Living the Ecumenical Spirit

Living the Ecumenical Spirit

Where? and How?

It Just Depends on the Circumstances

PURPOSE

The purpose of this document is to assist the Faithful - the true children of God (1) - on how to live the following teaching-by-example given to mankind by our Lord and Master Jesus Christ.

And as Jesus passed by from thence, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting at the place of toll: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Teacher with the publicans and sinners? But when he heard it, he said, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what this meaneth, I desire mercy, and not sacrifice, for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. [Matthew 9:9-13]

INTRODUCTION

When one truly strives to serve God and not self, disguised with false piety (2) and moved by impure (3) intentions, then God sees to it that His servant receives the proper instructions. Almost at the same time that miguel de Portugal was pondering what he should publish next to assist the Faithful in strengthening their Faith and navigate through the very dangerous waters of the End of These Times, the following e-mail was being sent to him. We shall reproduce it below, editing out whatever is not necessary to illustrate the point at hand:

Dear m de P:

Let me begin by saying that I understand you may not be able to answer this email but for some reason, I feel that I should present it to you anyway.

Our family has been home schooling for more than 5 years. When we first began, I sought out a Catholic support group. After a few months it became clear that there was much turmoil within the group. In the back of my mind I knew this wasn't what I expected a support group should be like. The last straw came while we were having an outdoor picnic at a park. I was not directly involved in the encounter that follows, but I was within earshot and heard what was said.

A woman, curious as to why there were so many moms and school aged children there in a regular school day, questioned a couple members as to what we were doing. They explained that we were home schoolers. The woman was very interested in learning more, and said that she had a sister who recently began home schooling and needed a support group. She asked if she could have the phone number of one of our members so that her sister could contact us. The two members of our "support group" kindly explained to her that this was a CATHOLIC group. They inquired if her sister was Catholic.

The lady (becoming uncomfortable now... looking like she needed someone to throw her a lifeline...) replied that, no, her sister wasn't Catholic.... but she was Christian. The poor woman even asked if that was "okay...." The two members replied that she probably wouldn't be interested in being "in" our group if she wasn't Catholic, and there were lots of other home schooling support groups out there if she just looked for them.

I sat there completely appalled at what had just happened..... wanting to run to the woman and tell her that, YES, her sister could be in our group..... hoping she didn't think that this is what being Catholic meant..... but I was too afraid that if I spoke up, I wouldn't be welcome in the group anymore. Finally, after a few more months and more drama -- I "grew a spine" and left.

Now I come to my question.

Years have passed and I recently met some very nice folks who have their own home schooling support group. Many of them are not Christian. They are Universalist Unitarian, Muslim, Jewish...... some even say that they are wiccan and/or pagan. Five years ago this would have frightened me to death. I would have thought they were "evil,' and the fact that my children would be playing with their children would have been unthinkable. However - I find that they are more considerate, kind-hearted, genuinely loving people -- than many of the people I have known who are professed Christians.

One of the mothers wants to start a Culture Club, in which members share their heritage/religion with the rest of the members in an effort to understand and see, first-hand, what is "Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian, etc." I will have an opportunity to share my Catholicism with them..... I was thinking we could tour my church and I could explain the Mass, the Real Presence, and the Seven Sacraments. I could let them see the Stations of the Cross and the statues of Jesus, Mary, St. Catherine, and St. Agnes..... This would be an honor for me and my children.

In the back of my mind, I can picture anchor people of EWTN (4) advising me to run away from this group and not look back. I know that UUs, wiccans, and pagans are certainly considered "new age" by the Church..... they do not recognize God as the higher power in their lives. BUT ... these people are GOOD people. There are several who regularly volunteer (with their children) in soup kitchens and do much work for the needy. They welcome ALL into their support group, and only ask that people be respectful to the fact that membership is very diverse (so be sensitive to the fact that other folks may not share your beliefs and/or philosophy of life).

After much prayer and contemplation, I am left with the belief that my God truly is the God of all. He created all and He doesn't make junk. My God is the father of all people. That would mean Jews, Muslims, Native Americans, Hindus, UUs...... All - wiccans too. Whether or not they know/recognize this fact is less of an issue than the FACT.

If you have the time and you are able to respond to me with advice about my situation, I would surely appreciate it. As I said above, if you are not -- I completely understand.... but I felt compelled to share it with you.

Thank you for your time.

S

DETAILS

The Biblical quotation above is backed up by two more - therefore we cannot attribute such teaching from the Only Lord and Master as a mistranslation of His Words. To wit:

And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and publicans, said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? And when Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of a physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners. [Mark 2:16-17]

And Levi made him a great feast in his house: and there was a great multitude of publicans and of others that were sitting at meat with them. And the Pharisees and their scribes murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with the publicans and sinners? And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are in health have no need of a physician; but they that are sick. I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. [Luke 5:29-32 ]

If we truly believe that our Faith is the most complete Faith (5) and it is well anchored in God (6), and not man, then, as we learn about the other faiths, ours will be strengthened even more. By living such Faith, without any fanaticism but with much humility and love, just as Jesus gave an example of, we are extending a silent and subtle invitation to all who come in contact with us. God, will then do the rest.

miguel de Portugal has heard Mother Angelica (4) mock, deride and insult teenagers who are caught in the punk, pierce, gothic, etc. style. miguel has also seen them abandon such lifestyle and behavior by conducting himself as expressed in the paragraph above.

