JPII: Church's Social Work Is Not Political, Gospel Message Must Accompany Aid

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[Polycarp]

Church's Social Work Is Not Political, John Paul II Says

Gospel Message Must Accompany Aid, He Tells Brazilian Bishops

VATICAN CITY, OCT. 21, 2002 (Zenit.org).- The social work carried out by the Church, especially among the poor, cannot be reduced to simple material or political work, says John Paul II.

When the Pope met Saturday with a group of bishops visiting from northeast Brazil, he reminded them that a bishop's first mission is to proclaim the truth of the Gospel, without which the work of the Church would be meaningless.

"As vicars and legates of Christ, you are called above all to offer a clear and vigorous proclamation of the Gospel," the Holy Father said.

He urged the Brazilian prelates not to have "reservations about associating the word of Christ to charitable activities by a misunderstood sense of respect for others' convictions."

"It is not an act of charity to leave brothers in darkness about truth," John Paul II stressed. "It is not an act of charity to feed the poor or visit the suffering by taking human resources to them but not communicating to them the Word that saves."

The Holy Father described the serious difficulties endured in northeast Brazil -- lack of employment, housing and health care; educational problems, social differences, and the presence of aggressive sects -- but he urged that pastoral action not be reduced "to the temporal and earthly dimension."

"It is not possible, for example, to think, of the challenges of the Church in Brazil by limiting oneself to some important but circumstantial questions, related to social policy, the concentration of land, the question of the environment, and others," he continued.

"To claim for the Church a participatory model of a political character, where decisions are voted on at the 'base,' limited to the poor and outcasts of society, but abstracted from the presence of all the segments of the People of God, would impair the original redemptive meaning proclaimed by Christ," the Pope warned.

On the contrary, "the fundamental mission of the bishop is evangelization, a task that he must carry out not only individually, but as Church," John Paul II stressed.

This mission is summarized in the triple mandate to "teach, sanctify and govern," he added.

The Holy Father acknowledged that the bishops of northeast Brazil must carry out the task of teaching in a cultural environment characterized by a high level of illiteracy, divorce, child violence, malnutrition, and superficiality promoted by some media.

In this ambience, the duty of the bishop is "to invite members of the particular Churches entrusted to him to accept in all its fullness the teaching of the Church in regard to questions of faith and morals," even if it means going against the current of the prevailing mentality, the Pope said.

In particular, this work must be done with young people -- a majority in Brazil's population -- promoting "the formation of a moral conscience, which must be respected as the 'sanctuary' of man alone with God, whose voice resounds in the intimacy of the heart," he added.

At the same time, John Paul II said, "remind your faithful that conscience is an exacting tribunal, whose judgment must always be conformed with the moral norms revealed by God and proposed with authority by the Church."

In this educational work, there must be a "return to the sacrament of reconciliation, unfortunately quite abandoned today, even in Catholic areas of your country," the Pontiff added.

In regard to "sanctification," the second mission of the bishop, John Paul II urged the prelates to highlight the two fundamental sacraments of Christian life: baptism and the Eucharist.

He said the living of the Eucharist, "source and center of the whole of Christian life," has two critical challenges in Brazil: on the one hand, the lack of priests and their unequal distribution, and on the other, the worrying drop in Sunday Mass attendance.

"It is evident that this situation suggests a provisional solution in order not to leave the community abandoned, with the risk of progressive spiritual impoverishment," the Pope emphasized.

"However, the incomplete sacramental character of these liturgical functions, carried out by persons who are not ordained, should induce the whole parish community to pray with greater fervor so that the Lord will send workers for his harvests," he said.

Lastly, the Pope focused on the bishop's mission to "govern." Above all, he must care for the priests, "especially when there is a delay in the fruits of pastoral work, with the possible temptation to discouragement and sadness."

"Many pastors do not have the feeling of working in an evangelical vineyard, but rather in an arid steppe," the Holy Father said. Yet, "the risen Lord walks with you and makes your efforts fruitful."

[ventana]

I am terribly sorry. I have taken a lecture by St. Cyrus, in which he references Romans, out of context, and have not explained the full context. Allow me to explain.

First of all, I am comfortable referencing St. Cyril, his authority is explained:

"Dare any of you, having a matter against another, bring your case before the unjust instead of before the saints? Know ye not that the saints shall judge the world?" 1 Corinthians 6:1-2.

Third Catechetical Lecture of our Holy Father, Cyril, ARCHBISHOP OF JERUSALEM,

With a reading from Romans,

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

And, the most important part of the lecture, to my point: If any man receive not Baptism, he hath not salvation; except only Martyrs, who even without the water receive the kingdom. For when the Saviour; in redeeming the world by His cross, was pierced in the side, He shed forth blood and water; that men, living in times of peace, might be baptized in water, and in times of persecution, in their own blood. For martyrdom also the Saviour is wont to call a baptism, saying, "Can ye drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" [Mark 10:38] And the Martyrs confess, by being made a spectacle unto the world, and also to Angels, and to men [1 Cor. 4:9]; and thou wilt soon confess: -- but it is not yet the time for thee to hear of this.

