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Friday, May 20, 2011

The Bible…Entrusted to Catholics!



Since my previous posting was on the Bible, perhaps I will continue to share a little more about the same…


Many people, especially evangelical ‘Christians’ have been led to believe that the Roman Catholic traditions and doctrines are opposed to, and contradicted by, the very letter of God’s written Word; the Bible.

Apparently, these Christians believe that Rome embraces and propagates dogmas and traditions which could not stand a moment’s examination if exposed to the Holy Scriptures.  Admittedly, there have been various other ‘invented’ stories of old, about Rome’s prohibition of the reading of the Bible and other attitudes toward the Holy Scriptures.

Why this negative perception against the Roman Catholic Church, the very church founded by Jesus Christ?

Why such ‘ganged-up’ negative Christian perception against the very Church, whose liturgy has been obediently biblical in every way, than any other ‘Christian’ evangelical churches anywhere around the world today?

Sources have it that the Protestant’s initial account of the pre-Reformation Catholicism has been largely a falsification of history.


Thereafter, all the other different, independent breakaway ‘churches’ and ‘denominations’ mushrooming from thereon kept ‘modeling’ and ‘exaggerating’ this misconstrued perception of Rome...as if ‘eliminating’ these Catholics would somehow facilitate the increase in membership of their congregation.

It is important for everyone to remember that, until the Protestant Reformation, the Catholic Bible was the only edition since, obviously, there was no other major Christian denomination till then.

The simple truth, according to Rev Henry Grey Graham, is that the Catholic Church has...

“… been the parent, the author and maker, under God, of the Bible; that she has guarded it and defended it all through the ages, and preserved it from error or destruction; that she has ever held it in highest veneration and esteem, and has grounded her doctrines upon it; that she alone has the right to call it her book; that she alone possesses the true Bible and the whole Bible, and that copies of the Scriptures existing outside of her pale are partly incorrect and partly defective, and that whatever in them is true, is true because derived from her who alone possesses the Book in its fullness and its truth.

If they were Catholics, they would love God’s Holy Word more and more; they would understand it better; they would adore the Divine Providence that took such a wise and sure means of preserving and perpetuating it; and they would profoundly admire the Catholic Church for her ceaseless vigilance, untiring zeal and unswerving fidelity to the commission entrusted to her by Almighty God.”

Very simply, the rest of Christendom owes to the Roman Catholic Church, their ‘connection’ to the Bible.  The Bible was not printed in any language till about 1,500 years after the birth of Jesus Christ!

A German named John Gooseflesh or better known as Johann Gutenberg only discovered the art of printing somewhere in the 15th century.

Before that, the Testaments and the Gospels would mostly be read from the handwritten or hand-copying manuscript of monks or friars.  This was how people before the 15th century became familiar with Christianity.

So much for the commonly misunderstood absurd fallacy that the Bible and the Bible alone can save the souls of mankind; the so-called doctrine of sola scriptura!  Our loving and merciful God surely cannot be indifferent to the countless souls for first 1,500 years?


Thus, the Church and Faith existed way before the Bible – many became Christians by hearing the truth of God from the lips of Christ’s missionaries – the living teaching tradition of the Catholic Church.

It is also a fact in history that the Council of Carthage (387AD), mainly through the influence of St Augustine, through her Popes, settled on the precise Canon or Collection of New Testament Scriptures as we have them in Bibles now.

Together with the Old Testament, the Bible, as it stands today, is composed of 73 separate books.  For the next couple of centuries, even if the Church had given a copy of the bible to every Catholic, it would have done little good because the vast majority of the world was illiterate. Besides, the cost of printing would have been tremendous.

 

It is a absurd for people to step in, 1,500 years after the Catholic Church had had possession of the Bible and to pretend that it is theirs and that they alone know what the meaning of it is and that Scripture alone, without the voice of the Catholic Church explaining them, are intended by God to be the sole guide and rule of faith.

Why, some Christian groups did not even appropriate the whole of the Catholic books; casting out some (seven books) from ‘their’ collection.


Today, one can find countless versions of the Bible in bookshops.  Everone seem to fancy translating a copy of their own.  Getting a bible these days can be a daunting task for the uninitiated.

