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zaffiroborant
Guest
I have a feeling that if I can’t “identify” with a parable, it’s due to my lack of understanding, not because it doesn’t apply to me. I believe that all the parables are addressed to every one, in every place, in every time.
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catholic-rcia
Guest
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catholic-rcia
Guest
Jesus is my God,Rich,
It would seem that Mother Theresa was being “sanctified” by her service to others and her relationship with Christ during her life, but I wouldn’t call it a “near ultimate state.” I think marriage brings with it some "face-the-facts of your own weaknesses’ situations that one doesn’t confront when they are single, even if serving others in such a selfless way as she did. (In other words, there may have been some aspects of her inner self that she didn’t have to confront in the situations she faced in her life. But she could still be learning those qualities in the spirit world, where she is undoubtedly still being of service to other spirits and teaching them about following Christ by serving others.)
Other selfless people, in various roles and situations and “stations” in life, certainly exemplify being a follower of Christ and becoming sanctified by the Holy Spirit as they identify their own weaknesses and repent of their sins, grow in their compassion and listening skills, and learn to strengthen others as they help them also to come unto Christ.
Jesus is my Spouse,
Jesus is my Life,
Jesus is my only Love,
Jesus is my All in All;
Jesus is my Everything."
Who is Jesus to me?
Jesus is the Word made Flesh.
Jesus is the Bread of Life.
Jesus is the Victim offered for our sins on the Cross.
Jesus is the Sacrifice at Holy Mass for the sins of the world and mine.
Jesus is the Word - to be spoken.
Jesus is the Truth - to be told.
Jesus is the Way - to be walked.
Jesus is the Light - to be lit.
Jesus is the Life - to be loved.
Jesus is the Joy - to be shared.
Jesus is the Sacrifice - to be given.
Jesus is the Bread of Life - to be eaten.
Jesus is the Hungry - to be fed.
Jesus is the Thirsty - to be satiated.
Jesus is the Naked - to be clothed.
Jesus is the Homeless - to be taken in.
Jesus is the Sick - to be healed.
Jesus is the Lonely - to be loved.
Jesus is the Unwanted - to be wanted.
Jesus is the Leper - to wash his wounds.
Jesus is the Beggar - to give him a smile.
Jesus is the Drunkard - to listen to him.
Jesus is the Little One - to embrace him.
Jesus is the Dumb - to speak to him.
Jesus is the Crippled - to walk with him.
Jesus is the Drug Addict - to befriend him.
Jesus is the Prostitute - to remove from danger and befriend her.
Jesus is the Prisoner - to be visited.
Jesus is the Old - to be served.
To me –
Jesus is my God,
Jesus is my Spouse,
Jesus is my Life,
Jesus is my only Love,
Jesus is my All in All,
Jesus is my Everything. Amen.
Mother Teresa
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ParkerD
Guest
Zaffiroborant,
Thanks again for the terrific sermon and its insights. I love the parable of the Prodigal Son. I certainly find that I identify with its teachings through example. Just because I haven’t “been there, done that” with regard to riotous living, doesn’t mean I don’t agree with the many applications of that parable as noted in the great sermon you shared. Peace.
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zaffiroborant
Guest
Your post reminds me of the parable of the tax-collector.
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ParkerD
Guest
Yes, I suppose that Matthew 22 does have application. I also think Matthew 21:42 and Matthew 24 and 25 have application.
One of the things I think is significant in the parable of the Prodigal Son, is that the young man is reconciled directly with his father with no priest involved. This is an important teaching moment of the Savior about the New Covenant gospel.
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catholic-rcia
Guest
Maybe you do not see a direct line to Jesus regarding Confession, but it is very Cahtolic indeed. If what you say were correct than we would not need to have one stand in while being baptized. We would just go to the river and do this ourselves, just us and God. But Jesus left us servants to stand in while He was away. Yet He is always with us in Spirit. When I go to Confession I go directly to Jesus through the Father, in the Holy Spifit, in heaven have no doubt… It is always God whom I confess to. Anything else short of that would be impossible for me. Since you have another theology regarding Trinity I can accept that you will not understand these points.
What about my question about Issac Jouges Parker, do you see him being sanctified Like you do Mother Teresa?
