The BEATITUDES, PART VII

[AndyF]

Don't they just do that in areas of corporate worship, like Holy Communion? Hope you don't mind an Anglican jumping in on you!

A good point. There is a specific purpose in receiving the gifts of the Sacraments, so that is rightfully formal. But I'm talking about off time, where there should even be an off time away from the regime of religion.

No. Everything including posture and location are in strict procedure. Even though they do everything they can to instill that a conversation with God is just like talking to your father, the impression is to come prepared like one were to go to meet the Queen. The Church cannot seem to envisage a familiar relationship. Mine is a walk on the beach exchanging ideas with a friend. In fact if God were here I'd probably suggest we go for a beer. I might tear my knuckles working under my car and cuss, and God would be there with oily hands, and maybe even utter a few expletives Himself, and we could have a good laugh at it. To some God cannot have a human fallible nature.

My point is you will note there isn't really anywhere in our formal relation where we simply can't be ourselves and let everything hang loose, and yes allow for that dreaded imperfection to show itself, put our slippers on and relax without worrying if we said something in a proper way, or did we forget to put our hands togeather in a pious fashion, or did we kneel instead of laying horizontal in bed.

What is the priority here? Why do we need to even establish it? Therefore we need a timeout where there is an off limits for everyone except for two beings.

AndyF

 

[sanctus]

A good point. There is a specific purpose in receiving the gifts of the Sacraments, so that is rightfully formal. But I'm talking about off time, where there should even be an off time away from the regime of religion.

No. Everything including posture and location are in strict procedure. Even though they do everything they can to instill that a conversation with God is just like talking to your father, the impression is to come prepared like one were to go to meet the Queen. The Church cannot seem to envisage a familiar relationship. Mine is a walk on the beach exchanging ideas with a friend. In fact if God were here I'd probably suggest we go for a beer. I might tear my knuckles working under my car and cuss, and God would be there with oily hands, and maybe even utter a few expletives Himself, and we could have a good laugh at it. To some God cannot have a human fallible nature.

The Church certainly does not teach that private prayers must be formal or in a formal setting. It always encourages conversation with God, in whatever fashion that takes you. Many of the Saints have written long treatsies on prayer and its need to be a daily conversation with God.

Corporate worship, on the other hand, must cater to the whole rather than the one, so it must flow in a pattern, a Liturgy if you will.

 

[AndyF]

sanctus:

"Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."I could be reprimanded for not being merciful, and that would be justified. On the way to receive my punishment, rightly measured in the exact dosage that I deserve, I am also aware of others receiving theirs.

Next to me there is an entity called "society" that obstinately is receiving his measure for centuries of genocide to it's people. But there is something wrong with this picture. You will note friends that he's receiving a lighter reprimand.! "Why that can't be", we say to ourselves, because we are created in the image of God and God's quantity of love is the maximum that He can muster, therefore none in reserve higher than what he can give us individually.? So we are puzzled. If this isn't the reason for this inJustice, then what is.? Is it even Justice? Or is now simply a process.?

We are told of course in ways that imply that it isn't any of our business. But you and I know it is exactly our business.

Does that change things for us? Do we be merciful for another reason other than love this time? Is justice being served once we thought evident before are eyes proven now to be partial?

So now you see why it is important why this issue of Justice needs to be brought to the forefront and become the prominent one for the Church. It affects all the beatitudes. Nor is it in a category of "Devine" mystery.

I have given this issue of Justice much discernment. I question my motives and if I am being deceived in some way, lest the seeds of doubt eminate from myself without justification. But I am clear that this is a valid and honest issue the evidence of which is obvious in itself needing to be resolved. There can be no doubt anyway, as the Church will provide an answer one day we are reassured. We are to remain merciful to receive the benefits of Justice, as well as to distant ourselves from the workings of inJustice. Evidence seems to indicate there are two kinds in this universe.

