How old is your church?

[ColleenLovesMischief]

Deu 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you

Amen

[mobile21]

And the period of absolute Vatican rule was called the Dark Ages for good reason! The Vatican kept everyone in darkness as a way of political power....and so they could sell indulgences

That's a good point.

That period was later called "dark ages" because the "masonic secret" is that Yahweh is a "god of darkness" while the devil (luzbel, the angel of light) is the "god of enlightenment" so they classified the christian period of history as "dark" while naming the century when they arrived to power as "the century of enlightenment" (XVIII century).

It's all occultism my friend.

As for the Church selling indulgences, that never happened, the whole thing is based on a forged document composed of several other true documents and it's called the Taxa Carmae.

Of course that's makes such a "good ol' catholic bashing" that no biased person will ever recognize that, but the proof is there anyway.

[mobile21]

Mobile,

i am still waiting on answers to questions,

such as what is the ranking of the different sins????

and which sins can not be forgiven????

for if there is no ranking, then why is the pentance

[Guest Angeledei]

I just wanted to touch on something said here:

By the way in repeating the same prayers every day I have to ask how you get around Matthew 6:7 And when you pray do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 

Matthew 6: 5-8

5 And when ye pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, that love to stand and pray in the synagogues and corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men: Amen I say to you, they have received their reward.

6 But thou when thou shalt pray, enter into thy chamber, and having shut the door, pray to thy Father in secret, and thy father who seeth in secret will repay thee.

7 And when you are praying, speak not much, as the heathens. For they think that in their much speaking they may be heard.

8 Be not you therefore like to them for your Father knoweth what is needful for you, before you ask him.

Yet Jesus then goes on to explain what He means: "For they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking". He is actually denouncing the pagan idea that the repetition of certain words has some magical power, which gains the attention of a deity or moves him to act. The Father is already aware of all our needs and wants to provide for them (vs 8); we don't have to try to get His attention!

Jesus is certainly not condemning all repetition in prayer, for He Himself repeated His prayer in Gethsemane: "He went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words" (Mt 26:44; also Mark 14:39). He encourages His followers "always to pray, and not to faint" (Luke 18:1), and then tells the parable of a persistent widow who continually pleaded with an unjust judge to "Avenge me of mine adversary" (Luke 18:2-8). The widow's repetitious pleading, according to Christ, should be our model for prayer to God!

God also accepts the praises of the holy angels who "rest not day and night, saying, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come" (Apocalypse/Revelation 4:8). Evidently, not all repetitious prayer is "vain repetition"!

Moreover, Psalm 136 is a litany, for every verse ends with the phrase "For his mercy endureth forever". If God objects to litanies why would He have included one in the Book of Psalms? God obviously does not disapprove of all repetitious prayer.

Some Evangelicals engage in repetitious prayer themselves. For instance, they may repeat the phrase "Praise you, Jesus" or sing a chorus over and over again in church. Is that "vain repetition"? Not necessarily; not if it arises from loving devotion, like the praise of the holy angels.

Matt. 6:7 - Jesus teaches, "do not heap up empty phrases" in prayer. Protestants use this verse to criticize various Catholic forms of prayer which repeat phrases, such as litanies and the Rosary. But Jesus' focus in this instruction is on the"vain," and not on the "repetition."

Matt. 26:44 - for example, Jesus prayed a third time in the garden of Gethsemane, saying the exact same words again. It is not the repetition that is the issue. It's the vanity. God looks into our heart, not solely at our words.

Luke 18:13 - the tax collector kept beating his breast and praying "God be merciful to me, a sinner." This repetitive prayer was pleasing to God because it was offered with a sincere heart.

Acts 10:2,4 - Cornelius prayed constantly to the Lord and his prayers ascended as a memorial before God.

Rom. 1:9 - Paul says that he always mentions the Romans in his prayers without ceasing.

Rom. 12:12 - Paul commands us to be constant in prayer. God looks at what is in our heart, not necessarily how we choose our words.

