BELIEFS AND PRACTICES:
The Beliefs and Practices of Christianity can be summarized in 4 parts:
1- What to "believe": Faith, the Creeds.
2- What to "receive": Thanks, Sacraments.... Eucharist
3- What to "do": Love, Commandments.
4- What to "pray": Prayer, Our Father.
These 4 parts are the basis of the "Catechisms", and the best, and most modern, is the "Catechism of the Catholic Church".
1- What to "believe": Faith, Creeds:
"Faith" is the basis of Christian life, the foundation of the Christian building (pag.285).
- Faith in Christ, in God: "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but God's wrath rests upon him" (Jn,3:36, 5:24).
- Faith that Jesus Christ is God, who died in a Cross to redeem us from the slavery of the devil, the flesh, and the world; and who resurrected to give us a "new life", to make us a "new creature", "another Christ"!... to live like Jesus, and to do the same works than Jesus, and bigger! (Mr.16:17, Jn.14:12). With "faith in Christ" a Christian should cry out with Paul: "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me" (Gal.2:20).
- It is an "active" faith:
If you believe in Jesus, you do whatever he tells you to do, like if you believe in the Doctor, you take the medicines the way he tells you to do... he who does not "obey" Jesus, does not believe in Jesus, even if he is shouting around all day, "I believe in Jesus"!!!... Paul says,"if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing" (1Cor.13:2).
- If you say, "I believe in Jesus", but you don't get baptized in his Church, you are not a Christian! (Mr.16:16)... if you say, "I believe in Jesus", and don't receive Him daily in the Eucharist, you won't have life! (Jn.6:53, Matt.6:11)... or if you receive Him in the Eucharist, just as a symbol, without discerning the body, as something not really real, you will be weak, and sick, and like dying, says Paul to the Christians at Corinth (1Cor.11:29-30).
- Faith is to be lived "constantly":
"Faith in Christ" is not just a one minute affair... it is not just "I believe, and I am saved!"...it is that, and much more!... it is the glorious adventure of a Christian life, to live every second of every day trusting in Jesus who is in me, caring for me, giving me everything I need in every minute of my life... I had a patient who hit the lotto, 15 millions, and he was receiving $100,000 per month. Ramon told me, Doctor: Now I have lots of problems with the banks, accountants, lawyers... everybody wants mymoney!... I told him: Look, Ramon, I am Christian, and God is my Father, I am a multimillionaire!... and I have no problems, because God himself is my bank, and my lawyer, and my accountant, and gives me every minute of the day whatever I need of money, and of health, and of honor, and of sufferings... just what I need to go Heaven, and to help my friends to go Heaven...
- "To believe", and "to speak it out in public": "If you confess that Jesus is the Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. It is by believing in the heart that you are justified, made just; and by making the declaration with your lips that you are saved" (Rom.10:9-10).
- Jesus, the "way" to the Father:
God has revealed himself many times and in many ways to humankind... who made the stars, and the oceans, and the atoms?... who made the feathers of the birds, and the eyes of the eagle, and the petals of the roses, and the leaves of every tree?... who made your eyes, and hands, and heart?...
... We already commented on his revelations in love through the "Holy Scriptures", the Bible, Tradition...
- To have "faith in God" is to say "yes" to his revelations to us.
- Jesus reveals us something spectacular: "No one comes to the Father except through me... I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (Jn.14:6)... and Paul cries out, "There is one God. There is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human" (1Tim.2:5).
- These statements are clear, but have to be understood not to fall in serious errors:
1- Abraham never met Jesus, because he was born before him, however Abraham is in Heaven, saved by the Blood of Christ, as Jesus said (Matt.8:11)... and a Hindu born 3,000 years ago may be in Heaven, and an Indian living today in the jungle... (pag.284).
2- Jesus is the "mediator" between God and humanity... but every Christian has to be also a "mediator", an evangelist, to help his family and friends to go Jesus, we should pray for each other... and the Saints, and Virgin Mary are also "mediators", with more reason than a living Christian...
