Pondering Tidbits of Truth - September 26, 2013

Pondering Tidbits of Truth is my simple and inadequate way of providing nuggets of spiritual wisdom for you to chew on from time to time.

Pope Leo XIII

"What St. Paul taught was all the truths and precepts of Christ, even the most demanding ones, without silencing or watering down any.  He spoke of humility, of self-denial, of chastity, of detachment from earthly goods, of obedience…And he did not fear to stress that one had to choose between serving God and serving Baal, because it is not possible to serve the two together. He taught that after death all had to undergo a woeful judgment; that no one can bargain with God; that one can only expect eternal life if one has kept God’s laws; that seeking pleasures by breaking these laws one can only expect eternal damnation…Never did the Preacher of truth think he had to omit these things because  they might seem harsh to his listeners, especially in view of the corruption of the times…Since when does a doctor give useless medicine to his patients, being afraid to prescribe useful ones?"

 

(From Humanum Genus)

St. John Chrysostom

“When you are weary of praying, and do not receive, consider how often you have heard a poor man calling, and have not listened to him.”

 

 

 

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M.

 

"As Catholics we have a duty to treat all people, regardless of their beliefs, with justice, charity, mercy, prudence, patience and understanding.  We’re not asked to “tolerate” them but to love them, which is a much more demanding task.  Obviously, tolerance is an important democratic working principle.  Most of the time, it’s a good and vital thing.  But tolerating lies about the nature of the human person is a sin.  Tolerating grave evil in a society is an equally grave evil.  And using “tolerance” as an excuse for not living and witnessing Jesus Christ in our private lives and in our public actions is not an act of civility.  It’s a form of cowardice."

 

(From Religious Tolerance and the Common Good)