Discovering the Faith We Hope To Pass On.

Re: The Inheritance.
I came across a video on YouTube, where a Mr. Michael Voris talks about the “Inheritance”, a subject that is very near and dear to my heart. During the last 5 or 10 years of my journey, just before returning to the Catholic Church I began to ask questions about the protestant faith that I could not find answers to. It was déjà-vou all over again! When I was a young adult Catholic, I could not find the answers to question I had about the Catholic Faith either.

What were my questions? Well I will give you just three of the many.
1. The Evangelical church believes that ‘once saved always saved’. Yet, the more familiar I got with scripture I found instances that cast great doubt on this premise. Where is the Truth?
2. The Protestant church believes that the Lord’s Supper is a memorial, a symbolic remembrance of what happened 2000 years ago when Jesus paid the ultimate price for all of our sins.
3. The Protestant church believed that somewhere along the line in the first 3 or 4 centuries, the Catholic Church strayed from the true faith and it didn’t surface again until the Reformation of the 16^th Century. It was then the true Church ‘surfaced’ in its fullness and grew into the Protestant faith. Where was the Church hiding during those ‘obscure’ years?

Once again, only now as a middle-aged adult I found myself questioning my faith. I questioned its validity just as I had done to the Catholic faith of my youth. I found myself reading scripture with great intensity.  I prayed and prayed asking God to please help me find some truth.  He had answered me so many times in the past; I knew that if I kept searching I would find the answers.  I began to read world history hoping to find something.   That led me to Church history and to my astonishment; I discovered some of the church fathers.  The prayer and study of both History and Scripture began to bear fruit for me.  In the letter to the Ephesians 2:12 Paul writes, “… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” This verse not only cast doubt on the notion of ‘once saved always saved’… but here the apostle was saying that we should continue to ‘WORK’ it out, also dispelling the premise that ‘WORKS’ had nothing to do with salvation… but that it is was by Grace alone. To make a long story short, I also noted in the beginning of the book of Revelation that John writes the letters to the seven Churches.  He uses words and phrases like… ‘Do not be luke-warm, or I will spew you out of my mouth’; and ‘be careful that I do not strike your name from the book of life’.  Again… casting doubt that once we are saved, we are always saved.  The Protestants would argue that if your name were stricken from the ‘book of life’ that you were never really saved in the first place.  You must not have made a real commitment to Christ.  This did not make sense to me. This all required much more prayer, studying, and reading on my part.  After about 2 years or so, I concluded that in fact, that we are SAVED by Grace but not by Grace alone.  GOD took the first step and offered salvation to us by Grace; and that as we who choose to cooperate with it, we then go about on working it out.  Look at Ephesians 2:10 the Apostle goes on.... “For we are what He has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life.” In short the Grace of God and our cooperating with it to do the works and will of God will bring us to salvation. IT is both FAITH and WORKS. The two are so closely knit together that they are in-separable. The Grace comes in... because it is through God's Grace that initiates that salvation. WE respond by choosing to cooperate with it, or we can refuse to work with it.

