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I’m pretty sure that’s why Jesus called 12 people specifically to lead the church after Jesus’ death and resurrection. It certainly wouldn’t seem that Jesus wants just any person(s) out there to shepherd his flock.
Yes, cheers John!
The biggest thing about interreligious dialogue is focusing on our similarities more than or before our differences so that we may be reconciled and not further divided.
Hey Brenda! Thanks for the recommendation!
Right now I am going to play devil’s advocate. You say that Luke 1:31 says:
[quote:293crqzi]Behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.[/quote:293crqzi]
and then you draw the conclusion that Mary was to conceive a son.
There are 2 ways you can look at the wording of that passage and I will use brackets to break up the passage.
The first way is the way you described and that would be:
[b:293crqzi]”Behold {you will conceive in your womb and bear} a son, and you shall name him Jesus.”[/b:293crqzi]
This way is grouping “conceive” and “bear” into one single process and thus a son will be conceived and then born. This is all fine and dandy, but there is another way to look at this passage.
[b:293crqzi]”Behold you will {conceive in your womb} and {bear a son}, and you shall name him Jesus.”[/b:293crqzi]
Now, this second way is saying that Mary will conceive (plain and simple, that’s it – just conceive something) and then bear a son from that conception, however it does not show that what she will conceive is a son. It could be that she is conceiving an embryo or whatever people want to call it these days.
Of course, judging by the syntax of this sentence I would say that the first way makes the most sense, but I just want to make you aware of a counter argument someone may use.
I don’t really have time to look it up in the Greek right now, but I will get back to you on that.
” title=”Very Happy” /> -JonYeah, St. Peter was very “real” to me. Peter is in such contrast to St. Paul who had this amazing conversion experience. I think I may make an article out of this whole topic sometime soon.
I think the way we can show that we have a better answer is through our unity and sticking to our mission of living out the Gospel. Personally, I think one of the largest contributors to atheism is the division of Christianity into all these little groups that say different things about what it means to be a Christian. What’s really sad is the most recognized view is that of the people that say you can be saved by asking Jesus into your heart (at least in the U.S.). There are over 1 billion Catholics on this planet and Catholic Christianity seems to be recognized by the outside world by all of the misconceptions that people have.
I honestly think that if we can stay true to our mission of living out the Gospel and sharing our faith with others, the world may turn around.
” title=”Smile” />Yes, it is wonderful to see the teachings of Jesus have been around this long and will be for all time! I think that history also repeats itself, because really, many of the events that were going on during the time of Jesus are going on yet today, only maybe in a slightly different manner. The same temptations are present now, and the same sins that occured in the past are still committed today. However, when one looks at the big picture, what the Church has taught for over 2000 years has transcended time and will continue to do so because Jesus’ teachings will never expire. Man is responsibile for the variations of morals within society, but God does not change his teachings or morals.
To me, it is amazing to think that the Church has not only lasted through numerous wars and persecutions but also continues on with the same teachings that still are relevant today. Also not to be overlooked: the Church includes (and has included) millions of people that all believe and follow the same teachings throughout this vast time period!
Forgiveness is something very amazing and for it to come alive for a person in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is amazing. I think that being able to hear the words that you are forgiven is an amazing feeling that really lifts you up body and soul.
” title=”Very Happy” />There is a great article about the Sacrament of Reconciliation here: http://www.aboutcatholics.com/viewpage.php?id=5006
It goes into how priests are not trying to take the role of God, but that they are speaking on behalf of him so that you may know and hear that your sins are forgiven. It’s pretty good.
The sacrament of confession is also important to me. That feeling of “spiritual uplift” and being forgiven of sins once again re-energizes me, and allows me to focus on what is right with the world and/or what needs to be changed in my own life so that I may be more like Christ. The best part definitely is that it brings me closer to Jesus.
Thanks for the link. I noticed it references a lot of other things so I am going to have to take a long hard look at all of those things as well.
Well, I guess I would have to say that my favorite saint is St. Jerome because his feast day is on my birthday. I read somewhere that he has a “quick wit and a sharp tongue” which is something I think I have in common with him.
” title=”Wink” />He was also one of the earliest Bible scholars.
Do you have a link to Resolution 1441? I’m just curious what the actual text says.
I was talking to other people about the same thing – the lack of our troops finding the weapons – and I had brought up that even though we have not found any yet it doesn’t mean that they are not there. Iraq is a fairly decent sized country and they could be stored underground anywhere. I also heard on the news that there are lots of tunnels and things underground that the soldiers are just now finding as they hunt for Sadaam. I’m sure that there are many things hidden underground in that country.
What are your thoughts about what our government is doing with Syria right now?
One of my favorite saints is St. Joan of Arc. Burning at the stake was not a pleasant way to die–but there is much more to the story. I read a few books about her and am amazed at her courage to follow God’s plan even when it meant going against the historic traditions of women roles and having the courage and power to influence the King of France. She lead and army and because the saints Michael, Catherine, and Margaret had told her to do this she was arrested and called a heretic and accused of witchcraft.
Do you have a favorite saint?
” title=”Very Happy” /> -Jon
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