Hello

Jesus says that "......whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these.....".

With respect to the above dont you feel that we are really called to do signs and wonders ? I feel that we as Catholics are doing things the opposite.

See the present suitation of the Church and the faithfull. A very awful scenario. The faithfull have become lukewarm, some have abandoned the faith, interfaith or mixed marriages(eg. Christian & Muslim), no christian family values, divorces are high as never before, divided families, corrupt clergy and last but not the least the recent abuse of children by catholic priest.

Seems that I/We are totally opposite than what we are supposed to be doing.

The Gospels says that ".....This gospel is to be preached throughout the world......"

I dont think that many of us have taken this word seriously, or ever thought on it. We seem to believe that it is the work of the clery, priest, nuns, bishop and Pope to preach the Gospel.

Your opinions most welcome.

Peace

-- Xavier David (xavier_david24@yahoo.com), May 17, 2002

Answers

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-- @ (....@........), May 17, 2002.

Hello Xavier David:

The 'greater things' Jesus is referring to is CONVERSION -- the greatest miracle of all!

As to apathy and apostasy -- it exists in every church, not just the Catholic, but that's not an excuse! We have been given the privilege of a 'wake-up' call -- the trumpet has sounded!

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), May 17, 2002.

Maybe that is what this scandal is all about, Xavier, God has had enough and wants us all to rexamine our ways.

Just read a post about a priest ending his own life....It is very sad and just don't know where this is going to end.

We must all pray very hard...Sounds to me like Satan is working very hard! MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 17, 2002.

MaryLu: St. Peter says: "8: Be sober, be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking some one to devour." (1 Pe 5,8.) You are right: Satan is very active. But to me this is not a reason to loose courage and be affraid. Perhaps this little story from the Middle Ages will illustrate what I mean: There was a small village where people really lived a Christian life and nearby a large city lived like Sodom. A saintly monk had a vision : around the village there were hundreds of demons very actively working to tempt the good Christians while at the gates of the city there was just one devil, idly sitting and yawning . No much to do there. The people had given themselves to the devil, while those who were good Christians were fiercely attacked. Could it be the same thing today? Satan is very active in those parts of the Church where people are good Cristians, while in those places where people lead a sinful life he seems to have not much to do.

Lets go the Sacraments, read the Word of God, pray often, try to live a saintly life and the devil will have no power over us. He is like a dog tied to a pole: he will not harm ua unless we go near him.

Enrique

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), May 17, 2002.

Xavier,

I agree. But remember, that Jesus also said only very few would make it to the gates of heaven. So, the gift of this power is out there for us all to have, but only if we truly accept it. And only a select few will accept and hold this power. This power is "conversion", but I also think Jesus was talking about signs like His. I think it was Fr. Corapi who was saying that there was a Church that was going to be built, but a mountain was in the way (literally). Upon prayer by one of God's faithful, when it came time to construct the Church, measurements were taken, and the mountain had moved!! There have been many Saints, who in their lifetime cured the sick, cast demons out, and I believe even rose the dead (all in the name of the Lord of course). But we really can see that what Jesus said is true. However, it isn't for everyone! I wouldn't search for this "power" for the sake of having it. But search first for God, and there the powere will be!

In Christ.

-- Jake Huether (jake.huether@lamrc.com), May 17, 2002.

Xavier I have no answers only questions But can we not just bear witness by living our lives as God asks us? Is just setting a good example and answering questions enough? Do we have to be proactive in trying to convert like the Jehovahas Witness?

To me the developed world at least will become more secular not less? The moral base that once rooted our societies is well and truely decayed away. Has individulaism, freedom,and choice bought nothing but evil? What does this mean for how we approach conversion in societies where Christianity is openly mocked in the mainstream?

What does it mean for how we approach our faith, what if any adjustments need to be made? Has the Church ever faced a challenge as big as today, can/should it adapt to meet these challenges? Can the principles remain but approaches change without undermining the words of God?

Finally I think those of us saturated with all the small but unfortunate amount of evil that does exist in the Church we can lose perspective on what the bigger picture is like. I guess I have to just have faith, which I do, but there is the nagging worry as I look at the grey haired congregation at Mass.Where are we going?

What is a good prayer to say for the Church as a whole- The Lords Prayer? Any others

-- Courtenay (csisherwood@hotmail.com), May 17, 2002.

The Lord's Prayer how Jesus taught us to pray, so we should say that prayer, of course. Another prayer we should be saying every day for our church and our world is the St. Michael the Archangel Prayer...asking St. Michael to defend us in battle.

"When I was crossing into Gaza, I was asked at the checkpost whether I was carrying any weapons. I replied: Oh yes, my prayer books."

--Mother Teresa of Calcutta MaryLu

-- MaryLu (mlc327@juno.com), May 17, 2002.

Hi Everyone:

Great posts, every one! How about St. Patrick's Breastplate prayer! That's one of my favorites. Someone should start a thread of great prayers! Hey, maybe I will! There are some great Catholic sites compiling prayers of all kinds for every occasion!

Love,

Gail

-- Gail (rothfarms@socket.net), May 17, 2002.

Thank you all for your posts.

God Bless

-- Xavier (xavier_david24@yahoo.com), May 18, 2002.