Sure he can! A person with an uninformed and poorly developed conscience can be as bigoted, prejudiced, and narrow minded as he can manage! Aside from the matter of conscience, there is the matter of the intellect being uninformed, and therefore, it is likely that statements will be made that are permeated with ignorance.
It’s a she. And we could well do without further ignorance which does not help us to understand one another. Before making a statement, we all need to make sure we have facts, not just hearsay or gossip or personal bias, or a personal lock on the ‘Absolute Truth’.
Perhaps this is an apostolate to which you have been called? … it puts you in a better position to pray for healing.
Healing who? No apostolate: I want to be in seclusion, a contemplative. The world is too much with us.
Well, now you sound like you are getting defensive. In the same post you have accused your reader of ignorance, and now you are saying “it is none of your business”? It seems to me that, in order to have a better appreciation for the gifts and sanctity of the separated brethren, the reader should MAKE it his business!
I have no reason to be defensive. But I agree all of us should make an effort to
know what we freely express opinions about. I am ashamed that I grew up in a Jewish community but never attended Jewish service. I was amazed later how I could grow when I literally looked into the structures (material and spiritual) of other faiths.
I further intended to infer that OP is not obliged to query my choice of faith. I make my own choice, as you make yours.
I think it is a difference in methodology. Catholics have been taught that by participating in the Real Presence, we bring the Real Presence of Christ into the world. Protestants have been taught that, once the Word is living within, one can become Word to the world. Same mission, different methods.
Not quite. This thread for example will
not be moved to a consideration of the Christian life.
On the other hand, a United Church of Canada minister will take as his focus the Christian life and how it plays out in practice. Eucharist is a rite; sermon is a contemplation, a discussion. I have been told, on this Forum, that it is not Christ’s example that is important, but His flesh and blood. I cannot agree.
What if it is more important to God that Catholics learn their Word better, and make better application of their faith to daily life? What if it is more important to God that you receive His real presence?
If your first sentence suggests that *all *Christians need to know their Word better, and make better application of faith to life, I agree. I believe that is what God wishes. That is what I have been taught, and that is what my adult experience, prayer and reading tell me.
With reference to your second sentence, that is not my belief. That is not what I understand God intends for each and every one of us. I have tried to suggest that some Christians *need **to cling to rites like transubstantiation and the Eucharist, and others do not. You would not enjoy sitting through a two hour sermon - although our ministers are getting better vis a vis length.
Receiving the Real Presence, as I understand it, means recognising that Christ died to redeem us from sin. That means putting our focus on life everlasting, guarantee of heaven’s delights, resurrection of the body. Lots of Christians are concerned about these matters. I am not: I am concerned about humanity in this life, in this day, in each day I am given.
I think Christ is put to shame by our divisions. We do not live out His word to manifest Him to the world by our unity.
I agree with you utterly. But both Grace Seeker (Methodist, on RCC Supreme) and your humble servant have done our best (GS much better than I), with not much coming from the other side it seems to me except shame, ridicule, and various commandments to return to face the Absolute Truth.
That is why I am tempted to say we must agree to disagree, that what I do is my choice, what the other does is his/her choice and that they are all equally acceptable in the sight of God. I was not taught to dislike or be afraid of or hate Catholics. That is why I can contemplate a conversion now. Or why I might have done so.
Christ said
He who believeth in me shall not perish but have everlasting life. * He did not say, if you are a Catholic you will go to heaven, or if you are a Baptist you will go to hell. He simply said, if you believe in me, I will hold you safe in my arms forever. That is enough.