Meat on Good Friday...Mortal Sin?

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“It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” 2 Thess. 2:15

Sacred Tradition is the Word of God living in the Church, equal with Scripture, which is the Sacred Traditions that have been written.

These should not be confused with the traditions of men, which are fine, so long as they don’t contradict God’s commandments. What God has given is on another level than man made “rules”.

Paul gives an example of Sacred Tradition here:

"… hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,… I Cor. 15:3

This Sacred Tradition is what the Apostles believed and taught. It is the Word of God living in the Church. Many of these Sacred Traditions, like this one, have been woven into creeds.
So you don’t think creating a rule saying that one is not to eat meat on any particular day is NOT a MAN-MADE rule?

Interesting…

The apostles FASTED.
They DIDN’T eliminate meat from the diet one day of the week…

If the church means to follow tradition, the let it follow TRADITION !
And NOT a man-made rule –

GG
 
So you don’t think creating a rule saying that one is not to eat meat on any particular day is NOT a MAN-MADE rule?

Interesting…

The apostles FASTED.
They DIDN’T eliminate meat from the diet one day of the week…

If the church means to follow tradition, the let it follow TRADITION !
And NOT a man-made rule –

GG
Man-made
In-carn-ation
Man-made
In-carn-ation
Man-made
In-carn-ation

:hmmm:
 
I can understand that it’s nice to worship together and it can be very edifying.
The Church is much more than that. It is the body of Christ in the world, speaking His Words and doing His work. To be a Catholic is to be incorporated into Christ both visibly and invisibly. It isn’t just a nice group to belong to that happens to worship together.
What I’m saying is twofold:
  1. It IS the church dictating when and how to fast. Jesus only said that one is to fast. One is to fast when one is doing so for spiritual reasons - not because the church says to.
    Mathew 6:16 Jesus says WHEN we fast, so He did expect his disciples, and by extension us, to fast. He did not mention a specific time.
Correct. That’s why He established the Catholic Church with Peter as our first Pope. “What thou bind on earth I (God) shall bind in Heaven.” (Matt. 16:19) - the Pope makes a rule; God does not admit into Heaven any and all who break that rule. This promise to the Roman Catholic Pope is in the Bible.

In Numbers 16 we see what happens to those who set up their own group or organization in opposition to God’s chosen leader even if they are right and God’s chosen leader is wrong.
Plus, I wouldn’t call not eating meat on any particular day “fasting.”
Nor would I, and neither would the Church. People between the ages of 18 and 59 who are in good health fast on Good Friday, and the remainder abstain from “carne” meaning, warm-blooded meat. (Fish is cold-blooded, so it is permitted, but it’s certainly not required.)
 
The Church is much more than that. It is the body of Christ in the world, speaking His Words and doing His work. To be a Catholic is to be incorporated into Christ both visibly and invisibly. It isn’t just a nice group to belong to that happens to worship together.
JC
I know the Church is more than that.
YOU’RE the one who said it was nice to worship together, not ME.

HOWEVER, it is NICE to be in a GROUP that worships together, nonetheless. THIS is not easy to find within the Catholic church.
Correct. That’s why He established the Catholic Church with Peter as our first Pope. “What thou bind on earth I (God) shall bind in Heaven.” (Matt. 16:19) - the Pope makes a rule; God does not admit into Heaven any and all who break that rule. This promise to the Roman Catholic Pope is in the Bible.
In Numbers 16 we see what happens to those who set up their own group or organization in opposition to God’s chosen leader even if they are right and God’s chosen leader is wrong.
Jesus established the Catholic church?
Peter was the first Pope? I thought the highest position back in the beginning was that of Bishop.
Popes make the rules - NOT GOD??
WHERE in the bible is this promise to the Pope???
The next sentence is so convoluted, I’m not even considering it.

Do you know church history?
It’s in Acts.
Nor would I, and neither would the Church. People between the ages of 18 and 59 who are in good health fast on Good Friday, and the remainder abstain from “carne” meaning, warm-blooded meat. (Fish is cold-blooded, so it is permitted, but it’s certainly not required.)
People between the ages of 18 and 59 FAST ON GOOD FRIDAY.
That’s a good one.
DO YOU PERSONALLY KNOW ANY?
I DON’T. And I know A LOT.

Oh. And is the church now making up its own meaning of words??
CARNE means meat, not warm blooded meat.
By chance, animals ARE warm blooded.

