Posted on 09/18/2010 8:26:32 PM PDT by markomalley
If I may, the word used throughout these verses of Jesus' sermon is: Blessed - μακάριος (makarios), and it means "happy". I think many people make a mistake in reading this passage and do what I call "pigeonhole" certain words. Some see Jesus saying "blessed" and assume it means "heaven", but the Greek word means happy. Look at the passage:
Matthew 5:3-12
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Those who come to God in meekness, not depending on their own righteousness but by the grace and mercy of God through faith will be saved.
Dear boatbums,
I am aware that blessed can be translated as “happy”.
I don’t believe that changes the essential message of the Beatitudes.
“...not depending on their own righteousness”
I believe that almost anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus and His redemptive Cross don’t depend on their own righteousness. I have never heard anyone express this thought to me or convey it to me in any overt way.
“don’t depend” should be doesn’t depend.
Okay, so what then do you believe is the "essential" message of the passage?
Additionally, he was not only speaking to the disciples but to the crowds of people, good to remember what the overall mindset of the people was at that time as well. Many pagan influences and practices then.
It was and is an attitude that all true believers can and will have when they are controlled by the Holy Spirit. Each of the attributes Jesus extolled are certainly the way he leads us to true happiness and joy of our salvation. We cannot be meek or poor in spirit, hunger and thirst for righteousness or be pure in heart without the grace of Almighty God. This is why salvation is a gift - we can never exhibit these Godly traits without him.
In short, anyone who says this clearly doesn't understand the meaning of grace.
I am gone for the weekend
Catholics, not the reformed, remember His Life, Death, and Resurrection DAILY at the MASS.
Our Crucifixes show him dying on the cross.
CHEAP GRACE IS THIS DAILY show of FAUX PIETY as the Comfy-chair proselytizers pat themselves on the back pretending to be in a mission field sacrificing their lives to spread the gospel.
This is an anonymous bulletin board. No sweat, no pain, no gain. To Pretend otherwise is SPIRITUAL BLINDNESS.
No kidding.
Rome teaches us to find Christ amidst the poor. We are, you know, Biblical faith. Compare Matthew 11:5, Matthew 25:40, Luke 6:20.
But we have saints from all walks of life. Many adopted poverty despite being born into the ruling class e.g. St. Martin, St. Catherine of Siena or St. Francis. Others gave up what youy might call middle-class existence like St. Peter, St. Matthew, or St. Teresa of Ávila. It's not what you come from that what you are willing to become that matters:
Behold, we have left all things, and have followed thee (Luke 18:28)There is neither Jew nor Greek: there is neither bond nor free: there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:28)
This is the work ethic of Catholic Christians since the Sermon on the mountainm and is decidedly anti-Protestant. Don't get personal with your insults.
we know that Roman Catholics think Paul is "loony" and "deluded."
Oh, look, quotation marks. Who said that? St. Paul preaches nothing but Catholic doctrine.
Ping to my previous post.
My statement was about Protestants in general because they all, perhaps to various extents, read one thing and think another, and believe the liars that lead them. Else they would not be Protestants.
The only personal tthing about the Good Doctor was that she is a Protestant. If she is not, I apologize. I was going by her posts.
It is good that you provide links rather than simply put a few questionable words in quotes and make a general comment. However, I think you ought to ping the author of the linked post.
I should not express myself clearly? I think Protestant heresy is a damnable lie that endangered many souls, and continues to do so. This is a discussion forum. I discuss. The Gospel tells me to.
sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, being ready always to satisfy every one that asketh you a reason of that hope which is in you (1 Peter 3:15)
your religion and how it interacts productively and in a Christian manner with other religions.
We surely do. I certainly have plenty of interaction with the Protestants especially from before my blessed wife's conversion, but also to this day. I visited Baptist churches with regularity, and some others; I went to Protestant Bible studies. I am encouraged by the cooperation of many Protestants in the pro-life work of the Church. Catholics, especially Westrn Catholics, should never forget that Protestantism is a prodigal son of Catholic Christianity; we have a fatted calf ready for all who return, but even those who are still away have the Catholic kernel of truth inside of them. They should listen to it.
Well, we know that Roman Catholics think Paul is “loony” and “deluded.”
__________
Totally dishonest and misleading statement.
I was on that thread and you know full well that ONE Catholic Freeper made those statements about Paul.
To take on persons statement and extrapolate it out to a whole group of believers is really desperate.
I know of a Calvinist who committed murder. I guess that means we know that Calvinists are a bunch of vile murderers.
We too have over 20 different rites. We do not call for uniformity of worship, and neither did I make it about style of worship. But doctrinal disagreements between Christian groups should give anyone great concern,because the Holy Ghost does not lead in different directions.
I’ll defend their right to worship their crazy stuff
This is an amazing statement. They still worship Christ, don't they? He is not "crazy stuff". Next, no one said the Prosperity Gospel preachers should have their consitutional and natural rights taken away from them. All human beings have an inalienable right to preach and worship anything so long as they do not cause violence against the innocent. The dispute between you and me is about integrity of doctrine, not legal action. Was it not clear to you?
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