Here is a Homily by a Catholic priest beow, a Trappist Monk who resides in Huntsville Utah at the Holy trinity Monastery. Each year me and about 10 other sinners stay over for a weekend in solitude . At night Father Cummings comes with stories such as this. I had the pleasure once of having Him hear my confession to Jesus. He started by having me read from the scriptures. He gave me two choices. One was the Prodigal Son. I chose the prodigal son and as I did the whole of my sins came crashing down. (little lies, not being patent enough with my children, talking about others with them not being present, falling a bit short with my business, missing all Saints Mass, being self centered at times, looking at other women, not turning my head as I should…etc…etc. Things that I was not shaking on my own so to speak. In these things I am the Prodigal son as one single little lie not only kills us, it also plays a part as crucifier because one little lie is an assault against Jesus Himself. It is a whip, it is spitting, plucking of His beard. All sin arises from Satans hatred of Jesus large or small sin. It’s all the same, all the same consequence. It would be nice to walk through this life thinking I am not like the other sinner over there.(Tax Collector) But not really because I would miss Christ’s love for me in measures….WELLL ….But at the same time go ahead and through me in amongst the Tax Collector as well because I see myself as him as at times as well. So we do have this in common Parker. Jesus does not direct His stories to those over there; they are pointed directly to you and me Parker.
You can think of your self as special, as doing good. But when you come face to face with Jesus and who He is you know how small you really are. Don’t get me wrong Parker, this is the most freeing experience I believe one can have in ones life as Jesus becomes larger than life itself. It is the Churches great Wisdom that these rooms for the great physician are at the heart of each Parish.
Father Cummings Homilies
Excerpts
The Prodigal Son
Next post…
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catholic-rcia
Guest
It doesn’t take a great deal of imagination to see that the parable of the Prodigal Son is the perfect image of the sacrament of reconciliation. “Only the heart of Christ who knows the depth of His Father’s love, could reveal to us the abyss of His mercy in so simple and beautiful a way.”(Catechism of the Catholic Church) In the confessional, the priest awaits the return of prodigal sons and daughters with eager longing. It’s so lovely to see a country like Italy where old priests stand beside the confessionals for long hours on the lookout, as in the parable, for a lone figure coming into view with a burden that God alone can remove. How sad it is that this embrace of the merciful Father is not sought out by many today!
Like the son in the parable, we often begin to seek forgiveness with imperfect sorrow, for selfish, fearful reasons. Or we are not aware of the full depths of our sins. Only in the graced encounter with Christ in the sacrament do we see ourselves as we truly are; there, our imperfect motives are converted into perfect contrition so that we might merit to hear the words “Your sins have been forgiven, go in peace”. If we lose the sense of sin then we also lose the joy of being saved, and this is the beginning of heavenly joy. Do you experience the joy of being saved? The deep, abiding joy of belonging to God, of having been bought at a price, of being accepted by the one who said "All that the Father gives me will come to me; and Him who comes to me I will not cast out. (Jn. 6.37.)? In this sacrament not only are our sins forgiven, but we are put back in relationship with God and the Church. There is the joy of communion with all that is holy and beautiful and true.
Let us not forget the elder brother. Even if he had not left the Father with a break, an obvious mortal sin, he stayed ostensibly close and yet his heart was far from him. He worked at pious practices without fruit or purpose. He was selfish and his pettiness grew. He did not ever check his venial sins but let them grow more numerous until the full extent of his pride and vanity was revealed by his hard attitude toward his brother. We must always humble ourselves before God or we will forget that we are sinners. This is why, if priests are to be merciful confessors, they must be penitents themselves.
In this great Sacrament we are made capable of loving. The fruits of this love are peace, joy and mercy. What then are we doing starving for these fruits in the land of egoism? Let us rise up, “come to our senses” and return to the Father again and again, month in and month out, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Like the son in the parable, we often begin to seek forgiveness with imperfect sorrow, for selfish, fearful reasons. Or we are not aware of the full depths of our sins. Only in the graced encounter with Christ in the sacrament do we see ourselves as we truly are; there, our imperfect motives are converted into perfect contrition so that we might merit to hear the words “Your sins have been forgiven, go in peace”. If we lose the sense of sin then we also lose the joy of being saved, and this is the beginning of heavenly joy. Do you experience the joy of being saved? The deep, abiding joy of belonging to God, of having been bought at a price, of being accepted by the one who said "All that the Father gives me will come to me; and Him who comes to me I will not cast out. (Jn. 6.37.)? In this sacrament not only are our sins forgiven, but we are put back in relationship with God and the Church. There is the joy of communion with all that is holy and beautiful and true.
