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mcq72
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yes…was not sure if just the file info would post or the picture itself…never done this before…posting picture that is
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Fauken
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I’m not an expert on scapulars, but I’ll at least take a stab in regards to your superstition question.
The scapular is not a charm that simply imparts graces by being worn. Generally, one must be enrolled in it. If I remember correctly, part of the enrollment is that you promise to recite some daily prayers and be a good Catholic. Some catechesis regarding the brown scapular can be found here:
http://www.meditationsfromcarmel.com/content/scapular-catechesis
Also of interest:
http://ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/scapular
The scapular is not a charm that simply imparts graces by being worn. Generally, one must be enrolled in it. If I remember correctly, part of the enrollment is that you promise to recite some daily prayers and be a good Catholic. Some catechesis regarding the brown scapular can be found here:
http://www.meditationsfromcarmel.com/content/scapular-catechesis
Also of interest:
http://ocarm.org/en/content/ocarm/scapular
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Entwhistler
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Also, the scapular by itself doesn’t do anything. Only when a priest blesses it do the graces come down. And in Catholic theology, a priest is the stand-in for Christ. For instance, when a Catholic goes to confession, a priest is in there but in reality it’s really Christ who forgives the sins. The priest is In Persona Christi (in the person of Christ). So really the priest does nothing except be the conduit for Christ.
So the grace that is imparted on the scapular during the blessing is from God Himself.
So the grace that is imparted on the scapular during the blessing is from God Himself.
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birthjunkiemom
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At Bible study, tonight, a member of my group commented that the consequences of our sin demonstrated God’s love. If God had not given us physical death as the consequence for sin, our bodies and souls would have lived eternally in a sinful state, and separated from God. We would have lived eternally with the shame and guilt of sin, and with broken relationships with God and with each other (Adam & Eve both moved immediately to blame another of God’s creation for their own sin). So, in this way, physical death itself was demonstration of the love of God- it gives us an urgency to consider the love that God has shown us in providing Jesus as a way of restoration with Him and with each other.
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ksnyder44883
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Just wondering the Catholic position … was it possible for Jesus to sin?
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birthjunkiemom
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Okay, so my Protestantism is going to show strong now.
Why do we need this? Why do we need to confess our sins to a priest? James says "Confess your sins to one another and you may be healed.
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Reuben_J
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It is a sacramental that is used in a devotional spirituality. Catholics are not obliged to use it or believe in it. It is important to understand this distinction.
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Dainius
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Could you explain what you think the universal priesthood is?
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Entwhistler
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No problem. 
Catholics believe Christ instituted a priesthood through the apostles who can impart a special kind of grace called “Sanctifying Grace”.
It is true that we should confess our sins to one another. Catholics do that at every Mass. But that really only forgives us in their eyes. How can we ask God to heal us? By asking him directly for forgiveness. And in confession, Christ is there in a special way through the priest. When you go to confession, Christ, in a way, is physically there in the place of the priest. Thus, Catholics can be assured of forgiveness since Christ is directly forgiving you.
Catholics believe Christ instituted a priesthood through the apostles who can impart a special kind of grace called “Sanctifying Grace”.It is true that we should confess our sins to one another. Catholics do that at every Mass. But that really only forgives us in their eyes. How can we ask God to heal us? By asking him directly for forgiveness. And in confession, Christ is there in a special way through the priest. When you go to confession, Christ, in a way, is physically there in the place of the priest. Thus, Catholics can be assured of forgiveness since Christ is directly forgiving you.
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Fauken
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No. Was Jesus tempted? Yes. But He would be so inclined to sin as I currently am to cut my foot off with a rusty spoon.
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birthjunkiemom
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Absolutely.
I understand the position of the Pope as Peter, to whom God gave the keys of the kingdom, and then delegation of authority downward from the Pope (I’m assuming in “the Pope,” capitalization is correct? If not, forgive my ignorance). Jesus also told us how to pray, and ended this prayer with, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” So, if we can pray directly to God for forgiveness, why does a priest need to be involved?Btw- just so my intentions here are clear- I am not trying to debate you.
I am genuinely seeking understanding. My daughter (20 yrs old), having accepted Christ as Savior and been baptized into new life at age 10, recently converted to Catholicism. I have no problem with that, as I regard Catholic believers as… believers. LOL I am just trying to understand more about what she believes so I can speak with her intelligently and know what she believes and why. Because of her age, I prefer to ask my questions to other people. She’s still in the “asserting my independence” phase, and I definitely don’t want her to think I’m trying to debate her or change her mind, if that makes sense.
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gazelam
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How are all graces channeled through Mary?
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Entwhistler
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Hey, no problem. We have a quite a few Protestants on this forum that are valued members.
I think basically it all boils down to the ministerial priesthood that Christ instituted. As Christ told the Apostles in Matthew 18:18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” He wasn’t just talking to random people. And He would give that kind of authority to everyone. That’s some serious authority.
Christ made the Apostles and their successors his ambassadors on the Earth once he left. Catholics believe Christ set up a way to be forgiven though the Apostles.
If you look at the early Christians, you will see they held similar opinions of the ministerial priesthood. Folks like John Chrysostom and Hyppolytus in the 200s and 300s.
I think basically it all boils down to the ministerial priesthood that Christ instituted. As Christ told the Apostles in Matthew 18:18 “Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” He wasn’t just talking to random people. And He would give that kind of authority to everyone. That’s some serious authority.