One of the best neighbors he had (living directly above him) had so much metal piercing in his body that if he walked past a magnet he would be entrapped; yet he was quiet and respectful - always. What did m de P do? Nothing other than greet him with the same courtesy all other neighbors were greeted and pray for him.

How about a girl who had gone "full gothic" (7) because she thought that, because she had sinned, she was hopelessly lost? In less than three months she had progressed in dress, make up and personality from a full gothic to a vibrant and hopeful young lady. They never discussed gothic dress or mentality; they just discussed the unfathomable Mercy of God and His Redemptive Love - in a discotheque!

miguel de Portugal has seen the demonstrations before the abortion clinics (while the Hour of Adoration before the Exposed Blessed Sacrament offered to end abortion went very under attended...) and the abortion proponents singing "Keep your rosaries out of our ovaries." [Oh, you could just "cut the hate with a knife" - it was that thick!] miguel has also seen the most prone to abortion young lady (beautiful, successful drug dealer, daughter of a very tough father, pregnant by a male stripper - identity unknown - in a parking lot of a discotheque) choose to have the baby, retired from such life and be welcome at home by a loving father and mother who were ready to be supportive and loving grandparents.

miguel de Portugal has seen a prostitute, drug addict, alcoholic waitress, abandon all of that and embrace Catholicism. He has also seen a priest who did not offer daily Mass [but "dressed the part" well] and taught Theology at a Catholic University, abandon such lofty but hypocritical life to become a fulfilled Parish Priest where he established daily Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and daily Rosary. Etc., etc. He can go on for hours!

All of that, and much more, is the result of silent invitations extended by God to those souls. God took it from there and the endings were always happy. Even if the invitation recipient ended up dying, it was a happy ending because when death came, he was well on the way to the Father's House. (8)

Where are the lost and disoriented children of God going to find the way back to the Father's House if those who have the keys refuse to "get contaminated with them"?

We shall offer an electrifying example of the benefits of constructive Ecumenism, while at the same time reveal something that we have not before...

One mentions the word sodomy amongst Christians and some are truly horrified (while others just pretend to be...). Visions of Sodom and Gomorra come up in the mental screen of the individuals, quickly followed by the latest Gay Pride Parade and the fires of homophobia are then fanned. You ask the "great Christian Theologians" what is wrong with sodomy and they will quote scriptures (of course, skipping the minor detail that Lot was willing to exchange his daughters [Genesis 19:8] to protect his male guests...) but they really do not know why. Because of their arrogance, satan continues to have a field day with that.

Just how does this tie with the matter at hand? Quite simply.... While reading about certain Eastern beliefs, m de P, through the Grace of God, put "their two" with "our two" together and came up with the horrible truth about sodomy and why satan is having a field day with man's arrogance and ignorance. Sodomy is as destructive to the soul whether it is practiced between two men or a man and a woman (9). Therefore, to accelerate the destruction of humanity, what has become "fashionable", and has been promoted heavily for the last ten to fifteen years, is precisely anal intercourse with women! This it is even being promoted as "an acceptable birth control method"! Lord have Mercy!

If m de P would not have been exposed to certain Eastern beliefs, God would have had a much difficult time in conveying to him satan's next to the last fatal trick. Did learning about those and many other non Christian beliefs affect M de P's faith? Of course it did! It made it stronger! Which is precisely what satan does not want from the children of God.

CONCLUSION

True Ecumenism does not mean diluting our faith; true Ecumenism is to learn about other faiths, share with others in the areas where we can share without diluting or compromising our Faith, pass out silent invitations and let God do the rest. What did Jesus mean by the following?

And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: but the sons of the kingdom shall be cast forth into the outer darkness: there shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth. And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And the servant was healed in that hour. [Matthew 8:11-13]

Furthermore, who was Jesus talking about when He said:

And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved? And he said unto them, Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are; then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets; and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast forth without. [Luke 13:23-28]

He was talking about those who think that are saved by Him because they "ate and drank" with Him at Mass and heard His teachings at Mass. Tragically, they are really workers of iniquity and do not even realize it. It takes far more than to just go through the rituals - it takes living the Word, i.e. living Jesus!

Therefore, dear S and all those who may share your concerns, go forth and do what the Church Administrators (10) continue to fail to do: Evangelize the world through Love and by Example!

"Give me all the sinners, and keep all the righteous ones." m de P

NOTES

(1) Who are the true children of God?

(2) The dangers of false piety

(3) An example of impure intentions

(4) EWTN and Mother Angelica: The Eternal Word Television Network, more commonly known by its initialism EWTN, is an American basic cable television network which presents Catholic-themed programming. It was founded by Mother Angelica in 1980 and began broadcasting on August 15, 1981.

(5) Our position about the Catholic Faith

(6) Foundation of Faith

(7) Gothic fashion and Goth subculture

(8) It is One Step at a Time

(9) satan's Coup d'Etat - How Well he Has Covered All the Bases

(10) What Went Wrong with Christianity