They are excellent synopsis of what the Christian should "believe", and they are good for all Christians, because they were given to us by the primitive Church, when there were not the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant branches:
a- The Apostles' Creed:
It is the oldest, and asserts the faith in the 3 divine persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with the specific work of each one:
- "I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
- I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
- I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen".
- To the "Father", is the shortest statement, but very substantial: Like we already commented in the "Believes of the Jews", this simple sentence states that there is only "one God", and everything else is a creation of God, in heaven and on earth... the sun and moon and animals are not God, as many ancestors thought; the nature is not God, as the Freemasonry wants us to believe; men or women are not God, as the New Age wants us to believe...
- To "Jesus Christ", the statements are specific, and very clear.
- To the "Holy Spirit", it gives more importance that we usually do: By his power Jesus was conceived into virgin Mary; he is the soul and guide of the Church of Christ, who is only one, is holy, though many members are sinners; and it is universal, catholic, for every men and women of all the times, before and after Christ, as we have already commented... and still more on the Holy Spirit: He is the soul of the "communion of saints", your prayers and your sins affect me, and mine affect you, we are all one body in Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, for the glory of the Father... and still more: The Holy Spirit ius the person who forgives our sins, and will make our bodies to be resurrected, as he did with Jesus, and by the Holy spirit we have everlasting life.
b- The Nicean Creed:
It was given in the Councils of Nicea (325) and Constantinople (382). It is also valid for every Christian of any Denomination. It is longer, and more specific on the work of each person of the Holy Trinity. The Apostles' Creed is usually prayed personally, and the Nicean Creed usually prayed in public services:
- "We believe in one God, the Father, the almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
- We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven: By the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the virgin Mary and became man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at thee right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
- We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, With the Father and the Son he is worship and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen".
- A special emphasis is made that Jesus is "God" and is "man", because some heretics were denying both... and still more emphasis on the holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, the author of the whole Bible...
2- What to "receive": Thanks, Sacraments:
A- Give Thanks to God for everything:
For a Christian is not only important to "believe" in God, but also to "receive" what God gives us:
- To accept with joy "our body", "parents", "nationality"... if you could have made the body of your child, you would have made it perfect; God, your Father, when he made your body, he made perfect to do what you have to do... and he didn't ask you what parents would you like to have, he gave you the very best for you... and he didn't ask you in what place or time would you like to be born; the nation and time when you were born were the perfect ones for you...
- To give thanks to God "for" everything, and "in" everything, is the secret of how to pray constantly, and the secret of how to be always happy in life (1Tes.5:6-8, Ef.5:20)... give thanks to God when it rains or snows or the sun shines... give thanks to God when your child kisses you, or when the husband comes drunk, or when a cancer hits you or a loved one... to give thanks to God for everything is the first step to calm that storm, of for you to be calmed.
- Many people instead of giving thanks to God for everything, complain for everything, as if God would everything wrong; instead of praying constantly, they blaspheme constantly, and the result is that they are the most unhappy persons in life...
The Sacraments are the special spiritual gifts of God to the Christian. They are 7, and all of them were instituted by Jesus.
a- "Baptism":
Instituted and ordered by Jesus (Matt.28:19, Mr.16:16).
- By Baptism the Original Sin is forgiven, and any other sin you may have... your "old man" dies and is buried with Christ, and emerges the "new creature", another Christ. (Rom.6, Cols.3).
-If you believe in Jesus, but you don't receive Baptism in his Church, you are not a Christian... Before Baptism you are a "child of the devil" (1Jn.3:10)... after Baptism, you are a "child of God", brother of Jesus Christ, and Temple of the Holy Spirit, a Temple of God!... and you are officially proclaimed "prophet", "priest", and "king", in the Kingdom of God (pag.278).
- "Children" should be baptized, with the faith of the Church, as they did in the Bible (Acts 16:15,33)... the most biblical time is 8 days after birth, because circumcision was a type of the Baptism (Luk.2:21)... and Baptism is the greatest treasure you can give to your child!.
