Posted on 12/22/2001 6:07:36 AM PST by Pharmboy
Mantras, and the rosary are a mechanical way to quiet distractions. But so is quietly sitting with a Bible in front of you, reading and pondering a verse or a story, letting the words into our heart. FOr that matter, pumping iron, jogging, or knitting lets us quiet distractions to get into our inner selves. (I frequently play piano for this).
The state of quiet is good for the body, since it quiets stress.
Spiritually, however, these things are a world apart. If one merely says "mantras" or "the rosary (i.e. words only)" or rushes through bible verses, they are merely words. They relax, but we only find ourselves. We may as well knit, for then we'd have an afghan afterward. There is a danger that pure "relaxation" leads only to egotism/pride.
However, if we are searching for the Lord in our hearts, being quiet in the presence of God and listening to his word will be the aim. So we can pray the rosary, or knit, or cook and find his presence.(see Brother Lawrence book practicing the presence of God).
BTW, when I said, "evangelical and charismatic" I was referring to both evangelical protestant and Catholic pentecostal, so it was not an attack on evangelicals.
I use the phrase "pentecostal" when referring to protestant pentecostal. I use the phrase "charismatic" when referring to the pentecostal movement in the Catholic church.
I have seen "charismatic" Catholics deride the Rosary too. Thus the broad statement.
You gotta admit, given the treatment of all things Catholic on Free Republic, we have a right to be defensive.
are you just in the mood to bash evangelicals?
I have been an "evangelical" and I still use that form of prayer I was referring to in my post at times. I have a hard time with those who accuse us of vain repetition when their own forms are no more nor less the same. This is a hot button issue for me, so my apologies for over-reacting.
In Rev. 4:8-11 it says:
And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all round and within and day and night they never cease to sing,
"Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God almighty. Who was and is and is to come!"
Is that vain repetition?
So you tell me what is vain repetition? Is all repetition vain? Even that of the angels?
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But what about this part of the sentence? I think this is saying that when you talk to God...talk to God. Don't talk to yourself, don't try to impress God or man with many fancy words but open your heart. Be honest and open. Sometimes repetition can take your mind off of your own self-centeredness and put it on God so that you can truly ponder God and His place in your life and your heart.
I don't think the words have a thing to do with it, it is the heartfelt communication with God that He wants from you. In other words it's the sentiment not the speech.
There are some other prayers in the Rosary, too. Plus it's supposed to be a meditation on the Birth, Death, and Resurrection of Christ. My heart sure isn't relaxed when meditating upon the Sorrowful Mysteries.
It is a lie to teach that any human being, other than Jesus (the God-Man), was, or is, sinless.
"ALL have sinned....". It doesn't say, "except Mary".
But then ... to those who want to believe that a human being has God's authority to _add_ doctrine to Scripture ... that is just a minor detail.
I think it's important to separate accepted New Age wishy-washy beliefs from simple observations of Scripture.
Luke 11:1-4 --
Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples."
So He said to them, "When you pray, say:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one."
Jesus didn't teach the disiples to "think good thoughts" or to just think "deeply" about God. He didn't tell them to "quiet their thoughts" and "look for God in their hearts." He taught them to SAY the words.
I'm sure all those other things are good. It's good to think deep thoughts. It's good to "look for God in your heart" (whatever that means). But I'm also sure that if Jesus said to speak words out loud when we pray, then we should speak words out loud when we pray.
Mark W.
This would be impossible if Mary were touched by any sin, since every sin diminishes grace. No other human is referred to in this manner in Scripture.
But then ... to those who want to believe that a human being has God's authority to _add_ doctrine to Scripture ... that is just a minor detail.
I assume you hold this opinion of Luther for adding the word "alone" to Romans 3:28 and his attempts to discard James, Esther and Revelation and the actions of others who choose to freely edit those parts of Sacred Scripture that did not fit their new doctrines and opinions.
Classic example of the pot calling the kettle black.
So do we just repeat The Lord's prayer? Out loud? or do we just repeat scriptural prayer or do we actually get in the frame of mind to talk to God about anything. If we are to pray unceasingly and it has to be out loud.... Think about it.
I think that you just want to be contradictory and you don't have a clue what you are talking about. There is nothing New Age about the Rosary. There is nothing unscriptural about the Rosary.
You know what, if vocal prayer is the most important thing and speaking lovingly to God is wrong then he'll just have to forgive me because when I read that the greatest commandment is to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself, I think that worshipping God is all about the condition of your heart. It was the Pharisees that insisted that all the rules be followed when their own hearts were rotted and Jesus pointed that out.
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