₦airaland Forum

SalC:
He posted his name first, I only added his surname

That's why I quoted the two of you.

vest:
wat did they do?

They removed the offending post.

SalC:
Walahi you no go kill me with laff full names indeed

It's a security issue and you're laughing. Ok na

jnrbayano:
I'm innocent

SalC:
Innocent Odinkemere

Haba, is this no longer a faceless forum? Why Full names na

Kamsified:
Viewing this thread
Seun(m)

Welcome boss

SalC:
What is Seun doing here? Is he no longer an atheist? Sorry this is "A thread for Catholics"

I believe he came along to do the needful.

jnrbayano:
Na this period alcohol and sleep they hungry me pass.

We shall pull through it.

Amen!

Lol. Amen bro, we shall pull through I pray.

adeniyitheprof:
BELIEVE IT OR NOT!

ACCORDING TO BIBLE: "CATHOLIC MARY" IS A PAGAN GODDESS (A DEVIL)

https://www.nairaland.com/2186600/according-bible-catholic-mary-pagan


CAN YOU IMAGINE CATHOLICS CALLING THEIR OWN MARY "THE SPOUSE OFTHE HOLY SPIRIT"

Herbalists' practices and Catholics' practices......NO DIFFERENCE!....Details Later

Purgatory which is one of the greatest lies and a scripturally baseless doctrine of all time from that ancient serpent, the Lucifer himself will be Biblically and rigorously refuted and rebuked in totality later here on NAIRALAND.

Read and learn. Stop being Ignorant with pride.

...We also have to take into consideration that when Mary was told by the archangel Gabriel "Behold, you shall conceive in your womb, and bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus" (Lk 1:31), he also added that this was to come about because "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the Holy one to be born shall be called the Son of God" (Lk 1:35). By stating it in those terms the archangel declared to Mary that God would enter into a marital relationship with her, causing her to conceive His Son in her womb, For "to lay one's power <(reshuth)> over a woman" <(Targum to Dt> 21:4) was a euphemism for "to have a marital relationship with her." Likewise "to overshadow" (Lk 1:35) by spreading the "wing" or "cloak" over a woman was another euphemism for marital relations. Thus, the rabbis commented <(Midrash Genesis Rabbah> 39.7; 3.9) that Ruth was chaste in her wording when she asked Boaz to have marital relations with her by saying to him "I am Ruth you handmaid, spread therefore your cloak ( literally, "wing": over your handmaid for you are my next-of-kin" (Ruth 3:9). , another Aramaic-Hebrew word for cloak, is derived from = shadow. Thus, "to spread one's cloak <(tallith)> over a woman" means to cohabit with her <(Kiddushin> 18b, see also . Did not the Lord say to His bride Israel: "I am married to you" (Jr 3:14) and "your Maker is your husband"? (Is 54-5:5; Jr 31:32)? And what is more intimate than what the Lord said to His bride: "You developed, you grew, you came to full womanhood; your breasts became firm and your hair grew... you were naked... and I saw that you were now old enough for love so I spread my cloak over you... I gave you My oath, I entered into a covenant with you and you became Mine, says the Lord God" (Ezk 16:7, 8 ).

http://www.ewtn.com/library/ANSWERS/TALMUD.htm

Ubenedictus:
my lenten failure start on the first week of lent so i feel u dear.

when you are weak then you are strong. God's power is manifest in your weakness.

Amen. If you put it that way, it's quite encouraging.

