Points To Ponder About

Published on January 26th, 2009

Do you still wonder... why so many people make fun at Catholicism?

Besides the fact that many - erroneously and incoherent with the basic tenets of the Faith - practice text-book idolatry (1), we also have to contend with the never ending Circus of the Vatican.

Now we have Benedict XVI revoking the excommunication of the SSPX which was ruled by Pope John Paul II. What happened to their claim of 100 % Infallibility? (2)

Lifting an excommunication of a penitent because the penitent abjured his/her errors and/or admitted sins, is one thing, but lifting a ruling of excommunication without the entity/individual that was excommunicated changing their stance "flies into the face" of their already ridiculous claim of 100 % Infallibility claim. The 100 % claim is excepted, of course, if the one claiming to occupy the Chair of Peter writes a book; in which case, those erstwhile infallible pronouncements now become mere opinions.

Of course - spiritually speaking - excommunication is a moot point; no one can separate a willing soul from Jesus Christ. Yes, one can be separated from an institution - religious or business or social - but the power to block the salvation of a soul (3) is not on anyone's hand but the soul itself.

It is important that the Faithful is well informed about his/her Faith so that, when attacked or made fun of, one can gently and intelligently explain to the critic how it really is.
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(1) Just as one example - and in Rome!
(2) About Infallibility and when is appropriate to invoke it.
(3) Salvation is certainly possible without "a membership card" to the Roman Catholic Church.

Published on January 22nd, 2009

Do you ever wonder... why Jesus answered the following question: (1)

Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast; but thy disciples do not fast?

in this manner:

Can the children of the marriage fast, as long as the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them; and then they shall fast in those days.

...considering that John was still alive; i.e. John had not been taken away from his disciples?

Meditate upon it. We will respond to it at a later time.
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(1) Mark 2: 18-20

Published on January 19th, 2009

Do you wonder.... why God insists that those who speak on His behalf do not have a "known face"?

Do also you wonder.... why we keep making reference to "the face" issue; that is, Why people, in general, need a "know face" to believe something?

Of course, the simple and only answer is because only those whose ears are attuned to God will recognize the words and "face recognition" will not play any part at all.

God has decided to place in our hands - and in yours through this page - how the psychological mechanism works.

You will now understand why miguel de Portugal - at the express command of God and without knowing how the psychological mechanism works - has made an issue of being "not a known face".

It is called the Halo Effect - Learn about it!

Published on January 9th, 2009

Do you wonder.... what it really means when someone claims to be the greatest sinner or the least important human being?

They are just telling you - without realizing it themselves - that their real problem could possibly be arrogance.

An example of appropriate self judgment and true humility: I indeed baptize you with water; but there shall come one mightier that I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to loose: [Luke 3:16]

An example of judgment rightly reserved for God: Amen I say to you, there hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist: yet he that is the lesser in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. [Matthew 11:11]

Published on January 5th, 2009

Do you still wonder.... what is going on at Yellowstone? Click Here and stay abreast of the situation.

Published on January 1st, 2009 [Mary, Mother of God]

Do you still wonder.... why Mary is so important?

Although we have covered that issue at length (1), it can be summarized in a simple sentence: At Her request, God will cause to happen some things that He may have not intended on doing. To wit:

3 And the wine failing, the mother of Jesus saith to him: They have no wine. 4 And Jesus saith to her: Woman, what is that to me and to thee? my hour is not yet come. 5 His mother saith to the waiters: Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye.... 7 Jesus saith to them: Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And Jesus saith to them: Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast. And they carried it. 9 And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; .... [John 2]

Granted - "everyone" knows the above reading, but, does "everyone" really understands its real meaning? Again we repeat: At Her request, God will cause to happen some things that He may have not intended on doing.

Obviously He will do nothing against His Will nor She would ask Him to do so. Therefore, in Mary we have the most powerful intercessor before God.
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(1) The Importance of Mary

Published on December 30th, 2008

Do you still wonder.... what will happen after Step No. 17? Wonder no more. You may read about it im the December 30th posting in the Private Forum.

(*) PURPOSE: The Purpose of this Page may be found at the beginning of any of the past issues, such as in Points to Ponder (January 2005)

(**) "Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given."..... Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.... Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, lest they should understand with their hearts and be converted so that I should heal them." [Matthew 13:11, 13, 15]

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