tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.comments2019-03-08T15:56:04.632-05:00Unearned LuckMarcushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04670067846259346644noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-52594454792258695672019-03-08T12:57:28.090-05:002019-03-08T12:57:28.090-05:00You’ll know from my blog how much I can empathise ...You’ll know from my blog how much I can empathise with this post. It’s amazing how a battle in one area, indulgence in food, can enlighten our spiritual life. It’s understanding our sins in the way you describe, a mirage, that’s so important. <br />I love God, but not as much as I should. Your whole post sounds like that too. I think Saint Paul said it first in Romans 8. So glad you’re back and writing, we need your food for thought.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-49214431850659215042019-03-05T20:31:28.479-05:002019-03-05T20:31:28.479-05:00Thank you very much for your kind support!Thank you very much for your kind support!Marcushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04670067846259346644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-80859405884054688202019-03-05T20:15:20.935-05:002019-03-05T20:15:20.935-05:00Well written, Marcus. It is this kind of exegesis ...Well written, Marcus. It is this kind of exegesis and thought that needs to be said, written, preached and taught to world full of mini-Osteens, Meyers, Jakes and Copelands.Rev. Raymond A. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15592812431028529441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-86397329045444964292018-11-13T14:08:10.251-05:002018-11-13T14:08:10.251-05:00Very well done, Brother. I would also include that...Very well done, Brother. I would also include that we see Christ raise His arms, first in the Cross, and then subsequently upheld in the Sacrament. Great rendering of the text as we participate with the LORD to eradicate evil from our lives.Rev. Raymond A. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15592812431028529441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-40583326205204693112018-11-13T14:05:08.464-05:002018-11-13T14:05:08.464-05:00Yes, you’re right. Moses lifting up his arms to sa...Yes, you’re right. Moses lifting up his arms to save the Israelites is absolutely a type of Christ raising His arms on the Cross to save His Church, the New Israel.<br /><br />Thank you for your great insight and support. Marcushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04670067846259346644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-83771781609975725672018-11-13T13:57:22.567-05:002018-11-13T13:57:22.567-05:00Very well done, Brother. I would also include that...Very well done, Brother. I would also include that we see Christ raise His arms, first in the Cross, and then subsequently upheld in the Sacrament. Great rendering of the text as we participate with the LORD to eradicate evil from our lives.Rev. Raymond A. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15592812431028529441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-45998247376276216012018-09-26T15:07:20.074-04:002018-09-26T15:07:20.074-04:00Well stated, Marcus.
As a pastor in the Lutheran...Well stated, Marcus. <br /><br />As a pastor in the Lutheran Church [LCMS], I see the same problem in regard to - a lack of catechesis and a lack of DESIRE for catechesis. The apathy of geunine digging and delving deeper in one's faith is, unfortunately, not limitied to Rome. Wittenburg is there too, as are many of the other denominations within the United States, Canada and Europe.<br /><br />The question is, "why?" Why these countries? <br /><br />The next logical question, "Where is the faith on fire?" The continent of Africa springs to mind. But why? <br /><br />There is the crux. And the answer is quite ironic - persecution. We only need look to Tertullian's writings in the second century to see this truth - "The blood of martyrs is the seed of the Church."<br /><br />For decades, here in the good ol' USofA, we have gotten softer and softer. There really hasn't been widespread religious persecution here for the country's entire history [with perhaps the exception of the cult of the Mormons]. I believe the lack of catechisis and the lack of desire for catechesis is directly related to this lack of persecution. And without the pressing need of faith we become blase and indifferent, making the need for catechesis marginal at best. Rev. Raymond A. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15592812431028529441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-44937126310479275362018-05-25T22:38:24.971-04:002018-05-25T22:38:24.971-04:00Thank you! Your support is invaluable.Thank you! Your support is invaluable.Marcushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04670067846259346644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-34182291949970586192018-05-25T17:12:38.725-04:002018-05-25T17:12:38.725-04:00Well said, brother. I believe that post was about ...Well said, brother. I believe that post was about eliciting the response, 'Wow, look how much he knows.' I half expect Mel Brooks to step out and say, 'Now HE'S Catholic.' You're right, it wasn't about leading people to Christ. It was a selfabsorbed salvo, that quite frankly was a dud. Keep 'em coming, Marcus.Rev. Raymond A. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15592812431028529441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-19807076291236447902018-05-19T22:45:07.606-04:002018-05-19T22:45:07.606-04:00Thank you very much for the perspective you provid...Thank you very much for the perspective you provide in your reply. Working together against this illness can only be working for the glory of God. Thank you for your work as a pastor. You are truly a blessing to your congregation.Marcushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04670067846259346644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-84082316009601810282018-05-19T21:50:47.996-04:002018-05-19T21:50:47.996-04:00First of all, a very well reasoned and presented r...First of all, a very well reasoned and presented response to all four points. <br /><br />Second, what assails the Catholic Church, equally overwhelms other church bodies. As a Pastor in the Lutheran Church [LCMS], I see this very same issue. The lack of ongoing, adult catechesis, the waning knowledge of what it means to Lutheran and the erosion of a confessional Lutheran faith, is met at every turn inside Lutheranism. I think you're onto something here.<br /><br />Your ideas, though intended for Catholicism, truly works throughout Christendom. I believe this is true because what wages were in one corner of the Vineyard, is the same enemy that wages war equally throughout the Vineyard - Satan. He constantly whispers in the ‘itching ears’ of Her members words of homogenization and inclusiveness to a fault, rather than adherence to the Word of GOD - Jesus Christ.<br /><br />In closing, I wonder what the results would be if you asked seasoned priests what is the one greatest thing needed to right the ark of the Church today. Equally, and perhaps more eye-opening, would be to ask that of newly ordained priests. One to see if there is a difference in answer, and two to see if the disease that attacks the Church daily has invaded the seminaries a as well. <br /><br />Keep up the good work, Brother.<br />Rev. Raymond A. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15592812431028529441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-12547438730574187962018-03-04T05:29:55.426-05:002018-03-04T05:29:55.426-05:00These are really good points; however because the ...These are really good points; however because the vast majority of Catholics don't have lives that contain such blatant evil they, unfortunately, may become the Pharisee rather than the tax man (and I include myself in that).<br />Your pron video comment, for example, is excellent. But in our own small ways how much do we contribute to evil because we are too lazy or too indulgent to turn away. I hate that corporations sponsor the sexual revolution, but do you know I find it a struggle to give up Ben and Jerry's ice cream due to their support of same sex marriage.<br />Can you imagine me in heaven? How will I stand next to the saints???? They are martyrs and I whine about giving up Ben and Jerry's!Andreahttp://lacoeursacre.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-59687233913462959192014-12-17T23:14:59.483-05:002014-12-17T23:14:59.483-05:00One of my favorites!One of my favorites!Marynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-37230416243198580492014-08-22T20:56:16.012-04:002014-08-22T20:56:16.012-04:00To save children from the precipice is a nobble an...To save children from the precipice is a nobble and humanitarian gesture, except the fact that the church has ulterior motives. However, the implication of the same 'fence' being true for adults is wrong. Any 'adult' that does not have enough common sense and 'plays' at the edge of the precipice, I say... let him/her do it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-50654485621566898532013-03-14T23:33:19.772-04:002013-03-14T23:33:19.772-04:00Well said Brother.
