Saddened by a website

[Caramel]

I just want to share this. Yesterday, while eating in a Mexican resturant, I looked up on the wall behind the cash register while paying the bill. There was a hanging calendar there with a picture maybe around the size of a 12" square. The picture had three images, the face of the Virgin Mary, the face of the Pope, and a cross with a stickman type character hanging on it. The image of the Virgin Mary was centrally located in the picture and the largest, followed by just a little smaller image of the Pope’s face on the left, but the smallest image and tucked in the lower right corner was the image of a stickman hanging on the cross.

It brought back memories of my earlier days while learning that Jesus Christ was Lord and Savior. Back then I was so ashamed of my sinful life style that I couldn’t even raise my eyes to look at a picture or a statue of Jesus.

In the midst of a flower garden at a local church near where I lived, there was a sitting bench and a statue of Jesus Christ. I would go there and sit and pray, but I still could not draw my eyes upon the statue of Jesus. It took several months of reading the Bible, praying when I came to a heart filled understanding that Jesus was who He said He was. And I could trust Him to uphold his promise of the forgiveness for my past sinful life style and to keep me forevermore. There was a covenant that Jesus Christ and I made one day when I was able to finally lift my eyes and reach out with my hand to trust Him and touch the statue of Him in the garden.

Now I know this statue didn’t have any healing powers and all that. I’m just trying to explain my process of how I was eternally dammed for my sin and unworthy to recieve the forgiveness offered to me through the completed work of Christ Jesus on the cross.

So for me and many others, who have found this pearl in their hearts, knowing that it is Christ Jesus who is Lord and who saves and keeps, seeing these other enlarged images on the calendar of the Pope and Mary, do Christ injustice, at least in my view, and hurts me when I see it.

I can understand why you feel the way you do. I don’t want to even try to judge the owners of the restaurant because neither of us know what is in their hearts - only God knows that. Maybe the crucifix was a gift from somebody and thereby was precious because of that. But I can understand your concern.

In my bedroom I have a cross on the wall. It’s beautiful, a gold color with black and red designs and the gold metal swirls around - I mean it is a work of art, very beautiful. Next to my bed i have a crucifix. It is a simple black cross and the depiction of Jesus is cream colored and that’s about it. When I look at the cross I see a beautiful cross. When I look at the crucifix I see (in my mind) that Jesus loved me (and you and everyone else in the world) so much that He allowed Himself to be horribly tortured, mocked, and murdered just because of love. Looking at the crucifix is a reminder to me that I must carry my own cross, too. And I thank Christ for the crosses he has given me because in carrying them He is allowing me to be more Christ-like.

God should be number one. And Christ, as God incarnate, should be number one. Always. Forever. Placing faith in a cross or even a crucifix is wrong because they are only reminders. I think sometimes that nonCatholic Christians think that we worship the crucifix and I can understand why they think that. When I look up at the crucifix in my room I start praying and I’m sure it would look like I am worshipping the crucifix. But I’m not. I’m worshipping Christ. I’ve just been reminded of Christ by looking at the crucifix.

I’m sorry - I’m rambling (again) and one of my cats keeps walking between the computer and me - makes it hard to type.

I understand what you’re saying - that showing a little crucifix by larger pictures of Mary and the Pope is not showing proper reverence for Christ. Personally I would never do that in my own home. I wouldn’t even put a picture of Mary next to a crucifix and I have no pictures of the Pope. But I think we have to look beyond the obvious into what is in a person’s heart and we can’t do that with the restaurant owners (unless you want to ask them). I feel happy that they even have a crucifix at all!! Most restaurants don’t.

Peace in Christ,

Christina

 

[Caramel]

To Everyone:

I’ve just started a new thread in this forum entitled “Is Jack Chick Right??”

Please come and join in a thread specifically for him…

 

[greggy53]

As I tried to explain, there was a significant difference in size of the three images in the picture. The picture elevated the Virgin Mary and the Pope and left the one Christ who really saves as a stickman.

The cross with the “stickman” as you described it was probably being carried, or hanging from the neck of the Pope. That is why it was smaller not because of any intended inferiority. By the way It’s called a crucifix. You perceive that Mary was being elevated above Christ. That is your perspective and prejudice. The scriptures tell us of Mary’s honor, and it is good for us to honor her too.

 

[Rocket_Man]

The cross with the “stickman” as you described it was probably being carried, or hanging from the neck of the Pope. That is why it was smaller not because of any intended inferiority. By the way It’s called a crucifix. You perceive that Mary was being elevated above Christ. That is your perspective and prejudice. The scriptures tell us of Mary’s honor, and it is good for us to honor her too.

