict the Quran?

Yes, it contradicts the Qu’ran, which states that God has no children. God is “Allah,” the Great One; not “Father.” The Qu’ran goes on at great length about this distinction.

But surely you already knew that. Or are you just “putting on” Muslim mannerisms and playing at Mohammedism, without knowing what Islam actually teaches?

 

[Steven_John]

Yes, it contradicts the Qu’ran, which states that God has no children. God is “Allah,” the Great One; not “Father.” The Qu’ran goes on at great length about this distinction.

But surely you already knew that. Or are you just “putting on” Muslim mannerisms and playing at Mohammedism, without knowing what Islam actually teaches?

Ok i dont understand “Mohammedism,”

as far as mannerisums Muslims have some great ones.

I dont intend to put on anything, i am acctually trying to open.

The words God / Father / Allah are words to me none of them can truly describe My God. I get the understandings of all these words and their intended use.

 

[jmcrae]

Ok i dont understand “Mohammedism,”

as far as mannerisums Muslims have some great ones.

I dont intend to put on anything, i am acctually trying to open.

The words God / Father / Allah are words to me none of them can truly describe My God. I get the understandings of all these words and their intended use.

What religion are you?

 

[Steven_John]

What religion are you?

I don’t know.

I don’t know all things about all religions so i am not qualified to answer your question.

When some muslims literally forced me to make shihada i refused.
When a priest asked me to make confirmation and i said i was not ready as i did not know enough, he still printed in his bulliten that i was going to.
I told him this was not on as i had not agreed he said it does not matter i can change my mind later. I told him he had borne false witness to me. He did not care. I did not make confirmation.

The priest says i am Catholic, an imam from the mosque here said he sees me as a Muslim.

I am not really bothered with the label thing, I know Catholics i commune with that seem really nice, Muslims that i pray with that seem really nice.
Please Almighty God associate me with those who submit to your will.

I have met in both people that i don’t understand but i just love them and pray God guides them and we can live in peace.

God will be triumphant whether we live in peace or war so for me better it be in peace. this is not what i just believe i really know it.

I testify there is one God, who is above all things.
He / It is all seeing and all knowing.
The way to Him / It is through personal selfless sacrifice.

He / It loves me way beyond what i deserve.

If you ever have an opinion i would be keen to hear it.

May Allah bless and guide us all.

 

[Steven_John]

Put the word “father” in the search engine of this website and see what you get. And once you get the results, please read the passages. And btw, that website is a protestant bible.

Peace and blessings Sandy, have you done specifically what you suggest i do? or do you have a hidden motive?

Peace and blessings

 

[Steven_John]

So Paul can say in 1 Corinthians 4:15 “I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” He doesn’t replace God; he is our father only in Christ Jesus, the way priests are.

Yeah like all those fools who called Abraham father.

In this, the Abraham statement, the fore fathers and the great apostle Paul’s the father ship is a reference to who came first, i think.

This has actually got me thinking hypothetically, how do i apply it to a priest that is 30 years my junior that i prayed for at all of his sacraments?

 

[Steven_John]

Put the word “father” in the search engine of this website and see what you get. And once you get the results, please read the passages. And btw, that website is a protestant bible.

Hi trying to save some time but am not real good at driving web pages.
How do i context the advanced search?

Peace and blessings

 

[BWENEATA_IOAKIM]

Believe not what you see,but in what you’ve found.
For seeing is just there,believing is much broader and the cause and effects always prove your finding.Only mercy can solve the consequences.

 

[SD_Catholic]

In this, the Abraham statement, the fore fathers and the great apostle Paul’s the father ship is a reference to who came first, i think.

This has actually got me thinking hypothetically, how do i apply it to a priest that is 30 years my junior that i prayed for at all of his sacraments?

Since I trust that you are sincere in your question I will give you an answer that I hope will help you understand the Catholic use of the word “Father”.

We understand that God is the supreme “Father” and that the use of the word “Father” when referring to God has a different meaning than when referring to a priest or our male parent. To call a priest “Father” is simply a sign of our respect to his spiritual leadership… you’ll find many places in the Bible where men were given this title to help distinguish them as spiritual leaders (regardless of their age). It in no way takes away from the fatherly role that God plays in our lives… He is the “Father” of all.

In the OT, Joseph tells his brothers that God made him a father to Pharaoh… I would imagine that Pharaoh was older than Joseph but Joseph had been given gifts from God and Pharaoh saw him as a spiritual father. Also in the OT God made Eliakim a father to the people of Jerusalem… here also I would imagine that Eliakim was not the oldest man in Jerusalem, but still a “Father”.

In the NT Paul says, “I became your Father in Christ Jesus through the gospel”… these are all examples of the way we use the term “Father” when we show our respect to priests as spiritual leaders in our Church.

I hope you find this information useful in helping you understand what we mean when we call a priest “Father”

SD

 

[Steven_John]

Since I trust that you are sincere in your question I will give you an answer that I hope will help you understand the Catholic use of the word “Father”.

i am very sincere and appreciative.
I am also seeking to be challenging but not argumentative.

We understand that God is the supreme “Father” and that the use of the word “Father” when referring to God has a different meaning than when referring to a priest or our male parent.

I understand.

you’ll find many places in the Bible where men were given this title to help distinguish them as spiritual leaders (regardless of their age). It in no way takes away from the fatherly role that God plays in our lives… He is the “Father” of all.

I agree

In the OT, Joseph tells his brothers that God made him a father to Pharaoh… I would imagine that Pharaoh was older than Joseph but Joseph had been given gifts from God and Pharaoh saw him as a spiritual father. Also in the OT God made Eliakim a father to the people of Jerusalem… here also I would imagine that Eliakim was not the oldest man in Jerusalem, but still a “Father”.

In the NT Paul says, “I became your Father in Christ Jesus through the gospel”… these are all examples of the way we use the term “Father” when we show our respect to priests as spiritual leaders in our Church.

I understand but the great apostle Paul was leading them in spiritual understanding.

This has actually got me thinking hypothetically, how do i apply it to a priest that is 30 years my junior that i prayed for at all of his sacraments?

Putting age aside, how do you know a priest is above you in spirituality?

Even Jesus (PBWH) is narrated to have said He does not know who is alloted each place.

So while i feel humbled before priests that does not mean i have the right to exult him.

In good spirit, peace be unto you

 

[Kay_Cee]

I’ve given my answer to that in a previous post.

It would be nice if you said exactly which previous post.

 

[jmcrae]

Putting age aside, how do you know a priest is above you in spirituality?

He is called “Father” because he is the “head” of the spiritual household that is the parish. Not because he is wiser or more spiritual than anyone else in the parish.