-Marc Aupiais

Definition

1. Of low birth, conditions, circumstance, or value.
2. Lowliness, of little worth, or submissive.
3. To place one’s self in his true place, recognizing his own inadequacy, and foolishness, and seeking to gain truer knowledge, and above that wisdom, that he may better obey God, in his low position, which truly is low.

Humility (See Psalm 18)

Humility is vital to uplifting oneself before God. God aids those, who know their place and act according to it. Humility is an action of the beatitudes, whereby one realizes, not only his lack of self-gained objects and things, but also that his life is not defined by his possessions,

neither that of popularity, which belonged to Jesus with the same crowd who crucified him,

nor with his wealth, which cannot save him, and is subject to change with the season, and disappear with thieves, rust, age, or the whims of fate and natural disasters,

nor only with his own good habits (Psalm 18 verse 32), and virtue, which is given by God, and can be taken away, and are worthless without Charity (Christian word for love as in I Corinthians 13),

nor with knowledge, or shrewdness, which can be taken away, or turn out to be less than perceptions,
nor with his physical appearance, which can age, be the subject of damage, or change, or perhaps is not a great as one thinks it to be, or perhaps is greater,

nor with good reputation- the gift of society to the false prophets and enemies of God,

nor with his family and friendships, or livestock, or the achievements of his life, all can be taken, and achievements can become worthless, or disgraced in different societies.

Rather- the humble man does not compare himself with others, but rather with holiness, and aims purely of heart- that he may become holy as God is holy, and humbles himself, no longer competing for endless trivia, but rather empty of any thought of self reliance, in such a way that he relies utterly on God, aiming for the things of God, and focusing on what is best for both self and neighbor, but firstly for the aims of God. The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is one of humility, and honest, self denying truth.

This does not give a man the right to no longer work, for he must work, both for self and for God, and to give to those who are in need. This does not entitle a man to degrade himself, or his church, rather- false humility is sin. Rather- it is the utter readjustment of the conscience, in such a way that one values that in heaven over that on earth. The greatest in heaven serves all.

Catechism of the Catholic Church on humility

“2729 The habitual difficulty in prayer is distraction. It can affect words and their meaning in vocal prayer; it can concern, more profoundly, him to whom we are praying, in vocal prayer (liturgical or personal), meditation, and contemplative prayer. To set about hunting down distractions would be to fall into their trap, when all that is necessary is to turn back to our heart: for a distraction reveals to us what we are attached to, and this humble awareness before the Lord should awaken our preferential love for him and lead us resolutely to offer him our heart to be purified. Therein lies the battle, the choice of which master to serve.¹⁶“

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P9Q.HTM

“2778 This power of the Spirit who introduces us to the Lord’s Prayer is expressed in the liturgies of East and of West by the beautiful, characteristically Christian expression: parrhesia, straightforward simplicity, filial trust, joyous assurance, humble boldness, the certainty of being loved.” http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p4s2a2.htm

“2742 “Pray constantly . . . always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.”³³ St. Paul adds, “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance making supplication for all the saints.”³⁴ For “we have not been commanded to work, to keep watch and to fast constantly, but it has been laid down that we are to pray without ceasing.”³⁵ This tireless fervor can come only from love. Against our dullness and laziness, the battle of prayer is that of humble, trusting, and persevering love. This love opens our hearts to three enlightening and life-giving facts of faith about prayer.”

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P9S.HTM

“489 Throughout the Old Covenant the mission of many holy women prepared for that of Mary. At the very beginning there was Eve; despite her disobedience, she receives the promise of a posterity that will be victorious over the evil one, as well as the promise that she will be the mother of all the living.¹²⁸ By virtue of this promise, Sarah conceives a son in spite of her old age.¹²⁹ Against all human expectation God chooses those who were considered powerless and weak to show forth his faithfulness to his promises: Hannah, the mother of Samuel; Deborah; Ruth; Judith and Esther; and many other women.¹³⁰ Mary “stands out among the poor and humble of the Lord, who confidently hope for and receive salvation from him. After a long period of waiting the times are fulfilled in her, the exalted Daughter of Sion, and the new plan of salvation is established.”¹³¹“

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P1K.HTM

“1218 Since the beginning of the world, water, so humble and wonderful a creature, has been the source of life and fruitfulness. Sacred Scripture sees it as “oveshadowed” by the Spirit of God:¹²“

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P3I.HTM
Catechism of the Catholic Church- Compendium

“573. Are there objections to prayer?

2726-2728
2752-2753

Along with erroneous notions of prayer, many think they do not have the time to pray or that praying is useless. Those who pray can be discouraged in the face of difficulties and apparent lack of success. Humility, trust and perseverance are necessary to overcome these obstacles.” http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

Bible on humility

“ It is right that the brother in humble circumstances should glory in being lifted up,

¹⁰ and the rich in being brought low. For the rich will last no longer than the wild flower;” James Chapter 1, verse 10 (New Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=57

“⁹ Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ” Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 11 verse 9 (New Jerusalem Bible

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=40&bible_chapter=11

“^2:3 Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the land, who have kept his ordinances. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of Yahweh’s anger. ” Zephaniah Chapter 2, verse 3 (New Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=36&bible_chapter=2

“^8:21 Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. “Book of Ezra, Chapter 8 verse 21 (new Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=15&bible_chapter=8

“¹⁶ Give the same consideration to all others alike. Pay no regard to social standing, but meet humble people on their own terms. Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom. “Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans Chapter 12 verse 16 (New Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=45&bible_chapter=12

“⁵ Say to the daughter of Zion: Look, your king is approaching, humble and riding on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” (about Jesus) Gospel According to Matthew, chapter 21, verse 5 (New Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=40&bible_chapter=21

“¹ I urge you by the gentleness and forbearance of Christ-this is Paul now speaking personally-I, the one who is so humble when he is facing you but full of boldness at a distance. ” 2nd Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 10, verse 1 (New Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=47&bible_chapter=10

“²⁷ you save a people that is humble
and humiliate those with haughty looks.”

