What is penance?

[Bruno_Schulz]

**Repentance, penance, well – in my engl. dict. it’s about the same, but I should think that the re-part should redirect us or rather turn around for the better.

No, we do not have to walk in sack and ashes. But sometimes this would be a lot easier than to commit to our next: “I’m terribly sorry, it was so wrong and so bad what I did to you, let me do this (or that good thing) to you as penance.”
OK, the word penance we’d avoid and rather say indemnification or suchlike.
Now – to commit to God we did wrong, is bound to the precondition, that we firstly recognise our wrong behaviour, and secondly commit penance.

This penance never is “so many prayers”, - as being allowed to pray, is an unbelievable privilege and NEVER penance. Penance far more is to do something very good to others, but connected with a lot of work/trouble/nuisance to us. For instance, to help poor – shortly; to do good.
We ought to do so always, and not for penance, - but, do we?! Mother Teresa did so, as she wanted to do so and she did so never for penance.
Let’s be a tiny little bit like Mother Teresa for a start. It will bring us nearer to God.

In any case, we must even up the wrong doing we did against others and commit this was wrong, otherwise we can’t get near to God.
I know – it’s blye me hard to tell a person “it was wrong I said/did to you, and to put things right again. But to do so in spite; that’s penance. Moreso if God alone knows and we have to ask so for His mercy – which is not automatically there. Automatism like “pray so many OUR FATHER and it’s forgiven, is impossible. God alone decides whom is forgiven, for it’s only Him who knows it that penance is real or simply a trust on automatism.
**

 

[GailMac]

Dear Liberational -

You stated: “I’m here because I am amazed at how many people do " all things Catholic” and are blissfully unaware as to why they do so, who implemented the action or why.

Many Catholics are just happy to do what they are told…never questioning or wondering why."

I have no idea why you are so amazed at the “blissful” obedience of us Catholics who can unquestioningly adhere to what the Church teaches - what you’re witnessing is simply faith in action!

We don’t have to worry that what we are doing is pleasing to the Lord - we can just do it! We are free to live a life in Christ. That my friend is a freedom you don’t have. You have to constantly question whether or not what you are doing is pleasing to God in regards to all your personal devotions, worship practices and even your Bible readings and certainly in your interpretations. We aren’t stymied that way. We do what is already known to work. We walk in the light while you still stumble around in darkness.

I know that to some “modern” mindsets, that kind of obedience is stupid because we may seem like sheep! But that is exactly what we are - sheep. We recognize the Sheperd’s voice in what the Church teaches and we follow Him. What is so amazing about that? Perhaps you could hear Him for yourself if you’d stop arguing. He is calling you ya know! We’d love to have you join us! There’s a pew with your name on it and a kneeler at Adoration with groove marks just right for your knees! What are you waiting for?

Peace,

Gail

 

[po18guy]

Dear Liberational -

You stated: “I’m here because I am amazed at how many people do " all things Catholic” and are blissfully unaware as to why they do so, who implemented the action or why.

Many Catholics are just happy to do what they are told…never questioning or wondering why."

I have no idea why you are so amazed at the “blissful” obedience of us Catholics who can unquestioningly adhere to what the Church teaches - what you’re witnessing is simply faith in action!

We don’t have to worry that what we are doing is pleasing to the Lord - we can just do it! We are free to live a life in Christ. That my friend is a freedom you don’t have. You have to constantly question whether or not what you are doing is pleasing to God in regards to all your personal devotions, worship practices and even your Bible readings and certainly in your interpretations. We aren’t stymied that way. We do what is already known to work. We walk in the light while you still stumble around in darkness.

I know that to some “modern” mindsets, that kind of obedience is stupid because we may seem like sheep! But that is exactly what we are - sheep. We recognize the Sheperd’s voice in what the Church teaches and we follow Him. What is so amazing about that? Perhaps you could hear Him for yourself if you’d stop arguing. He is calling you ya know! We’d love to have you join us! There’s a pew with your name on it and a kneeler at Adoration with groove marks just right for your knees! What are you waiting for?

Peace,

Gail

Amen! May we appear as fools for the Lord!

