|
WHY AM I A
CATHOLIC ?
|
 |
CONTENTS
Imprimatur
: Most Rev. Bernard Moras D.D.,
Bishop of Belgaum, B.C. 69,
Camp Belgaum - 590 001
Translated into English :
Swamy Prabhudhar S.J.,
Virakta Math, Saundatti, Dt. Belgaum - 591126
Scripture quotations are taken from:
The New Revised Standard Version
Imprimi Potest :
Rev. Fr. Franklin D'Souza, M.A.
St. Peter's Seminary, Bangalore
Nihil Obstat :
Rev. Fr. Anthony Swamy,
Rev. Fr. Franklin D'Souza,
Deacon M.G. Joseph
Publisher :
Bro. T.K. George
First Printing : 2004
Top of Page
Message
 I am happy to write these few lines in appreciation of the Book that has
been published by Bro. T.K. George, a popular preacher of the Word of God.
The acts of the Apostles Chapter 4:20, Peter and John said "We cannot stop
speaking what we ourselves have seen and heard." In Chapter 22:15 we read
of St. Paul, God blessed him through Prophet Ananias: "for you will be the
witness for him to tell everyone what you have seen and heard." St. John
in his first epistle Chapter 1:2 says "So we speak of it and tell you
about eternal life which was with the Father and was made known to us.
What we have seen and heard we announced to you also, so that you will
join this in the fellowship that we have with the Father and with his Son
Jesus Christ." Once again he writes in Chapter 4:14 of the same epistle
"What we have seen and told others that the Father sent his Son to be the
Saviour of the world. If anyone declares that Jesus is the Son of God, he
lives in union with God and God lives in union with him."
The Apostles bore witness to Jesus Christ because they had seen, heard,
touched and experienced Jesus. They wanted their disciples even to
experience the same risen Lord.
Bro. T.K. George, the preacher of the Word of God has been touched by the
Lord. He has experienced him and now having convinced of his love for him
and for others, he has given up everything to preach his love through his
word.
This booklet that he has written, tells us why he is a Catholic, how the
Lord has touched him and how he has experienced Jesus in his life and what
makes him to go and preach the Word of God. As we read in the scriptures
only the men who has the Spirit can call the name of Jesus. I pray that
the good Lord may touch the readers of this book, in body, mind and soul,
and experience his love, so that having experienced his love they may
share the same with the others.
BISHOP BERNARD MORAS
BISHOP OF BELGAUM
Top of Page
Foreword
 It is rare to find anyone in the Church of Karnataka who has not heard the
name of Bro. T.K. George. First a Cinema actor, then an artist, an
art-performer, orchestra master and so on ... This person has been
preaching the Good News of the only Saviour Jesus and the truths of the
Catholic Church for the last fourteen years in his own style. He has
brought the Bible to the minds of lakhs of people in a very simple style.
He can speak well in Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam. He went to Sri Lanka
ten times; Also to Germany, Italy, Rome and Switzerland to preach the Good
News. He has released fourteen cassettes in Kannada. These are based on
the Bible and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Thus bringing solace to the
souls in despair.
"It is no more I who live, but Jesus lives in me." According to these
words of St. Paul, he has offered his whole life to the one Saviour Jesus.
"The one who is in me (Jesus) is greater than the one who is in the
world." (John 4:4). He has experienced and realized this sentence and so
preaches the good news with courage.
Now he has placed before the people, not only of Karnataka but other
places also with his own experiences, in this little booklet, "Why am I a
Catholic?" Everyone who preaches the Good News should read it. It is going
to be an answer to those who have left, and are still leaving the C.
Church, hearing and understanding only half truths. It will help such
Catholics to disperse many doubts they have about their own faith. It is
going to be a true guide to those who for the sake of the Gospel have left
everything and followed Jesus, and who have forgotten their duty to preach
the Good News. This little release will help those who without knowing
what is the true Gospel, attack the Catholics in their preaching.
Rev. Fr. Franklyn D'Souza
St. Peter's Seminary,
Bangalore
Top of Page
Dedication
 My hearty Childhood friend,
Rev. Fr. Stephan Kottakkal,
You are celebrating the
Silver Jubilee of your Priesthood.
Therefore we c are all very happy.
May Jesus give you the Holy Spirit
To serve his people till your last breath
Your childhood friend
- Bro. T.K. George
Top of Page
A word from the translator ...
 I had called Bro T.K. George to preach a
retreat during Lent 2004, at Madlur in my Mission area. During this
programme he presented me his new book, Why am I a Catholic? I glanced
through the book and immediately went to congratulate him. Such a small
precious book is very necessary for our people just now. He took the
opportunity, and asked me if I could translate it into English. I am not
so much at home with English, so I wanted to do it in Marathi. But he
insisted that I first do it into English and then into Marathi. So I did
it first into English and then into Marathi. It is rather easy because
most of it is only quotations from the Bible.
God has formed George's personality through his experience of the joys and
sorrows of life. Most of his devotional songs are the expression of his
own inner feelings and experiences. They are quite popular in Karnataka.
He earned much name, fame and had a very successful career from the
worldly point of view. But his personal and family life was shattered. And
he was hunting for peace and tranquility, all the while floating in the
sea of despair. Christ our Lord lifted him up from this suicidal situation
into his own love.
This experience was so powerful that George gave up everything and set
himself to know Christ. As he knew him he fell in his love and gave up
everything to follow and preach him and his message. George knows Kannada,
Tamil and Malayalam well and can therefore preach all over India and also
in Sri Lanka, Germany, Switzerland etc. Hence he is on journey most of the
time. And how he finds time to write books and to publish them is rather
mysterious. But a man caught-up in the love of Christ has to do it. I am
proud of George. That is why to show my appreciation, I have taken up the
English and Marathi translations of his book.
Swamy Prabhudhar, S.J.
Saundatti
Top of Page
Greetings from the Heart
 In Gadag there was a woman called Rebecca. She had a disease and was
bedridden. She used to pray and fast much. She put the money which she had
saved into my hand and said, "Brother bring out a book to answer those who
speak against the Catholic Church and against Mother Mary. She said this
with tears in her eyes and thereafter died in a few days. My thanks to all
such people who have such touching respect and love for the Catholic
Church. In the same way Mr. Francis Cutinha and Mr. Valerian Judy D'Souza
of Mangalore have co-operated by giving financial aid to publish this
booklet. A special thanks to Bro. Wilson Carvalho and family of Belgaum
who have helped me a lot for this English Book. I thank Swamy Prabhudhar
who has done this translation so beautiful, in spite of his busy schedule.
I must also thank Fr. Franklyn D'Souza, a man of prayer who always stands
by me as my spiritual guide and one who always helps me by his prayer. To
Rev. Fr. George Panakkal, Rev. Fr. Kuriakos Ponnolil, Rev. Fr. Joseph
Vasintar and the representative of the Bishop at Bidar Rev. Fr. Robert
Miranda, to all these priests and the prayer heroes of the Divyavani team
of Mangalore, to all the friends who have prayed and cooperated and to my
kit and kin, I am immensely grateful.
To those who gave me encouragement,
loved me and consoled me in my loneliness
and thus encouraged me, I am ever thankful.
Also to the one who gave me such friends and
who loves me more than my own mother,
Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour my gratitude
at every breath of mine.
- Bro. T.K. George
Top of Page
YOU ARE CHRISTIANS;
Still why do you fight each other so much?
When Hindus or Muslims asked such questions, I had to put my head down
many times. What answer could I give? Jesus preached a living message;
forgive each other, bear with each other, serve and love one another and
so on ... We belong to Him. As His disciples should we preach hatred,
judgement and dislike for each other from our pulpits? If such is our way,
then those who have come to find peace and health in Jesus, will surely
ask such questions.
In the name of the Good News it is bad tongues that throw up
mind-upsetting, hatred-spreading poisonous arrows. The same tongue that
praises God on the altar, now curses and degrades the man made in God's
own image and likeness (James 3:9-10). Is this right?
We must be witnesses first to Christ. Instead of that, we become pools of
bad habits, vices and hatred and like Judas who was always with the Lord,
travel towards hell; is it not? Perhaps God's mercy will forgive those who
are sinning without sufficient awareness! But will it forgive us who are
well informed ... ?
Just think of it. When people see pastors, preachers, priests or nuns,
they must see Christ Himself in them. When such should be the reality, how
to answer questions like the one above?
According to 1 Cor 13:1-2, "If I speak in the tongue of
mortals and angels ... and if I have prophetic powers and understand all
mysteries and all knowledge and if I have all faith so as to remove
mountains but do not have love ... " All this is in vain. I am like salt
without taste.
2 Thess. 4:7 says : "God
did not call us to impurity, but in Holiness." It is also said in
Eph 4:1-2, "Lead a life worthy of your calling ... with all
humility and gentleness, with patience, beating with one another in love."
Give up blaming one another,
Be witnesses of Christ Jesus,
Be a loving and serving flock.
Top of Page
BAD PREACHING ABOUT CATHOLICS
Some friends of other denominations plan a strategy for the establishment
of Jesus' Kingdom and preach jealously. This is really praiseworthy. But
since there is much hatred in their hearts against Catholics, this
loveless service of theirs collapses. Their not understanding the
Catholics is the cause of this failure.
