By Pat Miron
The TRUE Meaning of “The Cross”
or here we go again---
Luke 10:3 “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” v. 16 "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
While watching Mass this week on EWTN, which was said by the founder of “Priest for Life“, Father Frank Perone I gained a different and I think more meaningful understanding of Christ Cross, and how it relates to us. I’d like to share it with you.
“Take Up your Cross and Follow Me”
Phil.2: 8 “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross
Luke 9 :23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Mark.8: 34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me
. Luke.9: 23And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Luke.14: 7 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”
Matt.5: 19 “Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
“ Matt.19: 17 “And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."
The Cross, as many of us know, consist of two separate “beam” parts. The “smaller horizontal beam” [representing our physical nature] and the larger, heavier “vertical beam.”
[representing our Spiritual nature].
As an FYI,
Christ is believed to have carried the “vertical beam” to His Death.
John.3 Verses 1 to 20
[1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode'mus, a ruler of the Jews
. [2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him."
[3] Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
[4] Nicode'mus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"
[5] Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
[6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
*[7] Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.'
[8] The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit."
[9] Nicode'mus said to him, "How can this be?"
[10] Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this?
[11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our testimony.
[12] If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
[13] No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man
. ** [14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,
[15] that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."
[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
[17] For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
[18] He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God
[19] And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
*** v. 36: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life;
he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.”
* Keep this in mind as we will soon be getting back to this theme.
** No one “has entered Heaven” except Jesus…
Why?
Because it was still locked due to the sins of Adam and Eve.
*** “And this is the judgment,
that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. “
I wish to point out that
“The Cross” was NOT the topic of today’s homily by Father Perone.
His theme was a continuation of Easter and we being an Easter People. Father Perone did mention the Cross and the two separate beans briefly.
So the bulk of what I’m sharing comes to you courtesy of the Holy Spirit, who’s conduit I am.
The point Father Perone made about the Cross is that each part of the beam signifies highly significant elements of the human person.
Father explained that “Salvation is integral” combining both Spiritual elements and Physical elements. Both are always present, and both are necessary for our personal salvation. Both are given with a specific purpose in the Will of Our creator God.
It is clear, and vital that we understand just what Christ Incarnation, life, Death and Resurrection accomplished and what meaning it has for today’s humanity.
Christ being lifted up on the Cross is often compared to the cure for the curse of the poison snakes God sent among the Hebrews when they complained about God and Moses on the quality of the food [Manna] God miraculously provided them AFTER they had complained about nothing to eat or drink.
It would seem there expectations were not aligned with God’s.
This seems true today, where many desire to hold unto there own understanding; in a sense creating their own “personal” religion, which is shifted further adrift by being taught a theology which factually does align with God’s Plan for humanity. Some insist that Christ has “saved us,” by these “Redemptive” actions; and even more amazing that “once Saved; one is Forever Saved.” The fact that this cannot be supported biblically, seems not to matter? Nor does it show understanding or respect for God’s unchangeable Nature. Certainly God is a God of Love and Mercy; but God must also be fair and just.
Numbers 21: 5 And the people spoke against God and against Moses, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we loathe this worthless food." [MANNA] Then the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died. And the people came to Moses, and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD and against you; pray to the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us." So Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live." So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it on a pole; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live. The obvious question it would seem is why God insisted that they “look upon the pole and serpent” rather than simply remove them from there midst, which clearly God could have done? And how does this decision of God tie in to Christ on the Cross?
The comparison here is a matter of “life.” In the case of the Hebrews of old; BOTH physical life and Spiritual. In New Testament times, it is a matter of Spiritual Life; ones personal salvation. God having gifted all of humanity with a mind, intellect, freewill and soul,
It is a prefigurative to God’s desire that humanity have an active role in there own salvation, thus providing the just use and application of these gifts.
Yahweh [God] did what He did to force the Hebrews to SEE and recognize His Power over them. God insisted then, as God insist today; that salvation will require certain things, certain acts on our part. Further, God insisted then and now on having the final say of what those cooperative actions on our part shall and MUST be.
It is a generous and kindly outlook to understand that our God is a God of Love, Mercy, Kindness and Forgiveness. But it is imprudent, even rash to choose to forget that God’s Nature NEVER CHANGES. Anyone familiar with the Old Testament ought to be aware of how often Yahweh inflicted severe punishments on His Chosen People; because they simply did not listen to what God demanded of them. Some also seem to forget how very personal and active God chooses to be in the lives of His children.