Whilst the King James Version of the bible cannot be faulted for the beauty of its language and majesty of its expression, it contains an incomplete version of the Hebrew Scriptures and is sometimes difficult to understand.


Catholics generally use translation of the Scriptures if it bears the Nihil Obstat (Latin for “nothing hinders”) certifying that it contains nothing contrary to faith or morals and the final Imprimatur (Latin for ‘let it be printed’) of a Catholic Bishop.

Catholics prefers the New American Bible, the New Jerusalem Bible and the New Revised Standard Version, although the older and more beautiful expressed Jerusalem Bible, Douay Rheims and Revised Standard Version is also used.  To appreciate the entire lyrical beauty of the Psalms, try reading the Grail Version.


It is not surprising today that more and more evangelical multi-million dollars mega christian ‘churches’ are mushrooming all over the place; consequence of the audacity of humanity to change, by a stroke of a pen, whatever doctrines that are not ‘applicable’ and adapting new ones to suit a particular community.

‘Individual’ interpretation of scripture continues to mutilate and disfigure the Word of God for their own convenience – these new churches being run more like a business economic entities nowadays - membership into such churches replicate entrance-screening for some exclusive social clubs and parishioners (people who are actually hungry for God) milked of their wealth under the disguised name of ‘tithing’.


Catholics, as declared by the Second Vatican Council, “venerates” the Scripture – extending many visible signs of this reverence for the Word of God, especially in the liturgy.

These have been adopted for ages, as the Church sees Scriptures as a very special gift of God’s revelation to His people.

Catholics “…know that were it not for the Church, there would be no Bible, for it was the Church that sifted through the many books claiming divine inspiration and came up with the books that now serve as the definitive canon of works regarded as divinely inspired and worthy of incorporation into what is now considered the Bible.” (Father Peter M.J. Stravinkas, The Catholic Answer Book)

Hence, the only Church that is traceable back to the apostles and Jesus Christ, over the course of her long history, has nothing to be ashamed of in her treatment of the Bible, but deserves the praise and thanks of all Christians for so zealously and fearlessly protecting it from corruption and contempt.

The Roman Catholic Church remains the largest church in the world today.  Although the Church has its imperfections, at its heart is the endless stream of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

In the 16th century, Cardinal Robert Bellarmine wrote, “The one and true Church is the community of men brought together by the profession of the same Christian faith and conjoined in the communion of the same sacraments, under the government of the legitimate pastors and especially the one vicar of Christ on earth, the Roman pontiff.”


The Second Vatican Council describes sacred Tradition (the handing on of God’s Word by the successors of the apostles) and sacred Scripture, entrusted to the Catholic Church, as being “like a mirror, in which the Church, during its pilgrim journey on earth, contemplates God.”

For all these treasures, including the gift of the real presence and many more rich traditions, I am simply humbled that God has gifted me the heritage of the Catholic faith!

For the rest out there who wish to come home to discover the real truth and beauty of the Catholic Church, check with either a genuine online Catholic source or your local Catholic Church...

The late Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said that, “There are not even 100 people in this country who hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they think the Catholic Church to be.”

Thursday, May 19, 2011

BEWARE...Nigerian KJV Bible Scam...



Pilgrims...Beware...of this King James Version Giant Print Bible Scam from syndicates in Nigeria who are constantly on the prowl, worldwide, for innocent victims, especially Christian bloggers.

I have also received these evil emails recently from a Matthew Zeko but am thankful not to have sent any bibles to his Black Market syndicate.  These corrupted people operate under different name-disguises.


Be informed...Become aware of these evil instruments of Satan, soul-less people, who use the name of God in vain...

Please check out this blessed blog link to read more about the KJV Bible scam from Nigeria.  This blogger has done justice to outline the whole scam, how the pathetic emails look like...all aimed to con Christians to feed the evil Black Market for Bibles in Nigeria, West Africa.

Please help spread the word and inform others on the Blogosphere so that these good Christians do not become innocent victims.

Let's not deny that Satan continues to prowl the world looking for innocent souls...


Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in day of battle, be our safequard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into hell Satan and all evil spirits who prowl through the world seeking the ruin of souls.  Amen.