Rich4god:
LENTEN DIGEST: Jer. 7:23-28, Lk. 11:14-23. "But if it by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you." Jesus has come to inaugurate God's Kingdom on earth. This marks the progressive and decisive defeat of the evil in all its forms: demonic possession, sickness, immorality, injustice, tyranny... In Jesus' time people did not ask "What caused the sickness?" But rather, "Who caused the sickness?" Luke relates that the person's inability to speak is caused by a demon called "Mute". In the exorcism ritual the possessed spirit is first identified by a name and then driven out using its own name. A mute spirit is no match for Jesus who is "One stronger who attacks and defeats him" (v 21). But Jesus' power over the demon is being put to question by some who witnessed the exorcism. They do not deny the healing, but they say that Jesus is in league with Beelzebub. This is because they have closed their hearts to Him. We become so blind to some certain realities in life and in our relationship with God when our heart is so closed. Non-believers come out with any excuse to justify their hardness of heart. Amazing, the excuses we come up with in justification of the hardness our heart, God's power will always prevail. May the Lord in His bounty give us the Spirit to think and do what is right, and so open up for the divine grace! Amen!! Good morning, it is well with you!!!

Amen Amen, thanks bro.

Ubenedictus:
People who oppose religious statuary forget about the many passages where the Lord commands the making of statues. For example: "And you shall make two cherubim of gold [i.e., two gold statues of angels]; of hammered work shall you make
them, on the two ends of the mercy seat.
Make one cherub on the one end, and one cherub on the other end; of one piece of the mercy seat shall you make the cherubim on its two ends. The cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, their faces one
to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be" (Ex. 25:18–20).

David gave Solomon the plan "for the altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord. All this he made clear by the writing of the hand of the Lord concerning it all, all the work to be done according to the plan" (1 Chr. 28:18–19). David’s plan for the temple, which the biblical author tells us was "by
the writing of the hand of the Lord concerning it all," included statues of angels.
Similarly Ezekiel 41:17–18 describes graven (carved) images in the idealized temple he was shown in a vision, for he writes, "On the walls round about in the inner room and [on] the nave were carved likenesses of cherubim."

The Religious Uses of Images

During a plague of serpents sent to punish the Israelites during the exodus, God told Moses to "make [a statue of] a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and every one who is bitten, when he sees it shall live. So Moses made a bronze serpent, and set it on a pole; and if a serpent bit any man, he would look at the bronze serpent and live" (Num. 21:8– 9).

One had to look at the bronze statue of the serpent to be healed, which shows that statues could be used ritually, not merely as religious decorations.
Catholics use statues, paintings, and other artistic devices to recall the person or thing depicted. Just as it helps to remember one’s
mother by looking at her photograph, so it helps to recall the example of the saints by looking at pictures of them. Catholics also use statues as teaching tools. In the early Church they were especially useful for the
instruction of the illiterate. Many Protestants have pictures of Jesus and other Bible pictures in Sunday school for teaching children.

Catholics also use statues to
commemorate certain people and events, much as Protestant churches have three- dimensional nativity scenes at Christmas.
If one measured Protestants by the same rule, then by using these "graven" images, they would be practicing the "idolatry" of which they accuse Catholics. But there’s no idolatry going on in these situations. God forbids the worship of images as gods, but
he doesn’t ban the making of images. If he had, religious movies, videos, photographs,
paintings, and all similar things would be banned. But, as the case of the bronze serpent shows, God does not even forbid the ritual use of religious images. It is when people begin to adore a statue as
a god that the Lord becomes angry. Thus when people did start to worship the bronze serpent as a snake-god (whom they named "Nehushtan", the righteous king
Hezekiah had it destroyed (2 Kgs. 18:4).

What About Bowing?

Sometimes anti-Catholics cite Deuteronomy 5:9, where God said concerning idols, "You shall not bow down to them." Since many
Catholics sometimes bow or kneel in front of statues of Jesus and the saints, anti- Catholics confuse the legitimate veneration of a sacred image with the sin of idolatry.
Though bowing can be used as a posture in worship, not all bowing is worship. In Japan, people show respect by bowing in greeting (the equivalent of the Western handshake). Similarly, a person can kneel before a king without worshipping him as a god. In the same way, a Catholic who may
kneel in front of a statue while praying isn’t worshipping the statue or even praying to it, any more than the Protestant who
kneels with a Bible in his hands when praying is worshipping the Bible or praying to it.

