Pondering Tidbits of Truth - April 18, 2024

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.

Father Jacques Philippe

 

“The fact that we can’t save ourselves is something we acknowledge in words, but in fact we find it very hard to accept. We’d all like to be saved by our own efforts…to shine in other people’s eyes, even on the spiritual level. Worldly people want to be highly regarded because they have luxurious cars, expensive watches, designer clothes, professional prestige, and go around with beautiful people. As good Christians, we may want to stand out for our virtues, charisms, experience, and sound judgement. Then we consider that we are on the right path. But in fact we’re in danger of ending up with exactly the same mindset as the worldly people described above. Very often, without realizing it, we have a worldly outlook on the spiritual life: self-fulfillment, self-affirmation, expansion of the ego, etc. And spiritual pride, we must be aware, is sometimes more destructive than social, worldly pride.”

(From The Way of Trust and Love)

 

 

Judson Carroll

“… as I have explained before, Protestants believe that all that is necessary for salvation is that one believe that Jesus is God and accept Him as Savior. But that isn’t what the Bible says. Jesus said that although people called Him Lord and did mighty works in His name, He would say, “I do not know you.” Our Lord says that those who love Him must follow His commandments…

 

This is extremely important. One may be validly baptized and confirmed; one may believe in Jesus as God…. But one may lose salvation through sin. Mortal sin kills the soul. I would go so far as to say that each book of the Bible emphasizes this fact in various ways. To deny the reality of the consequences of sin is to deny Christianity itself. Why did God give Moses the 10 Commandments if sin is no big deal? Why was Jesus crucified if there was no penalty for sin? Why would Jesus and His Apostles emphasize over and over again that Christians must strive to avoid sin if sin has no bearing? To put it bluntly, the teachings of many Protestant denominations endanger souls. Those who follow their doctrine are in grave danger of hell.

 

It is extremely important to point out though, that Protestants have an excuse… most of them believe what they are taught. Yes, they should read the Bible and realize what they are taught is wrong, but God will judge them individually, based on their understanding and actions. We, as Catholics, have no excuse. We have the fullness of the Truth. We all, certainly, sin. But we cannot deny the consequences of sin. God gave us His teachings through the Bible and Sacred Tradition. He gives us infallible instruction through His Church. He also gives us recourse for forgiveness when we sin. We have the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We have all that is necessary to attain eternal salvation in Heaven. We have only to assent and do as God said. This is such a tremendous gift! For millions of years, man wandered in confusion. We are so very privileged to have the Fullness of the Truth. But we must remember another teaching of our Lord, 'To whom much is given, much will be required'.”

 

(From Sin Kills - the April 11, 2024 Gospel Reflection on Missio Dei )

 

Ven. Fulton J. Sheen

“My work, then, is not finished until I take Your place upon the Cross, for unless there is a Good Friday in my life, there will never be an Easter Sunday; unless there is a garment of a fool, there will never be the white robes of wisdom; unless there is the crown of thorns, there will never be the glorified body; unless there is the battle there will never be the victory; unless there is a thirst, there will never be the Heavenly Refreshment; unless there is a cross, there will never be the empty tomb. Teach me, Jesus, to finish this task, for it is fitting that the sons of men should suffer and thus enter into their glory.”

(From The Seven Last Words)