Catholic Spirituality and Devotion

[noy]

I really don't mind people eschewing material ambitions. What I take exception is the blatant demonization of SECULARISM.
I know you all agree with whatever your church leaders mouth off from their bully pulpits. SECULARISM has been getting the "it's-the-work-of-the-devil" treatment lately.

Hi bears, Secularism is NOT evil in itself BUT it is the most effective way the enemy can use to draw a soul away from God, i believe this is rather what the Church teaches.

Secularism is nothing more than the "principle of separation of government institutions, and the persons mandated to represent the State, from religious institutions and religious dignitaries."

in generic terms it is simply the act of not attributing things,happenings, thoughts to any religion.
example would be i love listening to Christian songs as well as secular ones(by secualr i mean not necessarily Atheistic ones but songs that just doesn't give attributes to God.)
it is the thought of giving attributes to the world or things in this workd..like relationships, dreams etc(not necessarily negative or evil) basta dili lang associated to something divine.

but in spiritual terms, the world usually contradicts to God
(this i believe is what religious people mean when associating Satan with the world)
as flesh goes against the spirit, so does material against eternal.
and ultimately Satan against God.
Satan can use anything that can somehow draw you away from God.
at this point we're talking about unbelief(as this is one of fruits of secularism)
hence the term "not of this world".

What is ironic is that Catholics themselves invoke the secularist principle when they feel their religious rights threatened, as in the Edgerton Bible Case in Wisconsin where Catholic parents protested against the reading of the KJV Bible in a public school.

i think this is more about fairness rather than secularism.
although some might appear to be fighting for equality when in reality it is driven by personal interests and yes, Catholics aren't exempted (granted that the catholic parents were rather fighting for religion(personal) over equality.
however Catholics and Catholicism aren't really the same.
so we can never really use behaviors of Catholics to discredit Catholicism.

It's hypocritical to condemn the very thing that you'd rely on when you're in the minority.

the Church doesn't condemn secularism nor its adherents(people)-- "Hate the Sin, not the sinner scenario"
but the very acts that are deemed offensive to God bursting forth from it. such as unbelief and the pursuit of material things over eternal ones, the "exchanged heavens" through fleshly desires over God's love, all are very likely to happen when we cling too much to this world over the next one.
i recall Jesus telling his disciples to store riches in heaven over riches on earth.

This is nothing more than an obvious yearning to return to the Medieval state of affairs where the power of the Catholic Church was at its height.

or you could be wrong.

[Bears Grill]

Hi bears, Secularism is NOT evil in itself BUT it is the most effective way the enemy can use to draw a soul away from God, i believe this is rather what the Church teaches.

in generic terms it is simply the act of not attributing things,happenings, thoughts to any religion.
example would be i love listening to Christian songs as well as secular ones(by secualr i mean not necessarily Atheistic ones but songs that just doesn't give attributes to God.)
it is the thought of giving attributes to the world or things in this workd..like relationships, dreams etc(not necessarily negative or evil) basta dili lang associated to something divine.

but in spiritual terms, the world usually contradicts to God
(this i believe is what religious people mean when associating Satan with the world)
as flesh goes against the spirit, so does material against eternal.
and ultimately Satan against God.
Satan can use anything that can somehow draw you away from God.
at this point we're talking about unbelief(as this is one of fruits of secularism)
hence the term "not of this world".

I don't think you understand what I mean by secularism. Secularism doesn't mean NO RELIGION. It means RELIGION FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT and NO RELIGION FOR THOSE WHO DON'T. It means freedom of religion and freedom from religion in equal measure, for a change. It means less unearned power, privilege and influence for the political organization of religion and the people who make their living from it...but not for anybody else. So, naturally, clergy regard it as the work of Satan.

i think this is more about fairness rather than secularism.

Precisely the point. Secularism seeks fairness for all religion...that no one religion dominates its agenda over other religions and those who don't have one. In the US, Catholics invoke the secularist principle of the Separation of Church and State when they feel that Protestants are having their way in a public sphere like a public school.

The word of secularism often gets a tainted definition whenever that venom drips from the mouths of clergymen and their die-hard defend-at-all-cost-no-matter-what apologists.

however Catholics and Catholicism aren't really the same.
so we can never really use behaviors of Catholics to discredit Catholicism.

I'm not discrediting Catholicism here. I'm pointing out the condemnation of secularism as the creeping back of Catholic theocracy.

the Church doesn't condemn secularism nor its adherents(people)-- "Hate the Sin, not the sinner scenario" but the very acts that are deemed offensive to God bursting forth from it. such as unbelief and the pursuit of material things over eternal ones, the "exchanged heavens" through fleshly desires over God's love, all are very likely to happen when we cling too much to this world over the next one.
i recall Jesus telling his disciples to store riches in heaven over riches on earth.

