Sermon by Fr. Joseph Pfeiffer - SSPX

[JReducation]

Dear Br. JR, FFV,

So the Pope sees that Jews are in need of conversion, but he feels there should be no organized attempt to convert them. Am I understanding him right? Peace!

In Christ,
ready

The point that he’s making is twofold.

Every human being is called to Christ. This requires a conversion of one degree or another, including for Christians. The fact that we believe that Christ is the Messiah does not mean that we’re all set. One must accept redemption that comes through Christ, this includes the Jewish people.

The difference between the Jewish people and the Gentiles is how that redemption is presented. The Holy Father is making it perfectly clear that Catholics are not to engage in a campaign to bring the Jews into Christianity. In fact, Catholics must focus on their own conversion, that is, living the Gospel.

If Catholics live the Gospel in a heroic and exemplary way, they will deliver a very powerful message to the Jewish people and to the world.

The Holy Father is very wise. Practicing Jews consider proselytizing an abhorrent practice. You don’t convert someone by means of a practice that they find unacceptable. Jews don’t proselytize. The idea that someone would proselytized to us is outside of our experience. It comes across as offensive rather than as charity. That’s the practical side.

On the theological side, the Church believes that Christ has a plan to save the Jewish people, which has eluded us for centuries. These are his people and he will lead them to see that the covenant has been fulfilled. How?

Since we don’t understand it, it’s better that we stand back and let Christ act rather than sabotage it while trying to help. Part of this requires that we drop the rhetoric. I think that his hope is that we will follow his lead in how we speak about and to the Jewish people.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[holyfamily1]

Wow… Thanks for posting!!!

 

[ready]

The point that he’s making is twofold.

Every human being is called to Christ. This requires a conversion of one degree or another, including for Christians. The fact that we believe that Christ is the Messiah does not mean that we’re all set. One must accept redemption that comes through Christ, this includes the Jewish people.

The difference between the Jewish people and the Gentiles is how that redemption is presented. The Holy Father is making it perfectly clear that Catholics are not to engage in a campaign to bring the Jews into Christianity. In fact, Catholics must focus on their own conversion, that is, living the Gospel.

If Catholics live the Gospel in a heroic and exemplary way, they will deliver a very powerful message to the Jewish people and to the world.

The Holy Father is very wise. Practicing Jews consider proselytizing an abhorrent practice. You don’t convert someone by means of a practice that they find unacceptable. Jews don’t proselytize. The idea that someone would proselytized to us is outside of our experience. It comes across as offensive rather than as charity. That’s the practical side.

On the theological side, the Church believes that Christ has a plan to save the Jewish people, which has eluded us for centuries. These are his people and he will lead them to see that the covenant has been fulfilled. How?

Since we don’t understand it, it’s better that we stand back and let Christ act rather than sabotage it while trying to help. Part of this requires that we drop the rhetoric. I think that his hope is that we will follow his lead in how we speak about and to the Jewish people.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

Thanks, Br. JR, FFV, for clearing that up for me! Is this approach of Pope Benedict XVI different from the Pre-Vatican II popes? If so, do you know how it is different? Your help is greatly appreciated!

 

[JReducation]

Thanks, Br. JR, FFV, for clearing that up for me! Is this approach of Pope Benedict XVI different from the Pre-Vatican II popes? If so, do you know how it is different? Your help is greatly appreciated!

It depends on how far back before Vatican II one wants to go and to which pope. Popes have held different positions on how to approach the Jews. They have all sustained that the Lord wants to save the Jews, that God has a plan for them that is unknown to us, that he does wish to reveal to them that the covenant has been fulfilled in Christ and that God’s disclosure to the Jews will be different from that to the Gentiles, simply because of the history of the Jews and their relationship with God.

Having said this, the approach has varied over the centuries. Some popes took a very aggressive position. Go out and convert them or drive them away. Those popes who took such positions are in the minority. The majority of popes actually took very gentle approaches to dealing with the Jews. What was gentle at a certain time in history may not seem too gentle to us today. We have to take things in their historical context. For example, in some instances popes felt necessary to impress upon rulers not to allow the Jews to get into positions of authority. There was a fear of losing Catholics to Judaism. There was fear of losing kingdoms to Judaism. There was a very real fear of an attack from Muslims, who hated the Jews more than they hated Christians. Jews in positions of authority were dangerous to the security of Europe.