Psalm 18, verse 27 (New Jerusalem bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=19&bible_chapter=18

Quotes on humility

“”In keeping with this,” continued the Pontiff, “sin is seen as a wound that penance alone can heal.”

“A man that has been injured in battle,” says Aphraates, “is not ashamed to put himself in the hands of a doctor. … Equally so, he who has been injured by Satan should not be ashamed to admit his fault and to distance himself from it, asking for the medicine of penance.”

Benedict XVI said that Aphraates also wrote that “Christian life is centered on the imitation of Christ, taking up his yoke, following him on the path of the Gospel,” and that humility is the main virtue of a disciple.

“It is not a secondary consideration in the spiritual life of a Christian,” said the Pope. “By remaining humble, even in his earthly surroundings, a Christian can establish a relationship with the Lord.”

“God is attracted to the man who loves, it is right to love humility and to stay humble,” the Holy Father said, quoting Aphraates. “Humble individuals are simple, patient, loving, honest, righteous, experts in what is good, prudent, serene, wise, calm, peaceful, merciful, ready to convert, benevolent, profound, thoughtful, beautiful and attractive.”

http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-21071

“It is true that at times Jesus became powerful, he worked great miracles but he feared that people would see in him the Powerful One who does great things instead of the One who seeks to give Communion. So Jesus becomes little, he is humble and this because we admire the powerful, but we love the little ones, the child, the person who is weak, fragile. So for me Jesus is the One who becomes little, he is God who becomes little, who hides in the poor, the humble, the weak, the dying, the sick; because all these people who are particularly fragile are longing for love and I see this as the mystery of Jesus and that Jesus is love. Just as God is Love. Jesus is Love. Jesus knelt down in front of his disciples, he washed the feet of his disciples saying: «I must give you an example so that you will do what I am doing». So I think the world is waiting for a saviour who is little and humble and who comes to give love. «Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you my rest, because I am meek and humble of heart». I think that the whole mystery of Jesus is contained in these words: «I bend over him like a font of mercy» because all he wants is to love, to give his heart and all that He asks of us is to offer our hearts, and to receive this mystery of God’s love, the presence of Jesus. So for me Jesus is the One who is meek and humble of heart, who hides in the poor and who says, as we read in the Book of Prophets: «My son, give me your heart».“

http://www.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/magazine/documents/ju_mag_01071997_p-19_en.html

“I know the new Pope personally. I have had the honor of meeting him several times over the years in Rome. He is a very humble, personable man, quite different from the hard-line “enforcer” image which is often portrayed of him.”

http://www.zenit.org/article-12786?l=english

“St. Bernard defines it: “A virtue by which a man knowing himself as he truly is, abases himself.” ” http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07543b.htm

Resources Used

Vatican site

Catechism of the Catholic Church

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p4s2a2.htm

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P9S.HTM

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P1K.HTM

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P9Q.HTM

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P3I.HTM

Catechism of the Catholic Church- Compendium

http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

Jubilee

http://www.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/magazine/documents/ju_mag_01071997_p-19_en.html

Zenit News

http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-21071

http://www.zenit.org/article-12786?l=english

New Jerusalem Bible on Catholic Online

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=57

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=40&bible_chapter=11

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=36&bible_chapter=2

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=15&bible_chapter=8

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=45&bible_chapter=12

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=40&bible_chapter=21

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=47&bible_chapter=10

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=19&bible_chapter=18

Definitions

Jesus

1. Meaning God saves, or Yahweh is Salvation.
2. It is the Latin translation of the Greek: “Iesous” which in turn translated the Hebrew name : of either “Jeshua, Joshua or Jehoshua“.
3. It refers both to Jesus mission, and his nature.
4. A name, in the given society, within the context of the bible, is given by God- in order to covey the nature of a person. To ask something in Jesus name, could well refer as much to his nature, as to his actual name, as shown in the Book of James (James chapter 4 verses 3,4, 8, and 10), where the verse on prayer is clarified.

Christ

1. The title Jesus adopts, as a king gains the name king (name), or an emperor gains the name Emperor (name), or a doctor gains the name Dr. (name).
2. Meaning “Anointed One” or “Anointed Messiah“.
3. Anointed refers to the position of Priests, kings, and Prophets in the Old Testament times. This name shows that Jesus combined all three titles.
4. “The use of the definite article before the word Christ and its gradual development into a proper name show the Christians identified the bearer with the promised Messias of the Jews. He combined in His person the offices of prophet (John 6:14; Matthew 13:57; Luke 13:33; 24:19) of king (Luke 23:2; Acts 17:7; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Apocalypse 15:3), and of priest (Hebrews 2:17; etc.); he fulfilled all the Messianic predictions in a fuller and a higher sense than had been given them by the teachers of the Synagogue.” http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08374x.htm
5. His position as the servant king, is again shown in God’s naming him, his son, with whom he is well pleased, a combination of the naming of a king (”son”) and the reference to God’s servant, as seen in Isaiah’s 53rd chapter, in verse 10, and the entirety of the chapter’s prediction.
6. Jewish Messiah- the Jews expected a great king to come, in the line of David, fulfilling prophesy. Jesus, was the expected “Messiah”, the Saviour of the Jews.
7. “Emmanual” or “God with us” (LLX : “Emmanouel“) is the prophetic name given to the child of a virgin in Isaiah chapter 7, verse 14. It already shows the trinitarian nature of the child, who is both God and man, fully both natures.
8. Messiah (Christ) is the name of Jesus, given in Daniel 9:26 and Psalm 2:2; it is the prophetic reference to the Jewish messiah.

