Large statues of Jesus hanging on the Cross

[SteveVH]

To be honest, it scares me. It’s like I’m looking physically at Jesus, and the sinner that I am and given my past, I find it hard to bear to look at the figure. My sins still haunt me, and I feel as though I have not done enough to find forgiveness and that I’m in a state of sinful unease. (Protestant churches tell you your past is your past and all is forgiven if you earnestly seek and pray — if I’m not mistaken, Catholics believe in penance that’s separate from confession…?)

Are Catholics just accustomed to the image of Jesus on the Cross? Am I just not used to seeing more vividly the suffering and pain our Lord had to endure?

Very simply, it is not the cross that saves us but rather the One hanging on it. It is wonderful that you find it hard to look at the crucifix; we all should find it hard to gaze upon the suffering of our Lord. The crucifix is the greatest sign of love known to mankind. So if and when you might doubt God’s love for you, look at the crucifix and you will have no doubt.

God bless.

 

[SteveVH]

Hmmm…perhaps you’re right. Exercise is good for the body, and after the very few times I did exercise, I felt refreshed and more alert and keen on praying, meditating, doing work for what I hope can be of benefit to God.

Sorry, but I just disagree with using exercise in this manner. The focus is on improving your body (not a bad thing in itself) not suffering for the sake of others. Try fasting on bread and water only, two days a week, and join this suffering with Christ on the cross for the salvation of mankind.

 

[JerryZ]

Well, I do live RIGHT NEXT to a Catholic Church. God knows I hate walking to places (may God forgive my sloth), and I don’t drive now. Perhaps it was His plan all along that I should move here recently…?

But I find it hard to give up the Protestant tradition Also, if I embrace Catholicism, I would have to believe that my Protestant siblings are wrong and possibly not saved (as some on this forum seem to suggest, which quite surprised me).

Being the timid skeptic that I am, if only God would give me a more direct sign…

Ahhh my dear friend, that is a noble thought, however I would also point out that even some Catholic souls are just in as much danger. I would just point out that the true Church founded by Him is where you need to be. Learn our faith. Then be a beacon for protestants and Catholics alike.
I am convinced He did what He needed to do to bring you nearer to Him. Don’t waste time.

praying with you and for you.

 

[guanophore]

To be honest, it scares me. It’s like I’m looking physically at Jesus, and the sinner that I am and given my past, I find it hard to bear to look at the figure. My sins still haunt me, and I feel as though I have not done enough to find forgiveness and that I’m in a state of sinful unease. (Protestant churches tell you your past is your past and all is forgiven if you earnestly seek and pray — if I’m not mistaken, Catholics believe in penance that’s separate from confession…?)

Are Catholics just accustomed to the image of Jesus on the Cross? Am I just not used to seeing more vividly the suffering and pain our Lord had to endure?

Those in Apostolic Churches (Catholic and Orthodox) portray Christ on the cross because it is one of the Sacred Traditions we have received from the Apostles.

Gal 3:1
Oh foolish Galatians… before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.

The human soul instinctively knows that the idea that our sins are all forgiven before we repent of them is absurd.

I would not say that penance is “separate” from confession, but part of it. If we have been forgiven our sins, this forgiveness will manifest itself in works that befit repentance. When we actively make reparation for our sins, we heal the wounds our sins have created in others, as well as ourselves.

 

[adf417]

But I find it hard to give up the Protestant tradition Also, if I embrace Catholicism, **I would have to believe that my Protestant siblings are wrong and possibly not saved **(as some on this forum seem to suggest, which quite surprised me)

You do know this is not what the Catholic Church teaches right? even if some uninformed Catholic speaks it does not make it truth.

Peace to you always!!!

 

[EIF5A]

You do know this is not what the Catholic Church teaches right? even if some uninformed Catholic speaks it does not make it truth.

Peace to you always!!!

If someone is outside the “true” Catholic Church (e.g., Protestants who broke away), doesn’t that imply that the person does not truly have salvation? Does God forgive only through a Catholic priest? Does Jesus get angry that we don’t show devotion to His Mother Mary?

By formulating the Catholic Church as the “authentic” Church, by definition, anything else is false.

 

[rikkk1958]

If someone is outside the “true” Catholic Church (e.g., Protestants who broke away), doesn’t that imply that the person does not truly have salvation? Does God forgive only through a Catholic priest? Does Jesus get angry that we don’t show devotion to His Mother Mary?

By formulating the Catholic Church as the “authentic” Church, by definition, anything else is false.

If we have to be in** obedience** by the words of Jesus Christ, it is easy to say we have salvation in communion with His body.

 

[EIF5A]

If we have to be in** obedience** by the words of Jesus Christ, it is easy to say we have salvation in communion with His body.

So is that just another way of saying non-Catholic Christians aren’t really obeying Jesus and are thus not blessed with salvation?

 

[Holly3278]

The parish that I go to in a nearby large town has a statue of a crucifix. Is that what you are talking about? A crucifix is a cross with a Jesus which is also known as a corpus on it.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Exactly, question is do you suppose as the Eastern and Western Bishops who were persecuted for their belief, there resided any unbelief?

