Second, I was so frustrated when Dan encountered the fundamentalist. Of course he said the classic examples of "If Mary was sinless why would she need a Savior as she said?" or "Isn't there only mediator between God and man."
And, I was practically jumping up and down: "But God saved many before her conception! She still needed a Savior" and "But, in Confession the mediator is Jesus not a man!"
This special A&E series has one made we want the priesthood more. The Church is perceived very badly by many people in our world, and too many people fall into the misinterpretations of other denominations. I've really tried to post this on my Apologetics Website, and this is one reason I am called to serve as a priest. I feel as if the Lord has asked me: "Will you give up everything you have and follow Me?" I answered, "Yes".
What tears me apart is seeing people leave the Church or not practice their faith. My vision is for us all to be under the Catholic Church with Christ as the head, but I know that this won't happen. But that doesn't mean we can't get as close to that as possible. This is the point of my blog and everything I do online - to honor Jesus Christ and bring others to Him.
And he said to them: The harvest indeed is great, but the labourers are few. Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he send labourers into his harvest. 3 Go: Behold I send you as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes; and salute no man by the way. Into whatsoever house you enter, first say: Peace be to this house (Luke 10: 2 - 5)
Here I am, Lord. I come to do your will!
Thanks again for all of your prayers, and please keep them coming doing this special Octave for Easter.
6 comment(s):
This is a little off topic, but I'm having a hard time explaining indulgences and the 'point' of Divine Mercy Sunday. Can you offer any suggestions/thoughts/readings in addition to the Catechism? :)
I was also able to watch the show. I felt so touched by Steve and his experience in Guatamela. I know he is thinking he could go back into the work force and make lots of money to send others back, but it came to my mind that LOTS of people could make money, perhaps he is being called to the priesthood so that he can minister to the souls in Guatemala and to those making lots of money, building a bridge to help both sides.
I wish Dan was more prepared scripturally, but honestly, my knowledge is lacking and if confronted by a fundementalist, I find it difficult to rattle off scriptural references which defend our Church.
I also thought of the line I once heard Scott Hahn say,
"Lots of people hate the church that they THINK they know. If they truly understood it, they could never leave".. something like that... my memory is so poor. LOL
K,
I agree completely. Steve could serve these people by sending them money, but they need more than money. They need help and friendship. They need to know that someone cares for them and would give their entire lives to serving them. That is what the priesthood is about - service.
And, you reminded me of a quotation by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen:
"There are not one hundred people in this world who dislike Catholicism, but there are millions who dislike what they mistakenly believe Catholicism to be."
That is why we must be messengers of the light of Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord!
I think Dan's reaction was wonderful...he was able to remain calm and collected...I don't think there is much 'reasoning' to be done with this type of person, but the need to remain 'Christian' is of the utmost importance...this is where I personally lose it sometimes. I am really glad that the camera was able to capture all the anti-Catholic bias that we are faced with constantly when choosing to live our faith fully...I think this is why some people coward and choose instead to hide themselves or make their faith a 'personal' issue.
Prayers going out to all who had a hand in this show...we need more like it.
Moneybags, if the show has served to strengthen even ONE person in a vocation, then I'm grateful for it! The Church is in serious need of men like yourself with the generosity, zeal and deep faith to lead us as priests.
That's the exact quote I was thinking of, Moneybags. After seeing your post, I realized that Mr. Hahn was quoting Fulton Sheen.
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