A Faithful Catholic Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 See if you can make it to Mass. Abstain from eating "beast or fowl" "Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption. Why we receive the ashes Following the example of the Nine vites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return." Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice. The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession. The Ashes The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sleepless in Hillcrest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I always like it, because it means you can get a fish sandwich at Arby's for a month! No disrespect AFC, glad you're back. I don't understand any of your posts... but I like reading them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 hash Wednesday i better get screening some weed so i can make my own sacred ashes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BC Voice of Reason Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I hope you give the BC Voice up for lent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest helper Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 See if you can make it to Mass. Abstain from eating "beast or foul" "Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Season of Lent. It is a season of penance, reflection, and fasting which prepares us for Christ's Resurrection on Easter Sunday, through which we attain redemption. Why we receive the ashes Following the example of the Nine vites, who did penance in sackcloth and ashes, our foreheads are marked with ashes to humble our hearts and reminds us that life passes away on Earth. We remember this when we are told "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust you shall return." Ashes are a symbol of penance made sacramental by the blessing of the Church, and they help us develop a spirit of humility and sacrifice. The distribution of ashes comes from a ceremony of ages past. Christians who had committed grave faults performed public penance. On Ash Wednesday, the Bishop blessed the hair shirts which they were to wear during the forty days of penance, and sprinkled over them ashes made from the palms from the previous year. Then, while the faithful recited the Seven Penitential Psalms, the penitents were turned out of the church because of their sins -- just as Adam, the first man, was turned out of Paradise because of his disobedience. The penitents did not enter the church again until Maundy Thursday after having won reconciliation by the toil of forty days' penance and sacramental absolution. Later, all Christians, whether public or secret penitents, came to receive ashes out of devotion. In earlier times, the distribution of ashes was followed by a penitential procession. The Ashes The ashes are made from the blessed palms used in the Palm Sunday celebration of the previous year. The ashes are christened with Holy Water and are scented by exposure to incense. While the ashes symbolize penance and contrition, they are also a reminder that God is gracious and merciful to those who call on Him with repentant hearts. His Divine mercy is of utmost importance during the season of Lent, and the Church calls on us to seek that mercy during the entire Lenten season with reflection, prayer and penance." AFC, IF IT WOULD SAVE YOU TIME, I WOULD BE WILLING TO PUT A LIT CIGARETTE OUT ON YOUR FOREHEAD. SINCE IT'S MEANINGLESS ANYWAY, WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest rg Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I'm having a bbq pork sandwich for lunch and dinner. I can eat whatever I want with my religion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Ash Wednesday is not just for Catholics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I hope to enjoy a good steak sandwich tomorrow. I'll be sure to have a handkerchief and water with me, to help people clean the dirt off their foreheads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Faithful Catholic Posted February 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Ash Wednesday is not just for Catholics. It is a Tradition of the Catholic Church that other Christians adopted for themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest A Reasonable Atheist Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 My guess is that it's also a tradition the Catholics stole from some Pagan religion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 The Catholic Religion is nothing more than a socially acceptable cult... Do this our way, read this, don't do this..... AFC, blow it out your DELETED!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2pelo Honey Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 I always like it, because it means you can get a fish sandwich at Arby's for a month! No disrespect AFC, glad you're back. I don't understand any of your posts... but I like reading them! Ok, this just made me hoot out loud!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Faithful Catholic Posted February 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 The Catholic Religion is nothing more than a socially acceptable cult... Do this our way, read this, don't do this..... AFC, blow it out your DELETED!! Hahahahaha!!!!!! The Lord Himself is very strict. It is very hard to get into heaven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest A Reasonable Atheist Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Hahahahaha!!!!!! The Lord Himself is very strict. It is very hard to get into heaven. For once I have to agree with you, it is hard to get into heaven, just like it is hard to get into any place that doesn't exist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The West Sider Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Hahahahaha!!!!!! The Lord Himself is very strict. It is very hard to get into heaven. I don't believe in a lot of what you say but I agree about it hard to get into heaven. Nice to see you back. TWS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Where the heck did Holy Water come from? Someone came up with the idea about 800 AD... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Question: "Are Catholic beliefs and practices Biblical?" Answer: The issue concerning any church and its practices should be “Is this Biblical?” If a teaching is Biblical (taken in context), it should be embraced. If it is not, it should be rejected. God is more interested in whether a church is doing His will and obeying His Word than whether it can trace a line of succession back to Jesus’ apostles. Jesus was very concerned about abandoning the Word of God to follow the traditions of men (Mark 7:7). Traditions are not inherently invalid…there are some good and valuable traditions. Again, the issue must be whether a doctrine, practice, or tradition is Biblical. How then does the Roman Catholic Church compare with the teachings of the Word of God? Salvation: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation is by baptismal regeneration and is maintained through the Catholic sacraments unless a willful act of sin is committed that breaks the state of sanctifying grace. The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace which is received through simple faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and that good works are the result of a change of the heart wrought in salvation (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17) and the fruit of that new life in Christ (John 15). Assurance of salvation: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation cannot be guaranteed or assured. 1 John 5:13 states that the letter of 1 John was written for the purpose of assuring believers of the CERTAINTY of their salvation. Good Works: The Roman Catholic Church states that Christians are saved by meritorious works (beginning with baptism) and that salvation is maintained by good works (receiving the sacraments, confession of sin to a priest, etc.) The Bible states that Christians are saved by grace through faith, totally apart from works (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:10-11; Romans 3:19-24). Baptism: In the New Testament baptism is ALWAYS practiced AFTER saving faith in Christ. Baptism is not the means of salvation; it is faith in the Gospel that saves (1 Corinthians 1:14-18; Romans 10:13-17). The Roman Catholic Church teaches baptismal regeneration of infants, a practice never found in Scripture. The only possible hint of infant baptism in the Bible that the Roman Catholic Church can point to is that the whole household of the Philippian jailer was baptized in Acts 16:33. However, the context nowhere mentions infants. Acts 16:31 declares that salvation is by faith. Paul spoke to all of the household in verse 32, and the whole household believed (verse 34). This passage only supports the baptism of those who have already believed, not of infants. Prayer: The Roman Catholic Church teaches Catholics to not only pray to God, but also to petition Mary and the saints for their prayers. Contrary to this, we are taught in Scripture to only pray to God (Matthew 6:9; Luke 18:1-7). Priesthood: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is a distinction between the clergy and the “lay people,” whereas the New Testament teaches the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9). Sacraments: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that a believer is infused with grace upon reception of the sacraments. Such teaching is nowhere found in Scripture. Confession: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that unless a believer is hindered, the only way to receive the forgiveness of sins is by confessing them to a priest. Contrary to this, Scripture teaches that confession of sins is to be made to God (1 John 1:9). Mary: The Roman Catholic Church teaches, among other things, that Mary is the Queen of Heaven, a perpetual virgin, and the co-redemptress who ascended into heaven. In Scripture, she is portrayed as an obedient, believing servant of God, who became the mother of Jesus. None of the other attributes mentioned by the Roman Catholic Church have any basis in the Bible. The idea of Mary being the co-redemptress and another mediator between God and man is not only extra-biblical (found only outside of Scripture), but is also unbiblical (contrary to Scripture). Acts 4:12 declares that Jesus is the only redeemer. 1 Timothy 2:5 proclaims that Jesus is the only mediator between God and men. Many other examples could be given. These issues alone clearly identify the Catholic Church as being unbiblical. Every Christian denomination has traditions and practices that are not explicitly based on Scripture. That is why Scripture must be the standard of Christian faith and practice. The Word of God is always true and reliable. The same cannot be said of church tradition. Our guideline is to be: “What does Scripture say?” (Romans 4:3; Galatians 4:30; Acts 17:11). 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Hahahahaha!!!!!! The Lord Himself is very strict. It is very hard to get into heaven. Especially if your full of DELETED! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Faithful Catholic Posted February 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Question: "Are Catholic beliefs and practices Biblical?" Answer: The issue concerning any church and its practices should be “Is this Biblical?” If a teaching is Biblical (taken in context), it should be embraced. If it is not, it should be rejected. God is more interested in whether a church is doing His will and obeying His Word than whether it can trace a line of succession back to Jesus’ apostles. Jesus was very concerned about abandoning the Word of God to follow the traditions of men (Mark 7:7). Traditions are not inherently invalid…there are some good and valuable traditions. Again, the issue must be whether a doctrine, practice, or tradition is Biblical. How then does the Roman Catholic Church compare with the teachings of the Word of God? Salvation: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation is by baptismal regeneration and is maintained through the Catholic sacraments unless a willful act of sin is committed that breaks the state of sanctifying grace. The Bible teaches that we are saved by grace which is received through simple faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and that good works are the result of a change of the heart wrought in salvation (Ephesians 2:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17) and the fruit of that new life in Christ (John 15). Assurance of salvation: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that salvation cannot be guaranteed or assured. 1 John 5:13 states that the letter of 1 John was written for the purpose of assuring believers of the CERTAINTY of their salvation. Good Works: The Roman Catholic Church states that Christians are saved by meritorious works (beginning with baptism) and that salvation is maintained by good works (receiving the sacraments, confession of sin to a priest, etc.) The Bible states that Christians are saved by grace through faith, totally apart from works (Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 3:10-11; Romans 3:19-24). Baptism: In the New Testament baptism is ALWAYS practiced AFTER saving faith in Christ. Baptism is not the means of salvation; it is faith in the Gospel that saves (1 Corinthians 1:14-18; Romans 10:13-17). The Roman Catholic Church teaches baptismal regeneration of infants, a practice never found in Scripture. The only possible hint of infant baptism in the Bible that the Roman Catholic Church can point to is that the whole household of the Philippian jailer was baptized in Acts 16:33. However, the context nowhere mentions infants. Acts 16:31 declares that salvation is by faith. Paul spoke to all of the household in verse 32, and the whole household believed (verse 34). This passage only supports the baptism of those who have already believed, not of infants. Prayer: The Roman Catholic Church teaches Catholics to not only pray to God, but also to petition Mary and the saints for their prayers. Contrary to this, we are taught in Scripture to only pray to God (Matthew 6:9; Luke 18:1-7). Priesthood: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that there is a distinction between the clergy and the “lay people,” whereas the New Testament teaches the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9). Sacraments: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that a believer is infused with grace upon reception of the sacraments. Such teaching is nowhere found in Scripture. Confession: The Roman Catholic Church teaches that unless a believer is hindered, the only way to receive the forgiveness of sins is by confessing them to a priest. Contrary to this, Scripture teaches that confession of sins is to be made to God (1 John 1:9). Mary: The Roman Catholic Church teaches, among other things, that Mary is the Queen of Heaven, a perpetual virgin, and the co-redemptress who ascended into heaven. In Scripture, she is portrayed as an obedient, believing servant of God, who became the mother of Jesus. None of the other attributes mentioned by the Roman Catholic Church have any basis in the Bible. The idea of Mary being the co-redemptress and another mediator between God and man is not only extra-biblical (found only outside of Scripture), but is also unbiblical (contrary to Scripture). Acts 4:12 declares that Jesus is the only redeemer. 1 Timothy 2:5 proclaims that Jesus is the only mediator between God and men. Many other examples could be given. These issues alone clearly identify the Catholic Church as being unbiblical. Every Christian denomination has traditions and practices that are not explicitly based on Scripture. That is why Scripture must be the standard of Christian faith and practice. The Word of God is always true and reliable. The same cannot be said of church tradition. Our guideline is to be: “What does Scripture say?” (Romans 4:3; Galatians 4:30; Acts 17:11). 2 Timothy 3:16-17 declares, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” The WHOLE OF CHRISTIANITY, the Catholic and Orthodox faiths BEFORE the "reformation" of 1511 AD, never believed in the bible ALONE. As a matter of fact, there was no bible before the 4th century! On top of that scripture itself states that the CHURCH is the final authority in Christianity. What was the only Church in those days? That's right...THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. Way to go. I shot down all of those arguments many moons ago. The Catholic Church has the FULLNESS of the TRUTH. Why? Because it embraces the ENTIRE WORD OF GOD, not just the written. Guess what? What Church gave the world the written Word of God? The Catholic Church did. Wanna know something else? Jesus attack traditions of the JEWS and not of Christians. Lastly, not one single person believed in the written Word of GOD solely before 1511 AD. Not the Apostles and not Christ. Sola Scriptura is a COMPLETE heresy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 'Scuse me, AFC, could you answer a question for me? Is there some rule that you must have received your First Communion before receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday? My son recently made his first penance but hasn't received First Communion yet and I can't remember if there is a rule about that. Thanks. (From a somewhat lapsed catholic.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Faithful Catholic Posted February 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 As a matter of fact, here are some "unbiblical" prot beliefs that are not found in the bible that you use as your sole source of Christianity: Must be baptized by full immersion - Not in the Bible Sin is a sin – Not supported in the Bible Saved by faith alone (sola fide) – Not in the Bible Christ paid the full penalty of sin – Not in the Bible Bible is the sole rule of faith (sola scriptura) – Nowhere in the Bible Private interpretation of Scripture – Bible says it's not allowed Health and Wealth Gospel – Contradicts the Bible Once saved always saved – Contradicts in the Bible Baptism is symbolic and just a public declaration of faith – Not in the bible Pre-tribulation rapture – Not in the Bible Going to church on Sunday – Not in the bible Celebrating Christmas – Not in the Bible Celebrating Easter – Not in the Bible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Faithful Catholic Posted February 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 'Scuse me, AFC, could you answer a question for me? Is there some rule that you must have received your First Communion before receiving ashes on Ash Wednesday? My son recently made his first penance but hasn't received First Communion yet and I can't remember if there is a rule about that. Thanks. (From a somewhat lapsed catholic.) Ashes are NOT a sacrament, they are a sacramental. Your son can receive, no prob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Interesting that I read on here people mocking the RC Church and its rites and traditions yet I have NEVER had one single person say one single thing to me face to face about my ashes on Ash Wednesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Faithful Catholic Posted February 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Interesting that I read on here people mocking the RC Church and its rites and traditions yet I have NEVER had one single person say one single thing to me face to face about my ashes on Ash Wednesday. People mock the CC all the time. Rest assured, it is the original Church of Christ, founded on Peter. No other Church can claim that nor prove it's existence before 1511 AD for the prots and 1054 AD for the Orthodox. By the will of Christ, the CC has the "binding and loosing power" and exercises it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Guest Posted February 6, 2008 Report Share Posted February 6, 2008 Question: "Are Catholic beliefs and practices Biblical?"... ... ... ... .... .... .... Must give AFC credit he responded and made a lot sense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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