Pearls Before Swine, etc. (Matthew 7:6)

[jcrichton]

Also, back on the subject of secrets:

What of the hostile person today, who, say, runs across Sacred Mysteries on TV (say, on EWTN) or even in artistic depictions? In order to keep secrets, should we not have Catholic television or even display beautiful works of art?

Furthermore, precisely to whom should we or shouldn’t we reveal deeper truths? Should Catholics never ever ever ever under any circumstances reveal the deeper things?

Hi!

…I did not want to go there… but

…YOU ARE OVERTHINKING THIS!

…stop bombarding yourself with so much “if” conditional queries…

…read through my previous replies to your queries.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

Did this requirement for secrecy ever lapse in Church history?

I have heard that it did once the entire Western world had practically become Catholic, but, what about in regard to other parts of the world qhere Catholics lived and/or where missionary journesy took place?

Also, what about today where Catholicism is now far from the dominant religious persuasion? Should such secrecy be re-instated?

Hi!

…there’s no Command to secrecy!

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

And, surely there are stories of men finally coming around after a persistent, though lovingly so, Christian has had a hand in doing this? I don’t see why such people shouldn’t be given a chance!

Hi!

…has anyone in your family, extended family, circle of friends ever had a child who became an alcoholic or drug addict?

…it is a horrendous experience… that person will refuse help or programs; he/she would cheat, lie, steal, hurt, prostitute him/herself and even kill to get to the next high…

…their loved ones do not usually give up on them do they? But there comes a time when all that people do is simply enabling the vice… and there comes a time when that person must be allowed to hit bottom… either that or they must be physically restrained and forcefully weaned off the drug/alcohol… (the same goes for cigarette, gambling, anger, sex, etc.); yet, the worst part is that even after a forced intervention that person can easily return to the old habit (drug, alcohol, anger…).

It is the same for those who reject God.

Only the Holy Spirit can Convict and Convert them.

The best man can do is share the Gospel to the point that they are willing to receive it.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

All I’m saying is, I have a real problem with giving up on someone, even if they show initial resistence, because, even then, I think, there is often a way to reach past that resistence, by speaking to them where they are, trying to figure out that resistence, and attempting to counter it, not just giving up on them at the first or even the second sign of resistence and considering the job hopeless. Rather, one has to reach out to that resistence where it is and try to work through it. It may be there for at least somewhat legitimate (at least in that person’s eyes) reasons. We’ve got to understand those rather than simply dismissing the person outright. This is why I have a real and honest problem with this verse. If the person is willing to listen, to open up, even after a bit of struggle, then shouldn’t they be allowed to be given the chance? instead of being dismissed upfront?

Hi!

…but that’s because of your interpretation of the verse… there are dogs that attack other animals… their owners hide that fact… it escalates to people… their owners continue to hide that fact… it culminates with children (even the owners’ own children) being mulled down and even killed.

The verse is speaking to that finality…

…of course we are to share the Gospel with the world… of course there will be some that would readily listen; of course there will be those who would quickly reject it; yet, there will be those who will escalate the rejection to an attack, first against God then against the instrument in his/her sights…

…ever noticed how the news media is always depicting those of the culture of death as “educated” and “enlightened” folks? These same folks are filled with anger and quickly spew out their venom the second they are confronted with Truth.

…they have reached that level to which Jesus speaks on that particular passage of Scriptures… there’s nothing that can be said to them that they would not twist in their mind and heart and fight it… do you not see the assault on Pro-Lifers and the Church in general… it is not because Catholics are bad people but because Catholics represent the Word of God in measures that renders their interpretation of “truth” naked and contrived: ‘Abortion does not equate to “women’s health!”’

…for people such as these… Believers must pray… not be worry about their conversion… not forcefully attempt to convert them… pray… and preach through actions not words: Love them and help them, if we are ever in such position.

Maran atha!

Angel

 

[jcrichton]

EXACTLY!! That is what I’m rying to say! However, this verse seems to telll us not even to engage a person if they are “dogs” or "swine!

So, what do we do with this??

Hi!

…at one time I worked with several people who were quick to reject anything God… they cursed up and down… some would even drink on the job… they would go into their stories of conquest (drugs, alcohol, sex…); I would remove myself from their engagements… one began to suspect that I was a homosexual because I turn from their exchanges and their womanizing and chauvinistic attitudes… one day a girl came to pick me up for lunch… the next day it was all about the sex thing… I let them know that I was Catholic and that because of my religious belief I could not engage them in such trivial matters and the vanity of machismo (I’m being curt here)… a few days later the top dog (the instigator) needed help getting info from the net… I went to his home and spent over an hour running down all the stuff he needed… he thanked me, confessed that he had me all wrong… then he said: ‘I’ve notice that you don’t even curse…’ I told him that the Word of God warns that man will be held accountable for every word and deed… so Catholics (and non-Catholics) are compelled to be holy… the crudeness and bashing stopped… he even spoke about returning to the Church…

I preached through action. When it became possible I injected the Word of God into the relationship… but always as Jesus Commands: gentle/harmless as a dove.

Maran atha!

Angel