Christ made the Apostles and their successors his ambassadors on the Earth once he left. Catholics believe Christ set up a way to be forgiven though the Apostles.
If you look at the early Christians, you will see they held similar opinions of the ministerial priesthood. Folks like John Chrysostom and Hyppolytus in the 200s and 300s.
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birthjunkiemom
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It is possible I was supposed to have read that, and did not. My degree is in Religious Studies, but I was pregnant (with said child from above) my last year, and I’ll admit that I only read what was to be on the exams in my Church History class, because I was too dang tired.
So, do you believe it is necessary to have a priest to forgive sins (what if you aren’t near a priest when you are convicted of sin)? Or, is it a doctrine that is not necessary for the sin to be forgiven, but to be practiced as habit to follow the example Jesus set?
And, speaking of… I read somewhere in this forum that Catholics are only supposed to go to confession once a year. Is that right? Once a year??? I don’t understand how someone who is in Christ could think it’s okay to only confess once a year. I am constantly convicted of my sorry attitudes, ungratefulness, pride, etc, and pray right then for God to forgive me and use His word to change my heart. I think I’d be walking around a miserable human being if I was holding all of that in for year.
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Entwhistler
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I completely understand that. I’ve done it too.
Confession is the normal way to be forgiven of grave sins. However, if one is not near a priest and about to die or something, if one is truly repentant, one can make a sincere act of contrition and be forgiven. Basically, it’s a Confession of Desire in which you would have gone to confession normally but circumstances did not allow it. Confession is only necessary when one commits a grave sin like adultery, murder or robbery. Those are called mortal sins. Only confession can erase those (or a Confession of Desire in the case where no priest is around and you might die). But venial sins such as lying, gossiping or yelling at a spouse can be forgiven just by asking God for forgiveness.
Basically, Mortal sins separate you from Christ and the Church and require God’s extraordinary grace to be reunited with Him. And means of being reunited is confession.
No, I’m guessing someone phrased that wrong. A Catholic has to go to confession at least once a year. Preferably more. I go to confession around once a month. Although I’ve found I sin less if I go once every two weeks. Technically I don’t need to go that often especially if I don’t commit any mortal sins. But who doesn’t want the special graces that confession imparts?
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birthjunkiemom
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First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to engage with me!
I have never heard of this view of mortal sins vs. venial sins. In the Protestant church, we are taught that sin means “missing the mark,” (“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”), therefore, ALL sin separates us from Christ, however Christ’s death is our substitutionary atonement for the sin that separates us, his burial and resurrection makes us a new creating and able to resist sin and become more like him (progressive sanctification). We are always taught that sin is equal in God’s eyes…we are born with a sin nature and the lying we do is just as offensive to God’s requirement for perfection as is adultery.
What Scriptures do y’all use that form the foundation of the “hierarchy” of sins?
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Entwhistler
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No problem at all. I’m just happy to have a polite conversation. Some other forums get kind of wild and woolly.
1 John chapter 5, verses 16-17. “If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.”
1 John chapter 5, verses 16-17. “If anyone sees his brother sinning, if the sin is not deadly, he should pray to God and he will give him life. This is only for those whose sin is not deadly. There is such a thing as deadly sin, about which I do not say that you should pray. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that is not deadly.”
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birthjunkiemom
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Okay, that makes sense. So, what about Scriptural support of what the specific deadly sins are, and that the priest must absolve it? In the protestant tradition, we are are taught that the deadly sin is referred to in Mark 3- blaspheming the Holy Spirit. Based on the surrounding context, that would mean seeing the work that the Spirit of God is doing, knowing that it is His work, but refusing to acknowledge him for it and repent… so, hardness of heart and refusal to repent.
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Entwhistler
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Actually, Catholics would agree with the Protestants that the deadliest sin (the unforgivable sin) is Blaspheming the Holy Spirit. It’s unforgivable because one refuses to ask for forgiveness. Basically, Catholics view it as refusing to acknowledge God and his forgiveness. Knowing that God exists and loves you but refusing to accept that. Anyone of whatever religion could be in that category. Kinda scary.
If there would be a list of mortal sins, I suppose it would all stem from the Ten Commandments. From what I understand, mortal sins are based off of that. Then in Catholic theology there are levels of degree of mortal/venial in it. That gets more into reason and common sense as to what is mortal/venial. We all know that robbing a bank would be one the level of mortal. Stealing a button is most likely venial.
[I’m afraid that I’m going to have to go to bed. I have Finals early tomorrow. If you want, you can start a thread about individual questions you have. Or you can PM me and I will get back with you. I don’t promise all the answers, but I can promise you a polite conversation. Good luck either way!!!]
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Gab123
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Just continue to read CCC970: “Mary’s function as mother of men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ, but rather shows its power. But the Blessed Virgin’s salutary influence on men . . . flows forth from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rests on his mediation, depends entirely on it, and draws all its power from it.” “No creature could ever be counted along with the Incarnate Word and Redeemer; but just as the priesthood of Christ is shared in various ways both by his ministers and the faithful, and as the one goodness of God is radiated in different ways among his creatures, so also the unique mediation of the Redeemer does not exclude but rather gives rise to a manifold cooperation which is but a sharing in this one source.”
This should clarify it for you:
https://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/marya4.htm
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