Let us not forget the elder brother. Even if he had not left the Father with a break, an obvious mortal sin, he stayed ostensibly close and yet his heart was far from him. He worked at pious practices without fruit or purpose. He was selfish and his pettiness grew. He did not ever check his venial sins but let them grow more numerous until the full extent of his pride and vanity was revealed by his hard attitude toward his brother. We must always humble ourselves before God or we will forget that we are sinners. This is why, if priests are to be merciful confessors, they must be penitents themselves.
In this great Sacrament we are made capable of loving. The fruits of this love are peace, joy and mercy. What then are we doing starving for these fruits in the land of egoism? Let us rise up, “come to our senses” and return to the Father again and again, month in and month out, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
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RebeccaJ
Guest
RCIA—As usual, wonderfully said. Like St. Paul, we are slaves of Jesus Christ.
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KathleenGee
Guest
Yes, we are slaves, not saints.
I think the whole bottom issue in Mormonism is the Catholic priesthood. I sense a contempt for it…wasn’t there a ritual they used to do up to 1997 where the men grabbed their throats…reacting to the Catholic priesthood.
The Naziis would be particularly cruel to a prisoner if they found out he was a priest.
I am now going to focus on this anti-Catholic priest spirit…
The Old Testament predicted that the Savior would speak to us in parables…if we do not understand one now, we will through life experience, come to understand it. Parables draw us into ourselves and see how we are measuring up, whether we are on the right track or not.
When I was young, I prayed to Christ to understand the Gospels the way He wanted and it was very, very hard. Of course, I would go to Mass…but the more I understood the parables, I could see that to facilitate my understanding I must remain in the living – living union and presence of Christ…and suffer with the Cross He has given me.
What I mean is, to get the true understanding…and the priest reflections would confirm it…was that I had to deny myself and my way of looking at things and my selfish ego and pride. And it is so easy to get off every single day.
I think the whole bottom issue in Mormonism is the Catholic priesthood. I sense a contempt for it…wasn’t there a ritual they used to do up to 1997 where the men grabbed their throats…reacting to the Catholic priesthood.
The Naziis would be particularly cruel to a prisoner if they found out he was a priest.
I am now going to focus on this anti-Catholic priest spirit…
The Old Testament predicted that the Savior would speak to us in parables…if we do not understand one now, we will through life experience, come to understand it. Parables draw us into ourselves and see how we are measuring up, whether we are on the right track or not.
When I was young, I prayed to Christ to understand the Gospels the way He wanted and it was very, very hard. Of course, I would go to Mass…but the more I understood the parables, I could see that to facilitate my understanding I must remain in the living – living union and presence of Christ…and suffer with the Cross He has given me.
What I mean is, to get the true understanding…and the priest reflections would confirm it…was that I had to deny myself and my way of looking at things and my selfish ego and pride. And it is so easy to get off every single day.
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catholic-rcia
Guest
Good stuff all
Parker as to your comment on Confession you are missing a huge part here. We do go to God the Father as it is a Sacrament in Christ Jesus. For us this is reality. This is why the Sacrament is so powerful for us Catholics.
Hope that helps
Rich
Parker as to your comment on Confession you are missing a huge part here. We do go to God the Father as it is a Sacrament in Christ Jesus. For us this is reality. This is why the Sacrament is so powerful for us Catholics.
Hope that helps
Rich
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ParkerD
Guest
Catholic-RCIA,
I realize that “the Sacrament is so powerful for Catholics”. Your other post said the “priest awaits the return of prodigal sons and daughters…” My point was that the Father awaits, and Christ awaits, and Christ is the direct Intercessor, really and truly.
Kathleen Gee,
If you wish to learn a simple concept, it could be that you may understand that a willingness to “be killed” for one’s beliefs is not so foreign to the teachings of the New Testament. It may actually ring a bell with you in some of what you have written in the past. The concept had nothing to do with what you have had the impression it had to do with.
Peace to all readers.
K
KathleenGee
Guest
Certainly, Parker…
The sacrament of confession was instituted by Christ on the evening of the Resurrection when He gave the Apostles, the first priests, the power to forgive sins.
Any Catholic knows and experiences the presence of God when we walk into a Catholic church and experience Him in the tabernacle. We experience the same presence of God, when we are in need of consolation, of the Divine Presence at Holy Communion. We experience – every time, the sacred presence of Christ at absolution that a priest and his personality cannot create…the priest absolves, but it is Christ Who is absolving.
The sacrament of confession is also a great source for the healing of body and soul damaged by sin.
