St. Paul Was Not Ashamed of the Gospel — Are We?

Archdiocese of Washington ^ | 10-16-17 | Msgr. Charles Pope

[Salvation]

St. Paul Was Not Ashamed of the Gospel — Are We?

Msgr. Charles Pope • October 16, 2017 •

Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, Rome

St. Paul writes this in today’s reading from the Letter to the Romans: “I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16).

“Gospel” here refers to the whole of the New Testament rather than merely the four Gospels. The gospel is the apostolic exhortation, the proclamation of the apostles of what Jesus taught and said and did for our salvation. This proclamation was recorded and collected in the letters of the apostles Paul, Peter, James, John, and Jude, and in what later came to be called the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The gospel is the transformative word of the Lord proclaimed by the apostles in obedience to the command of the Lord,

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matt 28:19-20).

Of these apostles (“sent ones”) Jesus says this:

Very truly I tell you, whoever receives the one I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me (Jn 13:20).

So the gospel is the authoritative and transformative proclamation of the Lord’s word through the apostles in totality. Of this full and received message St. Paul says he is not ashamed, though he has suffered for preaching it; others have suffered and even been killed for it!

Can we say the same? Are we unashamed of the gospel? Sadly, too many people are to some extent ashamed of the gospel. Even among practicing Catholics and clergy, there are too many who promote a compromised, watered-down message rather than boldly, joyfully, and confidently proclaiming the full gospel.

• Many are ashamed of the gospel’s moral vision, especially those parts that challenge the rebellion of our times against marriage, the family, the proper purpose of sexuality, and the sanctity of human life. If a priest or lay person brings up such topics, too many Catholics cringe, embarrassed that a controversial subject has been mentioned. Some worry that someone might be angered, challenged, or “hurt.” The embarrassment and nervousness are often visible by the looks on their faces or their seeming need to change the subject, speak in euphemisms, or talk in generalities and abstractions. It seems that they want to avoid a clear discussion of the truth in such matters at all costs.
• Many are ashamed of the strong demands of the cross. Jesus wanted us to be under no illusions. Strong medicine is required for what ails us. The cross and the need for self-denial and sacrifice are at the center of the gospel, but many are ashamed when the concept of the cross goes from being an abstraction to something more specific. Thus when the world protests with rhetorical questions we are embarrassed and too often compromise or grow silent. For example, when someone indignantly asks, “Are you saying that a woman who is pregnant as a result of rape must carry the child to birth?” Instead of responding, “Yes, and we must help her to decide whether to raise the child or place the child up for adoption,” we often compromise, saying that maybe abortion is all right in cases of rape or incest—but it isn’t. The child is innocent; he or she does not deserve to be killed. We are easily ashamed of the cross in other cases, too, such as in the abortion of possibly “defective” babies or euthanasia/assisted-suicide for the suffering. We shy away from standing firm when it comes to embracing of any kind of suffering, inconvenience, or cross. It’s harder to get married and stay married than it is to divorce; it’s harder to resist sin than give way to temptation; it’s harder to delay satisfaction than to indulge right away. In these ways the cross is no abstraction; it is quite real. When it gets real, though, many of us are ashamed of the gospel and what it proclaims.
• Many are ashamed of the proclamation that Christ as the exclusive and only savior. In our “pluralistic” world, which “diversity” is an absolutized virtue, the thought that Jesus is the sole savior of mankind is an embarrassment to many Catholics. Scripture says of Jesus, He is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:11-12). Jesus himself says, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (Jn 14:6). When the world says that there are many ways to God, that people have a right to worship the “god of their own understanding,” and that all ways are valid and good and true, too many Catholics are ashamed of our teaching that Jesus is the unique and only savior of mankind. If there are Muslims, Buddhists, or Zoroastrians in Heaven it is only because of the mercy and grace of Jesus. Talk like this engenders shame in many Catholics, who cringe and want to parrot the world’s view that Christianity has no preeminence or saving value above any other view.
• Many are ashamed of what Jesus teaches on judgment and Hell. There are many passages in which Jesus and the apostles warn of Hell, judgment, and eternal exclusion from the Kingdom of God. Many shamefully dismiss Jesus’ parables and teachings about Hell and judgement as excess or hyperbole; strangely, they assert that when Jesus said that many would be lost and few would be saved that he meant precisely the opposite. They think that God will never say, “Depart from me you evildoers. Depart from me; I never knew you” Many are embarrassed by such teachings and simply dismiss them as implausible. They have shamefully reinvented God as a “sweetie pie” rather than the all holy God to whom we must be conformed if we ever hope to be able to endure His presence. Too many are embarrassed by the gospel and these teachings, most of which comes right from the mouth of Jesus.
• Many are ashamed of simple biblical terms such as sin (especially mortal sin), evil, repentance, conversion, judgment, Hell, and phrases such as “woe to you,” “vengeance is mine,” and “fornicators will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Many dismiss such common biblical phrases as “unwelcoming,” “unkind,” and “un-Christlike.” Never mind that many of these biblical phrases were commonly on the very lips of Jesus. Too many are ashamed of the real Christ and prefer a refashioned, softened one.

St. Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel. What about us? Are we confident and uncompromising in proclaiming the gospel or are we ashamed and fearful? Do we compromise the gospel in order to avoid the scorn of an unbelieving, sin-sick world? Do we stand up without shame and proclaim the truth with love and confidence?

Are we ashamed of the gospel or are we joyful and confident?

This song says, “You should be a witness! Stand up and be a witness for the Lord!”

[ealgeone]

Of course She recognized that. Why shouldn't She?

She was a sinner.

I notice you capitalized She....your worship of Mary knows no end does it?

[af_vet_1981]

The Hail Mary is not Biblically based. It cannot be defended using Scripture.

I noticed this assertion is not that the Hail Mary is unbiblical, but rather than it is not Biblically based.

However the Hail Mary, like the Our Father, are biblically based, being derived wholly (Our Father), or in large part (Hail Mary) from the scriptures.

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

...

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.

...

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

...

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

...

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

...

And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Matthew, Catholic chapter six, Protestant verses nine to thirteen,
Luke, Chapter eleven, Protestant verses two to four,
Luke, Chapter one, Protestant verses twenty six to thirty three,
Luke, Chapter one, Protestant verses forty six to fifty five,
Matthew, Catholic chapter one, Protestant verses eighteen to twenty three,
Luke, Chapter two, Protestant verses thirty three to thirty five,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[ebb tide]

It is you have who has little faith to deny God cannot permit an immaculate conception of a virgin who would conceive and bear His only Son.

By your previous post: Jesus was not immaculate because His Mother was not immaculate. So was Jesus Christ born with original sin?

[ealgeone]

It is you have who has little faith to deny God cannot permit an immaculate conception of a virgin who would conceive and bear His only Son.

Could He do this? Yes.

Did He do this? No.

By your previous post: Jesus was not immaculate because His Mother was not immaculate. So was Jesus Christ born with original sin?

You're attempt at reasoning is....well, I hope you don't have to use logic in whatever field of work you're in.

[RegulatorCountry]

Thanks for exposing your hypocrisy. If Mary was not immaculate, neither was Her Son, Jesus Christ.

It's not hypocrisy at all. If Mary had to be "immaculate" in order to give birth to Jesus Christ, then how was Mary herself "immaculate" if her own mother was not? Attempting to intellectualize rather than accepting on faith leads to such speculation, and that's just what it is, speculation, not faith.

Scripture tells us Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, who was Mary. Scripture does not attribute sinlessness or being ever-virgin to her. Elevating her to such an unscriptural status creates a logical contradiction. Was Mary somehow more special than her Son, to have been able to emerge sinless from her sinful mother's womb when even He could not? Or, is it turtles all the way down with the virginity all the way back to Eve, in order to maintain this unscriptural status for Mary?

