The Neverending Story (The Christian Chronicles)

Associated Press ^ | 3/24/01

[malakhi]

The Neverending Story
An ongoing debate on Scripture, Tradition, History and Interpretation.

Statesmen may plan and speculate for liberty, but it is religion and morality alone which can establish the principles upon which freedom can securely stand. The only foundation of a free constitution is pure virtue. - John Adams

Previous Thread

[SoothingDave]

SD, is this not the RC response to those questioning the moral suitability of the officiant?

Yes, of course, thank you. I have been trying to express that in my own words, and trad has helped as well.

SD

[SoothingDave]

Satan must be really pi$$ed at you for some reason, can you think of anything you've done differently in the last couple of weeks?(grin)

I'm sure that's it.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, ya know?

It rains on the just and the unjust.

Any of this coming through?<> SD

[al_c]

It seems like we have been talking about Mary forever. What about Joseph? Let's talk about him awhile.

Okay ...

Thursday, May 01, 2003
St. Joseph the Worker (Optional Memorial)

First Reading: Responsorial Psalm: Gospel:

Genesis 1:26 - 2:3 or Colossians 3:14-15, 17, 23-24 Psalm 90:2-4, 12-14, 16 Matthew 13:54-58 The spirit flows to you and to all men from the heart of the God-man, Savior of the world, but certainly, no worker was ever more completely and profoundly penetrated by it than the foster father of Jesus, who lived with Him in closest intimacy and community of family life and work. Thus, if you wish to be close to Christ, we again today repeat, "Go to Joseph" (Gn 41:44)  -- Pope Pius XII

Daily readings and meditation on the way ...

[SoothingDave]

Waffle house. An experience in dining.

LOL. I've seen many of them (only south of DC though), but I've never had the courage to actually go inside. Sounds like I made the right choice.

Now we have a Cracker Barrel not far from here. OK food, but not for those dieting. Everything is fried or smothered in something.

Cause she's "dead."

I know. Well, yes, but I didn't pray to her why she was alive either.

Prayer is an act of making a petition. Are you saying you never asked your grandma (or aunt or whoever we were talking about) to do anything for you, including pray with you?

SD

[SoothingDave]

A handsome rugged kind of chap, he left Ireland to escape the clutches of lascivious women who were irresistibly attracted to him.

Ahhh. The curse of the Irish. :-)

SD

[al_c]

Disclaimer: If you want on or off of this ping list, FReepmail me.

First Reading ACTS 5:27-33

When the court officers had brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them, "We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name. Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us." But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus, though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are witnesses of these things, as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him." When they heard this, they became infuriated and wanted to put them to death.

Responsorial Psalm PSALM 34:2 and 9, 17-18, 19-20

R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor. or R. Alleluia. I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be ever in my mouth. Taste and see how good the Lord is; blessed the man who takes refuge in him. R. The Lord confronts the evildoers, to destroy remembrance of them from the earth. When the just cry out, the Lord hears them, and from all their distress he rescues them. R. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; and those who are crushed in spirit he saves. Many are the troubles of the just man, but out of them all the Lord delivers him. R.

Gospel JOHN 3:31-36

The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy. For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift of the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.

The following is, as usual, from The Word Among Us:

The one whom God sent speaks the words of God. (John 3:34)

Popular culture is the ultimate skeptical jury when it comes to matters of religion. Yet even skeptical juries can be swayed by expert testimony. Though jurors may initially view an expert's opinion with doubt, they are often won over by the realization that this person really knows his or her stuff.

As Christians, we are called to become expert witnesses for Jesus! God sends us into the world to offer evidence that will sway the "jury" of our fellow citizens, leading them to Jesus. How can we respond to this challenge? Memorize some scripture passages that reveal the heart of our faith, such as John 3:16 or Mark 10:45. Get to know the biblical teachings on key issues such as eternal life, the love of God, and the meaning of the cross. Most important, back up whatever you say by trying to live as a disciple every day. The adage is true: Actions really do speak louder than words.