If someone is outside the “true” Catholic Church (e.g., Protestants who broke away), doesn’t that imply that the person does not truly have salvation? .

No it implies one chose to follow another aspect [not sure what] in disregard to the Chair of Peter Divinely established by Christ. Usually in disobedience, unbelief or misunderstanding, none of which are to be taken as to disregard the first sentence, thus the Divinely established Chair of St Peter.

If Does God forgive only through a Catholic priest? Does Jesus get angry that we don’t show devotion to His Mother Mary?.

The Lord forgives through the power to bind and lose Biblically. Then we must conclude Apostolic Succession is in fact real and Divinely established. Those who hear you, hear me…whos you? Where Jesus can save is really a strange way to view Salvation imho. We know where He saves for sure, we don’t assume from there. Thus the Orders of the Priesthood.

Pt-2, Unbelief has no access to Christs Kingdom. The BVM is the Mother of God clearly established in Council and upheld by all the Apostolic Church’s. That is those who canonized the Bible/Sacred Scripture.

IfBy formulating the Catholic Church as the “authentic” Church, by definition, anything else is false.

The Lord defined what is “True” from there we can see what is untrue, thus it doesn’t stand to reason everything from true to false is completely false. Its just not completely True, depending where on the line indicates the degree of false opposed to true. The break-off of basic Christianity is the 4th Ecumenical Council.

 

[EIF5A]

No it implies one chose to follow another aspect [not sure what] in disregard to the Chair of Peter Divinely established by Christ. Usually in disobedience, unbelief or misunderstanding, none of which are to be taken as to disregard the first sentence, thus the Divinely established Chair of St Peter.

The Lord forgives through the power to bind and lose Biblically. Then we must conclude Apostolic Succession is in fact real and Divinely established…

It seems to be of extreme grand gesture for Christ to give such great authority to fallible human beings. God, knowing past, present, and future, knew of the corruption and various human faults that embroiled the Catholic Church authority in the past.

The question becomes: Is calling upon the Name of the Lord sufficient for salvation, or must we also follow the Sacred Tradition because it derived from the authority that Christ gave to the Apostles?

If truly penitent, has the Catholic Church ever NOT forgiven a sin? Is there a sin (other than blasphemy) that is too grave for forgiveness?

 

[GaryTaylor]

It seems to be of extreme grand gesture for Christ to give such great authority to fallible human beings. God, knowing past, present, and future, knew of the corruption and various human faults that embroiled the Catholic Church authority in the past.

The question becomes: Is calling upon the Name of the Lord sufficient for salvation, or must we also follow the Sacred Tradition because it derived from the authority that Christ gave to the Apostles?

If truly penitent, has the Catholic Church ever NOT forgiven a sin? Is there a sin (other than blasphemy) that is too grave for forgiveness?

E how you leap to this scenario of calling the Lords name I find slightly disturbing. Think your taking a little to much for granted here?

Teaching authority of the Church is what’s infallible E are you saying your teaching authority is Sacred Scripture from the teaching authority?

 

[EIF5A]

E how you leap to this scenario of calling the Lords name I find slightly disturbing. Think your taking a little to much for granted here?

Teaching authority of the Church is what’s infallible E are you saying your teaching authority is Sacred Scripture from the teaching authority?

I was simply referring to Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Is “teaching authority” distinct from the collection of human authority figures from Apostolic tradition? Or is “teaching authority” the people chosen to lead the Church?

are you saying your teaching authority is Sacred Scripture from the teaching authority?

Are you kidding me with this?! Who said I have any authority? Or are you mocking me because I dared write that the Catholic Church had problems in the past and you were offended?

Bear in mind, I did not grow up in the Catholic tradition. All of this is very new to me.

 

[GaryTaylor]

I was simply referring to Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Is “teaching authority” distinct from the collection of human authority figures from Apostolic tradition? Or is “teaching authority” the people chosen to lead the Church?

The teaching authority is the same as has always existed, the Church proceeds two ways through Apostolic Succession and the Holy Spirit.

The Lord said narrow is the path also. That’s why I talked about that true to false line and all between. And no I’m not mocking you and if you felt uncomfortable I am sorry. Just talking really.

 

[peace2u2]

To be honest, it scares me. It’s like I’m looking physically at Jesus, and the sinner that I am and given my past, I find it hard to bear to look at the figure. My sins still haunt me, and I feel as though I have not done enough to find forgiveness and that I’m in a state of sinful unease. (Protestant churches tell you your past is your past and all is forgiven if you earnestly seek and pray — if I’m not mistaken, Catholics believe in penance that’s separate from confession…?)

Are Catholics just accustomed to the image of Jesus on the Cross? Am I just not used to seeing more vividly the suffering and pain our Lord had to endure?

