Posted on 10/11/2013 2:45:26 PM PDT by NYer
Yikes!
1. James had just told us to go to the presbyter in verse 14 for healing and the forgiveness of sins. Then, verse 16 begins with the word therefore—a conjunction connecting verse 16 back to verses 14 and 15. The context seems to point to the "elder" as the one to whom we confess our sins.
2. Ephesians 5:21 employed this same phrase, "to one another," in the context of teaching about the sacrament of holy matrimony: "Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ." Even though the text says "to one another," the context limits the scope of the meaning of "to one another" specifically to a man and wife—not just anyone. Similarly, the context of James 5 bears out that the confession "to one another" refers to the relationship between "anyone" and specifically an "elder" or "priest" (Gk. presbuteros).
3. The final words of the passage speak specifically of ministers called by God to minister to his people in his place, i.e., Elijah the prophet (cf. Jas 5:17).
Because it says something positive about Francis. As long as the reader doesn’t perceive the media taking his words out of context, or made up, etc it’s all good.
Both of its major terms are ambivalent.
By "gay priests" does she mean "chaste men whose particular temptations are homosexual in nature"? Or does she mean "active sodomites"?
By the Church's "proclamations," does she mean what's written in the Catechism? Does she even know what s written in the Catechism?
This seems to be a question. Questions are allowed --- as I always tell my RCIA students --- since they are the first steps of the road to wholehearted understanding.
Same here: I see questions, not defiance. Have you tried to answer her questions?
NY’r,
I know what you would like it to mean, but it does not.
The context is that sin can make you sick. Believers should confess those sins to the one they wronged. They should also pray for one another with that person.
Your comparison to Eph 5:21, refers to husband and wife (one to another) - not the elder who was marrying the couple. As such it is a good comparison. The elder would do the act of marrying the couple. The couple would do the submitting one to another.
In verse 16, the elders (not priests), are anointing and praying for the sick person. The sick person, if her sickness is due to a sin against another, should confess to that other. Much affliction stems from those kinds of sin and should be resolved.
Only eisogesis takes a later idea and tries to squeeze it into passages that refer to something else.
To be clear, I haven't been totally absent from the sacrament of reconciliation, but my primary experience in the past many years has been communal penance services. These liturgies can be moving and are certainly efficient and convenient for all involved. They can be less intimidating for people who have not received the sacrament in a while, so I understand why they are offered.SACRAMENT is what's missing from these services ... She should just acknowledge it, and say it.
"Hundreds of people with a half-dozen priests at a service that starts at 7:30 p.m. on a school night. Folks are in a hurry even if their best intention is to not be. And I'm not certain contrition can be rushed."
The half-dozen priests are there to hear individual confessions. That's why she felt "rushed" -- because she was conscious that there were long lines waiting behind her for their individual confessions.
So there was the "service" AND there was the "Sacrament" --- the individual confession of a penitent to a priest.
Jesus is alive and wants to have a relationship with you, Christians know him relationally.
And there are many, many witness who will share their stories with you and tell you exactly how they are pointed TO scripture AND have a real relationship with a living God.
Dear friend. What have I posted that makes you think I do not have a relationship with Jesus?
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