Pope Francis: Catholic Church must focus beyond "small-minded rules"

The moral law doesn't mean much to people who see it as just an irrelevant restriction on their freedom, imposed on them by busybodies who are irritating interlopers in their lives; but once they are attracted to Christ and begin to acquire the mind of Christ, gradually it makes sense to them: they grasp the horror of what they're doing, AND they have the grace from Him which strengthens them to do good and avoid evil.

In many ways I think some of this debate I see in reading this thread and the "objections" many are putting forth about what they think the Pope said are the result of the Church's many years of acting like the very 'edifice' Pope Francis is talking about. If a church or congregation acts like an unmerciful moral edifice the church will crumble. If a church has open doors through which the sinner can enter and seek God, the church grows.

There are many times I read posts in the religion forum and ponder the unmerciful words I read coming from Christians & Catholics alike. I left many congregations because of the unmerciful ones within the so-called body of Christ. To be rebuked for sin is one thing, to find no mercy, no support, and no help is completely another. The media spin on what the Pope actually said has head's exploding, but reading his full words leads one to understand that he is calling for the Catholic Church to return to the demonstration of the full mercy of God for the sinner.

And wasn't this the message of Christ time and again, from the adulteress to be stoned to the forgiveness of the thief on the cross? To the Pharisees and the unmerciful ones, Christ told us who had the Right to cast the first stone. And to those who found the Grace of God...Jesus told them to go and sin no more. The sinner can't find God if we're constantly throwing stones at them.

Sun,

Unless I quote all 66 books of the Bible here (minus the apocrypha), then I am on your words, "picking and choosing" Scripture. Did not Jesus Himself quote Scripture passages to show the truth?

Like many Catholics, you hold on to this notion that you "started" the Christian belief and therefore you have no worries about adhering to any authority in Scripture. Let me remind you that Romans says we ALL have fallen short of the glory of God, and furthermore in Revelation that God severely judges churches for their failings. The Catholic Church and its supposed leaders will come under the gaze of The Lord very soon, as will you and I.

Do not hold onto truth or salvation because of who "started" the Roman church. Second century Christians would not recognize The Way in the current Roman church, and the Bible does not say Christ rewards hearts based on who claims they got to second base first. It says He judges, and that should bring fear and trembling to all of us. You hold on to tradition, but not the Scriptures. God will hold you accountable for that.

True, and well-spoken, EBH. I can see you've put a lot of thought and experience into this.

I do wonder how many people here actually read Pope Francis' 12,000 word interview?

The full text can be found in the U.S. publication American Magazine (www.americamagazine.org) and in the UK based online journal Thnking Faith (www.thinkingfaith.org)

It's merciful, warm, and beautiful: I didn't think there's anything in it that an Evangelical Christian couldn't enthusiastically endorse or at least understand favorably; and there's plenty there to challenge left and right alike.

It glorifies Jesus Christ and radiates goodwill toward people of goodwill whomever they may be.

The liberal media have done their usual cultural vandalism on it: select, discard, crop, and frame. If you read the whole thing I assure you it will be well worth your time.

Always nice to hear from you!

Thanks. And yes, I spend a lot of time thinking about God’s Word and listening/watching this Pope Francis.

I do tend to like him very much. People who are confused by him because they are looking for him to somehow change fundamental doctrine, when he is actually calling us to return to some of the very basic teachings of the Church.

Humbleness, mercy, forgiveness, examination of conscience, and a return to the message of salvation.

“..Like many Catholics, you hold on to this notion that you “started” the Christian belief and therefore you have no worries about adhering to any authority in Scripture. ..”

I did not start the Catholic Church, Jesus did.

And speaking of Scripture, here it is again from the New Testament:

MATTHEW Chapter 16 “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,* and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it.”

I know you love Jesus, SkyPilot, which is great, of course, but you should not believe LMSM, or the so-called National “Catholic” Reporter, and attack the Church.

Next time read the words from the Pope, or other leader, and not the media spin, or phrases out of context.

[addressing a statement that said "the Catholic Church recognizes the Sacraments of Baptism and of Matrimony as valid in all Christian denominations"]
APOSTOLIC CHURCH: Invalid
CHRISTADELPHIANS: Invalid
CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS: Invalid
CHURCH OF DIVINE SCIENCE: Invalid
JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES: Invalid
LATTER DAY SAINTS CHURCH (MORMON): Invalid
PENTECOSTAL CHURCHES: Invalid
UNIVERSALISTS: Invalid

Not sure why you would bring these up, unless you believe that these are "Christian (Protestant) denominations". Is that what you believe?

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