Secularism is a sin? Wasn't Jesus a secularist when said "Render unto Caesar..."?

or you could be wrong.

I think you're confusing the word "SECULARISM" with "HEDONISM", since you talked about material things and earthly riches.

I could be wrong about my un-belief. Maybe the Mormons got it right.

[noy]

hi bears, i think you misunderstood the points i was trying to raise or perhaps my explanation wasn't clear enough.. either way i will reply to your post tomorrow nalang ha kay out nako sa office..
saun ta man, nakihitch raman tas office ug internet gud..hehe

[tsukuna1990]

basa lang gud tag bible nya ask tag guidance ni God..

[TheSunKing]

GOSPEL READING: MT 13:54-58


Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.
They were astonished and said,
“Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
Is he not the carpenter’s son?
Is not his mother named Mary
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
Are not his sisters all with us?
Where did this man get all this?”
And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and in his own house.”
And he did not work many mighty deeds there
because of their lack of faith.

REFLECTIONS:

"He did not do many miracles there, because of their lack of faith."

Faith is often a difficult concept to grasp, yet without faith ‘it is impossible to please God’. (Hebrews 11:6).
In essence, ‘faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see’ (Hebrews 11:1).
We do not often read of Jesus performing miracles when the people did not believe.
Faith then is the key that unlocks the power of God for us.
The opposite of faith is self-sufficiency, which prevents us from being open to God’s work in our lives.

Do we neglect prayer and scripture because we are too busy doing things according to our own plans and ways?

Are we like those who doubted that God could work in their lives?

LORD, HELP US TO BELIEVE.

[noy]

I don't think you understand what I mean by secularism. Secularism doesn't mean NO RELIGION. It means RELIGION FOR THOSE WHO WANT IT and NO RELIGION FOR THOSE WHO DON'T. It means freedom of religion and freedom from religion in equal measure, for a change. It means less unearned power, privilege and influence for the political organization of religion and the people who make their living from it...but not for anybody else.

Mayng gabie bai, as promised, a continuation from yeterday's discussion.

First i think we need to establish our basis in defining Secularism 'cause i think what's going on is that we both are defining the subject using our different perspectives.

according to Wiki: Secularism is the principle of Separation of government institutions, and the persons mandated to represent the State, from religious institutions and religious dignitaries.

here's how freeonlinedictionary defines secularism: Religious skepticism or indifference.

last one would be from ask.com: Secular is the state of being separate from religion.

by the former definitions bai, it doesn't show any hints that secularism is ABOUT FAIRNESS and EQUALITY in the society where religious and irreligious alike live harmoniously as you suggested but rather a dividing line between the two, a distinction between them.
as defined above, Secularism does not necessarily opposes religion but generally refers to anything that doesn't have any religious attributes.

example of a secualr group/movement would be, save mother earth campaign, bantay bata163, DSWD
all are examples of secular groups, independent from anything religious BUT are not restricted to tie up with Religion.

in Music would be Love songs, songs about pain and sorrow, about the joy of having someone...secular songs as it does not promote anything divine in contrast with gospel songs..
there are even secular Christmas songs diba? like Gary V's "pasko na sinta ko"
although it has the word pasko in it but it refers to the heartache he is experiencing during the Christmas season. it is a Christmas song that doesn't have any religious attribute in contrast with Holy Night or O Come all ye faithful.

and secular artists or bands like U2, although U2 is often regarded as a Christian band 'cause some of their songs are spiritual. but in the general sense, they are a secular band 'cause of the fact that they too write and sing songs without any spiritual message on it but again, not restricted from anything religious.
in contrast with Don Moen who sings only gospel songs..
basically, Secularism is anything that is not religious.

so again in Religious Terms, Secularism is Not necessarily Evil but it is the easiest
if not the Fastest way the Evil One can use to draw a soul away from God.
simply because it doesn't have any religious attributes in it in the First place.