Practically every single priest I have met my entire life…I am now a senior…have been among the nicest people I have ever met…always ready to serve 24/7, laying down their lives for Christ’s sheep. They live in the mystery of God and deserve and need our daily prayers because they are Satan’s first targets…
I have watched the Mormon programs on Cable…and if the Mormons want to learn and witness in action the lives of Catholic priests, they should turn a few channels back and watch EWTN.
The sacrament of confession was instituted by Christ on the evening of the Resurrection when He gave the Apostles, the first priests, the power to forgive sins.
Any Catholic knows and experiences the presence of God when we walk into a Catholic church and experience Him in the tabernacle. We experience the same presence of God, when we are in need of consolation, of the Divine Presence at Holy Communion. We experience – every time, the sacred presence of Christ at absolution that a priest and his personality cannot create…the priest absolves, but it is Christ Who is absolving.
The sacrament of confession is also a great source for the healing of body and soul damaged by sin.
Practically every single priest I have met my entire life…I am now a senior…have been among the nicest people I have ever met…always ready to serve 24/7, laying down their lives for Christ’s sheep. They live in the mystery of God and deserve and need our daily prayers because they are Satan’s first targets…
I have watched the Mormon programs on Cable…and if the Mormons want to learn and witness in action the lives of Catholic priests, they should turn a few channels back and watch EWTN.
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catholic-rcia
Guest
Yes there is truly no other way! As we are as Christians are part of the One Body of Christ, all connected to Him. Wether asking a saint to pray for us or going to Confession we can not go around Jesus, this would be impossible for us. You could draw a circle on a piece of paper, say this was Jesus. Well we are all inside this circle, can’t go around it or outside of it. The Church is His body.
Regarding Father Issac Jouges, maybe you missed the story regarding Him.
utahmission.com/pages/cJouges_page.html
He is a huge part of my overall (life long) testimony concering Jesus. he brought me to Jesus though there are many years that separate us in time.
Would you say he was being santified by surrendering to Jesus? To His work? To His will? Like Mother Teresa?
Thanks in advance
In Christ
Rich
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KathleenGee
Guest
As Catholics, our Be All is Christ Jesus. We are constantly learning more about Him, about our worship and its foundations…Jesus is the way, the life, and the Truth and no human being can adequately point to us a better way than Him.
Rich, yes I have read the story of this Saint of Indians…of course, not all saints are blood martyrs…there are dry martyrs…who go through terrible personal suffering.
Mother Theresa found no emotional pleasure in her service…she was suffering the dark night of the soul for many years, and did all for a detached love for Christ in a pure faith.
People should do a search and learn about Fowler’s Stages of Faith…
Rich, yes I have read the story of this Saint of Indians…of course, not all saints are blood martyrs…there are dry martyrs…who go through terrible personal suffering.
Mother Theresa found no emotional pleasure in her service…she was suffering the dark night of the soul for many years, and did all for a detached love for Christ in a pure faith.
People should do a search and learn about Fowler’s Stages of Faith…
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catholic-rcia
Guest
I will do that search for sure soon. The little flower comes to mind, are sister!
Mother Teresa is not alone in her service. (thousands) She was one recognized. She was willing to let go of the light in order to enter into the darkness in order to bring many out of the darkness into the light, many at their very last breath. She was only special because she un selfishly allowed Christ to do this kind of work through her, flowing from the Cross. She knew she could not do any of this work; this is why God chose her. It is when we feel we can’t do it, that God is able to ask us to do it. It’s only by emptying out of ourselves that God is able to move in.
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Todd520
Guest
Good tip. I liked what I read but question whether people move out of stages 2 & 3 as indicated. I think many adult fanatics are still at this level.
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KathleenGee
Guest
Todd,
Thanks for posting it…I am obviously not computer savvy…
Mother Theresa was said to be at the universal stage…along with Albert Einstein…they thought he was an atheist…he did say some things earlier in life…but he was a theist…but not a rules oriented, religion oriented person as such.
Thanks for posting it…I am obviously not computer savvy…
Mother Theresa was said to be at the universal stage…along with Albert Einstein…they thought he was an atheist…he did say some things earlier in life…but he was a theist…but not a rules oriented, religion oriented person as such.
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RebeccaJ
Guest
Your post reminds me of St. Francis, of the way he lived and taught.
We must die to ourselves in order to Live in Jesus Christ. I can’t see this understanding coming through in what Mormons say.
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