miker, I wasn't confining my thoughts to just this forum. I should have been more specific,because I see it on other forums also.
There are many on both sides. Those that stand with the Pope regardless and those that seem to be expecting him to error or to reveal something that they may feel deep down isn't right with the pope. To me it comes down to this. It does not matter which side you find yourself in this what matters is what happens inside of you when or if the pope does error or not. Would you feel sorrow to be right or pride and vindicated in an I told you so kind of way. If nothing ever comes out would one always continue to keep looking or ever accept that he is a good and holy man and true vicar of Christ. Likewise if you are on the other side and the pope proves to be anti pope then how would you feel? It is really all about how you feel and what you do with those feelings. For me I think I would feel sorrow if on either side and the pope hypothetically turned out to be something he was not. If I were on the side doubting and questioning and this proved to be true such sorrow to be right and now without our vicar. If on the side of for the pope no matter what then again what great sorrow to feel without our vicar. No matter what though we are never without when we have Christ. He will never fail us. Men can fail and fall. All men can fall and all can get back up by taking the hand of the Lord. The most important thing is that when men we look up to seem to fall we must not fall with them. In so many of these heated debates I see so much potential for good people to fall myself included. The evil one knows our strengths and weaknesses and can use them against us. Be mindful and be careful.
Padraig what are you on. Are you sleep deprived or something? Its been a long time since I last experienced a public monastic "Chapter of faults" like this and even that was a voluntary subjection. Outside of a monastery the charity and love you speak of usually prompts a sincere person to rave on in a private aside when upset by a person's alleged character faults like this . What a bully you are taking advantage of your status and unequal power relationship here to initiate and allow a continued public character flogging such as this. Have you no shame at all. Geeze Wayne, take your bad hair day somewhere else.
All in good fun...just as long as i am not the target. I am happy you are with us BH... In one ear out the other Chapter of Faults that is funny
Fatima the essence of what I responded was quoted straight from the Catechism. On a Catholic forum I did not think it would be considered uncharitable to neutrally clarify (with backup) what the Church teaches on misunderstood or confused points. I apologise if I have somehow given you offence over and above that.
I am off to church to say my rosary for everyone, again. I know you are not meant to boast or broadcast about your prayer and we are told to pray privately in your room where your heavenly Father only sees you but I think the folks here like to know they are being prayed for. Anyway although tonight is choir practice (I am not part of the choir) I am usually alone in the chapel in front of our beautiful Lady of Akita, Lady of All Nations, Mother of All Peoples....and that includes BH probably one of Her favourite sons who keeps Her neck exercised as She shakes Her head! I am positive She has done Her fair share of shaking at me and maybe even a bit of finger wagging.
When someone points out what they consider my faults my first human reaction is of course to defend myself,on reflection however I thank God for the grace to be able to correct my ways and to be shown how I might irritate or annoy another human being, a quick glance in a mirror usually works well I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. Luke 6:42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye
I have lost all patience. I have deleted Blue Horizon's and Brian K's memberships. I will be deleting several others as the occasion permits in the next few days. it has gotten to the point where either they go or I go and I am not going anywhere.
This is a matter of forum discipline, if people feel they need to publically support them I will delte tehir membership as well. You are welcome to PM me privately about this
I know Our Lady is leading you Padraig. Be at peace. God Bless you, and be with you in your difficult decisions. This is Our Holy Mother's forum and you must be a faithful son; sometimes that means you may not be seen as the popular one. Mary Mother of Jesus, be a Mother to Padraig and all of us on the MoG forum now!! at this very moment in time. Amen Oh Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee; now and at our hour of death. Amen.
There are two mirror image quotations from the bible that come to mind. "No one can come to Me unless the Father draws him." "No one can come to the Father except by me." "Those who are not with us are against us. Those who are not against us are for us." Jesus has all the bases covered and love covers a multitude of sins. But love never covers up for sin. It akways confronts sin and deals with it, either by silence or comment action or inaction; whatever is right and fitting at the time. Jesus drew in the sand as the potential stoners pondered his words. At least his words saved the woman caught in adultery. But they also seem to have confronted the stoners with their own sin. At least they had the humilty to walk away. I was reminded in a PM recently that Padraig not only owns this site but pays for that sometimes dubious privilege. Despite being Scottish I had not thought of the payment element before. Just another reason to be grateful and show our appreciation and to perhaps ask if we can help in this regard? "He who pays the piper calls the tune."
No Glenn...eventhough i like your straight and to the point answer. Its bigger then that. If Padraig has dedicated this site to Our Holy Mother its really not his. He is just the care taker and that is a huge responsibility. If even one soul is lost because of this forum...who will be held accountable. Spiritually it is a great burden but it is also a great joy. I respect Padraig decisions Brother al
Um, when you create and pay for this site, you have every right to run it as you see fit, and when Padraig answers to God one day, he can proudly say he defended our faith, our church, our pope. It is the nameless, faceless unappreciative members who should be cautious in their opposition to what he defends. Oh please, give me a break, everyone is responsible for their own soul, don't try to pin that responsibility on Padraig.
On a different note... padraig I bet you never dreamed where your site is currently at...and where it will lead. So, exciting
I can't imagine anyone stands before God and proudly says anything. Humbly, on their knees, beating their breast saying "lord, have mercy, I did not do enough" sounds more like it.