Jesus name for himself

Jesus called himself the “son of man”, this is both a reference to the prophesy in Daniel (Daniel chapter 7 verse 13) and to God’s human nature, which is taken on.

It shows also, as is demonstrated throughout the bible, that God’s kingdom actually came with Jesus, and is already established in the church.

Lamb of God

This name, often used in Eucharistic ceremony, is used to denote Jesus’ innocence, and sacrificial nature, but also relates to the idea that the blood of such an animal was placed in a cross shape on the door frames of the Jewish people in Egypt, when the destroyer passed through the towns of Egypt, and killed the firstborn of the Egyptians, but spared the firstborn of the Jews, for the sacrificed blood on the door frames.

It is further a reference to Jesus’ perfection, in that the sacrificial lamb had to be without blemish.

“Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” this statement refers, not simply to the ignoring, or covering, or sweeping under the rug, of the sins of those who believe, but the actual freeing from slavery to the devil, and slavery to the actions of sin (I John chapter 3 verses 7 and 8), over a time, and payment for such (I Corinthians 11 verse 32;Hebrews 12 verse 4) – in such a form, that the Catholic, actually becomes righteous via the sacraments(reference), and purification (Hebrews 12 verse 4), which continues after death in purgatory. In this, all is righted, showing God’s justice, yet the punishment, due to Christ’s death, is not permanent, as God shows, he will not punish the blameless. It is noted, that the Jews, continued to offer sacrifices every year, because they continued to sin.
Sacrifice, timeless, once- only

The sacrifice, was, as the bible notes, only one sacrifice (Hebrews chapter 9 verse 26), which accounts for all sin, throughout history. For this reason, the immaculate conception of Mary was already via the salvation of the cross, and every Eucharistic service, in fact, does not repeat the sacrifice, but connect through time, into the original sacrifice, connecting all the saints, throughout history into this one event,whereby the entire body becomes united, by the breaking of but a single loaf.

Actual Presence in valid Eucharist

Paul himself says that the Corinthians were sick or dying because they did not recognize the Eucharistic bread as the Actual body of Christ. In fact, they were condemning themselves by not recognizing the actual presence, or even respecting it (I Corinthian 11 Verse 29) and would be answerable to harming his body (verse 27) should they take it unworthily.

Sacraments

The salvation of the cross, is thereby administered via the sacraments, which exchange obedient faith, in obeying the illogical, for grace, which purifies (Romans chapter 3 verse 25;I Peter chapter 3 verse 21;1 Corinthians 12 Verse 13), edifies, maintains, and saves(I Peter chapter 3 verse 21;Gospel of John chapter 6) the Christian, entering him into the church(1 Corinthians 12 Verse 13), uniting him with his fellow believers in the Eucharist (Corinthians 10:17) and conforming him to the very image of Christ, via the church, which is the pillar and foundation of the Truth (1 Timothy 3:14-16).

Jesus as the church

Jesus also exists via his church, which the bible calls his body ( Ephesians chapter 4 verse16; I Collosians chapter 1 v 3, 16-18, 24, 26, 28 ; I Corinthians chapter 15 verses 24, 25 ,26, 50,I Timothy chapter 3 verse 15, Ephesians 5 verse 24; CCC 669), with him at the head. This is shown especially in Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus, which shows that it is via the works of his servant on earth, that God saves others, and acts (I Corinthians chapter 9 Verse 16;and a passage where St.Paul speaks of people only hearing the Gospel, if people are sent to preach it) in the world.

1. State of decay.
2. Process, action or effect of moral decay.
3. The process whereby real spiritual beings and creation becomes less real, to the extent that over eternity, it loses the ability to exist in the presence of God. This decay is due to the perversion of good.
4. The natural decay of all visible, “physical” things after the advent of Original Sin.

Sacraments and The cure of corruption

God entered our world, and died, and rose again to “undo the work of the Devil”(1 john chapter 3 verse 8). By the hearing of the Gospel, and obedience to the church, which represents God on earth, we are given the grace to fight corruption via the sacraments, so long as we obey. The sacraments are about obedience. We obey God, and trust him, via the One True Church, and in return gain grace, which enables us to fight sin (Romans chapter 8 verse 13; I Timothy3 verses 14-16).

Reality to come

“when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away” (1 Corinthians 13 v10)
Biblical Decay

Due to the work of evil-The bible mentions a resulting decay, whereby due to an ability to sin, and the enmity with God caused by both original and personal sin, man gradually becomes a lesser spiritual being, haven “fallen” from his original grace. Being cut off from grace, by sin, man comes under the Devil’s domain (1 john chapter 3 verse 1), having been perverted and corrupted beyond worthiness in heaven. The cure to this, both lies in Baptism, and the Sacrament of the church, which saves people from the corruption of the world, and reverses (in this life and purgatory) the process whereby man, over eternity would become utmost corrupt and evil, and utterly repulsive to God, thereby deserving hell, for what he is, and the infinitely corrupt being he is to become.