So if you walk into a meat market and say in Italian: Voglio Carne
YOU think it’s saying:
I Want Warm Blooded Meat
??

Please go back a bit and start all over again…

GG
 
JC
I know the Church is more than that.
YOU’RE the one who said it was nice to worship together, not ME.

HOWEVER, it is NICE to be in a GROUP that worships together, nonetheless. THIS is not easy to find within the Catholic church.
The Mass is how the people of Christ’s New Covenant worship together. (See [First Corinthians chapter 11](1 Corinthians 11:17-34))
Jesus established the Catholic church?
Yes. The Book of Matthew, chapter 16, and verse 18

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.

This is where Jesus is establishing the Church. It is not a man-made institution, but it was established by Jesus on Peter (the name given to Simon by Jesus right at that same moment, to signify that he is the Rock that is the foundation of the Church.)
Peter was the first Pope? I thought the highest position back in the beginning was that of Bishop.
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome. The Papacy is in Rome because that is where Peter, our first Pope, was first jailed (thus forcing the headquarters of the Church to change from Jerusalem to Rome) and then martyred (meaning that the Bishop of Rome succeeded him as Pope).
Popes make the rules - NOT GOD??
God works through the Pope to make the rules, just as He worked through Moses to give the Ten Commandments.
WHERE in the bible is this promise to the Pope???
Matthew 16:19 -

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
The next sentence is so convoluted, I’m not even considering it.
Here’s a link to the story: Numbers 16 - The Revolt of Korah
Do you know church history?
It’s in Acts.
And doesn’t end there. It continues on in “The Faith of the Early Fathers” by William Jurgens, and “The Sources of Catholic Dogma” by Denzinger, and “The Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma” by Ludwig Ott, which are compilations of the writings of those who came immediately after the Apostles, together with those who came after them - and continuing on up until the present day. The history of the Church isn’t finished yet, and you could become part of it, too, if you were to become a Catholic.

I sometimes get the feeling that there are people in the world who think the Church dropped off the face of the earth between the end of the Book of Acts and the beginning of their specific form of Protestantism, since they seem to be completely unaware of nearly everything that happened in between.
People between the ages of 18 and 59 FAST ON GOOD FRIDAY.
That’s a good one.
DO YOU PERSONALLY KNOW ANY?
I DON’T. And I know A LOT.
I know lots of Catholics who fast on Good Friday (very few of them know any Protestants in person, as it turns out), and now you know one too, because I do that, too.
Oh. And is the church now making up its own meaning of words??
CARNE means meat, not warm blooded meat.
By chance, animals ARE warm blooded.
So if you walk into a meat market and say in Italian: Voglio Carne
YOU think it’s saying:
I Want Warm Blooded Meat
??
I am talking about Latin; not Italian. Two different languages, with certain similarities, but not identical.
 
The Mass is how the people of Christ’s New Covenant worship together. (See [First Corinthians chapter 11](1 Corinthians 11:17-34))

Yes. The Book of Matthew, chapter 16, and verse 18

18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.

This is where Jesus is establishing the Church. It is not a man-made institution, but it was established by Jesus on Peter (the name given to Simon by Jesus right at that same moment, to signify that he is the Rock that is the foundation of the Church.)

The Pope is the Bishop of Rome. The Papacy is in Rome because that is where Peter, our first Pope, was first jailed (thus forcing the headquarters of the Church to change from Jerusalem to Rome) and then martyred (meaning that the Bishop of Rome succeeded him as Pope).

God works through the Pope to make the rules, just as He worked through Moses to give the Ten Commandments.

Matthew 16:19 -

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Here’s a link to the story: Numbers 16 - The Revolt of Korah

And doesn’t end there. It continues on in “The Faith of the Early Fathers” by William Jurgens, and “The Sources of Catholic Dogma” by Denzinger, and “The Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma” by Ludwig Ott, which are compilations of the writings of those who came immediately after the Apostles, together with those who came after them - and continuing on up until the present day. The history of the Church isn’t finished yet, and you could become part of it, too, if you were to become a Catholic.

I sometimes get the feeling that there are people in the world who think the Church dropped off the face of the earth between the end of the Book of Acts and the beginning of their specific form of Protestantism, since they seem to be completely unaware of nearly everything that happened in between.

I know lots of Catholics who fast on Good Friday (very few of them know any Protestants in person, as it turns out), and now you know one too, because I do that, too.

