I agree with Bart's comment. We will be judged on how we loved others and we are all on the same journey so we have to help others. I was out shopping in town yesterday and I saw a man who used to come to our church. He is in a same sex relationship. He caught my eye, but the look on his face was as though he expected me to ignore him. He looked sad. I didn't ignore him, but made time to say hello and enquire about him and how he is and he asked about me and my family. It was only a short exchange but it was warm and I prayed after, that God would use it to help draw this man back to Him. We need everyone back in the fold and we have to do what we can to be God's love to them. It is not the healthy who need a doctor.
It would seem Our Lord was to hard then. He wasnt loving enough when he warned the lame man at the Probatic pool. 14 Afterwards, Jesus findeth him in the temple and saith to him: Behold thou art made whole: sin no more, lest some worse thing happen to thee.
By Elise Harris Vatican City, Oct 26, 2014 / 12:52 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In an audience with members of an international Marian movement, Pope Francis warned that the sacrament of marriage has been reduced to a mere association, and urged participants to be witnesses in a secular world. “The family is being hit, the family is being struck and the family is being bastardized,” the Pope told those in attendance at the Oct. 25 audience. He warned against the common view in society that “you can call everything family, right?” “What is being proposed is not marriage, it's an association. But it's not marriage! It's necessary to say these things very clearly and we have to say it!” Pope Francis stressed. He lamented that there are so many “new forms” of unions which are “totally destructive and limiting the greatness of the love of marriage.” Noting that there are many who cohabitate, or are separated or divorced, he explained that the “key” to helping is a pastoral care of “close combat” that assists and patiently accompanies the couple. Pope Francis offered his words in a question-and-answer format during his audience with members of the Schoenstatt movement, held in celebration of the 100th anniversary of its founding in Germany. Roughly 7,500 members of the international Marian and apostolic organization, both lay and clerics from dozens of nations around the world, were present in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall for the audience. In his answers to questions regarding marriage, Pope Francis explained that contemporary society has “devalued” the sacrament by turning it into a social rite, removing the most essential element, which is union with God. “So many families are divided, so many marriages broken, (there is) such relativism in the concept of the Sacrament of Marriage,” he said, noting that from a sociological and Christian point of view “there is a crisis in the family because it's beat up from all sides and left very wounded!” In regard to Mary, the Roman Pontiff said that her visit to her cousin Elizabeth is a strong symbol for the movement’s mission, and emphasized how no Christians can call themselves orphans because they have a mother who continues to give them life. Pope Francis recalled this history of the movement’s foundation, noting how it was started by Fr. Joseph Kentenich during the First World War. It was after his time in a concentration camp during World War II, the Pope noted, that the priest traveled to the peripheries of the world in order to preach the Gospel. Witness is key to spreading the Gospel, he said, explaining that true witness means living “in such a way that the will to live as we live is born in the heart of others…Living in a way (so that) others are interested and ask: ‘why?’” However, the Bishop of Rome emphasized that although we are called to give this witness, “we are not the saviors of anyone,” but rather are the transmitters of Jesus, who is the one that already saved us all. True witness propels us out of ourselves and into the streets of the world, the Pope continued, repeating his common declaration that a Church, movement or community that doesn’t go out of itself “becomes sick.” “A movement, a Church or a community that doesn't go out, is mistaken,” he said. “Don't be afraid! Go out in mission, go out on the road. We are walkers.” In answer to questions regarding how he can be defined as “reckless,” the Roman Pontiff admitted that although he can be considered “a little reckless,” he still surrenders himself to prayer, saying that it helps him to place Jesus at the center, rather than himself. “There is only one center: Jesus Christ – who rather looks at things from the periphery, no? Where he sees things more clearly,” the Pope observed, saying that when closed inside the small worlds of a parish, a community and even the Roman Curia, “then you do not grasp the truth.” He explained how reality is always seen better from the peripheries rather than the center, and noted how he has seen some episcopal conferences who charge for almost every small thing, where “nothing escapes.” “Everything is working well, everything is well organized,” the pontiff observed, but they could do with less “functionalism and more apostolic zeal, more interior freedom, more prayer, (and) this interior freedom is the courage to go out.” When asked about his process of reforming the Roman Curia, Pope Francis explained that often renewal is understood as making small changes here or there, or even making changes out of the necessity of adapting to the times. But this isn’t true renewal, he said, noting that while there are people every day who say that he needs to renew the Vatican Bank or the Curia, “It's strange (that) no one speaks of the reform of the heart.” “They don't understand anything of what the renewal of the heart means: which is holiness, renewing one's (own) heart,” the Pope observed, saying that a renewed heart is able of going beyond disagreements such as family conflicts, war and those that arise out of the “culture of the provisional.” He concluded by blessing the missionary crosses of those present, who are called to missionaries in the five continents of the world, and recalled how some time ago he was given an image of the Mother of Schoenstatt, who prays and is always present. The movement’s encounter with Pope Francis came on the second day of their visit to Rome, which culminated with a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica presided over by Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz.
