Sometimes it's easy to get lost in the frustration, anger, and pain generated by some so called 'leaders' in Roman Catholicism. A person can lose site of the real reason Catholicism even exists, which was not to control sexual behavior, but to inspire the spiritual search. It seems when ever I am reaching my explode point I get sent a message to remind me what it's all about.
This morning I open my email to find that a friend had sent me this link for the Vatican's multi media presentation of the Sistine Chapel. Hold down the left mouse button to change perspectives and get a virtual 360 degree tour. In the bottom left hand corner is the enlarge function. An a cappella choir sings in the background, so it's very easy to get mentally lost while perusing Michelangelo's monumental project. All I can say is 'wow' and I hope you enjoy this as much as I have. It helped remind me that this current call for Vatican reform is not novel. It's been going on for millenia and is very traditional.
The history of the Roman Catholic Church since Constantine's wing took over and became the dominant 'institutional teaching authority' and took over the 'leadership' of the Christian Faith and turned the 'tradition' ever more fervently away from direct inspiration by the Holy Spirt to a Pharisaic-type tradition of laws still has within its members those of dissent and this is the tradition also.
ReplyDeleteThe dissent is the spirit of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Advocate in His mercy, love and compassion and His light shines in the darkness and the darkness shall not overcome it.
The dissenting members are inspired by the Holy Spirit with Truth and are forever a part of the body of Christ and no man or institution or government can cut them off from the true vine of Faith in Jesus Christ.
The tradition of the 'religious' in cultures has been to unite like thieves in darkness with secular powers and their worldly cause seeks & sheds the blood of the innocent scapegoats. They have united together in a spirit of hatred and ignorance because they have not the light of Christ or the words of Jesus in their hearts that give life that are from Jesus from His Father, Our Father. They cause only death and destruction, fear and despair. We know them by their poison as they bear no healthy fruits to give life.
"I have called you friends, because I have told you everything I have heard from my Father. It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit that will remain, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he may give you. This I command you: love one another." John 15: 14-17
During the reign of Constantine, the converts of Jesus' teachings & Way who were being persecuted by the powers in the world then became the persecutors & powers in the world with ever increasing worldly power & riches. This has been the tradition of the RCC institution & creeping into the RCC's laws since Constantine. The Reformers witness this truth and the Church of Constantine has lost its worldly power and been replaced by secular governments.
The traditional dissenters who cry to God and whom God hears the cries of have called for the RCC 'leaders' to Reform their ways to the teachings of Jesus Christ & to follow in His Way. Despite this traditional call for Reform the 'leadership' leads many into darkness & this is their tradition & why the world is the way it is today with its wars, one after the other and each one getting bloodier and more destructive. The battles are not for souls to come to the Light of Truth but for flesh to destroy flesh, and for power and riches and glory to men who know not God.
The true followers of Jesus recognize His voice and are not fooled by thieves & deceivers. True followers of Jesus need not create plots for worldly power or dominion over others, or hand over 'authority' and 'tradition' to false teachers.
The good shepherd awaits at the gate with loving arms to all who have ears to hear and eyes to see.