They take some sentences from the Bible, comment on them wrongly, blame
the Catholics saying that they are bad people, keep them away etc. Such
was the opinion of one famous businessman from Chennai. He had come to our
retreat in Betticola (Sri Lanka). However as he listened to the word of
God, he was converted, received communion and gave a witness.
... John said to Jesus: "Teacher, we saw someone removing the Devil in
your name. Since he was not from our side, we stopped him." Jesus said to
him, "Do not stop him. The one who is not against you is for you."
- Even if one is not committed to the Church, when one prays in the name
of Jesus, miracles take place on account of the glory of the name of
Jesus. At the same time these praying and miracle working people should be
for the Catholic Church, and not against it.
2 Peter 2:1-2 - But false prophets also arose among the people,
just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in
destructive opinions. They will even deny the master who redeemed them -
bringing in swift destruction on themselves. And many will follow their
destructive ways.
- God is hidden in the love of the neighbour; and Satan in the hatred of
him. The zest of the Bible is contained in the love of the neighbour.
Jesus gave only one command, "Love your neighbour as yourselves" and,
"forgive even if there is sufficient reason to accuse. You must forgive
others as Jesus has forgiven him. Let there be love above all among you.
Love is the bond that perfects everything.
Top of Page
About the
Book
Dearly Beloved,
'Those who say, "I love God" and hate their brothers and sisters are
liars; for who do not love a brother or sister, whom they have seen,
cannot love God whom they have not seen" (1 John 4:20)
All who hate a brother or sister are murderers, and you know that
murderers do not have eternal life abiding in them (1 John 3: 15)
Owe no one anything, except to love one another for the one who loves
another has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13: 8)
Some preachers of other denominations commenting on some of the Bible
sentences point the Catholics as sinners and nasty people. It is a bad
preaching.
My effort to respond to all this blame is this little booklet.
My argument is surely not that Catholics are superior, or that the people
of other Churches are in any way inferior. 'There are many jealous
servants of God both in the Catholic Church and in the other Churches; who
for the kingdom of God and for the spread of the Gospel work hard. But
there are also among them some selfish and bad preachers who work for the
destruction of God's house and bring blemish to Christianity.
These fall pray to the machinations of Satan and with hatred and
accusations crucify Jesus once again. This small effort of mine is the
reply to all this confusion.
Love, forgiveness, tolerance, service and prayer are the weapons of God.
With these and holding the sword of the word of God should we not become
one flock and try to establish the kingdom of God ... Come on then, dearly
beloved.
Yours
T.K. George
Top of
Page
THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
What is the meaning of Catholic Church?
Catholic means for all or universal.
Luke 2:10-11 The angel said to them,
"Do not be afraid, for see - I am bringing you good news of great joy
for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord.
- Jesus came for all, for the salvation of all. Therefore the Church got
the name 'Catholic.'
Who established the Catholic Church?
Mathew 16:18 - "Jesus said, "I tell you, you are Peter (Greek-Petros) and on this rock (Greek - Petra) I will build my Church. The Church
which Jesus Himself started on the rock called Peter is the Catholic
Church.
- Some preachers of non-Catholic churches give a wrong meaning to this
sentence. "The Rock is not Peter. Jesus Himself is that Rock." By such
preaching they mislead the people. But it is one sentence. "Peter, you
are the rock and on this rock I establish my church." Therefore to
explain wrongly is a bad trick to mislead.
What is the price paid by Jesus for the Church?
Acts 20:28 - "Shepherd the church of God that he obtained with the
blood of His own Son."
Mark 14:24 -Jesus said to His disciples: "This is my blood of the
covenant, which is poured out for many."
Colossians 1 :18 - "He is the head of the body, the Church."
- The Catholic church is the church which Jesus established by shedding
His blood, by dying on the Cross.
- Some people found out the mistakes in the Catholic Church, they judged
the church, blamed it and thought that their own newly established church
would be superior. Thus thousands of Churches came into being. But no one
who established a new church has laid down his life poured out his blood
for it!.
- The spirit of separation is not from God. It sprung from the selfishness
and self-centeredness of man.
Who are they who stand against the Church established by Jesus?
Mathew 16:18 - "I tell you, you
are Peter; and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell
will not prevail against it" said Jesus.
- Already then Jesus has said : "The powers of hell will fight against the
church which I have built, but they will be defeated."
- Fight by whom? The fight goes on through some weaklings .....?
A pastor is appointed for all Christians
John 21: 15-17 - Jesus, seeing
Peter, asked him three times : "Simon, Son of John, do you love me more
than these?" And three times Peter answered Him: "Yes, Lord, you know that
I love you." Jesus told Him three times: "Feed my sheep."
- My 'sheep' means all the disciples of Jesus,
- Feed means look after them.
- Peter is the first pastor - Pastor for all the Christians in the world.
Pope means a loving father.
- This appointment is from Jesus Himself.
What happens if one is not subject to those appointed by God?
Romans 13: 1-2 - Let every person
be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except
from God; and more authorities that exist have been instituted by God;
Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed and
those who resist will incur judgement.
- Since Jesus in saying "Feed my sheep" has given authority to Peter over
all his sheep. All sheep belonging to Jesus should be obedient to this
authority.
Samuel 15:22 - Has the Lord as great a delight in burnt offerings
and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of the Lord?
- Surely to obey is better than
sacrifice; and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
Authority given to the Church by Jesus
Mathew 16: 19 - I will give you
the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind on earth will be
bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
- Some misuse this authority given by Jesus. While others do not use it at
all. But there are some who use this authority for the spread of the
Church and God's kingdom. Should we not be among these ones?
Jesus selected 12 disciples and gave them authority
Mathew 10:1 - Jesus summoned his
twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to cast them
out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.
- One must be selected by God and remain obedient to the Church; There is
no truth in self-declared church and leadership.
Jesus commanded his disciples to proclaim the Good News
Mark 16:15 - "Go into all the
world and proclaim the Good News to the whole of creation."
- We are supposed to live according to the word of God and proclaim it.
Instead of that we are running after selfishness, bodily pleasure and
fame, thus bringing dishonour to Christianity. Let us try to be witnesses
to Christ.
Do not bring division into the Church
Titus 3:1-2 - Remind the people to
be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for
every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarrelling, to be
gentle and to show every kind of courtesy to everyone.
Titus 3:9 - Avoid stupid controversies, genealogies, dissensions
and quarrels over the law for they are unprofitable and futile.
John 7:30 - "Jesus must increase, but I must decrease."
- Come let us give up our Ego, and let us work for the Kingdom of God; for
the glory of Jesus.
Is it correct to blame in the name of the Good News?
James 3:9-10 - "With the tongue we
bless the Lord and Father and with the same we curse men, who are made in
the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.
My brethren, this ought not to be so."
- In our Gospel meetings, blaming other churches, castes and religions is
not something that God likes. He has created all men. Blaming, judging
etc. are the weapons of Satan!
The Catholic Church gave the Bible to the world.
2 Peter 1 :21 - "No prophecy ever
came by the impulse of man, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from
God."
- In the Ecumenical Council held at Hippo in AD. 393, the 46 books of the
Old Testament, the 27 books of the New Testament were accepted and
honoured.
- It was only the Catholic Church that existed that time.
- From the 15th Century onwards kings, priests and lay people separated
themselves and founded thier own churches.
The position and honour of the Church
1 Cor 12:27-28 - "You are the body of
Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the Church
first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles
etc ... "
2 Cor 5:20 - "So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his
appeal through us."
264 Popes have administered the Church
Acts 4:12-13 - "There is no other
name (besides the name of Jesus) under heaven given among men by which we
must be saved ... " This was the truth declared by the first Pope of the
Catholic Church to the world.
- Peter was appointed first to be the Jagadguru (Teacher to the whole
world) by Jesus Himself. Peter died a martyr. After him was Pope Lionus,
then came Pope Cletus, fourth was Pope Clement, fifth was Everistus, sixth
was Alexander ... and so on and so forth one after another. 264 Popes have
served the Catholic Church. The present Pope is John Paul, the Second.
- The Catholic Church has a history; a tradition.
- Any male above 14 can be elected as Pope. There is no bar of Language,
race, skin, country or nation.
The Catholic Church is the church of the Good News & Service
Mathew 14:14-16 - "And Jesus had compassion on them and healed the
sick ... Jesus said to the disciples, "you give them something to eat."
Mathew 25:35-40 - "I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty
and you gave me drink ... I was naked and you clothed me; as you did it to
one of the least of these my brethren you did it to me."
Acts 6:2-4 - And the twelve summoned the body of the disciples and
(selected) seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom to
serve (The people) ... "And we will devote ourselves to prayer and the
ministry of the word", they said.
- Mother Theresa proclaimed Jesus through her service.
- The Catholic Church includes service and proclamation of the Good News.
Jealousy and partition are the weapons of the Devil
- The people of some other churches turn
firebrands when they speak about Catholics.
James 3:14-18 - But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish
ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This
wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual,
devilish.
Galatians 5:10 - "He who is troubling you will bear his judgement,
whoever he is."
- He who has not sinned should cast the first stone. If there is wrong
doing, forgive and pray. Let us be good Catholics in love and in unity.