Thank you Papa Francis http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/201...arriage_never_been_so_attacked_as_now/1109458 Brother al
Mac the last line in article is dedicated to you "Pope Francis also warned about the Devil, stressing that he exists and that his first weapon is disunity." Brother al
Me?? I was hoping it was aimed at the liar Kasper. How about FS and Bart talk us through Cardinal Kaspers lies. Help take some pressure off Pope Francis.
You know and I know Cardinal Kasper will get his come-uppance.... I also know you will pray for him as I will also. Its a deep hole he has dug for himself... A prince of the Church. God have mercy on him.
I don't think Bella caught anything in her encounter above. Did she spread something? I think so. Yes this is wishful thinking on my part but faith and hope are made up of a lot of wishful thinking. In the thread Field Hospital I describe an encounter I had. It was the first time I understood that analogy. I have been forgiven much. I love much. Of course I don't have gold standard conversations with people illuminating for them the glory of God and drawing them to conversion. But I try. And I trust Jesus and Mary to compensate for my inadequacies - and the Pope's. I came across this lately: God made man simple, but they get lost in their many thoughts. Ecc 7:29 Mac, I can't explain away Kasper. I tnink there will probably be a schism but I don't think Pope Francis will be on the 'permissive' side. Many priests and bishops will go but I think you will be surprised, and maybe unhappy, to find yourself still with Pope Francis. It is not enough for you to be my servant, to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back the survivors of Israel; I will make you the light of the nations so that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. Isaiah 49.
Of course I pray for Pope Francis and hope he holds to teaching. If he does, I will not be unhappy to find myself on his side.But to look at what took place during the Synod , who chose the elite , who decided to keep the problem paragraphs in the final document,despite not having the required 2third vote, I will be suprised! But then HEY! 'God is full of suprises' POPE FRANCIS
I had the strangest experience when I attempted to read the unapproved commentary on the synod. I read a few pages and then thought 'this isn't very edifying '. I stopped reading and was then very pleased when that version was dumped. I don't know much, but as a parent sometimes no matter how many times you tell a child they're not able to do somrthing, occasionally you have to say ok go ahead and try, and soon they realise they can't do it. I think Pope F is attempting something similar. BXVI spend decades telling Kasper he was wrong, now Frances is stepping back and saying alright how do you propose to make that work. The result of this is inevitable. Kasper is building on sand. Keep challenging us Mac, I always learn either from you or through you. You make it interesting
Marriage has been undermined since the time of the protestant reformation. Luther It is not enough for the symbol or sign merely to be analogous to a divine truth. There must be a divine promise connected, and the rite must be instituted by God as such. Thus, although such things as prayer are connected with promises, they are not sacraments because there is no visible sign. Likewise, marriage is not a sacrament because there is neither a sign nor a word of promise. Luther says, "To be sure, whatever takes place in a visible manner can be understood as a figure or allegory of something invisible. But figures or allegories are not sacraments." The impact of the Protestant Reformation is all around. Private interpretation of 'truth' & my own personal 'religion'.
Today's first reading of the Mass: Reading 1 eph 4:32-5:8 Brothers and sisters: Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ. Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is fitting among holy ones, no obscenity or silly or suggestive talk, which is out of place, but instead, thanksgiving. Be sure of this, that no immoral or impure or greedy person, that is, an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. So do not be associated with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
Sermon of October 22, Feast of St John Paul II Many people have all sorts of crazy ideas about the "Spirit of Vatican II", but when Pope Francis canonized Pope John II (an infallible act) he gave us the Canonized Interpretation of Vatican II. https://soundcloud.com/father-ryan-...dcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook
Some backtracking..... Cardinal Burke: I didn’t say the Pope is harming the Church, it’s the lack of clarityhttps://www.lifesitenews.com/news/cardinal-burke-i-didnt-say-the-pope-is-harming-the-church-its-the-lack-of-c
I really feel let down by the Synod on the Family, i personally thought it was a great chance for the Church to reach out to ordinary families, and to reconcile itself with the the sheep who have fled from there shepherds.
