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June 2010

Repetitious Prayer?

It has been said, beware of repetitious prayer and babbling. Jesus warns us against it in Matthew 6:7. Some say this when speaking against the prayer of the rosary. What many fail to understand is that Jesus isn’t against repetitious prayer, lest the angels who only chant “holy, holy, holy” (Revelation 4:8) around the Father’s throne are in error, but repetitious prayer that lacks righteous fervor. If repetition becomes just babbling with no conviction, then it is just as foul as non-rhetoric prayer. An example of repetitious prayer that was honorable and righteous to God was the prayer of the collector who kept beating his breast and praying “be merciful” in Luke 18:13. Or what about Christ Himself Who prayed the same thing over and over again, verbatim, in Matthew 26:44?

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Hell

“The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist” by Baudelaire in Le Joueur généreux, 1864 A.D..

Hell is a real place. Satan has deceived man by suggesting that an all loving God could not possibly construct a place of eternal torment. Even some Christians disregard the theology of hell. Why? Fear? Naivety? The Bible tells us of a place destined for the devil and fallen angels is susceptible for man too (Matthew 25:41).

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Fasting

Fasting. It’s not as common today in the Christian practice as it had been. Some may say that it isn’t up with the times anymore. Others would say it’s because of spiritual laxity. I opt for the latter. Some would say it goes against Biblical teaching as they quote 1 Timothy 4:3. In response to the issues of fasting, I think we best consider that Christ not only mentioned fasting is a tool, but how to use this tool in Matthew 6:16-18, which indicates that we ought to use it since we were instructed in conduct.

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Anointing of the Sick

SEVEN SACRAMENTS - Anointing of the Sick
Image by Fergal OP via Flickr

Anointing of the sick is a sacrament. Administered to many by the anointing of oil, it is a long held tradition found in the Bible. We see in Mark 6:12-13 that many who were ailing and impaired were cured by the anointing of oil. But much more was given than temporal treatment.

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Holy Orders

Holy Orders is the vocation into the life of ministry. It is a calling for many but not all. All are called to be witnesses of the faith, but not all are called to be pastors, priests, teachers, and nuns. We know this is so because the Holy Spirit appoints us overseers (Acts 20:28) and those overseers are ordained by the laying on of hands for those already appointed (Acts 6:6, 13:3). To further understand laying of hands, please read articles Confirmation and Apostolic Succession.

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Divorce and Remarriage?

“What God has joined, no man can separate.” Mark 10:7-12.

Divorce and remarriage. In today’s culture, they almost run hand in hand. In the mind of the secular world this may be acceptable; but what about the Christians who do it? We should know, as followers of Christ, that divorce and remarriage is unacceptable. Starting in the Old Testament, we read in Malachi 2:14-16 that divorce is loathed by the Lord. But most Christians are only familiar with with the newer text of the Bible. So let’s proceed in the New Testament and see what God has spoken about divorce and remarriage.

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Fast to Give

A photo of a cup of coffee.
Image via Wikipedia

Fasting can be a great way to serve the Lord. Fasting is the act of giving something up. Giving things up for the Lord helps us to focus on Him and, with prayer, align our wills with His. There can be a twofold achievement when we fast. We can take the money that we save from fasting and use it towards something that serves Him. This money can be donated to a charity, given to a homeless person or simply added to your offering in a worship service. There are many little things that would take a conscious effort to give up, but are easily accomplished.

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Sacraments

Sacrament “A sign and instrument of grace. Sacrament are liturgical rites instituted by Jesus Christ as channels of his salvation to the world” by Dr. Scott Hahn in his Catholic Bible Dictionary. Sacraments, as seen in the Old Testament, were physical forms that represent spiritual bonding. There are also Sacramentals.

There are seven sacraments:

  1. Baptism
  2. Holy Communion (Eucharist)
  3. Confirmation
  4. Confession (Reconciliation)
  5. Matrimony
  6. Holy Orders
  7. Anointing of the Sick
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Matrimony

Matrimony is a sacred bond instated by God to espouse a husband and wife. From the very first book of the Bible, Genesis, we see that a man is called to leave his parents and will eventually come to find a woman whom he will become one flesh with. For the understanding of one flesh and the triune spiritual sanctification, read article Trinity, section “Man: Made in the Image of God, the Trinity”. As for this short essay, allow me to take you through passages of scripture that unravel the truth that God has handed to us in His Word.

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Celibacy

Celibacy. It’s a devotion, a vocation, a lifestyle. Some choose it and others are called to it. In this short essay, I will be discussing two aspects of celibacy; the Biblical references to it, and why priests are committed to celibate living. To learn more about the vocation, which celibacy applies to, please read articles Holy Orders, which is and proceeds from the article Sacraments.

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