Christian unity demands encounter – not theory, says Pope

EWTN News/CNA ^ | Jan 25, 2015 | Ann Schneible

[Grateful2God]

More than “theoretical discussions,” what unites Christians is encounter, and a willingness to “challenge one another,” said Pope Francis as he marked the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

“Christian unity will not be the fruit of subtle theoretical discussions in which each party tries to convince the other of the soundness of their opinions,” the Pope said during vespers at Saint Paul Outside the Walls Basilica on Jan. 25.

“To plumb the depths of the mystery of God, we need one another, we need to encounter one another and to challenge one another under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who harmonizes diversities and overcomes conflicts,” he said. ...

...“So many past controversies between Christians can be overcome when we put aside all polemical or apologetic approaches, and seek instead to grasp more fully what unites us, namely, our call to share in the mystery of the Father’s love revealed to us by the Son through the Holy Spirit.” ...

[Grateful2God]

Thank you! Have a blessed day!

[BlueDragon]

Simple enough to give hope to cavemen, most anywhere...

[defconw]

Why my friend? You need to allow them to wallow in their lack of knowledge. I know what you mean and I know that you mean well. But all that matters to them is their own Bible and their own eyes that they read it with they feel they are smarter then all men even Jesus Christ. They question His word and will argue with Him Himself when he returns. Forget trying to broaden their horizons. They want to shorten ours. My Mary keep you my friend!

[defconw]

The world according to fatboy. ROFLOL!

[defconw]

I have been thinking about this for awhile now. Prior to coming on Free Republic it never occurred to me that there was such hatred toward our Church. I mean I know there has always been prejudice and an us v. them thing, but what goes on here is really different.

So are these people just exceptionally bigoted? Are they brave because they hide behind a screen? Or is this how all non-Catholics basically feel whether or not they have the guts to say it to our faces?

Really I have only seen this type of thing actually in person spewed by those folks from the Westboro Baptist Church back about 10 years ago when they came for some dumb play that was going on at the SECULAR college in town. But for good measure they showed up at Catholic Churches to attempt to disrupt our Masses, which they didn't by the way.

But here is the thing, I have a friend who is Catholic who married a Protestant Minister. He's a nice guy, or is he lying to us all? He seems friendly, we can discuss things without him becoming unhinged at the word Mary.

I understand the optimism of the Holy Father and your own, while I find it admirable, I also would find it to be a very long shot if I were only looking at these posters opinions on here.

Apparently our fellow freepers don't realize that here in the 21 century Catholics are not confined to ghettos and we are just as wealthy, educated and upwardly mobile as they are. Maybe that is what bothers them? Also who amongst us as Catholics have 100 percent of all generations that are Catholic? I would say most of our family gatherings include at least a few heretics or protesters? ;)

[GBA]

Words to LIVE by. Thanks for posting!

[Petrosius]

Dear Pope, there is no mystery of God, it is all in the Bible. You might want to read it sometime.

Mystery, not in the sense of unknown but in the sense of being known only by the revelation by God. You might want to read the Bible sometime:

Matthew 13:11

Jesus answered them, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted.

Mark 4:11

And He was saying to them, "To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables,

Luke 8:10

And He said, "To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.

Ephesians 3:9

and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;

Romans 16:25

Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past,

1 Corinthians 2:7

but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;

Colossians 1:26

that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints,

Ephesians 1:9

He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him

Ephesians 3:4

By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

Colossians 2:2

that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ Himself,

1 Timothy 3:16

By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, Was vindicated in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Proclaimed among the nations, Believed on in the world, Taken up in glory.

Romans 11:25

For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery--so that you will not be wise in your own estimation--that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in;

Colossians 1:27

to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Ephesians 1:9-10

He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him

1 Corinthians 15:51-53

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.

Revelation 10:7

but in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, then the mystery of God is finished, as He preached to His servants the prophets.

Revelation 17:5-8

and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly. And the angel said to me, "Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns. read more.

Ephesians 3:8-9

To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;

Ephesians 3:4-6

By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,

Ephesians 6:19

and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

Colossians 1:25-27

Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 4:3

praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned;

2 Thessalonians 2:7

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

1 Corinthians 13:2

If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.

1 Corinthians 14:2

For one who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God; for no one understands, but in his spirit he speaks mysteries.

Ephesians 5:31-32

FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND SHALL BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

Deuteronomy 29:29

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.

Romans 11:33-36

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? read more.

1 Peter 1:10-12

As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which angels long to look.

1 Timothy 3:9

but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

Ephesians 3:4-9

By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, read more.

Revelation 17:5-7

and on her forehead a name was written, a mystery, "BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly. And the angel said to me, "Why do you wonder? I will tell you the mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.

1 Corinthians 15:51

Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed,

[SumProVita]

...it is all in the Bible.

____________________________

Even the Bible states that it does not contain all that Jesus said and did.

[SumProVita]

If you read the Pope’s daily homilies or much of what he has personally written (unlike the media), you would know of his personal relationship with the Savior.

[SumProVita]

Beautifully stated!