Mal.3: 6 "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” James.1: 17 “Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. “ [In the Bible “light” often refers to “good,” and “darkness” to “evil.” So God does not, CANNOT change. What is right, what is JUST will be accomplished; for God cannot change His very Nature.
Here are a few Old Testament passages that remind us that God must, in an absolute sense, has to be fair and just, and does factually and Justly inflict punishment of those deserving of it. It would seem our personal opinions of what we choose to hold as being right, are not what we are judged on.
Gen. 4:13, Ps. 69:27, Jer. 11:23, Jer. 23:12, Jer.46:25, Lam.4:22, Ezek. 4:4-5, Ezek. 44:12, Amos 1:3,6,9, Zech. 14:19, Wis. 18:15, Wis. 19:13 and Sirach 12:6
Prov.1: 7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
The same God that revealed Jesus to us as humanity, made Him Incarnate that we might easier know God, is the very same God; the God of Justice; who inflicted the Punishment when due in the Old Testament. Yahweh God, and the Jesus God, along with Holy Spirit are the identical God of the Old Testament. God must always be God! Must always be fair and Just. Luke 23:41 “And we indeed justly; for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man [Jesus] has done nothing wrong." 1 Peter 1: 17 “And if you invoke as Father him who judges each one impartially according to his deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile.”
Understanding the two positions on Redemption verses Salvation
In fairness we acknowledge that at times the bible seems to use these two terms interchangeably. This certainly adds to the confusion. At other times there meanings are made abundantly clear.
Redemption:
Rom.3: 24 “they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus,”
1Cor.1: 30 “He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption”
Heb.9: 12 “he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption.”
Salvation:
Acts.4: 12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
2Cor.7: 10 “For godly grief [“Fear of the Lord”] produces a repentance that leads to salvation and brings no regret, but worldly grief produces death.”
Eph.6: 17 “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Phil.2: 12 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;”
James 2: 12- 20 “ So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumphs over judgment. What does it profit, my brethren, if a man says he has faith but has not works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. what some one will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe -- and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren?
All of these verses are retained in the Luther Edited King James Bible; the bible that Luther claims in his own words is “necessary for salvation.” How can this be? NOTE: If as 2 Tim. 3:16 claims: “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” is true; then either it is all true, or the entire bible is worthless as a source of TRUTH. It cannot be both way’s! Not for Protestants and not for Catholics.
Strong’s Translation from Greek [Note this is NOT a “Catholic source.]
Redemption: Definition : “a releasing effected by payment of ransom ; redemption, deliverance ; liberation procured by the payment of a ransom”
Salvation: Definition: “deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation; deliverance from the molestation of enemies; in an ethical sense, that which concludes to the souls safety or salvation; of Messianic salvation; salvation as the present possession of all true Christians ;future salvation, the sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the consummated and eternal kingdom of God.”
From Father Hardon’s Catholic Dictionary:
REDEMPTION The salvation of humanity by Jesus Christ. Literally, to redeem means to free or buy back. Humanity was held captive in that it was enslaved by sin. Since the devil overcame human beings by inducing them to sin, they were said to be in bondage to the devil. Moreover, the human race was held captive as to debt of punishment, to the payment of which it was bound by divine justice.
On all these counts, the Passion of Christ was sufficient and superabundant satisfaction for human guilt and the consequent debt of punishment. His Passion was a kind of price or ransom that paid the cost of freeing humanity from both obligations. Christ rendered satisfaction, not by giving money, but by spending what was of the highest value. He gave himself, and therefore his Passion is called humanity's Redemption. (Etym. Latin redemtio, a buying back, ransoming, redemption.)
SALVATION In biblical language the deliverance from straitened circumstances or oppression by some evil to a state of freedom and security. As sin is the greatest evil, salvation is mainly liberation from sin and its consequences. This can be deliverance by way of preservation, or by offering the means for being delivered, or by removing the oppressive evil or difficulty, or by rewarding the effort spent in co-operating with grace in order to be delivered. All four aspects of salvation are found in the Scriptures and are taught by the Church. (Etym. Latin salvare, to save.)
By Faith Alone?
The Protestant understanding of “salvation through faith alone” was born in the angry and fertile mind of Martin Luther and articulated in his “The Freedom of a Christian Discourse,” in the mid 1,500’s. He seemed to be under the impression that the then 1,500 year old Catholic Church did not properly understand some of the terms they were using, and had used effectively for all this time.
