Same disclaimer as my previous two posts :)
Is there a basic assumption being made with your response? As I agree that the question in and of itself is to me very modern in it's approach and assumptions. What then allows one to make the choice to cross the threshold of Heaven? Is it JUST how we lived our life?
Hmmm . . . I think at that point it's less of a choice then my initial response would lead one to believe. I think that, once we've charted our course here on earth, at the moment of death and resurrection we are almost compelled to finish our course. If we lived lives of unrepentance, unforgiveness and hardness of heart, no matter how much the Light tries to shine in we'll find ways to block it out. So once we enter eternity, we no longer have that much of a choice - our lives have already prepared us either for an air-conditioned afterlife, or one that's decidedly . . . warmer. :-)
As a Catholic how does one get to heaven? What role does Jesus, Mary, and the Church play in all this?
Going with more traditional language, participating in the sacraments (which includes having an active prayer life) and leading a moral life (which includes acts of service to others) are the two main pillars that lead to salvation. Each sacramental celebration finds us basking in the presence of the Crucified and Risen Lord; hence, each sacrament is a moment of grace - we are touched by the life of God and immersed in his holy and sanctifying presence. The Church becomes a sacrament herself, being a sacrament of Jesus - the visible, tangible reality that points to the invisible, intangible presence of Christ in the world.
Mary, apart from some very strong devotional trends, is actually not as theologically central as many people paint her to be. We venerate and honor her as the Mother of God (theotokos) and the Mother of Jesus, and we believe in her perpetual virginity and assorted doctrines, but it's not necessary for salvation per se. Our salvation comes from the paschal mystery of Jesus - the incarnation, life, passion, death and resurrection that restored the cosmos to it's glory.
I see that God has thrown open the gates of Heaven and unworthy men have seized Heaven by God's Grace. I see when we see our self, our true self, we then deem if we are worthy of entering in the Goodness of God...(Heaven) or if we remain separated from God. I see without Christ... God's Judgement is ON us. I think this is why some Christians will not enter into Heaven.. as they have not forgiven.... though they have been forgiven with this realization they then make a choice of Whose righteousness they will depend on. I think this is why Jesus says to some I never knew you....
Yeah, that's the rub - Catholic theology affirms that we can never be sure of our salvation - because there's always that chance that Jesus will say "I do not know you." It's called presumption in Catholic theology - daring to say, with 100% assurance, "I will make it into heaven - no doubt about it!" We can not be sure - we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, to paraphrase Paul.
Blessings & Peace,
Hugo
Is there a basic assumption being made with your response? As I agree that the question in and of itself is to me very modern in it's approach and assumptions. What then allows one to make the choice to cross the threshold of Heaven? Is it JUST how we lived our life?
Hmmm . . . I think at that point it's less of a choice then my initial response would lead one to believe. I think that, once we've charted our course here on earth, at the moment of death and resurrection we are almost compelled to finish our course. If we lived lives of unrepentance, unforgiveness and hardness of heart, no matter how much the Light tries to shine in we'll find ways to block it out. So once we enter eternity, we no longer have that much of a choice - our lives have already prepared us either for an air-conditioned afterlife, or one that's decidedly . . . warmer. :-)
As a Catholic how does one get to heaven? What role does Jesus, Mary, and the Church play in all this?
Going with more traditional language, participating in the sacraments (which includes having an active prayer life) and leading a moral life (which includes acts of service to others) are the two main pillars that lead to salvation. Each sacramental celebration finds us basking in the presence of the Crucified and Risen Lord; hence, each sacrament is a moment of grace - we are touched by the life of God and immersed in his holy and sanctifying presence. The Church becomes a sacrament herself, being a sacrament of Jesus - the visible, tangible reality that points to the invisible, intangible presence of Christ in the world.
Mary, apart from some very strong devotional trends, is actually not as theologically central as many people paint her to be. We venerate and honor her as the Mother of God (theotokos) and the Mother of Jesus, and we believe in her perpetual virginity and assorted doctrines, but it's not necessary for salvation per se. Our salvation comes from the paschal mystery of Jesus - the incarnation, life, passion, death and resurrection that restored the cosmos to it's glory.
I see that God has thrown open the gates of Heaven and unworthy men have seized Heaven by God's Grace. I see when we see our self, our true self, we then deem if we are worthy of entering in the Goodness of God...(Heaven) or if we remain separated from God. I see without Christ... God's Judgement is ON us. I think this is why some Christians will not enter into Heaven.. as they have not forgiven.... though they have been forgiven with this realization they then make a choice of Whose righteousness they will depend on. I think this is why Jesus says to some I never knew you....
Yeah, that's the rub - Catholic theology affirms that we can never be sure of our salvation - because there's always that chance that Jesus will say "I do not know you." It's called presumption in Catholic theology - daring to say, with 100% assurance, "I will make it into heaven - no doubt about it!" We can not be sure - we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling, to paraphrase Paul.
Blessings & Peace,
Hugo
2 comments:
Hugo,
If we cannot trust Christ for salvation then what faith should we place in Him according to Roman Catholic theology?
Is it still safe to poke around? ;-)
Poke as long as you'd like :)
And as I mentioned somewhere in the last two very long blogs, Jesus is the redeemer of the world and of each individual person. Our trust (faith) in him is what saves us. However, since Christ redeems all of humanity, it does not take explicit faith in him to merit salvation - implicit faith can also save in those who have never heard of Jesus, or who have heard wrongly/incorrectly (as is the case with some cults).
Blessings & Peace,
Hugo
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