Michie said:

Just trying to break the definition of what a good and faithful Catholic means.

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I think it is ALWAYS to be understood as literal when a bad and faithless Catholic uses it to refer to himself or herself. Such people, by definition, are good and faithful Catholics just by saying so. Think Joe Biden or Nancy Pelosi. Or, of course when someone receives the Eucharist from the hand of the pope. Those people are always good and faithful Catholics, even if they appear to be bad and faithless and scandalous Catholics by every measure.

On the other hand, some people who would have once been understood to have been good and faithful Catholics are now backwardists and Nazis. We know who we are.

RBL72 said:

“unmerited favor” that sort of overlooks sins and shortcomings as “all forgiven” now that we are under this “dispensation of grace.” Yeshua is clear on this also and indicates in Mt. 6:15 that our forgiveness before God is conditional on our forgiveness to others.

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Well, I did not merit God's favor and forgiveness. But He had mercy on me.

But I must follow God's example >

"forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." (in Ephesians 4:31-32)

"'And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.'" (Mark 11:25)

But you did not mention this scripture which is Mark 11:25 and quotes Yeshua. Do you consider this to be a legitimate scripture? You only mention Matthew 6:15.

Also, what about Yeshua where He ***prays*** forgiveness to ones who are hating and torturing and murdering Him? >

"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do." (in Luke 23:34)

It seems to me, here, that those people Yeshua was praying forgiveness to were not forgiving, yet He prayed for them to be forgiven.

By the way, that would be *un*-merited, wouldn't it??

But, of course, we do have how that unforgiving servant was in so much trouble > and Matthew 18:35 says >

"'So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.'" (Matthew 18:35)

So, then, Yeshua in prayer forgave evil people who were right in the middle of torturing and hating and murdering Yeshua, God's own Son who is so about forgiveness. And yes there were times when evil people opposed Yeshua because He forgave people. And yet, Yeshua prayed our Father's forgiveness to such people who I can see were so anti-forgiveness. And yet, He guarantees how much trouble someone will be in if one "from his heart" does not forgive his brothers.

So, how do we correctly understand this? Call it a contradiction?? Why be lazy???

@Delvianna > You just shared how we must not trust AI; I'll "bet" you can give us a better answer to this, than AI can

One thing I consider: yes, Yeshua did forgive so freely . . . in His heart on the cross desiring forgiveness and reconciliation for us. So, already, on the cross, in His heart Yeshua did already forgive us, by so desiring for us to be forgiven. It is not like how a man can desire a woman and already have done it, by so desiring her. But Yeshua in His heart desired what is good, and so He already did forgive us, way back then, in His heart.

However . . . if we do not join Yeshua in how He so forgives, "from the heart" > our hearts are away from His love where His forgiveness lives. In order to fully benefit, then, from how our Father forgives, we need to live in this His love so generously forgiving, having while giving . . . maybe we could say like we are cups running over: it is fully ours while it is running over to others. By becoming conformed to Yeshua . . . we become so forgiving; otherwise, we are not "conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." (in Romans 8:29)

When an iconographer began his work on a unique icon, he looked to the bones of the saint’s husband for help.

FOCCUS Marriage Ministries, a Catholic marriage ministry, invited the priest-iconographer Father Richard Reiser to make an icon of St. Bridget of Sweden, a mystic and the mother of eight. The ministry is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and chose St. Bridget to be the patron saint of its work.

But there was one challenge. According to Reiser, historically there is no established iconographic prototype of an icon of St. Bridget of Sweden.

So using his imagination and every historical source available — including the bones of St. Bridget’s husband — the priest developed an entirely new icon of a saint who has gone without an icon for hundreds of years.

The domestic church​

“For me, iconography is first and foremost a form of prayer,” Reiser said. “The entire creative process is an act of listening to God and allowing the sacred story of a saint or mystery to take shape through layers of contemplation, color, and symbolism.”

The end result was an icon ripe with symbolic meaning — at its heart, marriage and family.

Continued below.

The United Nations General Assembly has once again demonstrated how far removed it is from the realities on the ground. With 139 votes, it called on Israel to cooperate with UNRWA and other UN organisations. It is a resolution without binding force and without any realistic connection to the events of recent years. It ignores the fact that Israel has good reasons to deny UNRWA access. It ignores what international partners themselves now confirm: the structures of the "Palestinian" refugee agency have been deeply infiltrated by Hamas and related terrorist groups for years.