I am talking about Latin; not Italian. Two different languages, with certain similarities, but not identical.
JMCRAE

I wrote you a lengthy letter which has become lost and I cannot rewrite it. I feel badly.
Here’s what it said quickly:
That I don’t intend to argue with you, we are both members of the Body of Christ and I’m not here to debate.

I did speak to the origins of the church and to the office of the Pope. Compared it to the Super Bowl.

I did speak as to how the Papacy was in Jerusalem when Peter was jailed in the Foro Romano, which prison can be visited to this day.

I do want to speak to the binding and loosing. Some theologians disagree with Mathew 16:19-20

I’ll repost from Young’s Literal Translation:

“And I will give to thee the keys of the reign of the heavens, and whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth shall be having b een loosed in the heavens.”

It does not appear to be 100% understood if the meaning is that the binding and loosing is happening on earth and being confirmed in heaven, or if it is already bound and loosed in heaven and being confirmed on earth.

Just for your consideration.

I did mention about how there was the CHURCH, not the Catholic Church - it was called THE WAY, CHRISTIANITY. The Catholic, or Universal, church came later on and must be credited for the bible we have in our possession today.

I’m sorry and rather dismayed to have lost such a lengthy post and am wondering if this could happen again?

GG
p.s. I also mentioned the early church fathers: Anselm, Ignatius, Augustine, Aquinas. I also mentioned that the early church worked hard to remove heresies.
Also, I’m not hard of hearing!! Re the giant lettering. I know the bible pretty well - I don’t mean to upset you…
 
I do want to speak to the binding and loosing. Some theologians disagree with Mathew 16:19-20
They disagree with how the Church understands this (the Way, Christianity, the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church are all one and the same thing) - just because someone disagrees does not mean that the question has not been settled, years ago. (250 AD; Iraneaus against the Heresies)
I’ll repost from Young’s Literal Translation:
“And I will give to thee the keys of the reign of the heavens, and whatever thou mayest bind upon the earth shall be having been bound in the heavens, and whatever thou mayest loose upon the earth shall be having been loosed in the heavens.”
Young was a Protestant; of course he would translate it in such a way as to promote Protestant ideas. The original in Greek shows that Peter is the Pope, and that he has authority to bind the Church to the rules that God shows him, and to release the Church from rules that no longer apply to our generation, as shown to him by God.
It does not appear to be 100% understood if the meaning is that the binding and loosing is happening on earth and being confirmed in heaven, or if it is already bound and loosed in heaven and being confirmed on earth.
Does it matter? So long as the Pope gives them to us, and we follow the Pope - that’s the important thing.
Just for your consideration.
I did mention about how there was the CHURCH, not the Catholic Church - it was called THE WAY, CHRISTIANITY. The Catholic, or Universal, church came later on and must be credited for the bible we have in our possession today.
That is not what you find when you read the original sources. The Catholic Church as we see it today was already in existence, with not a single “proto-Baptist” in sight, when St. Ignatius of Antioch was being taken away to be eaten by the lions in 110 AD, just five years after the death of St. John the Evangelist on the island of Patmos, and while the four Gospels and the Book of Revelation was just beginning to be made public.
I also mentioned the early church fathers: Anselm, Ignatius, Augustine, Aquinas. I also mentioned that the early church worked hard to remove heresies.
Which it has to keep on doing, over and over again, which is why we need the Pope and the Magisterium. The Bible by itself cannot combat heresy, since the heretics take the Bible and misuse it to promote their false ideas, and then tell people that they aren’t allowed to look to the Holy Tradition to confirm their false interpretations of the Bible.
Also, I’m not hard of hearing!! Re the giant lettering. I know the bible pretty well - I don’t mean to upset you…
My apologies - I kept referring to those verses, and you kept skimming past them and ignoring them.

Peter was our first Pope. Jesus had set him in charge. He does it again in John 21:15-19,in order to reinstate and confirm him in his Papal role after everything that happened with the Crucifixion.

swordsoftruth.com/2016/04/10/more-than-these-homily-by-fr-jerome/
 
:
  1. It IS the church dictating when and how to fast. Jesus only said that one is to fast. One is to fast when one is doing so for spiritual reasons - not because the church says to., He did not mention a specific time.
He gave His authority to the Apostles to choose a specific time. It is curious that you interpret this leadership as “dictating” rather than sherpherding. Let me ask you about this example:
Code:
  Sanctify a fast, 
  call a solemn assembly. 
  Gather the elders 
  and all the inhabitants of the land 
  to the house of the LORD your God; 
  and cry to the LORD. Joel 1:14
How are the faithful to learn that a fast has been sanctified? How are they to learn that a solemn assembly has been called? how are the elders to be gathered? Does this have to be “dictated” or can there be leadership functioning?