There were also popes who protected the Jews from very cruel Christian monarchs. It was not the Church who was persecuting Jews, but the civilian governments and the Church usually sent Franciscans, Carmelite or Dominicans in as buffers. The Dominicans actually made many converts out of Jews, especially in Spain. They did it not by proselytizing, but by kindness and invitation to come and see. The Spanish Jews were well educated and very curious about everything. The Spanish Dominicans were also well educated and very kind. They were worked well together. The Jews were being threatened by the Spanish crown, conversion or spoiliation.

The Dominicans sent Vincent Ferrer to southern Spain. The Muslims and Jews were so impressed by his holiness and by his knowledge that they flocked to hear him and thousands were baptized. Notice, that there was not campaign on the part of the Church to convert them. The mission of the Dominicans was to buffer between the European Spaniards, the Jewish Spaniards and the Muslim Spaniards. By living the Christian life, doing so in a very public manner and by being non confrontational, but very serviceable instead, the Dominicans achieved many conversions. God has his plan for the Jews and he will work it if we don’t sabotage it.

In 1219, the Holy Father agreed to an alliance that St. Francis had made with the Sultan of Egypt. The Franciscans would travel to the Holy Land and take over the governance of all the Christian sites and the Muslims would protect their safety, if Francis promised that his friars would never try to convert the Muslims or the Jews. Francis agreed.

He returned to Europe and Pope Honorius III agreed. Later, Pope Gregory IX would create the Custody of the Holy Land, which is a jurisdiction that is not a diocese, but a region governed by a custodian in the name of the pope. The custody was given to the Franciscans who run it to this day and who have never tried to convert Jews or Muslims in 800 years. However, there have been many converts during those 800 years. Unfortunately, they cannot be named. Because it is illegal for Muslims to become Christians. But he converts came to the Church. The Church did not go out recruiting Jews.

As you can see, different pope during different times have done different things regarding the Jews. No pope has ever authorized an organized campaign to convert Jews, just for the sake of conversion. Popes have always been uneasy with this idea. To tell the truth, pope have always been uneasy about proselytizing the way that the Protestants do it.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[ready]

Thanks, JR, FFV!

 

[ready]

When Fr. Pfeiffer said that the Pope doesn’t think that the Jews need to be converted I believe he was using the word “converted” loosely. I believe Fr. Pfeiffer may have been trying to say that the Pope feels that the Jews do not need to be evangelized (preached the Gospel to) and this is probably why he is offended by the Pope’s stand on the matter. Fr… Pfeiffer I believe takes Jesus’ words: “Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” to mean that the Jews should be preached the Gospel to with words. But can we preach the Gospel to others by our good example without using words, like St. Francis? I hope so because not many of us are using our words to bring others to Christ.

 

[JReducation]

When Fr. Pfeiffer said that the Pope doesn’t think that the Jews need to be converted I believe he was using the word “converted” loosely. I believe Fr. Pfeiffer may have been trying to say that the Pope feels that the Jews do not need to be evangelized (preached the Gospel to) and this is probably why he is offended by the Pope’s stand on the matter. Fr… Pfeiffer I believe takes Jesus’ words: “Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” to mean that the Jews should be preached the Gospel to with words. But can we preach the Gospel to others by our good example without using words, like St. Francis? I hope so because not many of us are using our words to bring others to Christ.

There are also many Catholics who have a very Protestant idea of evangelization. Set up the big tent. Tell everyone that they’re going to hell in a handbasket. Knock on their door and force them to listen to you.

The Holy Father is telling Catholics not to do this, especially to Jews. The same thing has been said about Muslims.

Many people have a difficult time seeing someone like Mother Teresa as a great evangelist. Yet, if we look at the Missionaries of Charity, they have over 3,000 sisters and brothers. Ninety percent of them are converts from Hinduism and Islam. Mother never said a word to them about converting. She lived the Gospel before their very eyes. They converted and later joined her congregation. Yet, Traditionalists often either bash Mother Teresa or dismiss her completely.

