So let's talk about today's readings 2/15/09

[cheeto1]

usccb.org/nab/readings/021509.shtml

“Brothers and sisters, whether you eat or drink,
or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God”

This is from the 2nd reading today, and the only thing
on my mind. Exactly how does one eat and drink for
the glory of God? Is this ordinary eating and drinking,
or does it refer to animal sacrifices, “forbidden foods”,
and maybe alcohol?

This is all that strikes me today.

So what struck you about today’s readings?:bible1:

 

[COPLAND_3]

Here is today’s readings with commentary litteralchristianlibrary.wetpaint.com/page/Sunday%2C+February+15%2C+2009

As for your questions about the 2nd reading, here is the commentary on that, I would copy and paste it but it is a little bit lenghty litteralchristianlibrary.wetpaint.com/page/1+Cor.+10%3A31-11%3A1#edit

The 3rd reading is what really strikes me, that is how Jesus shows so much compassion. I think that this is a great model for us as we respond to those in society who are considered “untouchable”, such as those who are very ill, or even those are homeless.

 

[mhuff1]

My initial thought on the Gospel reading (where Jesus told the leper to go and speak of this to no one and he went and told everyone) was did the leper not just disobey Jesus??

But then when the priest began his homily by singing out “How can I keep from singing?” then did I understand the joy the leper felt at having been healed and how he wanted to share the good news with the world. My priest made a good point…How is it possible NOT to “sing” or share the wonderful works of Jesus?

I feel the same way about wanting to share my story of returning to my faith and how prayer, God, Mary, and Jesus all have helped me and how I have this unquenching thirst for knowledge on my faith again!
For some reason I don’t know how to explain, I came out of church grinning today

My :twocents:

 

[cheeto1]

The 3rd reading is what really strikes me, that is how Jesus shows so much compassion. I think that this is a great model for us as we respond to those in society who are considered “untouchable”, such as those who are very ill, or even those are homeless.

This is exactly what struck our priest. Then, he went even
further, and said to respect people who disagree with us on
abortion, those who believe it is right. That is easy for me to
do, unless I find out that they do realize it is killing, and still
think it’s right.

Thank you for the commentary answers to my question. I appreciated all those answers from saints! Again, thank you.

 

[Cathhsmom]

Our focus was on the “unclean” and “clean”. It focused on our need for confession to clean us since even though we don’t have leprosy, we are all unclean with sin. That we are blessed to have the sacrament of confession to cleanse us of that sin. The priest also talked of baptism and its cleansing of original sin and actual sin.

He pointed out how the person with leprosy would have to announce themselves as unclean where ever they went. How lonely that would be. How no one was to touch them or they would be unclean and unable to be with people, too. That is why Jesus was not allowed to preach in the towns after this. I had never thought about that or heard that pointed out before today.

 

[Mike_Dye]

This is exactly what struck our priest. Then, he went even
further, and said to respect people who disagree with us on
abortion, those who believe it is right. That is easy for me to
do, unless I find out that they do realize it is killing, and still
think it’s right.

Thank you for the commentary answers to my question. I appreciated all those answers from saints! Again, thank you.

I would have to disagree with your priest. I cannot imagine an instance in which I would ever respect those that advocate the taking of innocent human life, regardless of the fact they think it may be right. I am sure that Hitler and his cronies believed that exterminating millions of Jews was right. If I were you I would tell your priest that his liberal views are not what the Church teaches and you will inform the Bishop of his error.

 

[cheeto1]

I would have to disagree with your priest. I cannot imagine an instance in which I would ever respect those that advocate the taking of innocent human life, regardless of the fact they think it may be right. I am sure that Hitler and his cronies believed that exterminating millions of Jews was right. If I were you I would tell your priest that his liberal views are not what the Church teaches and you will inform the Bishop of his error.

I have never once convinced a person of my views by
disrespecting them. In fact, I have never once convinced a
person of my views (that’s just a thought of my pride). God
is in charge of all the convincing, and I hope not to get in His
way.

You mention the extermination of the Jews, and the respect
that Hitler received, and an anger boils up in me, an anger
over the injustice, cruelty, and evil. You would be right to
compare it to abortion and slavery. I must respect a person
as a human being, but that doesn’t mean I would vote for
Barack Obama or any other person who would kill someone
and call it right. I am on your side here, and it is a great
effort to respect some people, but for some reason, God chose
to respect me.

 

[COPLAND_3]

I would have to disagree with your priest. I cannot imagine an instance in which I would ever respect those that advocate the taking of innocent human life, regardless of the fact they think it may be right. I am sure that Hitler and his cronies believed that exterminating millions of Jews was right. If I were you I would tell your priest that his liberal views are not what the Church teaches and you will inform the Bishop of his error.

His priest was only following the suggestions from the Vatican, which gave us advice during the election to show respect for those Catholics who you feel are voting wrongly, which has to do with moral and social issues. Trust me, it was good advice because I was quite bitter that people could vote against life, but the Church allowed me to regroup and approach these people with a less bitter spirit and to try to inform them and clarify things without coming across so negative.

 

[cheeto1]

no one was to touch them or they would be unclean and unable to be with people, too. That is why Jesus was not allowed to preach in the towns after this.

