Posted on 12/14/2014 5:26:28 PM PST by ebb tide
No guessing needed about Catholic doctrine — just check out the Catechism online at http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catechism/catechism-of-the-catholic-church/epub/index.cfm
In brief: Grace — Christ’s divine life in our soul — is essential for salvation (by grace you have been saved), which is infused into the soul usually through the sacrament of baptism (Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins), which may be experienced as a baptism of desire or martyrdom in unusual circumstances. The supernatural life of charity grows by means of other sacraments — confirmation, the Eucharist, confession, anointing of sick, sacramental marriage, — as well as works of mercy. In fact, physically receiving Communion is obligatory only once a year (the so-called Easter Duty).
Accompanying Charity are the theological virtues of Faith and Hope. Thus, Catholic theology points to an objective transformation of the soul, a New Birth, worked out in the Church, the Bride and Body of Christ.
Because sacramental marriage intertwines with everything else, the Pope is calling for a re-examination of remarriage — which becomes adultery when the previous marriage has not been annulled. The question facing pastors is if someone FEELS sorry about their state and wants to amend their life (repent), what ACTIONS of repentance return the soul to an OBJECTIVE STATE OF GRACE — and what is the Church’s role in this reconciliation.
These are very complex questions that impact a person in time and eternity. Given the high number of remarried Catholics, the Pope wants the Bishops to work on an answer — and starting out, it hasn’t been pretty.
Tried to stay out of it, but that comment brings me back to those who wanted to continue in the "old ways" by taking specific actions to be worthy of the Gift. They were chastised as having fallen from Grace because they would not allow themselves to be free in His sacrifice and gift. How does putting an extra load on one make them free or freer? How does one posit that Christ's gift of His body and blood needs human/religious intervention to become reality? Your words serve cheapen His sacrifice.
So you have never sinned? Is that right?
These are very complex questions that impact a person in time and eternity.
It's not complex at all. Go to confession and stop committing adultery. Either rejoin with your real spouse or life a chaste life with the current one. It's that simple.
The Holy Sacraments are not an "extra load", they're instruments of grace.
Do you have them confused with the Ten Commandments? Do you consider those to be an "extra load", also?
No you didn't.
You said this.....
Quote - Look it up; it's in your bible. - Unquote
That is NOT a reference.
Read the Scripture references.
Cause it seems that you haven’t.
The sin has been erased. The record of debt has been canceled.
Since there is no sin credited to my account, God is free to deal with me as if I had never sinned, regardless of the fact that I have and do.
Remarriage to the first spouse after a marriage to anther one is condemned by God as an abomination.
But it wouldn't be the first time Catholics have encouraged something God has condemned.
Deuteronomy 24:1-4
The 10 Commandments were given, by God and at the request of Men, so that sin would increase and that we would realize that we could not be worthy by our own efforts - we needed a Savior. They are a seriously good ideal to aspire to, but to use them as a tool for Salvation is to spit on the body and blood of Christ. He gave us the two great commandments:
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
With all due respect, Jesus is the instrument of Grace.
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