There are problems with both, which leads those of us not so bound to defend unscriptural speculation to point these problems out. Why not just accept on faith what we're told by scripture and just leave it at that? Seems much simpler, with far less contradiction.

[ealgeone]

I noticed this assertion is not that the Hail Mary is unbiblical,...

In either case it isn't substantiated by Scripture when viewed in its entirety.

The problem with the Hail Mary is that it is a prayer TO Mary. The Bible is clear we are to direct our prayers to God.

So right off the bat the HM is predicated upon an unbiblical practice.

[ebb tide]

She was a sinner.

She is the Mother of God. I give Her due respect and venerate Her.

What particular sin(s) did She commit?

Or do you just enjoy calumniating God's Mother on every Catholic thread you can?

[ebb tide]

It's not hypocrisy at all. If Mary had to be "immaculate" in order to give birth to Jesus Christ, then how was Mary herself "immaculate" if her own mother was not?

Dumb question which has already been answered.

How did a virgin conceive the Son of God?

[ealgeone]

>>She was a sinner.<<

She is the Mother of God.

She is the mother of the Lord as Luke recorded....unless you want to change Scripture.

I give Her due respect and venerate Her.

When you kneel before your idol of Mary, pray before and to the image represented by the idol, light candles before, rely upon her....you're worshiping her on contradiction of the Bible.

Your continual use of caps for Her, She, etc. continues to show your obstinancy over this issue.

[ealgeone]

What particular sin(s) did She commit?

We don't have a list of every sin she committed nor is one needed.

Paul made it clear...ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

Have you not read that part of Romans?

[ebb tide]

You're attempt at reasoning is....well, I hope you don't have to use logic in whatever field of work you're in.

Yet you won't answer the question: if Mary was born with original sin, why wasn't Her Son born with it?

Do believe in one miracle: that Christ was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Ghost; but deny another miracle that that virgin was born without original sin?

I call that cherry-picking by Mary-haters.

[af_vet_1981]

The Hail Mary is a request by a sinner for Mary to pray to God for him.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts, Catholic chapter one, Protestant verses

[ebb tide]

We don't have a list of every sin she committed nor is one needed.

Who's "we"?

If you don't have list, or even a single sin as evidence, why do you choose to calumniate the Mother of God as a sinner?

[RegulatorCountry]

The Holy Spirit moved upon her. That’s what scripture tells us.

What pray tell does the Vatican tell you was the method of conception?

[af_vet_1981]

The Hail Mary is a request by a sinner for Mary to pray to God for him.

And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts, Catholic chapter one, Protestant verses nine to fourteen,
as authorized, but not authored, by King James

[ealgeone]

>>You're attempt at reasoning is....well, I hope you don't have to use logic in whatever field of work you're in.<<

Yet you won't answer the question: if Mary was born with original sin, why wasn't Her Son born with it?

Because He's sinless to begin with....or didn't you know that??

He didn't trade that in when He was conceived/born.

Do believe in one miracle: that Christ was born of a virgin conceived by the Holy Ghost; but deny another miracle that that virgin was born without original sin?

One of the miracles is recorded in Scripture...that Christ was born of a virgin.

The other that the virgin was born without original sin is not found in the Bible as already noted by Rome's own sources!

[RegulatorCountry]

Mary was a sinner in need of a Savior just as every human being who has ever walked the face of this earth has needed a Savior, other than Jesus Christ himself.

Familiarize yourself with the Book of Genesis regarding the source of sin and why Mary, too, was a sinner because she was born in sin. She couldn’t *not* be a sinner, but she could be forgiven.

[ebb tide]

Read the Apostle’s Creed.

Have you heard of it?

[ealgeone]

You may note all of these people were on earth at the time.

They were praying to God.

All prayer is directed to God.

[CodeToad]

I think people are ashamed, if not ignorant, of the gospels because they keep trying to claim they say something they do not.