Mother Teresa's Relic Heads For Europe

The Times Of India ^ | 23 Jan 2009

[thefrankbaum]

Okay. So you aren't claiming Catholics don't read the Bible, but rather you had a childhood where it was not considered important, and never really encountered Scripture within the Faith...is that a fair summation?

[Grizzled Bear]

So you aren't claiming Catholics don't read the Bible

My comments about reading the Bible stemmed from Cunningham's post, "You haven’t read much of Scripture, have you?"

But to answer your question, my family was heavily involved in the Church, but never opened the Bible. I can't speak for Catholics, in general, just my family.

I've asked if anyone could reference specific scripture advocating displaying of body parts. I've had no responses.

[thefrankbaum]

Well, Scripture reveals that miracles of God can be performed “through” (using that word loosely) the earthly remains of holy men and women, as well as what Catholics call 2nd class relics, items owned or touched by a Saint. If God uses these remains for miracles, should we not display them, thus ensuring we have access to them?

[Grizzled Bear]

Well, Scripture reveals that miracles of God can be performed “through” (using that word loosely) the earthly remains of holy men and women, as well as what Catholics call 2nd class relics, items owned or touched by a Saint.

Do you have a specific scripture, with chapter and verse? The closest thing I've seen to what you refer to was Elisha using Elijah's cloak to part water (after Elijah was taken) and a cloth owned by Paul used to heal.

[thefrankbaum]

“Once some people were burying a man, when suddenly they spied such a raiding band. So they cast the dead man into the grave of Elisha, and everyone went off. But when the man came in contact with the bones of Elisha, he came back to life and rose to his feet.” ~ 2 Kings 13:21

[Grizzled Bear]

"But when the man came in contact with the bones of Elisha..."

So Elisha's flesh had rotted away? Did God treat His old testement saints with less consideration than His new testement saints?

I thought a holy person's body did not rot, but rested intact while giving off a flowery scent.

Also, why were Elisha's bones rest in a grave? Why weren't they in a glass case in the temple?

[thefrankbaum]

I thought a holy person's body did not rot, but rested intact while giving off a flowery scent.

Not every Saint's earthly remains remain Incorruptible. Some do.

Also, why were Elisha's bones rest in a grave? Why weren't they in a glass case in the temple?

Perhaps God hadn't revealed the fact that He works miracles through His Saint's remains? You know, the same way that He hadn't revealed a number of things about Himself?

[Grizzled Bear]

There's a big problem with the veneration given to the saints. Remember, Satan disputed with an Angel over Mose's body, which God hid. He took Mose's body away for the same reason he destroyed the bronze serpent used to heal the Israelites. They worshipped the idol instead of worshipping God.

Only God is worthy of Worship.

[thefrankbaum]

Only God is worthy of Worship.

Amen, amen, a thousand times, amen.

But God often does His work through human hands, and human remains. Are there dangers? Absolutely. But should we avoid things merely because dangers may exist? Absolutely not.