Sáncte Míchael Archángele, defénde nos in proélio, cóntra nequítiam et insídias diáboli ésto præsídium. Ímperet ílli Déus, súpplices deprecámur: tuque, prínceps milítiæ cæléstis, Sátanam aliósque spíritus malígnos, qui ad perditiónem animárum pervagántur in múndo, divína virtúte, in inférnum detrúde.  Ámen

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Pilgrims Who Struggle With the Journey




“For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe!, plans to give you a future full of hope.”
(Jeremiah 29:11, NAB)




Today my heart feels a little empty, no particular thoughts or worry…just emptiness and quiet…simply from just being human, I guess.


This sort of feeling, I reckon, comes about when we face freedom’s choices and we are not at all certain about what the right course will be, either for ourselves, our families, our children or for others.  This feeling may also come about as a consequence of an earlier choice made.


Uncertainties are a constant part of people and events.  For instance, part of the pain of life, for parents, lies in the fact that they cannot always protect their children from life, nor suffer it in their place.


“How do I know I am doing the right thing?”  Under various circumstances, every one of us prays but sometimes, still struggle to understand whether we are being moved by the Spirit or by some inner whirlwind within ourselves.


Throughout our journey through life, we realize that it is a continuing challenge to sift the gold of inspiration from the gravel of impulse.  Nevertheless, as human beings, we must keep on choosing about ourselves and our life.

Ultimately, as most of us will find out, we must answer for ourselves and accept the consequences.  Life will still continue to go on…



Here is a prayer simply taken from the book, ‘Praying Our Goodbyes’ by Sister Joyce Rupp, osm, which I find comforting…


“Pilgrim God, there is an exodus going on in my life – desert stretches, a vast land of questions.  Inside my heart, your promises tumble and turn.  No pillar of cloud by day or fire by night that I can see.

My heart hurts at leaving loved ones and so much of the security I have known.  I try to give in to the stretching and the pain. It is hard, God, and I want to be settled, secure, safe and sure.  And here I am feeling so full of pilgrim’s fear and anxiety.


O God of the journey, lift me up, press me against your cheek.  Let your great love hold me and create a deep trust in me.  Then set me down, God of the journey; take my hand in yours, and guide me ever so gently across the new territory of my life.


God of my life, create in me the heart of a pilgrim.  There is a part of me that fights letting go.  Do not allow me to become so rooted or so accustomed to my daily tasks and inner securities, that I miss your voice calling me to greater growth and deeper maturity in faith.  I want to hoard my blessings, to hang onto my gifts, to hide my talents and the blessings of my life,


I want to take them out, one by one, only when I know that it is safe and I won’t get hurt or emptied.  Stir afire in me such a great love for you and your people that I will constantly celebrate life and appreciate its beauty, even when it is painful.

Allow me to “see visions and dream dreams” so that I can live with your vision and not be overwhelmed by the struggles of the journey.  God of the Exodus, I know you are near.


Grant me the courage to change, whether that change is an inner or outer one.  Deepen my awareness of your faithful presence and bless my pilgrim heart.  Amen.”



Sunday, May 15, 2011

Our Humanity…Fighting Against Self-Destruction…




Today, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, is Good Shepherd Sunday.  Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, at Golgotha, freely laid down His life for His sheep…so that we can have access to eternal life.  Only by this voice of Jesus, we must recognize and follow.

In this Easter season, we remember how the blood and death of Christ demonstrates the preciousness of humanity to God.  Jesus' death gives meaning to the lives of all peoples.


As part of the sheepfold of Christ, we now have access to salvation; we are free from fear.  We are called to be ‘shepherds’ to others, especially little children, imitating and radiating the Light of Christ to others.



Back in March 25, 1995, Blessed John Paul II released the encyclical Evangelium Vitae – The Gospel of Life.  This document deals with the most fundamental of all principles of humanity – the value and sacredness of our human life.  As shepherds and part of the one human race, we are called to protect life…a call that is the heart of the message brought about by Jesus Christ to humanity (EV Para. 1).