From a conservative Cardinal who maintained his dignity and thus had and continues to have great influence on the happenings in the Church and for the people of God. He did this with respect for his brother Bishops and especially for the Pope himself. And by his own words and behavior he elevates himself far higher than those on the fringes who attempted a type of mutiny to gain some kind of upper hand, notice, and self service from their personal "constituencies". This Cardinal is one we are fortunate to have and to trust when the ship is being attacked from all sides and from within. IOW, he isn't a "hysteric" when questions are raised. Cardinal Pell: ‘Today we have one of the more unusual popes in history’ https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/c...have-one-of-the-more-unusual-popes-in-history “The story of the Popes is stranger than fiction, but the contribution of the many good Popes far outweighs the sins and mistakes of the minority,” Cardinal George Pell wrote in a homily delivered on his behalf in Rome’s parish dedicated to the traditional Latin Mass. “Today we have one of the more unusual popes in history, enjoying almost unprecedented popularity.” The homily was delivered at Ss. Trinità Church to participants in the 3rd annual Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage in Rome by the Cardinal’s secretary Fr. Mark Withoos, as the cardinal was prevented from celebrating the Mass because of bronchitis. Pell, one of the pope’s most senior cardinals and the one to whom the pope entrusted the reform of the Vatican’s finances, was an outspoken voice of orthodoxy during the Synod as a so-called ‘radical’ minority of Synod fathers attempted to push through reforms that would open the door to acceptance of homosexuality, cohabitation, and other changes to Catholic moral teaching. In the homily, focused mainly on the importance of the papacy, Cardinal Pell wrote that it is “one of the most amazing institutions in history,” and emphasized the Church was built by Christ on “Peter himself, despite his faults and failings.” “Pope Francis is the 266th Pope and history has seen 37 false or anti-Popes,” he said, adding that Francis “is doing a marvelous job backing the financial reforms.” Turning to the fallout of the Synod, Pell wrote: “We all have an important task during the next twelve months i.e. to explain and build a consensus out of the present divisions.” “We will be counter productive if we have anger or hate in our hearts, if we lapse into sterile polemics against a surprisingly small number of catholic opponents.” He reassured his hearers that doctrine does not change. “Doctrine does develop – we understand truth more deeply – but there are no doctrinal back-flips in Catholic history.” Cardinal Pell's full homily is available here https://s3.amazonaws.com/lifesite/Iuventutem_Pilgrimage_2014.pdf
Just simmer down, everyone, and pray for unity and direction, as Mark Mallett says. Pope Francis, IMO, made have made a mistake to allow confusion to fester for so long. Cardinal Burke may have made a mistake by indirectly stating that the Pope was negligent in not clarifying the doctrine sooner (or at least leaving himself open to that accusation.) But both are faithful, and it is disgusting to see the factionalism of people taking one side or the other, as if they are in opposition. This factionalism is what brings about schism. Popes and Cardinals can make mistakes, yes. As Mark Mallett points out, it is the spirit of suspicion we have to worry about, where we start to believe they are "evil" or "betrayers." This spirit of suspicion can apply just as much to Cardinal Burke or another member of the hierarchy as to Pope Francis. It is possible to believe that a certain Pope is "bad" and still remain part of the Church. I think that is what Brian K is doing, though I disagree with his premise. Pope Francis, if you read his daily homilies, etc., is entirely orthodox. Of course, you can pick out things here and there which can lead to suspicion. As far as what Cardinal Burke said, he spoke up for love of the Church. Pope Francis, though, may have had good reasons for remaining silent in the face of the confusion that was ramping up. We simply don't have enough information to judge. I, however, refuse to accept the premise that there is Cardinal Burke vs. the Pope. In the USA, we had a political term coined, "Bush Derangement Syndrome", for those who went overboard in negative obsession with Pres. Bush, blaming even things like Hurricane Katrina (I kid you not) on President Bush. I think we are in danger of adding "Pope Francis Derangement Syndrome" and "Cardinal Burke Derangement Syndrome" to the list of disorders. There are two poles - truth and love, justice and mercy, etc. - but these two are NOT in opposition. It can be hard sometimes to find the exact right balance, and this is where the disagreements come in, but taking pot shots at members of the hierarchy of the Church is not the way. Pray, pray, pray!
If people understood the prepared and explained process of the synod they would know that the Pope, from its beginning explained to his brother Bishops his intention to remain silent until the end in order to allow freedom for a full discussion. That knowledge by those attending, of the Pope's planned listening silence is all the more reason to find fault with those who took advantage of his good will. I cannot find fault with our Pope for following his own plan and expecting the others to have the same respect for the good of the whole, and unity of purpose. People and especially our leaders, by their example to the faithful, should be held responsible for their unfortunate behavior that plays upon the lack of full information available to the faithful who are the ones at a disadvantage.
But, earthtoangels, I don't think those complaining are doing so because Pope Francis didn't speak up AT THE SYNOD. It was more because (whether this is perception or reality) he seemed to favor Cardinal Kasper's proposals for months before the synod and allowed the media speculation on some of his misinterpreted statements like "who am I to judge?" to build to the boiling point where there was an expectation that Church teaching was going to change, and never said anything to clarify those statements. I don't think that the Church hierarchy in general has a very good understanding of how their statements are perceived by the world. Cardinal Burke is (obviously) a well-connected English-speaking Cardinal, and he knew very well how the media was twisting Pope Francis' statements back in the USA. I think that is why he spoke up like he did that a clarification by Pope Francis would be very helpful. (NOTE that Burke must have believed the Pope to be orthodox or he would not have suggested that he speak up.)
