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.
If I gave the impression that this was about my “own personal anguish” I apologize to you.
No anguish, just a sincere desire to stop participating in something that I view as destructive and evil for me.
thought you were taking a break? :-)
It could also be the logical result of the effort required to answer every question by every poster. (Remember how tiresome that was during the Republican Primary Wars? :>)
It’s the same on the religious forum. It’s good to limit the number & length of posts that you’ll write. I think Judith Anne could just be worn out.
If someone writes me a long, long essay on some subject full of questions, comments, charges, etc., I’ll not necessarily read it all. I prefer shorter responses to longer. And if a ton of people respond, I just don’t have the hours in a day to get that involved.
For me, I use FreeRepublic primarily as a news site, and only then as a religion/politics discussion site. In my early years here, I was way overboard. A kindly moderator straightened me out about 5 years ago, and over the last 2 years, alamo-girl has taught me the value of grace in responding. (Please pray for AG’s niece, in need of a liver transplant.)
What, I’m not supposed to respond on my own thread?
You seem to have misunderstood.
I see. I’m sorry to hear that.
that’s not taking a break. :-)
Please think whatever you wish.
Actually, certainly in terms of me,
it’s a brazen falsehood.
I don’t know that I cry buckets if it happens but it’s not my goal.
I find the allegation a self-comforting delusion for whatever sub-set of RC’s need it to cope with their day.
And, actually, the 2 year old temper tantrums that are supposed to stand in for reasonable Biblical responses are not impressive in the least. Never were. Seeing 2 year olds screamingly writhe on the floor of Wal-Mart or Applebee’s has never been entertaining nor attractive.
REACTIVE ATTACHMENT DISORDER fostered deep seated, reflexive anger, hostility, stubbornness, bitterness, resetment, vengence etc. need extensive prayer, therapy and maybe even deliverance—not applause.
A LOT of such things are brazenly obvious and self-evident . . .
though perhaps only for those with eyes to see and ears to hear.
HOGWASH on all counts.
That should be your tagline.
k thanx
I too have decided to refrain from the religious debate threads.
It is obvious to me, that to engage in debate of this nature only serves to invoke one’s pride and ego — all Christians should be able to agree on as being a thing to be avoided.
My experience tells me when people are ready to see and accept the truth, then and only then are they open to receive and understand it.
To try and debate them into the truth never works because it precisely involves ones pride and ego.
Guide them, yes! Debate them NEVER!
1 John 3:18 comes to mind...
“Little children, let us not love word or speech but in deed and truth.”
Thus, if we faithfully live as Catholics, people will naturally want to know more about how we “do it.” Thus, we can then guide them.
What is sorely needed today, is for more Catholics to lead by example.
When we engage in debate we fall into one of the devil’s favorite prideful snares.
Thank you for your great post, it is truly showing how we as Catholics can lead by example!
God Bless.
Your cryptic skills are sure up there!
Wouldn’t want you to go beyond what you’re comfortable saying vis a vis God’s msg to you in that mass.
Not in that post.
Sounds like an RC perceptual difficulty, again.
Thanks for your support, it is greatly appreciated.
Thank you so very much for remembering my niece! And thank you for all of your insights and encouragements!
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