Posted on 01/27/2015 1:24:04 AM PST by 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.” ...
(Excerpt) Read more at ewtnnews.com ...
God bless all of us: and may the Holy Spirit be with us!
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
AMEN
“To plumb the depths of the mystery of God”
Dear Pope, there is no mystery of God, it is all in the Bible. You might want to read it sometime.
But isn’t God infinite? More even then all the books in the world could hold, just about what Jesus did on earth. Why put limits on God? Hasn’t He done something in your life, you, personally, have you not been affected by Him on any way? That’s what this is about... Give glory to Him!
That’s exactly what the Holy Father means! My Mom survived cancer against all odds when I was just a baby! The doctors never figured out why. I praise God every day of my life for that miracle! Don’t you have something to thank or praise Him for?
Of course, Schaeffer has disagreement and criticism of the Roman Catholic church. But, imo, this should not obscure the major points he is making in this little book.
Of course, the disagreement is all some will ever want to talk about.
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.
“If, when we feel we must disagree as true Christians, we could simply guard our tongues and speak in love, in five or ten years the bitterness could be gone. Instead of that, we leave scars — a curse for generations. Not just a curse in the church, but a curse in the world.
The world looks, shrugs its shoulders and turns away. It has not seen even the beginning of a living church in the midst of a dying culture. It has not seen the beginning of what Jesus indicates is the final apologetic — observable oneness among true Christians who are truly brothers in Christ. Our sharp tongues, the lack of love between us — not the necessary statements of differences that may exist between true Christians — these are what properly trouble the world. “
For the Pope and those who follow him, Christian unity means believing in the Pope (and Catholic doctrine).
> Don’t you have something to thank or praise Him for?
It would take months if I sat down and thought about it. Even just being able to express this on a tablet from the confines of my warm home with hot coffee brewing is testament to that...: )
Thank you! Bookmarked, and partly read this far! That’s the spirit- we love Jesus and show that love by loving one another! Though times may be ahead. We are going to have to stand together with courage as followers of Jesus Christ! We need to give one another the love and support it takes to live a Christian life in a secular world! Great post! Thanks again, and my prayers for you, our dear Mrs. D, and all your loved ones! God bless you!
“Of course, Schaeffer has disagreement and criticism of the Roman Catholic church. But, imo, this should not obscure the major points he is making in this little book.”
No sweat- He still speaks about love as part of being a Christian! Jesus loved us unto folly, as it is written, by taking on our human nature and dying for our sins! We need to show His love to the world. Look at the best things Mother Teresa accomplished- out of love for God and for all men!
He is Catholic, we accept Jesus at Baptism and affirm that acceptance at Confirmation. He not only accepted Jesus, but 1.2 billion others besides, and anyone else seeking God- check pit the rest of the article! Good bless you!
So that the world may know
1. That we are His disciples
and
2. That He has been sent by the Father.
Amen! For the roof over my head, the food on my table. So many things to thank Him and praise Him for! I love those simple, quiet times when you’re just grateful for peace in your heart and getting through the day with a smile or two: God has blessed you with gratitude- may it continue to grow, and may He continue to bless you!
We have to show it! What we do for others and how we do it, shows our love! My Dad worked in a cold damp garage with holes in the bottoms of his boots- so he could use the boot money to give me a Christmas when i was a kid. Love sometimes requires sacrifice, but true love lightens the burden as Jesus said, “Take up My yoke and learn from Me... for My yoke is easy and my burden is light!”
Ping!
Read the entire article! He speaks of the Love of Jesus; the mercy to the Samaritan woman aft the well! I posted this, and I believe in it, of we stick with our common ground, our experiences in life where the Love of Jesus had been evident! In our love of Him and our gratitude for His Sacrifice on the Cross! In the shu coming up in the morning, and the people we love around us! God bless you!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.