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I remember asking a Catholic priest for help and advice. He took me into a side-room, and we sat at a long polished table. He asked what I had read, and if I prayed.
The Purpose of the Priesthood: A Message from Chris
The Mass Through the Eyes of Christ
Catholic priests should indeed give us good advice. Yet their principle purpose in the confessional, in the sacrament of Penance, is to forgive our sins. They are not ordained to be like secular counsellors.
When people ask the way, it is kind to tell the truth; for example, to explain if they are in a cul-de-sac. So it is in the life of faith. Those who ask questions of us deserve a clear answer about the best Way to travel in order to find God and Heaven and Eternal Joy. It is helpful to offer a free map.
We are not all called to full-time missionary work; but we should all hope to share our Faith by example and sometimes words. Brave Catholics, called by God to share the Faith boldly, are like charitable people who are willing to hand out maps, free, to passers by, because so many people do not take the road to the City of God, but the wrong road, into a cul-de-sac, in which they will never meet their King and Creator.
We fail in our duty if we never warn others of the consequences of serious sin and irreverence. It's as if we were to walk past people who are trapped in a swamp because they did not take the right path. They are in danger, even if they imagine all is well.
Someone who speaks about Mount Everest is worth believing if we know that he has followed the right path. Someone who speaks about God and Heaven is worth believing if he or she has evidently followed the right path: by faith in Christ, love for God and neighbour, self-denial in order to do God's Will, and the surrender of selfish ambitions.
A person trapped in sinful ways needs help to change: even vigorous help, which he might not much like, though he has little strength of his own. He's as if in a desert, within sight of the 'oasis' of sanctity and peace. A good, brave person will vigorously help him to persevere on the path, even if receiving no thanks.
People are making their way towards death and perhaps Hell; and although different speakers give advice about reaching Heaven, there is only one Way (one ladder), that leads upwards as far as Heaven - which is Christ.
People are making their way towards death and perhaps Hell; and although different speakers give advice about reaching Heaven, there is only one Way (one ladder), that leads upwards as far as Heaven - which is Christ.
People are making their way towards death and perhaps Hell; and although different speakers give advice about reaching Heaven, there is only one Way (one ladder), that leads upwards as far as Heaven - which is Christ.
There are many well-meaning people offering to the crowds very different ideas about God. It's as if they stand on stepladders, to give out their advice; yet the only ladder that reaches Heaven was put up by Christ, who came from Heaven.
There are very many well-meaning people offering to the crowds very different ideas about God. It's as if they stand on stepladders, to give out their advice; yet the only ladder that reaches Heaven was put up by Christ, who came from Heaven.
It is true that Christ wants us to bring encouragement in what is good, to other people; yet there are times when we need to speak 'hard truths', just as Christ did, in order to help people to change.
We who are members of the Church are on a 'journey' of pilgrimage together, from earth to Heaven. It is sometimes necessary to make comments or suggestions on the state of the vehicles used, or the management and care of the needy, but not to berate individual clergymen.
Just as a chef is kind to his trainee when he reminds him that he has forgotten to put eggs in his sponge mixture, so we speak from charity, not from hard-heartedness, when we give people precise instructions about the Faith, and tell them what behaviour is sinful in the sight of God.
Christ wants us to respect priests who are 'other Christs' amongst us. But when a priest publicly speaks against the teaching of the Church on faith or morals we are not wrong to warn others about the danger of listening to his advice - though we must not speak with scorn or malice. And we should pray for him.
There are some acts which are intrinsically wrong. Even if people act from ignorance, and are less blameworthy in God's sight, He does not want anyone (especially priests) to encourage people in such acts, but to invite them to abandon such behaviour, to pursue holiness. It is never right to use contraceptives, to attempt a re-marriage which is adulterous, or to have a forbidden sexual relationship such as incest.
Our Lady spoke about those people who deliberately ignore her prayers, and the good advice of other people, and who deliberately take the path that leads to Hell. If they do not repent before the 'door' of death closes, they will be trapped in torment forever.
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