What must we do to be saved in our "modern" society?

[Robert_Sock]

We all know what Christ said, but how many of us actually follow Him today? Do we really need to sell all we have and give to the poor? How many actually do that? We would need to be homeless if we were to follow Christ’s words literally.

The Carthusian monks come to mind here, but how many of us would dare live as one? To wear a hair shirt every day; bread and water every Friday; waking in the middle of each night to praise God. Oh, how I wish I could have become one! To engage in a spiritual fight that includes complete self-annihilation, extinguishment of all worldly desires and the abandonment of their own will, all so that they may enter an unseen land flowing with milk and honey!

I’ve said it before on this forum that we tend to compare ourselves to others in our sinful society, and thereby consider ourselves righteous, even though we are lukewarm.

What do you do to follow Christ? Is it enough?

LOVE!

PS Like Julian of Norwich and most of Judaism, I envision universal salvation… but a jam packed Purgatory.

 

[Stephen_says]

Hi!

This is a very good question, and certainly one that I struggle with.

Do I need to sell all that I have? No. That was a very individual calling for a specific person who encountered Christ. Christ on earth did not tell EVERYONE to sell all that they had, only some people were required to do that.

Each person’s calling is different, and we all must listen and recognize Christ when he calls us down our own path.

Some are called to be poor, some are called to use their wealth to serve the poor, some are called to be parents or priests or teachers or scientists or politicians, but we are all called to be the most holy version of ourselves possible.

I try not to compare myself with others; Instead, I focus on being better than myself only, and help to bring others with me on my journey to heaven when I can.

It is very hard to follow Christ all the time, but I strive to love God in my thoughts, words, and actions, I work to recognize my failings, to sincerely repent, and to strive again, this time better. I believe that is how you follow Jesus today, and any other time in history.

Peace

 

[Robert_Sock]

Hi!

This is a very good question, and certainly one that I struggle with.

Do I need to sell all that I have? No. That was a very individual calling for a specific person who encountered Christ. Christ on earth did not tell EVERYONE to sell all that they had, only some people were required to do that.

Each person’s calling is different, and we all must listen and recognize Christ when he calls us down our own path.

Some are called to be poor, some are called to use their wealth to serve the poor, some are called to be parents or priests or teachers or scientists or politicians, but we are all called to be the most holy version of ourselves possible.

I try not to compare myself with others; Instead, I focus on being better than myself only, and help to bring others with me on my journey to heaven when I can.

It is very hard to follow Christ all the time, but I strive to love God in my thoughts, words, and actions, I work to recognize my failings, to sincerely repent, and to strive again, this time better. I believe that is how you follow Jesus today, and any other time in history.

Peace

Yes, we all have different callings, and that is something we need to keep in mind. After being an Atheist most of my life, I’m now fascinated with ascetics and I often feel the need for self-mortification. It’s been a strange life thus far, and I often wonder what goes on with the Carthusians.

LOVE!

 

[JRKH]

The answer today is the same as it was then. Jesus taught many things but he left us with a single commandment that encompasses all others.
John 13:34-35 “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
So to be saved in our modern society - indeed in any society at any time - we need to love one as God has loved us.
Of course we cannot do this perfectly…but we do it to the very best of our ability through the Grace given us by God.
At death we say: “We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” - (Luke 17:10)
After that we trust in God’s mercy and hope to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Mt 25:21)

Peace
James

 

[Dorothy]

The grace to follow the Lord is available no matter where in history we were placed.

Thanks be to the Lord for the gift of faith, and all the treasures we have in the Church to help us on our pilgrim way, such as prayer, sacraments, and faith-filled friends.

 

[ready]

My answer to your title question:

Do good and avoid evil; obey the 10 Commandments and the 6 Precepts of the Church, and pray well and do your duties according to your state of life well. God bless you.