Bl. John Paul attracted many non-Catholics to the Catholic faith and brought back many Catholics, especially among the young. Those who saw him and were around him could tell that they were in the presence of great holiness. I know, because I’m one of those people who was in awe when I spoke to this man, even though it was for all of three minutes. It was surreal. I felt as though I was in a very different space where only he and I were present. Years later, I still recall what it was. It was his eyes. He looked right through me and there was so much love in those eyes that one could do nothing but love in return. What other pope had several US Presidents and cabinet members kneeling at his wake? Only great holiness inspires this kind of response.

View attachment 14090

Evangelization doesn’t always need words. Sometimes, it would be better if many Catholics never opened their mouths. They tend to be very imprudent in their approach to people of other faiths or worse, they speak only hateful words. That doesn’t make the faith appealing. It frightens people.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[TimothyH]

There are also many Catholics who have a very Protestant idea of evangelization. Set up the big tent. Tell everyone that they’re going to hell in a handbasket. Knock on their door and force them to listen to you.

They call me up on Friday afternoon and ask me if I want to go “Witness” with them, hit the Starbucks and strike up conversations with strangers or go to the mall or the fall festival and speak to random strangers. They teach themselves how to do card tricks and how to tie balloons into the shape of crosses or animals as gimmick, and their Bible is always in their back pocket. And the central theme is always knowing Jesus Christ.

That’s good, but people who don’t know Jesus have needs now, today, this minute. They want better lives now, here on earth, and they are not happy because society has lied to them about how to be happy, and their lives are a wreck because of it.

That’s why I think carrying a twelve pack of cola out of the grocery store for a woman with a cast on her foot is more effective. Or a cross on a chain around your neck and a smile on your face, even when you don’t feel like smiling. Or saying, “You know, I really don’t do that kind of thing. Would you mind dropping me off at the hotel?” when your business associates and clients suggest that you celebrate the new business agreement with a night at the strip club. Or just walking up to someone and saying, “Are you OK? Do you need a ride or to use my phone?”

If God is working in your life, it will show, and people will ask how you are so calm when the world is exploding, how you can smile when there is death all around, how it is that you don’t dispair when bad things happen, and how it is that you can be so nice to strangers who will never meet again and never get anything back from. If Jesus is working in your life - and that means the Eucharist - it will show, and people will ask, and want to be a part of it.

To me, a smile or cutting the grass for the sick neighbor across the street is evangelization.

-Tim-

 

[ready]

Yes, I understand. Thanks for your help!

There are also many Catholics who have a very Protestant idea of evangelization. Set up the big tent. Tell everyone that they’re going to hell in a handbasket. Knock on their door and force them to listen to you.

The Holy Father is telling Catholics not to do this, especially to Jews. The same thing has been said about Muslims.

Many people have a difficult time seeing someone like Mother Teresa as a great evangelist. Yet, if we look at the Missionaries of Charity, they have over 3,000 sisters and brothers. Ninety percent of them are converts from Hinduism and Islam. Mother never said a word to them about converting. She lived the Gospel before their very eyes. They converted and later joined her congregation. Yet, Traditionalists often either bash Mother Teresa or dismiss her completely.

Bl. John Paul attracted many non-Catholics to the Catholic faith and brought back many Catholics, especially among the young. Those who saw him and were around him could tell that they were in the presence of great holiness. I know, because I’m one of those people who was in awe when I spoke to this man, even though it was for all of three minutes. It was surreal. I felt as though I was in a very different space where only he and I were present. Years later, I still recall what it was. It was his eyes. He looked right through me and there was so much love in those eyes that one could do nothing but love in return. What other pope had several US Presidents and cabinet members kneeling at his wake? Only great holiness inspires this kind of response.

