Posted on 08/05/2005 7:38:49 AM PDT by Salvation
If applied to mustard.
I agree with you. Remember awhile back, however. That the Vatican was very dissatisfieid with the American ICEL? Hopefully things will change for the better.
Have you visited it?
Friday, August 05, 2005 Meditation Matthew 16:24-28 When we read, Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it, does it stir up fear? Or maybe denial? He doesnt mean lose everything literally. That would be pretty radical, and most of us have worked hard for what we have. Houses and cars, education, jobs, or simply food on the table: Few of us get these things effortlessly; and most of us want to hang on to what we have and do and love. And yet, this is precisely what Jesus does mean. Whoever wishes to save his life means, whoever desires deliverancematerial, this-world deliverancefrom danger, suffering, sickness, and so forth, will lose it. It means that whoever lives and strives entirely for comfort, possessions, and worldly achievements will end up losing it all. Wait a minute! Isnt it right to want those things? Whats wrong with a comfortable, prosperous, successful life? Absolutely nothing! The question Jesus words should raise in us is whether thats all were laboring for. What is the passion of our lives? God wants so much more for us than maintaining the status quo or making a few improvements on the periphery of our lives. He knows exactly what we need and he will take care of our needs (Luke 12:22-34), thus freeing us to concern ourselves with what he wantswith living for his kingdom. How do we get there? To start, use your head. List everything you know about your Father who is asking this of you. He is all-loving, all-knowing, all-powerful, wise, compassionate, merciful, and forgiving. When memory runs dry, turn to Scripture to find more. Then, list what he has done too, like creating the world from nothing, delivering the Hebrews from Egypt, and raising Jesus from the dead. Then, use your heart. Spend some quiet time recalling what God has done for you personally, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you a deep gratitude for all of this. Recall these powerful acts often in your day, and let them stir your heart with love. We simply cannot tell ourselves too often, This is what God has done. This is the One for whose sake I am willing to lose my life. Jesus, I trust your love, your kindness, and your wisdom for me. Remind me who you are and what you have done. I want to give you my life today, that I might have eternal life with you. Deuteronomy 4:32-40; Psalm 77:12-16,21 |
August 5, 2005
Dedication of St. Mary Major Basilica
First raised at the order of Pope Liberius in the mid-fourth century, the Liberian Basilica was rebuilt by Pope Sixtus III shortly after the Council of Ephesus affirmed Marys title as Mother of God in 431. Rededicated at that time to the Mother of God, St. Mary Major is the largest church in the world honoring God through Mary. Standing atop one of Romes seven hills, the Esquiline, it has survived many restorations without losing its character as an early Roman basilica. Its interior retains three naves divided by colonnades in the style of Constantines era. Fifth-century mosaics on its walls testify to its antiquity. St. Mary Major is one of the four Roman basilicas known as patriarchal cathedrals in memory of the first centers of the Church. St. John Lateran represents Rome, the See of Peter; St. Paul Outside the Walls, the See of Alexandria, allegedly the see presided over by Mark; St. Peters, the See of Constantinople; and St. Marys, the See of Antioch, where Mary is supposed to have spent most of her life. A now discredited legend, unreported before the year 1000, gives another name to this feast: Our Lady of the Snows. According to that story, a wealthy Roman couple pledged their fortune to the Mother of God. In affirmation, she produced a miraculous summer snowfall and told them to build a church on the site. The legend was long celebrated by releasing a shower of white rose petals from the basilicas dome every August 5. Quote:
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Christ's grace is the only source of salvation that is unmerited. Faith in Christ is necessary for salvation. On this we agree with the Protestants and disagree with Pelagius, or his welfare state followers today.
Works are necessary to sustain and witness the faith, and certain acts are explicitly demanded from us by Christ. As St. James puts is succintly, "faith without works is dead". Several parables illustrate that teaching.
In all or nearly all cases where Jesus heals someone, -- and His healing always there to teach about salvation rather than do therapy, -- there is an act of faith, not a mere declaration of faith, that prompts Jesus to heal. For example, a paralytic contrives to enter the house through the roof, a woman steals along to touch His garment, a Canaanite woman enters a dispute with Him.
In at least two passages that come to mind beside today's reading, Jesus makes a direct comment on the necessity of works. When asked, "what must I do to enter eternal life?" the answer Christ gives is all in terms of "works": obey the commandments and do charity to the point of self-negation (Mt 19:16-26). At the same time, a mere declaration of faith is not enough: "Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and not do what I say?" (Luke 6:46).
The works fall in two broad categories. One is participation in the Sacraments of the Church: the Baptism (all Christians agree on that), the Eucharist, -- "He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day" (Jn 55), also "do this in rememberance of me" (Luke 22:19; I Corinthians 11:24-25); and Sacrament of the Sick and Confession, -- (James 5:15-16, 2 Cor 5:18).
The other is works of charity: forgiveness of others, turning the other cheek, self-sacrifice.
It does not mean that Christ is not present in everything else we do, -- as even a sparrow cannot fall on the ground without God's will, but these works are specifically mandated by Christ, and linked by Him to our salvation.
Yes, I have.
I use bible.gospelcom.net for Greek.
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