No, it wasn’t hanging around anyone’s neck. It was an smaller image set apart from the larger ones of Mary and the Pope and placed in the lower left corner of the picture. The crucifix had a body hanging on it that looked like it had been molded with clay (not very detailed). I’m not judging anyone other than the picture that I perceived to elevate our Lord least.

Mary is blessed, yet neither she or the pope could ever uphold the promise and free gift offered to me in Christ Jesus. My story reminds me of the sinful woman in Luke 7 whom kissed and washed the feet of Jesus with tears and wiped them with her hair. All the dogma in the world could never take away her love for Christ. So the pearl laid in my heart cries out when I see anything elevated above the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and lover of my soul.

 

[Hisalone]

God sheds his grace on all who earnestly seek him. But the Catholic Church is the one true Church established by our Lord. And the Church and Christ are one. So, those who defame the Catholic Church defame our Lord.

Or so you wish.

 

[Hisalone]

So when you walk and share the “gospel message of Christ” do you tell people that Cathlics are wrong, that Catholics are all going to hell, that Catholics worship Satan, that the Catholic Church is the “Whore of Babylon” and Catholics suckle at her teats?

Do you tell people that Catholics are bad people, that we are evil because we believe in good works and not just faith, that we are fools, or we are stupid, or we will “get ours” when we face God?

Or do you tell people the truth?

It is very possible to share the gospel and not once mention Catholics.

 

[Hisalone]

This website would be against my faith as vehemently as the Catholic Church

 

[Hisalone]

Why?

The further away from the true gospel the majority of Catholics teach.

 

[Hisalone]

As the poster is a registered member of CAF she can post her question anywhere she wants. It’s not up to you as much as you would like it to be. Her post was not pulled by the moderator so I assume she is allowed to post in whatever forum she wants to.

Are you Karl Keating or his appointed successor?

If not I suggest that you discontinue the practice of assuming that you know best about where a question is posted. And if you don’t like her post please contact the moderator. The OP has not broken any forum rules.

You just cant stop lecturing, can you?
Your poor husband he will go straight to heaven skipping Purgatory.

 

[Hisalone]

Man you guys are like nasty…I tell them about Jesus, the same message I heard almost 40 years ago

You mean you can teach the gospel, talk about Jesus and not mention Catholics at all?

 

[Hisalone]

Catholics love Mary. There are many reasons why but I will just give you one.

Do you follow the Ten Commandments in the OT? I assume that you, as a Christian, do. The following is one of those Commandments:

“Honor thy Father and thy Mother.”

Mary is Jesus’ mother. Jesus followed the Ten Commandments. He honored his mother. Now we are supposed to be like Jesus, are we not?? So we also honor Jesus’ mother. Did Jesus love his mother? Absolutely. And in loving Mary we are acting as Christ-like as we can.

We do not worship her. That is absolutely forbidden as it goes against the first of the Ten Commandments: “I am the Lord thy God…and thou shalt not have strange gods before me.”

If a Catholic worships Mary he/she is not following Catholic Church doctrine. It is unacceptable behavior.

I’m sure you realize that Catholics are human beings and we sin, just like you do. Sometimes people get confused by what the Catholic Church really teaches. I would like to give a quote about this from Bishop Fulton Sheen:

"There are not over a hundred people in the United States who hate the Catholic Church. There are millions, however, who hate what they wrongly believe to be the Catholic Church—which is, of course, quite a different thing. These millions can hardly be blamed for hating Catholics because Catholics “adore statues;” because they “put the Blessed Mother on the same level with God;” because they “say indulgence is a permission to commit sin;” because the Pope “is a Fascist;” because the Church “is the defender of Capitalism.

“If the Church taught or believed any one of these things, it should be hated, but the fact is that the Church does not believe nor teach any one of them. It follows then that the hatred of the millions is directed against error and not against truth. As a matter of fact**, if we Catholics believed all of the untruths and lies which were said against the Church, we probably would hate the Church a thousand times more than they do.”** (emphasis added)

I added emphasis to the last line because I think it sums up what Bishop Sheen is saying here.

God’s peace to you,;

Christina

Many,many, many Catholics get trapped in Mary and never make it to Jesus.

 

[Hisalone]

How does the image of the mother of Jesus do him injustice?
How does the image of the recognized leader of millions of Christians here on earth do Christ injustice?

Christ is to be exalted not to be put in the background.

 

[Rocket_Man]

Christ is to be exalted not to be put in the background.

Yes, I was baptised and confirmed in the Catholic Church and recieved a Catholic education all the way through High School. I remember serving as an alter boy in many masses, funerals and weddings. I learned of all the sacraments, patriarchs, and rituals, but never learned of His love.