Integrity

Integrity is the lack of corruption. It is the maintaining and stability in such of a structure. To have integrity is to not give in to corruption.

God’s Name and Integrity

God’s name YHWH (Yahweh) is thought to mean “I Am Who I AM” this name has many meanings, one of which is shown by Jesus, in calling himself “I AM”.

God does not change, or cede to corruption. He cannot decay. It could also be thought that the name “I Am” refers to existence, and true reality. The devil is known as the deceiver and god of change, and Father of lies. God could be seen as reality,while the devil represents illusion. That which is in God becomes more real, to the extent that it exists as Holy and separate forever. That which follows the devil, will become less “real”, to the extent that the soul cannot exist in heaven. The fight between church and world is between that which is “fading away”(The world and all that is of it) and that which cannot fade (The goodness in the church, which is the foretaste, and embodiment of Heaven on Earth).
Angels or Demons

According to the views of some:

The human person thereby is on a process, either to become like the angels(Luke Chapter 20 verse 36), or like devils (Job chapter 11 verse 20;Psalm 48 verse 15) whereby he becomes utterly immoral(like a devil), or truly Holy(like the angels) in the end (See C.S. Lewis- Mere Christianity).

Saved from corruption:

“ Through these, the greatest and priceless promises have been lavished on us, that through them you should share the divine nature and escape the corruption rife in the world through disordered passion. “II Peter Chapter 1Verse 4 New Jerusalem Bible http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=59
Catechism on corruption

“77. What other consequences derive from original sin?

405-409
418

In consequence of original sin human nature, without being totally corrupted, is wounded in its natural powers. It is subject to ignorance, to suffering, and to the dominion of death and is inclined toward sin. This inclination is called concupiscence.” compendium

http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

“401 After that first sin, the world is virtually inundated by sin There is Cain’s murder of his brother Abel and the universal corruption which follows in the wake of sin. Likewise, sin frequently manifests itself in the history of Israel, especially as infidelity to the God of the Covenant and as transgression of the Law of Moses. and even after Christ’s atonement, sin raises its head in countless ways among Christians.²⁸⁷ Scripture and the Church’s Tradition continually recall the presence and universality of sin in man’s history:”

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P1C.HTM

“2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. the person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor’s tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense.”

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P80.HTM

Scripture and Corruption

God notes “My word will not fade away” and of the church it is the “pillar and foundation of truth” (I Timothy 3 verses 14 to 16) and “the gates of hades will not overcome it” the core message of Christianity can never change. While it can be expanded, it may never contradict the original message, or the interpretation of the original church. The church, also- cannot cede to the corruption of our world. It’s decisions are safeguarded when acting as Christ as to doctrine and morals (Acts 15) and God is the head of the church. Paul notes those “cut off from the head”, and that “divisions in the church are evil” of schisms, and so- the original church must still exist, for the righteous would never abandon it, but remain in it, for “it is wrong to do evil that good may result”, and it is the body of the church that fights heresy, and safeguards the truth(I Timothy 3 verses 14 to 16; 1 John 2 v 19), those who left it over so-called heresy left as those who are not of it. God would not cause one to steal from his original church to safeguard his word against and from it.

Resources

http://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/jp2tb51.htm

Contraception, once accepted as evil by almost all Christians, has been largely credited with the degradation in the respect for human life, the large divorce rate, as well as problems such as the shortage of priests. It is intrinsically evil, as it contradicts natural law, by engaging in actions contrary to the laws, and ways God created in which sexuality can take place. There are certain methods of minimizing pregnancy permitted by the church – The most famous is known as Natural Family planning. These generally prevent childbirth, but with the allowance for accepting a child should God give one.

 Catechism on Chastity

“2337 Chastity means the successful integration of sexuality within the person and thus the inner unity of man in his bodily and spiritual being. Sexuality, in which man’s belonging to the bodily and biological world is expressed, becomes personal and truly human when it is integrated into the relationship of one person to another, in the complete and lifelong mutual gift of a man and a woman.”

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm

Church forbids Artificial Contraception

The church forbids artificial contraception such as the use of condoms expressively as intrinsically evil.

Onan

This is furthered by God striking down Onan for spilling his seed outside the proper place. Arguments that he was struck down for refusing to give the widow a baby, as the law required him to attempt, are debunked by the punishment of such being public shame, not death. God struck Onan down.

 Cutting off the manhood

Those who cut off their penis’s and forced themselves to not be able to reproduce in the old testament were excluded from Israel and considered dirty (Deuteronomy Chapter 23 verse 2).

Genesis and God’s chance to contracieve

In Genesis, God ignores the direct opportunity for preventing evil from being born into the world. He makes it’s birth unlikely by warning Adam and Eve, but still allows the probable chance (Genesis chapter 3). This results in the fallen state of man, and our current existence as the human family. Whether modern society would exist without this disobedience that was allowed and resulted in their later deaths, and immediate separation from God, or whether we would exist in a higher form, is not sure, but the argument that man should be able to plan his family is baseless, especially considering the cost God paid for allowing the chance for death to be born from his creation, and for his preferred choice to be rejected.

