Proud to be Catholic

Snappy Smurf

This thread is inspired by couple things: one is this latest Katie Taylor hype and the discussion of her Evangelical faith; the other is something I read on another website; and finally, the latest message from Medjugorje.

First, the passage I read from a site I don't wish to link to here:

I feel such an enormous pride in a girl whose first thought after such a victory is to give praise to her Creator. In an era when it’s almost a cause for shame to admit a belief in a loving, divine Creator, it was truly wonderful to witness a girl, having achieved the pinnacle of success, humbly giving thanks to God. I feel pride and also a certain sense of regret. The regret is that I knew immediately Katie spoke that she didn’t adhere to Roman Catholicism – Catholics don’t praise God so publicly!

Now, I should point out that I am not a Mejugorje fan; I am more of a Medji-skeptic. Nevertheless, my ears perked when I heard the latest message read out:

Message of July 25, 2012 "Dear children! Today I call you to the 'good'. Be carriers of peace and goodness in this world. Pray that God may give you the strength so that hope and pride may always reign in your heart and life because you are God's children and carriers of His hope to this world that is without joy in the heart, and is without a future, because it does not have its heart open to God who is your salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call." 07/2012

I thought ''Pride???'' :eek:

But then I read it myself and understood that the pride is not an earthly pride but a Godly pride.

I think that Catholics in Ireland have been battered and bruised, bloodied and scorned, but we can't allow the bad things that have happened to become our identity. The faith has also been under attack internally through dissension and dissent.

As I said, I am not a Medjugorje believer, but I do wonder about this latest message: If Our Lady was really passing messages to those 'visionaries' might she implore them to get up, dust themselves off, and announce the good news to the world? And more than that, to be proud to be Catholics?

For a long while now, Catholic faith has been derided and mocked and scorned; now is the time for faithful, believing Catholics to show their joy to the world by living the faith totally.

Northclare

I'm impressed with that latest message,because it's open to everyone to be good etc doesn't mention religion and it doesn't mention the fact that it's a sin to be anything other than Catholic.

So looks like being good 1, being Catholic 0

Snappy Smurf

Northclare wrote: »

I'm impressed with that latest message,because it's open to everyone to be good etc doesn't mention religion and it doesn't mention the fact that it's a sin to be anything other than Catholic.

So looks like being good 1, being Catholic 0

IF Our Lady is giving messages at Medj, the messages are directed to the Children of the Catholic Church. That would be my understanding.

Anyway, let's not hijack Smurf's thread. He's talking about Catholic pride.

Northclare

Ok I don't want to hijack Smurfs thread.

But my understanding is of more of a spiritual approach rather than religious approach.

Because if God is sending a message,God wants it to benefit everyone and not just devout Catholics.

I won't single out the Catholic Faith but the Catholic seems to be claiming this message for themselves,thats very wrong is it not :S

Onesimus

Snappy Smurf wrote: »

IF Our Lady is giving messages at Medj, the messages are directed to the Children of the Catholic Church. That would be my understanding.

Anyway, let's not hijack Smurf's thread. He's talking about Catholic pride.

The Message of Our Lady is for everyone Smurf, just as the Good news is brought to those who do not yet believe so too Our Ladys words are for the benefit of all.

Snappy Smurf

Onesimus wrote: »

The Message of Our Lady is for everyone Smurf, just as the Good news is brought to those who do not yet believe so too Our Ladys words are for the benefit of all.

The message I posted, if read in context, is intended to encourage Christians to bring the message of salvation to the world.

Pray that God may give you the strength so that hope and pride may always reign in your heart and life because you are God's children and carriers of His hope to this world that is without joy in the heart, and is without a future, because it does not have its heart open to God who is your salvation. Thank you for having responded to my call.

Note that those referred to are Children of God; note that these children have hope, which non-Christians do not; that those who do not have their heart open to God have no hope; etc...

Yes, salvation is offered to all, but read in content, that particular message is intended to edify Christians, specifically Catholics, to evangelise the world.

Note that I do not claim these messages are from the BVM.

georgieporgy

Here's another recent message.


http://www.medjugorjetoday.tv/documentation/


June 2nd 2012

"Dear children, I am continuously among you because, with my endless love, I desire to show you the door of Heaven. I desire to tell you how it is opened: through goodness, mercy, love and peace – through my Son. Therefore, my children, do not waste time on vanities. Only knowledge of the love of my Son can save you. Through that salvific love and the Holy Spirit He chose me and I, together with Him, am choosing you to be apostles of His love and will. My children, great is the responsibility upon you. I desire that by your example you help sinners regain their sight, enrich their poor souls and bring them back into my embrace. Therefore, pray, pray, fast and confess regularly. If receiving my Son in the Eucharist is the center of your life, then do not be afraid, you can do everything. I am with you. Every day I pray for the shepherds and I expect the same of you. Because, my children, without their guidance and strengthening through their blessing, you can not do it. Thank you."

---

It looks to me like she thinks Fasting, Confession, Holy Communion, and Holy Orders are pretty essential items. That's Catholic alright!

Northclare

Not really no the catholic church doesn't appeal to the majority anymore,not one bit sorry now I'm not dissing you I'm just being honest.

totus tuus

The reason for being Catholic, without it the Catholic Church would cease to exist! HOLY MASS.

Snappy Smurf

totus tuus wrote: »

The reason for being Catholic, without it the Catholic Church would cease to exist! HOLY MASS.

Exactly. The first reading at Mass Sunday really struck a chord with me: without the Eucharist, we have no energy for the life God has planned for us. We will be tired and want to die. This is so true.

1 Kings 19: 4 - 8

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers."

And he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."

And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again.

And the angel of the LORD came again a second time, and touched him, and said, "Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you."

And he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.