Posted on 10/22/2011 1:21:35 PM PDT by NYer
Catholics get a bad rap for thinking we somehow “merit” or “earn” our own sanctification (and salvation) through “works” that we do. But that’s a misunderstanding of what the Catholic Church actually teaches. Our sanctification (our being made holy) happens only by the Grace of God. But it does require a response on our part. We must cooperate with it. This submission to and cooperation with God’s Grace, Catholics call a “work” and it takes various forms.
Some identify this response to God’s grace as a kind of “saving” or “justifying” faith (a faith that produces or is accompanied by works of conversion, hope and charity) as opposed to a “work” – something we do. Such a position is reconcilable with Catholic teaching once we understand each side’s terminology. On the other hand, I think it’s confusing to refer to this cooperation with and submission to God’s Grace as simply “faith alone” – which is one reason Catholics don’t refer to it that way (and probably one reason the Bible says we are “not” saved by “faith alone” – James 2:24).
Anyway, here Fr. Barron speaks a little bit about some of these sanctifying practices of the Church and what we mean by “Purgatory” (an extension of that sanctification) in the super-natural sense.
What the Church means by purgatory? - Watch You Tube Video
This exclusive preview clip was from CATHOLICISM, Episode X: “WORLD WITHOUT END: THE LAST THINGS”.
Explore the Church’s conviction that life here and now is preparation for an extraordinary world that is yet to come – a supernatural destiny. Father Barron presents the Catholic vision of death, judgment, heaven, hell and purgatory as he journeys to Florence, Ireland and Rome.
The vision of the Church sees beyond this world and invites us to consider a world without end. Father Barron shows how this vision is supported by the mystery and truth of the Resurrection of Jesus.
View exclusive preview clips from all episodes of the CATHOLICISM series coming out in Fall 2011.
Does anyone think the Beatitudes applies to the dispensation of the grace of God? The “filthy rags” that you so vehemently oppose, is what leads you to understanding the grace of God. And the finished work of Christ on your behalf. Thereby “proving” a VERY Scriptural point.
Why of course. In my humble - and fallible - opinion...
the Christian religion believes that Jesus Christ is God — now go away, we Christians (Catholics, lutherans, Presbyterians, Pentecostals etc.) are discussing — go away. I prefer not to discuss with folks who at one time says they are Catholic, other times, Baptist, other times Gnostic rejecting the Trinity.
I do.
You believe that by following the Beatitudes, you will be saved?
Then stay off open RF threads. Nobody died and left you in charge.
If you don't like the company, you can slink over to the caucus threads where you won't have to deal with anyone you judge not to be Christian.
Oh for the love of heaven.
I’m sick of being interrogated by dispensationalists and other Prots who think I (or ANY Catholic) answers to them!
And then, no matter what we answer, it’s somehow wrong. Once again, you are not my authority and I do not answer to you.
"we Christians"...It's just too much I tell you. Too much! Who are the "etc." that makes up the end of the designation, and are thereby able to "discuss"?
Or you can take a page from the anti-Catholic playbook and never actually answer a question except with an outlandish anti-Catholic falsehood or slur framed as a rhetorical responsorial question.
WELL, mm, it looks like you’re NOT one of his “etc.” that can “discuss”...lol!
simple — believe in the scriptural tenets listed in the Nicene Creed. Do you believe that or not? If not, then you’re not Christian.
smvoice -- follow the forum rules.
Judith Anne, I just asked you a question about the Beatitudes. No harm intended. And no, I do not think, nor do any non-Catholics on this forum think that you or any Catholic answers to us. You answer to God. That’s it. That’s who we all answer to.
Nice try. “looks like” is NOT saying YOU’RE NOT, it’s saying you “APPEAR” not. “It looks like rain today” is not the same as “It’s raining today.” duh. Pretending to mind-read “looks like” is failing miserably, and running to RM with your “find” appears to be desperation.
Or better yet, the Apostles Creed that is also almost universally accepted by Protestant denominations. It states the belief in two separate articles that, when considered together, completely undermine the single claim Protestants make against the Church. These two articles are the belief in one Catholic and Apostolic Church, AND the communion of saints.
Protestants would have you believe that they are one in the same, but that isn't the way the Early Church Fathers or the Apostles believed. Jesus left us the Church for the communion of saints. Apply this litmus test and you will see how few Christians we are actually dealing with.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.
And opening his mouth he taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the clean of heart: they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
I ghink I’ll save that answer for the next timde one of you get up to conducting an inquisition.
That’s understandable. I guess..
Aw, Geez. Now you've done it. You introduced the topic of the Inquisition so we can now expect to get countless tales of a holocaust that never happened complete with hand drawn sketches of torture presented as proof of atrocities committed by the Church.
Just don't confuse that with the demands by the anti-Catholics that the Church convene a modern Inquisition to purge itself of sinners and those they don't feel worth saving.
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