Posted on 01/18/2012 3:19:15 PM PST by NYer
.- Pope Benedict XVI said today that achieving Christian unity requires more than “cordiality and cooperation” and that it must be accompanied by interior conversion.
“Faith in Christ and interior conversion, both individual and communal, must constantly accompany our prayer for Christian unity,” said the Pope to over 8,000 pilgrims gathered in the Vatican’s Paul VI Audience Hall on Jan. 18.
The Pope’s comments mark the start of the 2012 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that runs until Jan. 25. It will be observed by over 300 Christian churches and ecclesial communities around the globe.
The Pope asked for “the Lord in a particular way to strengthen the faith of all Christians, to change our hearts and to enable us to bear united witness to the Gospel.”
In this way, he said, they “will contribute to the new evangelization and respond ever more fully to the spiritual hunger of the men and women of our time.”
The Pope explained that the concept of a week of prayer for Christian unity was initiated in 1908 by Paul Wattson, an Episcopalian minister from Maryland. One year later, he became a Catholic and was subsequently ordained to the priesthood.
Pope Benedict recalled how the initiative was supported by his predecessors Pope St. Pius X and Pope Benedict XV. It was then “developed and perfected” in the 1930s by the Frenchman Abbé Paul Couturier, who promoted prayer “for the unity of the Church as Christ wishes and according to the means he wills.”
The mandate for the week of prayer, the Pope underscored, comes from the wish of Christ himself at the Last Supper “that they may all be one.” He observed that this mission was given a particular impetus by the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) but added that “the unity we strive for cannot result merely from our own efforts.” Rather, “it is a gift we receive and must constantly invoke from on high.”
The theme for 2012 Week of Prayer – “All shall be changed by the victory of Jesus Christ our Lord” – was crafted by the Polish Ecumenical Council. Pope Benedict said it reflects “their own experience as a nation,” which stayed faithful to Christ “in the midst of trials and upheavals,” including years of occupation by the Nazis and later the Communists.
The Pope tied the victory the Polish people experienced over their oppressors to overcoming the disunity that marks Christians.
He said that the “unity for which we pray requires inner conversion, both shared and individual,” and it cannot be “limited to cordiality and cooperation.” Instead, Christians must accept “all the elements of unity which God has conserved for us.”
Ecumenism, the Pope stated, is not an optional extra for Catholics but is “the responsibility of the entire Church and of all the baptized.” Christians, he said, must make praying for unity an “integral part” of their prayer life, “especially when people from different traditions come together to work for victory in Christ over sin, evil, injustice and the violation of human dignity.”
Pope Benedict then touched on the lack of unity in the Christian community, which he said “hinders the effective announcement of the Gospel and endangers our credibility.” Evangelizing formerly Christian countries and spreading the Gospel to new places will be “more fruitful if all Christians together announce the truth of the Gospel and Jesus Christ, and give a joint response to the spiritual thirst of our times,” he explained.
The Pope concluded his comments with the hope that this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will lead to “increased shared witness, solidarity and collaboration among Christians, in expectation of that glorious day when together we will all be able to celebrate the Sacraments and profess the faith transmitted by the Apostles.”
The general audience finished with Pope Benedict addressing pilgrims in various languages, including greeting a group of men and women from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, before leading the crowd in the Our Father and imparting his apostolic blessing.
****But a healthy literate Christian should examine himself if he has lost interest in the words of God, i.e. why has this happened? ****
This is jumping to a conclusion. Why does it mean one has lost interest in the words of God if one does not daily read Scripture?
Again, that is my point. By saying that one must read Scripture to be a faithful Christian, one is placing a requirement on them that neither Jesus nor the Apostles did.
Thankfully one may know and love God and follow Jesus just by hearing the word proclaimed and meditating on what one has heard, through prayer and other devotionals. I personally love hymns which are Scripture in song.
I also enjoy reading reflections on Scripture. I love Mass and all the Scripture in the readings and prayers.
Scripture is just one of the ways I receive the word of God, but it’s not the only way.
I don’t believe it is anyone’s place to judge another Christian’s faith based on how much they read Scripture.
Remember the Parable of the Sower:
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth [it] not, then cometh the wicked [one], and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth [it]; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. - Matthew 13:18-23
God's Name is I AM.
Again, that is putting works in a wrong perspective.
Catholic thinking tends to think that adding works to faith changes the faith.
What it being said is not that one has to *add* certain things to be a faithful Christian, but rather that a faithful Christian will do those things and that if they don't, it requires some soul searching.