- If in your church children can not be baptized, it is a church "without power", it is not the Church of Christ where there is power to baptize children.
b- "Confirmation":
Promised by Jesus to those already baptized, "you will receive the power of the Holy spirit" (Act.1:8), and made effective on Pentecost (Act.2).
- The power of the Holy Spirit is received in a very special way, "to be witnesses of Jesus all over the world", adds in Act.1:8.
- You are now a soldier of Christ, being confirmed officially in the Church by the Bishop as prophet, priest and king (Pag.278).
c- Confession, Penance, Reconciliation:
The Sacrament of Confession, also called, Penance or Reconciliation, was instituted by Jesus on his first apparition to the Apostles. He told them, "receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (Jn.20:23).
- Jesus gave to his disciples the "power to forgive sins", or "not to forgive them!", the power that before only God had (Mr.2:7).
- St. Paul calls this Sacrament the "throne of grace", the throne where you clean all your sins after Baptism, the place where you appropriate the merits of the Cross of Christ, "let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb.4:16).
- St. John says, "if we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1Jn.1:9)... but here it does not say "to who" we must confess our sins... to God?... to the Church?... in John 20:23, it says "to the disciples!", "to the authorized ministers in the Church!"... so they can decide either "to forgive the sins" or "not to forgive them"... if the sin, for example, is "adultery", and the penitent does not want to stop that adulterous relation, the minister may decide not forgive the sin, because he does not see real repentance, something essential in the Sacrament.
- If in your church there is nobody with the power to forgive or retain sins, it is a church "without power", it is not the Church of Christ, where there are ministers with the "power to forgive or retain sins".
- If there is not an authorized minister at hand, the sins can be forgiven at any time if there is real repentance and purpose of not doing it again, with the condition that the penitent will confess his sins to the priest as soon as it is possible.
- It is called "Sacrament of Confession", since the disclosure of sins to a priest is essential, so he can decide either to forgive them or not... and because it is a confession of the mercy of God. It is also called of "Reconciliation", because it reconciles us with God and with the Church, because sin also wounds our fraternal relations too. It is also called of "Penance", because the repentance and penance are essential parts of the Sacrament. It is also called of "Forgiveness", because the sins are forgiven.
How often should we confess?:
The good man John XXIII used to Confess "every day", as reported in his Diary... because Confession not only cleans the big sins, but also the little ones... like we daily wash our face or take a shower, not because it is too dirty, but to take away specks and sweet, and we start a fresh new day... the same applies to the Confession, on it we appropriate the merits of the Blood of Christ, as often as we can... Pope John Paul II also goes to confession "every day!"... how often do you go?... we need it as much as the Popes!.
"Sin", is the greatest tragedy for a Christian... and for a pagan... Every time we sin "we crucify again the Son of God" (Heb.6:6)... all the sicknesses, and accidents, and wars, and marriage problems of the world, and even death, come because of the "one sin" of Adam and Eve (Rom.5:12)... for only one sin!... that's the horror of sin!... if you get sin out of your life, you solved all the problems in your life.
- There are two kinds of sins: "Mortal" and "Venial" (1Jn.5:16-17). The Mortal sin, dethrones God from the heart and enthrones Satan on it, that person becomes a child of the Devil (1Jn.3:10); and destroys charity; the Venial, wounds our relation with God and wounds charity, though it does not destroys it.
- Paul says that "whatever does not proceed from faith is sin" (Rom.14:23)... "not to trust in God" at any time in life, is like a wife who gives herself to another man... it is the greatest sin... and the one we usually do not confess!.
The Sacrament of the Eucharist was promised by Jesus on Jn.6, as we commented on The Church, and instituted it on the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, giving the order to his disciples to do it: "He took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: "take it and eat, this is my body; do this in remembrance of me". Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins . Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes" (Matt.26:26-28, Mr.14:22--24, Luk.22:19-20, 1Cor.11:24-26).