23*And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed. Acts 14:23

Who are “they”? Do you think “they dictated fasting”?
Code:
 Plus, I wouldn't call not eating meat on any particular day "fasting."  It's pretty hypocritical actually.  To replace meat with fish is nonsense.  Fasting means NOT EATING so that one could pray and think about God and spiriitual matters.  Replacing meat with fish OR eliminating meat altogether is not biblical  fasting.
This seems somewhat narrow minded. In fact, fish is not always substituted for meat during the corporate fast, and fasting is not limited to not eating, although this is part of our corporate fasting. Or perhaps you think God is being hypocritical when He says through the prophet:
Code:
  "Is not this the fast that I choose: 
  to loose the bonds of wickedness, 
  to undo the thongs of the yoke, 
  to let the oppressed go free, 
  and to break every yoke? 
  7*Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, 
  and bring the homeless poor into your house; 
  when you see the naked, to cover him, 
  and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? "  Isa 58
Apparently “biblical fasting” is much broader than you have imagined.
If the person is fasting for the correct reason, and not because the church has laid down this rule, then I believe something will be gained from it.
What you have done here is create a false dichotomy. The Church does not want people to “fast for the wrong reason”. Of course great spiritual benefit can be found in fasting. You seem to have an authority issue, in couching this in terms of “laid down the rule”. Leadership is not about dictating and “laying down rules”. It is about guiding the faithful into "fasting for the right reason.

A person who spurns the leadership appointed by Christ spurns Him as well. It is a sign that a person is not holding a humble attitude toward God, and is not having a teachable spirit. Such things can endanger the soul.
Yes. This is going too far.
The serious readers of the bible fast because they want to, not because they are told to.
Quite true. But it seems that you are again creating a false dichotomy. You seem to be assuming that Catholics are unwilling to fast, just because the Church calls for a fast. Why would you assume that?
I agree that the church is the instructor on how to apply biblical principles, so: The instruction should be proper. True fasting should be taught. It should act as an “instructor” and not as a condemner.
It is the duty of the Church to warn the faithful when they are in danger. Refusing to participate in the corporate fast is a sign that one is not joined in heart and mind with the Church.
The question to end all questions. The great divide. Tradition is good, but it MUST adhere to biblical principles or we go way out of line. This is a perfect example. Something good is taken, and turned into a man-made rule with dire consequences if not followed.
This is a common mistake made by “bible Christians”. But the Catholic faith, unlike the faith of “bible Christians” is not extracted from the pages of Scripture. Our faith is handed down to us from the Apostles, and is not limitied to only what can be found in the pages of the text (which was produced by, for, and about Catholics).

What you are saying is that your interpretation of what “biblical principles” are is better and more accurate than what was handed down to us by the Apostles. The above verses show that “biblical fasting” is much more than your narrow interpretation allows. By what authority should we accept your interpretation of what is “biblical” over that of the Apostles?
Mathew 15:3
"And He answered and said to them, "Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? "

In the above verse, Jesus was telling the pharisees that His disciples could ignore the tradition of men because it was not scriptural. He was referring here to the washing of hands, but it could refer to anything when done by rote instead of with spirituality.
Yes. But there is nothing about fasting that violates the commandments of God. 😃

Handwashing does not violate the commandments of God either.

There is nothing wrong with doing good things by “rote” either, though they are much more beneficial if they are done with spirituality.
I believe the church is changing in this regard - in following the spirit of the law instead of the letter of the law. Jesus elevated everything to the spiritual.

GG
So, are you saying now that it is no longer spiritual to fast?
 
He gave His authority to the Apostles to choose a specific time. It is curious that you interpret this leadership as “dictating” rather than sherpherding. Let me ask you about this example:
Code:
  Sanctify a fast, 
  call a solemn assembly. 
  Gather the elders 
  and all the inhabitants of the land 
  to the house of the LORD your God; 
  and cry to the LORD. Joel 1:14
How are the faithful to learn that a fast has been sanctified? How are they to learn that a solemn assembly has been called? how are the elders to be gathered? Does this have to be “dictated” or can there be leadership functioning?

