Ok, you were being perfectly serious, not sarcastic. Thank you for this clarification. God "imposes" these rules (via Scripture and Natural Law), not man. It is not in the power of man (or woman - or a pope) to abrogate these rules. Anyone who tells another that these rules can be ignored will answer to God. Contraception, if done with full knowledge and consent, is grave sin. I truly hope no one on this forum would ever encourage another to engage in grave or mortal sin, and that such would not be tolerated here.
Julia, I understand where you are coming from and feel the pain of this situation but it would not be ok or merciful. We need to trust in God always and His will. To directly sterilize a man or a woman would go against this trust and would not be merciful. Here is a great article on the topic. http://www.catholiceducation.org/en...es/a-future-pregnancy-would-be-too-risky.html
Concerning Sparrow. I shared an opinion that seemed to be the most charitable and Merciful response to a sincere vulnerable little soul who opened her heart on the forum. I could have expanded more on the why; but as it pertains to one soul, I felt it would not be appropriate on the forum. Having read through the thread now. I realise that my gut feeling and as so many Saintly Souls call discernment has proven correct. Sparrow has been so traumatised by the 'Law' which could condemn her to hell that she has been advised by her confessor to avoid this type of Catholicity. Or she could run from the safety of Holy Mother Church. Then what. Sparrow if you read this. Don't be sad or scared by souls who are much further along the spiritual journey than you. They just forget they were not always perfect. And you will grow too and be every bit as holy as the rest. In fact, you may be one of those spiritual giants being prepared by Our Lord. You are lovable and good. God bless you and guide you safely little sister. Yes, I am a cradle Catholic. Yes, I have by the Grace of God practised NFP. Yes, I have a clear conscience. But we have to remember not all Catholics are in the same place. But let he who is without sin cast the first stone. I was horrified to read the cruel assault from Holy Discerning souls on a little soul who was reaching out like a child. I trust in Jesus Divine Mercy, and judgement is not what we are called to do. No I was not being sarcastic. Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. Not my cup of tea. I hope Sparrow comes back. She wrote some lovely posts. ps. I guess more attacks will come. Julia will not back down on Sparrows situation, it is between me and my God.
Julia - but we are called to instruct the ignorant and admonish sinners. I am sure Sparrow is a beautiful soul and her situation is definitely a difficult one. However, using artificial contraception is always grave matter. We cannot commit a mortal sin regardless of the consequences. The saints would even say that they would rather die than commit a VENIAL sin. If she was following her spiritual director, she was probably fine, but only because she was being gravely led astray by a director who is in need of repentance themselves.
No stones from me.... just a Thank you Julia for such honesty and might i add, very brave! I truly hope Our Lady has not been shedding tears over us the last few days. She does enough for those who do not know her son nor love her son! My God, what does this say about us? Her children?! I joined because of "A site dedicated to the Mother of God" I mean no offence to you Padraig, I enjoy reading on here, so I am just speaking from my heart, and I'll be the first to say "I am simple" yet I do know love and kindness go a long way. .. May God, help us all.
Thank you MarysChild for disagreeing with me so kindly. Yes. You are correct. I know it, and lived it. The thing that worries me is, Jesus came to save sinners, and Holy Father Francis is reaching out to all in Jesus name. Not to condemn them but embrace them and give them a chance to find Faith. I wonder if we should dare to reach out with Mercy and Compassion just for this Year of Mercy. Or is it better to stick to the law. Only God knows.
I had a strange conversation at work the other day , Julia with a wonderful lady called Eileen. Eileen is 65 years old and is due to retire this year. She is recovering from bad cancer and they have her doing work that is far, far too heavy for her. Poor woman. She has always een so sweet to me bring me in biscuits and sweets and ons everal occasions mass cards. I was talking to her about alovely convent chapel near her home, I often pass by, it turns out it is used by their parish for Sunday Mass and Is aid I might tunr up next Sunday and meet her there. At this her face turned crimson. It tunred out she had not been to Church for seven years, since her husband , who, its seems was waster ran out in her. I asked her if she was not afraid of the fires of hell? At this she gave a kind of embarrassed giggle to which I told her she would not be giggling when she was down there burning, screaming her lungs out. I noticed at this point that several of my colleagues , all Catholics were listneing and looked like they would all fall out of their chairs they were listening so hard. It may seem like I was lacking in Mercy and Compassion for the poor woman , but it may have been the greatest act of Charity anyone will ever do for her this side of Eternity. For you know there really is a hell , people really do go there and scream in agony for all Eternity. Padre Pio knew this , which is why he used to kick ass in the Confession box so much. There is a mercy and Compassion that is true and honest and a Mercy and Compassion which is false and gets folks burnt. We have to be careful which kind we are doling out to people.
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?" Recommending grave sin to those suffering is the same as offering snakes and scorpions to the hungry. Neither are Mercy or Compassion.