Israel responded clearly and unequivocally. Ambassador Danny Danon stated that no resolution in the world would compel Israel to cooperate with an organisation whose employees were involved in kidnappings, murders and supporting armed groups. Danon's words summarise what Jerusalem has been emphasising for years. Criticism of UNRWA is not politically motivated, but based on specific incidents ranging from exposed terrorist cells to underground Hamas facilities beneath the organisation's schools.

The vote in the General Assembly is therefore less an expression of international legal opinion than a reflection of global power relations. Many states automatically follow any proposal that is placed in the context of the Middle East conflict if it offers them the opportunity to criticise Israel and at the same time demonstrate their own position in the multilateral structure. The resolution reinforces this reflexive dynamic. In terms of content, however, it fails to address the question of how humanitarian structures can function when terrorist organisations deliberately abuse them.

The timing is particularly noteworthy. Just a few months ago, the International Court of Justice ruled in an advisory opinion that Israel must grant UNRWA access, as there was allegedly insufficient evidence of Hamas infiltration. At that point, Israel had already documented several cases in which employees had supported terrorist attacks or provided infrastructure for military purposes. The UN demanded evidence, which Israel provided but which it then ignored. This creates an absurd situation: a state defending itself against terrorism is expected to trust an agency that cannot even ensure internally that its own employees are not part of that terrorism.

Today's decision confirms this imbalance. The UN expects cooperation without even beginning to reduce the risks. It demands access without demanding accountability. It ignores the fact that UNRWA in Gaza is not simply a humanitarian organisation, but operates in an environment where Hamas controls every space. Those who block, manipulate or misuse aid supplies have been well documented in this structure for years. But instead of investigating its own agency, Israel's political costs are being increased because it is defending itself.

Israel will not allow an organisation that has been proven to employ individuals involved in kidnappings and murders to operate on its territory in the future. Nor will it accept international bodies shirking their responsibility and instead putting pressure on the state that is directly affected by terrorism. The fact that the General Assembly ignores these connections is nothing new. However, the fact that it is increasingly distancing itself from the reality of the region is a warning sign that must be taken seriously.

Any decision that provides political cover for UNRWA without demanding reforms does not stabilise the humanitarian space, but rather the power structures of Hamas. It weakens trust in international institutions. And it leaves the families of hostages, those murdered and victims of terror unheard. Under these conditions, Israel must protect itself alone. It will continue to do so, regardless of what resolutions are passed in NY.

Jipsah said:

Right. Stuff in the Bible that runs contrary with your doctrine must Really Mean Something Else. So death can;t really mean death, because your doctrine depends on everyone living forever. (Nemmind that the Bible says no such thing,)

Because it has to you because your doctrine gives everyone eternal life.

Yeah, y'all just assume it means nothing t all.

Dead folks don't get much respect, do they? Anyway, your doctrine doesn't allow for anyone ever actually dying.

Too thin, matey. This is just a matter of y'all changing Scripture to fit your doctrine, and then posturing about "Y'all just don't believe the Bible!"

Except that part about God "destroying" both body and soul in hell. But I'm sure that Relly Means Something Else, right?

The wages of sin is...what was that again? Oh, I forgot, nobody ever really dies in your religion, do they?

And y'all are altering Scripture to fit your doctrine.

Yeah, it means " really does live forever", right?

Figurative speech, dude. We talk that same way today. Context, mate.

Trying too hard.

The difference being one of your own devising.

Yeah, really means "eternal life in torment", but St. Paul's Greek wsn't up to the task. Your entire doctrine is dependent on turning the language on it's head. Complete rubbish.

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This might help you with you misunderstanding.
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I subscribed to The New Ressourcement in the hope if reading what contemporary academic theologians are up to. I canceled after 4 issues. The articles are so long and deep and presume the reader knows the people referred to. A single issue can take me a year to read.

ViaCrucis said:

The Greatest Commandment is to love the Lord our God and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

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Agreed which is the Ten Commandments summarized. Deut6:1-5 Rom13:9

ViaCrucis said:

And Scripture says that the Day Christ rose is the greatest day, because that's the day a stone rolled away, and out from the sepulcher stepped the Son of God, Risen. That's what God says about His Day. Christ has won. On no other day did the Son of God rise from the dead.

