The mystery of saints and sinners

[PelagiathePenit]

It is often difficult to see how we are all sinners. I have written about this before. Like from St. Therese of Lisieux to the criminals. St. Dimas is considered a saint for repenting beside Christ. I think of this especially about those who have no pronounced vice or apparent shortcomings. Some people’s sins can be seen easily while others are hidden. I often wonder how and why some people fall into alcoholism and smoking. I genuinely believe these people struggle to shake off their addiction. After learning about the four temperaments it seems like for some it is naturally much easier for them to understand the supernatural. Some temperaments are naturally more peaceful, or more emotional or easygoing. Why are some people given more agreeable personalities than others? I think of children and parents. Some parents discuss having babies that seldom cry unless hungry or agitated and slept through the night. Then I think parents who have babies that are naturally picky eaters or had difficulty sleeping through the night. Toddlers who seemed to warrant little discipline versus the hilarious yet annoying hyperactive toddlers. There are those who seemed to have made it out of the most difficult of circumstances while others do not always make it out of the ghetto. Some say willpower which is very true but there are people who honestly and genuinely fight their vices. St. Jerome is a saint even though he had difficulty ridding himself of his anger. Why doesn’t God give us all the same gifts? Obviously we have complete freewill but that doesnt explain why we have the inclinations we do. Example there is a wonderful woman I know who is never catty or envious. There are people I know who honestly never gossip while some cannot manage to keep their mouth shut. Again if it is truly about willpower then why cant we make ourselves perfect? Surely this does not excuse anything. I know devout Catholic families that have been divided by divorce. Some children seem to be more deeply wounded by their parents divorce.How do we see the good in those that are more seriously engulfed in sin and keep compassion and patience for those who we may never understand? God bless and Christ be with you. The mystery of faith

 

[Mary_Estelle]

Lot of questions, there girl! Well, there is righteous anger. We DO NOT understand the supernatural and that is why it is called the supernatural. Thologigns give it a whirl, but we are really not meant to understand it with our limited mental and spiritual capacities. We get to SHARE in it to some extent. Babies are little blank books in the process of being written and developed. How parents or caregivers help write the outline for these little “books” from day one has an effect on them from day one, too. Not all babies are born 100% perfect as we know. We are created in our Father’s image, but He tossed in a little factor called DNA and Chromosomes which have in many case been altered over the generations. Graces are not free. There is a little work involved and we must be willing to accept the gifts that are offered. No one is really exempt from the OFFER of graces. Its comes down to what you do with and how you receive the wealth of the Lord. Divorce? Divorce wounds everyone involved at some level even if it isn’t obvious. Willpower. Most of us have free will power or the options of choosing good over bad, making “right” decisions or just doing whatever is pleasing to self or the ID. Some have the right to “chose” at the point of a gun. We are so blessed here in this country that we still have “options,” well, so far. God did create us in his image…right? Not as perfect little cut-out clones, but generally with the ability to strive to be God-like, but not Gods. Even Adam and Eve were not perfection as we tend to think of them. As with a mirror, the reflection is not 100% true, but the image of the what and who we should and could be. By the way, did I forget to mention that I am related to Adam and Eve? Yup, it’s true. Long, lost relatives. And did I mention that you have more question than a 3 year old/ And I can’t answer them with 100% accuracy? It’s because I am human, after all, with lots of little flaws that I am still working on. Peace and prayers.

Oh, I forgot! Righteous anger! Jesus threw the money changers out of the temple because the were defiling His Father’s House. This is an example of righteous anger. Ever feel that way?

 

[pianistclare]

It is often difficult to see how we are all sinners.

**Why? You know some perfect people? There are none. **I have written about this before. Like from St. Therese of Lisieux to the criminals. St. Dimas is considered a saint for repenting beside Christ.

Dismas repented and recognized Christ and asked for forgiveness. This is available to all sinners.
I think of this especially about those who have no pronounced vice or apparent shortcomings.
**We can’t see people’s true selves. Witness all the time people say " Oh , he seemed like such a nice guy, we have no clue there body parts in his fridge!" **
Some people’s sins can be seen easily while others are hidden. I often wonder how and why some people fall into alcoholism and smoking.
**There’s as many reasons as there are people. WE cannot make too many generalizations. **
I genuinely believe these people struggle to shake off their addiction.
**Of course they do. **
After learning about the four temperaments it seems like for some it is naturally much easier for them to understand the supernatural.
**Those who have never been catechized in any form, in any faith have a harder time. **Some temperaments are naturally more peaceful, or more emotional or easygoing.
**Yes, people are different. **
Why are some people given more agreeable personalities than others?
**Circumstance often is a factor. ** I think of children and parents. Some parents discuss having babies that seldom cry unless hungry or agitated and slept through the night. Then I think parents who have babies that are naturally picky eaters or had difficulty sleeping through the night.
**Anxious parents tend to have anxious children. A calm, chaos free environment also helps. **
Toddlers who seemed to warrant little discipline versus the hilarious yet annoying hyperactive toddlers.
**Diet, an inherited traits factor in, yes,
**There are those who seemed to have made it out of the most difficult of circumstances while others do not always make it out of the ghetto.
**OK, I’m going to stop here.
PEOPLE ARE DIFFERENT.
God made each one of us unique. How we handle any given situation is based on how we are raised, what we have experienced, and how well we are in tuned to what God expects of us.
Strive to understand yourself, honestly, and everyone else’s problems may not trouble you as much as they seem to do.
**Some say willpower which is very true but there are people who honestly and genuinely fight their vices. St. Jerome is a saint even though he had difficulty ridding himself of his anger. Why doesn’t God give us all the same gifts? Obviously we have complete freewill but that doesnt explain why we have the inclinations we do. Example there is a wonderful woman I know who is never catty or envious. There are people I know who honestly never gossip while some cannot manage to keep their mouth shut. Again if it is truly about willpower then why cant we make ourselves perfect? Surely this does not excuse anything. I know devout Catholic families that have been divided by divorce. Some children seem to be more deeply wounded by their parents divorce.How do we see the good in those that are more seriously engulfed in sin and keep compassion and patience for those who we may never understand? God bless and Christ be with you. The mystery of faith

 

[PelagiathePenit]

pianistclare:
I appreciate your effort in answering my questions. God bless you. At times I just wonder why I do not understand some things that come naturally to others. Why I can’t do certain things as easily?

 

[fisherman_carl]

If all the answers came to you too easily then you might be tempted to think more highly of yourself than you ought. And to forget God who is the source.