Offensive Truth and Mercy

[CRATUS]

Yes, I get it we are all sinners. Yes, we should not judge others. Can’t we be honest and admit some people are indeed less holy than others? While we will never know the soul, motivation, heart of others. I do not see why it is bad to say we are not all equal. Some people are nosy. Some people are judgmental. Some people sin subtly. God does not punish us in the same way for sin. Some sins will cost your life, other people’s lives, your reputation, your trustworthiness. Yes we are all sinners, why can’t we admit some people are indeed better than others or sin less than others?

 

[Cone]

What you’re saying is obviously true. I don’t it’s going out on a limb to say that Mother Teresa was a better human being than Adolf Hitler. So it is not bad to say that we’re not all equal. Some of need more work than others. On the other hand, we shouldn’t judge others, because only God can plumb the depths of the soul.

 

[christofirst]

Yes, I get it we are all sinners. Yes, we should not judge others. Can’t we be honest and admit some people are indeed less holy than others? While we will never know the soul, motivation, heart of others. I do not see why it is bad to say we are not all equal. Some people are nosy. Some people are judgmental. Some people sin subtly. God does not punish us in the same way for sin. Some sins will cost your life, other people’s lives, your reputation, your trustworthiness. Yes we are all sinners, why can’t we admit some people are indeed better than others or sin less than others?

What purpose will it serve? Will it make any one of us in any way better or superior by pointing out the dreadful sins of others? It might make us feel better or superior, but is that our goal as Christians? How will it help, or perhaps hinder us on the way of salvation. When does it just become gossip and backbiting? These are the questions I ask myself before I compare myself with others.

 

[jinglebelle]

Yes, I get it we are all sinners. Yes, we should not judge others. Can’t we be honest and admit some people are indeed less holy than others? While we will never know the soul, motivation, heart of others. I do not see why it is bad to say we are not all equal. Some people are nosy. Some people are judgmental. Some people sin subtly. God does not punish us in the same way for sin. Some sins will cost your life, other people’s lives, your reputation, your trustworthiness. Yes we are all sinners, why can’t we admit some people are indeed better than others or sin less than others?

of course,quoting your last sentence that is why this website exists

 

[ready]

Of course, some people are holier than others. And some people look holier than others, but really aren’t. It is best that we focus on the example of our Lord, our Lady and the Saints, and on growing in holiness ourselves. St. Thomas a Kempis in The Imitation of Christ says that we should not attribute goodness to ourselves or virtue to others and that we should give God the credit that is due to Him We should esteem others as better than ourselves, which means that if they were given the graces that we were given, they’d be better than we are. God bless you.

 

[Volor]

What purpose will it serve? Will it make any one of us in any way better or superior by pointing out the dreadful sins of others? It might make us feel better or superior, but is that our goal as Christians? How will it help, or perhaps hinder us on the way of salvation. When does it just become gossip and backbiting? These are the questions I ask myself before I compare myself with others.

I think that’s well put. This conversation reminds me of Romans 11:

*But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, were grafted in their place and have come to share in the rich root of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. If you do boast, consider that you do not support the root; the root supports you.

Indeed you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” That is so. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you are there because of faith. So do not become haughty, but stand in awe. For if God did not spare the natural branches, [perhaps] he will not spare you either.*

So, even the “best” Christian should not be boasting - we should stand in awe, humbly grateful for the gift of mercy that has been given to us.

 

[jinglebelle]

Of course, some people are holier than others. And some people look holier than others, but really aren’t. It is best that we focus on the example of our Lord, our Lady and the Saints, and on growing in holiness ourselves. St. Thomas a Kempis in The Imitation of Christ says that we should not attribute goodness to ourselves or virtue to others and that we should give God the credit that is due to Him We should esteem others as better than ourselves, which means that if they were given the graces that we were given, they’d be better than we are. God bless you.

yes,book 3 chp 2,the truth speaks within us without the noise of words

 

[ready]

yes,book 3 chp 2,the truth speaks within us without the noise of words

I’ll meditate on that chapter. God bless you!

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Because saying you’re better puts you in a position that will challenge others. Indeed, perhaps those who aren’t ‘better’ will be too cowardly to take that bet. Personally though, anyone who comes at me with a self-important, holier than thou attitude is just one really wrong word way from getting the worst from me.

 

[CRATUS]

What purpose will it serve? Will it make any one of us in any way better or superior by pointing out the dreadful sins of others? It might make us feel better or superior, but is that our goal as Christians? How will it help, or perhaps hinder us on the way of salvation. When does it just become gossip and backbiting? These are the questions I ask myself before I compare myself with others.