 

[allhers]

Okay, I looked them up, what’s the difference???
To us Catholics penance/reconcilation/confession is a Sacrament. To others its just something you feel sorrow for and change how you were living before.
We agree. We feel sorrow and we confess it and we change. I guess for us, we get the added benefit of God’s grace to help us overcome our sinfulness and the assurance that we are indeed forgiven.

repentance-
the action or process of repenting especially for misdeeds or moral shortcomings

repent-
1: to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life
2 a: to feel regret or contrition b: to change one’s mind

contrition-the state of being contrite
contrite-feeling or showing sorrow and remorse for a sin or shortcoming

penance-
1 : an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin
2 : a sacramental rite that is practiced in Roman, Eastern, and some Anglican churches and that consists of private confession, absolution, and a penance directed by the confessor
3 : something (as a hardship or penalty) resembling an act of penance (as in compensating for an offense)

merriam-webster.com

 

[Jesus_N_Cherie]

Scripture says bring forth fruits of repentance. Fruits of repentance are penances. Penance is being sorry for your sins and that can be manifested in different ways. In the Old Testament they wore sack cloth and ashes, for example.

In the spiritual life people can advance, stand still, go backward. People can grow spiritually. Those who are more advanced can experience things others do not, or know things that others do not.

An analogy would be someone who studies any subject, math, a foreign language, philosophy or chemistry. In order to be able to take advanced courses or understand the subject matter at an advanced level you have to know the basics. So if someone studied math in the severnth grade and the teacher came in and gave a lesson in advanced calculus there would be no comprehension possible. Nevertheless the things learned in seventh grade math are valuable lessons. Suppose the seventh grader insisted though, that because he could not understand calculus that the principles of calculus are all false. His tools and methodologies leave him in disbelief that such things could be true. It all seems like jibberish and anyone who could accept calculus as a valid system of math must be blind.

Catholicism and Protestantism are different religions. they are similar, but different. Catholics believe there is more to religion than the Bible. The Bible is inspired by God, but God also speaks to us in other ways. The Holy Spirit is active in the Church and leads us into all truth until the end of time as Jesus promised in the Bible.

So when Protestants insist they do not understand something Catholics do, because they can’t find it in the Bible, the Catholic response is, “so what, who cares”. They wil ltry to point to where purgatory or penance, or the sacraments are found in scripture to accomodate Protestants or answer their questions, but Catholics don’t really care where it is in the Bible. That is a Protestant thing, part of their religion that is different from ours.
Sometimes it is no use trying to explain something, because they just won’t get it. They can’t.

We can still will one another’s good. We can pray for one another, but coming to agreement is impossible without the intervention of the Holy Spirit.

Many times being a grandfather brings forth wisdom. This is definitly one of those times. I wish I had your wisdom…which I know comes from the Holy Spirit, but life lessons have also been shown in the above quote. Thank you so much for your insight. You have brought me to a better understanding on at least one level. I will try to keep your words in mind as I am dealing with people who argue against Catholicism. Thank you again. God bless you and your grandchildren.

 

[Jesus_N_Cherie]

Dear Liberational -

You stated: “I’m here because I am amazed at how many people do " all things Catholic” and are blissfully unaware as to why they do so, who implemented the action or why.

Many Catholics are just happy to do what they are told…never questioning or wondering why."

I have no idea why you are so amazed at the “blissful” obedience of us Catholics who can unquestioningly adhere to what the Church teaches - what you’re witnessing is simply faith in action!

We don’t have to worry that what we are doing is pleasing to the Lord - we can just do it! We are free to live a life in Christ. That my friend is a freedom you don’t have. You have to constantly question whether or not what you are doing is pleasing to God in regards to all your personal devotions, worship practices and even your Bible readings and certainly in your interpretations. We aren’t stymied that way. We do what is already known to work. We walk in the light while you still stumble around in darkness.

I know that to some “modern” mindsets, that kind of obedience is stupid because we may seem like sheep! But that is exactly what we are - sheep. We recognize the Sheperd’s voice in what the Church teaches and we follow Him. What is so amazing about that? Perhaps you could hear Him for yourself if you’d stop arguing. He is calling you ya know! We’d love to have you join us! There’s a pew with your name on it and a kneeler at Adoration with groove marks just right for your knees! What are you waiting for?

