Divisions

 

I've been blogging for a few years now, and been on other social media websites too. I met a number of  kind and interesting people through the Internet and exchanged views, opinions, and thoughts ... learnt quite a bit from them too.

One thing that has intrigued me though, as a Catholic, is the number of times people have written to me saying that Catholics are not Christians. 

I did not expect that. I expected people writing against Christianity, or mocking it even. This is quite common in the UK. You see it on TV all the time. Comedians and others mentioning God or Jesus in a mocking way to attract laughs and applause.

But I did not expect attacks against a particular denomination within the Christian family.

Now I'll admit, Catholics can be a bit weird at times, (maybe often). They have what appear as peculiar habits and beliefs and dogmas set out by people high up on the managerial tree. Also, a lot of times lay Catholics misunderstand what they are taught by the Church and as a result project the wrong image of their Faith.

But in basic terms, Catholics believe the same things that other Christian denominations do.

We believe in one living God, His Son Jesus, the Holy Spirit, what is taught in the Bible and lots of other things Christians believe in. I wrote about this earlier in a post called CREDO. Check it out here and see where we differ in opinions and beliefs. 

Now (some) of the peculiar bits about the Catholics:

LATIN - There was a time when Mass was celebrated in Latin. This was stopped (generally) years ago and now Mass is celebrated in the language of the country where it is said.

STATUES, CANDLES AND FLOWERS - Yes, Catholic churches have statues of Christ and other Saints. This is to help the faithful to visualise how these people may have looked. Very much like you having a photo of a loved one in your wallet or on your desk. It is WRONG to worship these statues made of stone or whatever. Some Catholics get this bit wrong, they light candles and place flowers in the hope the Saint will answer their prayers and do them favours. This is also WRONG. You cannot buy God's favours, or the Saints', with candles, flowers, prayers or anything else. Perhaps the Church should re-teach this message which seems to have been misunderstood by some.

PRAYING TO MARY AND SAINTS - Yet another source of confusion. We do not (should not) pray TO the Saints but ask the Saints to pray FOR us. Imagine when someone is ill and you pray to God to heal him and care for him. You are in effect pleading with God for some help on behalf of this person. This is good. It shows charity and generosity of spirit on your part. When we pray to Saints, we ask them to plead for us with God and His Son, Jesus. To put in a good word for us. A good reference. I know I need as many prayers and pleadings for me; so any prayers from the Saints, or from you, would be welcome. Praying to Saints does not by-pass God, or Jesus, it is an extra channel through which some people like to channel their needs and requests. 

When we pray to Mary, yet again, we are not by-passing God. Or worshipping her. We only worship God and no one else. The way I see it is this:

God must have favoured Mary to have chosen her as the mother of Jesus. Jesus must have loved her and honoured her as He grew up. I guess God still honours her for saying YES when the Angel Gabriel visited her. Do you think God will be angry with me for honouring and loving Mary too?

FISH ON FRIDAYS - Years ago, the Church leaders suggested that, as a sacrifice and to honour Jesus, Catholics should not eat meat on Fridays, (the day Jesus died). It was in fact a mortal sin to eat meat on Fridays. This means if you die, having eaten meat on a Friday and not confessed and been forgiven of that sin, then you'd be going down without a parachute.   

This practice was because meat in those days was expensive. So people got in the habit of eating fish instead, which was cheaper. It is not compulsory to eat fish on Fridays. In fact it is not compulsory to eat, or not eat, anything. The practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays has largely faded away. Some still do not eat meat on Fridays, others abstain. It's a personal choice.

This has been a quick tour of what may be seen as different between Catholics and other Christians. If there are any other differences or questions you'd like explained please mention them in the comments box below, or write to me privately at enquiries@holyvisions.co.uk  Your e-mail comes to my desk and no one else. I shall respond, either privately, or by posting another article here.