- If the body and the blood are separated, there is a "sacrifice", the sacrifice of the New Covenant, the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ... as "real" as he was "real" as a little humble boy in Bethlehem, and as "real" as he was real as a despised man crucified at Calvary... and now, even more humble that at Bethlehem!... but he is the same Lord of the Universe... in Bethlehem, like a little humble boy; in the Eucharist, like just wine and bread!.
- It is the "eternal and permanent sacrifice" of Num.28 and Ex.29... if it is "permanent", is got to be now, and it is!, in the daily Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist, and not only twice a day as in Num.28, but over 500,000 times a day, every day!... and if it is "eternal", is got to be eternally in Heaven, and it is!, "the lamb standing, like slaughtered" of Rev.5:6, just in the center of the Throne of Heaven, the reason of all joy of the saved for an eternity.
- The first Christians met every day for the breaking of the bread (Act.2:46), and very specially on sundays (Act.20:7).
- The Eucharist is the "our daily bread" of the center of the Sermon on the Mount, in Matt.6:11... and Jesus tells us "if you do not eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you", in Jn.6:53... "no life in you"!... and repeats it 7 times in different ways in Jn.6:48-58.
- St. Paul, commenting Jn.6:53, says to the Christians of Corinth, "all who eat and drink without discerning the body, eat and drink his own condemnation; and for this reason many of you are week, and ill, and some have died" (1Cor.11:29-30)... is strong St. Paul: If you eat without "discerning the body", "you eat your own condemnation"!... and still goes own: "for this reason", because you eat the body without "discerning", many of you Christians are weak, and ill, and some have already died spiritually...
"Without discerning",
Paul means, eating the body as if it were a "symbol"!... or as if it were worth less than a million dollars!... and because of it, not only you do no have life, as Jesus said, but you are eating "your own condemnation", "you eat and drink judgment against yourselves"... really strong is Paul!... and he is wright!.
- If I would offer you "$1,000" every day you will go to Mass, "every day"!... you will find time!... don't ever say you do not go to Mass daily because "you have no time", it is a very chip excuse... the real reason is "discernment", says Paul.
- The Eucharist, or the "Holy Sacrifice of the Mass", as it is also known, is the most you can ask for, and the most that God can give.... go daily to receive Him!... if you feel weak, or sick, or like dying, try Him!... every day... discerning!... you will see wonders in your life!.
- The Eucharist, the Perpetual Sacrifice, will be abolished when the "Antichrist" comes (Dan.8:11, Mat.24:15)... it is a pity that for many Christian churches, the Antichrist has already come... they already do not have the daily sacrifice, the regular burnt offering... no altar, no priest...
- Now you can have it, 500,000 times a day... go to receive it, discerning, it is the best you can do for your family, for your neighbors, for your friends, for yourself...
The immense value of the Eucharist:
- Only one Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is worth more "adoration" to God than all human beings prostrated for one year!, because it is Christ, God offered, with an infinite value!...
- Only one Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has more "thanksgiving" value than all the angels praising God for all eternity!... it is an infinity value of thanksgiving!
- Only one Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has more penitential value than all the monks of all times making penance at the same time!...
- Only one Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has more value of "petition" to God, than all humans and Angels and Saints praying together for a sick person!... it is God!.
- Only one Holy Sacrifice of the Mass!...
...and now you can have it... free... go and receive Him... daily... discerning!...
e- "Anointing of the Sick":
The Sacrament of the "Anointing of the Sick" was instituted by Jesus, "Heal the sick" (Matt.10:1,8).
- When St. James comment it gives the same wonderful promise as Jesus: "Is anyone among you sick?. He should summon the Presbyters of the church, and they should pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven" (Jam.5:14-15).
- Impressive!... "save the sick person"... "the Lord will raise him up"... "his sins forgiven"... you can't ask for more!.
