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Yet Guan, you can not judge who shall be united with heaven. I know with 100% certainty someone once said, "It is not within our purview to judge the hearts of others." :thumbsup:
Indeed not, since anyone, like the thief, may repent at the last minute,and throw themselves upon the mercy of God.
But we can most certainly discern what types of behaviors Jesus and the Apostles have taught us will result in the loss of our heavenly inheritance. We must do this for ourselves, and for those around us, as we are to be witnesses to the Truth. If we stand by and say nothing, when we see others acting in a manner that we know, with 100% certainty, will not result in the inheritance of the Kingdom, then we are participating in their sins, and therefore, are also guilty of sin.
Gal 5:19-22
19 Now the works of the flesh are plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, **that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. **
You have said in your posts that we can’t know the doctrine of Christ with 100% certainty, but Catholics believe differently. We believe that the Word of God, both in Scripture, and in Sacred Tradition, is a 100% reliable revelation by God of Himself, and His will for mankind. We can be confident that the Source is pure and reliable, because it comes from God.
By that confidence, when we read such passages as this one, we can apply it to our eternal benefit. By such guidance, we can avoid mortal sin ourselves, and appropriately warn others who engage in such behaviors.
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This is why I believe it can be a disservice for Catholics to push other Catholics further away.
There are many reasons we should not be inhospitable with others in addition to our inability to see into their hearts. Jesus said to treat people who call themselves believers, but don’t act accordingly like “tax collectors and sinners”. We know He meant by this that they are fertile field for evangelization and conversion. Pushing people away does not help anyone to convert.
OP for instance says calling them Catholic is a bad example because they don’t represent the Church. I have even seen elsewhere people saying to let them go and the Church would be better off to be more orthodox, if smaller.
Yes, it is wrong to encourage anyone who is living in mortal sin to present themselves for Eucharist. They eat and drink condemnation upon themselves. It is also wrong to present oneself for communion if one is not in “communion” with the successor of Peter, and the One Faith which is under his guidance and protection. It is like committing a lie with one’s body, behaving as if one is in communion, yet profession lack of it by one’s denial of the doctrines of the faith.
If those in rebellion against the Teachings of the faith, though, could attend Mass with integrity, then it would certainly benefit them to do so, because they would be present for the graces of the Sacrament, prayers, and preaching (if any). Unfortunately, there are many more that line up for Eucharist without such integrity, which again, brings damage to the whole body of Christ.
The problem that persists is those objected to, might then come to feel so unwelcomed in their current state that they simply lose any desire at all to remain even to the degree they have been.
Indeed. Judas is one who fell into this sin of despair. He knew he had done wrong, but rather than throw himself on the mercy of God, his pride prevented him.
If a person is going to be lukewarm, it is better that they make a decision, one way, or ther other.
Rev 3:16-17
6 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.
Who wants to be the Lord’s spew?
It is not a matter of people being “objected to”, but their behavior. It is not the people here in Revelation that Jesus criticizes, but their behavior.
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And in that case hope might be forever lost for bringing them into a fuller practice of the faith.
I personally cannot subscribe to such an attitude of pessimism and despair. I think there is no moment that is too late to repent of sin, and come into the obedience of faith.
Failing to tell a person the truth about the evil of relativism (cafeteria catholicism) is unloving, and will not lead them into the fullness of the faith.
Had I been so challenged as a youngster, I may not have found it necessary to leave the Church. was looking for authentic christainity, and was surrounded by those who professed they believed, but did not act accordingly.
If the concern is they misrepresent the Church to others, surely the correct representation can be given to others by those with such a concern.
Yes, it is a grave responsibility to call oneself Catholic as it states to others that one espouses the doctrines of the faith. All are in a position to be held accountable for that profession. Intolerance for indifference and relativism is part of that correct representation.
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And I’ve found out for myself that I am right here.
