Posted on 04/05/2008 10:47:56 PM PDT by Judith Anne
FRiends, tonight I went to mass with my family, and one of the scriptures was the story of "The Road to Emmaus." The monsignor's sermon was on that topic, and it was excellent. He started out by asking why Jesus would allow the disciples not to recognize Him until He broke bread for them, and his thought was that Christ wanted us to look for Him everywhere, to remember that He said "Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me" so that we would realize though we may not recognize Him at first, He is there.
This excellent sermon led me to thinking about another crucial teaching; when Christ was asked, "Who is my neighbor?" He gave the example of the Good Samaritan. This has to be a familiar parable to every Christian, so I won't repeat it here.
I am sure that anyone who has been reading active religion threads lately has wondered about the second commandment: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." There has been a remarkable lack of kindness therein. I have been a part of that unkindness.
I will not speak of doctrinal differences here. I only want to say that I am sorry, to all who have been on the religion threads, for unkind remarks, for arguing. I have certainly not turned the other cheek, nor have I acted in a charitable way.
Because I am a Catholic, and accustomed to self-examination in the light of the teachings of Christ, I am ashamed of myself. This is not how I want to be toward other Christians, and certainly is not how I act in real life, for I have many dear Protestant friends and family members.
I had a moment of feeble self-justification as I prayed this evening, that I was provoked into anger. But we aren't to give in to that temptation, and I blame no one for my anger except my own faults. After all, when I stand before God, He will not want to know why I didn't improve a certain other poster's behavior, He will want an accounting from me as to why I didn't improve my own.
So this represents a step in that direction: I am off the religious threads. Because I am human, fallible, and love my Church, I would be tempted to defend it and thus fall into my old ways. Truthfully, the Catholic Church does not need me to fight on an internet forum for its honor.
Again, I am sorry, and I ask your forgiveness. Christ told us that when we want to bring an offering, we should FIRST make peace with our brother, THEN bring our offerings. I should not have added to the already considerable acrimony. I remedy that now, and ask those who think the way I do to join me in praying for all of us conservatives for something much more important: the will of Christ Almighty be done in our lives and in our country.
And may He bless us all.
Dude, don’t do an Opus on the same night that Charlton Heston dies.
Ping to you.
It’s after midnight here. And prayers for the repose of the soul of Mr. Heston, and the consolation of family and friends.
Judith Anne, you will be missed. I understand your pleas and reasoning and go along with them. I think that is why I mostly post links for information only, although I do defend fellow Catholics at times I discern some injustices rendered.
Please know that you are forgiven as well as loved.
Blessings, FRiend.
Ping
Yes, I am aware of Christ’s forgiveness, and that is one important reason to make amends: Imitatio Christi, insofar as I can.
Ping
It is OK to stay off the religious threads so long as you don’t leave FR entirely.
Yeah, you can even filter for just News/Activism posts.
Never get mad if you get angry.
Getting angry only means you care.
There are way, way too many people in the world who’s motto seems to be “Whatever...”.
Just don’t let your anger provoke you to strike out unjustifiably.
Well, God gave us TWO ears but only ONE mouth. I think I’ll use my ears more from now on...
Whether I can justify it or not, I don't want to strike out at all.
Good idea.
Judity Anne, you only defended what you believed. That is what we do, (humanly)
Others defend what they believe. That is what they do.
I think what you are doing is honorable and right.
It is just too bad that we all can’t agree on Religion, (no matter what our beliefs are) and join hands in a great big circle, and praise God together!
One of the most open and honest posts I’ve ever seen on FR.
God bless you.
I’ve decided it’s more important to do what God wants me to do than to get into a conflict over my Church on an internet forum.
Well, there’s no point lying to God....:D
Heh...indeed.
And may He bless us all.Thank you for your post. May God's will be revealed in each of our lives and done as He would have it.
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