So, naturally, clergy regard it as the work of Satan.

murag naa man jud kay dala kalagot sa mga pari or sa mga pundok sa simbahan bears dah..hehehe
anyway wala lagi na gitudlo oi nga ang secularism kay sa Yawa jud na..haha

Precisely the point. Secularism seeks fairness for all religion...that no one religion dominates its agenda over other religions and those who don't have one. In the US, Catholics invoke the secularist principle of the Separation of Church and State when they feel that Protestants are having their way in a public sphere like a public school.

bears, if we are to define Secularism the way you define it which relates to fairness and equality
the Church then would actually be a secularist.
Secularist in the sense that it respects boundaries and differences within and outside it's walls. mao bitaw the late Blessed Pope John Paul 2 worked so hard for ecuminsim that all religion can co-exist, he even kissed the koran diba which caused the "taas-kilay" attitude from Fundamentalists. Lol

regarding the Catholic Parents, i couldn't say what they're up to 'cause their act could have been driven by personal interests as well
but if you think about it, as far as fairness is concerned. if the public school
reads KJV, then they might as well read Good News Bibles as well for fairness and equality right?then their cause is justified but like i said, wa pud ta kahibaw kung unsay motibo nila.

but personally i would leave KJV bible reading be esp if that particular state is dominated by protestants
'cause that's just normal.

The word of secularism often gets a tainted definition whenever that venom drips from the mouths of clergymen and their die-hard defend-at-all-cost-no-matter-what apologists.

Yes i agree, Secularism shouldn't be associated with EVIL in general terms.
however in terms of spirituality, a separation suggests either Risk or Assurance
of falling away from Faith.. like getting too much involved in secular activities
that we tend to forget our spirituality. it's more like of a warning about secularism instead of branding it as Evil.

diba All Atheists are Secularist?
point is that unbelief is also a result of Secularism.
i'm not saying ha nga kung secularist ka di naka mutoo ug Ginoo or eventually mahimo kang Atheist cause again although All Atheists are Secularist, NOT all Secularist are Atheist.
Atheism is merely one of the disadvantages of secularism(at least from a religious/Theist's point of view) as we can both agree that it too has lots of advantages. One of which is preventing corrupt church leaders to rule a nation
and thanks to the Separation Secularism suggests.

Regarding Atheism as disadvantage, share lang pud ko gamay although it is not necessarily evil as well but the act of unbelief
is a direct offense to God BUT i believe it doesn't mean God is angry with unbelievers as they too have their reasons for their unbelief and again it's between them and the Lord.

I'm not discrediting Catholicism here. I'm pointing out the condemnation of secularism as the creeping back of Catholic theocracy.

like i said in my earlier posts bai
the Church doesn't condemn secularism nor its adherents(people)
but the very acts that are deemed offensive to God bursting forth from it

Secularism is a sin? Wasn't Jesus a secularist when said "Render unto Caesar..."?

i didn't say Secularism is by "hate the sin and not the sinner"
but hating the act of abandoning the Faith cuased by Secularism but not the person who abandoned one's faith.

Jesus was actually talking about obedience to the Laws of the Land in respect with secularism(separation between divine and Land Laws or church and state)
as obedience is a strict teaching of Christ.
and yes he may have expressed secularism when he said those words and there's nothing wrong with it.

I think you're confusing the word "SECULARISM" with "HEDONISM", since you talked about material things and earthly riches.

Hedonism is rather one of the negative attributes of Secularism.
mao bitaw ingun ko nga Secularism is not necessarily evil but can be a tool for the evil one to drag a soul away from God.

I could be wrong about my un-belief. Maybe the Mormons got it right.

well, with our humanity and its limitations, everything is possible.

OTasensya bai kung taas2x ni akong reply.

[TheSunKing]

"Spiritual without being Religious"
a reflection

Secular spirituality advocates inner peace of the individual with other people rather than an intimate relationship with God. People who claim to be "spiritual without being religious" often appeals to the "respect" that each of which is supposed to get.


The main motivation of this "spirituality" is personal happiness and helping others, while neglecting a personal union with God. While personal happiness and altruism are both good things to be pursued as encouraged by the Catholic Church, they should be practiced not at the expense of our faith in God and His commandments.


This form of "secular spirituality" is very seductive enough -- Satan's way to acknowledge him that he is at par with God. Adherents to this false spirituality often claims equality over things, including those that have been explicitly banned by God, just because they love" and "respect" their neighbors. They trample God's laws out of their modernistic worship of each other.


They acknowledge that all religions (possibley including Satanism) are equal in the eyes of God, because they "help" and are "good" to their neighbors.


Pope Benedict has recognized this fault of modern thought and has spent his short Papacy in warning Catholics and other Christians against these paganistic tendencies.

[TheSunKing]

"RICH IN WHOSE SIGHT?"
18th Sunday Ordinary Time

Gospel: Luke 12: 13-21


A man in the crowd said to him, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance’.
‘My friend,’ he replied-’who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’
Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind,
for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs’.