23*And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed. Acts 14:23

Who are “they”? Do you think “they dictated fasting”?

This seems somewhat narrow minded. In fact, fish is not always substituted for meat during the corporate fast, and fasting is not limited to not eating, although this is part of our corporate fasting. Or perhaps you think God is being hypocritical when He says through the prophet:
Code:
  "Is not this the fast that I choose: 
  to loose the bonds of wickedness, 
  to undo the thongs of the yoke, 
  to let the oppressed go free, 
  and to break every yoke? 
  7*Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, 
  and bring the homeless poor into your house; 
  when you see the naked, to cover him, 
  and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? "  Isa 58
Apparently “biblical fasting” is much broader than you have imagined.

What you have done here is create a false dichotomy. The Church does not want people to “fast for the wrong reason”. Of course great spiritual benefit can be found in fasting. You seem to have an authority issue, in couching this in terms of “laid down the rule”. Leadership is not about dictating and “laying down rules”. It is about guiding the faithful into "fasting for the right reason.

A person who spurns the leadership appointed by Christ spurns Him as well. It is a sign that a person is not holding a humble attitude toward God, and is not having a teachable spirit. Such things can endanger the soul.
Yes. This is going too far.

Quite true. But it seems that you are again creating a false dichotomy. You seem to be assuming that Catholics are unwilling to fast, just because the Church calls for a fast. Why would you assume that?

It is the duty of the Church to warn the faithful when they are in danger. Refusing to participate in the corporate fast is a sign that one is not joined in heart and mind with the Church.

This is a common mistake made by “bible Christians”. But the Catholic faith, unlike the faith of “bible Christians” is not extracted from the pages of Scripture. Our faith is handed down to us from the Apostles, and is not limitied to only what can be found in the pages of the text (which was produced by, for, and about Catholics).

What you are saying is that your interpretation of what “biblical principles” are is better and more accurate than what was handed down to us by the Apostles. The above verses show that “biblical fasting” is much more than your narrow interpretation allows. By what authority should we accept your interpretation of what is “biblical” over that of the Apostles?

Yes. But there is nothing about fasting that violates the commandments of God. 😃

Handwashing does not violate the commandments of God either.

There is nothing wrong with doing good things by “rote” either, though they are much more beneficial if they are done with spirituality.

So, are you saying now that it is no longer spiritual to fast?
Sorry. Too much stuff to get into and I’m worried you might be argumentative.
I’ll only reply to Isaiah 58.

WHAT does this have to do with fasting???

In fact, I’d say it proves MY point.
I do thank you for that.

GG
 
Sorry. Too much stuff to get into and I’m worried you might be argumentative.
I’ll only reply to Isaiah 58.

WHAT does this have to do with fasting???
It refers to the things God wants us to fast from in addition to food and drink, so as to make our fasting from food and drink spiritually fruitful.
 
It refers to the things God wants us to fast from in addition to food and drink, so as to make our fasting from food and drink spiritually fruitful.
Yes. I know.
It has everything to do with spirituality - which has been my point all along.
It has NOTHING to do with eliminating meat on Fridays (or other holy days).

THIS is my whole point!
If the church is to teach fasting, then it should teach biblical fasting, which is far more than eliminating a food product…

GG
 
Yes. I know.
It has everything to do with spirituality - which has been my point all along.
It has NOTHING to do with eliminating meat on Fridays (or other holy days).

THIS is my whole point!
If the church is to teach fasting, then it should teach biblical fasting, which is far more than eliminating a food product…

GG
The Church already teaches all of these things. Where are you getting the idea that it doesn’t?

There were prescribed fasts in the time of Isaiah, too - Isaiah was the person in charge of prescribing them, since he was the spiritual leader of the people in those days. Do you think he was contradicting his own role in what he wrote here, or do you think he was explaining the purpose of the laws of fasting?
 
The Church already teaches all of these things. Where are you getting the idea that it doesn’t?

There were prescribed fasts in the time of Isaiah, too - Isaiah was the person in charge of prescribing them, since he was the spiritual leader of the people in those days. Do you think he was contradicting his own role in what he wrote here, or do you think he was explaining the purpose of the laws of fasting?
Jmcrae

Must leave after this.
Isaiah:
Please read Isaiah 58:1-5

It’s saying that God DOES NOT want fasting as the Israelites were practicing it.