View attachment 14090

Evangelization doesn’t always need words. Sometimes, it would be better if many Catholics never opened their mouths. They tend to be very imprudent in their approach to people of other faiths or worse, they speak only hateful words. That doesn’t make the faith appealing. It frightens people.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[JReducation]

They call me up on Friday afternoon and ask me if I want to go “Witness” with them, hit the Starbucks and strike up conversations with strangers or go to the mall or the fall festival and speak to random strangers. They teach themselves how to do card tricks and how to tie balloons into the shape of crosses or animals as gimmick, and their Bible is always in their back pocket. And the central theme is always knowing Jesus Christ.

That’s good, but people who don’t know Jesus have needs now, today, this minute. They want better lives now, here on earth, and they are not happy because society has lied to them about how to be happy, and their lives are a wreck because of it.

That’s why I think carrying a twelve pack of cola out of the grocery store for a woman with a cast on her foot is more effective. Or a cross on a chain around your neck and a smile on your face, even when you don’t feel like smiling. Or saying, “You know, I really don’t do that kind of thing. Would you mind dropping me off at the hotel?” when your business associates and clients suggest that you celebrate the new business agreement with a night at the strip club. Or just walking up to someone and saying, “Are you OK? Do you need a ride or to use my phone?”

If God is working in your life, it will show, and people will ask how you are so calm when the world is exploding, how you can smile when there is death all around, how it is that you don’t dispair when bad things happen, and how it is that you can be so nice to strangers who will never meet again and never get anything back from. If Jesus is working in your life - and that means the Eucharist - it will show, and people will ask, and want to be a part of it.

To me, a smile or cutting the grass for the sick neighbor across the street is evangelization.

-Tim-

This is very important. I deal mostly with non - Catholics in our ministry. I never try to convert any of them to Catholicism. I usually serve at the pregnancy centers. My concerns are more immediate. There is a baby’s life on the line. There are parents, often very young, who are totally oblivious to the fact that this is a real person. The culture of death has sold them a rotten bag of goods and it’s my job to help them sort through it and see the lies.

Then comes the next part. Now that I’ve persuaded some poor couple to bring the baby into the world, I have to make myself responsible for this baby. I have to help these parents find adoptive parents, if they can’t raise their child. If they want to try to raise their child, I have to find the material means for them to do so. This means that I have to provide material assistance with one hand and try to capacitate them so that they won’t need me.

If I can do all this with great love, with a calm demeanor and without judging, I feel that I have preached a good sermon about the faith. Sometimes, I feel that my job is to fertilize the soil. God will send someone else to pick up where I leave off. I trust that God in His loving mercy will do so. The only thing I tell my parents, especially my dads, “God has a plan.”

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[TrueLight]

This is very important. I deal mostly with non - Catholics in our ministry. I never try to convert any of them to Catholicism. I usually serve at the pregnancy centers. My concerns are more immediate. There is a baby’s life on the line. There are parents, often very young, who are totally oblivious to the fact that this is a real person. The culture of death has sold them a rotten bag of goods and it’s my job to help them sort through it and see the lies.

Then comes the next part. Now that I’ve persuaded some poor couple to bring the baby into the world, I have to make myself responsible for this baby. I have to help these parents find adoptive parents, if they can’t raise their child. If they want to try to raise their child, I have to find the material means for them to do so. This means that I have to provide material assistance with one hand and try to capacitate them so that they won’t need me.

If I can do all this with great love, with a calm demeanor and without judging, I feel that I have preached a good sermon about the faith. Sometimes, I feel that my job is to fertilize the soil. God will send someone else to pick up where I leave off. I trust that God in His loving mercy will do so. The only thing I tell my parents, especially my dads, “God has a plan.”

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

Br. Jay,

Yo do awesome work.

At the same time, your very habit evangelizes for the Catholic faith.

If God is working in your life, it will show, and people will ask how you are so calm when the world is exploding, how you can smile when there is death all around, how it is that you don’t dispair when bad things happen, and how it is that you can be so nice to strangers who will never meet again and never get anything back from. If Jesus is working in your life - and that means the Eucharist - it will show, and people will ask, and want to be a part of it.

To me, a smile or cutting the grass for the sick neighbor across the street is evangelization.