Who were called Christians?
Acts 11 :26 - "In Antioch the
disciples ( of Jesus) were for the first time called Christians.
- The one who follows Jesus is his true disciple.
Who are the disciples of Jesus?
John 8:31 - "If you continue in my
word you are truly my disciples."
John 13:34-35 - "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one
another even as I have loved you. By this all men will know that you are
my disciples, if you love one another."
- Oh, disciples of Jesus, you are supposed to love one another. Do not
bring blame on your life by being a counter-witness, by blaming others.
Who are you to judge?
Mathew 7:1 - "Judge not, that you
may not be judged."
Mathew 7:4 - "How can you say to your brother, "Let me take the
speck out of your eye", when there is a log in your own eye?
Rom 2:1 - "You have no excuse, 0' man, whoever you are, when you
judge another."
- Are you perfect?
Can an unloving person be a Christian?
John 4:20 - "If anyone says, "I love God." and hates his brother,
he is a liar! For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen,
cannot love God whom he has not seen.
- Let there be love in the heart. Hatred takes one away from God.
Hell awaits those who hate their brethren.
John 3:15 - "Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer and you
know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Mathew 5:22 - Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be
liable to judgement... and whoever says, "you fool" shall be liable to the
hell of fire.
- Hatred and jealousy are the weapons of Satan: To say "I alone am great"
is pride.
- Hatred is a killer vice. Forgiveness is a Christian virtue.
Who is pure?
Romans 3:11-12 - None is righteous; no, no; one. No one seeks for
God, all have turned aside, together they have gone wrong.
1 John 1 :8-10 - If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and
the truth is not in us ... If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a
liar, and His word is not in us.
- We alone are pure, heaven is for us only; The rest are all sinners, such
attitude is self centredness - a journey towards hell. Ego centredness
itself is hell.
Jesus became a sacrifice for all
1 John 2:2 - Jesus is the expiation for our sins, not for ours only
but also for the sins of the whole world.
Colossians 3:11 - Christ is all and in all.
John 1 :29 - (Jesus) The lamb of God who takes away the sin of the
world.
- Jesus did not come down to save particular community; He is the saviour
of all.
Forgive and love!
Colossians 3:13-14 - "Forbear one another and, it one has a
complaint against another, forgive each other; as the Lord has forgiven
you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which
binds everything together in perfect harmony.
- The true Catholic Church is formed only by praying after forgiving and
loving.
We become God's children when we forgive
Mathew 5:44-45 - "Love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your
Father who is in heaven.
- Pray for those who hurt you. Do not go away and form your own group.
When we forgive, God will forgive us
Mark 11 :25 - "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have
anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may
forgive you your trespasses.
- Whose children do we become when we throw up poison of hatred? Come on,
let's be God's children by giving up hatred. Forgiveness, forbearance and
love bring us nearer to God.
Is it true to say that we alone are saved?
Revelation 14:1-5 - "On mount Sion (Heaven) stood the Lamb and with
him a hundred and forty four thousand ... It is these who have not defiled
themselves with women, for they are chaste ... in their mouth no lie was
found for they are spotless.
- This is a group that have not defiled themselves with women, that is as
pure as virgins. This is a pure generation. That has witnessed to the Lord
by sacrificing worldly and bodily pleasures. But we have another group
which together with the enjoyment of worldly and bodily pleasures, judges
and hates others and keeps the neighbours away. We ourselves are that
group. We say, "Entry to heaven is reserved only to those of our group,"
and we proceed to bottomless pit of hell.
The answer to the above is the following
Revelation 7:9 - "After this I looked, and behold, a great
multitude which no man could number, from every nation, from all
tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the
Lamb, clothed in white robes ...
Acts 2:21 - "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 10:9 - "If you confess with your lips that Jesus is the Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be
saved.
- The repentant sinner on the right hand was at the last moment forgiven
by the merciful Jesus. Will he not save all those who repent?
- There was a multitude of people in heaven which nobody could count.
- To argue with a single sentence (From the Bible) is foolish.
O you who look down on others!
Luke 18:9-14 - "He also told this parable to some who trusted in
themselves that they were righteous and despised others: Two men went up
into the temple to pray: one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The
Pharisee stood and prayed thus: "God, I thank thee that I am not like
other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax
collector. I fast twice a week, I give tithes of all that I get." But the
tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to
heaven, but beat his breast, saying "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" I
tell you, this man went down to his home justified, rather than the other.
- The Pharisee who observed the rules and regulations blamed the sinners,
became himself a sinner and entered hell. The repentant tax collector
became worthy of God's mercy. If we have ego centredness, we are destroyed
but the "We" consciousness could be an entry point to heaven.
Before you throw stones ...
John 8:7-9 - "Jesus saw those who were ready to cast stones at the
woman caught in adultery, and said, "Let him who is without sin among you
be the first to throw a stone at her." But when they heard it, they went
away one by one.
- Before you judge others, examine your heart for a while, and you will
realise that we are not fit to punish others.
Summary of the Bible
Romans 13:8 - "He who loves his neighbour has fulfilled the law."
Romans 13:10 - "Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore love
is the fulfilling of the law."
Mathew 7:12 - "Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to
them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Mathew 22:37-40 - "You shall love the Lord your God with all your
heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. And a second is
like it, you shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two
commandments depend all the law and the prophets.
1 Corinth 13:1, 2, 3 - "If I speak in the tongues of men and of
angels, ... If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries ...
and If I have all faith so as to remove mountains, but have not love. I am
nothing ... I gain nothing.
1 John 4:7-8 - "Love is of God, and he who loves is born of God and
knows God. He who does not love, does not know God; for God is love."
- The heart that does not love is like a grave. Jesus came to this world
to call sinners."
- But there are some who in the name of Jesus blame the sinners.
God's servants, Beware!
Mathew 7:22, 23 - On that day (of judgement) many will say to me,
"Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your
name, and do many mighty works in your name?" and then I will declare to
them, "I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers. "
Mathew 23:2-3 - "The scribes and the Pharisees are on Moses' seat,
so practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do; for
they preach, but do not practice.
-Children of God, first let there be a change in your behaviour. Your
words and actions are noticed by God in heaven and by men on earth.
Mathew 23:15 - Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for
you traverse sea and land to make a single proselyte, and when he has
become a proselyte you make him twice as much a child of hell as
yourselves.
Mathew 23:11, 12 - Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and
whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
James 1 :22 - But be doers of the word, and not hearers
(Preachers?!) only deceiving yourselves.
- The preachers should bear witness to Christ in their lives. Should not
be wolves in sheepskin.
- Disobedience is a weapon of Satan. O you who have received a call from
God, behave according to the call.
Five signs of being a true Christian.
1. To love as Jesus loved ........John 13:34
2. To forgive as Jesus forgave....Colossians 3:13
3. To bear as Jesus bore..........1 Peter 2:23
4. To pray as Jesus prayed........John 17:6-26
5. To serve as Jesus served.......John 13:13,14
There are thousands of churches founded by men
1. Martin Luther was a monk in the Augustinian order. He was an ordained
priest and a professor. He nailed his 92 thesis against the stand of the
Catholic Church and against the Pope (Leo X: 1520-24), left the Catholic
Church and founded the Lutheran Church.
2. Henry VIII was the king of England. His wife Catherine bore him no
children. So he asked permission from the Pope (Clement VII) for divorce
and remarriage. He was denied permission. So he founded the Anglican
Church and beheaded St. Thomas more who was the head of the Catholic
Church in England then (1534).
3. The end of the world is in the hands of Satan. Only 1,44,000 people
will be saved. Such was the argument of Charles Taize Russel. "Zoins watch
Tower Tract Society" was name of the church which he founded. Russel died
in 1916 and Joseph Franklyn Rutherford took over the reigns of the newly
founded church and renamed it as "Witnesses of Jehova." In 1942 Joseph
Franklyn fell down from the first floor and died.
- There is salvation only in Jesus. The Church is a family.
A surprising question! Some said that the Catholic Church is not the
right Church. They went out of it and started a "pure new Church." So they
said. Then why are there today more than 43000 churches? There is
salvation in my church only. There is heaven in my church alone, say all
of them. Then why so much struggle, so much hatred and opposition,
disunity and lack of proper leadership? Some Churches are busy only
finding out the mistakes of other Churches, instead of expressing God's
love and serving humankind? Robbing Sheep from one fold to another? "One
shepherd and one flock" was the promise and longing of Christ. Come let us
be one flock.
- According to a survey, there are more than 43000 different sectarian man
made Churches in the world.
Top of Page
IDOL WORSHIP
Are the Catholics idol worshippers?
- There are three ways to know God.
1. Understand God by reading......Deut 6:6-7
2. Understand him by hearing......Rom 10:17
3. Understand him by seeing.......1 John 1:1-2
- The images in the Catholic Church are the visual aids depicting some
happenings in the Bible.
- In those days there was much less learning among the common people. The
Church taught the uneducated people by showing the visual images of God,
Jesus etc.
- There are the images of those who poured their blood for Christ placed
in the Churches. These are put there to proclaim that Jesus is the only
Saviour, and that these are those who for Jesus and in the name of Jesus
showed the courage to offer their lives for love and faith. They are our
inspiration.
