I have once again picked up Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger's Book "The Introduction to Christianity." It is a phenomenal read, and after many moons of leaving it half read and using it as a coaster on my nightstand, I now endeavour to read it all. In the first chapter of his book he discusses the truth and peculiarity of Believing. That is, there will always be doubt. However, Ratzinger also points out that believers are not alone in this minefield. No matter how sure an "unbeliever" is on his principals, he will still be visited by the "What if it's true?" question. It is these questions, one coming from someone who is a believer 90% of the time and the other coming from one who is an unbeliever 90% of the time, and the inability to have complete certainty that allow people from the two opposing viewpoints to dialogue.
Even St. Therese the Little Flower had doubts and temptations as she lay waiting for death. Ratzinger quotes her admission: "I am assailed by the worst temptations of atheism." Other great saints have had similar realizations.
Ratzinger concludes:
"In other words, both the believer and the unbeliever share, each in his own way, doubt and belief, if they do not hide from themselves and from the truth of their being. Neither can quite escape either doubt or belief; for the one, faith is present against doubt; for the other, through doubt and in the form of doubt. It is the basic pattern of man's destiny only to be allowed to find the finality of his existence in this unceasing rivalry between doubt and belief, temptation and certainty."
It is nice to know that I am not alone in having my doubts at time. No matter how we might try to suppress them, and how much we know, it is the human condition to doubt. ~Quotes taken from The Introduction to Christianity, by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger; Chapter 1.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Church and the Bible 1:
Today is the Feast day of St. Patrick, a man credited with converting the entire nation of Ireland. After undergoing many trials and setbacks, he exercised much patience in continuing to educate the pagans. On a day like today, it is difficult not to think of the Good News he shared with the unbelievers. The Good News of the Messiah.
Today I reflect on that same Good News contained in the Bible. Too many, that is all one needs. A doctrine known as sola scriptura--scripture alone. After many years of studying said doctrine, I am still at a loss. It simply doesn't make sense. Please, feel free to educate me, even use "Scripture alone" to do the job. I open my wall to your comments. However, when it comes down to the end one engaged in honest discussion cannot help but admit that if it wasn't for the Church,the Bible would never would have been formed. That is, 73, or 66, books did not drop out of the sky in one complete set. It took a Church to put them together.
Therefore, as the Church goes, so must the Bible. If the Church does not have authority, neither can the Bible it created. Sola Scriptura makes little sense. If the Church does have authority--well, then I think it's time we all attempt to find the Church that existed at that time and join up with it; instead of looking for the next best thing of today. But more on that later.
Your comments/arguments are more than welcome.
Today I reflect on that same Good News contained in the Bible. Too many, that is all one needs. A doctrine known as sola scriptura--scripture alone. After many years of studying said doctrine, I am still at a loss. It simply doesn't make sense. Please, feel free to educate me, even use "Scripture alone" to do the job. I open my wall to your comments. However, when it comes down to the end one engaged in honest discussion cannot help but admit that if it wasn't for the Church,the Bible would never would have been formed. That is, 73, or 66, books did not drop out of the sky in one complete set. It took a Church to put them together.
Therefore, as the Church goes, so must the Bible. If the Church does not have authority, neither can the Bible it created. Sola Scriptura makes little sense. If the Church does have authority--well, then I think it's time we all attempt to find the Church that existed at that time and join up with it; instead of looking for the next best thing of today. But more on that later.
Your comments/arguments are more than welcome.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Favorite Apostle
With a name like mine how can I not like St. Matthew? He lived such a storied life; a life with which I believe many of us can relate. A tax collector living life like a pagan that turned his life around and became one of the Christ's most devoted followers.
In addition, I am in love with St. John, the Beloved Disciple of Jesus. It was he whom was most precious to our Lord of all His followers. It was John that Christ had a great relationship with and whom trusted the Lord fully; more so, it seems, than any other of His Apostles. If ever I am in need of one's intercession it is St. John I turn to because I know that he will not take an extra second to hurl himself before Christ's thrown and ask for Christ's mercy with the Love like no other.
Therefore, it is both St. Matthew and St. John who are my favorite Apostles.
Finally, whenever I am truly at a cross-roads, facing an "insurmountable" or impossible obstacle, it is St. Jude, the relative of Mary and Jesus, whose assistance that I request. His penchant for interceding when all seems lost is invigorating and miraculous. I encourage all to ask for his prayers in our time of need.
Let us never be afraid to turn to the Apostles, or any of the Saints, and ask for their prayers when we are in need. The Church triumphant is still part of the body of Christ; a resource to be tapped with no equal. They will be our most trusted companion and, like any good friend, pray on our behalf before the throne of the Father. And we know that the only thing better than one person praying in the Lord's name, is two or more people praying in the Lord's name.
Who(m) is your favorite Apostle?
I ask you to take a second out of your day to pray for a special intention of mine that has to deal with a friend. Ask your favorite Apostle to intercede on our behalf. I am turning to the three above. In return, if you take a second to add your own prayer to your intercession on behalf of my special intention, I will remember it in my own prayer and present it before our Lord as well.
In addition, I am in love with St. John, the Beloved Disciple of Jesus. It was he whom was most precious to our Lord of all His followers. It was John that Christ had a great relationship with and whom trusted the Lord fully; more so, it seems, than any other of His Apostles. If ever I am in need of one's intercession it is St. John I turn to because I know that he will not take an extra second to hurl himself before Christ's thrown and ask for Christ's mercy with the Love like no other.
Therefore, it is both St. Matthew and St. John who are my favorite Apostles.
Finally, whenever I am truly at a cross-roads, facing an "insurmountable" or impossible obstacle, it is St. Jude, the relative of Mary and Jesus, whose assistance that I request. His penchant for interceding when all seems lost is invigorating and miraculous. I encourage all to ask for his prayers in our time of need.
Let us never be afraid to turn to the Apostles, or any of the Saints, and ask for their prayers when we are in need. The Church triumphant is still part of the body of Christ; a resource to be tapped with no equal. They will be our most trusted companion and, like any good friend, pray on our behalf before the throne of the Father. And we know that the only thing better than one person praying in the Lord's name, is two or more people praying in the Lord's name.
Who(m) is your favorite Apostle?
I ask you to take a second out of your day to pray for a special intention of mine that has to deal with a friend. Ask your favorite Apostle to intercede on our behalf. I am turning to the three above. In return, if you take a second to add your own prayer to your intercession on behalf of my special intention, I will remember it in my own prayer and present it before our Lord as well.
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