-Tim-

Tim, I think this is a wonderful way of evangelizing. At the same time, I think there is a time for speaking as well. The Legion of Mary does wonderful work.

Not all of us are called to go door to door, but we can evangelize through blogging or through giving talks.

Sometimes I feel that Catholics look down on those who evangelize “with words” for lack of a better way to put it.

 

[JReducation]

Br. Jay,

Yo do awesome work.

At the same time, your very habit evangelizes for the Catholic faith.

The most important habit is not the one I wear, but how I love.

On the day that I took office we changed our habits to the new habit of the FFV. I gave a talk to the new community. I said to them, “Make love such a visible habit that what you wear fades into the background. A habit without love is just a uniform.”

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[ready]

I agree with TrueLight when he/she says that there is a time for speaking as well (that is, for evangelizing with words). I like to invite fallen away Catholics to pray and to return to the Sacraments. I give them the hours for confession and Mass at our local chapel. Nothing heavy, just a friendly invitation.

 

[JReducation]

I agree with TrueLight when he/she says that there is a time for speaking as well (that is, for evangelizing with words). I like to invite fallen away Catholics to pray and to return to the Sacraments. I give them the hours for confession and Mass at our local chapel. Nothing heavy, just a friendly invitation.

That’s not proselytizing. That’s exactly what you called it, a friendly invitation. There is nothing wrong with inviting. The Holy Father is talking about organized attempts to convert Jews. In fact, he’s the first to invite the Jews.

He invites them to dialogue. He invites them to our special celebrations and events. He invites them to join in cooperative ventures. He invites them to joint research and study. In other words, he invites them to many settings where they will be exposed to Catholicism and have opportunities to ask questions and to learn more about us. He also takes advantage of their invitations to make Catholicism present in their synagogues and their communities.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[ready]

That’s not proselytizing. That’s exactly what you called it, a friendly invitation. There is nothing wrong with inviting. The Holy Father is talking about organized attempts to convert Jews. In fact, he’s the first to invite the Jews.

He invites them to dialogue. He invites them to our special celebrations and events. He invites them to join in cooperative ventures. He invites them to joint research and study. In other words, he invites them to many settings where they will be exposed to Catholicism and have opportunities to ask questions and to learn more about us. He also takes advantage of their invitations to make Catholicism present in their synagogues and their communities.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

Don’t worry, Br. JR, I know what you are saying in your posts. I’m just saying I like it when I am given the opportunity by the Holy Spirit to help nominal Catholics with my words, but these opportunities do not come up often and I feel I can not impose myself on people. When the opportunity to bring someone back to (or closer to) their faith does come up I feel like I should plant seeds in their hearts and minds (if possible), I do not feel like I should uproot or plant trees or anything like that. I know I can’t say much to most people (I believe some people I know would just get all angry no matter how gentle I came across with them), but I do feel I should speak when I should. For example, someone who is not practicing the faith makes an immodest joke. I could take the opportunity then to help the person to be faithful or I could let the opportunity to help out pass and let the person remain in his/her sinfulness without him/her having a second thought about what he/she has just said/done. I’m not saying I should coldly scold a person when they are unfaithful. Oh no, I would lose the person, but I could give a disappointed but loving look and then I could gently and warmly ask the person if Jesus would appreciate hearing such a joke. Fraternal correction is an act of mercy and I guess what I am saying is I hope I am not about telling people they are in sin, but helping them to see what they are doing so they can examine themselves and see their own sin. If more people admonished sinners - and in the right way - our world could be a lot less sinful of a place. I’m not saying I am always the best admonisher. Best wishes!