- The sign of the cross: declares the love of Jesus that offered its life
for us.
- By honouring Mother Mary, the saints and martyrs, we honour the way they
witnessed by their lives how they lived for Jesus. There is surely not a
single Catholic Church in which the saints are worshipped. It is only to
Jesus that worship and glory is due. This is Catholic preaching and truth
observed by them.
Which are the images that God forbade?
Exodus 20:4-5 - (When man worshipped the creatures instead of the
creator God) - "You shall not make for yourself a graven image, or any
likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth
beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down
to them or serve them." (The glory that is due to God, should not be given
to anything or anyone else).
- The Catholic Church has proceeded according to the above commandment.
Worship to God the Father, God the Son-redeemer Jesus, ever helper God the
Holy Spirit. The Holy Triune one God alone deserves our worship.
- There is definitely no worship given to any image placed in the Church.
The image helps us to follow Jesus. Salvation is through Jesus Christ
alone.
God Himself has told us to make images!
Exodus 25:17-22 - "You shall make a mercy seat of pure gold ... and
you shall make two cherubim of gold; on the two ends of the mercy seat.
Make one Cherub on the one end and one Cherub on the other and ... There I
will meet you ... I will speak with you." said God.
- When God Himself has commanded His people to make images, it is not
wrong to make images; it is wrong to worship them!
The pictures within the sanctuary.
Ezekiel 41 :16-20 - "On all the walls round about in the inner room
and the nave were carved likenesses of cherubim and palm trees ... Every
Cherub had two faces ... (This was the vision given to Ezekiel 40:4).
- These artistic pieces carved in the sanctuary were means to glorify God.
God Himself gave knowledge of sculpture
Exodus 31 :1-5 - The Lord said to Moses, "see I have called by name
Bezalel. The son of Uri, son of Hur of the tribe of Judah and I have
filled him with the spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with
knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in
gold, silver and bronze ... "
- Artistic inspiration is a gift of God. The Catholic Church has always
tried to use this artistic ability to see the creator. She has never used
it to depict images of animals, birds or men for worship!
What is idolatry then?
Colossians 3:5 - Put down to death, therefore what is earthly in
you; immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness which is
idolatry.
Ephesians 5:5 - No immoral or impure man or one who is covetous -
that is an idolater has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of
God.
- Instead of keeping God in the first place and worshipping Him, keeping
money, wealth, person, lust, drinking etc. in the first place (and
worshipping) is idolatry (image worship).
- Instead of giving the first place to Jesus, giving first preferences to
any other thing or person, is idolatry i.e. that thing or person becomes
an idol. Some prefer the Church to Jesus. Some prefer positions in the
Church to Church itself. Some are obsessed by the increase of numbers or
members in the Church. These are their idols. Jesus is greater, higher
than the Church.
John 1 :18 - "No one has ever seen God; The only Son, who is
in the bosom of the father, He has made Him known.
Colossians 1:15-16 - Jesus is the image of the invisible God ...
John 14-9 - He who has seen me has
seen the Father.
- Those who saw God in human form in those days have made images of that
form. All these images became the instruments to increase devotion.
Nobody saw God in the Old Testament!
What about the New Testament?
1 John 1 :1, 2 - That which was
from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes
... and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life - which was
with the Father and was made manifest to us ...
- That we proclaim also to you and to the generations that follow.
Top of Page
WHO IS JESUS?
An answer to those who deny Jesus :
The word that was there ...
John 1:1,2,3 - In the beginning was the word, and the word was with
God, and the word was God ... all things were made through Him ...
What happened to that word?
John 1 :14 - And the word became flesh (man) and dwelt among us ...
Mathew 1 :23 - The angel quoted, "Behold a virgin shall conceive
and bear a Son and his name shall be called Immanuel" which means God with
us.
What is the meaning of "Jesus"?
Mathew 1 :21 - You shall call his name Jesus; for He will save his
people from their sins."
Luke 1 :31, 32 - Behold you will conceive in your womb and bear a
son, and you shall call his name Jesus ... and He will be called the
Son of the Most High."
Prophesies regarding the characteristics of Jesus
Isaiah 9:6, 7 - To us a child is born, to us a son is given; and
the government (of the nations) will be upon his shoulders, and his name
shall be called wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting father,
prince of peace.
John 10:30 - I and the Father are one .
- Isn't this single sentence enough to realize that Jesus is the Saviour,
that He is God?
God spoke through His Son
Hebrews 1:1,2 - In many and various ways God spoke of old to our
fathers by the prophets but in these last days He has spoken to us by a
son.
God became man
Hebrews 2:14,15 - Since the children (whom He created) share in
flesh and blood, He himself likewise partook of the same nature, that
through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, and deliver
all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong bondage.
- This sentence alone is enough to know who Jesus was.
Jesus is the image of God
Colossians 1: 15, 16, 17 - He is the image of the invisible God,
the first born of all creation; for in Him all things were created, in
heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions
or principalities or authorities - all things were created through Him
and for Him. He is before all things and in Him all things hold
together. He is the head of the body that is the church.
The one who sees me, sees the Father
John 14:8-9 - Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father and we
shall be satisfied," Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long and
you do not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father ... !
My experience
In 2003, I had gone to Europe to proclaim the Gospel in some countries.
Then I visited Rome. I saw sculptures there. They were carved in marble,
hundreds and thousands of years ago. They were proclaiming the scenes of
the scriptures and also God's glory.
- Stones had received lively forms to preach God's goodness to man, so to
say.
Top of Page
THE HOLY MASS
There are people who laugh at Catholics offering Holy Mass
Mass is a worship. Jesus suffered cruelly for all of us and became a
sacrifice at Calvary. The repetition of this sacrifice of Calvary is Holy
Mass.
Sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins
Hebrews 7:27 - Jesus has no need like those high priests, to offer
sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people;
he did this once for all when he offered up Himself.
Hebrews 13:8 - "Jesus Christ is the same; yesterday and today and
forever.
- God the Father accepted the sacrifice, offered by Jesus on that day.
Today the altar is Calvary and according to the command of Jesus we break
bread turned into His body and His blood to the Father.
- One and the same sacrifice is the Mass.
In remembrance of the sacrifice
1 Corinthians 11 :23-24 - "The Lord Jesus, on the night He was
betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, he broke it, and said,
"this is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me."
- When Jesus has said, "This bread is my body." Then it is the body of
Jesus. This is the faith of the Catholics.
- This is not only a remembrance, it is actually the sacrifice of Jesus.
The sacrifice must last till his return
1 Corinthians 11 :26 - As often as you eat this bread and drink the
cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
- This sacrifice goes on in the Catholic Church that day, today and ever
after until He comes again.
- When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord
Jesus, until you come again.
If you receive my body unworthily
1 Corinthians 11 :27 - Whoever eats the body or drinks the cup of
the Lord in an unworthy manner, will be guilty of profaning the body and
blood of the Lord.
- This bread is Jesus' body.
I am the life-giving bread
John 6:51 - "I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If
anyone eats of this bread he will live forever; and the bread which
I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh."
- The word that created all, became man, is true. Likewise the consecrated
bread which is the body of Christ is equally true.
The sacrifice that opened the eyes of truth
Luke 24:30, 31 - When He was at table with them, He took bread and
blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them; and their eyes were opened and
they recognised Him.
- There are many Churches which do not have Jesus' sacrifice. They do not
have the eyes of truth opened. They are in the darkness of hatred. Pray at
your Mass for these friends.
- God's presence is felt when we receive it with devotion and faith.
There was sacrifice in the Apostolic Church.
Acts 2:41-42 - So those who received the word were baptized and
there were added that day about three thousand souls; and they devoted
themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship to the breaking of
bread and prayers.
- In the apostolic church there was this breaking
of bread. It persists in the Catholic Church even to this day.
The power of this bread which is the body of the Lord
1 Corinthians 11 :29-30 - Anyone who eats and drinks without
discerning the body, eats and drinks judgement upon himself. That is why
many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
- After repenting for sins and after making a good confession, if one
receives the body of the Lord, weakness, disease and death will go away.
In offering the sacrifice
Based on John 1:13, 13:34 Luke 22:19
We proclaim the mysteries of the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Through the sacramental significance of the Mass we share in
the sacrifice of Calvary.
Through Jesus we offer ourselves to God.
In the sacrifice of the Mass Jesus is pleased fourfold
1) With the people of God .......Mathew 18:20
2) With the priests..............John 12:26
3) With the word of God..........John 1:1-3, Heb 4:12
4) With Holy Communion...........John 6:48-50
Mass is the very best act of adoration
1. In the Mass we adore the Father with Jesus.
2. In the Mass Jesus Himself is the priest and offering.
3. All of us who take part in the sacrifice of the Mass, shed our
differences and become one, as of one family.
4. In the Mass we receive Jesus' body and regain Divine strength by
sharing in the banquet of the Lord.
A social practice spiritualized
If a piece of paper of negligible worth could turn out to be a Rs. 1000
currency note with some printing and the signature of the Governor of the
Reserve Bank of India, then couldn't a piece of bread and a little bit of
grape wine turn into the body and blood of Christ Jesus? It is all a
question of authority and power
Top of Page
CONFESSION OF SINS
Jesus forgave sins Mark
2:5 - Jesus said to the paralytic, "My Son, your sins are forgiven."