- Next time you or your dear one gets sick, call the Presbyter!, even before going to the Doctor...
f- "Holy Orders":
The Sacrament of the "Holy Orders" was instituted by Jesus in the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, when he "ordered" the disciples, "do this in remembrance of me" (Luk.22:19, 1Cor.11:24,25).
... This is why is called "of orders", because it was a direct "order" of Jesus to his disciples.
- Only a "consecrated priest", could offer a "sacrifice" in the Old Testament, and King Saul was sentenced to death by God, for offering a "sacrifice", when he was King, but not a consecrated priest... now, only the "consecrated priests" can offer the only "sacrifice" of the New Covenant, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
- Only a "consecrated priest" also can receive the "Confession" in the Sacrament... this is another "order"...
- The Council of Trent, always addressed the Priests as "Priests", to emphasize their "priestly function"... in the Vatican II, they are always addressed as "Presbyters", to emphasize their triple mission of "Priests", "Prophets", and "King".
g- "Marriage":
The Sacrament of "Marriage" was instituted by Jesus, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Matt.19:5-6).
- It is the same as the original "Plan of God" for marriage, of Gen.2:24... Three persons in one flesh, like the Trinity!... and the three persons are, "husband, wife", and Jesus", in one flesh!... and marriage will be "a piece of Heaven on earth".
... Many marriages are mostly "like a piece of Hell earth", and the reason is that the three persons are, "husband, wife, and Satan"...
... If the couple live in "sin", Satan is with then, and for sure they are going to have Hell at home... if you have any problem in your marriage, it is easy to fix: Get in the Grace of God, both of you, and your home will be "like a piece of Heaven on earth"... guaranteed!... it is the glorious plan of Jesus for marriage!.
3- What to "do": Love, Commandments:
The third believe and practice of a Christian is what "to do":
These are the "two Commandments" of Jesus: "The first: You shall love the Lord, your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength... and the second: You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Mr.12:29-30)... "and the second is like the first", adds Jesus in Matt.22:39.
- They are both so "alike" as the two breasts, we are told in the Song of Songs... because if you love God, trusting all your life in Him, as the flowers and the birds, Jesus is in You!... and if Jesus is in you, you are going to be like a burning coal, giving love, and light, even if you don't try to.
The "measure-stick":
... "For us": We don't see the "trust in God", the love to God... but we see the "love to our neighbor"... and the "love to our neighbor" is the measure-stick of our "love to God"... in fact, the Bible tells us, " Anyone who says "I love God", but hates his brother, is a liar. For whoever who does not love the brother whom he can see, can not love God whom he has not seen" (1Jn.4:20).
... "The world" would recognize that you are a Christian, if you love your neighbor as yourself, "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (Jn.13:35)... not in the fact that you say you have "faith" in Jesus, but because you love your neighbor!.
... "God" would recognize that you are a good Christian, in the fact that you love your neighbor, as stated in the descriptions of the "Final Judgment", "I was hungry, and you gave me to eat..." (Matt.25, Rev.20, Rom.2).
How to become "love":
We all want to become "love", the nun and the prostitute, the criminal and the priest, and the poor, and the millionaire...
- The main problem is that all of us are "selfish", we love ourselves, which is exactly the opposite of "love"... but if Jesus is in my heart, then I am going to love, to feed the hungry and visit the sick... and not me, but Jesus who is in me (Gal.2:20)...
- So, "Faith in Jesus" is the fountain of love...
... We all, men and women, are like could "coal", we stain anything we touch... but when Jesus is in us, we become "lighted coals", shining, giving light and warmth, even if we don't try...
... "God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them" (1Jn.4:16)... Do you wand to become God?, says St. Augustine... become Love, because God is love... Do you want to become love?, I say to you... become divine!, have Jesus in your heart... by Faith... and you will become "love".
Like your "hand" loves your "eye":
"To love" is "to give... to give your time and money, and even yourself to the loved one... Jesus at Calvary, that's love!, he gave himself for us. ... ... And the way we are going to love, is like my right hand loves my left hand, because we all belong to the same body, the "Mystical Body of Christ"!... so, we have to love each other like your hand loves your eye...
