I'm in RCIA --Questions about verses (Matt25:14-30)

[Maria3m]

Last night, our RCIA class discussed the reading for this Sunday. I’m still unclear about the Gospel reading Matthew 25:14-30.

After going around and around for a good 10 minutes I decided to stop holding up the entire class just because I’m not clear and don’t exactly agree with my instructor was saying it meant.

At first, I didn’t even understand the reading. After some explanation I needed more clarification. So, I asked my instructor does it have to do with faith and works because it says we have to do things or like the man who received one talent but did nothing is thrown into the darness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth. (Hell)

I take that to mean that if you don’t DO (works), even though you believe, then you go to Hell.
That’s what it says. My instructor said no because of course you can’t earn your way into Heaven. I understand there isn’t a scorecard for each good thing you do, HOWEVER the reading makes me think otherwise. We must do things…Like keep the commandments, Plus, not this Sunday, but the following Sunday the gospel is the story in Matthew about seperating the goats and sheep (Matthew 25:31-46)…those who DID and those who did not. To me, it means you must do what Jesus wants, not just believe.

Can someone tell me where I’m wrong with how I’m reading the passage(s)? or am I reading it correctly, but that’s the difference between someone who says we need just faith vs. faith and what we do in love (works).

Please don’t be upset if I come back for more clarification on any replies. I just want to have a complete understanding.

Thank you!

 

[Della]

First of all, I don’t know why your RCIA group is parsing Bible stories–that’s not its function–it’s not a Bible study, but be that as it may, if I understand you correctly, you are right. We can lose our salvation through attrition, that’s lack of action on our part. When we ask for forgiveness we ask to be forgiven not only for the things we did wrong but for those things we didn’t do that we should have done. Of course, the things we should have done depend on our opportunity to do them. We can’t all be missionaries to Africa, for example, but we can be loving spouses, parents, and neighbors.

I think your dilemma may be misunderstanding how we are able to do good works. We can only do the good works that please God through God’s grace, just as we can’t believe without God’s grace. So, everything good we do has been done with and through the promptings of the Holy Spirit, so that we cannot brag about it, but give all the glory to God, who has accomplished his good will through us. Does that help you or am I way off base?

 

[mercygate]

While it is true that we do not earn Heaven by what we do in our own power, it is clear from this passage that we must “do things” if we expect to get there. The people being “sorted out” in this passage all call Jesus “Lord.”

This is one of the passages that decisively refutes the idea that we are justified by “faith alone.”

God is just, and judges each according to his gifts – and not according to the gifts of another. I attach this passage to Luke 12:48: “Every one to whommuch is given, of him will much be required.”

 

[marymol]

Remember reading Scott Hahn who put it as - ‘salvation is free but not cheap’…and as you probably know there are varied opinions on the way it is understood …
For Christians , it would seem to indicate that we would accept the seriousness of sin, what it has taken to be worthy of heaven - The Lord’s merits of Passion …
And that once we acept this with enough faith , it would move us to do the good , to live upto be the Father’s children - realising how much each of us is loved , how much we been forgiven …how much we owe …and what can we do to help others also to come to the joy of this realisation …may be sort of like the prodigal son whom The Father adorn with signs of sonship - the ring ,the robe , the sandals . The son, if he truly love the dad and want to be one in the heart, with such a generous Dad now , would he not want to do the things expected of him and if he has other brothers who also have gone off, would help to bring them back etc: …
Nonchristians too have the law written in their heart - that we are here to do good and love…yet not as clear revelations and promises from a personal God …
Writing all this with a little trembling- ‘many of you ought not to be teachers., for they are judged more severely .’ May His mercy be with us …

 

[Maria3m]

THANK YOU for clearing that up. Yes, that’s what I was saying, however my wording must not have been as clear during class. I just wanted confirmation that this passage teaches ‘faith alone’ isn’t enough. My wording may have made my instructor uncomfortable.

 

[asquared]

Della:

First of all, I don’t know why your RCIA group is parsing Bible stories–that’s not its function–it’s not a Bible study, but be that as it may, if I understand you correctly, you are right. ?

actually a critical component of a good RCIA process is “breaking open the Word” with the Sunday readings, but it has to involve more than everyone going around the circle giving their opinion and feelings on the passage. It must include as the major part of the session reliable ecclesial teaching on the passage in question, related to the larger doctrinal issues addressed in the passage. This is where many RCIA programs break down. Either the catechist is not qualified by training and inclination to give such an exposition, or the catechist relies on exegesis from unreliable sources (no doubt obtained in good faith from publishers assumed to be Catholic who in fact are disseminating dissent). The proclamation and exegesis of the Gospel is the beginning of a good RCIA process.

 

[Cockney_Clive]

Well said Asquared. RCIA is not straight Bible Study but nor is it solely instruction on doctrine.

At its best the RCIA needs to be a process of formation in the Catholic Christian life, rather than any mere in -formation. Being formed implies that one has a good foundation in christianity, which means being familiar with the Word of God Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ -St. Jerome], as well as the doctrines, Tradition, and traditions of Holy Mother Church.

RCIA should also be firmly rooted in the Liturgy and the Sacraments of the Church, especially as they relate to the needs of the Catechumens and Candidates at any particular stage of their ‘journey in faith’.