Peace,

Gail

You are so wonderful. I wish I could be as charitable as you. Please pray for me.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**What GailMac said in #62, is ever so right. Yes, it’s not at all obedience. No – it’s the way of life one gladly and out of the nature of a person who lives in God, simply does or avoids. Believing people feel most uncomfortable if the do or let things in an other way than in the way Jesus told the world. And if you try this way, you’ll find this way as comfortable as you never lived before and you’ll feel sorry, even disgusted, that you didn’t take that way before.
Yes, this way is Jesus Christ (who is God) himself, as he told us, I AM THE WAY.

Truly I too do not absolutely walk that way. There are several steps in both directions. I’m not a Saint. But just taking a few steps aside our way, we very soon have to discover, we are walking on mud, dirt, sludge, even evil smelling **** (ha, that word was deleted ). How glad we are, when back on the track, and how sad and angry we tried out the adventure.

Now it’s up to us to tell God and those mucked up by us, we are sorry, and we really have to do a lot good to make that up again. That doing is penance. This penance makes not only our next happy, but it gives us anew the warmth and the love of God. Unless of course, some of us think this forgiving is an automatism. It’s not! It’s up to the grace of God if He forgives or not.

Remember what in the old days some Christians took up to do penance, like walking across the Alps barefoot to the grave of St.Peter.
So – to repeat what I pointed out: It’s not at all done with “a few Our Father” and no priest thinks of doing it the easy way when he askes us to “pray a few Our Father”, but he hopes we understand.

Real penance takes a lot more, such as real deeply being sorry, and real praying in the knowing of what prayer is: Directly talking to God! Not just “saying a prayer” but living a prayer.
Then, and only then, we are never alone! But we “have” God Himself with us.
This is so much and so great, that “obedience” is the wrong word for this great present or bestowment we own if and when we take Jesus’ way:
The presence of God.
**

 

[Jesus_N_Cherie]

**What GailMac said in #62, is ever so right. Yes, it’s not at all obedience. No – it’s the way of life one gladly and out of the nature of a person who lives in God, simply does or avoids. Believing people feel most uncomfortable if the do or let things in an other way than in the way Jesus told the world. And if you try this way, you’ll find this way as comfortable as you never lived before and you’ll feel sorry, even disgusted, that you didn’t take that way before.
Yes, this way is Jesus Christ (who is God) himself, as he told us, I AM THE WAY.

Truly I too do not absolutely walk that way. There are several steps in both directions. I’m not a Saint. But just taking a few steps aside our way, we very soon have to discover, we are walking on mud, dirt, sludge, even evil smelling **** (ha, that word was deleted ). How glad we are, when back on the track, and how sad and angry we tried out the adventure.

Now it’s up to us to tell God and those mucked up by us, we are sorry, and we really have to do a lot good to make that up again. That doing is penance. This penance makes not only our next happy, but it gives us anew the warmth and the love of God. Unless of course, some of us think this forgiving is an automatism. It’s not! It’s up to the grace of God if He forgives or not.

Remember what in the old days some Christians took up to do penance, like walking across the Alps barefoot to the grave of St.Peter.
So – to repeat what I pointed out: It’s not at all done with “a few Our Father” and no priest thinks of doing it the easy way when he askes us to “pray a few Our Father”, but he hopes we understand.

Real penance takes a lot more, such as real deeply being sorry, and real praying in the knowing of what prayer is: Directly talking to God! Not just “saying a prayer” but living a prayer.
Then, and only then, we are never alone! But we “have” God Himself with us.
This is so much and so great, that “obedience” is the wrong word for this great present or bestowment we own if and when we take Jesus’ way:
The presence of God.
**

I agree.
Even when I walked in the state of mortal sin I never considered that my Faith in Jesus through the ROMAN Catholic Church was the problem. I was always aware that the problem was the way I was choosing to live at that time. That Christ Jesus knew what was best for me, and I was choosing to reject it at the time…knowing it was to my detriment, but never casting the blame on anyone or anything else…was the problem. My decisions to reject God was the problem. The wonderful thing is that I was able to easily turn my life around and come back to the loving arms of Jesus through the Sacraments given by Jesus to the Roman Catholic Church.

 

[EvelynEVF]

As former evangelical, I really struggled with the idea of penance last Lent. I already do a lot of the prayer-related “stuff,” and had it stuck in my head that penance is self-flagellation. You know, the stuff we Baptists thought was quintessentially Catholic Beating myself up to persuade God to love me more

My spiritual director redefined it very simply for me: penance is whatever draws me closer to Christ. That results in sanctification and less self-centeredness.

