Catholic Caucus: Sunday Mass Readings, 09-11-05

USCCB.org/New American Bible ^ | 09-11-05 | New American Bible

[PetroniusMaximus]

*** Justification is seen in the epistles as a past tense, completed action when refering to believers... ***

Correction, "Justification is *almost always* seen as...."

There are exceptions.

[annalex]

Justification is indeed often meant as the initial sacrifice of Christ reflected in a Christian life at its beginning. Nevertheless, the technical definition from the Catholic Encyclopedia is:

Justification

(Latin justificatio; Greek dikaiosis.)

A biblio-ecclesiastical term; which denotes the transforming of the sinner from the state of unrighteousness to the state of holiness and sonship of God. Considered as an act (actus justificationis), justification is the work of God alone, presupposing, however, on the part of the adult the process of justification and the cooperation of his free will with God's preventing and helping grace (gratia praeveniens et cooperans). Considered as a state or habit (habitus justificationis), it denotes the continued possession of a quality inherent in the soul, which theologians aptly term sanctifying grace. Since the sixteenth century great differences have existed between Protestants and Catholics regarding the true nature of justification. As the dogmatic side of the controversy has been fully explained in the article on GRACE, we shall here consider it more from an historical point of view.

life begun by supernatural spiritual rebirth, characterized by faith, sustained by grace and evidenced by good works

Problem with that is that in Catholicism the faith is seen as a product of works just as much as a source of works.

Speaking of terminology, I think I'd mention that "works" is understood rather expansively here. For example, reception of the sacraments is works. Liturgy is works. On the other hand, work in the context of legal or economic necessity is not "works" in the soteriological context. This is why these passages from Romans and Galatians, that concentrate on works of Jewish law or works of pagan labor, do not address the soteriological work of charity.

[InterestedQuestioner]

PetroniusMaximus and Annalex,

I'd like to request that this discussion move to another thread, and that the daily mass readings thread not be used as a place to debate.

Petronius Maximus, I pinged you last night in responding to a post on this thread, my bad. I've enjoyed your comments, and am delighted to see you reading the daily mass Readings.

This looks like an interesting discussion, and perhaps one which would make for a lively thread of it's own.

-IQ

[PetroniusMaximus]

***I'd like to request that this discussion move to another thread, and that the daily mass readings thread not be used as a place to debate.***

Sorry about that. I didn't realize it was that sort of thread - devotional stuff should be kept devotional.

[annalex]

I think we've had a very good discussion, which allowed me to more fully explain the Catholic teaching, and allowed Petronius to point out the disagreements. Thank you, Petronius, for being a good sport as always. I did ping you, so don't apologize.

It is best if we don't set a precedent that others may abuse.