In your opinion is Our Lady Pharisaical too? Our Lady of Fatima: More souls go to hell for sins of the flesh than for any other reason. Our Lady of Fatima to Jacinta: Many marriages are not of God and do not please Our Lord.
The Synod will make the Church more accessible perhaps, then the greatest work can be achieved by Our Lady after that has occurred. The Synod will build a bridge for what is to come, that is hopefully more and more people coming back to the Church and a more missionary and grassroots Church close to the people (as Pope Francis has previously made reference to on a number of occasions). Condemning everyone to hell fire like cohabiting couples for instance and using phrases like "living in sin" obviously isn't attractive terminology, even though those unions are in fact sinful by their nature. It was said that some cohabitations are" committed and loving", where as others are "narcissistic" and "self -serving" .The Church is our mother, she wouldn't condemn us, but would want to welcome us, and that is what this Synod will achieve hopefully to some degree ,though not perfectly.Their will be elements of it that may be displeasing as their could be perhaps liberal and lukewarm elements within the ranks of the Church at the moment that may influence the Synod. Hopefully Our Lady will guide its outcome for the better.
Its important to differentiate between what the Synod actually says and what the media and other people perceive as what it says. People often fall in to the trap of listening to the media's interpretation which is usually hearsay and is false and biased to suit their agenda. Pope Francis's homilies were continuously misinterpreted for example by people and the media in particular. It is important that people find the right source when educating themselves around it and what was actually said at it.
Sorry, but I don't understand your point....doesn't seem relatable to my comment. Re: "many marriages", that seems to be the very point that Pope Francis is making.
You stated, ""all that is hidden will be revealed"....beginning with the Church: no more hidden agendas; no more "pharisaical" leadership by those who feel comfortable only within the law and with a rather self anointed following who also feel that having the obedience to the law on their side completes the moat around them, protecting them from "smelling like the sheep"." Our Lady was quite clear that these laws, regarding sins of the flesh, are not "Pharisaical" but the very Laws of God: "More souls go to hell for sins of the flesh than for any other reason." You're condemning Faithful Catholics for being "Pharisaical" simply because they refuse to compromise on these same laws regarding "sins of the flesh." Divorced and remarried Catholics, according to Our Lord in Holy Scripture, commit adultery, i.e., sins of the flesh, for which the Virgin Mary warns us "more souls go to hell." In condemning your fellows Catholics as being "comfortable only within the law and with a rather self anointed following who also feel that having the obedience to the law on their side completes the moat around them" you make a mockery of Our Lady's words at Fatima.
Sorry, I did nothing of the sort. You are projecting what you would like to have been my motivation so you can go to war. I "condemned" no one. I speak of an approach to the sheep....an openness to pastoring and stepping out to them....as Pope Francis says....shepherding in a way that includes such a nearness that the "advisors" wind up "smelling" like them and that is more of a proof of caring than remaining up in the theater boxes watching the reality play out at a distance and happily criticizing like the two old guys on the "Muppets";^)
I see this as extremely condemnatory towards those like Cardinal Burke and other traditional Catholics who defend the traditional teaching of the Church regarding contraception, divorce and remarriage, and homosexual civil unions. If that is not who you are condemning here, just which laws are you referring to exactly when you refer to "those who feel comfortable only within the law"?
The older brother of the prodigal is a good example! Now calm down and allow for expressions that go beyond your limited assessment of them.
Again, just which laws are you referring to exactly? Be specific. Contraception? Divorce and remarriage? Homosexual civil unions? If you're going to condemn whole swathes of Catholic Faithful of being guilty of being Pharisaical older brothers of the prodigal son, then be specific about which laws they only feel comfortable in. Is Cardinal Burke the type that of "those who feel comfortable only within the law"? Is he the one you think has "set themselves up as "little popes" to be followed over and above Francis who have for some time used the media (mostly American and conservative) for their own advantage."
Oh Andy! I'm so sorry you had to go through that, but now that it is behind you, do you learn anything from the experience? Are you serious that you have no one to call and ask for prayers, fellowship or a kick in the butt? So glad you were able to see it for what it was and get back on track. Don't beat yourself up, thank the Lord for picking you up! We have work to do! You have been given a promotion and an opportunity to be the best man you can be and to be merciful, kind, understanding etc. Be that man. Even if you have to stand outside of your body while you do it. Sometimes I say in my head, "I'm am spitting mad and I'm gonna blow my top" ...but the person in front of me is not the butt of my anger, its the situation, the injustice etc. I simply feel myself step outside of the situation and let kindness and compassion take over. The anger is still there, but I deal with it later. I HAVE been known to take it out on others (husband, kids etc.) but I really try not to now. I want to give you my email address so we can write if you need to talk. I will give you my phone number then. My email is byzantineritemom@yahoo.com bless you brother, be at peace.
Hey Jimmy, I take those dreams very seriously. My guardian angel told me there was going to be an earthquake TWICE.while we lived in the Pacific NW. Both times it was incredible how it all turned out. I always pray for protection for loved ones, mercy, wisdom and protection for children and the elderly. Especially those on bridges and tunnels and elevators! eeekk!
Whoa. After watching this video of Michael Voris I am reminded of ALL the hundreds (and literally they are hundreds) of messages I have read from all over the world from our Lady and every single one says STAY WITH THE POPE, FOLLOW THE POPE, PRAY FOR THE POPE. Good man that he might be, Cardinal Burke is not the Pope. Even our Lady of Medjugorje is saying Pray for the Pope. Be very careful folks. We love the good Cardinal, but he is causing great divide here, not Pope Francis. The Pope is allowing the prima donas of the curia to have their say. Let them spew their worldly agenda. The Pope is seeing who are true to the Church. Let them reveal themselves!! Remember that the farther you go to the right--you end up on the left---and right out of the Church. Ask the Pius Vth groups about that!
