ElizabethJoy:
I saw that it had received the Imprimatur - that’s part of what was unsettling about this for me. Is an Imprimatur a sign that a publication has become part of the Church’s infallible teaching?
I’m trying so hard to do the right things, to study and learn and pray - and yet here’s a booklet that seems to say that none of this is necessary - all I have to do is call on the Father and I will never go to hell.
Your explanation makes some things a lot clearer and I appreciate it.
I will pray for a better understanding.
Dear friend
You are right to study and learn as much about God, mostly I should say by praying, Scripture reading and attending Journey in Faith when it’s running in your Parish (RCIA).
If a person does not KNOW something is a sin, then they are not called to justice for it, but if we know and still we commit that sin and the other two stipulants are there then it is a mortal sin. So if someone just perceives in their spirit, by the grace of God, at some point in their life, that God is their Father then this is the knowledge they possess and if they never have any other knowledge of God than this, they will be called to this gifted faith in God.
As for the soul that knows and believes alot about God, such as a well informed Christian and well cathechised Catholic, then their call is much more complex and they will be held to what they know.
‘To whom much is given, much is required’ (paraphrased as I can’t remember the exact words)
Someone who lives in the middle of nowhere, say a jungle, and has never heard about God will be called to the justice of what they do know or perceive about God. Someone who has heard bits about God and perceives He is Father will be called to the justice of what they perceive about God and someone who knows the Risen Lord Christ Jesus and knows Him in the Eucharist and possess an intimate relationship with Him by His grace is called to the justice of that. God does not call those to a justice that they are unaware of. God is merciful to those who sincerely strive in what they know of God.
Still we must strive to learn about God (we have a duty to form our consciences by the power of the Holy Spirit) and ask for the gift of understanding so that we may love, serve and know Him the best we can by His grace. Everything we know of God in faith is a gift, so we must not waste or shun that gift.
God Bless you and much love and peace to you
Teresa