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Where does Scripture say because Jesus rose on the first day that we no longer need to keep His commandments?

Neostarwcc said:

Sorry for making a duplicate thread but I figured the old thread was getting kind of full and I wasnt able to describe the whole situation and it was about my father in law passing away and I didnt want to change the topic about me.

Ok so here's whats going on.

Theres several things going on in my life right now. One, as you know my father in law passed away last Sunday and my wife and I are going from New York to Ohio for the funeral this Sunday and will be returning on the 10th. Two, ive been suffering many months with severe asthma and gasping for air at night thinking it was my sleep apnea at night when in reality it was my severe asthma. This gasping at night stumped my pulmonologist for many, many months he ran every test in the book and couldnt figure it out and meanwhile we tried every asthma treatment available for my asthma and nothing could provide relief long enough. Eventually we both together came up with the idea for a biologic so he ordered a blood test and when the results came back it turns out, I have eosinophilic asthma. For those who dont know what that is Its a very rare very severe form of asthma that definitely qualifies me for a biologic and medicaid approved the biologic in 2 days so very quickly.

Anyway, this afternoon I start my first dose of the biologic and ive been taking trelegy (an inhaler) for a few days now. Im hoping and praying they both give me some relief together because ive been suffering for many months. Just absolutely suffering and I need prayers on this. I also need prayers because when my wife and I get back from the funeral I will be prepping for 4 days (the 11th-to 14th) for a colonoscopy on the 15th so they can finally figure out why ive been constipated for decades and try to get that straightened out.

Oh and my psychiatrist just out me on caplyta yesterday and im being taken off of latuda slowly because I was concerned about my weight and caplyta is much easier on weight gain. Latudas been very helpful over the years but its been keeping me over 400 pounds so id rather not jeopardize my health to keep my sanity when other antipsychotics can help with my schizoaffective disorder a lot easier.

Anyway, thats whats going on keep me in your prayers and we can pray and hope together that everything works out. Thanks for your prayers and sorry again for the double post.

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Thankyou, Lord, our God, for being our provider. Thankyou for providing medical input and medicines and corrective medicine. Mostly, God, thankyou for being over all and in all and for being near to us with all of the power of healing in our time of need. You alone are our source and in You alone do we trust! In Jesus' name. Amen.

eleos1954 said:

Like the disciples, Mary likely expected Jesus to be an earthly king, making the cross a bitter disappointment rather than a planned event, notes

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Hello, eleos and other forumers.

I deeply thank samaus for his search with chatgpt, but i'd like to see if there's no other reply to the last of my observation, just before this search,

peter2 said:

She could have wondered of what need is death (or suffering, yes..) for an everlasting reign

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and i'd like to add a few another questions, please :

Since she revealed herself so protective, together with Joseph (see 12 years old finding in the Temple, see fleeing to Egypt), she likely admitted Jesus could die. Let's suppose so..

For the fleeing to Egypt, God intervened through Joseph's dream. He asked for this fleeing. Let's forget it !
But for the finding in the Temple :

Is Jesus' reply to her mother (he had to stand in His Father's house) the true and magistral reason why they should never have worried for him ?

I mean :
About the fleeing in Egypt, even if it's been conducted with a protective intention from Joseph and Mary, should it have been done from this reason ?

Again from my meaning, two collateral questions :

Had he died in Herod's massacre, wouldn't God have resurrected him then ?

Or, could we make the assumption the reason why God wished the sparing of Jesus' life at this massacre is : He wanted first and foremost the planned death on the cross to happen ?

Your dream reminds me a lot of the story of Mary and Martha. Matt 10:38-42. He is always waiting for us to come to him.

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." ~ Ephesians 2:8-10

Valletta said:

It's not a matter of teaching. Receiving the Eucharist at mass is following the instructions of Jesus to "do this." The Church, through the power granted by Jesus as per the Bible, makes minimal requirements of the faithful to attend mass, knowing how important it is.

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But talk of “requirements” and “instructions” tends to legalize an intimate encounter, a personal yet also communal sacred rite. Isn’t it counterproductive to require someone to celebrate. And yet encouraging someone to come can open a new life and hope for them.