Contraception violates the covenant

This is furthered by Jesus’ statement- ”let no man separate what God has combined”, whereby God combines the husband and wife as one flesh via their marriage. Further, if Natural Law, and the purpose of God is that contraceptives are not to be used, with the exception of certain natural methods, then man should not presume that he is wiser than God (see I Corinthians 3 v 20). History has showed, that when contraception is allowed in different religions, it results in higher divorce rates. Also, the idea that a couple can control life, and gain great pleasure without possible sacrifice, prevents a great testimony as to God’s sacrifice on the cross, for a family that is broken- not of his fault, but due to Adam and Eve. Christian marriage is directly instituted by God, and as the soul forms uniquely at conception, such shown the direct act of God in creating a baby. Preventing a child from forming is preventing the direct action of God (Isaiah chapter 44 verse 2; Psalm 139 verse 13 to 14; Psalm 51 verse 5; Jeremiah chapter 1 verse 5;Isaiah 49 verse 1 and 5;Galations 1 verse 15; Job chapter 41 verse 15- see EWTN).

Rejecting God’s will and a gift from him

The child is a gift from God, and planned by him. God controls fate, time and existence (Ephesians chapter 1 verses 11 to 15), thereby- to make it impossible to have a child, violates faith, rejects a gift from God, and demonstrates the state of self-centredness and self importance that separated man from God in the first place (Genesis 3) whereby man determined to create his own truth, and rule his own life.

(children shown as a gift- Genesis Chapter  15 Verse 5;Genesis Chapter  17 Verse 4;Genesis Chapter  17 Verses 15-16; Psalm 127 verse 3)

“3:20. And again: The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. ” I Corinthians 3 v 20

http://www.newadvent.org/bible/1co003.htm

“5:31. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother: and shall cleave to his wife. And they shall be two in one flesh. “Ephesians 5 v 31

http://www.newadvent.org/bible/eph005.htm

Eph. 5:21-33 New Jerusalem Bible

“²¹ Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives should be subject to their husbands as to the Lord,

²³ since, as Christ is head of the Church and saves the whole body, so is a husband the head of his wife;

²⁴ and as the Church is subject to Christ, so should wives be to their husbands, in everything.

²⁵ Husbands should love their wives, just as Christ loved the Church and sacrificed himself for her

²⁶ to make her holy by washing her in cleansing water with a form of words,

²⁷ so that when he took the Church to himself she would be glorious, with no speck or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and faultless.

²⁸ In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies; for a man to love his wife is for him to love himself.

²⁹ A man never hates his own body, but he feeds it and looks after it; and that is the way Christ treats the Church,

³⁰ because we are parts of his Body.

³¹ This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh.

³² This mystery has great significance, but I am applying it to Christ and the Church.

³³ To sum up: you also, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself; and let every wife respect her husband. “

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=49&bible_chapter=5

Church Teaching on this issue

The church interprets this verse in context. One must first note the reply in Acts – “One must obey God above men”, no husband has the right to force his wife to act against God.

” Let me read to you what Pope Pius XI taught in 1930 which is still very relevant.  He said (Casti connubii, 10  cf. The Navarre Bible — Captivity Epistles):

“The submission of the wife neither ignores nor suppresses the liberty to which her dignity as a human person and her noble functions as wife, mother, and companion give her the full right.

It does not oblige her to yield indiscriminately to all the desires of her husband; and his desires may be unreasonable or incompatible with her wifely dignity.

It does not mean that she is on a level with persons who in law are called minors.  And minors are ordinarily denied the unrestricted exercise of their rights because of their immature judgment and not having enough experience. ” http://www.ewtn.com/library/Marriage/wivesubmis.htm

Secondly, this must be taken in context of St. Paul’s general encouragement and appeal for holiness, and the imitation of God’s goodness. This appeals both to husband and wife, and should never violate the dignity of the person of the wife. Notice- the appeal to obedience is to the wife- addressed to her. It does not say “husbands control your wives”, but rather “ To sum up: you also, each one of you, must love his wife as he loves himself” yet to the wives- a lesser appeal – “let every wife respect her husband”.

The Husband’s authority is there in order to minister lovingly to the wife- to act in sacraficial love, and caring strength- making his wife holy, by loving her, and immitating Christ. “The married man thinks of the ways of the world, and how he can please his wife”. Notice- he aims to please his wife. the church furthers this teaching, as EWTN elabourates-

“

A husband is called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church!  He is called to love his wife as Christ loves the Church!  And how does Christ loves the Church?  He loves Her with a sacrificial love.  And this must be the husband’s love for his lovely wife.  It must be a sacrificial love!  He must love her as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for the Church.  It must never be a selfish love.  Christ loved the Church, not that the Church might do things for Him, but that He might do things for the Church.

 St. John Chrysostom wonderfully said to the husbands about this passage:

“Have you seen the measure of obedience?  Hear also the measure of love.  Would you have your wife obey you as the Church obeys Christ?  Then you care for your wife as Christ cares for the Church.  And if it is necessary that you should give your life for her or be cut to pieces a thousand times or endure anything whatever, do not refuse it.  He brought the Church to His feet by His great care, not by threats nor fear nor any such thing; so that’s how you must conduct yourself toward your wife!”“

http://www.ewtn.com/library/Marriage/wivesubmis.htm

This is furthered by Jesus treatment of women- not ignoring that they are different- and made from man’s bone- but at the same time- respecting them as creations made equal with man. Notice that it is the women who first see the tomb, and the Woman, who is called blessed by God, and sees the actual angel, as Joseph is given a dream.

