Tuesday, February 09, 2010

For Garret... Have a good week...


I'm sorry we have to agree to disagree. Even if you can't "stomach" the Catholic Church, it will be my hope that you will let go of your prejudice against the RCC and stop believing the vicious lies about it. Maybe one day, drop me a comment that says, "Hey... the Catholic Church rocks!" Ya never know, Garret. A whole lot of people have done just that, thinking the LAST place they'd ever wind up would be across the Tiber. It's God's desire for us all, as Christians to dwell 'in unity' but since that is far from happening, at least 'doctrinally,' we'll pray for each other. OK? God bless.

7 comments:

Joyful Catholic said...

I wrote this before I read your last comment. Garret, the Catechism of the CC, which you said you'd not read, can tell you everything you want to know. There is some division and some "mass confusion" in the RCC, it's made up of sinners and less than humble folk with giant egos. Still, better to be IN it, than adrift out in "mere man-made" traditions and doctrines ever changing with the tide. The RCC has not ever changed her DOGMA. It's a gift of faith to believe that, not something I can sit here and tell you all the answers to your questions. I'm only 5 years old in the Faith, but I know it beats being out there in 'anything' goes land. Read Pope Benedict XVI, Jesus of Nazareth for starters. Can't go wrong there. Maybe try the 3 books I mentioned below. I can only tell you what helped me see the Truth and find true peace, INSIDE HER GATES. Go sit at Jesus feet, alone, in the quiet, either stay after Mass for "one hour" or go to an Adoration chapel. If you are honest about your queries, I believe the Lord, hidden behind the doors of that Tabernacle will not leave you in doubt. Maybe my husband will be able to offer some other thoughts, if he has some time. PAX CHRISTI.

Joyful Catholic said...

The point is there is purgatory, what different Catholics have said about "time" (or words referring to time) is different than the modern theologian who knows there's not "time" after life. It has to do with philosophy and how man thinks about things. There's a "doctrine" of purgatory but how it is TALKED about can change. In today's modern world,we know there is no "time" but there is a "process." The basic TRUTH about Purgatory is that there is a temporal 'scrubbing' or cleansing of the "residue' of sin, and the damage it has caused the soul. Not too many people die 100% perfected...so the stain of sin needs to be cleansed, even though it's been forgiven. It's not a place of redemption or the "2nd Chance" as some Protestants think. But how/where it's done, isn't that we KNOW, but that it is purgatory. It's a more 'lengthy' process for some because of the severity of sin. With puny minds, and our linear thinking, we come short about philosophical "rightness"...but this is DOGMA that has not "changed." They were speaking to peasants back then. The Church does 'evolve' like a fetus to a small baby, to a teenager to a adult. Same basic TRUTH / Dogma, but grows and matures -though the basic matter is always there from inception. Does that help? This is how my husband has just explained it to me. Garret, it's just hard to explain things that are NOT of THIS WORLD. We can attempt to explain, but there are things that are MYSTERY to us with puny finite minds. Therein comes FAITH. No one perfect can enter into heaven, and not too many of us are perfect when we die, but yet when we've been "saved" or "redeemed" Catholics believe the "rust" or residue has to be purged. Jesus heals, he doesn't just cover up a "dung heap" he TRANSFORMS us. Nuff said. I have to go. Have a good week...and get the Catechism out. That's the best source for you, but I know Scott Hahn has a new book called Signs of Life. He is on EWTN with Mike Aquilina. I watched it last night on our DVR and it was excellent. Go to www.salvationhistory.com plenty there to chew on as well. I know some Protestants think Scott's the 'devil' incarnate now that he's Catholic, but I was with him for nine days in Rome,(Mike,too) and I can assure you, he's not. :) He is VERY WISE and if you can catch the show, Signs of Life, please do so. He touched on all of this in last night's show. Peace of Christ.

Joyful Catholic said...

one more place to go, I know TJ would like to help, if you're willing to learn. He was Catholic, left, and returned a year or a little less than we did. He's a good source, and he's become a good friend over the past 4 years. Go there, read some of his posts and feel free to tell him 'susie sent you.'

http://crossed-the-tiber.blogspot.com/

BYE.

Jan said...

Nice blog! I love this JMT song - I used to play it quite often for Mass when I could still play guitar.

I also see you have a post on Little Nellie - I've been madly in love with her since Tan Publishing first offered the children's edition of her story a few years ago, followed by the more complete version. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend that you do!

I'll be back! God Bless~

Joyful Catholic said...

Hi Jan. Thank you for your kind words. I will definitely look into getting my hands on that book! I love all JMT's music, but I do believe that one might just be my favorite. God bless, and do come back sometime. I'll be over to see you, too. But probably not during Lent. Going to go on a "BlogFast" for 40 days. God bless.

Cheptoek said...

I have been away for a while. Just so busy. Glad to visit again. I was so happy to see you post music by John Michael Talbot. I have bought two of his CDs and I love his music. It always soothes me and draws me close to God.
Blessings to you and your family.

Joyful Catholic said...

Hi Caroline ~ Glad you were able to stop by again. God bless you and yours, also! A glorious time in the Church. Lent is actually my favorite season. We are a "Resurrection People" it is true, but a lot of Evangelicals would do well to remember that w/out being first "Good Friday" people, the Resurrection wouldn't have happened. Not all, but some need to remember that unless we SHARE in Christ's SUFFERINGS, we are not worthy to follow Him and 'rise' to glory ... if at first we don't 'take up our cross-DAILY.' That wasn't "preached" on too much in our old mega/inter-denom fellowship. So sadly, most who thirst and hunger for the "whole truth" end up going through the revolving door, church hopping like flitting butterflies, lighting in one place and then another. IF ONLY they would make a BEE line to the RCC, they'd find themselves FILLED to OVERFLOWING at the Heavenly Banquet at EVERY SINGLE MASS.
I don't know why that all came out here, but maybe someone will benefit from it. God be praised!