What Have You Given Up For Lent, Or Sacrificed?

[SpiritMeadow]

Wow, you pray the Divine Mercy chaplet? This is shaking up my preconceived ideas of what liberals are like

And I continue to be amazed that so many RCC here don’t expect this. When I was a RCC, I was surely taught that these were prayers and devotions used by many other Christians, not just Catholics. It’s been a real eye opener for sure. What has my being liberal have to do with it? I’m rather confused about that! LOL. Blessings.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

Yes many non-Catholics now participate in this pious Catholic tradition. However many can’t explain why or where it comes from. This is from the St. Andrew Missal…

" In the ancient custom we have the remains of an ancient ceremony referred to in the Roman Pontifical. Christians who were guilty of grave faults had to undergo public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop used to bless the sackcloth which was to be worn by the penitents during the holy Forty days, and place upon their heads ashes made from palms used the previous year in the Palm Sunday procession. Then, while the faithful were singing the Seven Penitnential Psalms, the penitnents were expelled from the holy place on account of their sins, just as Adam was driven out of paradise because of his disobedience. They were not allowed to put off their penitential garb or to re-enter the Church before Holy Thursday after they had gained their reconciliation by toil and penance, and by sacramental confession and absolution."

Peace,
David

LOL… oh gosh, thanks for informing us. We are used to doing these things without understanding why. I think you might find ashes and sackcloth even in the OT. The idea of ashes and sack cloth to offer penitence to God and mourn our sins is much more ancient than the RCC. It predates Christendom entirely.

 

[Neil_Anthony]

And I continue to be amazed that so many RCC here don’t expect this. When I was a RCC, I was surely taught that these were prayers and devotions used by many other Christians, not just Catholics. It’s been a real eye opener for sure. What has my being liberal have to do with it? I’m rather confused about that! LOL. Blessings.

You converted to Episcopalian!!???!?

Was it because of things people said here on CAF?

Anyway, I guess I remember you saying you are a “panentheist” which I picture as being someone who worships trees or something, but I really didn’t know,

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

You converted to Episcopalian!!???!?

Was it because of things people said here on CAF?

Anyway, I guess I remember you saying you are a “panentheist” which I picture as being someone who worships trees or something, but I really didn’t know,

Why would you think that the reason someone joins another church is because of what people say and not because of what Jesus told you when he established the Catholic church? If someone chooses to be in a church not founded by Christ, it seems to me that they don’t like the fact that Catholicism is hard, that the Catholic faith isn’t easy and they just want an easy way out.

 

[O.S.Luke]

If someone chooses to be in a church not founded by Christ, it seems to me that they don’t like the fact that Catholicism is hard, that the Catholic faith isn’t easy and they just want an easy way out.

Or, after much prayer and discernment, they might believe that the Catholic faith isn’t the best expression of the Christian faith for them. That doesn’t mean they don’t respect the Catholic faith. I certainly do, and I am not Catholic.

I don’t know any Christian faith that is easy; living a life of discipleship is hard - whether one is Catholic or non-Catholic.

Where in the world are you coming from?

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

Or, after much prayer and discernment, they might believe that the Catholic faith isn’t the best expression of the Christian faith for them. That doesn’t mean they don’t respect the Catholic faith. I certainly do, and I am not Catholic.

I don’t know any Christian faith that is easy; living a life of discipleship is hard - whether one is Catholic or non-Catholic.

Where in the world are you coming from?

I beg to differ. People try to avoid the hard doctrinal and moral truths the Catholic church offers them (BECAUSE HARD TRUTHS DEMAND THAT LIVES BE CHANGED), they nevertheless are attracted to the church. When they listen to the pope and the bishops in union with him, they hear words with the ring of truth–even if they find that truth hard to live by.

 

[DCD]

LOL… oh gosh, thanks for informing us. We are used to doing these things without understanding why. I think you might find ashes and sackcloth even in the OT. The idea of ashes and sack cloth to offer penitence to God and mourn our sins is much more ancient than the RCC. It predates Christendom entirely.

Do I detect a hint of bitterness?

Peace,
David

 

[Neil_Anthony]

Why would you think that the reason someone joins another church is because of what people say and not because of what Jesus told you when he established the Catholic church? If someone chooses to be in a church not founded by Christ, it seems to me that they don’t like the fact that Catholicism is hard, that the Catholic faith isn’t easy and they just want an easy way out.

Well, over the last year or two people have hounded her a lot on here about how her beliefs were not really in line with Catholic doctrine. At one point I even told her that if I had her beliefs, I would become Episcopalian… now I just noticed that her religion has been changed to Episcopalian, and I’m curious what happened and hoping I’m not responsible for the loss of someone’s soul

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

Well, over the last year or two people have hounded her a lot on here about how her beliefs were not really in line with Catholic doctrine. At one point I even told her that if I had her beliefs, I would become Episcopalian… now I just noticed that her religion has been changed to Episcopalian, and I’m curious what happened and hoping I’m not responsible for the loss of someone’s soul

Neil, that is not your fault. She wanted to leave in the first place, so don’t let anyone let you think this. Let Jesus sort them out.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

You converted to Episcopalian!!???!?

Was it because of things people said here on CAF?

Anyway, I guess I remember you saying you are a “panentheist” which I picture as being someone who worships trees or something, but I really didn’t know,

Yes I did convert Neil, in September. It was a hard decision,but I found myself in such disagreement on too much dogma. Yes people here did help drive me out I admit. Mostly by showing me that I didn’t want to this fight. I may well have continued a RCC, but I was pushed to full intellectual and spiritual honesty and had to admit to stay was wrong for me. I am thrilled where I am.

