Pope Francis, "If Mary is not your Mother, you are an orphan!"

Charisma News ^ | 9/5/2014 | Jennifer LeClaire

[Jan_Sobieski]

Pope Francis has been a breath of fresh air for many Catholics seeking greater liberty and a growing concern for conservative Christians who take issue with his comments about homosexuality and other cultural issues.

But the pontiff's latest statement is sparking an uproar from believers around the world. Pope Francis sent a tweet Tuesday that absolutely violates the truth of Scripture:

"The Christian who does not feel that the Virgin Mary is his or her mother is an orphan," Pope Francis tweeted.

As of the time I wrote this column it had been retweeted about 4,000 times and many of the responses were in appropriately unkind. It's not appropriate to attack the pope for his beliefs. It's more appropriate to share the truth...

[metmom]

Sheesh, I just saw that I forgot to put your comments in.

They sure don’t get it or they wouldn’t keep doing it.

[mlizzy]

Catholics dedicate themselves to Mary as has been shown. Your long winded propaganda does not change that fact. True Christians are dedicated to Christ alone.

I'm dedicated (loyal) to my husband, my kids, etc. I'm definitely dedicated to Mary because she is the mother of God. I find it ironic, though, that there are non-denominational and non-Catholic Christians who focus a lot more on Mary than the Catholics do. Get a life! Go pray! ... is what comes to my mind so frequently. :) Anyway, shifting gears, here's a nice quote from the Book on Prayer by St John Chrysostom, Bishop & Doctor. I hope you like it:

Prayer is the height of our blessings and communion with God; for it is both companionship and unity with God. Just as the eyes of the body are enlightened when they look upon light, so a soul intent on God is illumined and enlightened by his inexpressible light. It is not indeed formal prayer that I refer to, but prayer offered from the heart, and so not confined to suitable times and fixed intervals, but continuing in action without cease day and night. For we do not only have to withdraw to pray, and suddenly turn our minds towards God. No, even while we are busy among the needy, either with the care of the poor or with other concerns, or useful good works — into their very midst we should also bring our desire for and remembrance of God, so that seasoned, as it were, with the love of God they may provide a most acceptable offering for the Lord of all men. If we devote most of our time to prayer, the delight we can gain from it will last us the whole of our lives.

Prayer is illumination of the soul and true knowledge of God. It mediates between God and men; it heals suffering and counteracts disease. It calms the soul and guides it to heaven, for prayer has no earthly life, but follows a path leading to the very heights of heaven. It transcends the created world, and in the spirit cuts through and soars above the air; it passes beyond the circle of stars, opens the gates of heaven, and taking precedence over the angels enters the very presence of the unapproachable Trinity. There it worships the Deity, and is held worthy to be the companion of the King of Heaven. The soul, raised by it high into heaven, embraces the Lord in an ineffable embrace, and cries out tearfully like a child to its mother, begging for the heavenly milk. It seeks its own desires, and receives gifts surpassing all that belongs to the world of nature.

Now in speaking of prayer, you must not imagine that I mean words. I mean desire for God, unutterable love, which men cannot offer of themselves but by the inspiration of divine grace. Of this the Apostle says: “We do not know how we ought to pray, but in our wordless sighs the Spirit himself intercedes for us.” If the Lord grants to anyone prayer of this kind; it is wealth that will never be taken away, and heavenly food that satisfies the soul; he who tastes it is possessed with an eternal longing for the Lord, which sets his heart ablaze as with a mighty fire.

[MamaB]

When people post things from the Bible which goes against catholic teaching, that is right from God’s teaching. I believe the Bible over what any man says. Catholics may deny it but that is the truth being shown to anyone. Some seem to put more emphasis on what man says instead of the Word of God.

[CynicalBear]

Satan must love that Catholics keep showing the world Christ still dead on that cross. It is the image he wants the world to remember.

[MamaB]

I have always wondered about that since He is Risen. Don’t they know that? It just does not make sense.

[CynicalBear]

No Holy Spirit filled Christian would ever be comfortable with that image. Christ conquered death and the cross.

[MamaB]

Yes, we know that He is alive forevermore. He reigns.

[mlizzy]

Satan must love that Catholics keep showing the world Christ still dead on that cross. It is the image he wants the world to remember.