Now after Jesus ascension, has He been fully glorified to His former state before coming to the stable? Before Mary? Fully omnipresent, fully omnipotent and fully omniscient? Isaiah 9:6, Does Jesus know all there is, beyond a million years, the time of His return?

samaus123456789 said:

Yes History of Joseph, and Gospel of Nic are inspired scripture written when they said they were. They are only for the wise same with 1Enoch, and others. God never intended them to be in the main canon otherwise swine might stumble across them accidentally. The main canon is for everyone unworthy (swine) or worthy where as some extra books which are inspired are hidden (apocrypha) from swine, and revealed to the humble. God thought there was too much valuable information in them to have them public, and people would mock it so he hid them ie excluded them from the main canon.

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I don't think the inspired scriptures were suppressed or hidden.

samaus123456789 said:

That is interesting breath of his mouth could be the Roman armies, I never thought of that. otherwise Jesus must of killed that zealot around 70 AD when he came back. Rev 1-12 happened 70 ad rev 13-22 is future.


Anti Christ in John was 70 AD too it says it was the final hour (of the temple still standing, and the Mosaic covenant). There had been anti christs when that was written pre 70 AD there was going to be some major one at that time, and there will be more in the future.
I have posts on the 2 canons, rev 1-12, and judes quotation of enoch about 70 ad/second coming.

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Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Also

He was a secular historian that backs up the Bible in that it did occur historically. There are other Roman historians that do the same especially with Jesus as he is an historical figure…

Oompa Loompa said:

Okay. You are right. It is obvious that Trump is a pedophile and secretly loves pedophiles and will circumvent the rule of law to defend pedophiles and rapists. He isn't deporting them, he is giving them refuge and asylum to specifically to deny justice for the victims. There is no other way to explain it. Are you happy now?

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He may not be himself a pedophile, but he does stand up for them and rapists.

It appears that the apple has not fallen far from the tree.

essentialsaltes said:

Because it's missing the additional context that he was prisoner-swapped with Americans being wrongfully detained in China.

Pardoning Trump

If Biden pardoned Trump would that be received as a gesture of reconciliation or as an insult? Or worse yet, an attempt to ingratiate?

www.christianforums.com

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Darn it! Foiled again by simply reading the article.

Dikaioumenoi said:

This is an admission that you are unwilling (or unable) to engage the argument that was just laid out.

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I have given you my argument and showed you why I believe you contradict yourself

Vambram said:

There are lots of cultures all over the world that live in sinful practices. There are also cultures of people who have immigrated to nations without assimilating to that nation.

Perhaps Christians in America should be more careful as to whom we invite into the USA. Perhaps Christians in every nation ought not invite people whom won't assimilate into that nation.

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Didn't know Jesus placed qualifiers on taking care of the least of us. What verses are those? All across American different cultures have their pockets of communities. Little Italy scattered across the east coast Little Poland in Chicago. Korean Towns all over. Pockets of Ukrainian Churches and markets where I live in the Seattle area. Every culture does in America. To NOT take care of the least of us IS a sinful practice according to Jesus.

Apple Sky said:

Do you have any idea which post it was now ?

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It was your post; you should know where it is.
It's only two pages back; post #2,835.

David Lamb said:

The oversight of the church have authority based on God's word.

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Says them. Yet the Kingdom often takes a back seat to the affairs of man.

Factotum said:

...


FACT: Tish accused Trump of 'real estate and bank' criminality for dishonestly attempting to secure more-friendlier loans/lower rates, from the bank.
FACT: Trump is now accusing Tish of 'real estate and bank' criminality for dishonestly attempting to secure more-friendlier loans/lower rates, from the bank.

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Tish sued Trump on the behalf of the state of NY and won a judgement against Trump. The court ruled Trump was indeed, and just like the Trump Org felony conviction, was fraudulently cooking the books. But what can we expect from someone who had their foundation and university shut down for again, fraud. The statements from his ex-lawyer at a congressional hearing that give birth to investigation: "It was my experience that Mr. Trump inflated his total assets when it served his purposes, such as trying to be listed amongst the wealthiest people in Forbes, and deflated his assets to reduce his real estate taxes,”

Come the Tish allegations, since that what they just are. The insurance lawyer who stepped in to replace the AG, who quit after refusing to bring charges seeing there were no charges to bring, is failing to make her case for the third time. I already showed you how both cases in Va and NY how those claims are bogus.

Those aren't even close to being the same.

durangodawood said:

Thanks for including us on this signal chat.

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Nice, on a couple of levels.