Secondly, as a Protestant, I believed that the Lord’s Supper was a symbolic memorial. IT was not until I started reading the writings of the first popes and bishops of the church that I began to look at the Bread of Life discourse in Chapter 6 of John’s gospel in its true light. The Protestant church teaches that there were many heresies that surfaced in the church during the 3^rd and 4th centuries.  Therefore, the ‘true’ faith became obscure.  I myself could never really put my finger on just where and when that happened. Once I started reading church history and almost a year along into my studying, I came across references in the third century to what was called the “Didache”. THIS document was instrumental in my returning to the church. It detailed “the Way” of the Twelve, the Teaching of the Twelve APOSTLES. It “blew me out of the water” … so to speak. It lays the foundation as to how one should live the "Way" of the Christian Faith, and How not to. It goes on and details what the Apostles taught about “The Thanksgiving” what we call the Eucharist. This document was forged while there were still some of the Apostles living.  It was passed around the Church world and was considered sacred writing.  Although it did not make it into the cannon of Scripture, it was still a very important and instrumental document of the early church.  The ‘Didache’ gave me EARLY confirmation as to what the Gospels and the Catholic Church Teaches about the Lord's Supper.  It confirmed that the Apostles themselves believed the ‘Thanksgiving’ was a sacrifice that was made present ... the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Finally, I would like to address my third concern about where the church was during those obscure years between… let us say the 4^th century and the 16^th centuries; until the Reformation.  Well, I have to admit I never really got around to finding where the church was.  Why you might ask?  Well my friends, it was because as I read about History and found documents and writings of the early church fathers there was no need.  Again… why you ask… because much of what I was reading was the Apostolic Tradition of the Catholic Church.  In finding it, reading it, praying about it, I discovered that the Church was never hidden, never obscure, never was it obscured from the eyes and ears of man. The CHURCH has stood firm and sound on Peter, the ROCK, and the Gates of Hell have not and will NEVER prevail against it.  I discovered for myself what the Protestant Church in fact denies; that you cannot have just Scripture alone.  You must have the living, breathing, Spirit led Magisterium of the Church as guide.  Without that rich Apostolic Tradition that was passed on by the Apostles, you only have half the Story.  It must be set in the Context of that authoritative History; otherwise, it will be subject to whoever and whatever direction the winds of change will be blowing. The Catholic Church with the Holy Scripture that she gave us, along with the Apostolic Tradition handed down by the Apostles spans more than 2000 years. YES, that history contains evil men, greedy men, savage men, and self-righteous men, men in need of reform and especially in recent years with the grave sin of the sex abuse scandals.  ALTHOUGH, Christ has used these ‘unclean vessels’ of poor reputation and character to guide The Body of CHRIST, the Church was always been visible and INTACT. Please, if you have never read of the Church Fathers, Doctors, early Popes and Saints who pledged their lives for YOU, The Holy Church… then you owe yourself the time to do so.  Because, only after reading and truly understanding it all will you discover the FULLNESS and the context of Scripture and Tradition that make up the full deposit of the Catholic Faith.  I am convinced that the FULLNESS of the Christian faith is found only in the One Holy Apostolic Church... the Catholic Church.

 My Friends, there are those among us in the Catholic church and outside of it, who believe the Church is to ‘old fashion’ to ‘out of touch’, that it needs to come out of the ‘dark ages’ and  come into the light of the 21^st century.  Let me say this…we do not own the Church and its teaching, it is the gift from Christ Himself; given and revealed to us through the Apostles.  Therefore, we cannot change nor can we improve upon it.  Doing so would only distort and demean the very truths about our faith.  The Catholic Faith has stood the test of time and space in its ENTIRETY; and it will stand until the day the Lord Himself returns. The tenants of Sacred Scripture and Seared Tradition do not belong to me; they do not belong to you.  They belong to the Entire body of the Church, the Communion of Saints.  The faithful who have gone before us have preserved it for more than 2000 years so that today we will have it in its FULLNESS.  It does not just belong to our generation.  We are just the vessels who hold it for a while, until we too, pass it on to the next generation preserving it in its entirety.  May God Bless and Keep the Catholic Church this day and always.

Until Next time May God Bless and Keep You,

BloggerBill

Please check out this link entitled… “Inheritance”. I found it very interesting. http://www.youtube.com/user/RealCatholicTV#p/u/1/6t-oydfasVc

Why Do I Need GOD?

There is some truth to the ole' saying, “…When the going gets tough … the tough get going.”  Well, in these United States, there are not too many of us that have it very “TOUGH” when we look at other places like Africa, Haiti, China, India, and some of the other developing and under-developed countries around the globe. In the US, I am confident in saying that maybe… 90% or more of the homes have running water.  The ones that do not, probably don’t have to go very far to get it. (example: Our local Amish folk.) In MANY areas of the world, there are people who have to walk miles to get drinking water every single day. Here in the US, we don’t even walk to get our groceries, unless by choice.  We are very blessed in this country.  “In just one day, more than 200 million hours of women’s time is consumed for the most basic of human needs — collecting water for domestic use. (www.water.org )  In addition, MUCH of that water is not sanitary.  … However, I digress. 

Yes, we are a truly a blessed people here in the US.  When we look at the rest of the world MOST of  us here have it DARN good!  In there I think, lies our problem.  Because we are so content with our double incomes, 2 cars, and all the comforts of home we are very self-sufficient. Apparently our self confidence makes us think we don't need God.  Whether we intentionally feel that way or like me, we just seem to SLIP into that mindset over time;  so many of us live our lives this way.  I have had this mind-set during several extended periods of time in my life.  I seldom gave God much thought.  I  had everything I needed so I wasn't 'forced' to give it much thought. There was nothing that I had to “WANT” for.  LIFE IS GOOD!  Sound familiar?  Heck, I was so busy with my life I didn’t even take time to make friends when I first moved into this area, much less spend time with God.  I really had it all!  Or, so I thought.