This is news to me, I thought He couldn’t go to the towns because He was too well known and the crowds were too great.
If Jesus were now seen as “unclean”, couldn’t He just go and
show Himself to the priests to be pronounced “clean”?

 

[cheeto1]

I feel the same way about wanting to share my story of returning to my faith and how prayer, God, Mary, and Jesus all have helped me and how I have this unquenching thirst for knowledge on my faith again!

I’d love to hear your story. Do you have it posted elsewhere on
the forums?

 

[mhuff1]

I’d love to hear your story. Do you have it posted elsewhere on
the forums?

Actually I don’t think I’ve ever posted the whole story. I’ve touched on it here and there in different posts…
Here’s a little bit of it

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?p=4640211#post4640211

But I’d love to share more…

So I grew up in the Catholic church and when I left home at the age of 19, I quit going to church. And of course, after that I quit praying. Originally my excuse was that I couldn’t or didn’t want to find another parish. My first parish I grew up in and it was like family. Going to another one alone was very scary.
Then the excuse was I didn’t want to go…

Fast forward years later to 2007. I had gotten into partying and drinking a lot. Every weekend consists of club, dancing, drinking, and driving, along with becoming slightly permiscuous.

One night, after a night of clubbing and drinking, I drove home at 3am. I was coming up on a crosshair intersection, where I (and a car coming the opposite direction from me) had a green light. A guy coming down the road to my left ran his red light. The 2nd car that was coming the opposite direction from me hit the 1st car in the driver side and they both veered into my lane. I missed the 1st car, but hit head on with the 2nd car. The only reason I know this is from the investigation report, I only remember bits and pieces from after the accident and only remember seeing my green light and sparks during the accident.
The 1st guy died at the scene, the 2nd guy was hospitalized, and here I am sitting on the side of the road in shock. I was not treated nicely, of course because they smelled alcohol on me. After my adrenaline and the shock wore off (about 3 hours later) I realized that I could no longer walk and was in so much pain.
I ended up with a broken right foot and a severly sprained left ankle which left both legs splinted up for 6 weeks.

I never really pursued help after this traumatic experience and went on with my life. From then on until about a month or two ago, I had become a very bitter person. I went through a lot of emotions right from the start, wondering why me and what did I do? It’s was very hard for me to get in a car after that. I was told that I have a bit of PTSD. Brake lights freak me out…any vehicle coming at the side of me freak me out, especially if it looks like they’re going too fast and won’t stop in time…and I have a hard time riding with other people so I normally offer to be the one to drive places (I feel better when I’m in control of the vehicle). And the good thing is I definitely don’t drink and drive anymore! Although I was not charged because I did not cause the accident, it could have easily been me because I had been drinking.

Obviously my priorities changed immediately. And then I met my ex-boyfriend not long after healing.

Fast forward to November/December. Around November, I started to have a break down…and I think it stemmed from the accident…
But then in December I dealt with a very bad break up with the ex. That in itself is a whole nother story, but you can read it here if you want.

So round about the time I had a break down and a little before the break up, I felt the urge to start praying again. I also felt the urge to just go sit in church. There were days where I took lunch breaks and just sat in church and cried and pleaded with God to give me strength.

Then the break up happened…and then a week later I had to put my beloved dog to sleep. Another heartbreaking event. All the while, I’m praying to God, Jesus, and Mary’s intercession for strength to get through all this. I started to pray the rosary and found that my soul felt at peace during the prayers. I really felt like Mary was listening to me and soothing my soul.
I was very lucky to get in contact with an old friend who himself had returned to the church. He has been very inspiritational and supportive. He knows the right things to say when I’m feeling down. He reminds me that God would not bring me to situations if I could not get through them and that faith will get me through anything. And I also found this forum…which has been a great comfort to me as well! I’m so very blessed for that and the people on here!

Finally one Wednesday in January, I asked my coworker to switch lunch hours with me because I felt the need to attend mass that day. So I did.

Then I found myself wishing for Sunday to get here sooner because I couldn’t wait to attend Sunday mass!

After attending Sunday mass and going for Communion, I talked to my mom and found that I should not have done that until I had gone to Confession. I immediately called the priest at the parish and set up an appt. Within two days I was there confessing everything for the past 10 years.
I posted about that being the best confession that I’ve had ever.

And ever since then, I find myself wanting to read more, wanting to learn more…I’m buying books and finding info faster than I can read it! And I find that I can’t wait for Sundays so I can go to the Sunday mass! It’s a wonderful service at this parish and I’m so blessed to have found this parish!

 

[cheeto1]

I’d love to share more…

So I grew up in the Catholic church and when I left home at the age of 19, I quit going to church… (now)…I find that I can’t wait for Sundays so I can go to the Sunday mass! It’s a wonderful service at this parish and I’m so blessed to have found this parish!

Thank you for sharing your story Maria. I believe it’s something
we all need to learn how to do eventually. You have helped
everyone, and you give us strength,

 

[mhuff1]

Thank you for sharing your story Maria. I believe it’s something
we all need to learn how to do eventually. You have helped
everyone, and you give us strength,

Thank you for asking to hear it, as I love to share it!
And thank you very much for taking the time to read it cause I know it’s a long post!

Many on here have been a great comfort to me and have given me strength…it touches my heart to hear that I can do the same in return!

God Bless you