We should interject here that the very fact that Redemption and Salvation are separate actions; both necessarily flowing through Christ; that “Salvation” would be meaningless without Redemption; because the purpose of “Redemption” and the effect of “Redemption” [SINGULAR] was to offset the Sins of Adam and Eve, and the drastic effects that ensued when God in righteous anger, closed the gates to heaven; thus making heaven a virtue impossibility. Christ “Redemption” reopened heaven and reinstated the possibility of Eternal Life with God as both spoken about and promised in the Bible. This Redemption [buying back, paying the penalty] of course continues to be the position of the now 2,000 year old Catholic Church.
Matt. 19: 16- 17 “And behold, one came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?" And he [Jesus] said to him, "If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ "
Luke 10: 25-28 “And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read? "And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he [Jesus] said to him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."
On what basis did Luther determine his was ‘the correct Position? Quoted from: Martin Luther’s “The Freedom of a Christian Discourse,” “Now, though I cannot boast of my abundance, and though I know how poorly I am furnished, yet I hope that, after having been vexed by various temptations, I have attained some little drop of faith, and that I can speak of this matter, if not with more elegance, certainly with more solidity, than those literal and too subtle disputants who have hitherto discoursed upon it without understanding their own words. That I may open then an easier way for the ignorant—for these alone I am trying to serve—I first lay down these two propositions, concerning spiritual liberty and servitude:— “ …. [Why should our salvation be easy? Was what Christ did easy? OF COURSE NOT! Notice Luther does not claim to be inspired by the Holy Spirit. Pjm]
Continued: “A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none, a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.” …
Continued: “And, to cast everything aside, even speculations, meditations, and whatever things can be performed by the exertions of the soul itself, are of no profit. One thing, and one alone, is necessary for life, justification, and Christian liberty; and that is the most holy word of God, the Gospel of Christ . . .For faith alone, and the efficacious use of the word of God, bring salvation. . . .” End of Luther’s Quotes [Which, as we demonstrate, Luther ignores or applies his own personal understanding too.] Keep it mind as a former Catholic Priest, Luther would have been trained in the truth.” [Were this position actually true, why didn’t Luther practice what he preached? Pjm]
Prov.1: 7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”… Prov.26: 1 “Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool.” Satan only has access to us through our emotions. Satan cannot force one to act against ones Freewill. [Pjm]
Luther’s own words seem to convict him:
Sus. 1: 54 -59 “ Now then, if you really saw her, tell me this: Under what tree did you see them being intimate with each other?" He answered, "Under a mastic tree." And Daniel said, "Very well! You have lied against your own head, for the angel of God has received the sentence from God and will immediately cut you in two." Then he put him aside, and commanded them to bring the other. And he said to him, "You offspring of Canaan and not of Judah, beauty has deceived you and lust has perverted your heart. This is how you both have been dealing with the daughters of Israel, and they were intimate with you through fear; but a daughter of Judah would not endure your wickedness. Now then, tell me: Under what tree did you catch them being intimate with each other?" He answered, "Under an evergreen oak." And Daniel said to him, "Very well! You also have lied against your own head, for the angel of God is waiting with his sword to saw you in two, that he may destroy you both."
Am I being unchristian, uncharitable, or perhaps over reacting in posting these wise sayings? I think not. Let’s for a moment look at a few objective facts: In order for Martin to reach this new theological doctrine, Luther had to deny over 1,500 years of Catholic Tradition and Theology that produced much good fruit. Further, Martin had to assume that he “knew more and knew better” than some very brilliant and holy Saints; among them: Saint Peter and all the Apostles including Saint Paul; John Chrystom, Augustine, Polycarp [who was taught by the Apostles], Ignatius of Antioch [died in AD 107], Justin Martyr, Tertullian and Basil the Great; to name but a few.
Further in addition to denying what these holy men held to be the truth; because the Catholic Church is THEE Bible Church; not simply “a bible church.” Luther also had to deny the Bible, and thus, God Himself, who is the author of it. Here are but two examples.
Ignatius of Antioch (AD 35-107) The writings of another Apostolic Father from the East, Ignatius of Antioch, are further testimony of how truly far back this teaching reaches. Ignatius tells us that along with baptism, faith and charity, our works will be our deposits to receive what is our due:
“Let your baptism be ever your shield, your faith a helmet, your charity a spear, your patience a panoply. Let your works be deposits, so that you may receive the sum that is due you" (Letter to St. Polycarp“, 6).