For some people that looks like daily Mass, Stations of the Cross, daily rosary, novenas. For some it is keeping our head above the water and living gracefully and graciously during rough times. For some it might be a pilgrimage. I personally won’t go there with stuff like cilices, and I think that anyone who does had better be under the very close guidance of a qualified spiritual director.

For me last Lent, what I discovered my penance was, was to live in gratitude. I’m in a rough situation, and I was busy beating myself up for all the “crutches” I use just to get through the day. The “spiritual” ones were okay, but I was ashamed of the temporal ones.

I read something about how inappropriate it is to empty the holy water fonts during Lent, because we are never to fast from God’s graces. That day I realized that my crutches were really graces, and I needed to rejoice in them and be grateful, rather than trying to fast from those gracious gifts.

So penance can be many things

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**
The assumption heard from time to time; „Catholics where blissfully unaware as to why they do so, who implemented the action and why“, is definitely not so, as Christian parents tell their children who is God; from we know, who told us what we have to do and why: It was and is Jesus Christ, who is God in the Holy Trinity, - and the by Jesus founded Church, founded to administer His word.
And yes. Jesus still tells us today anew if we ask Christ Jesus, for He said: Who seeks finds, who knocks will be opened, who begs will be given - Mathew 7:7-11.

Does this count for me too, many will ask? Yes it does, for every living person is wanted by God! But what am I allowed to I ask for, with a fair chance to actually get it?

Precondition to obtain what we are asking for, is believe. One can’t ask a God whom one doesn’t believe in and then, when he doesn’t get, turn around and say THERE IS NO GOD.
To seek, to solicit, to gain and receive is but one inseparable thing connected in prayers like “Our Father” we where taught by Jesus.

The Idea, Catholics are just happy to do what they are told - never wondering why, is wrong. My small children did know every detail – and I made them ask and answered also a lot more, what I thought they might not quite understand.
In fact, Children understand emotionally very much and often much more than adults who often block very simple and clear answers. That’s why Jesus said. Let these little ones come to me, for their is the kingdom of heaven.

To presume some people had visions and claim that “Mary and Christ” want us to do acts of penance which is also reinstatement, is even for non-believers in so far wrong, as even they want people who did wrong against them, wait for an act of penance to reconcile again. So: Its only natural to do “an act of penance” and doesn’t even has anything to do with being religious or not.

But: If, being a Christian, you know you left God when doing wrong, you’ll strongly wish to reconcile by “an act of penance”. Remember; it’s what you do, act, bring. See the word in Luke 13:9: If it bears fruit, fine! If not, cut it down.’

Why would you do so?
Because living in God means, never to be alone.
Living without God means, to be alone, even when you are amidst crowds of friends. This really is sh… (here expressed as a deleted ****

The assumption: Interpretation of Luke 13:5 for penance would be wrong, is wrong, as the whole Bible reminds us for penance. Jesus Christ did so in the New Testament. But let’s look at Luke 13:5:
Some Galileans stood up at Jesus and told Him about a terrible act of Pilatus, asking: Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? And Jesus answered: I tell you, no! BUT UNLESS YOU REPENT, you too will all perish.

Not only this scripture is justification for penance.
It’s of not the least use to arrange hair-splitting on words repent, repentance, penance and works of penance if we want to understand, and human sense tells us what’s wrong and right.

To this problem St. Paul often repeated Ezekiel 3:27: “Whoever will listen let him listen, and whoever will refuse let him refuse;“
To accept or to refuse, is up to anyone, as free will is given to us to understand or to refuse.

**

 

[Jesus_N_Cherie]

As former evangelical, I really struggled with the idea of penance last Lent. I already do a lot of the prayer-related “stuff,” and had it stuck in my head that penance is self-flagellation. You know, the stuff we Baptists thought was quintessentially Catholic Beating myself up to persuade God to love me more

My spiritual director redefined it very simply for me: penance is whatever draws me closer to Christ. That results in sanctification and less self-centeredness.

For some people that looks like daily Mass, Stations of the Cross, daily rosary, novenas. For some it is keeping our head above the water and living gracefully and graciously during rough times. For some it might be a pilgrimage. I personally won’t go there with stuff like cilices, and I think that anyone who does had better be under the very close guidance of a qualified spiritual director.