Why He chose to reveal Himself to me outside the Catholic church may be that He was just after one of His lost sheep. Neither Mary or the pope could follow me out and find me. Jesus Christ is the only good shepherd who laid his life down for the sheep. Only He is to be exalted.

 

[Hisalone]

Yes, I was baptised and confirmed in the Catholic Church and recieved a Catholic education all the way through High School. I remember serving as an alter boy in many masses, funerals and weddings. I learned of all the sacraments, patriarchs, and rituals, but never learned of His love.

Why He chose to reveal Himself to me outside the Catholic church may be that He was just after one of His lost sheep. Neither Mary or the pope could follow me out and find me. Jesus Christ is the only good shepherd who laid his life down for the sheep. Only He is to be exalted.

Praise be to God.
Gods message of love is that he chose you to be His temple so that He can abide in, live in your very heart. You can walk with Him as Enoch walked with God. You can listen to the still quite voice and no other voice need you follow.

 

[heathernoel]

Many,many, many Catholics get trapped in Mary and never make it to Jesus.

I have seen some devotions that outsiders might seem as over the top. But I think that’s just outsiders not knowing the Mother.

Mother IS my Mother. Mine was my best friend and died. Mother Mary is there. She’s worked miracles in me as a Mother. Because of her exemplary life, I have an ideal to work up to as a Mother in regards to showing depths of love (how to instruct, back off, love, sacrifice). The rosary has been such a positive addition to my life that I am lost for words. Pondering her relationship with her Son, her devotion to Him, her trials as a mother… Makes life easier to handle because she’s a constant reminder to me that He’s always there. That is why we pray:

To you do we send up our sighs;
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears!
Turn, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward me,
and after this, our exile,
show to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus Christ!

 

[greggy53]

Christ is to be exalted not to be put in the background.

Because your friend doesn’t like the size of a crucifix in a photo doesn’t mean we put Christ in the background. And your endless one liners do nothing to defend your positions it just make you look childish. If you want to make a point trying putting more than one sentence together (if you can.) Otherwise go back to the schoolyard where your tripe will fit in.

 

[Nine_Two]

Yes, I was baptised and confirmed in the Catholic Church and recieved a Catholic education all the way through High School. I remember serving as an alter boy in many masses, funerals and weddings. I learned of all the sacraments, patriarchs, and rituals, but never learned of His love.

Why He chose to reveal Himself to me outside the Catholic church may be that He was just after one of His lost sheep. Neither Mary or the pope could follow me out and find me. Jesus Christ is the only good shepherd who laid his life down for the sheep. Only He is to be exalted.

And yet you didn’t know what a crucifix was? Somehow I don’t think the Church itself was at the root of your lack of knowledge of the Love of Christ.

 

[Rocket_Man]

I have seen some devotions that outsiders might seem as over the top. But I think that’s just outsiders not knowing the Mother.

Mother IS my Mother. Mine was my best friend and died. Mother Mary is there. She’s worked miracles in me as a Mother. Because of her exemplary life, I have an ideal to work up to as a Mother in regards to showing depths of love (how to instruct, back off, love, sacrifice). The rosary has been such a positive addition to my life that I am lost for words. Pondering her relationship with her Son, her devotion to Him, her trials as a mother… Makes life easier to handle because she’s a constant reminder to me that He’s always there. That is why we pray:

To you do we send up our sighs;
mourning and weeping in this vale of tears!
Turn, most gracious Advocate, your eyes of mercy toward me,
and after this, our exile,
show to us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus Christ!

I do not understand because Mary, although blesses and revered, did not call me out of the pit of hell in my darkest days. Instead it was her Son, who sits at the right hand of the Father, that rescued me from what I knowingly deserved, eternal damnation.

Mary, whom greatly loves you and who ultimately loves her King, has time and time again pointed you to her Son, but you refuse to go to Him.

 

[heathernoel]

Mary, whom greatly loves you and who ultimately loves her King, has time and time again pointed you to her Son, but you refuse to go to Him.

:tsktsk:

That was brazen and rude. I know more about Him than you will until you open your heart to the Holy Family.

Goodnight. You have proven yourself unworthy to continue speaking with. I was trying to help you. Instead, you insult.

I will pray for you.

 

[Rocket_Man]

And yet you didn’t know what a crucifix was? Somehow I don’t think the Church itself was at the root of your lack of knowledge of the Love of Christ.

Nine_Two, I really don’t know who you think you are that you can spit on my love for Jesus Christ. Cross or Crucifix what’s the deal here with your rude comments?

Matthew 27:40 (King James Version)

And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Do you hate the parable of the prodigal son also?