Thanks for this. It's all that need to be said, let the truth set them free. Accusers of the brethren comes to mind.

adeniyitheprof:
Sarcastically, if Catholic Mary is the HOLY MOTHER OF GOD, then St.Anne (true or untrue name given by the RCC to the mother of Mary) should be the GRAND MOTHER OF GOD......hahahahaha......WONDERS SHALL NEVER END...... JUST WAIT AND SEE HOW THE HOLY BIBLE REFUTES THIS ABOMINABLE CLAIM from the Catholics. A topic or thread will be created for that later.

Yes! Jesus claimed to be God in the Bible...

Yes! Mary is the mother of Jesus...

Yes! Mary never claimed for once to be the mother of GOD because she understood very well the discrepancy between the Human nature and the Divine nature of Jesus...HYPOSTATIC UNION whom the Catholics are claiming to be their own doctrine but still they do not understand it fully.
The Bible says an idol claims to have eye but can't see, claims to have nose but can't smell, claims to have legs but can't walk....SMH for such idol!!!

Yes! God has no mother but Jesus has and He (Jesus) still claimed to be the eternal GOD in the BIBLE.

Nowhere in the BIBLE Mary is referred to as mother of GOD but the 250 Catholic Bishops convened, in June and July AD 431, a meeting under the command of a Roman Emperor (a Council of Ephesus) like a family meeting or a House of Senate Meeting, voted and confirmed the title of Mary as the HOLY MOTHER OF GOD and the QUEEN OF HEAVEN and they started sharing God's glory while they were on earth.
Yeah! A bishop strongly objected to this blasphemy even till when He died.

This particular bishop who opposed such title gave his teaching from the Bible that Mary should be called the "Christotokos", BIRTH GIVER OF CHRIST but not the "Theotokos", BIRTH GIVER OF GOD.
However, other bishops strongly condemned His teaching in a heated atmosphere of confrontation and recrimination and created severe tensions between Cyril and Theodosius II, the Roman Emperor and the Convener of the meeting.

Many are called but few are truly chosen.

JUST WAIT TO SEE WHEN ALL THESE WILL BE EXPOSED GLARINGLY just like 1+1 is not 2 but 1 and 1+1+1 is not 3 but still 1 according to the Biblical teachings

Had it been the logs in your eyes were off, even from your post, you would have seen the truth. 250 Catholic bishops you said, as if another authentic christian group was in existence. Out of 250 bishops of the true christian church, among whom were some who were part of the scripture canonization, gathered in God's name, as they gathered in Acts 15 to declare scriptural circumcision unnecessary for salvation, one bishop was against their decision according to you. They declared him anathema as supported by scripture. The church continued to preach and propagate the gospel under the leadership of these bishops and the Holy spirit was with the them. Then in these era, you now decide to follow this one bishop who ceased to be part of this church from that time. Oga I greet you o.

Kamsified:
Lol@moving magnet to temptation.

Talking about temptation during fasting period. Ask Our master how far na.
You're not alone dear brother but his grace is abundant for us in the face of those temptations.
We shall not fall rather we'll come out stronger in the end. May our lady help of sinners intercede for us all. Amen

A splendid day to u as well

Thanks nne, I really need that Our Lady's intercession immensely.

Third week of lent...how far? I don't know, but I feel like am a moving magnet to temptations this period of lent, occasion of sin just seem to be numerous now...or is it that am more conscious of them now, one thing is sure though, am now more convinced that am as weak as weak can be, so remember Syncan in your prayers.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to you.

cocoberry:
Jnrbayano, I'm soo pained and can't get over it..... lost my dad in January

My heartfelt condolences and prayers are to you and yours, God will see you through this trying times surely. Know that even this shall pass.

Rich4god:
I hope u r cleared.... Told you help is coming...

I see you bro.

silvoice:
u missed d point. I got converted into a catholic by a lady i respect so much 4 her morality. So am now a full member... Period.

