In the Protoevangelium of James (aprox. AD 120), it is said that St. Anne decided that Mary's life would be dedicated to the Lord. Mary served in the temple which meant that she was vowed to a life of perpetual virginity. Joseph, a widower, was chosen by the Lord to be her husband, so that he would protect Mary while respecting her vow of virginity.
Most people before the fourth century accepted Christ's "brethren" to refer to the children of Joseph in his previous marriage. Jerome introduced the idea that "brethren" could also refer to His cousins.
During the Lord's Crucifixion, Christ gives Mary to His beloved disciple John as his Mother, but if she had more children why wouldn't they take care of her.
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2009/0907btb.asp
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0007sbs.asp
Friday, June 11, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
The Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception is the dogma that Mary was conceived without original sin. This is a belief held since the time of the apostles.
-Often when explaining this dogma, the angel Gabriel is referenced as saying ""Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28) In the original Greek, "kecharitomene" is used, which is translated to the English "full of grace." The Greek work, "kecharitomene" means that she recieved this grace in the past not because of the angel's visit and that its effects are continuing.
-This teaching is often rejected by Fundamentalists because in the Bible it says "all have sinned" (Rom. 3:23). However, not everyone has sinned. One example is of course Jesus Christ. Additionally, before reaching the age of reason no one can sin because they cannot choose between good and evil. Someone might say that they have original sin which is true, but that is not their sin that they committed but the effects of the fall. The phrase "have sinned" implies that one actually committed a sin. Thus, not everyone has sinned.
-Another objection is that if Mary had not sinned then that would mean she would not need a savior which is contrary to the Gospel - Mary said her "spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47). However, lets say someone was walking and fell into a hole. Then a person got them out of that hole and saved them. Another person was walking the same path, but before they fell into the hole the person held them back and prevented them from falling into the hole. This person was also saved. This is the way Mary was saved from sin - she was saved by Christ's grace at her conception.
-Often when explaining this dogma, the angel Gabriel is referenced as saying ""Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you" (Luke 1:28) In the original Greek, "kecharitomene" is used, which is translated to the English "full of grace." The Greek work, "kecharitomene" means that she recieved this grace in the past not because of the angel's visit and that its effects are continuing.
-This teaching is often rejected by Fundamentalists because in the Bible it says "all have sinned" (Rom. 3:23). However, not everyone has sinned. One example is of course Jesus Christ. Additionally, before reaching the age of reason no one can sin because they cannot choose between good and evil. Someone might say that they have original sin which is true, but that is not their sin that they committed but the effects of the fall. The phrase "have sinned" implies that one actually committed a sin. Thus, not everyone has sinned.
-Another objection is that if Mary had not sinned then that would mean she would not need a savior which is contrary to the Gospel - Mary said her "spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:47). However, lets say someone was walking and fell into a hole. Then a person got them out of that hole and saved them. Another person was walking the same path, but before they fell into the hole the person held them back and prevented them from falling into the hole. This person was also saved. This is the way Mary was saved from sin - she was saved by Christ's grace at her conception.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
An Update
I have decided to post an update because different things are going on in my life and I just felt like I should even I don't think anyone reads this blog. Today, I just graduated from high school. I plan on going to Central Ohio Technical College to get an Associates in Cardiovascular Diagnostic Medical Sonography - that means I'll be using medical technology to do ultrasounds and EKG's. My lifes going very well. I have had a job at Kroger for more than a year now and I'm a cashier now. It's a pretty good job. Anyways, to get to a more spiritual side, I think the Lord is calling me to apologetics, and for some reason I think that he may eventually call me to the diaconate later in my life. In order to get better at apologetics I've decided to start researching and posting useful apologetics. I have decided to start with the Blessed Virgin Mary and then I think I'll go on to the Eucharist. I may also post reflections on random things whenever I feel like it. However, I've been kind of slovenly lately, but I've been getting better so hopefully that won't affect my posts any.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
A Logical Explanation for Purgatory
Lets just imagine that there was just Heaven and Hell, no Purgatory. The Bible teaches us that nothing unclean will enter Paradise. This makes sense because it can't be paradise if there are sinners in it. Thus, if there was no purification of these sinners then that means that they would all go to Hell even if their sins were not serious. We know that God's love is endless and he would not send someone to just because they did some small thing during their lifetime. Thus, there must be some kind of purification before we enter Heaven, which is Purgatory.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
The Catholic Church is not a Cult
Often people say Catholics just do whatever the Pope tells them and don't think for them selves. They say we are a cult or brainwashed. However, we as Catholics have a moral obligation to do what we believe is right.
If the Pope told us to kill ourselves we would not do it because obviously it is wrong. We must always do what we believe to be God's will. Since God is the source of all truth, to deny what is common sense, or what we believe to be true, would be an offense to God. It would be denying God by denying the truth.
Catholics obey the faith because they believe in what the Church teaches. We also have faith in the Church that she teach the correct doctrines and not lead us into error.
The Church has been wrong before. One instance is that the Church used to support the death penalty. Thus, the Church can be wrong. However, the faithful must trust the Church as a caring mother and her priests as teachers of the faith since it is the Church that Christ founded. The Church has survived two millennia and has had many wonderful people from which she has made her decisions.
If the Pope told us to kill ourselves we would not do it because obviously it is wrong. We must always do what we believe to be God's will. Since God is the source of all truth, to deny what is common sense, or what we believe to be true, would be an offense to God. It would be denying God by denying the truth.
Catholics obey the faith because they believe in what the Church teaches. We also have faith in the Church that she teach the correct doctrines and not lead us into error.
The Church has been wrong before. One instance is that the Church used to support the death penalty. Thus, the Church can be wrong. However, the faithful must trust the Church as a caring mother and her priests as teachers of the faith since it is the Church that Christ founded. The Church has survived two millennia and has had many wonderful people from which she has made her decisions.
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