Adding works with wrong heart attitude is a waste of time. You might as well not bother. Get the heart right and the works WILL follow as naturally as breathing.
Consider a lack of interest in Scripture as a symptom of something wrong with the heart.
A faithful Christian WANTS to know his Lord better and reading the written word is about the best way to do it.
God can be known in a general sense through general revelation, but He gave us special revelation in the form of the written word, called Scripture, for us to know Him better, to know things about Him that we couldn't deduce any other way or could know unless He told us.
Thank you for sharing your insights, dear sister in Christ!
Well said
You still miss the point and assume that one who is does not READ Scripture has no interest in God’s Word.
Scripture does not say that individuals must READ Scripture to know God’s Word. The very verses you have posted all say HEAR, RECEIVE, not read.
Some prefer to listen to the word preached either in Mass, through music, by listening to it on TV or CD, or reading daily reflections and through prayer.
Reading Scripture does not equate to knowing Jesus, He said as much to the pharisees who were very well versed in Scripture and yet did not KNOW Him.
Your parable of the sower is not about receiving the Word, it is about the heart of the receiver and what one does upon hearing the word. It is about letting the Word grow within you. In this case, the Word is Jesus and His love and good news.
Again, you try to wiggle out of what YOU said, which is that in your opinion, if one does not read Scripture one’s faith is suspect and their salvation in doubt.
In effect, this is saying that one’s faith is revealed and even measured by one’s actions, IOW, deeds or works.
Jesus said “By their fruits, you will know them.” What are fruits? Are they not the results of the things the faithful do, in faith, out of love of Jesus and each other?
According to some of your compatriots, hearing a recording of it doesn’t do any good either.
Will you guys make up your minds?
Otherwise you’re working on your own personal interpretation of Catholicism. Or Scripture.
Or whatever......
I said that? Where? Provide the link to that statement or quote please......
Yeah. And??????
Is that a problem for you?
Jesus said “By their fruits, you will know them.” What are fruits? Are they not the results of the things the faithful do, in faith, out of love of Jesus and each other?
Do you know what the fruit of the Spirit is?
I have no idea what this post means.
Maybe you could explain it.
1104
1119
1132
1141
You lay out what faith means to you and how one’s faith is evident in their actions and behavior.
You say that if one is not interested in reading Scripture, then you would question their faith and thus their salvation.
It’s the protestant way. On the one hand speaking of the actions of the believer, then claiming that if one does not exhibit these actions and behaviors, then one’s profession of faith is suspect. As you said....that person was never born again regardless of what they claim.
I know, it’s a conundrum for you since a protestant believes once saved, always saved. Therefore, in order to maintain that false belief, they must claim that one was never saved to explain away falling back into or never leaving behind their “old nature”.
The real knee slapper is where you say that living out the Christian life is not a requirement of being saved.
The NT is full of how to live the Christian life and yet, you claim that it is not a requirement. Why do we need to read Scripture then?
Contradiction after contradiction followed by back pedaling.
We keep going round in circles.
Salvation comes from faith and true faith is revealed through our actions and behaviors. It’s no problem for me, that is what the Church teaches.
Yes, I know the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
The ones Jesus is addressing below physically heard His words (sound or pressure waves) but they could not spiritually hear Him:
Give us this day our daily bread. – Matt 6:11
I am that bread of life. – John 6:48
It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, [they] are spirit, and [they] are life. – John 6:63
In my experience the culprit is usually weeds (in reference to the parable.) The cares of this mortal life have captured his attention. If so, he may be able to get rid of whatever is distracting him or perhaps take a hiatus from his daily routine to get on his knees before God and get his priorities straight.
Or it could be some commandment has turned him off, e.g. no adultery - and he needs to reassess who God IS and get on his knees before God and confess and repent.
God's Name is I AM.
1119: mm: "There WILL be evidence or the profession of faith is highly suspect."
I stand by that and the rest of that post as with post 1141.
However, you keep repeating the claim that "You say that if one is not interested in reading Scripture, then you would question their faith and thus their salvation." but earlier you said....post 1327 -"Again, you try to wiggle out of what YOU said, which is that in your opinion, if one does not read Scripture one’s faith is suspect and their salvation in doubt."
And I asked where I said that and you still haven't provided the link or post number. In the one post you referenced, interest in Scripture was just one of the evidences I listed.
It’s the protestant way. On the one hand speaking of the actions of the believer, then claiming that if one does not exhibit these actions and behaviors, then one’s profession of faith is suspect. As you said....that person was never born again regardless of what they claim.
