Posted on 09/09/2014 7:56:30 AM PDT by cleghornboy
Pope Francis has just reminded us that, "God 'walks with the righteous and the sinners.' He walks 'with everyone, to arrive at that encounter, the final encounter of man with Him.'" (See here).
Once again, it is what Pope Francis does not say that is troubling. Yes the weeds continue to grow among the wheat until Jesus returns. Yes, we are all sinners. But the notion that I can live as I wish, committing one sin after another, and that this is somehow "okay" because Jesus "walks with me" is erroneous. It is presumption. The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us that: "There are two kinds of presumption. Either man presumes upon his own capacities, (hoping to be able to save himself without help from on high), or he presumes upon God's almighty power or his mercy (hoping to obtain his forgiveness without conversion and glory without merit)." (CCC, 2092).
Dr. Grisez explains that, "Remaining interested in God's promises and counting on him to keep them, those who sin by presumption continue to hope and even, to some extent, to shape their lives by hope. But, not consistently putting hope into practice, they abuse it, expecting pardon without repentance and the reward for following Jesus without the cost of discipleship. This unrealistic expectation is the essence of presumption. An element of pride underlies this sin. Rejecting God's terms for obtaining what he promises, the presumptuous expect to obtain it on their own. They suppose that God, like a blustery parent, threatens punishments which he will be too softhearted to carry out, and, like a permissive parent, accompanies his gift of freedom with a virtual guarantee to fend off the consequences of its irresponsible use. Such suppositions are inconsistent with faith..
(Excerpt) Read more at lasalettejourney.blogspot.com ...
Not providing proof, just experience. I sure see it alot (including personal experience), so that is my impression. Just like my impression of Moslems is very dim, and other groups, by experience mostly.
So you have no proof but state it as fact? Would that apply to Catholics as well as Protestants? I also have witnessed lifestyles that would indicate a person really doesn't follow the doctrine of a church but I certainly wouldn't tag all from that church.
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