A big point... and you're back home. Welcome back bro.

Alexk2:
I wish i can register my advice with all sincerity and be frank abt it.

First, it is very wrong to build your marriage foundatn of deceit; lying to your fiancee about the church you are attending....she'll still find out and you don't expect her to be happy with that.

Secondly, in marriage it is the lady that'll have to follow the guy to his church and not the other way. A lady who believes in you and love you enough to want to marry you should be ready to join your church. In marriage, the questn to ask should never be which church is he attending but is He a genuine Christian?

Finally, pls., define who you are and what you want and never allow your fiancee to decide that for you under the flame of love or lust. Marriage is a serious thing and 'believe' plays a very important role in it. This church issue may not mean much to you today but it'll mean too much in future.
I read post from catholic guys congratulating you and i smh at the level religious is blinding pple....which of them can join another church in the name of love or marriage?..

Sorry oga, wrong thread.

silvoice:
Syncan and salc, two of u have made my day. I'm jus smilin now as i type.
Well let me state categoricaly that am not hiding anythin from her. I'v already told her that am worshipin in catholic church and i hav been doin that regularly 4 d past six months. i have also decided that i will continue even afta d weddin. May be sometime i future, i wil giv her gist, but that would be bedroom talk, as part of my past.
D real thin is that she thinks dat am not a strong christian dat is why i don't know most of dis things and she is ready to teach me word of God which she has been doin. But i don't want to be a novice in everytin especially as regard my marriage. U know am d head, i don't want to play a second fiddle in my marriage, that is why am learnin from all angle. Cheers!!

Nothing to say, again SalC has said it all. Believe me, you'll be amazed at what you'll learn about the church. The more you come to know, the more ridiculous a lot of things you were earlier told about the church will sound. Anyway, make I go buy dancing shoes, got a wedding party to attend .

SalC:
Get off my head bro

Thanks for your contributions,

Hahaha, Its a natural something. God bless you dear.

silvoice:
brother, since i don't belong to any service unit like CYON etc is it goin to affect me, cos am too busy with work now and i want to wed at this my parish here in Port Harcourt, wil my fiancee's membership cover me? Though she's not part of that particular parish. What wil be required of me? I want 2 know in advance. Thanks

I Just read your response to SalC above. If you are baptised, you are a catholic. Your not being a member of CYON should not hinder you in anyway, however some parishes in the east especially, do demand that you get clearance from CYON before marriage bans are made. As per PH, I don't think its applicable. What will most likely happen in your case is that you'll be given the catechism book, which you'll be required to read at your spare time. Your marriage course instructor will monitor your progress and aid you along. As long as your card contains the neccesary info, its admissible. However you can take the card to the parish of baptism and they'll give you a new copy. You really have no problem difficult to handle, You can't learn all in a day, but you shouldn't be hiding things from your partner this early stage .

Ubenedictus:
d mystical city of God by ven Mary of Agreda, stong book, her visions on the life of Jesus and mary really answered much of the questions i consider grey areas in scriptures.

That book....The autobiography of Jesus and Mary. That's all I can say.

Ubenedictus:
Mk 9:8

And suddenly looking around they nolonger saw any one with them but Jesus.


As the lenten season continues there will be a continued and sustained emphasis on change, reformation, repentance...but the sunday readings tells us around what to fashion our change, a continued, random and sustained change will probably lead to chaos and so God shows us the axis around which we should make our rotation of repentance.

-The Constant God-

In the gospel of mark 8 we see Christ talk about his suffering and death and peter rebuked him, 6 days later Jesus took peter to mount tabor and showed him his glory and peter said "Lord it is good to be here". We are most times like peter, our lives both spiritual, physical, financial... are shaken and changing, there are the days we simply feel like going to heaven with enomous joy in our hearts, there are other day when we have failed our lenten observance and there is a sin using us to play ping pong, the are times of good business, bad business, joy, sorrow, love, indifference, righeousness, sin, virtue and vice, suffering and glory, there are day we are feeling like abraham about to kill his only son and other day we are like peter on mount tabor, today God give us an anchor, a constant, something good that is ever static and that is God himself.