[drone]

As a former Catholic (I born into the RCC) I wondered the same things as you; how people could be so prejudiced and filled with hatred toward the RCC. I figured if there was so much hatred toward the RCC that the RCC must be the true church and satan was using this hatred to destroy us. However, as I prayed and opened myself to the teachings of Jesus I found that the Catholic doctrine doesn’t follow biblical scripture. And, if just one of teachings of Catholic doctrine is false you should rightly devide that the remaining sum is suspect too. For instance, praying to Mary is not taught in the bible. That is doctrine added by the RCC and though it was probably well intended at the time it’s just not biblical and false teaching. There are many of these sorts of extra biblical teachings in the Catholic Catechism. Try some internet searching about this subject and don’t be afraid to find the Catholic has mislead you and me on many levels. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6; not the Catholic doctrine. This was a key bible passage pointing me away from the RCC. Once a person finds a fundamental truth you naturally want to share it. Don’t be afraid to admit a mistake. God Bless

[RnMomof7]

You are correct..."Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' 23"And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you;

[Petrosius]

And where in the Bible does it say that it is the only source of our knowledge of God? The Bible says that God established a church under the stewardship of the Apostles. The Bible says that the Apostles gathered other men as bishops, presbyters and deacons to share in this office of stewardship. Where in the Bible does it say that this visible leadership no longer exercises the authority that was given to it by Jesus Christ?

[Petrosius]

All I know is that if the Pope does not accept Jesus Christ into his heart as his Lord and Savior, confess his sins and repent, then the Pope is not going to be favorably judged I am afraid.

You do know that this is Catholic teaching, don't you?

[RnMomof7]

Even the Bible states that it does not contain all that Jesus said and did

Adding to the scripture is never a good idea.. it does not say that (even though your church likes to use that to justify "tradition" )

Here is what it does say

"John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.

Do you see the difference?

Remember that Satan deceived Eve by ADDING to the scripture...

John 20:30 Jesus PREFORMED many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.

[RnMomof7]

And where in the Bible does it say that it is the only source of our knowledge of God? The Bible says that God established a church under the stewardship of the Apostles. The Bible says that the Apostles gathered other men as bishops, presbyters and deacons to share in this office of stewardship. Where in the Bible does it say that this visible leadership no longer exercises the authority that was given to it by Jesus Christ?

Actually the bible does not teach "apostolic succession" at all ...It does not teach a papacy

The church of Christ is not a building, or a denomination ... The church is composed of those that are in Christ, that are saved by the blood of Christ..

[RnMomof7]

, we accept Jesus at Baptism

How does an infant affirm the gospel of Christ? ..Confirmation is confirming membership in the church ...not Christ ...

[don-o]

Please ping me if a single Prot / Evang / Bible Christian of good will actually shows up to post to this thread.

[Petrosius]

Actually the bible does not teach "apostolic succession" at all…

You should perhaps reread the Bible:

During those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (there was a group of about one hundred and twenty persons in the one place). He said, “My brothers, the scripture had to be fulfilled which the holy Spirit spoke beforehand through the mouth of David, concerning Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. He was numbered among us and was allotted a share in this ministry. He bought a parcel of land with the wages of his iniquity, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle, and all his insides spilled out. This became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem, so that the parcel of land was called in their language ‘Akeldama,’ that is, Field of Blood. For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

‘Let his encampment become desolate,
and may no one dwell in it.’

And:

‘May another take his office.’

Therefore, it is necessary that one of the men who accompanied us the whole time the Lord Jesus came and went among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us, become with us a witness to his resurrection.” So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this apostolic ministry from which Judas turned away to go to his own place.” Then they gave lots to them, and the lot fell upon Matthias, and he was counted with the eleven apostles. (Acts 1:15-26)

The Bible also shows that the Apostles and the presbyters that they had gathered with them to share in the governance of the church taught with the authority of the Holy Spirit:

Then the apostles and presbyters, in agreement with the whole church, decided to choose representatives and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. The ones chosen were Judas, who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers. This is the letter delivered by them: “The apostles and the presbyters, your brothers, to the brothers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia of Gentile origin: greetings. Since we have heard that some of our number [who went out] without any mandate from us have upset you with their teachings and disturbed your peace of mind, we have with one accord decided to choose representatives and to send them to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, who have dedicated their lives to the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. So we are sending Judas and Silas who will also convey this same message by word of mouth: ‘It is the decision of the holy Spirit and of us not to place on you any burden beyond these necessities, namely, to abstain from meat sacrificed to idols, from blood, from meats of strangled animals, and from unlawful marriage. If you keep free of these, you will be doing what is right. Farewell.’” (Acts 15:22-29)

Where in the Bible does it say that the gathered shepherds of the church no longer teach with the authority of the Holy Spirit? No, the church, as established by Jesus Christ, does not just consist of the undifferentiated mass of believers. It also has a leadership established by Jesus Christ himself to teach and guide it.

[SumProVita]

Oh my...

Can you not understand that all the things that Jesus did had to have included speech as well? One of the things He did with the woman at the well was to tell her to “go and sin no more.”