 

[JReducation]

Don’t worry, Br. JR, I know what you are saying in your posts. I’m just saying I like it when I am given the opportunity by the Holy Spirit to help nominal Catholics with my words, but these opportunities do not come up often and I feel I can not impose myself on people. When the opportunity to bring someone back to (or closer to) their faith does come up I feel like I should plant seeds in their hearts and minds (if possible), I do not feel like I should uproot or plant trees or anything like that. I know I can’t say much to most people (I believe some people I know would just get all angry no matter how gentle I came across with them), but I do feel I should speak when I should. For example, someone who is not practicing the faith makes an immodest joke. I could take the opportunity then to help the person to be faithful or I could let the opportunity to help out pass and let the person remain in his/her sinfulness without him/her having a second thought about what he/she has just said/done. I’m not saying I should coldly scold a person when they are unfaithful. Oh no, I would lose the person, but I could give a disappointed but loving look and then I could gently and warmly ask the person if Jesus would appreciate hearing such a joke. Fraternal correction is an act of mercy and I guess what I am saying is I hope I am not about telling people they are in sin, but helping them to see what they are doing so they can examine themselves and see their own sin. If more people admonished sinners - and in the right way - our world could be a lot less sinful of a place. I’m not saying I am always the best admonisher. Best wishes!

You should read our constitutions. We have a long section on fraternal correction. The gist of it is that fraternal correction must never be from the top down, unless one has the authority to do so, such as a superior, parent, police officer, teacher, etc. Fraternal correction must always be from the bottom up. It must begin with an admission of one’s own weaknesses.

This is one of those points that often drives me crazy on Christian forums, be they Catholic or Protestant. Everyone wants to correct and admonish the sinner. Everyone wants to correct error, but no one begins by speaking of their errors and their sins.

Sometimes, the best correction is through example. Such as, I have a real problem with patience. I have finally learned that if I can’t say something positive about the other person, I just keep my mouth shut. Most likely, the other person is not as bad as it appears. More than likely my impression of his errors is aggravated by my lack of patience. This is me speaking about me.

I truly believe that people don’t stop to think about their weaknesses before they pounce on someone else’s. That’s why this whole subject about reverence at mass makes my hair stand on end. I know that I never notice irreverence. Why not? Because when I go to mass, I zone out. My eyes are locked in one direction or they’re shut. My ears are tuned into the words and my mind is lost in contemplation. I’m too busy to notice irreverence.

When I see people trying to correct irreverence, my initial reaction is, "What were you doing or not doing that you noticed so many little details? Maybe your first correction should be directed at yourself. You need to discipline yourself to contemplate no matter how much is going on around you. If you’re noticing so many things, then you’re not contemplating. As St. Catherine wrote, others are never the excuse for lack of contemplation. The only reason for lack of contemplation is a lack of desire to contemplate.

The best fraternal correction comes from the person who constantly corrects himself.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[TimothyH]

Tim, I think this is a wonderful way of evangelizing. At the same time, I think there is a time for speaking as well. The Legion of Mary does wonderful work.

Not all of us are called to go door to door, but we can evangelize through blogging or through giving talks.

Sometimes I feel that Catholics look down on those who evangelize “with words” for lack of a better way to put it.

There is a time to talk, and God lets you know when. For me it starts with Christian action first. Maybe that’s because of where I live. So many here in the south are proselytizers.

My car broke down a few weeks ago and a guy stopped to offer help. He stayed with me to wait for the tow truck but I wanted to slit my wrists after fifteen minutes. The guy wouldn’t take a breath or let me say a word, trying to convert me or bring me to Christ. Then one of his friends pulled out of the subdivision, and the guy has the audacity to say to his friend, “I got here first.” Its like an olympic sport.

If you are living an authentic Christian life, people will naturally gravitate to you and ask.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lampstand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:14-16)

But you are right. There is a time to come out and say it. When someone says, “How can you stay so calm?” or the guy asks, “How is it that you can get along with your ex-wife?”

That’s the time to say, “I could never do it without the Eucharist.”

-Tim-

 

[JReducation]

Tim and True Light – Mother Teresa was cleaning the wounds of a leprosy patient. Apparently the smell and the look of it was gross. A visitor said to her, “I couldn’t do that for all the money in the world.”

She responded, “Neither could I. But I can do it for Him” and she looked up at the crucifix on the wall. That converted Malcolm Muggeridge the famous English author.