When I went thru my 1st conversion, the Holy Spirit led me to this small Catholic church in my community, which I have always been grateful because I had been away from practicing my faith for some time and to reenter is enough to endure, but to make matters even more dramatic in my case was that in contrast to this small, secure feeling and not overwhelming in size Church that I knew I could be comfortable coming to pray and worship God, was this large, life-like Crucifix that hung behind the altar. Gulp.

I remember going each Sunday and sitting in different areas of the Church, but no matter where I sat, I could not get away from that Crucifix and what it reminded me of. I had realized in a very short time that I had become like Jonah in my life. I could keep running from God all I wanted, but I could not hide. God would have the last word because there would be no place for me to hide in this small Catholic Church. The church was too small and yet, the reminder of His great love for me was so great.

God was inviting me to stay and learn more about who He was and why His Son, Jesus died on a Cross for ME. It no longer was about how Jesus died for the sins of the world, but for me very personally. And, I realized that God was allowing me to make the choice and He used the contrast of the small Catholic Church and the large, life-like Crucifix to pierce my heart.

I decided to stay. 12 years later, I still shed tears when I go to Mass at that church.

 

[peace2u2]

Well, I do live RIGHT NEXT to a Catholic Church. God knows I hate walking to places (may God forgive my sloth), and I don’t drive now. Perhaps it was His plan all along that I should move here recently…?

But I find it hard to give up the Protestant tradition Also, if I embrace Catholicism, I would have to believe that my Protestant siblings are wrong and possibly not saved (as some on this forum seem to suggest, which quite surprised me).

Being the timid skeptic that I am, if only God would give me a more direct sign…

That is interesting that God would lead you right next to a Catholic Church. I think you are being led by the Holy Spirit to learn first and then decide to enter. Maybe God is calling you to discover the fullness of His Truth and Grace and then share it with your Protestant friends. Remember Jesus asks us to pick up our cross and follow Him and that it will not be easy. I found this website amazing. Hope it eases your fear:

youtube.com/watch?v=jBEsrcF9SGg

mikecumbie.org/

 

[EIF5A]

That is interesting that God would lead you right next to a Catholic Church. I think you are being led by the Holy Spirit to learn first and then decide to enter. Maybe God is calling you to discover the fullness of His Truth and Grace and then share it with your Protestant friends. Remember Jesus asks us to pick up our cross and follow Him and that it will not be easy. I found this website amazing. Hope it eases your fear:

youtube.com/watch?v=jBEsrcF9SGg

mikecumbie.org/

Of course, I want to be cautious. My moving there could just be coincidence, and I don’t want to ascribe to God what He did not cause.

I have been to that church (parish?) once before I moved nextdoor. People may have looked at me weird as I did not partake in the Bread and Wine — I knew only Catholics are allowed.

Is there a significance to the churchbell ringing at 8 am?

 

[sojo]

Just a note about the discussion on mortification of the flesh. Other than fasting, I was taught that nobody now (not talking about historically) should mortify their flesh without a spiritual director. Even religious (nuns, monks, friars) are forbidden to mortify without permission of and oversight by their superior.

I could be wrong about this and am open to correction. But when I went through RCIA, this is what we were taught. In reading the saints, I see that it wasn’t uncommon for saints to request this of their spiritual directors or religious superiors but the use of mortification was not always granted for a variety of reasons, both physical and spiritual or emotional.

 

[KathleenGee]

I remember my old pastor over 20 years ago lift up a crucifix at Mass.

He turned it around with no Christ, and said this is man interpreting Scripture, not the Apostles.

Then he turned it around, and He said this is Christ present to us on the Cross.

St Catherine of Siena speaks of coming to the Heavenly Father solely through the Crucified Lord. We all have to take up our cross.

I also know of protestants and others who have gone into speak to a priest in the confessional for counselling. I do not know what was said or anything, but there are those who, not being Catholic, have done so.

 

[peace2u2]

I remember my old pastor over 20 years ago lift up a crucifix at Mass.

He turned it around with no Christ, and said this is man interpreting Scripture, not the Apostles.

Then he turned it around, and He said this is Christ present to us on the Cross.

St Catherine of Siena speaks of coming to the Heavenly Father solely through the Crucified Lord. We all have to take up our cross.

I also know of protestants and others who have gone into speak to a priest in the confessional for counselling. I do not know what was said or anything, but there are those who, not being Catholic, have done so.

Yes, I don’t understand why people find the Crucifix offensive - A few years back I took my kids to a presentation on the Shroud of Turin. It was powerful. I had no idea that the Passion of Christ would spill out into that presentation or I may have not brought my kids. But I’m glad that I brought them. It moved my kids like nothing I had ever witnessed. It was as if we were brought right back to that moment in time when Jesus was scouraged, beaten, spit on and nailed onto that cross. We wept and our hearts ached for this man Jesus who did all this for us individually. There was not a dry eye in that Church.

Yes, I have heard Protestants going to confession,and I believe their sins are forgiven but they can’t receive absolution for those sins so you would still take them into the next life and be purified of them there in purgatory. So I guess its be purified now or later?