And that's different from Catholicism how?
My statement is that if someone has true saving faith, it will show by their fruits and works, that there will be evidence. If there is ZERO evidence, absolutely no change in their lives after a verbal profession of faith, yes, I do wonder if they are saved or have saving faith because saving faith WILL produce results.
And for the record, I know people who profess to have accepted Christ and have shown ZERO evidence of any kind of faith. Are they really saved? Only God knows.
And just to forestall the inevitable, these are immediate family members whom I know WELL, so I'd KNOW if there was any evidence and I've never seen any.
For my part, I have no reason to consider them saved and so continue to pray for them and share Christ with them as if they are not. But my doing that doesn't make them any more or less saved than they in reality are.
If they are saved, then I've misjudged. Big deal.
I know, it’s a conundrum for you since a protestant believes once saved, always saved. Therefore, in order to maintain that false belief, they must claim that one was never saved to explain away falling back into or never leaving behind their “old nature”.
No, I'm not talking about backsliding or falling back into sin, or not being perfect from the moment of profession on. We all struggle with our old nature and we all still sin.
The tremendous irony in all this criticism of *Protestant thinking* is that Catholicism teaches the exact thing that I'm being criticized for. That is, if you don't tow the line, you lost your salvation, making it a works based religious system.
The real knee slapper is where you say that living out the Christian life is not a requirement of being saved.
But it's not. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ. If living out the Christian life is a *requirement* to be saved, then for one thing, nobody is saved as nobody can live the life they ought to. The other is that this is exactly what the Catholic church teaches.
I'll spell it out once again......
Saving faith is evidenced by a changed life. If there is NO change at all, there is no legitimate reason for anyone to conclude that saving faith has been exercised. The person is likely not saved, but my opinion on that is not necessarily their reality. My opinion doesn't make it so. It's what God thinks and knows that's important.
True saving faith WILL BE evidenced by la change of heart and life. When you have been given a new heart and a new nature and the Spirit of God is living within you, there WILL be change and growth, just as a baby grows once it's born. It just happens. It's a natural result of the new life within you.
If someone displays a lack of interest in Scripture and knowing God through that, that person has problems. I never said that it doesn't mean that they're not saved or that they lost their salvation, all it means is that they have problems and those need to be addressed. It's a symptom, a warning sign that something is not right spiritually in their spiritual lives.
There is no contradiction.
It actually might shock you how little evidence of a changed life it takes for me to accept that saving faith has been exercised. We are all different and God meets us where we are and we all are at different points in our walk with Him and I'm not going to judge the validity of a person's profession because they aren't doing what I think they ought when I think they ought to be doing it.
The only time I would question the validity of a person's profession is when there is ZERO evidence of a changed life.
It's what Scripture teaches. Chalk one up for the church getting it right this time.
Alamo-girl said nothing anywhere near that. Go back and re-read the last sentence of her post.
If you're going to accuse someone of something, could you at least be more accurate?
I have always found it interesting that people who say they love Jesus but don’t seem to have an interest in spending time learning more about Him or spending time with Him and His people. Watching what people spend money on, time on and effort to get involved in tells me where their love is. When people first fall in love it becomes obvious because they talk about, spend time with, think about, and most of their lives are concentrated on that person. Everyone seems to understand that but can’t understand that when one claims they love Christ that same intense attraction wouldn’t be evident.
If a person’s mate never wants to spend time with them but consistently spends time with others or some other interest they would quickly feel that the love isn’t there. I would challenge any wife to tell me that if her husband makes excuses why he can’t spend time with her but constantly makes extra effort to spend time with some other woman who the man cares for more. Would she confidently proclaim that her husband still loves her or would she expect some change in actions if he really did? I can assure you that her friends would know who her husband cares more about.
Would those same people claim you can’t tell if someone really loves Jesus?
Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Mark 12:30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’
Luke 6:45 The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Luke 8:15 As for that in the good soil, they are those who, hearing the word, hold it fast in an honest and good heart, and bear fruit with patience.
Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
John 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
Even Jesus says that actions follow faith.
Yours is an excellent analogy. Lots of people want fire insurance and pay lip service to faith in Christ, yet another way of taking the Lord's name in vain.
I find it exceedingly ironic that the same Catholics who melt down about being judged by Scriptural standards turn around and judge by RCC standards. You and I and many others have been called heretics simply for not following Catholic church teaching, and yet it's not because we're not following Christ.
Go figure.
Thank you so very much for sharing your insights, dear sister in Christ!
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