And although I don't know...Well said Brother. <br /><br />And although I don't know this particular sin of which you speak of above - I do know the sin of the flesh - as a pastor. We are held to a higher standard as pastors and priests. However, we must be careful to not eliminate too quickly lest we leave the priesthood exhausted and depleted - thereby leaving the Church rutterless,<br /><br />I believe we need to treat each case individually so as to not defrock those among the priesthood who are truly penitent sinners. For in throwing the proverbial blanket over all we will lose great leaders of the Church (e.g. Abraham - Moses - David - Peter - etc.).<br /><br />So as you have said let us act in all Christian love and forgive our brothers who seek confession and absolution and admonish them - as did the LORD - to, "go and sin no more."<br /><br />Pax,<br />RayRev. Raymond A. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15592812431028529441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-14993207663969343322012-05-14T21:53:11.321-04:002012-05-14T21:53:11.321-04:00Long time reader, first time commenter...always go...Long time reader, first time commenter...always good stuff Marcus. Keep educating us, inspiring us and driving us in our life and our faith! Great work.Patrick D.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-91208400106823926732012-05-03T21:39:57.517-04:002012-05-03T21:39:57.517-04:00It may seem that way, but you know where the line ...It may seem that way, but you know where the line is drawn, Mike?<br /><br />St John 8:3-11, gives us that line. The scribes and the Pharisees drag this woman before Jesus in order to demonstrate what a liar and blasphemer He is and to discredit Him before His followers. They have no concern for her or her salvation. She is an adulteress and beneath them in dignity. Her sinfulness has become for them only an opportunity to discredit Jesus.<br /><br />Jesus confronts them with their own hypocrisy and their disregard for her by asking the one without sin to throw the first stone. As the religious leaders, their sole concern should have been bringing her and the man with whom she had sinned back to righteousness. Their sin was greater as they had a greater responsibility within the community. "Every one to whom much is given, of him will much be required" (St. Luke 12:48). Realizing that they have been trapped in their own sinfulness, "they went away, one by one, beginning with the eldest." Left alone with the woman, Jesus turns to her and says, "go, and do not sin again."<br /><br />The scribes and Pharisees paraded this woman into the public square loudly announcing her sin and demanding her condemnation and execution by Jesus. Jesus turns to her quietly and commands her to sin no more. In Matthew 18:15, Jesus says, "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between him and you alone." The scribes and the Pharisees are not interested in saving the sinner, but using her for their own ends and act in a self-righteous way. Jesus is concerned only with the sinner's salvation and, even though He is God, is quiet and humble with the woman. This is the line between admonishing the sinner and throwing stones.<br /><br />Much of what is passed off as admonishing the sinner these days is really only a lust for the salacious and a desire to justify our own sins by pointing out the worse sins others commit. The vast majority of us do not know Daniel Savage. Nothing we could say to him is going to change his heart. It seems at this point in his life, his salvation is up to God alone. We, therefore, have no responsibility to admonish him. "Do not give dogs what is holy..."<br /><br />Each of us has enough to do to work out our own salvation. We must spend our time and energy praying for and working on our own conversions. We, also, need to spend time countering the culture of death and depravity for which Daniel Savage is an advocate and a defender, but attacking and dismantling this culture is not the same as attacking and dismantling the man. Praying for his conversion and salvation will be sufficient.<br /><br />I hope this helps. Thank you for your polite and respectful question.Marcushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04670067846259346644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-59972908334095812732012-05-03T19:51:02.294-04:002012-05-03T19:51:02.294-04:00It seems though its nearly impossible in todays wo...It seems though its nearly impossible in todays world to point out any wrong or evil without being accused of throwing stones. Where is the line drawn between admonishing the sinner and throwing stones? MikeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-40498745867214876332012-04-26T22:05:42.838-04:002012-04-26T22:05:42.838-04:00I am totally awesome and totally Catholic by assoc...I am totally awesome and totally Catholic by association then as I know an actual Irishman, born and raised, and my patron saint is Irish, born and raised.<br /><br />Mike H.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-653756572809903672012-04-26T08:32:02.542-04:002012-04-26T08:32:02.542-04:00Yes, I should know as I am an actual Irishman, bor...Yes, I should know as I am an actual Irishman, born and raised. Being Irish makes you both totally Awesome and totally Catholic! So, there you now know! Lol. Brendan.Brendanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18277938227426180756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-6394442141673678052012-04-25T23:42:38.088-04:002012-04-25T23:42:38.088-04:00Being Irish is being totally awesome, so you'r...Being Irish is being totally awesome, so you're redundant there. I'll ponder the other part of your question and get back to you.Marcushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04670067846259346644noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6646710512379706144.post-51014481822800663122012-04-25T23:11:31.273-04:002012-04-25T23:11:31.273-04:00Hey Marcus,
Does being Irish and totally awesome t...Hey Marcus,<br />Does being Irish and totally awesome to boot make me "more" Catholic ?<br />Dave O'Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com