the Blessed Virgin Mary

[JoyG]

And my good friends here at the DIS sometimes give me quotes or explain things to me. So, I'm very blessed in that.

That's what we're here for!

 

[njcarita]

Yeah, I mean, we all want our kids to grown up and be great, but WOW!

The song Mary Did You Know, brings tears to my eyes everytime I hear, because I truly wonder, Mary, did you know?

I just got teared up again, you can hear the song with hyrics here:

http://www.bonniesplace1.com/Marydid.html

thanks for posting--
I have always loved this song.

For me Mary is a Great Gift from Jesus--

I see Mary as pointing us to Jesus-- Her son-- who gave His life so we could live.

She is my Mother in Heaven.

I do not worship Mary--
I love and Honor Her-- Because She is the Mother of God.

 

[sodaseller]

Just wanted to pop in and share with everyone that my daughter, Alex, made her First Holy Communion tonight. It was such a wonderful mass and a special day.

I think this is a wonderful thread. I pray for Mary's intercession by saying the Memorare on a regular basis. I need all the help I can get!

GodBless! You must be very proud. We had First Communicants today, plus a May Crowning.

 

[lyeag]

GodBless! You must be very proud. We had First Communicants today, plus a May Crowning.

Thanks. It was very moving to watch. I went to Catholic school and May Crowning was one of my favorite masses to participate in. Our gift to our daughter was a rosary so now she can learn how to pray the rosary during May.

 

[jimmiej]

Discernment is not a gift that everyone has. If you believe in the Holy Spirit,then do you believe in evil spirits? Who's to know which is guiding you? I personally
attended a bible study where women were interpreting what they thought the Bible meant. How would they know? Personal biases and prejudices can color the way we see things. I want someone who is well-schooled in Biblical knowledge working with me-not some "holier than thou" Joe Blow from Kokomo who thinks they know what God meant!

Nowadays, study Bibles are available with commentary (by Biblical scholars) on virtually every verse. I've found this to be very helpful.

 

[helenabear]

Catholics don't take the Bible literally anyway.

Gack, I know you didn't mean it poorly, but I think that is a gross overstatment there! Yes, a lot of the OT is taken as inspired word that one should not look at for the literal aspect near as much as the "moral of the story" Granted when things like what God has clearly stated is right and wrong, that is definitely literal. In talking with my Christian friends, I have found that I take just as much as the Bible literally as they do. On average of course (and this is across multiple denominations). Obviously some are more literal, but I definitely know that the whole New Testament is meant to be taken literally. The only catch is in reading the NT beyond the Gospels is that you need to make sure it is taken in context. Otherwise we would have people reading Paul and getting the idea that no one really needs to get married (partial joke, but I hope anyone reading gets my point)

I think you'll also find that in "younger churches" that Bible study and discussions about the Bible is a lot more common. I think the Vatican II group growing up has more of a pull to want to be a part of religion than having it all spelled out for us. For those "old" Catholics, I think that will make sense. I do believe that the Church has become so much more "hands on" than it ever was before. They want you to read (at least in my church) the Bible, they want you to think about it, they want you to ask questions. It isn't near as black and white in what I learn now as what I did when I was a kid.

I personally have noticed a shift in the last 5-10 years that, for the most part, I am proud of!

jimmiej, I've noticed that of Bibles now as well. There are a lot of versions of Bibles out there that help with studies. Even w/in the Catholic Bible too. I believe I have two or three study versions in my house now and only one that does not have all the notes.

 

[JoeEpcotRocks]

I remember when I was a kid growing up protestant there were so many people (and this is just my personal experience) that would read the Bible on their own and criticize catholics for not doing it too.

Again, this is just my opinion, but I think reading it without any guidance can be almost dangerous. There are so many things that could be so drastically misinterpreted if you have no understanding of the times, the language, the culture....etc.

"Reading the Bible without any guidance can almost be dangerous." ??

Not reading it is a lot more "dangerous." Thank goodness for the reformation movement and the printing press!

The Bible itself certainly encourages ALL Christians to read it and search the Scriptures. How can a Christian NOT read God's Word?

 

[Saxsoon]

Well actually I would love to hear at least one service in Latin, as I am a Latin Student myself. But that would limit the use of the Bible among the comman person.

As a side note, the really only unliteral parts of the Bible to me are among Prophecy, especially in the Book of Revelations. I have read the Left Behind Series, and another End Times series called the Christ Clone Trilogy. Both have had several interpretations of the plagues and how the events of the Tribulation play out. In comparison it is interesting to see how people can interpret prophecy, and more importantly, the Bible.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

"Reading the Bible without any guidance can almost be dangerous." ??

Not reading it is a lot more "dangerous." Thank goodness for the reformation movement and the printing press!

The Bible itself certainly encourages ALL Christians to read it and search the Scriptures. How can a Christian NOT read God's Word?

I agree. Plus no one said Protestants read the Bible with no outside help. We also listen to pastors, use commentaries, have Bible study groups, etc. But I could not imagine going to church week after week and never studying/reading my Bible. Sorry, but this sounds so "sheep-like" to me.

 

[beattyfamily]

I'm not 'sheep like' thank you.