Women are equally human and equally responsible and adult along with men. They must not compete in a marriage- but compliment one another. The man’s authority extends- only as far as he uses it for the upliftment of the family. He has no right to abuse his spouse- least he portray Christ- whom he represents to the world- as abusive. He should treat his wife with love- often this is hard to worldly men. The wife- should likewise compensate possible weakness- and actually respect her husband- especially should he love her. She should, first obey God, and then authority in order.

Belief, the act on this ability given- the act of altering one’s entire life, because of the truthful message-

As one would alter their lives, and visit the doctor often, if one had cancer- as we visit the church every Sunday and on the Holy Days when the church requires.

As one does not stop their course of medication, knowing that if they do- that it may return even worse.

God has prescribed the sacraments. There is no honest way to doubt this. Should you honestly doubt it, which is possible, with all those voices and oppinions that so loudly speak against this, perhaps pray, and ask the truh of this- I dare not disobey the voice that my conscience follows. I know that this voice should inform you also, should you open yourelf in obedience and listening. We cannot be judged by that we did not know.

Should we obey our doctors with more zeal that the creator of the universe- than the being that controls the moment of our death?

We should not be ignorant of the message of God himself. If we say that we believe the message, are we to ignore the commands, which are there, to save our souls?

Faith- is hearing the soft voice that we know to belong to God, and obeying it. This is where even baptism of desire involves faith. They hear God in conscience alone, and obey him.

We recognise his voice in the servants of the gospel and the official doctrine of our spiritual mother- the church.

We should always seek the truth, and obey the Lord our God, that voice of conscience within- as best we can

-Marc Aupiais

“Preach the Gospel (good news) to all the world- if necessary- use words” – St. Francis of Assisi.

Bible on deeds of the saints and how this is God’s letter to all

“¹ Are we beginning to commend ourselves to you afresh-as though we needed, like some others, to have letters of commendation either to you or from you?

² You yourselves are our letter, written in our hearts, that everyone can read and understand;

³ and it is plain that you are a letter from Christ, entrusted to our care, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God; not on stone tablets but on the tablets of human hearts. ” II Corinthians Chapter 3 http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=46&bible_chapter=3

We see, firstly, that God, primarily speaks via the acts of the church to the unbeliever. Through sin, weakness, or blindness, many have been blinded to God in nature. We also see, as Paul says- that in the distance, he makes great speeches, but in their presence, he lives his faith.

The effect of the Gospel, versus the effect of a false gospel
A second lesson that we see is this- there were others, who apposed the apostles, and who- for the ways of our world, were being accepted above their authority by some.

Paul noted, that they were a letter of recommendation as to the Apostle’s authority to all the world. They were the message the world understood. They, via their lives, were preaching the gospel. The Gospel has Jesus dying for his beloved spiritual “children” and his church- his “bride”, by the hands of those who hated him. The gospel shows kindness, and the ability to conquer sins, especially with the promises of God in the sacraments.

Our deeds prove our faith
How we respond to the call of becoming new creations, shows people that our faith is true. The false gospels have always had negative effects on their followers. Whatever their people preached, it was not beneficial, no matter how wondrous it seemed to the unstable.

Corpse in the closet, or Miracle

We are either corpses, or miracles to the world. Every time we do good, because it is often so rare, we are noted, and prove the gospel. When we stand firm, others see that our message has added to our wholes. When we look at the lives of those, whose gospel is not the Gospel of Christ, but a man made formula, we note that the followers of such are not free, as the bible promised, but often filled with spite, lies, hypocrisy, and with people who either pretend to be Holy, and seem to have all the right words, but are not. Or, with people who pride themselves in evil.

You know a good tree by its fruit.

You know the false profits, by the way in which their most loyal followers act.

We cannot save ourselves by deeds

“4Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. 5Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” II Corinthians chapter 3 NIV (Protestant bible)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=54&chapter=3&version=31

Only, if we have faith (reference) , or perhaps by Baptism of desire (Although such itself appears to require the standards of both faith and love), can we be saved, yet our faith is in the words of Christ, and in him, and God’s ability to make his own words come true.

With God’s help we become righteous. Our preaching of the gospel, which we cannot accept without the direct purpose of God (a miracle), is done by how it affects our lives. It is also done by our words, but these- we must be careful with- never saying too much or too little, but only what is required, and perhaps what God allows.

Gathering or Scattering

If we declare Jesus with our mouths, but hate our brother, our service is not to God.

If we declare Jesus with our deeds, but do not know the law, we declare Jesus to the world, for we declare his nature- which is Charitable love.

If we know the law, and do not obey our God, then we testify against him and scatter, this is a meaning in that those who do not gather, scatter, but it is not the only meaning.

The Christian represents God to the world
If we know what we must do, and obey God’s law, then we ourselves are miracles- testifying to others about our faith, and that the slander about the modern church, as with the slander against the apostles- is false. We testify to Jesus, and live in him, so far as we live our faith, but our deeds are worthless, unless they are based in God’s grace, and in our trust of his truth. Obedient goodness, is even required in Baptism of desire. Our deeds are only of worth so long as they are reflections of grace. No one is good, but God, therefore- all that is truly good, is of him. That is partly why we are called his children.