He is speaking here of his baptism in blood.

Mark 10: 39: They say to Him, "We Can'. Jesus said to them, "Of the cup whereof I am to drink, ye shall drink, and with the baptism wherewith I am to be baptized, ye shall be baptized;

Here he seems to predicts the Eucharistic sacrifice made possible by his Blood sacrifice, the Eucharistic sacrifice will make participation with him possible.

St. Cyril argues that those who have died in blood are baptised in blood with Christ. This is the teaching of the church, which does not contradict its Saints, out of obedience to Corinthians 6: 1-2. Nor can I, nor can Mother Theresa contradict those self-same Saints. So, yes, there seems to be an exception to baptims by water, which the church long ago accepted. And, of course there is the baptism by fire.

BTW, Since you are not baptised by the waters of the river of Jordan, how can your baptism be legitimate? Since those were the only waters by which our Lord was baptised? If other waters are acceptable, On whose authority do you accept this to be so? V's wife.

[victim soul]

In this ambience, the duty of the bishop is "to invite members of the particular Churches entrusted to him to accept in all its fullness the teaching of the Church in regard to questions of faith and morals," even if it means going against the current of the prevailing mentality, the Pope said.

[RnMomof7]

But if she were warned by her bishop or by the Vatican that such statements were contrary to the faith, and she persisted in teaching them anyway, then she would be a heretic and would fall under the condemnations you cite, no matter how many good works she may have done.

Do you think Rome was aware of these quotes and intentionally kept still? (she made theses kinds of comments a few times)

She was and is a folk hero. She is a wonderful role model..So I wonder if it suited Romes purpose to look the other way..

[computerjunkie]

RnMomof7 post #69 bears repeating:

"Hbr 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Where does it come from?

Rom 10:17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

What does it do?

Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul [which] is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Rom 3:22 Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Rom 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

It is a fruit of the Spirit...so it is NOTHING you can make yourself do..(have faith) It comes when you read the word and are converted

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

For all that think one can work their way to heaven

Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Polycarp #46: "No Christian in their right mind would consign Mother Teresa to Hell."

No, they wouldn't. God is the judge of that.

"He service and humble witness to the Gospel spoke louder and more eloquently than any sola scriptura preacher who ever walked the earth. To mock Mother Teresa is to mock God Himself. To attack her is to attack the Gospel so evident in her every act and word. Only a fool would dare mock God by consigning one of His greatest witnesses to Hell."

Near as I can tell, Mom was only quoting Mother Teresa. "If one is a good Hindu, or of any other faith, and a good believing person in that faith, then that person will go to heaven." If that is an actual quote from Mother Teresa, then Mother Teresa is wrong as that is not a true statement.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

[RnMomof7]

That said, I was always taught that no one gets to Eternal Life but through Jesus. I would certainly tend to put a bit of trust in the expressed feelings of a living saint who helped more people to experience Gods grace on a bad day than RN (or any of us) has done thus far in her entire life.

The object of your faith needs to be Jesus Christ..not Mother Teresa or me..(so I would never ask you to trust me).Look to the cross and be saved

  Jhn 3:14   And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
     Jhn 3:15   That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

The question at hand is should Mother Teresa ,by the churches own infallible doctrine, have been excommunicated? How do you make a Catholic Saint out of a "heretic"? If you can do that I nominate Luther:>)

[RnMomof7]

To mock Mother Teresa is to mock God Himself.

Actually I think to turn your back on the gospel that saved you is mocking God..Mother Teresa was never God and she will never be God..she was a very kind human being who IF she believed in the cross and the sufficency of the Blood of Christ is saved by the grace of God not her good work..just like every man and woman that walks this earth:>)

[computerjunkie]

To mock Mother Teresa is to mock God Himself.

Does that statement indicate Mother Teresa is equal with God?

[RnMomof7]

As a Mormon you have a similar believe in works..but you are working to be a godess..they are working to be saved..

Revelation is about a judgement of works for rewards ..read the book Rest..the unsaved are burning in the pit..

 
  
  Rev 20:1   And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
  
  Rev 20:2   And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
  
  Rev 20:3   And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
  
  Rev 20:4   And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
  
  Rev 20:5   But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This [is] the first resurrection.
  
  Rev 20:6   Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
  
  Rev 20:7   And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
  
  Rev 20:8   And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom [is] as the sand of the sea.
  
  Rev 20:9   And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
  
  Rev 20:10   And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet [are], and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
  
  Rev 20:11   And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
  
  Rev 20:12   And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
  
  Rev 20:13   And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
  
  Rev 20:14   And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
  
  Rev 20:15   And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

[RnMomof7]

Seems so huh?

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

I am sorry but you have lost me. MT is not considered a martyr is she? I don't see the connection here. Please forgive.

I was really looking for an explanation on RNMom's question. If this is the answer I am lost.