I DO read the bible. I try and read every day and I keep my bible and my kids' bible on the coffee table for easy access.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

My sheep-like comment was for people who listen to people talk about the Bible and whatnot but never pick them up themselves.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

I am not sure where the thought is that Catholics do not read the Bible or are instructed not to read the Bible, honestly. It does encourage reading of the Bible, even directly in the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

"133 The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful. . . to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.112"

 

[LindsayDunn228]

6_time_Momma, this info came from MouseWorhippin.

 

[auntpolly]

Gack, I know you didn't mean it poorly, but I think that is a gross overstatment there!as what I did when I was a kid.
[/font]

I disagree. When I taught PSR, they were all very concerned that I not give the kids the impression that I thought so (having grown up Protestant). Particularly the old testament.

Was there a flood? Noah? Were there a real Adam and Eve? Did Moses get pushed down the river in a reed basket? Does it matter? You aren't wrong to think those things happened, but the church has it's doubts about that and much more. But to the church, that has nothing to do with the the divine purpose of the Bible.

I've been taught by ever priest and nun I've ever studied under that you are missing the point if you've taken it literally. We believe in evolutiion. The church doesn't even take the Protestant (this is what is going to happen) version of Revelations.

If the Church starts saying otherwise, that will be my exit cue, because it's what I believe.

 

[auntpolly]

"Reading the Bible without any guidance can almost be dangerous." ??

Not reading it is a lot more "dangerous." Thank goodness for the reformation movement and the printing press!

The Bible itself certainly encourages ALL Christians to read it and search the Scriptures. How can a Christian NOT read God's Word?

Didn't say Protestants never read it without help. Didn't say it was always dangerous -- notice I said "can be" -- that means "at times". And I think that's just obvious -- at times a person reading the Bible without the correct understanding of the context can cause confusion and actually do harm. What about all those people finding the permission to think white people are superior from poorly interpreted passages in the Bible. I doubt if their churches are interpreting it that way -- these are people who are looking for the Bible to mean what they want it to mean, which we can all do, to a certian respect, if we read without help.

I'm not saying "Never pick up a Bible". But Bible study requires some knowledge that the average person does not have.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Okay, back to the communion discussion because I have a question:

Why do you only get bread and not wine in a Catholic church? How come only the priest gets to drink wine? Or do some parishes do both?

One reason I really like the Episcopal church is that you get both

My Church does both on every Sunday. I have been to one Church that would take the bread dip it in the wine and then it was put into your mouth. I personally don't take the wine from a communal cup. I have been to one that did it in super tiny individual cups, then I took it.

 

[sodaseller]

"Reading the Bible without any guidance can almost be dangerous." ??

Not reading it is a lot more "dangerous." Thank goodness for the reformation movement and the printing press!

The Bible itself certainly encourages ALL Christians to read it and search the Scriptures. How can a Christian NOT read God's Word?

History validates her worldview. Many of the most heinous acts in the history of mankind have been perpetrated upon the perceived authority of Sacred Scripture. To imagine that any of us alone can avoid that temptation is to deny our fallen nature, which is itself heresy. For that matter, Christ established a Church. Christ is present in the Word Logos, but is also present in his Body of believers. Though the Spirit certainly can touch us during solitary reading, recall that Christ specifically said that when "two or three are gathered in His name" he will be there. Focus on Christ

 

[MouseWorshipin]

But I could not imagine going to church week after week and never studying/reading my Bible. Sorry, but this sounds so "sheep-like" to me.

My sheep-like comment was for people who listen to people talk about the Bible and whatnot but never pick them up themselves.

That'd be me and most Catholics. There are many lessons - some even in the bible, I dare say - that tell people they'll be condemned for their beliefs, and to pay it no mind. That's pretty much what we do.

I'm not ashamed to be a Catholic. I'm not ashamed that I don't sit around reading the bible. And if all that bible reading doesn't teach people that it isn't nice to hurl insults at other people because they have different religious beliefs, I can't say that it has done them much good.

Lindsay, you wouldn't have happened to have memorized the line number about casting stones, would ya? Not to mention aspersions.

For the gazillionth time, I never said no Catholics read the bible. It is encouraged, but not required. A few born-to-Catholicism do, lots of converts do. But most Catholics don't.

I think it would be fascinating to do it...at some point...but I never get around to it. And, again, I think it is a great thing for people who get something out of it. I'm sure not saying people SHOULDN'T!! (God, you got that, right? No need to smite me with your powerful, swift sword!)

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Lindsay, you wouldn't have happened to have memorized the line number about casting stones, would ya? Not to mention aspersions.

On that note, I am leaving this thread alone. I don't understand a lot about Catholicism, nor did I ever say I hate them. I was just asking questions, trying to understand. If my sheep comment offended you, I'm sorry. The Bible also says to discern what is right and what is wrong.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

On that note, I am leaving this thread alone. I don't understand a lot about Catholicism, nor did I ever say I hate them. I was just asking questions, trying to understand. If my sheep comment offended you, I'm sorry. The Bible also says to discern what is right and what is wrong.

You didn't ask a question there, you just tossed out an insult. Your sheep comment was offensive, and you knew it. That's why you apologized before you said it, right?

But, if you are truly sorry, of course I forgive you.