.
“Make No mistake- those who live evil lives are evil- those who live holy lives – are holy” – Adapted From The First Epistle of John

“⁷ Children, do not let anyone lead you astray. Whoever acts uprightly is upright, just as he is upright.

⁸ Whoever lives sinfully belongs to the devil, since the devil has been a sinner from the beginning. This was the purpose of the appearing of the Son of God, to undo the work of the devil.

⁹ No one who is a child of God sins because God’s seed remains in him. Nor can he sin, because he is a child of God.

¹⁰ This is what distinguishes the children of God from the children of the devil: whoever does not live uprightly and does not love his brother is not from God.

¹¹ This is the message which you heard from the beginning, that we must love one another, ” I John Chapter 3 New Jerusalem Bible

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=60&bible_chapter=3

If we truly belong to God, he gives us the ability to obey him. In baptism, the Devil’s control over our lives is taken away from him.

If we consistently perform a single sin- this may be a sign of vice or mortal sin, which Catholic Christians have permission to destroy, via confession- where the Priest acts as a representative of God. We must destroy the flesh via the spirit- The sacraments that Jesus instituted- bring us back to God.
In effect- Faith saves the sinner, but God demands more that inactive faith. He desires to live through the lives of his servants. God is love- he lives via us in love. If we accept his message- that we must repent least we perish, then we should not shy from living such.

Faith and righteous deeds are miracles, and often signs of Grace. There is not considered to be such thing as faith without action. God predestined his saints for good deeds- and if we are his, he is our master, but to rely on deeds, instead of Hope, Faith and Love- in God’s grace- for salvation- is shown worthless in I Corinthians 13- in that I can give away all I own, and my body to the fire, but it is worth nothing outside of Charity (Biblical word can be translated as love). Likewise, I can have faith to move mountains, but without love I am nothing (From I Corinthians 13)(Nothing to whom- surely- human beings are impressed by moving mountains).

Conclusion

Faith, hope and love, are all signs of the Divine work of God.

Faith, without works- does not fit the mold shown through the ages (See our article on faith) and is shown worthless outside of Charity.

Works outside of Charity (A form of love- translated into Old English as charity) are also worthless, and outside of God, who is love- cannot gain salvation.

Because of our hope- to become like Christ- we act on our faith.

Faith and works, and hope- working in unity- testify as to our faith as reality.

Faith without works, is considered worthless faith, and such faith does not positively effect her followers.

The belief that deeds can gain salvation apart from faith, and such works focus does not positively effect her followers.

In Essence

God uses human beings- their lives, their love, their deeds- to show himself to the world at large. Christians are ambassadors as to God. If they live their faith, they show that they take the gospel seriously, and others may take it as more than philosophy. If they treat the words of God as worthless, and do not react to them- then they testify against God. We are also, not to be surprised if the world hates us- for being righteous- because they hate Christ first (see I John 3 Verse 13).

The Bible and the Sacrament of marriage

Matthew 19 verse 4 to 6

“⁴ He answered, ‘Have you not read that the Creator from the beginning made them male and female

⁵ and that he said: This is why a man leaves his father and mother and becomes attached to his wife, and the two become one flesh?

⁶ They are no longer two, therefore, but one flesh. So then, what God has united, human beings must not divide.’ ” New Jerusalem Bible

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=40&bible_chapter=19

A sacrament is declared, where Jesus acts directly, with grace in exchange for a physical sign of obedience, in certain circumstances, based on a agreement he made while still on earth. Marriage is one of the 7 Sacraments officially recognised by the Universal Catholic Church. It is God who binds the married couple, and the marriage takes place with a physical sign, and seremony. Therefore, it is a sacrament. Trent, furthers this point, by excommunicating certain people who did not believe that Marriage was a sacrament:

““If any one shall say that matrimony is not truly and properly one of the Seven Sacraments of the Evangelical Law, instituted by Christ our Lord, but was invented in the Church by men, and does not confer grace, let him be anathema.” Quotation of the Council of trent - http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09707a.htm 01 November 2007

 Why Catholics believe Marriage is a sacrament

The Catholic church, does not always quote the bible to justify a decision such as naming marriage one of the 7 sacraments, however, in this case there is biblical evidence hinting at their position. This is furthered, by positions stated in the Summa Theologica.

Covenant, not contract

As seen in Mattew 19, verses 4 to 6, Marriage, is not something that man is allowed to break. A contract can be broken by either side, and in such becomes null and void. A covenant, is valid, even if the other side breaks it. Marriage is considered a covenant, not a contract.

Resources on Matrimony

Vatican

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p2s2c3a7.htm

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a6.htm

Summa Theologica

http://www.newadvent.org/summa/5067.htm

US Council of Bishops

http://www.usccb.org/laity/marriage/marriagefaqs.shtml

Catholic Encyclopedia

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09707a.htm

Bible

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=40&bible_chapter=19

God is directly present in the communion bread, (and the wine), which are literally his body and blood. Partaking in God, unites the believers in spirit to one another (1 Corinthians 10:17). They become one body, by partaking in the Eucharist, what else could St.Paul have meant when he said: “… are one single body, for we all share in the one loaf.” Corinthians 10:17 New Jerusalem Bible. http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=46&bible_chapter=10

Eucharist based on John chapter 6 and The Last Supper

Catholics eat the Eucharist, following the command in John chapter 6, as well as Jesus Command at the Last supper, which unlike some others, they interpret literally. This Literal interpretation, is also present quite strongly in the church fathers (writers of importance in early Christianity, especially before the bible was compiled in the 4th century). The fact that Jesus did not tell the many who had left him on this teaching- that it “was only symbolic” or “only a metaphor”, shows that he must have meant it literally. He lost many disciples because they were not prepared to partake of his flesh.