Then comes those ‘valleys’… OH, how things can be different.  It may be a health crisis, a marriage crisis, job crisis, or God forbid -the death of a loved one that KNOCKS us off our “independently high horse.”  These are the times  when we truly need other people, relationships, and times that we especially need God.  I know I did.  I hit rock bottom several years back, with a health crisis, job crisis, and marriage crisis, all at once.  I was devastated and in deep depression.  Even worse, I felt very much alone.  The ‘poor me, self-pity party’ was long and drawn out.  Whom do you think I finally turned to?  You guessed it, God!  It took awhile, but HE was the only one that could help me.  I did attend a church some 10 years before in another city, but I did not have any church, family, or friends in this area here for support.  It was just God and me for about 2 years, although I did have some valuable counseling.  I am not looking for pity because although I was not being faithful to God, HE was most certainly faithful to me.  Many, many years ago, He had adopted me as one of His own.  I may have forgotten, but He didn’t and He was there waiting for me to make myself present to him once again.  He was there, again as my Savior ... there to rescue me from the depths of despair.  As I recovered my senses, I realized that in my past the happiest times were always when I was in right relationship with God.  The low times and/or even the times of my “artificial” security of self-sufficiency were NOT truly happy times.  It is a lesson well learned and one I am determined by the grace of God Himself, to never let happen again.

Today, I do not have the security of a double income. I live on less than half of what I did before.  Yet somehow, it seems that I have so much more!  God has allowed me the grace to be happy with my lot.  He has been so good to me in ways I never thought possible.  Yes, I still struggle financially, but I always have enough to keep food on the table, a roof over my head, clothes on my back, and water in my glass.  There is that old adage… Is the glass half empty? Or, is the glass half full?  It’s a good question.  Because I truly want to serve the Lord in my life  my glass ... OVERFLOWETH with His gifts of Faith, Grace, Mercy, Hope, and especially His LOVE.  Thank you Lord! What more could I want?

I ask you the question ...  Are you truly happy?  What is real happiness?  How do you know when you are “really” happy?  Don’t wait for those deep valleys and TOUGH TIMES to come before you find out.  HE is there waiting, even now.

God Bless and Keep You, until next time ... Peace.

A Triumph of Faith, Courage, and Grace.

'MISERY TO MINISTRY'
by Mary T. Sorrendino
 (http://www.amazon.com/Misery-Ministry-Mary-T-Sorrendino/dp/0974966495/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1301152193&sr=8-1 )

A Book Rewiew:

I recently finished reading Mary's book. It arrived in my mailbox at 1pm and I had it read shortly after midnight. I could not put it down. I have known Mary for about 25 years, and when I was told that she wrote a book, my first reaction was...."are you sure we are talking about the same person?" Mary had shared pieces of her story when we worked together some 15 years ago, but I had no idea that she struggled so, even as we worked side by side. I knew she never graduated from High School so I was quite surprised when I heard that she actually wrote a book. I immediately knew I had to read it.

It does make sense when I look back on those times. She was very meek, mild, and quiet, unless of course I "ruffled her feathers" just to a rise out of her. Then she would come ALIVE and could get quite feisty. I loved to tease her. However, there was one thing I always encountered when I was around her ... and that was her sincerity and LOVE.  Love for God and love for people.  Especially dear to her were the downtrodden and marginalized.  I never once saw her put anyone down and she was always kind to everyone, even if they were not kind to her. God bestowed a wondrous capacity to Love upon Mary, the likes of which I have only seen in one or two people my entire life of 53 years. What makes that gift even more wondrous today -- is the fact that she had that gift, exhibited it, and lavished it on others all the while she suffered so internally.  Yes, I knew she had some issues but never did I imagine the depth and breadth of her very difficult life.  To be able to rise above all that took tremendous courage and strength.  I am sure there are very few people on earth, who against such tremendous odds and mental anguish, would be able to rise above it all.  It is truly hard for me to fathom.  As you read her story, it will sadden you.  Then it will amaze you.  You may even shed a tear or two, as I did.  Then it will encourage all of you, especially those who suffer from abuse, neglect and mental anguish. They will see the reality of the Hope and strength that comes only from trusting Jesus Christ. This book is truly a testament of one woman's life long struggle with her demons and the triumph over them. Mary knows and shows us that it is only possible when we CHOOSE to cooperate with the grace of Almighty God, through His Son Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mary, I am so very proud of you. Thank you for sharing your MISERY with us, so that you can MINISTER to others.

May God bless you and keep you, this day and always.
Your friend in Christ,
Bill