For me last Lent, what I discovered my penance was, was to live in gratitude. I’m in a rough situation, and I was busy beating myself up for all the “crutches” I use just to get through the day. The “spiritual” ones were okay, but I was ashamed of the temporal ones.

I read something about how inappropriate it is to empty the holy water fonts during Lent, because we are never to fast from God’s graces. That day I realized that my crutches were really graces, and I needed to rejoice in them and be grateful, rather than trying to fast from those gracious gifts.

So penance can be many things

thank you for sharing with me. You have brought out some wonderful things for me to contemplate, things I’d never thought of before. Sometimes life is quite a struggle, and the way I handle the things life offers…or throws at…me, is also a form of penance. Thank you for showing me more of the light of Jesus Christ.

 

[Jesus_N_Cherie]

**
The assumption heard from time to time; „Catholics where blissfully unaware as to why they do so, who implemented the action and why“, is definitely not so, as Christian parents tell their children who is God; from we know, who told us what we have to do and why: It was and is Jesus Christ, who is God in the Holy Trinity, - and the by Jesus founded Church, founded to administer His word.
And yes. Jesus still tells us today anew if we ask Christ Jesus, for He said: Who seeks finds, who knocks will be opened, who begs will be given - Mathew 7:7-11.

Does this count for me too, many will ask? Yes it does, for every living person is wanted by God! But what am I allowed to I ask for, with a fair chance to actually get it?

Precondition to obtain what we are asking for, is believe. One can’t ask a God whom one doesn’t believe in and then, when he doesn’t get, turn around and say THERE IS NO GOD.
To seek, to solicit, to gain and receive is but one inseparable thing connected in prayers like “Our Father” we where taught by Jesus.

The Idea, Catholics are just happy to do what they are told - never wondering why, is wrong. My small children did know every detail – and I made them ask and answered also a lot more, what I thought they might not quite understand.
In fact, Children understand emotionally very much and often much more than adults who often block very simple and clear answers. That’s why Jesus said. Let these little ones come to me, for their is the kingdom of heaven.

To presume some people had visions and claim that “Mary and Christ” want us to do acts of penance which is also reinstatement, is even for non-believers in so far wrong, as even they want people who did wrong against them, wait for an act of penance to reconcile again. So: Its only natural to do “an act of penance” and doesn’t even has anything to do with being religious or not.

But: If, being a Christian, you know you left God when doing wrong, you’ll strongly wish to reconcile by “an act of penance”. Remember; it’s what you do, act, bring. See the word in Luke 13:9: If it bears fruit, fine! If not, cut it down.’

Why would you do so?
Because living in God means, never to be alone.
Living without God means, to be alone, even when you are amidst crowds of friends. This really is sh… (here expressed as a deleted ****

The assumption: Interpretation of Luke 13:5 for penance would be wrong, is wrong, as the whole Bible reminds us for penance. Jesus Christ did so in the New Testament. But let’s look at Luke 13:5:
Some Galileans stood up at Jesus and told Him about a terrible act of Pilatus, asking: Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? And Jesus answered: I tell you, no! BUT UNLESS YOU REPENT, you too will all perish.

Not only this scripture is justification for penance.
It’s of not the least use to arrange hair-splitting on words repent, repentance, penance and works of penance if we want to understand, and human sense tells us what’s wrong and right.

To this problem St. Paul often repeated Ezekiel 3:27: “Whoever will listen let him listen, and whoever will refuse let him refuse;“
To accept or to refuse, is up to anyone, as free will is given to us to understand or to refuse.

**

Very insightful, and useful. Thank you.

 

[po18guy]

Very insightful, and useful. Thank you.

Amen! Where have you been hiding, Bruno? Willkommen!

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

Amen! Where have you been hiding, Bruno? Willkommen!

Oh - I remember that word - isn’t it German?
Well - I’ve ben in so many foums (Foren is plural of Forum in German) but then I never krew this good one here

My friends and I lso had our own forum
Gott-Kirche-Glaube.isthier.de
but that’s now after 4 ears of running, fading away
If anyone here speaks German - go ahead and let’s hear there. Not even registration is needed if one doesn’t want to.

