[A.J.Armitage]

You seem to be implying that the parable teaches against excommunications in general. Surely you can't mean that, can you? The Bible also contains Titus 3:10.

[AlguyA]

'You seem to be implying that the parable teaches against excommunications in general. Surely you can't mean that, can you? The Bible also contains Titus 3:10.'

Actually, I implied no such thing. First, Scripture clearly indicates tares ARE NOT wheat. They just happen to hanging out in the same field, together, till the end of time. Without doubt, the Church teaches that those who support abortion, for example, by encouraging abortion have, in essence, already excommunicated themselves. Hence, they're tares. Just because they show up in Mass on Sunday doesn't perforce mean they are in communion with the Church.

Now, in certain instances, it may be necessary to avoid those who (usually because of their public status) would bring harm to the Body of Christ through a more public excommunication -just as is recommended in Titus 3:10.

Perhaps you could convince me otherwise if you would offer your own interpretation of the parable of the wheat and the tares.

[AlguyA]

I'll check in tommorrow for your response. I really should get to bed. My 16 year-old son is due in early in the morning on a bus returning from the March for Life in D.C.

Nite all,

Pax Christi,

Alan.