Saturday, January 07, 2006

Do not be discouraged


Do you ever get discouraged over the state of the Church today? I know you are not alone. The Church, like all churches, is made up of sinners, even among its leadership, as any of us living during this time can attest.

Pope Benedict recently addressed this in his Epiphany homily (in Rome, where they *didn't* move Epiphany away from its traditional date of January 6)

"The Church is holy, but formed of men and women with their limitations and their errors." It is Christ alone who gives us the Holy Spirit, who can transform our misery and constantly renew us."

As Jesus said in Mark 2:17 "Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners." And again, in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you: my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled: nor let it be afraid."

Offer up your worries to God, one at a time. Give it to God and let Him carry your burdens. He knows better than we do the purpose they serve and how to get through them.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

That is just lovely. Yes a lot of us get discouraged at the state of the Church.
We are human and imperfect, and need to remember.
Thanks, it's a lovely post.x

Staying in Balance said...

You're welcome! God bless.

antonia said...

I agree, it can get quite discouraging sometimes when you look at the Church.
I find it so painful to see seriously lapsed or 'pick and choose' cafeteria Catholics who justify their disobedience against the Church, or who just don't care at all.

Nice blog by the way!
-x-

Staying in Balance said...

Thanks, Antonia!

Dymphna's favorite quotes


"Slavery ended in medieval Europe only because the church extended its sacraments to all slaves and then managed to impose a ban on the enslavement of Christians (and of Jews). Within the context of medieval Europe, that prohibition was effectively a rule of universal abolition. "— Rodney Stark

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