If a person does not believe that the Catholic Church is the true Church, is telling him that the Catholic Church teaches that he is certain to go to hell supposed to scare him? I’m sure there are dozens of churches in Kentucky alone that believe that I am going to hell because I am Catholic. Ask me if I care.
If he DOES believe the Catholic Churchh is the true Church, then he will know that he is obliged to join. OTHER PEOPLE’s ODDS of going to heaven and hell are absolutely immaterial.
Jesus was asked whether they are many or few who are saved. HE DID NOT ANSWER THE QUESTION. He said what YOU are to do: Try to enter by the narrow gate. He said what YOU are to do.
Because the gospel is not about ODDS. It is about God’s loving me, and my loving God.
When a couple marry, they don’t vow to take a chance on marriage. The groom doesn’t say, “There is a 56% chance that I will be faithful.” He promises what HE will do.
I detect in many, many people a revulsion at the idea that more than a literal handful of non-Catholics have been saved. They will grudgingly admit that Baptism of Desire exists (in principle), but they eagerly return, again and again, to contemplating the delicious image of masses of souls, glowing from within like coals, tumbling in the raging fires of hell. It’s their pornography.
And you have not really answered my question.
I detect from most Novus Ordo types the need to include as many non-Catholics in the BOD framework when that was never the teaching of the Catholic Church. Not only did you say many (which by the way is defined as a lot, numerous, etc), but you also said you were SURE that they were saved.
I have dear family members who are non-Catholic. In fact, my parents are elderly and I’ll be lucky if they’re around another 5 years. How dare you suggest that I am one of the ones who “contemplate the delicious image of masses of souls, glowing from within like coals, tumbling in the raging fires of hell.”? For me, this isn’t about damning others. It is about speaking the Truth .... even if it hurts.
I hate when Novus Ordo types speak of BOD as if it’s not something very rare and difficult to obtain. I really hate it when priests, who should know better, do it.
I think we’re done here.