You know that guy at work, or that girl at school? You know the one I am talking about. 
The one that no one really likes, maybe because they are weird or have something wrong with them. The one that people talk bad about behind their backs. Maybe you participate in this or are just a silent observer knowing that it isn’t right. But if you were to do something about it, maybe say something, you may quickly find yourself on the outside with them.
More and more we find ourselves in a society that is reclusive in its behavior. We have developed a mentality that we should keep to ourselves and leave others alone. “What is good for me is good for me, and what is good for them is good for them.” We are taught at an early age not to be controversial and to not push our beliefs on people.
However we often find ourselves compelled to share Christ with others and to reach out to them. We want to show people the joy we have found in our Lord and Savior.
Catholics have three types of Mass. Only two are really spoken of. First is High Mass which is the Saturday evening, Sunday morning Masses. The second is the weekday masses held most commonly every day; typically held in the morning, the other in the evening. But the third Mass is what the Church calls ‘Living the Mass’.
Living the Mass is an actual form of Mass, and the most important because it is a continual offering of our lives and devotion that is to remain in constant submission to God’s will. Allow me to take you through Holy Scripture and re-unveil a truth that the Church has always taught over her 2000 years of service.
“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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
As we read through this compilation of essays and an attached article, I will explain what the Bible says about the three tenses of salvation:
The biblical tenses of salvation have been constructed as such so that we can understand the dichotomy of God’s works. The past tense shows that Christ had come, what He has done, and what He is offering to us. The present tense shows what we must do – attaining our goal by working out our salvation with fear and trembling – to maintain salvation. The future tense is the completion of God’s work in salvation.
For the last few years my best friend, Drew as you have seen his posts, and I have been accountability partners. Now I know that this word is a mouthful, but it is a life saver.
Just like anyone else, I have many things that I have worked on to overcome, especially when it comes to sinful habits. I will probably be working on bad habits the rest of my life. The great thing about an accountability partner is that you have someone who is there for you and is supporting you. Someone to help keep you on track is a very useful tool.