Communion is both “symbolic” and literal-

“Symbolic” -in that it is a ceremony in remembrance of the crucifixion.

“Literal”, in that, by acting in obedience, God gives grace and miracles via the Sacraments. We really eat Jesus’ flesh, and blood in the Eucharist, as he commanded, we also take part in the crucifixion, in a mysterious way. This sacrament forgives venial sin, as well as enabling health in body and mind, in many circumstances. The Eucharist gives us strength to live out the Christian message. Next to baptism, it is one of the centers of Catholic worship. The mass is structured around Communion, in which Baptized Catholics may take part. Catholics cannot take communion at a church not in communion with the pope. Communion unites the church as one body, in bonds of Spirit and Love, in their one hope and Faith. To take communion at a non-catholic church would represent a united body that does not exist, and would create deceptive false perceptions.

God saves, Communion can’t save apart from God

Paul Also notes

“¹ I want you to be quite certain, brothers, that our ancestors all had the cloud over them and all passed through the sea.

² In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptised into Moses;

³ all ate the same spiritual food

⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink, since they drank from the spiritual rock which followed them, and that rock was Christ.

⁵ In spite of this, God was not pleased with most of them, and their corpses were scattered over the desert.

⁶ Now these happenings were examples, for our benefit, so that we should never set our hearts, as they did, on evil things;

⁷ nor are you to worship false gods, as some of them did, as it says in scripture: The people sat down to eat and drink, and afterwards got up to amuse themselves.

⁸ Nor, again, are we to fall into sexual immorality; some of them did this, and twenty-three thousand met their downfall in one day.

⁹ And we are not to put the Lord to the test; some of them put him to the test, and they were killed by snakes.

¹⁰ Never complain; some of them complained, and they were killed by the Destroyer.

¹¹ Now all these things happened to them by way of example, and they were described in writing to be a lesson for us, to whom it has fallen to live in the last days of the ages.

¹² Everyone, no matter how firmly he thinks he is standing, must be careful he does not fall. ” I Corinthians 10 v 1 to 12

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=46&bible_chapter=10

All should always be careful, less they loose their salvation. We must not only rely on the sacraments, but on the grace of them, and the God, who can make us good.

Paul notes of Baptism, and Catholic unity-

Communion- only with/for those in communion with the Church

““In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slave or free, have been baptized into one body by the same spirit, and we have been given one spirit to drink” St. Paul- 1 Corinthians 12 Verse 13- Good News Bible.” http://kindstuff.googlepages.com/(bibleonbaptism)

and of the church

“

1 Timothy 3:14-16 from the Niv Tramslation:

“if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. “”http://kindstuff.googlepages.com/(bibleonbaptism)

Showing that the church is a united body, and the family and body of God. It would be wrong to celebrate communion with those who do not believe as we do. Such would be disrespecting God, and acting against their conscience.

Also, because it can create false perceptions, the following should be noted:

“²⁸ But if someone says to you, ‘This food has been offered in sacrifice,’ do not eat it, out of consideration for the person that told you, for conscience’s sake-

²⁹ not your own conscience, I mean, but the other person’s. Why should my freedom be governed by somebody else’s conscience?

³⁰ Provided that I accept it with gratitude, why should I be blamed for eating food for which I give thanks? ” New Jerusalem Bible, I Corinthians Chapter 10 verses 28 to 30

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=46&bible_chapter=10

 Communion is also based on the same bases as all sacraments:

(1 Peter 3:21-22) where it is Christ acting with Grace above nature, and exchanging obedience, and a physical sign with Grace. This grace comes directly from the Cross.

One Sacrifice, not many

It is noted that there are not many sacrifices, but only one, or Christ would have had to have suffered many times.

They would also point out that Paul, in speaking to the Corinthians, said that some were sick or even died, because they had disregarded the presence in the Eucharist (1 Corinthians Chapter 11 verses 27 to 34- New Jerusalem Bible).
“²⁷ Therefore anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily is answerable for the body and blood of the Lord.

²⁸ Everyone is to examine himself and only then eat of the bread or drink from the cup;

²⁹ because a person who eats and drinks without recognising the body is eating and drinking his own condemnation.

³⁰ That is why many of you are weak and ill and a good number have died.

³¹ If we were critical of ourselves we would not be condemned,

³² but when we are judged by the Lord, we are corrected by the Lord to save us from being condemned along with the world.

³³ So then, my brothers, when you meet for the Meal, wait for each other;

³⁴ anyone who is hungry should eat at home. Then your meeting will not bring your condemnation. The other matters I shall arrange when I come.”

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=46&bible_chapter=11

Further, Paul asked directly(1 Corinthians 10:14-17; v 28 – 30 )

“¹⁴ For that reason, my dear friends, have nothing to do with the worship of false gods.

¹⁵ I am talking to you as sensible people; weigh up for yourselves what I have to say.

¹⁶ The blessing-cup, which we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ; and the loaf of bread which we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?

¹⁷ And as there is one loaf, so we, although there are many of us, are one single body, for we all share in the one loaf.”

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=46&bible_chapter=10

Copyright 2007. Marc Aupiais. All Rights Reserved.