Isaiah 58:2
The people were going to the temple every day to hear the laws, but God is saying that they did not obey them. That they only loved to hear them.

Isaiah 58:3
The people are saying to God. We’ve fasted for You, why aren’t You happy? Why don’t You see our sacrifices? The people are telling God that they’ve done much penance but God doesn’t even acknowledge it.

God tells them that He doesn’t see their sacrifices because even while they do them, they keep on oppressing the workers.

Isaiah 58:4
What good is fasting if there is fighting going on all the time? This “type of fasting” will get the people nowhere with God.

Isaiah 58:5
God is asking if this is what the people think He wants. Putting on sackcloth and coverings with ashes. Is this what we can call fasting?

Even Jesus said to pray in our closets and not to look sad when fasting so as not to bring attention to it.
Mathew 6:1

Then Isaiah goes on to say what God does want. Isaiah 58:6…

I DO think Isaiah is teaching the people the laws of God. But what were those Laws?
Were they really about fasting? Well, not in this chapter, although you don’t need to prove to me that fasting was acceptable in both the O.T. and the N.T.

But, yes, I do know, for sure, that the church does not teach why in understandable detail. People see this as making a sacrifice. As though anything they do could add to the sacrifice of Jesus.

A personal aside: A friend of mine gave up chocolate for lent. She’s used to doing this every year. Only problem is: She’s living with someone while she’s not eating the chocolate.

See? No teaching. This does sadden me.

Thanks for the nice conversation.
Tomorrow…

GG
 
Jmcrae

Must leave after this.
Isaiah:
Please read Isaiah 58:1-5

It’s saying that God DOES NOT want fasting as the Israelites were practicing it.
Right. Because they were misunderstanding the purpose of it.

Just as some here are misunderstanding the purpose of fasting in the Catholic Church.
Isaiah 58:2
The people were going to the temple every day to hear the laws, but God is saying that they did not obey them. That they only loved to hear them.
Right. They wanted faith without works.
Isaiah 58:3
The people are saying to God. We’ve fasted for You, why aren’t You happy? Why don’t You see our sacrifices? The people are telling God that they’ve done much penance but God doesn’t even acknowledge it.
God tells them that He doesn’t see their sacrifices because even while they do them, they keep on oppressing the workers.
Isaiah 58:4
What good is fasting if there is fighting going on all the time? This “type of fasting” will get the people nowhere with God.
Isaiah 58:5
God is asking if this is what the people think He wants. Putting on sackcloth and coverings with ashes. Is this what we can call fasting?
Even Jesus said to pray in our closets and not to look sad when fasting so as not to bring attention to it.
Mathew 6:1
This is all exactly what the Catholic Church teaches.
But, yes, I do know, for sure, that the church does not teach why in understandable detail. People see this as making a sacrifice. As though anything they do could add to the sacrifice of Jesus.
A personal aside: A friend of mine gave up chocolate for lent. She’s used to doing this every year. Only problem is: She’s living with someone while she’s not eating the chocolate.
See? No teaching. This does sadden me.
If she didn’t hear it, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t taught. I took classes in Algebra for years when I was in school, but I can’t do it very well today - not because I wasn’t taught, but because I wasn’t interested in learning, and didn’t see any application in my own life.

This is a failure of the student; not a failure of the teacher.
 
HOWEVER, it is NICE to be in a GROUP that worships together, nonetheless. THIS is not easy to find within the Catholic church.
This is curious, I find one at every liturgy. :confused:
Jesus established the Catholic church?
Yes.
Peter was the first Pope? I thought the highest position back in the beginning was that of Bishop.
Yes. The Apostles filled the role of Overseer. The Pope is a Bishop.
Code:
  Popes make the rules - NOT GOD??
WHERE in the bible is this promise to the Pope???
This seems to set up a false dichotomy, as if the rules made by the Pope are not of God.

The authority for binding and loosing is a legislative power. We call them disciplines, rather than rules.
Do you know church history?
Not as much as I would like, but I am working on it.
It’s in Acts.
The authority given to Peter?
Code:
 People between the ages of 18 and 59 FAST ON GOOD FRIDAY.
That’s a good one.
DO YOU PERSONALLY KNOW ANY?
I DON’T. And I know A LOT.
YOu know a lot of people that fast on good friday?
Oh. And is the church now making up its own meaning of words??
There are some very ancient words and concepts that have different meanings than the modern uses of the words.
I wrote you a lengthy letter which has become lost and I cannot rewrite it. I feel badly.
I hate it when that happens.
I did speak to the origins of the church and to the office of the Pope. Compared it to the Super Bowl.