When writing our rule. St. Francis wrote a letter to preachers. He said to them, “Never speak when preaching. If you see someone steeped in sin, say nothing. If you are asked to preach ask for a blessing. Let your presence be your preaching. Let your love call back the sinner. Let your humility guide the seeker. And if you must speak, never condemn, never judge, never intimidate, never threaten and never reject. Remember, you are not Christ. You are only an instrument. All too often men wish to take on themselves the authority of Christ.”

He was referring to those who want to hide behind “Christ turned the tables at the temple” or “Christ called the Pharisees this or that” or “Christ got angry at Peter.” Francis said that all this was true. The problem is that we’re not Christ. We have no such authority. Christ never gave us such authority. It commanded us to proclaim the Gospel. But it was only to the Apostles to whom he gave authority to govern.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV

 

[ready]

Dear Br. JR,

I do not believe anyone should “pounce” on anyone else to correct them. What kind of person do you think I am? You are misunderstanding me or fraternal correction. If somebody tells me that they have left the Catholic Church for a Protestant church and I admonish them by lovingly reminding them that they will be deprived of the Blessed Sacrament I hardly think of that as pouncing on my neighbor. And if somebody tells an impure joke in my company I hardly think I am pouncing on them by lovingly directling them to think of how Jesus would take the joke. And I don’t think I need to mention my sins every time I give some loving admonishment … my admonishment needs to be said with a tone of gentle love and concern and not with a tone of condemnation, it doesn’t always have to include my own sins if I am approaching the person in a gently, loving, concerned way.

Let us just agree to disagree, if you think I am wrong. I am one of those people who feel that there is a time to speak in charity and a time to keep silent in charity. My confessor even tells me I need to drop seeds when around a person I know who is sleeping in the same bed with his girlfriend on weekends. The priest knows that I already told the person what he is doing is dangerous spiritually and wrong (he needed to hear this), but the priest thinks that it is best that I plant seeds with this man (whenever the opportunity arises) to help him come around before his death. I agree with the priest. My ignoring this man’s behavior while loving him and giving him Christian example is best accompanied by “words of wisdom” - words that will remind him that faithfulness to God is our best course. I no longer have to mention that what he is doing is wrong, I now just have to help him to love to do what is right. God gave us all the command to admonish sinners, he did not just give it to John the Baptist and Bishops. Peace!

 

[JReducation]

Dear Br. JR,

I do not believe anyone should “pounce” on anyone else to correct them. What kind of person do you think I am? You are misunderstanding me or fraternal correction. If somebody tells me that they have left the Catholic Church for a Protestant church and I admonish them by lovingly reminding them that they will be deprived of the Blessed Sacrament I hardly think of that as pouncing on my neighbor. And if somebody tells an impure joke in my company I hardly think I am pouncing on them by lovingly directling them to think of how Jesus would take the joke. And I don’t think I need to mention my sins every time I give some loving admonishment … my admonishment needs to be said with a tone of gentle love and concern and not with a tone of condemnation, it doesn’t always have to include my own sins if I am approaching the person in a gently, loving, concerned way.

Let us just agree to disagree, if you think I am wrong. I am one of those people who feel that there is a time to speak in charity and a time to keep silent in charity. My confessor even tells me I need to drop seeds when around a person I know who is sleeping in the same bed with his girlfriend on weekends. The priest knows that I already told the person what he is doing is dangerous spiritually and wrong (he needed to hear this), but the priest thinks that it is best that I plant seeds with this man (whenever the opportunity arises) to help him come around before his death. I agree with the priest. My ignoring this man’s behavior while loving him and giving him Christian example is best accompanied by “words of wisdom” - words that will remind him that faithfulness to God is our best course. I no longer have to mention that what he is doing is wrong, I now just have to help him to love to do what is right. God gave us all the command to admonish sinners, he did not just give it to John the Baptist and Bishops. Peace!

TALK ABOUT MISCOMMUNICATION

I agree with you 100%

I was trying to add a few more thoughts to your own, not trying to challenge them. I call it piggy backing. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

EVERYONE ELSE, please reread my responses to Ready as an addendum to what Ready said, not a rebuttal. None of my posts were meant as rebuttals to Ready. They’re all addendum.

I guess that I don’t do those too well.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV