Dcn. Mueller, I can't help but wonder, at times, if the Church's softening of our understanding of possible damnation is a misreading of discernment or reading the times attempting to open the Church to the modern world.
For example, how many parents wait to have their children baptized? And even those who have learned in theology spur the understanding of importance from Saints like Augustine. After all, the Catechism now states there is a hope that unbaptized babies will be saved. And so, what has been the result? The delaying of baptism because the Church has developed its teaching. Perhaps, a loss of faith in what baptism does? It has weakened in our modern world the understanding of the doctrine of original sin, in which most people now agree with Rousseau that people are generally born good.
And as a result, you write, "A discerning heart recognizes that there is no distinction between me or anyone else; “all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) "
The Church has steered many toward the philosophy most are born good and will be saved--the philosophy of the world and folks like Rousseau. It is ultimately a rejection of biblical and traditional Christianity.
Thank you Deacon Miller for your reflection on today’s gospel. We can become so saturated by all the noise coming from social media that we forget to listen to the inner voice of Christ. “We are called to help all to discern the signs of the times and seek shelter in the shadow of the cross” really spoke to me today 🙏
Dcn. Mueller, I can't help but wonder, at times, if the Church's softening of our understanding of possible damnation is a misreading of discernment or reading the times attempting to open the Church to the modern world.
For example, how many parents wait to have their children baptized? And even those who have learned in theology spur the understanding of importance from Saints like Augustine. After all, the Catechism now states there is a hope that unbaptized babies will be saved. And so, what has been the result? The delaying of baptism because the Church has developed its teaching. Perhaps, a loss of faith in what baptism does? It has weakened in our modern world the understanding of the doctrine of original sin, in which most people now agree with Rousseau that people are generally born good.
And as a result, you write, "A discerning heart recognizes that there is no distinction between me or anyone else; “all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) "
The Church has steered many toward the philosophy most are born good and will be saved--the philosophy of the world and folks like Rousseau. It is ultimately a rejection of biblical and traditional Christianity.
Thank you Deacon Miller for your reflection on today’s gospel. We can become so saturated by all the noise coming from social media that we forget to listen to the inner voice of Christ. “We are called to help all to discern the signs of the times and seek shelter in the shadow of the cross” really spoke to me today 🙏