Are you happy? give him thanks, sad? look up on him, discontent? then pray to him, are you bitter pour it all out to him, did you fail in your lenten resolve in the first week of lent like I did? Pick up again and moved on look at the fallen Christ on the Calvary way. We have a constant God, ever present, always there, ready to accompany us in all the ups and downs of life, showing us what is true joy on our bitter days, teaching us on our bad day, sharing with us our happy days and accompaning us on the thorny days, he is alway there, he is the first and the last, begining and end, the source and goal of our lives.

Place your faith in him, place your trust in him, be in him and for him and say with st Paul "If God be for me who can be against me!!", "If he justifies me who can condemn me?" he is my constant! If I am with him I shall not fear misfortune, sin shall not bug me down, fortune will not make me proud and my joy shall multiply, st Paul says it is Christ who died! It is he who rose, he it is who still interceeds for us.

If we believe in so great a God then we will understand the foolish wisdom of the barren abraham who want to sacrifice his son, if my God is ever constant, ever faithful, what is that sin that weighs me down, who is the guys/lady that vexs me, the one I dislike? What is food that i will not abstain? That offense that i will not forgive. My God suffices and me he rid me of my Me-ness and help me trust more and more in him.

Let nothing trouble you
Let nothing frighten you
Everything passes
God never changes
Patience obtains all
Whoever has God
Wants for nothing
God alone is enough
st Theresa

soso Chukwu di enuf

Amen Amen. Thanks for this reassuring words.


Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

Hello brethren, just to register my presence. SalC has done justice to the OP's question, well except he still needs more clarifications on any issues. All I can say is that the night before easter is mostly used for baptism of adult catechumen, if you are fortunate, the baptism issue can be tackled as early as this easter, and that will be out of the way. So the earlier you get to the nearest catholic church office, the better for you. Welcome once again and feel free to visit "A thread for Catholics" and ask your questions.

Rich4god:
LENTEN EXHORTATION: Ezk 18:21-28, Mt. 5:20-26. In the first reading, the prophet Ezekiel warns the Jews of his time not to forget the great lesson taught by the exile. They had begun to see it as the inevitable outcome of the sins others had committed in times past. The prophet declares that punishment is a consequence of the actual sins of each individual. Through his words the Holy Spirit speaks to us about our responsibility as individuals, and, consequently, about personal penance and personal salvation. God wants the sinner to turn away from sin and to live, but he has to cooperate with God by his repentance and works of penance. The invitation to follow Jesus brings with it some radical demands. As followers of Christ we must have a greater justice and higher perfection than those who are not Christians. Jesus makes it clear in today's Gospel that the law is valid not so much in its literal sense but in its spiritual significance. He condemns not only the external act of killing, but also anger and thoughts of hatred. We are called to have a good heart to one another in order to offer prayer and worship pleasing and acceptable to God. May the Lord look with favour on us, that what our observance outwardly declares may inwardly bring us healing and joy! Amen!! Good morning, it is well with your soul!!!

Well done bro.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day to all.

jnrbayano:
Good afternoon brethren

In the sorrowful mysteries while praying the rosary, which mystery do you think is the most sorrowful of them all?

For me, I think is the 5th sorrowful mystery which is "the crucifixion and death of our lord Jesus Christ."

I think the mysteries were purposefully arranged from the least sorrowful to the most sorrowful though it also looks like it was arranged in the order each occurred.