Mark 2:10 - "But that you may know that - the Son of man has
authority on earth to forgive sins" said Jesus.
- Jesus had the authority to forgive sins.
Authority of the disciples to forgive sins
John 20:22, 23 - He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy
Spirit, If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven."
- Jesus gave the disciples the authority which He had to forgive Sins.
Paul argues for this authority
2 Corinthians 5:20 - We are ambassadors for Christ; God making His
appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ be reconciled to
God.
- In the Catholic Church, in order to obtain the forgiveness of our sins,
after contrition we confess our sins to a priest and in the name of Jesus
he forgives us.
- Confession of sins is a sacrament established by Jesus.
What happens when we do not confess our
sins?
Psalm 32:3, 4, 5 - When I did not declare my sin, my body
wasted away through my groaning all day long; For day and night thy hand
was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as water by the heat of
summer. I acknowledged my sins to Thee and I did not hide my iniquity; I
said "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." Then Thou didst
forgive the guilt of my sins.
Proverbs 28:13 - He who conceals his transgressions will not
prosper; but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
- The sacrament of reconciliation is a ready stage for the forgiveness of
sins for those who repent for them.
David Confessed his sins
2 Samuel 12:13, 14 - David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against
the Lord." and Nathan said to David, "The Lord has also put away your sin;
you shall not die."
- To confess one's sins with repentance is an attitude of humility.
- When David confessed his sin to Nathan, Nathan gave him forgiveness on
behalf of God, saying, "God has forgiven your sin."
The prodigal son confessed his sins
Luke 15:21, 22 - The son said, "Father, I have sinned against
heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." But
the father said to his servants, "Bring quickly the best robe ... " and
they began to make merry.
- The parable of the Prodigal son is a demonstration of repentance and
forgiveness.
God's promise to forgive sins
Isaiah 1:18 - "Come, let us reason together", says the Lord,
"Though your sins are like scarlet they shall be as white as snow."
Isaiah 43:25 - "I am He who blots out your transgressions for my
own sake, and I will not remember your sins.
1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and
will forgive our sins and will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- "Confession of sins" is a platform established by Jesus; It is a door of
heaven for those who are saved.
- The judge in the court is an ordinary man like us. He too can make
mistakes. But the judgement he gives and the punishment he imposes is
acceptable. In the same way, the priests are ordinary people like us. But
Jesus has given them authority to forgive sins.
Top of Page
HONOURING THE SAINTS
We honour the saints; we don't worship them
Mathew 10:40 - "He who receives you, receives me and he who
receives me, receives Him who sent me," (said Jesus to His disciples).
Therefore the Church declared Jesus' disciples to be martyrs. The Catholic
Church honours and loves those who have offered their lives for Jesus.
What is the reward for welcoming the prophets?
Mathews 10:41 - "He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet,
shall receive a prophet's reward; and he who receives a righteous man
because he is a righteous man, shall receive a righteous man's reward"
(said Jesus).
- Jesus has told us to welcome and receive those who live for him and for
his glory. So we honour them; but we do not worship them.
- All the saints lived according to the word of Jesus and glorified Him.
The lives of saints are guidelines and inspiration for us to live for
Jesus, as they did.
There is reward for you, even if you give a little water to the saints
Mathew 10:42 - And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a
cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly I say to you, he shall
not loose his reward.
- Little ones mean those disciples of God who have given up their
greatness and have become like little children for Christ's sake and for
the sake of God's Kingdom. These are the servants of God. If we serve them
honestly, we receive God's grace.
- It is not true to think that the saints are dead and gone.
Then where are the saints and the devotees of God?
Revelation 3:21 - He who conquers I will grant him to sit with me
on my throne, as I myself conquered and sat down, with my Father on his
throne.
John 8:51 - If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.
Revelation 20:4 - Then I saw, thrones and seated on them were those
to whom judgements were committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had
been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus and for the word of God ...
they came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
Revelation 14:13 - And I heard a voice from Heaven saying, "Blessed
are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth." "Blessed indeed", says the
spirit, "that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow
them."
- Those who lived for Jesus, gave their lives for Him and bore witness to
Him, are one with Jesus at the right hand of the Father. Surely their
prayers are powerful.
Even the things used by the disciples became powerful
Acts 19:11, 12 - And God did extraordinary miracles by the hands of
Paul, so that handkerchiefs and aprons were carried away from his body to
the sick, and diseases left them and the evil spirits came out of them.
- Therefore the things used by the saints who lived for Jesus have been
preserved in some places. These are not images; but relics; Jesus' Glory
is proclaimed through them.
- The ministers of the sacraments use consecrated oil when they pray for
the sick (James 5:14).
Jesus' power in Peters shadow too?
Acts 5:15, 16 - They even carried out the sick into the streets,
and laid them on beds and pallets, that as Peter came by, his shadow might
fall on at least some of them. The people also gathered ... bringing the
sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits and they were all healed.
- Because these disciples had offered themselves for Jesus' Kingdom, for
Jesus' glory. Jesus was being glorified with all these signs and wonders.
The promise by God to the disciples.
Mark 16:20 - And they went forth and preached everywhere, while1the
Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that attended
it.
- When the disciples were proclaiming the message, Jesus would be with
them working and confirming the message with miracles. This was not for
their personal development but for the expansion of the Church.
Power in the Prayer of the Saints
Revelation 5:8 - (What happened in front of God's Throne) And when
He had taken the scroll the four living creatures and the twenty four
elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding the harp, and with golden
bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints ...
Revelation 6:9 - When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the
altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and
for the witness they had borne.
Revelation 7: 13, 14 - Then one of the elders addressed me saying,
"who are these, clothed in white robes?" ... and he said to me, "these are
they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their
robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Revelation 8:3-4 - Another angel with a golden censer was given
much incense to mingle with the prayers of all the saints upon the
golden altar before the throne; and the smoke of the incense rose with
the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God.
- Why the prayers of the saints? For the salvation of the people. That is
why the church says, "Oh you saints, pray for us."
There is an angel in Heaven, for each of us
Mathew 18: 10 - See that you do not despise one of these little
ones; for I tell you that in heaven their angels always behold the face of
my Father who is in heaven (and pray for them).
- The angel who is appointed for us, prays for us, in heaven.
- Therefore we say, "Angels of God, pray for us!"
- It is not the teaching of the Catholic Church that Salvation is from the
saints.
- With all the saints the true teaching of the church is, "Jesus is the
only Saviour" (1 Timothy 2:5).
Precious words from the head of the Church St. Peter
Acts 10:26 - When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and fell down at
his feet and worshipped him. But Peter lifted him up saying, "stand up, I
too am a man."
-This is the position of Catholic Christians.
- When God listens to someone and makes a miracle they become
self-complacent and think they themselves are great and immediately start
a church of their own. This is wrong!
Jesus is the only mediator between God and man
1 Timothy 2:5 - There is one God and there is one mediator between
God and man, the man Christ Jesus.
- Truly there is only one mediator Jesus Christ.
- But, there were twelve disciples, Why?
- And why give authority to the disciples (Lk 9: 1-2)
- Why again authority to forgive sins? (Jn 20:22, 23)
- Why still authority to disciples to cast out the demons (Mk 16: 17)
- Saints are the instruments that make supplications on our behalf to
Jesus.
Disciple Ananias was an instrument of Jesus Christ
Acts 9:3-18 - Jesus appeared to Saul in a dazzling light and
changed his heart. Saul could not see. Jesus was around, but gave him no
eyes ... Instead he told Ananias and asked him to pray for Saul ... When
Ananias laid his hands on Saul and prayed for him he received the
anointing and his eyes could see.
- The disciples pray in the name of Jesus.
- Though Jesus was there, He did not give Saul eye-sight or the Holy
Spirit. Jesus gave these only when Ananias prayed. This was Jesus' power
to heal Saul given through the disciple Ananias.
John 15:16 - Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give
it to you.
What is wrong, if we say, "Oh Saints, pray for us?".
John 11 :25,26 - Jesus said to her", I am the resurrection and the
life; he who believes in me, even though he dies, yet shall he live, and
whoever lives and believes in me shall never die."
-What is wrong, if we say to the saints, who are always living, "Pray for
us"?
James 5:14 - Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders
of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the
name of the Lord.
-The Bible shows in many places that when the disciples pray in the name
of Jesus, miracles take place.
The disciples are the ambassadors of Jesus
2 Corinthians 5:20 - So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making
His appeal through us. We beseech you, on behalf of Christ, be reconciled
to God.
-If the disciples of Jesus are his ambassadors, can we really reject and
dislike them?
Top of Page
BAPTISM
Is it right to baptize children?
1 Peter 3:20, 21 - In the days of Noah, during the building of the
ark, in which ... eight persons were saved through water. Baptism which
corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the
body, but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the
resurrection of Christ.
Mark 16:15, 16 - And Jesus said to them, "Go into all the world and
preach the Gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized
will be saved".
Mathew 28:19 - Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit.
Acts 2:41 - So those who received this word were baptized and there
were added that day about three thousand souls.
