Posted on 09/08/2018 9:06:50 AM PDT by Salvation
Scripture shares how Jesus ministry was among sinners; the same is true today in the Church
Question: I have a friend who says she is leaving the Catholic Church because of the new sexual abuse scandals. What can I say to convince her to stay? — Name withheld
Answer: Begin with empathizing with her anger and grief at the latest revelations of clerical misbehavior. It is the worst sort of betrayal when a priest or bishop sexually harass and abuse their own people. The faithful are right to be especially angry and hurt since they entrust to the clergy’s care the thing they most need to be saved: their faith.
Having acknowledged this, nothing would please the Evil One more than to see a Catholic walk away from the sacraments and thereby be deprived of these graces. This is especially true if the devil can sever your friend from the Sacrament of Holy Communion, which is Jesus himself.
There is an old saying: “Don’t leave Jesus because of Judas.” In his earthly ministry, Jesus was among sinners, and many of the puritanical Pharisees took scandal. Indeed, Jesus was often found in strange company.
The same is true today; Jesus is found among sinners. One image for the Church in the Scriptures is Christ crucified between two thieves. To find Jesus, we must often look past many sinners and unpleasant realities.
Jesus said, “And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me” (Mt 11:6). So encourage your friend not to block her blessings on account of the scandals that Jesus said would inevitably arise (see Luke 17:1). Remind her that Satan will be delighted if she leaves and that she will become one more victim of these horrible abuses.
Not to worry; we WILL be praying for y'all
...that the Light of Christ finally shines thru the DARKNESS that is now covering the Great Church of Rome.
Perhaps we could ask why RCs post so many threads? Pride??
Even if there is when a certain amount scripture is covered that is okay. Better to get a slice then no scripture at all.
We are allowed to post threads.
I causes me to want to have a seeing eye dog supplied to every non-prideful Catholic on FR.
“Not unlike the USA...”
I agree.
Both are great in concept and in founding principles. And both have become rotten with unneeded law.
It is depressing to me that so many seem to rely on a given church denomination, hierarchy or ritual to feel safe in their faith.
Churches are fine and the Catholics in particular have done some good works over the centuries. But active membership in any specific club is certainly NOT necessary to have faith and to be a valid Christian.
Go to church where they feed you, not where they bleed you.
And a whole chunk of verse is even better!
(No need to thank me for posting so much on FR.)
I have NOT alerted the Typo Police!
Sounds good to me.
No one said otherwise.
X
The priest takes the place of Jesus Christ in saying the Mass and consecrating the Eucharist.
Wow. NOT FOUND IN SCRIPTURE. Is there no end to the false teachings of Roman Catholicism??
All we can do is ask questions. The decision about the church remains the other person’s choice.
Remember the gift of free will and how often it is misused?
The person needs to seek God’s will not her own.
Is that your YOPIOS?
Please provide Romes official rendering of the passage in question.
Is that your YOPIOS?
I see the problem: a lack of understanding.
I can help!
1. The Bible never says a Christian should not interpret Scripture. Rome distorts the Scripture to keep you from studying
2. We are commanded by God to study the Scripture and rightly divide it, which requires interpretation.
3. We are commanded to love God with ALL our mind...
4. I dont have a single interpretation of Scripture that is not shared by tens of millions of believers, church leaders, and scholars - so YOPIOS never applies.
But I certainly DO interpret Scripture to fulfill Gods commands.
This involves time Salvation. And work.
It must be a priority for a believer and not passed by because someone has a life!
Best
Made up and never in Scripture.
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