What's your opinion...

hmm...bro, I believe its just the chronology of events. Each of those mysteries are as sorrowful as sorrow can be. Eg, We've heard of people dying of sorrow, yet their sorrow wasn't strong enough to cause their tears to turn to blood. There is a book called "Mystical city of God" by Mary of Agreda, you need to read this book to get an insight into the scorging and the rest, when you think of the scorging for instance; think of those aluu students that were beating till they died.Each was done to the point of death, Jesus did not die in either of them because he was meant to die on the cross. A quick insight you can get from a small and easily available book called "Pieta".

SalC:
Please can someone help me post the Catena prayer here. Thanks

The Catena Legionis

Antiphon. Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?

My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour. He looks on his servant in her lowliness; henceforth all ages will call me blessed.

The Almighty works marvels for me. Holy is his name! His mercy is from age to age, on those who fear him.

He puts forth his arm in strength and scatters the proud-hearted. He casts the mighty from their thrones and raises the lowly.

He fills the starving with good things, sends the rich away empty.

He protects Israel, his servant, remembering his mercy, the mercy promised to our fathers, to Abraham and his sons forever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen.

Antiphon. Who is she that comes forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in battle array?

V. O Mary, conceived without sin R. Pray for us who have recourse to you.

Let Us Pray

O Lord Jesus Christ, our mediator with the Father, you have been pleased to appoint the most Blessed Virgin, your mother, to be our mother also, and our mediatrix with you, mercifully grant that whoever comes to you, seeking your favours may rejoice to receive all of them through her. Amen.

Concluding Prayers

In the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Amen.

We fly to your patronage, O Holy Mother of God; despise not our prayers in our necessities, but ever deliver us from all dangers, O glorious and Blessed Virgin.

V. Mary Immaculate, Mediatrix of all Graces (or, Invocation appropriate to Praesidium) R. Pray for us.

V. St. Michael and St. Gabriel R. Pray for us.

V. All you heavenly Powers, Mary’s Legions of Angels R. Pray for us.

V. St. John the Baptist R. Pray for us.

V. Saints Peter and Paul. R. Pray for us.

Confer, O Lord, on us, who serve beneath the Standard of Mary, that fullness of faith in you, and trust in her, to which it is given to conquer the world. Grant us a lively faith, animated by charity, which will enable us to perform all our actions from the motive of pure love of you, and ever to see you and serve you in our neighbor; a faith, firm and immovable as a rock, through which we shall rest tranquil and steadfast amid the crosses, toils and disappointments of life; a courageous faith which will inspire us to undertake and carry out without hesitation great things for your glory and for the salvation of souls; a faith which will be our Legion’s Pillar of Fire - to lead us forth united - to kindle everywhere the fires of divine love - to enlighten those who are in darkness and the shadow of death - to inflame those who are lukewarm - to bring life to those who are dead in sin; and which will guide our own feet in the way of peace; so that - the battle of life over -our Legion may reassemble, without the loss of anyone, in the kingdom of your love and glory. Amen.

May the souls of our departed Legionaries, and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

In the Name of the Father , Son, and Holy Spirit Amen.

Rich4god:
And for the records... This topic on the FP... The victim is my in law..


https://www.nairaland.com/2159322/assassination-abuja-bizman-suspect-implicates

My heartfelt condolences goes to your family. What a wicked world we're in.

SalC:
The bold says it all. You see, most times we are simply satisfied and confident in the fact that we don't do wrong that we neglect doing right, I once met a guy who said all he needed to make heaven was; obey the ten commandments.

Sure it's good to obey the ten commandments but it's also obvious that these ten commandments are about things we ought not to do. But then if there are things we shouldn't do, are there not things we ought to do? If you do only harken unto things we shouldn't do while neglecting the ones we should do, we still find ourselves being guilty of "omission"

May God give us the grace to steer clear of things we ought not do while not neglecting the ones we ought to do.

Thanks bro for this insightful exhortation.

Aptly put Sis, aptly put. God bless you.