I did speak as to how the Papacy was in Jerusalem when Peter was jailed in the Foro Romano, which prison can be visited to this day.

I do want to speak to the binding and loosing. Some theologians disagree with Mathew 16:19-20
Of course you don’t! This is a foundation of the Papacy.
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It does not appear to be 100% understood if the meaning is that the binding and loosing is happening on earth and being confirmed in heaven, or if it is already bound and loosed in heaven and being confirmed on earth.
Why not?
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 Just for your consideration.
I did mention about how there was the CHURCH, not the Catholic Church - it was called THE WAY, CHRISTIANITY. The Catholic, or Universal, church came later on and must be credited for the bible we have in our possession today.
The Church in the NT is the Catholic Church. The NT was written by, for, and about Catholics. It was first described as catholic in Acts 9:31. The Church throughout - there was no other Church. By the end of the first century the modifier became a proper noun.
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I'm sorry and rather dismayed to have lost such a lengthy post and am wondering if this could happen again?
Sometimes they can be recovered by going backward in your browser. The safest thing is to copy it before send, so if it gets lost in transmission you can paste it back, or write in a notepad then paste it to the window.
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Also, I'm not hard of hearing!! Re the giant lettering.  I know the bible pretty well - I don't mean to upset you...
Its seems that you are looking at it, but you don’t process what it says.🤷
 
I believe the church is changing in this regard - in following the spirit of the law instead of the letter of the law. Jesus elevated everything to the spiritual.
How does one follow the spirit of the law “instead of” the letter of the law?

Surely it is “both/and”. You can follow the letter of the law (which leads to legalism) without the spirit of the law, but I don’t think you can follow the spirit of the law without including its’ letter.

Would this kind of thinking also apply to your friend who is living with her boyfriend?

Perhaps she is thinking that she is following the “spirit” of the laws of marriage “instead of” the letter of the law - because somehow the letter and the spirit are opposed, and so to follow the spirit you actually have to do something contrary to the letter of the law.
 
Right. Because they were misunderstanding the purpose of it.

Just as some here are misunderstanding the purpose of fasting in the Catholic Church.
Good morning Jmcrae
Some here understand the purpose of the fasting in the CC.
Some here know that not everyone who shows up for Mass on Sunday do.
Some here know that some really high ups do not practice what they preach.
Some here know that we must worship in spirit and in truth, NOT in Law.

I cannot be FORCED to fast. It has NO VALUE.
And, to add going to hell for not doing it is adding injury to insult, IMHO.
Right. They wanted faith without works.
Did they even want faith??
Maybe they just liked to hear the words, thinking that would be enough?
No faith.
No works.
This is all exactly what the Catholic Church teaches.
I agree. Too bad only those such as yourself know about it. I don’t need to ask you because I know that YOU are fasting for spiritual reasons.
If she didn’t hear it, it doesn’t mean it wasn’t taught. I took classes in Algebra for years when I was in school, but I can’t do it very well today - not because I wasn’t taught, but because I wasn’t interested in learning, and didn’t see any application in my own life.
This is a failure of the student; not a failure of the teacher.
I cannot agree. She didn’t hear it because it was never said. WHEN was she supposed to have hfeard it? At a special bible study that happens once every two weeks? Do you know how many people even go? Right. They’re not interested. SO, we never say it at any other time? How about when there are hundreds of people at Mass on Sunday? How about during the sermon? I know this could be done - I’ve seen it. Priests tell me it’s a Mass and not a schoolroom. So, then, WHEN is the teaching to take place?

Do you think everyone who goes to Mass is as interested in learning their faith as you are? Think about all the time and effort you put forth in learning. Most people are not willing to do this - they must be taught when the opportunity presents itself. This is not happening.

I can’t see this as a failure of the student. I went to a Nazarene Church for about 10 years and the amount of learning going on there is phenomenal. Both at bible study (which not everyone went to) and at the service on Sunday morning. Then some are more interested and will study more, but at least everyone will have the basics. I know RC’s who don’t know what it means that Jesus died for them.

I’m sorry. Let me stop.

GG
 
This is curious, I find one at every liturgy. :confused:

Yes.