- Here there is no mention as to how much should be the depth of water and
that baptism would be in the river only.
-Also it is not said how much should be the age limit. There was no
baptism before Jesus Christ.
The aim of the Baptism of John the Baptist
Mathew 3:11 - I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who
is coming after me ... (Jesus) will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and
with fire.
- The aim of that baptism was a sign of conversion of mind.
- Baptism by fire means anointing by the Holy Spirit.
Baptism means a sharing in Christ
Romans 6:3 - Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized
into Christ Jesus, were baptized into his death?
Galatians 3:27 - As many of you as were baptized into Christ, have
put on Christ.
1 Corinthians 1: 16 - I did baptize also the household of
Stephan�s
Acts 16:32-33 - They spoke the word of the Lord to him ... and he
was baptized at once with all his family.
- All his family means, the elders, the youngsters
and all the children, were baptized.
Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go and when
he is old he will not depart from it.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 - And these words which I command you this day
shall be upon your heart and you shall teach them diligently to your
children ...
- The elders in the Catholic families and the Church itself get their
children baptized in order to make them grow in Christian virtues
(Galatians 3:27)
- When a child is sick, the medicine administered by the parents works
better. In the same way Christian parents connect their child to Christ in
order to make it grow prayerfully in the Christian life under good
influence.
- Definitely parents have the right to carve for the future of their
children with good etiquette.
- When we take good care of the seedlings we will get good fruit when they
grow up to be trees. Nowhere in the Bible it is said that children must
not be baptized.
- Medical syrups can be bitter; but they are good for some sicknesses. The
parents will force the child to take the medicine even if it is bitter
because they want the child to be well soon. How about allowing the child
to grow up till he is able to make a positive decision to take polio
drops. What will happen if he gets the polio before he comes of age?
-It is the duty of the parents to make the children grow up spiritually
and prayerfully as well as bodily and mentally.
Healing by the faith of those who carried the patient to Jesus
Mark 2:4, 5 - Four men brought a paralytic to Jesus. But
they could not get near him because of the crowds. So they made an opening
in the roof and lowered the paralytic. Seeing their faith Jesus forgave
the sins of the paralytic and cured him of his leprosy.
- In the same way when parents carry the child to the Church and the
priest baptizes the child in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit, Jesus accepts the Baptism of the child on the faith of the parents
and of the Church.
- In which river was the thief on the right hand of Jesus baptized?
- The thief could see heaven by repentance and conversion.
- Today if an adult asks for baptism, the church will first instruct
him in the word of God and make his faith grow and then will baptize him.
The Child Jesus was circumcised on the Eighth day
Luke 2:21- At the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he
was called Jesus.
- The Son of God was circumcised when he was an infant.
For whom is the Kingdom of heaven?
Mathew 18:3 - Truly, I say to you unless you turn and become like
children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
- The kingdom of heaven is for those who are like children. Come on, let
us be like them.
Do not hold the children back.
Mathew 19: 13 - The children were brought to him that he might lay
his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people.
-By not baptizing children, do not take them away from Jesus. On account
of your selfishness, do not stop them from coming to Jesus.
Mathew 19:14 - Jesus said (to the disciples), "Let the children
come to me and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of
heaven"
- At least now, no more arguments. Enough are such rubbish as depth of
water, age of the one to be baptized, and blaming all other churches
except one's own. Let us love one another and proclaim the love of Jesus
to the whole world.
Conversion of heart is a better way
Luke 18: 13, 14 - But the tax collector, standing far off ... beat
his breast, saying, "God be merciful to me, a sinner." This man went down
to his house justified.
Luke 15:10 - Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of
God over one sinner who repents.
- This is the great miracle!
There is God's mercy for the lowly
Romans 9:15-16 - "I will have compassion on whom I have
compassion." So it depends not upon man's will or exertion but upon God's
mercy.
- Let us be like children with pure minds. Let us pray for God's mercy.
Top of Page
PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD
Is it wrong to pray for the dead?
I Corinthians 15:29 - What do people mean by being baptized on
behalf of the dead?
- Did not Jesus pray to the Father for Lazarus and make him alive?
Give life by praying for the dead
Mathew 10:8 - (Jesus said to His disciples), "Heal the sick, raise
the dead, cleanse lepers and cast out demons ... "
- That means, give life to the dead by praying for them in the name of
Jesus.
- How to raise the dead? By tapping them? We have to pray to life giving
God and raise.
- Lazarus was dead four days. Jesus prayed to the Father and gave life to
him.
Tabitha receives life at Peter's prayers
Acts 9:40, 41 - Peter knelt down and prayed; then turning to the
body he said, "Tabitha, rise". And she opened her eyes and when she saw
Peter she sat up.
- Peter, the head of the Church prayed for the dead and she received life.
- That is why we in the Catholic Church pray for the dead.
Petitions for the dead
2 Maccabees 12:42, 45 - They turned, to prayer beseeching that the
sin which had been committed might be wholly blotted out. And the noble
Judas ... in doing this acted very well and honourably, taking account of
the resurrection. For if he were not expecting that those who had fallen
would rise again, it would have been superfluous and foolish to pray for
the dead ... Therefore he made atonement for the dead, that they might be
delivered from their sin.
Ezekiel 37:7-10 - As per the command of God, Ezekiel prophesied,
prayed and blew on the dry bones and they came to life.
- These extracts are enough to show that sacrifice and prayers for the
dead are necessary.
Top of Page
PURGATORY
Heaven is for whom?
Mathew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord", shall enter
the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in
heaven.
- Only those who follow the will of the heavenly Father will enter heaven.
What is the will of God?
1 Thessalonians 4:3 - This is God's will : your sanctification :
that you abstain from unchastity.
1 Timothy 2:4 - He desires all men to be saved and come to the
knowledge of truth.
- Blessed are the poor in spirit; the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Is Heaven only for the Pure?
Revelation 22:14 - Blessed are those who wash their robes that they
may have the right to eat of the tree of life and enter the city by the
Gates.
Who is able to enter heaven?
Romans 3:11 - None is righteous, not even one; No one understands,
no one seeks for God; all have turned aside; together they have gone
astray. No one does good; not even one.
1 John 1:10 - If we say we have not sinned, we make God a liar and
his word is not in us.
Those who have committed a sin that does not forbid entry into heaven,
which entertains no impurity (1 John 5:17) or those who die after
repenting or those who live and die in God's ways and yet have much
sinfulness and impurity in them: the place where all such peoples'
impurities are cleansed is called Purgatory. (Purgare - Latin = Cleanse,
purify).
- Some brothers and sisters say we are pure. we are saved, our names are
written in the book of life and so on. They look down upon others - Thus
they fall prey to self complacency and pride and tread the path of hell.
Mathew 5:22 - Everyone who is angry with his brother shall be
liable to judgement; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to the
council and whoever says, "you fool" shall be liable to the hell of fire.
Is Heaven only through the observance of the Law?
Romans 3:20 - No human being will be justified in His sight by
works of the law, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:28 - A man is justified by faith, apart from works of law.
Ephesians 2 : 8, 9 - By grace you have been saved through faith and
this is not your own doing; It is a gift of God; not because of works, So
that no one may boast.
-Old gold is made to shine by purifying it in fire. In the same way
purgatory is the place which purifies us from every sin.
- Purgatory is the place where debtor must remain till he clears his debt.
Mathew 18:34 - In anger his Lord delivered him to the Jailors, till
he should pay all his debt. That means there is definitely liberation from
punishment when the debt is paid off.
-The ones who payoff the debts of the man who is punished, are those of
his family. That must be paid off by prayer, works of charity etc.
- The place where he must remain till he pays off his debt is purgatory.
- If you believe the Lord Jesus, you and your family will be saved. (Acts
16:31). According to this sentence our prayers, faith and our good works
will help save us and our families.
- The members of our family are those who are alive and those who are
dead.
All are alive
Luke 20:38 - He is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all
live in him.
John 11 :25-26 - Jesus said, "He who believes in me, though he die,
yet shall he live."
Till the last day
1 Corinthians 3:13, 14, 15 - Each man's work will become manifest;
for the day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire
and the fire will test what sort of work each man has done. If the work
which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a
reward. If any man's work is burnt up he will suffer loss, though he
himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
- Getting cleansed in that fire is purification. Only the pure ones will
enter heaven.
The narrow gate is the purgatory
Mathew 7:13 - Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and
the way is easy that leads to destruction.
Entrance for those who wash their robes
Revelation 22:14 - Blessed are those who wash their robes, that
they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the
city by the gates.
1 Peter 1: 18, 19 - You know that you were ransomed but with the
precious blood of Christ.
- Where was Lazarus for four days after his death?
- After Peter's prayer, dead Tabitha came to life. Where was she
in the meanwhile?
- Moses died and was buried (Deut. 34:5, 6). But in Luke 9:30, both Moses
and Elijah speak with Jesus .. How's that?
- The thief at the right hand of Jesus (Luke 23:43) repented at the last
moment and Jesus took him to Paradise that very day.
- For the repentant thief, the very punishment was the place of
purification i.e. Purgatory.
All those who move around in the village, wash
their legs, before entering the house. In the same way when we have to
enter our heavenly house (John 14:2), after we have wandered all over
during our life's journey, we need to purify our minds, which is called
Purgatory.
