Reasons for Optimism?

[Knightwolflord]

Dear brothers and sisters,

I had a long conversation with a gentle Eastern Orthodox priest the other day. He is a kind old man and he is as much my Father in Christ to me as my own Catholic priest is. I was there to discuss how happy I was to be attending a Melkite-Byzantine Catholic Church. ^_^

He is very supportive of my decision, and he has taught me alot about the East.

During one of my conversations with him, I related to him how sad I am that Catholics and Orthodox are divided. :cry:

He put his hand on my shoulder and told me that: "There are a great many reasons for optimism, Antonios." (that is what he calls me).

I never got a chance to ask him what he meant by that because I had to get home as I was late for dinner. Hopefully I can ask him today what he meant. :sorry:

Then I started thinking: What do y'all here think?

Are there "great many reasons for optimism?" :confused:



Your Catholic brother in Christ, :groupray:

-Antonios

[Lukaris]

May I conjecture brother that there is probably a most heavenly optimism to be seen for many professing Christians and even non Christians. Though none of us can justify ourselves, deny hell, proclaim universalism; the promise of our Lord's salvation: "For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those who believe." (1 Timothy 4:10-11). But to not forget the parable of the sheep and the goats. God bless.

[JustinHesychast]

If God wills it, it will happen eventually. It is my personal opinion that the Pope will never accept "first among equals". But this won't matter in the end. When the Judgment comes, there will not be a line for Orthodox, a separate Catholic line, a line for Methodists, etc. :)

[Monica, child of God]

With God all things are possible.

M.

[Knightwolflord]

With God all things are possible.

M.
I know.

It's just sometimes it seems like it is hopeless.

Forgive my despair.

Pax Christi

[Philothei]

I do not mean to be the bad kassandra here but there will need lots of work for the RC and EO to come together. Yes, priests are usually optimistic and well intended but we need a reality check and unfortunately the amount of "compromise' of both sides has to be so tremendous that IMO wil not happen in our life time.....

On the other hand we should be optimistic at least on the laity level and who knows ... like Monica said with God everything is possible...

God bless,
Philothei

[gzt]

Well, if your biggest cause for despair is that the Catholics and Orthodox are apart, I think you're in a pretty good place (either that or you're a student or a kid or something and don't yet have any real cares).