Demons are the strangest creatures. They are in one sense far, far more straightforward than we humans here on Earth. We live by Faith in the unseen, but the devils see God and tremble. Their only one desire is to drag souls to hell to join them in their Eternal misery. they are al around us and are goerned by an implacble and total hatred. The Fear of the Lord is the begining of Wosdom they say. Padre Pio was one time asked if their are many demons on Earth and he said that there are so many they blot out the sky. I hear the demons talk, they never rest, are never idle and look at things in a totally different way than we do. We are the food they prey on, they are at total war with us. We should never forget this. Never . There really is a hell and it is terrible and Eternal. I have seen it. But even if I had not, I know it, it is constantly mentioned in Scripture and is the sure Teaching of the Catholic Church. But we live in an Age were Faith has grown cold. Our forefathers knew these things and Feared God, we ,may the Good Lord enlighten us, have lost the dread of hell and fear of Sin.
mothersuperior7, thanks for sharing Amy's writing. I just watched Michael Voris' February 23rd...The Vortex. Michael speaks about similar, the instant communication of whatever the Pope says and to follow, the worry, dishing, arguing over his comments in daily interviews. They're not Magisterial teachings. "Every papal word is not full of grace,"... http://www.churchmilitant.com/video/episode/a-disgrace-to-the-chair-of-peter
It seems by your post as though you feel "the law" is the opposite of mercy. Could it be that, maybe, your understanding of mercy is scewd? The law is given to us by God for our own sake, it is from God Himself. God is love and all that comes from Him is good, thus the law is good. Mercy and the law come from the same source and cannot be opposing.
Her situation is complicated, I' m a single mom, but if I were in that situation I would just try to follow the natural way , I agree that birth control should not be allowed , being marry means being open to life and have faith that God is in control. I definitely dont agree with Pope Francis comment, I prayed and asked for answers and this thought came to mind; "You shall not kill" what about killing in self defense? All I can say is that as long as I try to be a better person everyday, have love and compassion for all including the Pope the I'm doing my job, life is about learning, a journey unique to every soul, yes I'm a sinner like of all of us and I would not be here if it weren't for Gods Mercy.
Right, little me. This is basically what I was going to respond to Julia. Somehow we need to find a way to share the truth IN LOVE. There is no contradiction. As Pope Benedict XVI said, love without truth is blind, and truth without love is a "clanging cymbal." But it is doubly hard to do this on an online forum, where all we have is words.
Because I dared to speak words of compassion and Mercy to a soul who is endangering her health, wellbeing and redemption, I am demonised according to Padraig. That's fine. I'll still pray for you if I manage to get up in time for Mass in the morning. Maybe you will pray for me too, if you really believe I am a demon. I won't accuse anyone else of such a thing. I can see this is an evil assault against me, and won't tell anyone why until after Easter. It is worth it.
I have to say , I was also taken back by those words "to far gone" For God gives up on no one, and neither should we. I liked his post on demons because I do believe we are in battle! I was always taught words are powerful .. to be wise in how you use them. I will wait for his response to as why he felt the need to say those words. After reading the forums tonight. . I may take flight like sparrows.. .
I feel the forum is being attacked yet again. The evil one is Oh so subtle and astute. Psalm 131 1Yahweh, my heart is not haughty, I do not set my sights too high. I have taken no part in great affairs, in wonders beyond my scope. 2No, I hold myself in quiet and silence, like a little child in its mother's arms, like a little child, so I keep myself. 3Let Israel hope in Yahweh henceforth and for ever. For the MoG forum right now! August Queen of the Heavens, heavenly sovereign of the Angels, Thou who from the beginning received from God the power and the mission to crush the head of Satan, humbly we beseech Thee to send Your holy Legions, so that under Thy command and through Thy power, they may pursue the demons everywhere combat them, suppress their boldness, and drive them back into the abyss. O Who is like Unto God? O good and tender Mother, Thou will always be our love and hope! O Divine Mother, send Thy Holy Angels to defend me and to drive far away from me the cruel enemy. Holy Angels and Archangels, defend us, guard us and protect us. Amen. Julia let us sing praises to God! 1Alleluia! Praise Yahweh from the heavens, praise him in the heights. 2Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his hosts! 3Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all shining stars, 4praise him, highest heavens, praise him, waters above the heavens. 5Let them praise the name of Yahweh at whose command they were made; 6 He established them for ever and ever by an unchanging decree. 7PraiseYahweh from the earth, sea-monsters and all the depths, 8fire and hail, snow and mist, storm-winds that obey his word, 9mountains and every hill, orchards and every cedar, 10wild animals and all cattle, reptiles and winged birds, 11kings of the earth and all nations, princes and all judges on earth, 12young men and girls, old people and children together. 13Let them praise the name of Yahweh, for his name alone is sublime, his splendour transcends earth and heaven. 14For he heightens the strength of his people, to the praise of all his faithful, the children of Israel, the people close to him.