If anyone would like to write to me, I’d be glad. My mailaddress is
Krippenfiguren at t-online.de

yours
Bruno
full name Bruno-Maria Schulz
writing right now from www.Oberkirch.de

 

[GailMac]

Hmmmmmm…something to think about regarding Penance and it’s acts…After Jesus was baptised by St. John, He went and FASTED in the DESERT for FORTY DAYS!..that’s some act to follow…Anyone up for some Penance?

Peace,

Gail

 

[Jesus_N_Cherie]

Hmmmmmm…something to think about regarding Penance and it’s acts…After Jesus was baptised by St. John, He went and FASTED in the DESERT for FORTY DAYS!..that’s some act to follow…Anyone up for some Penance?

Peace,

Gail

I really would like the strenth of will to fast as Mary calls us to do. But if it was easy, it wouldn’t be much of a sacrifice would it. There are so many good ideas on this thread. I hope I get busy soon.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

Jesus went and FASTED in the DESERT for FORTY DAYS!

**The 40 days bear a great deal of symbolism in our church as well as to Jewism. But let’s bear in mind also, that praying on a mountain too had this symbolism (Moses); moreover so, prayers of Jesus Christ meant a lot more. Jesus praying was face to face with God Himself. So, when Jesus according to Matthew 4:2 FASTED in the DESERT for FORTY DAYS, this was not „only“ face to face of the Son with the Father, but also part of the passion of Christ for us.

The number 40: Elias walked in 40 days to mount Horeb (his body too was taken off the earth to heaven just like Mary’s body). Moses stays 40 days on Mount Sinai (Ex 24:18). Ascension is 40 days after Easter. 40 years crossed the Jews the desert (Ex 16.35). Lent lasts 40 days (not included Sundays, on which one might break fasting “to stay happy”).
For if we fasten (1:1 same word in German in contemplation, we must do so in joy (one reason why Sundays are left out), for we must remember Matthew 6:16: When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

By the way; with this „have received their reward in full“ or „had theyr heaven on earth“ Jesus also warned those, who’s God is the money. I don’t find the verse at the moment – do you?
**

 

[po18guy]

**By the way; with this „have received their reward in full“ or „had theyr heaven on earth“ Jesus also warned those, who’s God is the money. I don’t find the verse at the moment – do you?
**

Lukas 16:13 Niemand kann zwei Herren gleichzeitig dienen. Wer dem einen richtig dienen will, wird sich um die Wünsche des anderen nicht kümmern können. Er wird sich für den einen einsetzen und den anderen vernachlässigen. Auch ihr könnt nicht gleichzeitig für Gott und das Geld leben.

Habe Ich der vers gefunden?

p.s. “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

 

[Jesus_N_Cherie]

**The 40 days bear a great deal of symbolism in our church as well as to Jewism. But let’s bear in mind also, that praying on a mountain too had this symbolism (Moses); moreover so, prayers of Jesus Christ meant a lot more. Jesus praying was face to face with God Himself. So, when Jesus according to Matthew 4:2 FASTED in the DESERT for FORTY DAYS, this was not „only“ face to face of the Son with the Father, but also part of the passion of Christ for us.

The number 40: Elias walked in 40 days to mount Horeb (his body too was taken off the earth to heaven just like Mary’s body). Moses stays 40 days on Mount Sinai (Ex 24:18). Ascension is 40 days after Easter. 40 years crossed the Jews the desert (Ex 16.35). Lent lasts 40 days (not included Sundays, on which one might break fasting “to stay happy”).
For if we fasten (1:1 same word in German in contemplation, we must do so in joy (one reason why Sundays are left out), for we must remember Matthew 6:16: When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

By the way; with this „have received their reward in full“ or „had theyr heaven on earth“ Jesus also warned those, who’s God is the money. I don’t find the verse at the moment – do you?
**

thanks for the reminder not to post it when I am fasting. I want my reward in Heaven.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

Lukas 16:13 Habe Ich der vers gefunden?
You cannot serve both God and Money."

**Oh, certainly you found it. Thanks a lot

And great thanks to two guys who send me in Mail this too: “Matthew 6:1-16. They frame the Lords Prayer in Matthew 6:9 to 6:13”

It’s great, how we like a huge congregation talk about the word of God, and not simply talk about it, but try to live it.
And Jesus said: When two or more gather in my name, I am amidst them. Matthew 18:20. Let’s be aware of that.
**