tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841992273882225141.post1053964513535180832..comments2023-08-17T06:06:23.531-04:00Comments on Ibo et Non Redibo: "Faith and Froth", a Match Made in HeavenJohn Ohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07309411001384211788noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841992273882225141.post-3414766330191779092014-04-02T10:41:01.074-04:002014-04-02T10:41:01.074-04:00Thank you for your comments. Like 'Unknown'...Thank you for your comments. Like 'Unknown', I was a bit taken back by George's comment about the 'Complete Corruption' of the hierarchy. We cannot deny that corruption exists - after all, the Lord entrusted his Good News to flawed and sinful people. He did promise the Spirit, but nevertheless we all too often turn our backs to his gifts and graces. But to say that we are completely corrupted is preposterous! Is every pastor of the Church a pedophile and a sex abuser? Is every Bishop and Cardinal a lover of riches and comforts? We all have our faults, but let us please not exaggerate and make such general statements.<br /><br />As to the "un-churched", I refer to St. Paul's definition of what a faithful community, ekklesia (in Greek), of believers ought to do when together = the Christian assembly gets together to do two things primarily (see Romans 1:21) = to Praise/Glorify God (Doxazo) and to Give Thanks (Eucharisteo)/celebrate the Eucharist. And so, the churched are those that come together in a community to Praise God in one voice and to partake of the Eucharist - to give God thanksgiving. This is what un-churched means through the lens of the New Testament, and broadly speaking, this is what I was referring to. It is not the Roman Church that invented this model - it's been in existence since the early Church.<br /><br />Sharing a meal and talking to each other about Godly things is a huge step towards this, and definitely can be seen as a community. But, do we pray together at these events? I'm not sure if a brief, less than one minute opening prayer qualifies. But it's definitely a start!<br /><br />God bless,<br />Artur<br /><br />Artur Suski, S.J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/01083258350492898528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841992273882225141.post-27660609938225485762014-04-01T14:43:19.254-04:002014-04-01T14:43:19.254-04:00Complete corruption?
As a former Protestant-athei...Complete corruption?<br /><br />As a former Protestant-atheist-agnostic to Catholic, I find it surprising that 1) people claim shock to find sin in the Church; 2) people believe that because there is sin in the Church, the model lacks legitimacy.<br /><br />The hystrionics of the mass media and the usual opponents nothwithstanding, I have found much grace in the Church, with the overwhelming majority of lay and clergy to be inspirational and (yes) models of goodness. Call me over the mountain, I'd rather say over the moon - in love with what Jesus gave to his Apostles.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18335955482091224148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8841992273882225141.post-69655914829692012452014-03-26T10:53:15.065-04:002014-03-26T10:53:15.065-04:00Good stuff! Enjoy reading this blog on my breaks a...Good stuff! Enjoy reading this blog on my breaks and evening!<br /><br />Given that all these people come together in community to discuss, share a meal, and enter into fellowship, they are not really "un-Churched" any longer. Perhaps our defintion of church needs to change. Bonhoeffer spoke of a religionless Christianity and Thomas Merton towards the end of his life was rethinking monasticism.<br /><br />There is a place for organization but the Roman model is not the only one, or even the preferred one today. In fact, now that the world and the Catholic community has seen the complete corruption of the hierarchy when it comes to their criminal misdeeds with respect to the abuse crisis, reform might start to happen if not criminal prosecution. The Vatican Commission, composed of lay people and cardinals is a postive step in the right direction but the clerical dominance of governance is hugely problematic but hope springs eternal.<br /><br />In the meantime the "church: always find new ground and new expressions!<br /><br />https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/blog/sex-abuse-asking-right-questionsGeorgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15779688436908834680noreply@blogger.com