Yes. The Apostles filled the role of Overseer. The Pope is a Bishop.

This seems to set up a false dichotomy, as if the rules made by the Pope are not of God.

The authority for binding and loosing is a legislative power. We call them disciplines, rather than rules.

Not as much as I would like, but I am working on it.

The authority given to Peter?

YOu know a lot of people that fast on good friday?

There are some very ancient words and concepts that have different meanings than the modern uses of the words.

I hate it when that happens.

Of course you don’t! This is a foundation of the Papacy.

Why not?

The Church in the NT is the Catholic Church. The NT was written by, for, and about Catholics. It was first described as catholic in Acts 9:31. The Church throughout - there was no other Church. By the end of the first century the modifier became a proper noun.

Sometimes they can be recovered by going backward in your browser. The safest thing is to copy it before send, so if it gets lost in transmission you can paste it back, or write in a notepad then paste it to the window.

Its seems that you are looking at it, but you don’t process what it says.🤷
HUH??
I don’t write books. And the above would require a book.
Thanks for the info on the browser.
Will do.

GG
 
I cannot be FORCED to fast. It has NO VALUE.
I am not sure this is entirely true. Persons who are compulsed to do things they don’t want to know can benefit by the experience if they embrace the suffering with thankfulness and joy towards God. If you were imprisoned unjustly, could you not create value in it by accepting the suffering?

But I do agree with your point that the goal of corporate fsting is for all of us to joint our hearts and spirits together as one. This does not happen unless one is ready, willing, and able to participate by consecrating themselves to the task.
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 And, to add going to hell for not doing it is adding injury to insult, IMHO.
I think you are confused about mortal sins. A person who sins mortally is not “going to hell” unless they fail to repent. It is the duty of the Church to warn the faithful when they are going in the wrong direction. A soul that is not disposed to join with the Body in a corporal work such as fasting indicates that a disconnecton already exists.
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I agree.  Too bad only those such as yourself know about it.  I don't need to ask you because I know that YOU are fasting for spiritual reasons.
We are certainly have a great deal of catechesis and spiritual formation before us.
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   So, then, WHEN is the teaching to take place?
This is an excellent question. Most Catholics only have a childhood level of education in their faith, and the opportunties for adult formation are still far too thin. My parish has absolutely no ministries in this area. All the resources are poured into the K-8 school.
Code:
 Do you think everyone who goes to Mass is as interested in learning their faith as you are?  Think about all the time and effort you put forth in learning.  Most people are not willing to do this - they must be taught when the opportunity presents itself.  This is not happening.
Not often enough, surely, though there are some very good teachers/preachers that make great use of the homily. One can also find good homilies online now to compensate for those that lack such skills.
I can’t see this as a failure of the student. I went to a Nazarene Church for about 10 years and the amount of learning going on there is phenomenal. Both at bible study (which not everyone went to) and at the service on Sunday morning. Then some are more interested and will study more, but at least everyone will have the basics. I know RC’s who don’t know what it means that Jesus died for them.
Frightening, isn’t it?
I’m sorry. Let me stop.

GG
Or perhaps you should start? Have you ever considered that you are being called to the ministry of adult faith formation?
 
I am not sure this is entirely true. Persons who are compulsed to do things they don’t want to know can benefit by the experience if they embrace the suffering with thankfulness and joy towards God. If you were imprisoned unjustly, could you not create value in it by accepting the suffering?

But I do agree with your point that the goal of corporate fsting is for all of us to joint our hearts and spirits together as one. This does not happen unless one is ready, willing, and able to participate by consecrating themselves to the task.

I think you are confused about mortal sins. A person who sins mortally is not “going to hell” unless they fail to repent. It is the duty of the Church to warn the faithful when they are going in the wrong direction. A soul that is not disposed to join with the Body in a corporal work such as fasting indicates that a disconnecton already exists.

We are certainly have a great deal of catechesis and spiritual formation before us.

This is an excellent question. Most Catholics only have a childhood level of education in their faith, and the opportunties for adult formation are still far too thin. My parish has absolutely no ministries in this area. All the resources are poured into the K-8 school.

Not often enough, surely, though there are some very good teachers/preachers that make great use of the homily. One can also find good homilies online now to compensate for those that lack such skills.

Frightening, isn’t it?

Or perhaps you should start? Have you ever considered that you are being called to the ministry of adult faith formation?
I see that we agree on a lot. As it should be.

GG
 
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