Thursday, July 9, 2009
pause
I thought I would start blogging regularly after that "penance" one, but I realized I can't do so responsibly. I think I was really only doing it to draw attention to myself and not because I genuinely wanted to help people with the things I had to say. Therefore, until I find some humility I won't write anymore on here. (I know my thousands of loyal readers will be disappointed...)
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
In the Beginning
...I didn't know what I was doing.
Blogging is new to me, so please forgive me if I mess up. (constructive criticism is encouraged)
The title of this blog is "The Intentional Catholic" because it is something I am trying to be(as opposed to accidental). My faith is important to me and I tend to see the world throught the window of Catholicism. (maybe a stained glass window depicting some biblical scene...) The following entries will be an exploration of my thoughts experienced through this window.
Not all posts will be directly about Catholicism(although many likely will), but it will be a common background from which I will likely compare and contrast things that catch my attention(whether for good or bad).
Blogging is new to me, so please forgive me if I mess up. (constructive criticism is encouraged)
The title of this blog is "The Intentional Catholic" because it is something I am trying to be(as opposed to accidental). My faith is important to me and I tend to see the world throught the window of Catholicism. (maybe a stained glass window depicting some biblical scene...) The following entries will be an exploration of my thoughts experienced through this window.
Not all posts will be directly about Catholicism(although many likely will), but it will be a common background from which I will likely compare and contrast things that catch my attention(whether for good or bad).
Thoughts on Penance
There is a song by a Christian musician named KJ-52 called "I'm Guilty". In the course of the song he pleads guilty to the murder of the Son of God, reminding the listener of one of the foundational beliefs of Christianity, that it is our sins that necessitated Jesus dying on the cross. In the outro of the song there is a voice-over intended to be a judge closing the case. The track concludes as follows :
Judge: KJ-52 verses the Son of God in murder one.
The court has found you guilty as charged.
However, after further review of the case,
The prosecution has dropped the charges.
You're free to go.
The implication is that since Jesus died for our sins, the price has been paid and it is not necessary that KJ-52 be punished for the things that he has done. I would agree.
If this song were concluded from a Catholic viewpoint it might end like this:
Judge: KJ-52 verses the Son of God in murder one.
The court has found you guilty as charged.
However, after further review of the case,
The prosecution has dropped the charges.
You're free to go.
Accused(now forgiven): I appreciate your mercy in dropping the charges against me Lord, but in the interst of reminding myself of the harm and suffering that my sin has caused I would like to volunteer for community service. I know that my sins have been forgiven already, but if it would be possible I would like to partake in your suffering. Even though mine could never come close to yours, I'm supposed to seek to imitate you in all things, and we'll, since you suffered
voluntarily I'd like to volunteer also.
End Story
Like any analogy this one is not perfect and does not attempt to cover all the intricacies of penance, but it does illustrate the mindset associated with it's practice.
This kind of understanding is also necessary when considering the place that our actions have in relation to our faith. Note that it is not the action of doing penance that has to do with forgiveness of our sins and therefore salvation. The forgiveness happens beforehand, but the penance brings us closer to Christ by imitating Him. And through that closeness, because the closer we are to God to further away sin will be driven; we are aided in sinning less. It is not our actions that save us yet our actions are still important in our salvation.
Judge: KJ-52 verses the Son of God in murder one.
The court has found you guilty as charged.
However, after further review of the case,
The prosecution has dropped the charges.
You're free to go.
The implication is that since Jesus died for our sins, the price has been paid and it is not necessary that KJ-52 be punished for the things that he has done. I would agree.
If this song were concluded from a Catholic viewpoint it might end like this:
Judge: KJ-52 verses the Son of God in murder one.
The court has found you guilty as charged.
However, after further review of the case,
The prosecution has dropped the charges.
You're free to go.
Accused(now forgiven): I appreciate your mercy in dropping the charges against me Lord, but in the interst of reminding myself of the harm and suffering that my sin has caused I would like to volunteer for community service. I know that my sins have been forgiven already, but if it would be possible I would like to partake in your suffering. Even though mine could never come close to yours, I'm supposed to seek to imitate you in all things, and we'll, since you suffered
voluntarily I'd like to volunteer also.
End Story
Like any analogy this one is not perfect and does not attempt to cover all the intricacies of penance, but it does illustrate the mindset associated with it's practice.
This kind of understanding is also necessary when considering the place that our actions have in relation to our faith. Note that it is not the action of doing penance that has to do with forgiveness of our sins and therefore salvation. The forgiveness happens beforehand, but the penance brings us closer to Christ by imitating Him. And through that closeness, because the closer we are to God to further away sin will be driven; we are aided in sinning less. It is not our actions that save us yet our actions are still important in our salvation.
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