Rich4god:
LENTEN BOUQUET: Lev. 19:1-2.11-18, Mt. 25:31-46. In today's Gospel, the Lord lays before us practical ways of observing God's Commandments. The first reading is taken from the collection of various regulations concerning daily life, all connected by the refrain, "I am the LORD, your God" and "Be holy, for I, the LORD your God, am holy" articulates the motto and motivation of Israelite morality. Among so many laws which show the rather primitive level of God's people, we marvel to find some prescriptions that teach deeply human attitude. The golden rule, "Love your neighbour as yourself" was given a more extended and universal meaning by Jesus in the parable of the separation of the sheep from the goat. Here Jesus teaches love in action. In the parable, we realise that the recitation of prayers or presence at prayer meetings is really of no use if our prayer life does not result in our outreach towards the sick, the lonely, the depressed, the hungry, the needy and the less privileged in our neighbourhood. When we do something for one of Christ's little ones, we do it for Christ. This truth should prompt our actions not just during Lent but always. May the Lord turn our hearts back to Himself, may He form us by His heavenly teaching, so that we may truly profit by our Lenten observances! Amen! Good morning, have a successful and fulfilled working week!!!

Thanks bro. God bless you.

From Today's readings LV 19:1-2, 11-18

“Speak to the whole assembly of the children of Israel and tell them: Be holy, for I, the LORD, your God, am holy.“You shall not steal.
You shall not lie or speak falsely to one another. You shall not swear falsely by my name..."

I praise the saints of the old testament and hold them a lot in high esteem, do you know why? I will tell you. There's this primary school maths book called lacombe maths, it was more difficult to grasp than the one in "Key to success". Even when it was difficult to comprehend physics using the book by Abbot, it was easier to understand same thing when you read from the one written by "PN Okeke and others", Or which is easier to comprehend prose between "Lonely Londoners" and "Eze goes to school". How easy was it to grasp chemistry using the book authored by "Holdernes and Lambert" to using the one authored by "Osei yaw Ababio". Modern day students use visual aids and it's much easier to understand things than earlier. So when God charged the Israelites to be Holy, His method of being holy, which was made up of thou shall not this, thou shall not that... was like using one of those old books to study.

I say this because in our relationships, It's never enough not to curse a child; you have to bless sometimes. You can't be termed affectionate just because you do not beat your wife; you have to caress her often. How can you be called kind for not defrauding your neighbor; you have to lend a helping hand too. This is just how it goes, It's ok not to do wrong, but you're better of doing right. Dear brethren, we are in the Lenten season, searching ourselves, seeking to desist from one vice or the other, to untangle ourselves from the bond of one sin or the other, yes, yes, it's good, yet the best way is to attempt the practice of the opposing virtues, let the glutton fast, let the slanderer praise, let the selfish show generosity, that's more like learning and understanding using the more modern and easier method. You will rise faster.


That's why the Master Himself, Our Lord Jesus, in teaching about Holiness in today's gospel, gave us an insight into what it demands when he said " ...Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me..." MT 25:31-46. This is what we'll be judged with, this is what will make us holier, this is what will bring us closer to God, this is what we need this lent. When you keep the "thou shall not do", that's ok, but if you don't settle for less, then you'll go for "thou shall do". Recall that when the man told Jesus that he had observed all the "thou shall not...", Jesus looked at him and Loved him, but when Jesus wanted something higher for him; he told him "thou shall do...". Mk 10:21.
May our Lady Intercede for us.

Good morning brethren, a splendid day ahead to all.

PrettySpicey:
Thanks Syncan for the talk on Fasting. It's always nice to gain some clarity when issues start to become blurred especially in this era of multiple 'Christianism' aka denominations.

On assisting in Morning Masses, I think that should be 'daily' Mass as many parishes now have evening Masses.

Thanks

You're welcome dear. You're right about the no 7. being "daily" instead of "morning" mass, I just posted that part as published by Lagos Archdiocese unedited, but I believe it's "daily" they had in mind. Thanks and God bless you.

Whether na true talk abi na lie, chineloSA Happy birthday joor. God bless you.