Then he told them a parable: ‘There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land, thought to himself, “What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops.”
Then he said, “This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones,
and store all my grain and my goods in them, and I will say to my soul:
My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time”.

But God said to him, “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul;
and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?”.
So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.’

REFLECTION:

St Ignatius mentioned three obstacles to our faith – wealth, honour, pride.
He saw from his own experience that people wanted wealth so that they would be highly thought of – it can be right school, the right address, the right bank. And pride in what we have. And we know things can change very quickly. Shares go down; you may die or become ill.

Rich in whose sight?

"The battle lies between being rich in the sight of the world and being rich in the sight of God."

The opposite of the obstacles St Ignatius mentioned are simplicity, integrity, humility.
Humility is pride in who we are – children of God, brothers and sisters, and me just as I am.
I need nothing outside of myself to make me feel good about myself. This too is simplicity.

What we have is gift, given to us for the good of the world, the community,
the neighbourhood, not just for the good of myself.

Love not wealth

Ask in the end what matters, judged on love not on wealth.
Or if wealth, on what we did with our wealth?
It can lead us away from God very easily.
Do we live like him?

Be rich in God – in mercy, love, forgiveness and justice.

[TheSunKing]

Freedom in Obedience

a reflection

"I set before you here, this day, a blessing and a curse: a blessing for obeying the commandments of the Lord, your God, which I enjoin on you today; a curse if you do not obey the commandments of the Lord, your God, but turn aside from the way I ordain for you today, to follow other gods, who you have not known" Deuteronomy 11: 26-27

What is Freedom? Is it really the right to do all the things we want?

While "freedom in obedience" seem a paradox, let me give two situations. When we plant a seed, we apply all the wisdom we have that we have so that the seed can grow and be fruitful. We don't let it soak in the rain, or let it have whatever it likes, but we regulate the elements so to enable the seed to be fruitful and useful.

The same thing applies for pets. If we have pets, we need them to obey to our rules so that they will not get sick and have the freedom to play. Any responsible pet owner knows that dogs need to follow the time to eat, the time to sleep and even has to know when to defecate. Should the dog refuse to obey, we resort to leashing the dog where it will have no freedom to play as it likes. The owner’s eyes then will reveal his thoughts – if only his dog would have listened, what freedom he would have.


In our current setting, the Lord's laws as expressed in the Church has the same aim: the happiness of man. But man would always pull to the other side, appealing on their "human" nature to sin and disobey. As Catholic Christians, we look up to Jesus is the complete measure of a true human -- always obedient to the laws of his Father in heaven. By virtue of His obedience, we gained our freedom from the yoke of sin.

Happiness of man is the real essence of the God's laws, but man's law is not a guarantee to provide us the same. Therefore, we need to obey those laws to achieve real freedom. The saints have provided us with good examples in choosing God's laws over man's laws.

St Thomas more suffered martyrdom at the hands of the King because he would not approve his divorce. His last words were truly remarkable: "I die as the King's good servant, but God's first." Truly wonderful words for every Catholic to reflect on.

Obedience is "Freedom from Slavery"

The Catechism has been clear on this: The practice of the moral life animated by charity gives to the Christian the spiritual freedom of the children of God. He no longer stands before God as a slave, in servile fear, or as a mercenary looking for wages, but as a son responding to the love of him who "first loved us"

We need to be faithful to our spouses so that we will not be enslaved with problems related to adultery. We need to be honest so that we will not be enslaved with guilt. We need to practice moderation in drinking, eating so that we will not be enslaved by diseases.

Today, we all know that the Church, society and families are all in a state of chaos because most people are not listening and most people are doing their own thing. What are you supposed to do in this present and on-going crisis?

Be faithful and persevere.

=============================
Let us ask ourselves: ARE WE TRULY FREE?

[TheSunKing]

ARE YOU SAVED?


So what's the answer? The answer is that I have been saved, I'm being saved, and I have the hope that I will be saved, while I work out my salvation with fear and trembling, like St. Paul. In other words, according to the Bible, "BEING SAVED" IS not a one time event, but rather, AN ONGOING PROCESS.

If "once saved, always saved" was a true biblical doctrine, then why would the Bible say just the opposite? Paul says to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling" in Philippians 2:12, which really implies that no one is truly saved until they die and are safely in God's hands.

A one-time profession of faith in Jesus Christ is a great start, but there is much more to salvation than that. As Catholics, we are always reminded to PERSEVERE in our faith in God and good works towards others. As followers of Jesus, who are leading perfectly imperfect lives, we are still required to work on a pattern of perseverance and spiritual fruit in our lives, have not only a confidence in our present state of grace but also of our future perseverance with God.