My first post is here. John replies that I don't quite see it his way. My response to him follows the same theme as first part. John's words are indented italics.
Except that I also separate Faith and Religion. You, as is evidenced by our discussions, do not seem to draw that distinction. (We have not directly discussed this context so I might be wrong in my conclusion.)
And then...
For all intents they [liberal Catholics who "support" abortion] fancy themselves, and the world fancies them as "practical Catholics". They are dead solid perfect on the religion, but they are faithless.
And so you conclude the separation of faith and and religion is a good thing?
You know it might be a great idea to separate religion (a system of belief and principles) and faith (belief in the Truth) as a theoretical exercise. It's also an exercise in deconstruction and reductionism. So I won't be doing that as a practical exercise.
I could not separate my belief from the sacraments -- particularly, the Blessed Sacrament. "Then Jesus declared, 'I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'" (John 6:35) There is connection between the Christ and the Blessed Sacrament, between the Christ and the Apostles, between the Apostles and the bishops.
"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'
"'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.
"Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.
"Which of the two did what his father wanted?"
"The first," they answered.
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him."
(Matt 21:28-32)
Your "practicing Catholics" are not practicing their religion. They have failed to obey. They are the second son.
Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me."
(John 14:23-24)
And then...
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
(John 14:25-27)
The Body of Christ and the Holy Spirit are present in the world to this day.
Posted by Bob at February 6, 2004 06:22 AM