How much of a Christian are you?
By eileenleyva
@eileenleyva (27562)
Philippines
June 14, 2009 4:13am CST
Fr. Mario said today, on the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, that he was once put to shame by a Muslim. The Muslim asked him if it was true that by the mystery of transubstantiation the bread and wine becomes the Body and Blood of Christ. Proud of his religion, Fr. Mario uttered a sounding yes. The Muslim then explained that it is their practice to pray six times a day. Before they kneel down and bend, they have to make sure that they are facing the holy place of Mecca. Why so? Because that is the place where the stone on which Mohammad stepped on. And that is just a stone, said the Muslim. Then he asked - if you believe your Holy Communion is God Himself, why don't your believers come to receive God as often as they can. Fr. Mario said no more.
4 responses
@steelmoggy (410)
•
14 Jun 09
Sigh......I'm an Anglican (not a Roman Catholic) so this is from my personal perspective as a member of the Church of England. One thing I will say is that I doubt that worshipping God is a numbers game!
I take communion once or twice a week, occasionally less. I take it when the spirit moves me, and when I feel that I am in a state to receive it.
I'm sure I could go along every day to take communion but I would feel a fraud soemtimes. Why? Because I believe one should take communion in the right frame of mind. Turning anything in to a habit - even prayer and teh Eucharist - can make it more likely that you will be taking it for granted or even start worshipping the act itself, rather than God.
I come to God and Christ as often as I can in terms of being in a state of mind and spiritual wholeness where my prayers mean soemthing, and are not just words. I wish I could attend God more frequently - perhaps with time I will. But I hope never to mistake frequency of attendance with truly being blessed by the Holy Spirit.
2 people like this
@Beertjie (976)
• South Africa
14 Jun 09
I like what you said. You prefer coming to God in honesty, not tradition. Paul wrote that if we are led by the Spirit, then we are true believers. So many only practice Christian rituals, but do not have a relationship with God. Rituals are meaningless, relationship is what God seek. Look at the prayer of David in Psalm 51:10 "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me." He wanted to walk before God with a pure heart.
See also Isaiah 1. God holds it against Israel that they keep all the rituals, but their heart is far removed from Him.
May you be blessed for seeking to follow God in rightiousness. You are a good excample for many of us.
Blessings
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
14 Jun 09
Hi steelmoggy, a mentor once told me that each moment of our lives must be lived Christ-like, that is, if we die the next moment, we are ready to be with our God. Isn't it that means that the Holy Spirit must dwell in us all the time? And that God wants us to make Him our habit all the time?
1 person likes this
@steelmoggy (410)
•
14 Jun 09
That's a very good poiint, but I know that I couldn't manage it.
For example, this evening I REALLY lost it with soemone who's been 'winding me up' for some months now - I wrote them a very curt note and have effectively ended our friendship.
Had I gone to take communion in that stae of mind it would not be good, IMO. I need to bring msyelf back in to a state of mind where I can genuinely ask for forgiveness with a sense of repentance - basically mean it when I say the confessional prayer at the start of the service.
I'm not convinced anyone can keep that way 24/7 - I for one am only human. :)
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
13 Jul 09
Transubstantiation is not a Christian belief but an invention of the Roman Church who , let Thomas Aquinus mix Aristoteleanism with Christianity. You will find no such belief in the Orthodox or other Christian Churches
all the best urban
1 person likes this
@urbandekay (18278)
•
13 Jul 09
No, the words Jesus used in reference to Peter means a little rock or a stone but the word he used to say upon what he would build his Church was a different word in Greek meaning a seizable rock. This rock to which he referred is Peter's statement that Christ is the Son of God. And this is how the early Church father's understood the statement. Rome is not infallible the original doctrine was the infallibility of the council of Bishops.
Catholics are a perversion of Christianity
all the best urban
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
13 Jul 09
I have not read the Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas. The voluminous work requires intellectual focus. Have you read it? As for Aristotle's philosophy, I must have done some readings back in college. Honestly I could not remember his teachings now. I am sure though that his propositions are in conformity with the facts of life. He was a pillar in Greek education. As for transubstantiation which the Catholics believe in, I yield to the infallibility of the Roman Catholic Church. I cannot claim to be well versed in all the doctrines and profess I can argue with the terminologies in question. I live by my faith. Understanding is a blessing. Catholics, first and foremost, are Christians. The Church was instituted by Jesus Christ. He told Peter "Upon this rock, I will build my church." I cannot question my Lord. I can only obey.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
14 Jul 09
I am sorry but I can only read and understand English. I cannot argue when it comes to Greek or Hebrew or Aramaic. I rely only on the modern translation set before me. I view the story like this. Jesus literally and metaphorically bestowed upon Peter the cornerstone of His church. I do not want to argue about the preposition "upon." English is not my native language. I understand it the way they taught it in grammar school. I do not wish either to convince you to believe in something you obviously abhor. But I do abide by my Catholic faith. Calling us perverts was just a blow below the belt. Do Christians really say such sweeping statements? Isn't it that is more unChristianlike? How can I think that "all the best" be sincere. Let us not try to destroy one another. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor. That is more important than all the rebuttals we conceive in our minds. I rest my case.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
15 Jul 09
And if Muslims really do that because Muhammad walked there then that is deification of Muhammad which makes them polytheists!
all the best urban
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
17 Jun 09
Eileen...I say AMEN to that Muslim...very smart man. And he is right! As Catholics, we should want to receive Jesus every day...unfortunately, some churches only hold Mass on weekends. But that story should be read aloud in every Catholic Church!
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
18 Jun 09
Hi sweetchariot, Fr. Mario's mass was broadcast live on television. Am sure many had heard his story. But you are right, we must disseminate further to the ends of the earth. Let us keep on telling...