Top of Page
VOWS AND OFFERINGS
Much guessing about vows -
There is an argument that Catholics offer many vows.
- They have become a laughing stock because they offer candles,
hair, flowers etc.,
- The bundle of head-hair knotted behind the head is a beauty for women
offering this to God is the real offering to God.
Luke 7:36-48 - Jesus was at table in Simon the Pharisee�s house.
A sinner woman from the same place came and applied scented ointment to
Jesus' feet, and bathed his feet with tears and wiped them with her hair.
Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the scent. The
Pharisees started grumbling. Then Jesus said to Simon, "See I came to your
house, you did not give me water to wash; this woman has been washing my
feet with tears and wiping them with her hair. You did not kiss me;
but she has not ceased kissing my feet. You did not give me oil for
the head, but this one has been continuously anointing me. She has
loved much, so her many sins are forgiven ... Then he said to her,
"Your sins are forgiven."
- Offerings of flowers, hair-knots, oil, incense etc. is an expression of
love. The fallen woman offered with love her tears, hair, scent; Jesus
accepted it and said that "it is the expression of her love." What is
offered to God by vows is therefore an expression of love and such
devotion is dear to God.
- The Pharisees grumbled seeing the sinful woman that day. At least now
could we not stop grumbling?
Mathew 2: 11, 12 - On entering the house, they (the Magi) saw the
child with Mary his mother, and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then,
opening their treasure chests they offered him gifts of Gold, frankincense
and myrrh.
Ezra 1:4 - "Let all the survivors in whatever place they reside, be
assisted by the people of their place with silver and gold, with goods and
with animals, besides freewill offerings for the house of God in
Jerusalem.
- The Catholic Church will surely accept candles, flowers and other things
offered in love by the Catholics. That is their love. Don't stop them.
There are offerings galore in the Bible
Acts. 18:18 - Paul said farewell to his believers and sailed for
Syria ... at Cenchreae he had his hair cut for he was under a vow.
Acts 21 :23, 24 - "Do what we tell you. We have four men who are
under a vow. Join. these men, go through the rite of purification with
them; and pay for the shaving of their heads. Thus all will know that
there is nothing in what they have been told about you, that you yourself
observe and guard the law."
- The devotion and the love and the way to express these is left to the
disposition of each person. St. Paul himself offered his hair in
fulfillment of a vow. So stop ridiculing.
- Vows are a human way of offering sacrifices and prayers.
- Fasting and prayer are the ways to attract God's power.
- Circumcision was a way of offering to God.
- Who are we to judge whether these things are right or wrong?
- Our devotion and love should help all of us to grow in the word
of our Lord Jesus (Mt 3: 17, 17:5, Jn 17:3, Rom 10:9 etc.) We should give
first place in our hearts to the one Saviour Jesus. That is our faith, our
way to heaven.
Gold, pearls, diamonds and money etc. given to
God must be accepted. There are people who quote Malachi 3:8-10 and Mathew
10:42 and pray over it. If the gift is money, then there is happiness and
admiration. No question of blame. The gift of the innocent devotee, the
poor widow's might was appreciated and accepted by the Lord and she was
blessed for it. We must imitate this appreciation of the Lord. Let us pray
that all grumblers may have the good heart to accept the poor gifts of the
people of God with love.
Top of Page
MOTHER MARY
Why do you have so much hatred for Mary?
Luke 1 :48 - He has looked with favour on the lowliness of his
servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
- Therefore we Catholics honour Mary as blessed among women.
- Definitely Catholic Christians honour Mary; They do not worship
her. They worship the only Saviour Jesus Christ.
It is the Bible which calls her "God's Mother"
The Catholics call Mother Mary "God's Mother". Some say this is wrong ...
Look at the expression in God's word.
Luke 1 :41, 42 - And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit
and exclaimed with a loud cry ... " and why has this happened to me that
the Mother of my Lord comes to me?"
- Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit when she uttered these words.
So that was the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Therefore what is wrong
when we honour her as Mother of God?
Mother Mary was the Virgin elected by God
Luke 1 :26 - The angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee
called Nazareth, to a Virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph ...
The Virgin's name was Mary.
- The Virgin elected by God is Mary.
Can we bring charge against Mary elected by God himself?
Romans 8:33, 34 - Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It
is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?
- Stop blaming and honour her. You will receive honour from God himself.
A woman mentioned in genesis.
Genesis 3:15 - I will put enmity between you and the woman, and
between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head and you will
strike his heal.
- This woman promised by God already at the beginning is Mother Mary.
Jesus crushed Satan!
Romans 16:20 - The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your
feet.
Hebrews 2:14 - Since, therefore, the children share flesh and
blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death
he might destroy the one who has the power of death, and free those who
all through their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.
1 John 3:8 - The son of God was revealed for this purpose; to
destroy the works of the Devil.
- The mother of the one who destroyed the works of the Devil is Mary.
The Virgin seen by Isaiah in Vision
Isaiah 7:14 - Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign.
Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name
him Immanuel.
- Mary is ever a Virgin. Therefore we call Mother Mary as Virgin Mother or
Virgin Mary.
Immanuel's Mother is Mary.
Mathew 1 :23 - Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and
they shall name him Immanuel, which means God is with us.
- In the above word of God Mary is called the Virgin.
Mary is the favoured one of God
Luke 1 :28 - The angel Gabriel came to her and said, "Greetings,
favoured one! The Lord is with you."
- This is a message brought from heaven by an angel of God.
- The favoured one of God means, the one who has no blemish,
the all pure one. How can blemish be found in this all pure one?
Mary is blessed among women
Luke 1 :41-42 - Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and
exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women and blessed is the
fruit of your womb."
- Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke. That means these
words are the words of the Holy Spirit.
Death came from Eve of Old Testament
Cfr. Genesis 3:1-6 - God had ordered not to eat the fruit of the
forbidden tree. But Eve disobeyed God and obeyed Satan. She ate of the
forbidden fruit, conceived the original sin and gave birth to death.
The Saviour came through Mary in the New Testament
Luke 1 :38 - Then Mary said to the angel, "Here am I, the servant
of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word." So Mary conceived
by the Holy Spirit and brought the Saviour into the world.
Jesus said, "Who is my mother? The one who obeys the word of God is my
mother." The First Woman of the New testament, Mother Mary "handmaid of
the Lord, be so to me according to the will of God" was her reaction to
the message; The one who obeyed the word of God and become the mother of
Jesus.
Luke 1 :35 - The angel said to Mary, "the Holy Spirit will come
upon you, and the power of the most high will overshadow you; therefore
the child to be born will be holy; He will be called Son of God."
Mary received the good fortune which nobody in the world could receive.
- Blessed is she who carried the Son of God in her womb for nine months.
Good fruit from a good tree
Mathew 7:17 - Good tree bears good fruit.
- The good fruit Jesus was born to the world by the good tree Mary.
Jesus was obedient to the Parents
Luke 2:51 - Then Jesus went down with them and came to Nazareth and
was obedient to them.
His mother treasured all these things in her heart
If Jesus was obedient to his mother, what is wrong if we, his disciples,
honour Mary?
The relationship between Mary and Joseph was pure and holy
Mathew 1 :25 - He (Joseph) took her as his wife but had no marital
relations with her.
- The family that was selected to offer themselves to bring forth the son
of God into the world and help him grow up was the holy family of Joseph
and Mary.
This is true even if it is not mentioned in the Bible.
- Mary's father Joaquim and her mother Anna were devoted people and used
to praise the Lord daily with prayers.
- Mary had decided to live out the religious perfection, already before
she came to adolescence.
- Our Saviour grew up in the bosom of Mary, played in her hands and arms,
drank milk from her breasts and ate the food from her hand. Who is so
fortunate as she?
The Dragon (Satan) is angry on Mary
Revelation 12:17 - Then the dragon was angry with the woman and
went off to make war on the rest of her children, those who keep the
commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus.
- Satan has been waging war against Mary, against the Church, against the
Saints and Blessed from the beginning. He has been losing yet he does it
with renewed vigour. Let us win in the name of Jesus. Let us be united in
love and defeat Satan and win.
The blood of Jesus came from Mary
Luke 1 :35 - The angel said to Mary, "The Holy Spirit will come
upon you and the power of the most high will overshadow you; therefore the
child to be born will be holy ...
- By the power of the Holy Spirit and with the flesh and blood of Mary,
Jesus took human form in her womb.
- The blood which Jesus shed from the cross was received from Mother Mary
only. Jesus' blood was pure, then Mary's blood should also be pure.
- Jesus grew up drinking milk from the breasts of Mother Mary.
Did Mary have other Children?
Isaiah 7:14 - Look, the young woman (Greek - the Virgin) is with
child and shall bear a son and shall name him Immanuel."
- This is a prophecy. God did not say, "A Virgin will bear many children,
the eldest of them is Immanuel." She will bear A son was the prophecy.
- The womb that was prepared from the beginning for Jesus alone was Mother
Mary�s'.
At the foot of the Cross
John 19:25 - Standing near the cross of Jesus were his mother, and
his mothers sister, Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene.
-There were no brother or sister of Jesus there. There was the sister of
Mother Mary there! The children of this are the brethren of Jesus spoken
of in the Bible.