I’m not the only one. Other’s have said the same thing. This forum is working against its own purposes in some sense, or for it, depending on who you speak to. A number want the American RCC reduced to only true orthodox believers. That would be about 10% of its present size. Who am I to argue. Most of the new TEC are exRCC.

Panentheism is not against Catholic Teaching by the by. It merely means that one believes that all things are of God, out the unending abundance of God’s being, created of him, by him without in any way diminishing Him.

 

[Blade_and_Blood]

Meat.

Ironically Yours, Blade and Blood

 

[O.S.Luke]

I beg to differ. People try to avoid the hard doctrinal and moral truths the Catholic church offers them (BECAUSE HARD TRUTHS DEMAND THAT LIVES BE CHANGED), they nevertheless are attracted to the church. When they listen to the pope and the bishops in union with him, they hear words with the ring of truth–even if they find that truth hard to live by.

You are welcome to differ. So am I.

Discipleship demands that lives be changed too - to deny self and take up the cross, to go out and make disciples, to feed the poor and clothe the naked. Essential truths about the Gospel are universal - whether one is Catholic or non-Catholic.

Nothing about that is easy, OTCA.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

Why would you think that the reason someone joins another church is because of what people say and not because of what Jesus told you when he established the Catholic church? If someone chooses to be in a church not founded by Christ, it seems to me that they don’t like the fact that Catholicism is hard, that the Catholic faith isn’t easy and they just want an easy way out.

There is another thread about “why did you leave the Catholic Church:” here where you can read why I left. It was not because of what anyone said here. They just nudged me out the door i was already at anyway. I see no reason for you continued attempts to be rude and unseemly.

I fully respect your beliefs. You don’t respect mine, and that’s fine,but you don’t need to continually denigrate everything that is said by a non-RCC.

My reasons for leaving the RCC had nothing to do about its’ being hard.It’s not hard at all, you simply have to learn what the Church tells you to believe. I found that simple. Your uncharitableness and attempts to continually bait people is unforgiveable.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

Or, after much prayer and discernment, they might believe that the Catholic faith isn’t the best expression of the Christian faith for them. That doesn’t mean they don’t respect the Catholic faith. I certainly do, and I am not Catholic.

I don’t know any Christian faith that is easy; living a life of discipleship is hard - whether one is Catholic or non-Catholic.

Where in the world are you coming from?

I think it is useless. Some here have concluded that to explain the Roman Catholic faith it is required to trash every other. It sadly is the opposite. It makes anyone sitting on the fence or undecided, to run for the hills.

Apologetics has been perverted into a harangue at any Christian who doesn’t agree with them. I can only wonder what the Vatican would think of such talk. They are trying to reach out to people and some are trying to drive people away.

 

[sambos671]

There is another thread about “why did you leave the Catholic Church:” here where you can read why I left. It was not because of what anyone said here. They just nudged me out the door i was already at anyway. I see no reason for you continued attempts to be rude and unseemly.

I fully respect your beliefs. You don’t respect mine, and that’s fine,but you don’t need to continually denigrate everything that is said by a non-RCC.

My reasons for leaving the RCC had nothing to do about its’ being hard.It’s not hard at all, you simply have to learn what the Church tells you to believe. I found that simple. Your uncharitableness and attempts to continually bait people is unforgiveable.

I fully respect your beliefs. I don’t agree with them but I believe you are entitled to them and are free to have them. So how is it that we don’t respect your beliefs?

 

[OneTrueCathApos]

I think it is useless. Some here have concluded that to explain the Roman Catholic faith it is required to trash every other. It sadly is the opposite. It makes anyone sitting on the fence or undecided, to run for the hills.

Apologetics has been perverted into a harangue at any Christian who doesn’t agree with them. I can only wonder what the Vatican would think of such talk. They are trying to reach out to people and some are trying to drive people away.

That is because you don’t get it. You haven’t studied the history of the Catholic church, you don’t understand how Christ truly established the CC. If you are driven away, it is because you wanted to be.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

Do I detect a hint of bitterness?

Peace,
David

You might watch the condescention. It seriously detracts from an otherwise rather informative post. We can all benefit from what you presented, but your opening was unkind and I suspect you realize that. If you really wish to inform, then you can be sure many of us are eager to learn. I learn new things every single day, and am most happy that that is true.

You post was incorrect. We have not come to “now participate.” We always have. I don’t know what basis you had for claiming that non-Catholics don’t know about the practice. Anecdotal information is not evidence of what you asserted. It merely means you have spoken to one or two and they didn’t know. Many Catholics might not be able to explain the process very well either.

Words have meaning and power. If you wish to persuade, then attacking is not usually a good way to make a point. I have no idea what the word bitter would be used. What would I have to be bitter about? It makes no sense whatsoever.

Bemused might be a better chose, by your assumptions.

 

[SpiritMeadow]

I fully respect your beliefs. I don’t agree with them but I believe you are entitled to them and are free to have them. So how is it that we don’t respect your beliefs?

quite simply, I was not speaking to you or referring to you. I thank you deeply for your reasonable restraint and statement!

 

[sambos671]

quite simply, I was not speaking to you or referring to you. I thank you deeply for your reasonable restraint and statement!

Thank you.

So how do we not respect your beliefs?

 

[SpiritMeadow]

That is because you don’t get it. You haven’t studied the history of the Catholic church, you don’t understand how Christ truly established the CC. If you are driven away, it is because you wanted to be.

1. You don’t know me or what I have learned or studied vis a vis the RCC.
2. You would agree would you not that it would be irrational to conclude that I don’t know the history of the RCC simply because I don’t agree with you ?
3. Thus your conclusion that I was driven away, is incorrect, and it is also incorrect that I wanted to be.

We don’t agree, You are not right simply by claiming your are. Others are entitled to believe they are as well.