Pope: Reject a culture where truth does not matter

Radio Vaticana ^ | 6/12/12

[markomalley]

Pope Benedict XVI on Monday night met with the people of his Diocese in the Cathedral Basilica of Saint John Lateran. The annual ecclesial conference of the Diocese of Rome is discussing the Sacrament of Baptism in the Church

“Renouncing the glamour of Satan in today’s age means rejecting a culture where truth does not matter,” the Pope said, referring to a part of the Baptismal Rite.

The Holy Father began his remarks by reflecting on the fact the Baptismal formula is “in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,” as opposed to “on the behalf of.”

He said with Baptism, we are now in the life of the Trinity: “uniquely united to God, with a new life that belongs to God, we are immersed in God Himself.”

This being true, the Pope said this means God is not some distant reality, but “we are in God, and God is in us.”

He said we also must keep in mind that this relationship begins with God.

“Yes, my decision is necessary, but ultimately, it is an act of God within me,” he explained. “I do not decide to become a Christian. I am … chosen by God, and by saying “yes” to this action of God, I become a Christian.”

In the Baptismal Rite, the catechuman must reject Satan and all his works. Pope Benedict said this means rejecting a “culture that does not seek goodness, whose morality is only a mask, which covers confusion and destruction...that seeks only material wealth and denies God”

He said the decision of Baptism lasts for the all our lives, with its rejection of evil, even if it means sacrifices.

The Pope then pointed out that becoming a Christian is not just saying ‘no’, but also saying ‘yes’ to the truths about Christ expressed in the Creed.

Because of this, Christians are “in communion with the truth.”

“We are grateful to God who gave us this gift [of Baptism], and our challenge is to live out our post-baptismal renunciations and affirmations and always live in the great cause of God, and so live well,” he concluded.

[AmericanInTokyo]

What a candle in the midst of much darkness

[jimsin]

Because of this, Christians are “in communion with the truth.”

I gotta communion I wish He had....I wish he'd commune with the concept of sending a message to world thugs: 'he who muders his neighbor frys on ole sparky'....that's a GOOD idea to both commune with...and to espouse to the faithful.. Moreover, the day after the Pope openly supports capital punishment it puts the Papacy on the side of the angels and it does NOT put helpless victims in harms way. A twofer.....I'm just really not so sure God wants the Vatican to encourage murder and mayhem.....but that's just me.... I do know this though, it is a BAD idea to call for the end of Capital Punishment from safely within the walls of the Swiss guarded Vatican; while 99% of the faithful are out here fending for ourselves against murdering thugs..(HEY! we're 99 percenters)

........How about this Dandy Better Idea: sell off a few Italian paintings (the Mafia is, last time i looked, responsible for a lotta crime ya know... bwahhahaha) then send the proceeds to the NRA so they can continue their good work encouraging the passage of open and concealed carry which protects the faithful, worldwide. Think what a boost that'd give us if the Papacy openly backed up RKBA and concealed carry. Protecting potential victims..... now thats what i call First Class Shepardin' WWGSD (what would a good shepard do?) All i can say is HOSANNAH...

[markomalley]

[jimsin]

well when the thug realizes he aint gonna get killed for killing another there is no deterrence not to kill...therefore he’ll kill with greater abandon and might even kill time and time again since he knows whatever happens he aint gonna fry for it.... so it’d be nice but if he realizes if he does kill he himself will be fried on ole sparky that will deter him from killing..another deterrent is the possiblity his victim might be armed i.e. concealed carry...SOOO it behoves the Pope to come out strongly in favor of both the death penalty and concealed carry those two things will serve the SHEPARD’S flock keeping them from harm.....get it? and those are the two ideas that i was talking about....

[markomalley]

So, if I understand you (and I’m far from being sure I do), you think the Holy Father ought to come out and actively support the death penalty and CCW, is that right?

What in the world does that have to do with the subject of this thread?

[jimsin]

well to concentrate on baptism which pertains to the beginning of life is fine but in addition i wish he’d pay as much attention to what happens to his flock all throughout the rest of their lives.... he should continue with his help with deeds that help us throughout the rest of our lives ... as a GOOD SHEPHERD should....there is nothing wrong with being complete....

[markomalley]

well to concentrate on baptism which pertains to the beginning of life is fine but in addition i wish he’d pay as much attention to what happens to his flock all throughout the rest of their lives.... he should continue with his help with deeds that help us throughout the rest of our lives ... as a GOOD SHEPHERD should....there is nothing wrong with being complete....

Fair enough.

But wouldn't you agree that, ultimately, the job of the Church is to facilitate the reconciliation of souls with God?

And wouldn't you agree that, taking the long view, that if a Christian gains heaven for eternity, what happens here in this life is really sort of inconsequential?