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JMJ

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  1. From the Catechism of the Catholic Church 751 The word "Church" (Latin ecclesia, from the Greek ek-ka-lein, to "call out of") means a convocation or an assembly. It designates the assemblies of the people, usually for a religious purpose.139 Ekklesia is used frequently in the Greek Old Testament for the assembly of the Chosen People before God, above all for their assembly on Mount Sinai where Israel received the Law and was established by God as his holy people.140 By calling itself "Church," the first community of Christian believers recognized itself as heir to that assembly. In the Church, God is "calling together" his people from all the ends of the earth. the equivalent Greek term Kyriake, from which the English word Church and the German Kirche are derived, means "what belongs to the Lord." 752 In Christian usage, the word "church" designates the liturgical assembly,141 but also the local community142 or the whole universal community of believers.143 These three meanings are inseparable. "The Church" is the People that God gathers in the whole world. She exists in local communities and is made real as a liturgical, above all a Eucharistic, assembly. She draws her life from the word and the Body of Christ and so herself becomes Christ's Body. Symbols of the Church 753 In Scripture, we find a host of interrelated images and figures through which Revelation speaks of the inexhaustible mystery of the Church. the images taken from the Old Testament are variations on a profound theme: the People of God. In the New Testament, all these images find a new center because Christ has become the head of this people, which henceforth is his Body.144 Around this center are grouped images taken "from the life of the shepherd or from cultivation of the land, from the art of building or from family life and marriage."145 754 "The Church is, accordingly, a sheepfold, the sole and necessary gateway to which is Christ. It is also the flock of which God himself foretold that he would be the shepherd, and whose sheep, even though governed by human shepherds, are unfailingly nourished and led by Christ himself, the Good Shepherd and Prince of Shepherds, who gave his life for his sheep.146 755 "The Church is a cultivated field, the tillage of God. On that land the ancient olive tree grows whose holy roots were the prophets and in which the reconciliation of Jews and Gentiles has been brought about and will be brought about again. That land, like a choice vineyard, has been planted by the heavenly cultivator. Yet the true vine is Christ who gives life and fruitfulness to the branches, that is, to us, who through the Church remain in Christ, without whom we can do nothing.147 756 "Often, too, the Church is called the building of God. the Lord compared himself to the stone which the builders rejected, but which was made into the comer-stone. On this foundation the Church is built by the apostles and from it the Church receives solidity and unity. This edifice has many names to describe it: the house of God in which his family dwells; the household of God in the Spirit; the dwelling-place of God among men; and, especially, the holy temple. This temple, symbolized in places of worship built out of stone, is praised by the Fathers and, not without reason, is compared in the liturgy to the Holy City, the New Jerusalem. As living stones we here on earth are built into it. It is this holy city that is seen by John as it comes down out of heaven from God when the world is made anew, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband.148 757 "The Church, further, which is called 'that Jerusalem which is above' and 'our mother', is described as the spotless spouse of the spotless lamb. It is she whom Christ 'loved and for whom he delivered himself up that he might sanctify her.' It is she whom he unites to himself by an unbreakable alliance, and whom he constantly 'nourishes and cherishes.'"149
  2. May the peace of Our Lord Jesus be with us. I think that this is the first time that I have started a post here. Anyway, I wanted to share this amazing video. As Catholic Christians we believe that Jesus is truly present under the appearance of bread and wine. In the history of the Church there have been times when Our Lord outwardly manifested Himself, in the Eucharist, in the way of observable miracles. The following video describes 3 of these miracles and delves into the scientific inquiry that took place regarding them. What are your thoughts? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2gtNiiMmzU&t=15s
  3. One cannot get to Heaven by paying tithes.
  4. I read The New American Bible(St. Joseph edition).
  5. I think that a way to reconcile this is to say that we are justified by both faith and good works.(James 2:24) Also what St. Paul was speaking of was the ritualistic laws of the Jews under the Old Covenant. This is exemplified at the beginning of Romans 3. Hope this helps.
  6. People will do all sorts of things. Proves Christianity is under attack. Peace in christ, Tony
  7. Crab3, I would steer clear of the Masons. I cannot go into all of the evidence here but there is good reason to believe that that organization is satanic. St. John the Baptist was definitely not a Mason. Masonry originated with the stone mason guilds of Medieval Europe. During the "Enlightenment" and the French Revolution the Masons turned increasingly anti-Christian. Hope this helps. Tony
  8. I would say that I'm in favor of Theory 2. I would argue that 2 Tim. 3:16-17 would not prove the idea of authority resting in Scripture alone. First it is important to look at verse 16. It says,"All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, etc." It does not say,"Only scripture...." If it said "Only Scripture" then there would be a case for the authority to rest in Scripture alone. Also in verse 15 St. Paul writes, "And that from a child thou has known the holy scriptures....."In St. Paul's day the New Testament was not canonized. Through logical deduction this would mean that only the OldTestament would be sufficient to the exclusion on the New. I'm not willing to take the leap and dismiss the New Testament. You are right in saying that in the Early Church they had to rely on oral tradition. In 2 Thess 2:15 we read, "Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle." Notice that St. Paul did not give a time table as to when the faithful can get rid of Tradition and rely on the Scripture alone. It is also interesting to note that the Lord not only taught Tradition but He also bound His listeners to Tradition. We read in Mat.23:1-3, "the scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." Now "Moses' seat" is found nowhere in the O.T. This must have been a tradition that was passed down. As to the authority of the Church"Mageterium" the Scriptures have some pretty interesting things to say. In Mat.18: 17 we read, " And if he shall neglect to hear them tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican." If Scripture is the only authority it is odd that the Lord did not say that the Scripture is the last and only authority in this verse. Also 1 Tim. 3:15 calls the Church the, "pillar and foundation of the truth." Scripture nowhere designates itself under that phrase. It is evident that the Scriptures are not the only authority but points also to Tradition and the authority of the Church. There are other verses in the Scriptures that point this out but due to time I cannot quote them all here. You might also want to check out the tachings of the Church Fathers. They also testify to the triune authority of the Church, Tradition, and the Scriptures. I hope this helps. God Bless, Tony
  9. Jackie, Know that God loves you so much. You are truly wonderful and beautiful in His sight. Don't forget that. Someone told me a story of how a boy came to Jesus and asked Him, "How much do you love me?" Jesus answered the boy and said, "This much." The Lord spread wide His arms and died. Jackie believe and put your trust in the Lord. He will always come through for you. I have had difficult moments in my life and through God's grace everything turned out O.K. Hang in there. Your brother in the Lord Jesus, Tony
  10. Leonard, I'm very much interested in the Church Fathers as well. They give you a good picture of what early Christianity looked like. Tony
  11. That truly is a sad thing. We must pary that God will bring peace to that troubled region. Tony
  12. That truly is a sad thing. We must pray that God will bring peace to that troubled region. Tony
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