Pope Francis greets the faithful at the May 8 General Audience (Credit: CNA / Stephen Driscoll)
Posted on 09/07/2013 3:49:35 PM PDT by NYer
.- In his daily homily on Saturday, Pope Francis reflected on the question of authentic Christianity and rejected the practice of focusing more on devotions than on Christ himself.
Jesus is “the center” of faith, said the Pope. “A commandment is valid if it comes from Jesus: I do this because the Lord wants me to do this. But if I am a Christian without Christ, I do this and I don’t know why I have to do it,” he said to the congregation at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta on September 7.
Like the Pharisees, he said, there are some people who “make so many commandments the center of their religiosity.”
Others who have a false sense of religiosity “only seek devotions” or “things that are a little uncommon, a little special, that go back to private revelations,” noted Pope Francis.
“If your devotions bring you to Christ, that works. But if you remain there, something’s wrong,” he explained.
“If Jesus is not at the center, there will be many other things,” so that people become “Christians without Christ.”
Remembering that Jesus is the center of faith “regenerates us, grounds us.”
Pope Francis further explained the mark of a true “Christian with Christ.”
“The rule is simple: only that which brings you to Jesus is valid, and only that is valid that comes from Jesus. Jesus is the center, the Lord, as He Himself says.”
Christians can avoid false religiosity by adoring Jesus as “the Lord, the only Lord.”
“If you aren’t able to adore Jesus, you’re missing something,” warned Pope Francis.
The sign of a true “Christian with Christ” is one who does “that which comes from Jesus” and that which leads to Jesus.
Such adoration bears true fruit in the life of a Christian, encouraged the Pope.
He said that Jesus also gives “the grace of loving Him so much, of following Him, of going along the path that He has shown us.”
A “Christian with Christ” has the courage to proclaim Jesus as Lord.
Pope Francis exhorted Catholics not to focus on false piety, but rather evangelize and “take the Gospel!”
Your continued avoidance of responding to my logical arguments are telling. I also find it interesting that when many of you post responses to those with whom you disagree, you also list in the “reply to” your like-minded friends. Unable to go at it alone. Always in need of backup. I’m in so much pain right now with baby #3 due any moment, literally, that I must thank you for the great amusement with which you have all provided me. It has at several times taken my mind off of the agony that we mothers must go through.
Peace be with all of you.
Maybe you are late to the game...We often respond to the completely unGodly false notion that the Catholic church is the only, one true Church...The unGodly false notion that it is only the Catholic clergy whom God saw fit to be indwelt with the Holy Spirit...And the list goes on and on...
We are being very scriptural...
2Ti_4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Appears you are as offended by scripture as well as the Catholics are...
Peace be with you!
God bless you and keep you in this time.
just changing tagline. Carry on..
Thank you, and the same to you.
No, I just ping them so we can share a laugh and share God's Word. Good luck with the baby. I'm so glad I am a man!!!!!!!
1 Corinthians 1: 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”
Corollary to Godwin’s Law....
In a religious debate,t eh first one to compare the other side to islam forfeits the debate.
And your problem with posting the words of Jesus in red are????
And you know what? Knowing the neighborhood so well, I don't want anyone to confuse what I say from what the word of God says.
I absolutely stand behind Scripture, my beliefs conform to it rather than conforming Scripture to my beliefs, however, I do not want anyone confusing what I way with what Scripture says.
ergo: colors....
Tell me if this is part of it: Modern day Christians have turned Scripture into a guide for living. And while there are certainly laws that we are expected to follow, Scripture is first and foremost about a rescue mission. Jesus rescues us. He has since the beginning. The very principles (rules) many Christians look to will condemn them if there is no Savior.
It’s hanging out to dry.
I’ve gone grocery shopping, dropped off some stuff to the Salvation Army, Stopped at the AAA, went to two banks, and got gas this morning, and just dropped in while eating lunch.
Check out the time stamps and your question will be answered.
And I’m off to finish up my day.
What is his take on this:
As I said ....there are no barriers to God reaching those who are sincerely seeking Him and His Truth. He is not constrained by walls or doctrines or teachers or where one worships.....
One cannot set limitations on God .....He sees and knows the heart and mind of each who pursues knowing Him....any where they are.
Who gives ears to hear? Who made and designed them?...it is God who opens up our perception to perceive, until He opens up our eyes to see, until God opens our ears to hear, we will not.
Exodus 4:11
The LORD said to him,..... “Who gave human beings their mouths?..... Who makes them deaf or mute? ...Who gives them sight or makes them blind? ...Is it not I, the LORD?
Psalm 94:9
Does he who fashioned the ear not hear? Does he who formed the eye not see?
I tend to think He is relying on God more than any man....at least He comes across as that. He seems to be “real” about what he believes and his choice of how he lives and speaks as a servant of Christ, rather than a servant of an organized religion.
I recall Him telling the leadership they might be sorry they voted for him. ...no doubt, after he’s thrown off some of the trappings, there are those who have done exactly that.
Even so.....He could not have attained his position apart from others within the Vatican who definately wanted him there and supporting him.
Interesting to watch him as he moves among his followers. They always have greeted a pope with open arms...but this is different...he relates to them...and for them.
Peace be with you.
If it acts like a Muslim. . .
Peace be with you.
Peace be with you.
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