For centuries, this life, as we know it, is already threatened by the external forces that threaten the sanctity of the human life - human violence, war, terrorism, human trafficking, poverty, hunger, sexual abuse, crimes, corrupt governments, injustice, barbaric political leaders, selective mainstream media reporting, broken marriages, child abuse, worst of all, abortion…each new day, each new development, each new emerging ‘technology advancement’…quickly brings with it new threats to the sacred human life.  Humanity is in such a sad, sad state...the consequence of our own free will...


Correct me if I am wrong, but it is shocking to note that countries like the United States and United Kingdom restrict abortion after the point of fetal viability (whatever that is suppose to mean) and Canada, having removed abortion from the Criminal Code, Australia still having varying degrees of abortion, whereas China and Singapore would allow abortion on request.

In Taiwan, a recent report indicated that 3,000 female babies were aborted from the population due to illegal sex-selective abortion.  Many other Asian countries continue to face similar evil due to traditional cultural norms which value males more than females.  This is the sad fact of humanity around the world today.  Do you know your country’s stand on this crime against the innocent unborn?

Yesterday, a reader (Smiley) was kind enough to remind me of the greatest crime against humanity…the conscious attack of the defenseless….the crime of ABORTION!

Abortion, very simply, is the conscious and intentional termination of a pregnancy.  It originates from the Latin word aboriri, meaning “to perish”.

Today, many so-called ‘developed’ and ‘civilized’ countries around the world continue to ‘allow’ or ‘promote’ this insane killing of the precious defenseless unborn child.


According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, “…at the very time of conception, or fecundation, the embryo begins to live a distinct individual life…the soul of every new human being begins to exist when the cell which generation has provided is ready to receive it as its principle of life.  In the normal course of nature the living embryo carries on its work of, self-evolution within the maternal womb, deriving its nourishment from the placenta through the vital cord, till, on reaching maturity, it is by the contraction of the uterus issued to lead its separate life.  Abortion is a fatal termination of this process.”

The Roman Catholic Church has always condemned abortion as a grave form of evil.  The Bible forbids abortion just as it forbids murder.


Just to illustrate the extreme cruelty of this brutal act…we must become aware of this simple fetal development timeline…


Day 1 - conception takes place.


7 days - tiny human implants in mother’s uterus.


18 days - heart begins to beat.


21 days - pumps own blood through separate closed circulatory system with own blood type.


28 days - eye, ear and respiratory system begin to form.


42 days - brain waves recorded, skeleton complete, reflexes present.


7 weeks - photo of thumb sucking.


8 weeks - all body systems present.


9 weeks - squints, swallows, moves tongue, makes fist.


11 weeks - spontaneous breathing movements, has fingernails, all body systems working.


16 weeks - genital organs clearly differentiated, grasps with hands, swims, kicks, turns, somersaults, (still not felt by the mother.)


18 weeks - vocal cords work – can cry.


20 weeks - has hair on head, weighs one pound, 12 inches long...

The cry of Evangelium Vitae echoes ever so loudly today to remind us that we have been entrusted to defend and promote, love and revere life.  There is simply no moment of human life - from the unborn to those nearing death - that should not be protected.

As Christians, we are called to love God and one another - God's law commands us to follow his commandments including the prohibition on killing.

No reasons, however serious and tragic, “can ever justify the deliberate killing of an innocent human being.” (EV Para. 59)

As chosen pilgrim “people of life”, we are continuously called to preach the good news of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Life to the whole of human society.


In this Easter season, Evangelium Vitae seeks to rescue the human race from self-destruction by calling us to our true identity and greatness:

“God has granted to man a dignity which is near to divine. In every child which is born and In every person who lives or dies we see the image of God's glory ... an icon of Jesus Christ” (EV Para. 84).



We continue to pray fervently that the Good Shepherd will bring about a great awakening to the senses and hearts of humanity...and for God's abundant blessings upon the many courageous pilgrims of all ages, who actively continue to ‘March for Life’, standing up in protest against this evil crime of ABORTION.

Please connect to this link, amongst many others, (http://nationalmarch4life.blogspot.com/)  to witness and be in solidarity with other pilgrims at the 2011 Pro-Life Rally in Ottawa, Canada.