Cyprian (d. 258)
, a Western Father, did not think it was possible to have faith in Christ if you did not do what He commanded:
Matt.18: 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.
Matt. 25: 31-46 "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left.
v.34 Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
v. 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?' Then he will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' v.46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." [These friends are WORKS of charity, necessary to “merit“ our salvation are combined with, or tied too Christ Passion on the Cross‘.] To be clear: On our own, we are unable to merit, earn, or receive our salvation.
From the beginning God was and continues to be “The Great Divider” Gen.1 1 to 10 : “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. v3. And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. v.4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. A harbinger of things to come.
Rom.2: 13 “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. Jas.1: 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. “
Now let us return the Meaning of the Cross….
Matt.10: 34 to 38
Many times and in many way’s; some shared in this document; Christ has made it extremely clear that heaven and hell are realities, and it would seem that many more or heading to hell, than to heaven? Matthew sums this up succinctly Chapter 7: v. 13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. “
If one finds the practice of their Faith easy; either they are doing it poorly, don’t understand what is expected or are in some other way remiss. It’s NOT supposed to be easy. If the Father permitted His Son to suffer; in Divine Justice can He and Christ expect less from us? OF COURSE NOT!
The Vertical Beam of the Cross represents our spiritual attributes. Attributes that ONLY humanity share with God. So why the special treatment? Clearly, logically, and in Divine Justice these gifts of mind, intellect, freewill and soul, are given with a precise purpose?
1 Chr. 16: 25 “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods.” Ps.30: 4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. Ps.47; 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the king of all the earth; Ps.105: 2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works! to the end that they should keep his statutes, and observe his laws. Praise the LORD! Isa.43: 21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. Sir.43: 28 Where shall we find strength to praise him? For he is greater than all his works. When you praise the Lord, exalt him as much as you can; for he will surpass even that. When you exalt him, put forth all your strength, and do not grow weary, for you cannot praise him enough. Rom.14: 11 for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." Rev.19: 5 And from the throne came a voice crying, "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great."
So now the answer seems obvious: “To Praise and Thank God.” But how does one do that? By Knowing our Faith, Living it “on a hillside” for all to see, and being humbly Obedient to all of our Lords Laws and Decrees, which the Church; His Church, teach.
But this still does not explain why God gives us these Gifts or does it? Humanity alone in all of God’s Creation has the ability, and therefore the potential to give love for Love, and thanks and Praise to God. Even more amazing is that God does not force us to do it. It’s ONLY a precious gift in return IF we freely choose to give it back. The more informed we are, the more humbly Obedient we are, the more we sing His praises by what we do, and what we choose that conforms to the Divine Will; the Greater is the Gift back to Our God. And that is what the “Vertical Beam” means to us.
Now to the Horizontal Beam. This refers to our Physical attributes; also a gift from God. “every Good Thing is from Above.” [Tit.4:19] All of our skills, talents, abilities are from God; to
be used for His Greater Glory. We accomplish this by humble Obedience to His Word, [in it’s entirety] and to the instructions of His Church who is both charged and guided by God in sharing and explaining His Word. Any understanding of the Bible not in accord to what Christ Church, His Catholic Church, the Only Church He founded and for who in a very specific way, the bible was specifically written, guided by the Holy Spirit, is simply wrong. Again an undeniable FACT. The CC was the ONLY Church in existence when the Bible was written and it’s Canon set. Any other conclusion is simply illogical, improvable and wrong.
So friends the Cross signifies “The Total Person.” we are endowed with both physical and Spiritual attributes. God made us in a precise manner for a precise purpose. So we can discover and do His Divine Will.
“Our Father” who art in heaven; Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom Come; Thy Will be done [here on earth as it is done in heaven]. And how is that? Perfectly, completely, humbly, willingly……. AMEN [“I Believe!].
This friends is what it means to “take up your cross and follow Me”
Matt.10 Verses 22 to 35
“and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes. "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-el'zebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. [32] So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; [NOT ACCEPTING THE ENTIRE BIBLE AS WRITTEN; NOT AS WE CHOOSE TO UNDERSTAND IT IS DENIAL OF GOD] but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
Pray daily for the Gifts of Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding.