Your "neighbor"... is "Jesus":
Every time I do something for my neighbor, I am doing it to Christ himself, as Jesus repeats 13 times in the Last Judgment of Matt.25:31-46... and that changes completely your life: When you cook to your family, you are cooking for Jesus; when you fix the car of an unknown, you are fixing the car of not the President of the Nation, but the car of Jesus...
... If the Pope would go to the Office of a Doctor or a Lawyer, he would be treated with much respect, and honors... well, as a Christian, when a poor lady goes to your Office, you are dealing with someone more important than the Pope, you are treating Jesus Christ himself... and that changes completely your life and work: You will work with more care, and more respect, and you would not dare to chit him!...
- This is the Christian faith: Jesus comes to us as a poor man, or as a rich one, as a professional or as a drunk... his is Jesus!... he stands at every corner of life as a white or a black... he is Jesus!.
"To love"... is "to give":
"To love" is not easy, because it is "to give"... but it is the most glorious way to live the live on earth... and in Heaven!... The mother's care, that's love!... the lovers surrender, that's love!... if you do not want to suffer, don't love... but, if you don't love, what do you want to live for?...
God wants us to love:
God wants us to love... so much, that he offers us "a hundred times" of what we give, in this life! (Mr.10:30)... or, in bank terms, 10,000%.... if you give one smile, you will receive 100; if you give $100, you will receive $10,000, in this life!... it is the best Bank... God is the very best stock or bond... try it!...
Love in "justice":
"Love to your neighbor" is not just a pious thing, it is something of "justice":
- Your neighbor is not only the criminal that the news media show us: Thanks to your neighbor, you have your dress, and shoes, and car... because you do not know how to make watches, nor houses, nor glasses, nor roads... un unknown neighbor made them for you!... in "justice" we have to love our neighbor, who makes so many things for us... were it not for my neighbor I could not have even "a cup of coffee" or "milk": A neighbor planted the coffee, another milked the cow, another made the cup, and the spoon, and got the sugar for me... We have to love our neighbor in "justice"!... do some good for him, because he does so many good things for me!
The "very best" love:
Chapter 13 of 1Cor. is a "hymn of love". Verse 4 impresses me: "If I give away all my possessions, and I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I am nothing":
... If I give away all "my possessions", and "my body"... but do not have love, I am nothing... nothing!... so, what is love?:
... Suppose I give my children all my possessions, but then, I help them to go to Hell, with my words and conduct... I had not real love for my children... in fact, I did the very worst to them... I am nothing!, says Paul...
... Suppose I give my wife all my possessions, and my body... but then, I help her to go Hell... I did not love my wife, I hurt her very badly, I am nothing!.
... The very best love, the very best thing you can give to your family, is to help them to go to Heaven... you may give them your money, your time, your body... but always with the main purpose of helping them to go to Heaven... and that's love!... the very best one... the only good one love!.
... To be an Evangelist, a Missionary, is the actualization of the very best love... the only one love... you can use your money, or your time, or your skills to help your neighbors, but always with the main purpose to help them to go to Heaven...
... and to be an Evangelist, not thinking in foreign lands, like Africa, but in your own home, neighborhood, your place of work... that's love!.
The Commandments are the specifics of what a Christian should "do", "If you love me, you will keep my commandments", repeats 5 times Jesus in the Sermon of the Last Supper (Jn.14:15,21, 23; 15:12,14).
- The Commandments of Jesus are the same 10 Commandments of Ex.20, as refined by Jesus in Matt.5, the "law of Christ", says Paul (Ga.6:2), which is the "law of love"... "love, and do whatever you want", says St. Augustine.
- To these 10, you have to add the Commandments of the Church: For Catholics, there are 5 Commandments.
4- What to "pray": Prayer, Our Father:
"To pray" is like "to breath", for the Christian: It is to talk to God, and to listen his answer... or rather, it is "to listen" to God, and act accordingly...
