Posted on 08/15/2013 7:03:11 PM PDT by annalex
Once a woman in the crowd surrounding Christ and His disciples cries out to Him:
Blessed is the womb that bore thee, and the paps that gave thee suck. (Luke 11:27)
What is it? We have, clearly, an act of venerating Mary. Note that the Blessed Virgin is venerated properly: not on her own but as the mother of Christ. Yet the reason for venerating is indeed concerning: it is her physiological and physiologically unique relationship with Jesus that is emphasized. That is not yet paganism with its crude theories of gods giving birth to other gods, but it is lacking proper focus and Jesus corrects it:
Yea rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it. (Luke 11:28)
The Virgin with the Child on her knees and a prophet pointing at the star. Catacomb of Priscilla, late 2nd c. Source |
Having gotten past this linguistic hurdle, we can understand clearly what this passage, Luke 11:27-28, does: it establishes veneration of saints based not on their blood relation to Christ but on their obedience to God. It is in that sense that we venerate Our Lady: given that Christ is the Word of God personified, she heard and kept both Him in person as her Child and His teaching, figuratively. In Mary the essence of sainthood is seen in the flesh as well as in the mind. We could say that by the late second century at the latest, when we find evidence of the veneration of both the prophets and the Mother of God in the catacombs, the two reasons to venerate a saint: his martyrdom as in the case of Polycarp, or his obedience to the Word, as in Mary, -- unite into a single practice.
Well, no, obviously, the donation must be in love, just like St. Paul says. But it must be made, -- in love -- or else the wealth has gotten hold of the rich man's soul. It is very, very hard to be rich and gain salvation; the idea that economic life can be separated from life of piety and humility is one of the greatest damages Luther did to mankind.
Anything is possible with God (Matthew 19:26). Read the scripture every once in a while and you, too, will have perfect Catholic faith which will save you.
That is what the Bible says; I just pointed it out.
another angel came, and stood before the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given to him much incense, that he should offer of the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar, which is before the throne of God. And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel. (Revelation 8:3-4)
In the Holy Scripture there is no other kind when a baptismal rite is possible. So the Church would not give baptism other than in water. However, when we have evidence of conversion and desire for baptism, but the baptism is physically not possible because of involuntary death, like in the case of St. Dismas the Good Thief, then the person is considered baptized "by desire".
there is no words of Christ to the effect amen, amen I say to you unless to go through an eye needle you cannot enter life everlasting
I know full well that a Catholic complete faith that includes works of love is sufficient for salvation; that is John 6:28-29 says.
2,245 posts and no one contradicted from scripture anything I wrote.
Even JESUS didn't get it right the first time!!
He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around." Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.
(Mark 8:24-25)
And had NO access to the TRUTH of John 6:29!
Them sometimes called" things really can trip a person up!
This is my body...
Well... (cue the Church Lady)
Psalms 51:16-17
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
The cloying smugness is almost more than a normal human can bear.
One must remember that the RCC definition of Saints is quite different than the BIBLICAL description.
True; only the Holy Spirit can give the other.
Silly goose; of COURSE I can!
And I can understand, as well.
Dang!
You'll need to get a seeing eye cat to lead your seeing eye dog around!
Wrong premise. God can't do anything.
As far as your saint, he has no power to do any miracles. He's dead.
Besides, crediting your *Saints* with miracles, giving them the credit is EXACTLY the sort of thing that I have said is the big danger in the PTDS stuff. It gets people's attention off Christ. It gives the glory to someone besides God, who will share His glory with no other.
Romans 12:1-2 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Philippians 4:18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
Hebrews 13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
bump
There are seven different baptisms in the bible...There is only one that puts us into Jesus Christ and it has nothing to do with water...To claim there is only baptism with water in the bible is ignorance of the scriptures, or intentional deception...And one would be wise to avoid both...
Mat_3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Mar_1:8 I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
There are two types of baptisms right there...One is with water, the other is with the Holy Ghost...
Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
What, you think they went swimmin' again???
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