BTW, Since you are not baptised by the waters of the river of Jordan, how can your baptism be legitimate? Since those were the only waters by which our Lord was baptised? If other waters are acceptable, On whose authority do you accept this to be so?

And when did my baptism become the topic? :):

If baptism is part of salvation (which I do not believe for a second) then there is no one more saved then I. I was baptized as a baby in the catholic church, baptized at the age of 25 in the church of Christ, then again at the age of 45 in an independent baptist church. I have been baptized for just about every reason people get baptized:)

Becky

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

When Mother Teresa died, her longtime friend and biographer Naveen Chawla said that he once asked her bluntly, “Do you convert?” She replied, “Of course I convert. I convert you to be a better Hindu or a better Muslim or a better Protestant. Once you’ve found God, it’s up to you to decide how to worship him” (“Mother Teresa Touched other Faiths,” Associated Press, Sept. 7, 1997).

BigMack

[restornu]

As a Mormon you have a similar believe in works..but you are working to be a godess..they are working to be saved..

No R7, I am not working toward be a godess, this is what happens to everyone who is resurrected be they saved or not. It the nature of things it will even happen to you!

Satan is a demon god he ate from the tree of good and evil, and he also ate from the tree of life.

You reap what you sow, or Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

If you are not SAVED you do not get a good REWARD! R7:)

[computerjunkie]

"I am not working toward be a godess, this is what happens to everyone who is resurrected be they saved or not."

Sorry, but this is just not true.

[Joshua]

Amazing. They are giving you scriptures on works to show that MT is a saint.

In 91 posts not one of them has given an explanation on Trent.

If MT truly trusted Christ as her Saviour what she said would not affect her salvation. Peter was rebuked by Paul for leading some in the wrong direction.

The funny part here is that the Sole Deposit of Truth (RC)condemns this woman and not one Catholic on here has been able to tell you why.

How can the RC and Scripture be so far off on this one?

[restornu]

Sorry, but this is just not true.

***

Ps. 82:
6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.

[RnMomof7]

Ps. 82:
6 I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High.



0430 'elohiym {el-o-heem'}

plural of 0433; TWOT - 93c; n m p

AV - God 2346, god 244,*** judge*** 5, GOD 1, goddess 2,*** great 2, mighty** 2,
angels 1, exceeding 1, God-ward + 04136 1, godly 1; 2606

1) (plural)
1a) **rulers, judges***
1b) divine ones
1c) angels
1d) gods
2) (plural intensive - singular meaning)
2a) god, goddess
2b) godlike one
2c) works or special possessions of God
2d) the (true) God
2e) God


The word god was in lower case ..best read as judge or ruler not the Most High God

  Isa 43:10   Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

[computerjunkie]

Sorry, been there, done that...

Rising to the divinity within you

"Psalm 82 was written to the corrupt rulers (or magistrates)..."gods" refers to the authority they had to rule. He was not equating them with God."

Same link, #62 J. Vernon McGee Thru the Bible:

Then He says that He and the Father are one. He claims to be God. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

John 10:32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? 33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

There is one thing that is sure: in that day, those who heard Him understood that He made Himself God. He produced His credentials. There was no way they could deny His miracles. He healed people by the thousands, and there was no denying the evidence. They accused Him of blasphemy. They accused Him of calling Himself God. And do you know, that is exactly what He was doing!

John 10:34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? 35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken; 36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God? 37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. 38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

Their accusation was that He as a man makes Himself God. He quotes to them Psalm 82:6, "I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High." Men are called to be the children of God, but Jesus is unique because He is the Man "whom the Father hath sanctified." He is the One who has been set apart. He is different from any other man in the world. He has been sent on a mission to the world. He is in the Father and the Father is in Him.

[restornu]

So true been there and done that!

This is a natural order of things as the spirit passes through one veil to another veil in its eternal progression.

There are Universal Laws for the various Kingdoms and heavens

Earth is Temporal, the Heavens are Eternal.

Spirit Prison and hell are of the lowest degrees,
Earth is a Temporal state. and under the Laws of Mortality.
Spirit world is simular to Earth laws accept it is an eternal state.
Paradice is also eternal but of a cleaner spirits.
The degrees of Heavens are variosu levels of purity, of those souls that can endur the light of the Lord presends, which will depend on how close they will reside with Heavenly Father!

I know you want to deny and renouce this It bothers me not for I do understand and thankful for that, I wish not to content over this. Laws are laws and if one is not ready they must reside eternally in the realm that they have progress to! I know this sounds cut and dry but it is not this is just a simplfied version!

[Desdemona]

What does Jesus say the two greatest commandments are?

Almost 50 posts later and no one answered? Without looking, and if memory serves (I mean I could be wrong):

Love one another as I have loved you.

and

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

But then, I'm just a silly little Catholic girl who doesn't read the bible. This was just the words we were taught to live by.

(apologies to Sister M G, Sister M D, Sister M B and Sister S, God rest her soul, for ending a sentence with a preposition)

BTW, The second one is part of the sermon on the mount.

[drstevej]

--------

Can't wait for the board game!