We can not pretend everyone is saint. Most of us have moments when it is okay to be critical and when it is not. I have visited these forums. All of people claim they are not judgmental, then read one of their responses/posts to someone they strongly disagree with. I just get tired of everyone acting like they are so above certain things.

 

[CRATUS]

Of course, some people are holier than others. And some people look holier than others, but really aren’t. It is best that we focus on the example of our Lord, our Lady and the Saints, and on growing in holiness ourselves. St. Thomas a Kempis in The Imitation of Christ says that we should not attribute goodness to ourselves or virtue to others and that we should give God the credit that is due to Him We should esteem others as better than ourselves, which means that if they were given the graces that we were given, they’d be better than we are. God bless you.

I do not necessarily agree.

 

[Joy2day]

I do not necessarily agree.

I do agree with what Ready says! Great post Ready.
I guess arguing about who’s going to be first in the Kingdom of Heaven is really pointless. I think St Padre Pio said that we’d often be surprised at who we saw in Heaven; not all that we expected. And how about how Jesus said ‘many of those who are now first will be last, & many who are now last, will be first’. So, for those cranky with their politicians, this is a comforting thought…

Also, some people can go in & out of holiness like a revolving door…

Dont worry, be happy & go to confession if you want to be first.

 

[CRATUS]

I do agree with what Ready says! Great post Ready.
I guess arguing about who’s going to be first in the Kingdom of Heaven is really pointless. I think St Padre Pio said that we’d often be surprised at who we saw in Heaven; not all that we expected. And how about how Jesus said ‘many of those who are now first will be last, & many who are now last, will be first’. So, for those cranky with their politicians, this is a comforting thought…

Also, some people can go in & out of holiness like a revolving door…

Dont worry, be happy & go to confession if you want to be first.

Oops. You interpreted better than I did. I took it the wrong way. Sorry Ready!!!

 

[edarlitrix]

While still a young woman, Elisabeth had come to the conclusion that the popular conviction that for activity to be valuable it must have a widespread and measurable social impact was mistaken. Aware of the profound and transformative action worked by grace in the depths of each soul, she claims to "believe much more in individual effort, and in the good that may be done by addressing oneself not to the masses but to individual souls. The effect one can exert is thereby much deeper and more durable. . ."7 In one of her earliest journal entries she voices an aspiration that will mark the special character of her apostolate: "I want to love with a special love those whose birth or religion or ideas separate them from me; it is those whom I must try to understand and who need me to give them a little of what God has placed within me."8

One thing God certainly gave Elisabeth Leseur in abundance was a profound empathy to the sensitivity-and fragility-of individual souls. Thus she accepted as her special task to learn, first, to understand those who, so different from herself, took delight in abusing what she loved; and second, to love these same souls. Moreover, she must love them "for themselves alone and for God, without counting on a single recompense or sweetness, simply because they are souls and because Christ, the adored Master, in looking upon them . . . uttered. . . : ‘I will have pity upon the multitude.’"9 . . .

To learn from the Heart of Jesus the secret of love for souls and deep knowledge of them: how to touch their hurts without making them smart and to dress their wounds without reopening them; … to disclose Truth in its entirety and yet make it known according to the degree of light that each soul can bear. The knowledge required for for the apostolate can be had only from Jesus Christ, in the Eucharist and in prayer.11

catholicladylive.blogspot.com/2011/02/marriage-saved-in-heaven.html

 

[ready]

I do not necessarily agree.

Let me rephrase something I said wrong. Our esteeming others as better than ourselves involves an assumption on our part that if others were given the graces we’ve been given, they’d be better than we are. This I believe is just what I read in a reliable commentary, so I’m sticking to it. Besides, St. Paul teaches that we are to esteem others as better than ourselves, and this makes sense. God bless you.

 

[Frankenfurter]

God is the most holy, the most perfect, the most awesome, etc. Yet he showed his power by being humble and giving love and service to sinners.

Have you ever walked up to someone who is always being rude and nasty, and self-absorbed, and just given them unconditional love? Watch what happens. It is as if they see God in you and become humble, which starts to change their ways immediately.

God sees us all as equal. He loves each of his sheep. If we want to attain the highest form of love: to love others for God’s sake, then we must see them as God does.

 

[ready]

I do agree with what Ready says! Great post Ready.
I guess arguing about who’s going to be first in the Kingdom of Heaven is really pointless. I think St Padre Pio said that we’d often be surprised at who we saw in Heaven; not all that we expected. And how about how Jesus said ‘many of those who are now first will be last, & many who are now last, will be first’. So, for those cranky with their politicians, this is a comforting thought…

Also, some people can go in & out of holiness like a revolving door…

Dont worry, be happy & go to confession if you want to be first.

Thanks, Joy2day!