1 Thess. 5:17 - Paul commands us to pray constantly. Good repetition is different than vain repetition.

Rev. 4:8 - the angels pray day and night without cessation the same words "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty." This is repetitious prayer that is pleasing to God.

Psalm 136 - in this Psalm, the phrase "For His steadfast love endures forever" is more repetitious than any Catholic prayer, and it is God's divine Word.

Dan. 3:35-66 - the phrase "Bless the Lord" is similarly offered repeatedly, and mirrors Catholic litanies.

I mean this in all sincerity, but your comment is just one example of a misconception and anti-Catholic bias of something you really do not understand....

[Guest Angeledei]

I know of some Catholics that treat their rosarys and crucifixes better than Christ. I will openly tell you that God says nothing about crosses.

You can't be serious can you??? LOL....

I say my rosary daily and the meditations on the life and teachings of our Savior through the rosary brings me ever closer to my Lord. What better way to be close to Jesus than to meditate on His sufferings?

God doesn't say anything about crosses??????? Forgive me if I misinterpreted ok?

Matthew 10:38

And he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth me, is not worthy of me.

Mt 27:32 - And going out, they found a man of Cyrene, named Simon: him they forced to take up his cross.

Mt 27:40 -

And saying: Vah, thou that destroyest the temple of God and in three days dost rebuild it: save thy own self. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.

Mt 27:42 -

He saved others: himself he cannot save. If he be the king of Israel, let him now come down from the cross: and we will believe him.

John 19:17 -

And bearing his own cross, he went forth to the place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha.

John 19:25 -

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother and his mother

[Douay]

Just in case you noticed and were probably wondering what she was talking about I thought I would clear up a thing or two about the rosary. When Catholics say a rosary they say the prayers, and have beads to denote which one you're on, but they are meditating on the mysteries. The Rosary is divided into five decades. Each decade represents a mystery or event in the life of Jesus. There are four sets of "Mysteries of the Rosary" (Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious). These four "Mysteries of the Rosary" therefore contain, a total of twenty mysteries. The Joyful, Luminous, Sorrowful, and Glorious Mysteries are then said on specific days of the week (see each set of mysteries below). During private recitation of the Rosary, each decade requires devout meditation on a specific mystery, they are:

The Joyful Mysteries

(Said on Mondays, Saturdays, Sundays of Advent, and Sundays from Epiphany until Lent)

First Joyful Mystery - The Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary

I Desire the Love Of Humility

Think of...

The humility of the Blessed Virgin when the Angel Gabriel greeted her with these words: "Hail full of grace".

Luke 1:26

Second Joyful Mystery - The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth

I Desire Charity Toward My Neighbor

Think of...

Mary's charity in visiting her cousin Elizabeth and remaining with her for three months before the birth of John the Baptist.

Luke 1:39

Third Joyful Mystery - The Birth of Jesus

I Desire the Love of God

Think of...

The poverty, so lovingly accepted by Mary when she placed the Infant Jesus, our God and Redeemer, in a manger in the stable of Bethlehem.

Luke 2:1

Fourth Joyful Mystery - The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

I Desire a Spirit of Sacrifice

Think of...

Mary's obedience to the law of God in presenting the Child Jesus in the Temple.

Luke 2:22

Fifth Joyful Mystery - Finding Jesus in the Temple

I desire Zeal For The Glory Of God

Think of...

The deep sorrow with which Mary sought the Child Jesus for three days, and the joy with which she found Him in the midst of the Teachers of the Temple.

Luke 2:41

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The Luminous Mysteries

(Said on Thursdays throughout the year)

First Luminous Mystery - The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan

And a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased."

Matthew 3:17

The Second Luminous Mystery - The Wedding at Cana, Christ Manifested

Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.

John 2:11

The Third Luminous Mystery - the Proclamation of the Kingdom of God

Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel."

Mark 1:15

The Fourth Luminous Mystery - The Transfiguration of Jesus

And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.

