Reflections on Misobservances of The Faith A.

Are religious leaders encouraging attachment to sacredness by reffering to Jesus Christ only as Christ and to the blessed Virgin Mary as Mama Mary ? i. I should like to always refer to Jesus Christ as Jesus or The Christ not just Christ

I understand that Christ is not a name that pertains to the identity of Jesus. I should relate to a Priest/Bishop (apologies for not reacalling his name) who writes that Christ is not the family name of Jesus but the name of his office as Saviour and Redeemer. He is the only one. ii. It may be conceded that Mama Mary induces the impression of intimacy, with the resulting attraction of easy identification with so exalted a lady. Still there should be hesitation in equating such familiarity with the object of adopting the Blessed Virgins humility, simplicity, obedience and generosity, among her other virtues. I certainly do not see how the earthliness that the word Mama evokes can inspire emulation of such virtues with the unnecessary image of mamary glands (especially with the currency of Hot Mama, Mama San, Sugar Mama, Mamas Boy, etc.). Such unnecessary blurring of goals cannot foster the absolute respect that the Blessed Virgin deserves.

B. Are the words x x imploring the aid of Almighty God, and So help me God,

found in the Constitution and used in administering oaths of office to government appointees and court witnesses, in accordance with the will of God? i. In the sense of intent to submit to Gods power, YES because the words imply that the praying conveys his admission that he needs divine assistance for the accomplishment of the his mission. In the sense of actual, total submission to Gods Will, NO.

ii.

The words imply that the praying had actually made up his mind on the goal of, and means for, his intended misssion and all that he desires is for God to assist him in the attainment of that goal. The praying recruits God to serve as secondary assistant with him (praying) as the principal. Imploring the blessings of Almighty God and So bless me God seem more accurate expressions of total resignation and obedience to Gods will. C. Are the words x x forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us x x in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ of the Lords Prayer: x xforgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us x x? I should like to think that sins are violations of the sacredness of God.
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Offenses, or trespasses, against fellowmen are not necessarily sins. Should not there be a distincction between the violated sacredness of God and the offended dignity of man? Human dignity is itself sacred, it is true, but the sacredness attaches to the gift (Human Dignity) and not necessarily to the given: Gods sacredness is constant; mans is not, as dependent on earned merit. I submint that we sin only against God and only He can forgive us such transgressions. What is given to priests, as extensions of forgiving Jesus, are not necessarilyy given to ordinary men. Offenses against man are not necessarily sins against God. While man can forgive offenses against him it does not seem given to him to forgive offenses which are also sins against God. Why is there a compelling need to equate Gods mercy with human compassion -for while both have the same divine origin, one is limited, and, therefore, less in sacredness?. D. Why do catholics pray to Saints? Why do they need a gobetween? Can one not pray directly to God? i. I submit that a catholic, such as I believe I am, is not taught by his parents or priests to have to pray to Saints. I pray ( petition and thanksgiving not worship or act of contrition) to the blessed Virgin Mary, to the Angels and Saints but not as a pre-condition for communicating with God. I pray to them as a remedial option.
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Praying is journeying towards/ communicating with God. I believe that the joyfullest ultimate of all journeys is to be with the beloved to be with God. It is true that one can walk a thousand kilometers to a temple of worship. But it is also true that such journey could be safer, faster and more pleasant if made riding on a horse, a bike, a cart or in any vehicle. Many times I see a need to ride on the vehicle of virtues driven and embodied by the Blessed Virgin, the Angels and the Saints. Still, praying, be it an act of praise, petition, gratitude or penitence, or all of them at once, is an act of total reverence and respect. If we accord respect to Kings, Emperors, Presidents and even Governors by first seeking the aid of their assistants before being presented before their exalted presence, how may it be objectionable, to any degree, to accord respect, or even more, to God who is the creator of such rulers or tyrants? As a Catholic I believe in the hierarchy of spirits in the heirarchy of worthiness. Who am I to pressume that I am worthy to receive Gods blessings, sinner that I am? Who can else can best help improve my worthiiness than those who had already proved themselves worthy of Gods special attention? And yet may I, can I, pray (act of worship, penitence, thanksgiving or petition or all four) to God directly? Of course. And, this time, it is not just an option but a mandate. I like to ride but most of the time I have to walk.
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It is in the nature of man as created to be born first as an infant, growing to manhood. No one is born an adult (that would certainly be a big loss to diaper-makers). Every person is born with a capacity to grow and to become worthy of Gods extra blessings. But such worthiness must be earned as a privilege not as a right. God does not exist for us. We exist for Him. God is the Alpha and Omega. We are only in-between. But, with The Christ, always with Him. E. Is it not logical to assume that when Jesus says I and the father are one,

Jesus is not really saying that He is also God but that he is one with his father only in the sense of sameness of mission?

i.

No. God does not have missions. A mission involves a plan and the accomplishment of that plan. God, the omnipotent, wills and it is done. Mission involves a journey of steps from one stage to another. A meaningful journey needs a map towards a destination. God does not need a map. God is everywhere. Jesus, being one with his father, has the same essence with/of whom He is one. Jesus is not just God but God who became man. It is his humanness that is itself his mission of presenting himself as a person whose virtues of meekness, humility and kindness
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can be emulated. Our mission as humans is to immitate Jesus to be meek, gentle and kind to our fellowmen. F. Is it not proof that Jesus is a being apart from God when he says No one comes to the father except through me, since such words imply that Jesus is, therefore, only a channel to his father? NO. The statement in fact categorically, albeit inferentially, assumes that Jesus himself is God since to assume the quote as literally true is to conclude that Jesus can prevent our coming to God and that therefore Jesus is more powerful than his father who is rendered powerless to allow approach to him without the approval of Jesus. What Jesus must mean by His exclusionary warning is that man cannot be with God unless one follows the teachings of Jesus imparted by him to us in his personal capacity as a human mentor. Remember that the statement no one comes to the father except through me is preceded by the words I am the truth, the way and the life The word the excludes all. It cannot be the meaning of Jesus to exclude his father prescisely because Jesus and the father are one and may not cancel out each other. God the Father and God the Son are not anatomical bodies (contrary to the view that catholics worship three gods because of the three-divine-person mystery) but the inseparable components of one spiritual Being of the highest order.
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G. Can God, who is believed to have unlimited powers, create a stone too heavy for His strenght? He CAN but he May not i. In the realm of pure reason God may not create such a stone because it is unthinkable for God to contradict his nature. Even in the realm of physical perception God can create such a stone. With his limitless powers he can create a stone so huge and heavy that, in the usual perception of humans, no beast of burden can carry. Still, God can turn himself into a dove that, in essence, remains God who creates such Dove that cannot carry that same stone.

ii.

H. But, can God turn himself into a devil? What for?

Respectfuly Submitted, all for Almighty God Always Roberto Siccuan De Alban Sampaloc, for Tumauini, Isabela