Love and prayers,
Pat
Love and prayers,
Pat
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7/3/10
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Hi Pat’
As I glanced over some back material, I saw this from Fr. Hardon’s Catholic dictionary:
,We should interject here that the very fact that Redemption and Salvation are separate actions; both necessarily flowing through Christ; that “Salvation” would be meaningless without Redemption; because the purpose of “Redemption” and the effect of “Redemption” [SINGULAR] was to offset the Sins of Adam and Eve, and the drastic effects that ensued when God in righteous anger, closed the gates to heaven; thus making heaven a virtue impossibility. My comments: 2 kings 2:11, “And Elijah went up to HEAVEN in a whirlwind.” Mat 17:3 “Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah” speaking from HEAVEN!---Fr Hardon needs to apologize for spreading lies.
Jesus Loves You ED O,
As I glanced over some back material, I saw this from Fr. Hardon’s Catholic dictionary:
,We should interject here that the very fact that Redemption and Salvation are separate actions; both necessarily flowing through Christ; that “Salvation” would be meaningless without Redemption; because the purpose of “Redemption” and the effect of “Redemption” [SINGULAR] was to offset the Sins of Adam and Eve, and the drastic effects that ensued when God in righteous anger, closed the gates to heaven; thus making heaven a virtue impossibility. My comments: 2 kings 2:11, “And Elijah went up to HEAVEN in a whirlwind.” Mat 17:3 “Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah” speaking from HEAVEN!---Fr Hardon needs to apologize for spreading lies.
Christ “Redemption” reopened heaven and reinstated the possibility of Eternal
Life with God as both spoken about and promised in the Bible. This Redemption
[buying back, paying the penalty] of course continues to be the position of the
now 2,000 year old Catholic Church.
The truth always prevails!Jesus Loves You ED O,
Matt.19: 17 “And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."----- Original Message -----From: Patrick MironTo: Al Glombowski ; Andy at CAF mail ; Ben pre-RCIA CAF Parker ; benmik@copper.net ; Billy Mikolic ; CAF Jordon mail list ; Catherine O Brien Sacred Heart ; Chris CAF -RCIA ; Dan Burrow's ; jeddy48128@wowway.com ; Kaleb CAF mailing list ; Kathy CAF Mailing St John ; Ken CAF maiing ; Kristy -CAF Burrows ; Lauren CAF-RCIA ; Machelle CAF Mailing ; Mark CAf mail list ; Mike Van Beek CAF ; Outlaw at CAF ; Patrick Miron ; Paul al's friend ; Stephanie CAF ; Talia -CAF Hudspeth ; Tony and Becky ; Yvonne @Sacredheart ; Ed Osiecki CAFSent: Sunday, April 18, 2010 9:08 AMSubject: The Meaning of The Crossi CatholicBy Pat MironThe TRUE Meaning of “The Cross”
Luke 10:3 “Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” v. 16 "He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
While watching Mass this week on EWTN, which was said by the founder of “Priest for Life“, Father Frank Perone I gained a different and I think more meaningful understanding of Christ Cross, and how it relates to us. I’d like to share it with you.
“Take Up your Cross and Follow Me”
Phil.2: 8 “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross Luke 9 :23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Mark.8: 34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke.9: 23And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke.14: 7 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Matt.5: 19 “Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. “
John.3 Verses 1 to 20 [1] Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicode'mus, a ruler of the Jews. [2] This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him." [3] Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." [4] Nicode'mus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" [5] Jes! us answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. [6] That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. *[7] Do not marvel that I said to you, `You must be born anew.' [8] The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with every one who is born of the Spirit." [9] Nicode'mus said to him, "How can this be?" [10] Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand this? [11] Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen; but you do not receive our! testimony. [12] If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? [13] No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man. ** [14] And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, [15] that whoever believes in him may have eternal life." [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through! him. [18] He who believes in him is not condemned; he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. [19] And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. [20] For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. *** v. 36: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God rests upon him.”On what basis did Luther determine his was ‘the correct Position? Quoted from: Martin Luther’s “The Freedom of a Christian Discourse,” “Now, though I cannot boast of my abundance, and though I know how poorly I am furnished, yet I hope that, after having been vexed by various temptations, I have attained some little drop of faith, and that I can speak of this matter, if not with more elegance, certainly with more solidity, than those literal and too subtle disputants who have hitherto discoursed upon it without understanding their own words. That I may open then an easier way for the ignorant—for these alone I am trying to serve—I first lay down these two propositions, concerning spiritual liberty and servitude:— “ …
. [Why should our salvation be easy?