Matthew 17:2

The Fifth Luminous Mystery - The Last Supper, the Holy Eucharist

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body." Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. Matthew 26:26

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The Sorrowful Mysteries

(Said on Tuesdays, Fridays, and daily from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday)

First Sorrowful Mystery - Agony of Jesus in the Garden

I Desire True Repentance for My Sins

Think of...

Our Lord Jesus in the garden of Gethsemani, suffering a bitter agony for our sins.

Matthew 26:36

Second Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Scourged at the Pillar

I Desire a Spirit of Mortification

Think of...

The cruel scourging at the pillar that our Lord suffered; the heavy blows that tore His flesh.

Matthew 27:26

Third Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus is Crowned With Thorns

I Desire Moral Courage.

Think of...

The crown of sharp thorns that was forced upon our Lord's Head and the patience with which He endured the pain for our sins.

Matthew 27:27

Fourth Sorrowful Mystery - Jesus Carries His Cross

I Desire the Virtue of Patience

Think of...

The heavy Cross, so willingly carried by our Lord, and ask Him to help you to carry your crosses without complaint.

Matthew 27:32

Fifth Sorrowful Mystery - The Crucifixion of Jesus

I Desire the Grace of Final Perseverance

Think of...

The love which filled Christ's Sacred Heart during His three hours' agony on the Cross, and ask Him to be with you at the hour of death.

Matthew 27:33

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The Glorious Mysteries

(Said on Wednesdays, and Sundays throughout the year)

First Glorious Mystery - The Resurrection of Jesus

I Desire a Strong Faith

Think of...

Christ's glorious triumph when, on the third day after His death, He arose from the tomb and for forty days appeared to His Blessed Mother and to His disciples.

John 20:1

Second Glorious Mystery - The Ascension of Jesus

I Desire the Virtue of Hope

Think of...

The Ascension of Jesus Christ, forty days after His glorious Resurrection, in the presence of Mary and His disciples.

Luke 24:36

Third Glorious Mystery - The Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost

I Desire Zeal for the Glory of God

Think of...

The descent of the Holy Spirit upon Mary and the Apostles, under the form of tongues of fire, in fulfillment of Christ's promise.

Acts 2:1

Fourth Glorious Mystery - The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

I Desire the Grace of a Holy Death

Think of...

The glorious Assumption of Mary into Heaven, when she was united with her Divine Son.

Fifth Glorious Mystery - The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

I Desire a Greater Love for the Blessed Virgin Mary

Think of...

The glorious crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven by her Divine Son, to the great joy of all the Saints.

Douay

[Guest yod]

Fifth Glorious Mystery - The Coronation of Mary as Queen of Heaven and Earth

I Desire a Greater Love for the Blessed Virgin Mary

Think of...

The glorious crowning of Mary as Queen of Heaven by her Divine Son, to the great joy of all the Saints.

actually this makes me think of Jeremiah 44:19

The women added, "When we burned incense to the Queen of Heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, did not our husbands know that we were making cakes like her image and pouring out drink offerings to her?"

[Guest yod]

As for the Church selling indulgences, that never happened, the whole thing is based on a forged document composed of several other true documents and it's called the Taxa Carmae.Of course that's makes such a "good ol' catholic bashing" that no biased person will ever recognized that, but the proof is there anyway.

this was the entire reason for Martin Luther "protesting"

As late at the 60s in America, I personally know of a woman in Texas who was told by her local Catholic priest that her husband was in purgatory and she needed to come up with some cash to get him out.

Shame, shame, shame....

[Guest Angeledei]

Yod, it is obvious to me anyway, that you are full of bitterness and your comments to us lack christian love on your part.

Your bullying tactics only make me feel happy in a way that I am being persecuted for my Lord's sake. For happy are we that are persecuted for His sake.

So keep bullying and we will keep rejoicing.

[Guest yod]

Fourth Glorious Mystery - The Assumption of Mary into Heaven

I Desire the Grace of a Holy Death

Think of...

The glorious Assumption of Mary into Heaven, when she was united with her Divine Son.

glorious Assumption of Mary into Heaven?

what a crock!

Do you also believe the fable of her house being flown to Italy by some angels?

Tell me you aren't that gullible