The real question is why a priesthood at all seeing that there is NO PROVISION for a priesthood in the NT church ..Christ is the final priest..
Posted on 12/27/2011 8:24:19 PM PST by RnMomof7
Rome, Italy, Dec 8, 2011 / 04:28 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI reflected on the biblical description of a “woman clothed with the sun” in his remarks at Rome's Spanish Steps on the 2011 Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
“What is the meaning of this image? It represents the Church and Our Lady at the same time,” the Pope told the crowd assembled before the nearby statue commemorating the 1854 definition of Mary's Immaculate Conception. “Before all, the 'woman' of the apocalypse is Mary herself.”
The 12th chapter of the Biblical Apocalypse – also known as the Book of Revelation – describes the glorification and persecution of “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”
Though not named, this woman is described as the mother of the Messiah. In poetic language akin to the Bible's other prophetic books, Saint John says she faced the threat of “a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,” and “fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God.”
Pope Benedict, offering white roses in his traditional yearly act of Marian veneration, gave listeners his insight into the connection between the Virgin Mary and the Church – portrayed in the Apocalypse through the single image of the sun-clad woman.
“She appears 'clothed in sunlight,' that is, clothed in God,” observed the Pope. “The Virgin Mary is in fact completely surrounded by the light of God and lives in God … The 'Immaculate One' reflects with all of her person the light of the 'sun' which is God.”
“Besides representing Our Lady, this sign personifies the Church, the Christian community of all times,” he continued.
The Church, he explained, is “pregnant, in the sense that she carries Christ” and “must give birth to him to the world.”
“This is the labor of the pilgrim Church on earth, that in the midst of the consolations of God and the persecutions of the world, she must bring Christ to men.”
Because the Church continues to bring Jesus into the world, Pope Benedict said, it “finds opposition in a ferocious adversary,” symbolized in scripture by the “dragon” that has “tried in vain to devour Jesus,” and now “directs his attacks against the woman – the Church – in the desert of the world.”
“But in every age the Church is supported by the light and the strength of God,” the Pope said. “She is nurtured in the desert with the bread of his word and the Holy Eucharist.”
“And in this way, in every tribulation, through all of the trials that she finds in the course of the ages and in the different parts of the world, the Church suffers persecution, but comes out the victor.”
Pope Benedict said the Church should not fear persecution, which is bound to arise, but will be defeated.
“The only pitfall of which the Church can and must be afraid is the sin of her members,” he warned, highlighting the key difference between the Church and the woman who is its prototype.
“While in fact Mary is immaculate – free from every stain of sin – the Church is holy, but at the same time marked by our sins.”
While sinless herself, Mary remains in solidarity with the Church struggling against sin.
“That is why the people of God, pilgrims in time, turn to their heavenly mother and ask for her help,” explained Pope Benedict.
He stressed the world's need for the hope brought by the “woman clothed with the sun” – “especially in this difficult moment for Italy, for Europe and for different parts of the world.”
“May Mary help us to see that there is a light beyond the veil of fog that appears to envelop reality,” he declared.
“For this also we, especially on this day, never cease to ask with filial trust for her help: 'O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.'”
Happy New Year Metmom and All....!!!!!...fifteen minutes away now...who’d- a- thunk I’d be on the threads this New Year Eve! Ha!
This is in the Bible. That's why Jesus became a man. We don't need anyone between Him and us.
1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
I appreciate your concern, but I just don't see that what the Catholic church has established for its adherents has much if any Scriptural support.
Scripture does not instruct us to go to a priest for forgiveness. It does not instruct us to do penance for the forgiveness of our sins. The priesthood is not even for the NT church age. We have one great high priest who has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)
Christ's sacrifice is a done deal and He's seated at the right hand of God, so we can come BOLDLY to the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
“We do not have the distractions and confusions which mans traditions create within the “Body of Christ” as believers.”
Hence the many divisions in the non Catholic world, the sects that embrace divorce or queer weddings or any number of odd sanctioned behavior. None of those distractions, just a united hatred for what Catholicism represents. Very sad.
Your point is??????
When there is no spiritual response.. there is always the diversion of meaningless graphics ...
Not if we're in Christ....we are a new creature in Him....and have His nature within us. Furthermore Jesus said He is the only mediator between us and God....no one else is worthy of that ...nor can they ever be.
"Jesus said..."No one can come to the Father but by me"....and that's perfectly clear.
So you are mistaken and error in discerning the status of a believer before God.
And there you are playing victim hood ...again...which is not what God has called us to...we are ‘more’ than conquerors thru Him....if we are His. Going out my door to see the fireworks now!
Happy New Year Everyone!!!!!!!!!
“...there are as many variations within the catholic church as there are among Protestant churches.”
Really? How many “variations” allow for female priests? For queer weddings? There are over 30 Rites in the Catholic Church and enormous diversity - yes, but ONE set of core beliefs. And frankly the attacks against Her attack ALL of the many and varied Rites.
Of course...it goes hand in hand with the idea of "works"....ya gotta do something!
The real question is why a priesthood at all seeing that there is NO PROVISION for a priesthood in the NT church ..Christ is the final priest..
The real question is why a priesthood at all seeing that there is NO PROVISION for a priesthood in the NT church ..Christ is the final priest..
But since occasionally I'm surprised I'll keep looking in.
Cheers, Metmom! Give a shout from time to time.
Have you forgotten the veil was ripped in two?.. Top to bottom no less!.....So all have access to the Father thru Christ..... The Catholic priesthood keeps it's members in lockstep with it's leadership, just as all organizations do...just as the reason for celibacy of the priests makes certain when they die all their wealth goes back to the Vatican rather than to a son he might have otherwise had. The priesthood is a money maker for the Vatican. Plain and simple.
We don't have to attack the catholic church Narses...it's already doomed itself by it's protection and enablement of large swaths of pedophiles and homosexuals still remaining...and still a magnet for them because they have access to children and know they will be protected. Little has changed except for lip-service. So nobody needs to attack the church...it's already outside the will of God in that respect...and has been for many years.
Well, Mary WAS chosen by God, and Jesus revered her, so should we do any less? No need to worship her, but we should love, revere, and want to emulate her, because she will always lead us to Jesus.
I wouldn’t want a catholic priest hoovering around my kids or anyones kids... far too risky anymore. Bad enough the pervertes criminals are in our neighborhoods.. but in the church and thriving!... should be a wakeup call for all parents whose got kids. No wonder Jesus did away with the priesthood...He knew what was coming and protected us and our children from that destruction.
However even many Protestant churches have certainly had their bouts with infidelity and various other perversions as well. Difference is those I’m aware of act on it once known and the criminal is arrested and or asked to leave period. But I am very much aware the enemy of mens souls is making headway now even among the once faithful denominations.....He said it would come...”out of your own”....and it’s arrived and growing.
Who cares what they say? You are only hurt by your own expectations. If you expect that any of the Usual Suspects will not give those responses, it’s actually YOUR problem.
Lay ye not pearls before Swine.
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