AndyF

 

[sanctus]

needs to be brought to the forefront and become the prominent one for the Church. It affects all the beatitudes. Nor is it in a category of "Devine" mystery.

Although the Church should always be concerned with justice, let us not impose secular requirements upon Holy Mother Church! The prominent role of the Church is God, the deposit of faith and the Sacraments. It is not a social organization. It sole function is not to make sure everything in the world is good. It's primary area of concern is for its own membership.

That does not mean the
Church should not be at the forefront of advocating for social justice issues! It does mean the Church must move with balance, and never losing sight of its chief focus, honouring God.

 

[AndyF]

Sanctus:

Thanks.

impose.? :happy11:

No, that would not be my place in all humility. But I am sorry you read that into it, as it was meant as an offer that I assumed the Church would be interested in taking on the task.

I am sure that it wouldn't mind, as it is a very pertinent and theologically based issue that concerns our relation to God and to each other.

"It's primary area of concern is for its own membership."

I agree and I present my credentials. And this member has this question that affects the membership, nor is there shame that an answer cannot be provided, or that questions are threat to the Church. Perhaps you could recommend a knowledgable Church official that has a standard theological background and can remain focused on an objective approach to this question ? :read2:

AndyF

 

[AndyF]

This Sunday's missal provided the answer to this case of Justice, what I thought was a troubling and complex question, and it showed I was looking for reassurance.

This Psalm was provided for just such occasion as this when Justice doesn't quite seem to fit in to our own ideal. It occured to me it was listed as if it were a Corriculum Vitae of a Being who would be assigned a Judge for all, and that each line of reassurance sums up to build the Character of God as a reliable,Just and trustworthy Entity. One could just as well prefix each line as "You can count on me.." As such I stand corrected.

Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-1

R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,
heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Merciful and gracious is the LORD,
slow to anger and abounding in kindness.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.

AndyF

 

[mapleleafgirl]

Sanctus:

Thanks.

impose.? :happy11:

No, that would not be my place in all humility. But I am sorry you read that into it, as it was meant as an offer that I assumed the Church would be interested in taking on the task.

I am sure that it wouldn't mind, as it is a very pertinent and theologically based issue that concerns our relation to God and to each other.

"It's primary area of concern is for its own membership."

I agree and I present my credentials. And this member has this question that affects the membership, nor is there shame that an answer cannot be provided, or that questions are threat to the Church. Perhaps you could recommend a knowledgable Church official that has a standard theological background and can remain focused on an objective approach to this question ? :read2:

AndyF

we just studied, in history, that of all the religious organizations from europe, that the roman catholic church has actually been at the forefront of social change and those kinds of issues. that surprised me as i didnt know that. according to our text the rc church is often found advocating for the poor and helping them out. kinda cool!

 

[m_levesque]

we just studied, in history, that of all the religious organizations from europe, that the roman catholic church has actually been at the forefront of social change and those kinds of issues. that surprised me as i didnt know that. according to our text the rc church is often found advocating for the poor and helping them out. kinda cool!

Every person has a fundamental right to life— the right that makes all other rights possible. Each person also has a right to the conditions for living a decent life—faith and family life, food and shelter, education and employment, health care and housing. We also have a duty to secure and respect these rights not only for ourselves, but for others, and to fulfill our responsibilities to our families, to each other, and to the larger society." —USCCB Administrative Committee, Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to Political Responsibility, p. 14
"The Catholic way is to recognize the essential role and the complementary responsibilities of families, communities, the market, and government to work together to overcome poverty and advance human dignity." A Place at the Table, pg. 18
"Therefore political leaders, and citizens of rich countries considered as individuals, especially if they are Christians, have the moral obligation, according to the degree of each one's responsibility, to take into consideration, in personal decisions and decisions of government, this relationship of universality, this interdependence which exists between their conduct and the poverty and underdevelopment which exists between their conduct and the poverty of so many millions of people." On Social Concern, #9.