There is no one on this planet who loves to label people and pigeon hole them than a Catholic.
Posted on 12/27/2011 8:24:19 PM PST by RnMomof7
Rome, Italy, Dec 8, 2011 / 04:28 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI reflected on the biblical description of a “woman clothed with the sun” in his remarks at Rome's Spanish Steps on the 2011 Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
“What is the meaning of this image? It represents the Church and Our Lady at the same time,” the Pope told the crowd assembled before the nearby statue commemorating the 1854 definition of Mary's Immaculate Conception. “Before all, the 'woman' of the apocalypse is Mary herself.”
The 12th chapter of the Biblical Apocalypse – also known as the Book of Revelation – describes the glorification and persecution of “a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.”
Though not named, this woman is described as the mother of the Messiah. In poetic language akin to the Bible's other prophetic books, Saint John says she faced the threat of “a huge red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns,” and “fled into the desert where she had a place prepared by God.”
Pope Benedict, offering white roses in his traditional yearly act of Marian veneration, gave listeners his insight into the connection between the Virgin Mary and the Church – portrayed in the Apocalypse through the single image of the sun-clad woman.
“She appears 'clothed in sunlight,' that is, clothed in God,” observed the Pope. “The Virgin Mary is in fact completely surrounded by the light of God and lives in God … The 'Immaculate One' reflects with all of her person the light of the 'sun' which is God.”
“Besides representing Our Lady, this sign personifies the Church, the Christian community of all times,” he continued.
The Church, he explained, is “pregnant, in the sense that she carries Christ” and “must give birth to him to the world.”
“This is the labor of the pilgrim Church on earth, that in the midst of the consolations of God and the persecutions of the world, she must bring Christ to men.”
Because the Church continues to bring Jesus into the world, Pope Benedict said, it “finds opposition in a ferocious adversary,” symbolized in scripture by the “dragon” that has “tried in vain to devour Jesus,” and now “directs his attacks against the woman – the Church – in the desert of the world.”
“But in every age the Church is supported by the light and the strength of God,” the Pope said. “She is nurtured in the desert with the bread of his word and the Holy Eucharist.”
“And in this way, in every tribulation, through all of the trials that she finds in the course of the ages and in the different parts of the world, the Church suffers persecution, but comes out the victor.”
Pope Benedict said the Church should not fear persecution, which is bound to arise, but will be defeated.
“The only pitfall of which the Church can and must be afraid is the sin of her members,” he warned, highlighting the key difference between the Church and the woman who is its prototype.
“While in fact Mary is immaculate – free from every stain of sin – the Church is holy, but at the same time marked by our sins.”
While sinless herself, Mary remains in solidarity with the Church struggling against sin.
“That is why the people of God, pilgrims in time, turn to their heavenly mother and ask for her help,” explained Pope Benedict.
He stressed the world's need for the hope brought by the “woman clothed with the sun” – “especially in this difficult moment for Italy, for Europe and for different parts of the world.”
“May Mary help us to see that there is a light beyond the veil of fog that appears to envelop reality,” he declared.
“For this also we, especially on this day, never cease to ask with filial trust for her help: 'O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to you.'”
There is no one on this planet who loves to label people and pigeon hole them than a Catholic.
I guess it’s the only way that they can pass judgment on others and feel completely justified in it. It does nothing but create an attitude of smug superiority in those doing the labeling and judging.
It’s all about control.
Their words are meaningless noise.
Like a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
The Word of God stands forever and states that you are His. Don’t let the meaningless noise of unbelievers rattle you.
There is no one on this planet who loves to label people and pigeon hole them than a Catholic.
You could at least come up with something new instead of the worn out posts seen time and again...same old pot..same old graphics.....there truly is nothing new under the sun....the persecution simply never ends when you guys get your dander up on the high horse you ride...and you can’t see what you are revealing about yourselves.....and it isn’t a reflection of our Lord and Savior.
“Any other questions?”
Yeah, why the fear? What harm, other than having to defend your own faith, is there in identifying what congregational or denominational tag fits your beliefs? Is your belief system so weak that it cannot stand scrutiny?
But you should know as the Lord is very clear about it.
Do you also include pedahilia and beastiality in the mix as comparable to alcoholism...where is the line drawn in your opinion?
When we as Christians stop calling sinful actions against God "behavior" or "diseases"...then we just might one day lead those who practice these sins to repent and find In Christ the forgiveness they need. As long as we excuse the actions for something other than what they are in God's eyes.. these people will have no hope....and most will die in their sin.
Don’t take the bait PNSN.....we’ve all seen it before along with the snarky comments. It’s getting pretty deep in here....ya know.
Sorry, didn’t realize it was past your bedtime.
There's no fear.
What harm, other than having to defend your own faith, is there in identifying what congregational or denominational tag fits your beliefs?
Total and unmitigated cluelessness abounds in Catholicism.
Likely not for the last time, our identity is NOT in a denomination or congregation or group of men. Our identity is IN CHRIST. We are in HIM, not in a church.
Labels mean nothing. They are man-made constructs that mean nothing to God and nothing to us.
Your attempts at wit are as boring as your attempts at sarcasm.
One cannot do to their bodies what homosexuals do, which is far more than most have a clue about...without it affecting the mind. We do become the choices we make...Homosexuals change in their appearances as well over time...there's a real putrid look that eventually shows in their skin. Some will resort to body building etc. to offset the body changes.
Is that what it is?
I thought it was the boredom everyone feels when they see the same tired old posts over and over again.
Something about Catholicism must stifle creativity. It must be that not being allowed to think for themselves part.
Catholics do not worship Mary.
We worship Christ in the Mass.
We love Mary because she is His Mom!!
“...our identity is NOT in a denomination or congregation or group of men.”
Then why the fear in identifying them? Christians should have neither fear nor duplicity and yet the anti-Catholic crowd here includes those who refuse to identify what congregations or denominations they feel leads them (and presumably others) to Christ.
Catholics have neither of those issues, we proudly proclaim our membership in the Mystical Body of Christ and His One True, Holy and Apostolic Church.
Why the fear? Is the light of day so hateful?
That's likely because there's a closer connection between the soul and body than we realize.
I would figure that the practiced behavior causes the chemical changes rather than the chemical changes causing the behavior.
Science and scientists are not known for getting the order of things right and often put the cart before the horse.
“It must be that not being allowed to think for themselves part.”
How Christlike. Tell me again what odd sect teaches people to hide their faith and engage in bigotry against the Catholic Church?
Thank you - Our Lady of La Salette!
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