Was what Christ did easy? OF COURSE NOT!
Notice Luther does not claim to be insp! ired by the Holy Spirit. Pjm]
Continued: “A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none, a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one.” …
Continued: “And, to cast everything aside, even speculations, meditations, and whatever things can be performed by the exertions of the soul itself, are of no profit.
One thing, and one alone, is necessary for life, justification, and Christian liberty; and that is the most holy word of God, the Gospel of Christ . .
.For faith alone, and the efficacious use of the word of God, bring salvation. . . .”
End of Luther’s Quotes
[Which, as we demonstrate, Luther ignores or applies his own personal understanding too.] Keep it mind as a former Catholic Priest, Luther would have been trained in the truth.”
[Were this position actually true, why didn’t Luther practice what he preached? Pjm]
Satan only has access to us through our emotions.
Satan cannot force one to act against ones Freewill. [Pjm]
Sus. 1: 54 -59 “ Now then, if you really saw her, tell me this: Under what tree did you see them being intimate with each other?" He answered, "Under a mastic tree." And Daniel said, "Very well! You have lied against your own head, for the angel of God has received the sentence from God and will immediately cut you in two." Then he put him aside, and commanded them to bring the other. And he said to him, "You offspring of Canaan and not of Judah, beauty has deceived you and lust has perverted your heart. This is how you both have been dealing with the daughters of Israel, and they were intimate with you through fear; but a daughter of Judah would not endure your wickedness. Now then, tell me: Under what tree did you catch them being intimate with each other?" He answered, "Under an evergreen oak." And Daniel said to him, "Very well! You also have lied against your own head, for the angel of God is ! waiting with his sword to saw you in two, that he may destroy you both."
Luther’s own words seem to convict him:
Am I being unchristian, uncharitable, or perhaps over reacting in posting these wise sayings? I think not.
Let’s for a moment look at a few objective facts:
In order for Martin to reach this new theological doctrine
, Luther had to deny over 1,500 years of Catholic Tradition and Theology that produced much good fruit.
Further, Martin had to assume that he “knew more and knew better” than some very brilliant and holy Saints; among them
: Saint Peter and all the Apostles including Saint Paul; John Chrystom, Augustine, Polycarp [who was taught by the Apostles], Ignatius of Antioch [died in AD 107], Justin Martyr, Tertullian and Basil the Great; to name but a few.
Further in addition to denying what these holy men held to be the truth; because the Catholic Church is THEE Bible Church; not simply “a bible church.”
Luther also had to deny the Bible, and thus, God Himself, who is the author of it. Here are but two examples.
Ignatius of Antioch (AD 35-107) The writings of another Apostolic Father from the East, Ignatius of Antioch, are further testimony of how truly far back this teaching reaches. Ignatius tells us that along with baptism, faith and charity, our works will be our deposits to receive what is our due:
“Let your baptism be ever your shield, your faith a helmet, your charity a spear, your patience a panoply. Let your works be deposits, so that you may receive the sum that is due you" (Letter to St. Polycarp“, 6).
Cyprian (d. 258), a Western Father, did not think it was possible to have faith in Christ if you did not do what He commanded:
“How can a man say that he believes in Christ, if he does not do what Christ commanded him to do? From where will he attain the reward of faith, if he will not keep the faith of the commandment? … He will make no advancement in his walk toward salvation, for he does not keep the truth of the way of salvation" (The Treatises of Cyprian, Treatise I, ch. II).
Matt.18: 8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.
v. 41 Then he will say to those at his left hand, `Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also will answer, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?' Then he will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it not to one of the least of these, you did it not to me.' v.46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." [These friends are WORKS of charity, necessary to “merit“ our salvation are combined with, or tied too Christ Passion on the Cross‘.] To be clear: On our own, w! e are unable to merit, earn, or receive our salvation.
Matt. 25: 31-46 "When the Son of man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left.
v.34 Then the King will say to those at his right hand, `Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.' Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee, or thirsty and give thee drink? And when did we see thee a stranger and welcome thee, or naked and clothe thee? And when did we see thee sick or in prison and visit thee?' And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.'