Rather it be that Satan loves people who disrespect Catholics and their faith beliefs. Satan knows the power of the Eucharist; that's why his believers seek a Consecrated Host for their black masses. They're not interested in your faith. You don't have anything of substance for them; they can get a Bible anywhere.

[kinsman redeemer]

Good on ya!

I remember this prayer: Hail, Mary - Full of Grace, the LORD is with THEE...

(Maybe Mary is in heaven saying, "Hey, you talkin' to ME??!)"

I said the "prayer" many times as part of my "JUST Punishment!!" (LOL)

I also said a "'GOOD' Act of Contrition" -- and here's a funny story:

For a long time I was saying: " Oh my God, I am hardly sorry for having offended Thee..." I misunderstood the word "heartily" for a good long time - probably until I was in the 8th or 9th grade. (What? SIX YEARS of a "BAD" Acts of Contrition...?)

NOW - I know 1 John 1:9

What a relief !!

[MamaB]

He must really be happy with some of the anti-protestants on this site who do not believe the Bible and with Jesus still on the cross. He is alive forevermore.

[kinsman redeemer]

Catholics dedicate themselves to Mary as has been shown. Your long winded propaganda does not change that fact. True Christians are dedicated to Christ alone.

That bears repeating.

And a hearty "AMEN!"

[mlizzy]

If you won’t remember the Passion and Death of Jesus Christ, how do you get know him at all? And Catholics believe the Bible; check out a daily Mass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6xiOAS7isM

[CynicalBear]

>>Rather it be that Satan loves people who disrespect Catholics and their faith beliefs.<<

Satan would not like that we point out that the Catholic Church by it's own admission includes paganism. Satan would not like that we point out Catholic contradictions with scripture.

[mlizzy]

Satan would not like that we point out that the Catholic Church by it's own admission includes paganism. Satan would not like that we point out Catholic contradictions with scripture.

Yes, I think he would; in fact, he'd love that, because it's all lies. Remember, Satan hates the Catholic Church, and everything she stands for. So keep slapping her upside the head; Satan's cheering you on.

[MamaB]

They know that but keep denying it. What would they have left if all the pagan stuff was gotten rid of? I have been amazed at pictures posted on here because I had never seen them before. So, someone did a good job.

[CynicalBear]

>>Yes, I think he would; in fact, he'd love that, because it's all lies.<<

Wait......you don't know that the Catholic Church admits it includes pagan practices? I and others have posted many times those admitions. I'll save you from having to look it up.

The missionary history of the [Catholic] Church clearly shows her adaptability to all races, all continents, all nations. In her liturgy and her art, in her tradition and the forming of her doctrine, naturally enough she includes Jewish elements, but also elements that are of pagan origin. In certain respects, she has copied her organization from that of the Roman Empire, has preserved and made fruitful the philosophical intuitions of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, borrowed from both Barbarians and the Byzantine Roman Empire—but always remains herself, thoroughly digesting all elements drawn from external sources...In her laws, her ceremonies, her festivals and her devotions, she makes use of local customs after purifying them and "baptizing" them. [Twentieth Century Encyclopedia of Catholicism]

That's just one of many statements where they admit inclusion of paganism.

[CynicalBear]

>>What would they have left if all the pagan stuff was gotten rid of?<<

Actually not much. Even the Christian elements they have retained have been corrupted.

[narses]

Easter is not a pagan holiday CB and you know it. It is not even CALLED Easter in most languages. Claiming that the use of pagan terms, words or even symbols make one a pagan is laughable - like most of the wack-a-doodle weirdness that spews so often by those who agree only that they think the Catholic Church is “pagan”. They cannot agree which version of the Bible is definitive, they cannot agree which sect, denomination or creed is correct, they argue about worship service - attend at all? Attend on Friday? Saturday? Sunday?

But the one thing the few but loud agree on is that to be Catholic is to be NOT a “Christian” and to be Catholic IS to be “pagan”.

But if the use of pagan words is the issue, then why have a month of “January” named after Janus? Or a day called Thursday honoring Thor?

No, your claims are laughable and sad. And held be just a very tint fragment of the real world. Thank God!

[dsc]

“That leaves room for no one else.”

Bilgewater. Buncombe. Nonsense.

He said it was the first commandment. He didn’t say it was the first of two. A person would have to be a drooling moron to think that God left us only two instructions.