Then who are these?
Mark 6:3 - They said, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary
and brother of Joseph, James, Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters
here with us?"
- These brethren were the children of Mother Mary's brothers and sisters.
Mary Magdalene was at the foot of the Cross
Mark 15:40, 41 - There were also women looking on from a distance;
among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mother of James the younger
and of Joseph, and Salome ... and there were many other women who had come
up with him to Jerusalem.
Mark 15:47 - Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where
the body was laid.
- The name of the mother of James and Joseph was Mary. But this was not
Jesus' mother; her relative.
Jesus offered all Christians to Mary as children
John 19:26 - When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he
loved, standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your
son".
- Jesus thought of his mother even at the last moment.
- Since there were no other children to his mother he offered his
own disciple (disciples means Christians - See Acts 11 :26) as son to his
mother. Jesus observed the fourth commandment. Thus Mother Mary became the
mother for all Christians.
- He would not want his mother to be alone and orphan. Therefore he
offered her to his disciples (Christians) forever.
Mother Mary is the priceless gift of Jesus to his disciples given from
the cross
John 19:27 - Then Jesus said to his disciple, (i.e. all Christians)
"Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into
his own home (i.e. in the Church)
- Jesus would not have acted like this if Mary had other children.
- If there were other children, and still Jesus would entrust the
care of his mother to his disciple (The Church), that would be atrocious.
Because Jesus would then disregard the fourth commandment (by not allowing
her own children to serve her!)
- Then it could not be said that Jesus never made a mistake.
- From that day onwards the disciples (The Christians) kept her
with themselves in the Church and received her guidance.
- Mary was with the disciples even after the resurrection of Jesus (Acts
1:14).
2 John 1:1 - "I the elder to the elect lady (i.e. Mary) and her
children (all Christians i.e. the Church), whom I love in the truth."
- The above sentence is a proof that mother Mary was with the Church.
- Jesus said, "See my mother is from today, your mother (John 19:27). We
Christians should receive Mary as our Mother, and not discard her. This is
not right.
- Some preachers say, "Mary is the cell of the egg. When the chick is out
what is the worth of the cell?" Then are our mothers who bore us are
cells? Should we throw our mothers into the dung pit?
Is this not bad preaching?
Exodus 20:12 - Honour your father and mother, so that you may live
long.
- The Catholic Church that honours the mother given to her by Jesus is
living well and in unity for 2000 years.
- If we say 'not wanted' to the Mother, to Saints and Blessed, to Martyrs
and Holy people, most of our ways of getting grace will be closed.
The Rosary
- Rosary is God's words put together and prayed over. It is a 59 beads
prayer.
- Jesus' life remembered in 4 levels is the Rosary. 1. Glorious Mysteries
- five. 2. Joyful Mysteries - five. 3. Sorrowful mysteries - five. 4.
Mysteries of light - five.
- Jesus taught a prayer - The Our Father - it is put at the
beginning. (Mt 6:10-14). This prayer of Our Father is prayed six times in
the Rosary.
-The Hail Mary is meditated over 53 times.
The hail Mary is God's words put together
Luke 1 :28 - Hail Mary full of grace, The Lord is with you
Luke 1 :42 - Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit
of your womb Jesus.
Luke 1 :43 - Holy Mary, mother of God.
-After this - Pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen.
-At the marriage feast at Cana, Jesus heard the prayer of Mother Mary and
performed his first miracle. Therefore we say, "Mother Mary, pray for us."
Jesus is the only Saviour.
"Do whatever he tells you", is the message of Mary.
John 2:5 - His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells
you "
-It was Mary who for the first time proclaimed the Good News, lying, "Do
whatever Jesus tells you to do." Therefore the second Vatican Council
called Mother Mary, the first disciple of Jesus.
Power in the prayer of the Mother
Cfr John 2:1-10 - Mother Mary and Jesus had gone to the marriage at
Cana. The marriage, the family is the beginning of a new life. The wine
got over at the first feast of this new family. They were disheartened.
They however did not ask Mary to help. But Mother Mary responded to their
trouble and prayed to Jesus. Jesus' time to make a miracle had not come.
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-5 says : "For everything there is a time." But even if
his time had not come, still the son of God was obedient to his mother. He
heard the prayer of the mother and performed his first miracle in that
family.
- We ask any Tom, Dick and Harry to pray for us. What is wrong in saying,
"Mother Mary, pray for us?"
"Woman" ... my time has not come
John 2:4 - "Woman what concern is that to you and to me? My hour
has not yet come."
- Jesus did not use the word woman. Aramaic was Jesus' mother tongue. He
used the word "oole" In that language oole means Holy Woman.
- It is God who commanded to honour your Father and Mother.
The son of that God will not dishonour his own mother.
- The preachers who preach that Jesus looked down on his mother and that
we should therefore neglect Mary, make Jesus a sinner who broke the fourth
commandment. Actually it is Jesus who till the end of his life honoured
well his mother.
- The call of Jesus is honour and love my mother; Worship my father, the
creator with all your heart and with all your strength.
Regarding Mary's assumption
- Some of our friends ask us to show where in the Bible is mentioned
Mother Mary's assumption.
- We should ask them back to show us where is it written in the Bible that
Mother Mary died?"
- It is mentioned in the Bible that prophet Elijah was taken up into
heaven. (2 Kings 2: 11). It is also mentioned that Elijah was an ordinary
man like us. If an ordinary man could ascend to heaven, why not an
extraordinary woman? Elected by God, bearing the Saviour in her womb and
giving him birth, offering him milk of her breast and making him grow in
her arms filled her with God's grave at every moment of her life. Jesus
who ascended into heaven, has surely taken his mother where he is at the
right hand of the Father (Revelation 3:21)
Cfr. Mathew 17:1-6 - Jesus was transfigured on mount Tabor.
Moses and Elijah also appeared there. Moses was an angry man and he had
murdered a person. He was long dead. God had made him a prophet for
Israel. The dead Moses could appear to the disciples. It is therefore very
true that the most pure Mother Mary appeared here and there asking people
to accept Jesus as their saviour, asking them to pray for the peace in the
world.
- People say "we do not need Mary." Jesus necessarily needed her most. How
could He come into the world and grow up without her help?
Jesus told us to call God, our Father
Mathew 6:10 - "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name ...
- Jesus told us to call God as Father, Abba. Therefore we Christians call
the creator as Abba Father.
Jesus gave us his mother as our mother
John 19:27 - He said to his disciple, "Here is your mother" and
from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
- Why this hesitation to take Mary as our mother? Jesus himself gave her
to us.
Top of Page
THE TRUTHS OF THE BIBLE
The Bible was written by men under Divine inspiration. Therefore God is
the author of the Bible.
2 Peter 1 :20-22 - No prophecy of scripture is a matter of one's
own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men
and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
- The first five books of the Bible are called The Pentateuch. This is
Moses' Law. The formation of this was about 1300 B.C. say the experts. The
last book of The Bible is the Revelation of John. This was written 100
A.D. Thus the result of growth of thought and revelation of God through
1400 years is the Bible.
- Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek are the three original languages of the Bible.
- The Bible has two parts : The Old Testament, and the New Testament.
There are 46 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament.
Thus there are 73 books in the whole Bible. There are 1189 chapters and
31,173 verses.
- In the year 393 A.D. there was council of Hippo. This council approved
and accepted the 46 books of the old testament and the 27 books of the new
testament as genuinely inspired books of the Holy Scriptures.
- There were no other Churches and denominations then. The other Churches
come to being after the 15th Century. The Bible used in all denominations
is the Catholic Bible of that day.
- The other denominations have done away with the deuterocanonical books.
i.e. Wisdom, Ezra, Baruck, Tobias, Judith, Maccabees I and II.
Friends, you say, "We'll believe if it is in the Holy Bible."
Then notice this !
John 21 :25 - There are also many other things that Jesus did; if
everyone of them were written down, I suppose that the world could not
contain the books that would be written.
- It is not written anywhere in the Bible that Jesus washed his clothes.
Therefore was Jesus not using clean clothes?
- The names and other essential details of the parents of Mother Mary have
not been mentioned anywhere. Therefore are not Joaquim and Anna the grand
parents of Jesus?
- For 2000 years the Church has been defining great religious truths
(Dogmas)
- It is wrong to pick up a stray sentence or a stray thought and argue on
it.
- One Jesus and one Bible!!! ... Why so much of fighting? Come let us be
one. One thought and one mind!
Acts 4:12 - There is salvation in no one else; (except Jesus) for
there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must
be saved.
The purpose why Jesus came into the world
Mathew 5:17 - Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and
the prophets. I have come not to abolish, but to fulfill.
Mathew 9:13 - I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners.
Luke 19:10 - The son of man came to seek out and to save the lost.
Mark 1 :38 - " ... let us go on to the neighbouring towns, so that
I may proclaim the message there also."
Mathew 20:28 - The son of man came not to be served but to serve,
and give his life as a ransom for many.
Luke 4:18-19 - The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has
anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim
release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, and to
proclaim the year of the Lord's favour.
John 6:38 - I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will,
but the will of him (Father) who sent me.
John 10:10 - I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Top of Page
<< Back |