As you build up friendships with people, you will find doors opening up for you to bear witness as well. You may find an opportunity to share a scripture passage that has meant a lot to you, or to tell a story about how you found comfort from the Lord in a difficult situation. It's always wise to prepare for such opportunities. For example, you might want to have an answer ready for some of the most common questions about your faith. Then, if someone asks you, "What do you believe about God?" you will be able to offer them a few clear statements about God's love for every person and about his decision to send his Son into the world to reconcile us to him and open the way to heaven.

Jesus was the supreme witness to God because he knows God intimately and has the Spirit without measure (John 3:31-32,34). Now he gives us his Spirit so that we too might be witnesses to God's love.

"Jesus, you promised that your Spirit would take from what was yours and make it known to us. Open my heart and mind to understand the Scriptures and to speak effectively about you to others. Make me an expert witness of your love and mercy to everyone I meet today."

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God bless.

AC

[al_c]

we do not have a life without parole. It just came up again and our governor overruled it.

No, our legislature voted it down soundly. The bill never even got close to Perry's desk.

[SoothingDave]

He was reluctant to start His ministry. She made Him begin with His first public miracle

She made Him begin with His first public miracle ? She made Him do it? She made Christ do it? She made God Do it? Do you realize what you are saying?

Did you read the text? As incredible as it sounds, that is exactly what it looks like. Of course, had He not wanted to do it, He would not have. So, in the end His will determined things.

But for all intents and purposes it looks exactly like the story is written -- that Mom gave Jesus a nudge and that He did what He had to do, what He willed to do, at her request.

This is exactly metaphorical for the way Mary can influence Jesus today.

SD

[al_c]

JH, you gotta stop saying things that I agree with. It could become habit forming. ;o)

[SoothingDave]

And you know for a fact what these priests might, and might not have done? I recall your hero David tried to hide the fact that he sent Bathsehba's husband out to get killed

Want to finish the story?

To what end? David repented and lived happily ever after. The end.

It doesn't change my point that he did indeed hide his sin because he was ashamed. And that it is not surprising that others might do the same. IT doesn't make it right, but it makes it human. And it doesn't mean that, ipso facto, the person hiding his shame is not a believer.

Which was my point.

SD

[SoothingDave]

No, our legislature voted it down soundly. The bill never even got close to Perry's desk.

What's the rationale for that? Here we rarely have an execution, but we do have "life is life."

SD

[al_c]

Now we have a Cracker Barrel not far from here.

You're kidding! They actually have a restaurant up there that serves Southern cooking? Is the chicken fried steak with cream gravy on the menu? I thought you Yanks hated that stuff.

[al_c]

What's the rationale for that?

None that I can see. Probably what happened was (as usual) some yahoo legislator added on a rider that nobody else wanted so the entire bill had to be voted down.

[SoothingDave]

You're kidding! They actually have a restaurant up there that serves Southern cooking? Is the chicken fried steak with cream gravy on the menu? I thought you Yanks hated that stuff.

You are forgetting Jim Carville's observation, when running a campaign here, that outside of the two corner cities, PA is basically like Alabama.

We lead the nation in deer hunting, we have concealed carry, you know we carouse at Steeler parties. We just don't talk funny.

Well, not that funny.

I would think you would find just about the same menu, including chicken fried steak, at most local family restaurants. We just don't have sweet tea or grits.

And we probably have kielbasa and pierogies here, and farther east you might find scrapple.

SD

[SoothingDave]

Pronouncing anathemas(eternal condemnation) on Protestants isn't judgment?

Ideas are judged to be wrong. People can change their ideas.

Those who refuse to give up certain ideas have placed themselves outside of the Church. This is not an eternal condemnation, it is just a statement of fact.

Those who die outside of the Church require damn good reasons for it. Damn good. But equating the pronouncing of anathema with "eternal damnation" is to miss a few steps.

SD

[SoothingDave]

Please don't blame me for your poor communication.

I apologized for my part of the problem. Your quickness to ridicule tells me all I need to know about your willingness to understand.

SD

[al_c]

We just don't talk funny.

Stop the spinning, Dave. ;o)