Brother, you have my email address,facebook link, cell phone number,etc, I'm always available 24/7 to talk, and who knows more about sinning than me ? LOL. We all fall,heck I should have broken bones I've fallen so many times, but we all reach out to HIM, and he pulls us back up again and again. Next time reach out to me, or I'll be insulted, my friend.
Another great reflection from Mark Mallett...just received. If I may quote a portion which, as usual, gives clarity to motivations that clearly permit the Holy Spirit's guidance for these times....finally: The Synod and the Spirit "In the Old Covenant I sent prophets wielding thunderbolts to My people. Today I am sending you with My mercy to the people of the whole world. I do not want to punish aching mankind, but I desire to heal it, pressing it to My Merciful Heart. I use punishment when they themselves force Me to do so; My hand is reluctant to take hold of the sword of justice. Before the Day of Justice I am sending the Day of Mercy. —Jesus to St. Faustina, Divine Mercy in My Soul, Diary, n. 1588 But mercy does not mean accommodating sin, but rather, being the face of this love and mercy to the sinner (and it’s a distinction that is apparently lost on some liberal elements of the Church.) The Pope does not believe that we are showing that face enough, hence, everything he has said and done to this point is to bring all of us back to the heart of the Gospel, to encounter again that unconditional love of God and to be that love to others. But it is late, probably too late. The sword of justice seems poised again. But just when we think that God has had enough… He so often surprises us by His Mercy. I believe He will do so again—albeit as a “last call” to humanity to awaken the consciences of this people in darkness. Am I able to understand the signs of the times and be faithful to the voice of the Lord that is manifested in them? We should ask ourselves these questions today and ask the Lord for a heart that loves the law – because the law belongs to God – but which also loves God’s surprises and the ability to understand that this holy law is not an end in itself. (my emphasis)—POPE FRANCIS, Homily, October 13th, 2014; romereports.com" And this next part really confirmed my own thoughts as were mentioned in my earlier comment about thinking of this synod as a sifting.....and fulfilling that prediction that "what is hidden will come to light....beginning with the Church": "Regardless—and we need to pay attention to this—what is happening now is that the Synod is acting like a sieve. It is beginning to expose where cardinals, bishops, priests and laymen alike stand on the immutable faith and morals of Catholicism. It is revealing, perhaps, the good and the bad branches before the pruning. It is exposing the fears and loyalties of laymen. It is revealing ultimately how much any of us trust Christ and His promise to remain with His Church “until the end of the age.”5 There is nothing concealed that will not be revealed.Everything that has been hidden in the darkness is coming to light. And that, I believe, is what the Spirit is doing. For it is time for the judgment to begin with the household of God; if it begins with us, how will it end for those who fail to obey the gospel of God? (1 Peter 4:17)" What a gift Mark has for explaining, not only the times and their relation to scripture and approved prophecy and early Church fathers and Popes et al, but in a way that a good father would teach his own. To read all of his latest reflection on the synod and advice go here: http://www.markmallett.com/blog/the-synod-and-the-spirit/
Andy, Confession cleans the slate. And on Sunday we'll stand, kneel, and pray together at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. You'll remain in my prayers! Safe in the Father's Lap!
Mark Mallett does it again! See? The Pope is making a list and checking it twice! Am I able to understand the signs of the times and be faithful to the voice of the Lord that is manifested in them? We should ask ourselves these questions today and ask the Lord for a heart that loves the law – because the law belongs to God – but which also loves God’s surprises and the ability to understand that this holy law is not an end in itself. —POPE FRANCIS, Homily, October 13th, 2014; romereports.com Union with God is the end. He is thirsting for it… and demonstrates it this very moment by His patience. DARKNESS COMING TO LIGHT Yet, what we hear coming out of the Synod is, at times, misplaced mercy. I will write more about this too. At the same time, what Pope Francis asked for was a free and open discussion. He told the bishops: Speak clearly. Don’t tell anyone, ‘you can’t say that’… don’t be afraid to offend me. —Catholic Herald, October 6th, 2014
Everyone needs to read this, all of it, very carefully: http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/1350897?eng=y The True Story of This Synod. Director, Performers, Assistants New paradigms of divorce and homosexuality are now at home in the highest levels of the Church. Nothing has been decided, but Pope Francis is patient.
I'm happy the forum is back. I think it will be needed more than ever. I'm placing my trust in Jesus now more than ever. Prayer, fasting, confession, and the Eucharist is my focus. I don't see any value in battling over the Synod.
I would like to add one more important note to the 'Pharisaical' admonishment that Jesus made to them. He was always referring to 'mans law' not unchanging doctrine that comes from God himself when showing scorn to them for putting man's law ahead of God's law. Jesus never rejected, changed, modified or water down any teachings on faith and morals. In fact he called out the sinners bold face when they failed to undertsand and confused them with mans law. It was Jesus who said 'If a man divorces his wife and marry's another he commits adultry'. "Go and sin no more". No graduality about it. St. Paul was also very specific when talking about faith and morals when teaching that 'anyone who recieves the body and blood of Christ unworthingly receives to their own condemnation'. Could they not be any clearer? And now we listen to the gobbly-gook coming from the 'progressive' synond Fathers. They cannot even quote scripture or Church Tradition when making their statements/drafts, because they are not founded on unchanging truth, but on false compassion for the unrepentant sinner. Perhaps the Holy Father is playing the 'devils advocate' and playing along with the progressives to eventually weed out the dissenters who contest Church doctrine, but if so he is a most shrewd man in doing so.