From the beginning God was and continues to be “The Great Divider”
Gen.1 1 to 10 : “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. v3. And God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. v.4 And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. A harbinger of things to come.Rom.2: 13 “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. Jas.1: 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. “1 Chr. 16: 25 “For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in awe above all gods.” Ps.30: 4 Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. Ps.47; 6 Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the king of all the earth; Ps.105: 2 Sing to him, sing praises to him, tell of all his wonderful works! to the end that they should keep his statutes, and observe his laws. Praise the LORD! Isa.43: 21 the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise. Sir.43: 28 Where shall we find strength to praise hi! m? For he is greater than all his works. When you praise the Lord, exalt him as much as you can; for he will surpass even that. When you exalt him, put forth all your strength, and do not grow weary, for you cannot praise him enough. Rom.14: 11 for it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." Rev.19: 5 And from the throne came a voice crying, "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great."
Now let us return the Meaning of the Cross….
Matt.10: 34 to 38
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. “Powerful Words indeed: Explained by Haydock’s Catholic CommentaryVer. 34. “I am come to set a man at variance, &c. Not that this was the end or design of the coming of our Savior; but that his coming, and his doctrine would have this effect, by reason of the obstinate resistance that many would make, and of their persecuting all such as should adhere to him. Not that Christ came for this end, to cause divisions between father and son, &c. On the contrary, the Scriptures teach us to love every one without exception, and especially our kindred; but this is to show, and foretell what would happen in the same families, when some of them were Christians. We have diverse instances of the truth of this in the Lives of the Saints.”
Many times and in many way’s; some shared in this document; Christ has made it extremely clear that heaven and hell are realities, and it would seem that many more or heading to hell, than to heaven? Matthew sums this up succinctly Chapter 7: v. 13-14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. “
If one finds the practice of their Faith easy; either they are doing it poorly, don’t understand what is expected or are in some other way remiss. It’s NOT supposed to be easy. If the Father permitted His Son to suffer; in Divine Justice can He and Christ expect less from us? OF COURSE NOT!
The Vertical Beam of the Cross represents our spiritual attributes. Attributes that ONLY humanity share with God. So why the special treatment? Clearly, logically, and in Divine Justice these gifts of mind, intellect, freewill and soul, are given with a precise purpose?
So now the answer seems obvious: “To Praise and Thank God.” But how does one do that? By Knowing our Faith, Living it “on a hillside” for all to see, and being humbly Obedient to all of our Lords Laws and Decrees, which the Church; His Church, teach.
But this still does not explain why God gives us these Gifts or does it? Humanity alone in all of God’s Creation has the ability, and therefore the potential to give love for Love, and thanks and Praise to God. Even more amazing is that God does not force us to do it. It’s ONLY a precious gift in return IF we freely choose to give it back. The more informed we are, the more humbly Obedient we are, the more we sing His praises by what we do, and what we choose that conforms to the Divine Will; the Greater is the Gift back to Our God. And that is what the “Vertical Beam” means to us.
Now to the Horizontal Beam. This refers to our Physical attributes; also a gift from God. “every Good Thing is from Above.” [Tit.4:19]All of our skills, talents, abilities are from God; to
be used for His Greater Glory. We accomplish this by humble Obedience to His Word, [in it’s entirety] and to the instructions of His Church who is both charged and guided by God in sharing and explaining His Word. Any understanding of the Bible not in accord to what Christ Church, His Catholic Church, the Only Church He founded and for who in a very specific way, the bible was specifically written, guided by the Holy Spirit, is simply wrong. Again an undeniable FACT. The CC was the ONLY Church in existence when the Bible was written and it’s Canon set. Any other conclusion is simply illogical, improvable and wrong.
So friends the Cross signifies “The Total Person.” we are endowed with both physical and Spiritual attributes. God made us in a precise manner for a precise purpose. So we can discover and do His Divine Will.
“Our Father” who art in heaven; Hallowed be thy name. Thy Kingdom Come; Thy Will be done [here on earth as it is done in heaven]. And how is that? Perfectly, completely, humbly, willingly……. AMEN [“I Believe!].
This friends is what it means to “take up your cross and follow Me”
“and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next; for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel, before the Son of man comes. "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master; it is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Be-el'zebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. "So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, utter in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim upon the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's will. But! even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. [32] So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; [NOT ACCEPTING THE ENTIRE BIBLE AS WRITTEN; NOT AS WE CHOOSE TO UNDERSTAND IT IS DENIAL OF GOD] but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
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