- "Pray continually", "pray always", says Jesus (Luk.18:1)... "pray constantly, without ceasing" repeats Paul (1Tes.5:17):
There are "2 ways" to pray continually:
1- Giving thanks to God the Father with joy, at all times and for everything, in each minute of life (Ef.5:20, 1Tes.5:16-18). Thanks for my face, my hands... does it rain?: Praise the Lord... in the storms?: Praise the Lord.... did I got a cancer?: Praise the Lord... "Giving thanks to God with joy for all things and at all times", is the secret of happiness, and a way to pray constantly, says Paul in 1Tes.5.16-18.
2- The second way to pray constantly, is "to see Jesus in every neighbor", as Jesus himself repeated 13 times on Matt.25:31-46: "I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; sick or in prison, and you visited me...", this way, "every minute of work, is a minute of prayer", if anything you do, you do it for Christ himself!... Jesus is in the kitchen, among the pots!, used to say St. Therese... and anyone you meet, you meet Christ... a white or a black you meet, he is Christ!... a poor or a rich you meet, is Christ!, who wants your money, or your understanding!... a healthy or a sick woman, is Christ!, who may need your respect or your help... and this is "constant prayer", a constant meeting with Jesus Christ!.
B- The "Our Father", specific prayers:
The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, and Jesus taught them the "Our Father", in Luk.11 (and Matt.6).
- The specific prayers, or the time dedicated exclusively to pray, is like a training camp to learn to "pray constantly".
The "Our Father", is the specific one taught by Jesus, in the center of the Setmon of the mount (Matt.6:9).
It has 7 partitions: The first 3 to God, and the last 4, for us and our neighbors... and it teaches us in order, the "different kinds of prayer":
1- "Our Father" (Matt.6:9):
God is "my Father", so I am multimillionaire in love, and money, and honors... and he is "'our Father", the Christian has the same Father than the Jew, so they are brothers... and the same Father who made the hands of a Hindu, made those of a Muslim, or a Catholic... so, we are all brothers in God!... and this should be our constat attitude in life!.
2- "Who art in Heaven" (Matt.6:9):
"Heaven is where God is... if God is in you, the whole Heaven is in your heart!.
3- "Hollowed be your name": (Matt.6:9):
It is the firsr petition, the prayer of "praise": Praising God at all times, and in all circumstances, must be our constant attitude in life... the "Book of Psalms" was called at the beginning the "Book of Praises"... and the "Hail Mary" is the most affectionate and poetic prayer of praise to Jesus in the Bible: The most affectionate, because we tell him, "blessed be your Mother"; and the most poetic, because then we add, "and blessed be you, Jesus, the fruit of the womb of Mary"...
4- "Your kingdom come" (Matt.6:10):
The kingdom of God is "Jesus in our heart" (Luk.17:21)... it is the best "prayer of healing", and it should be our attitude in life.
5- "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt.6:10):
- It is the "let it be" of creation, and of the Virgin Mary, "fiat", "let it be", should be our attitude in life: Always "giving thanks with joy" to God for anything he gives us... "sunshine", "rain", "health", "sickness"... always, "let it be", with joy (1Tes.5:16-18, Ef.5:20)... it is the secret of happiness on earth, and one way to pray constantly.
6- "Give us today our daily bread" (Matt.6:11)
Our daily "spiritual" bread is the Eucharist and the Word of God... and also our "material" bread, and rice, and health... it is the 4th petition.
7- "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" (Matt.6:12):
- The fifth petition, is a "prayer of repentance", a "penitential prayer"... and it is tremendous, "forgive us, "as" we forgive"... if we don't forgive, we are asking not to be forgiven!... if we forgive, but don't forget, we are asking to be done on us the same!... our attitude in life should be, "forgive, and forget"... 1,001 times!... to the same person!... to your wife or husband, or child!...
8- "Lead us not into temptation" (Matt.6:13):
It is the "prayer of mercy"... "have mercy on us, sinners"... "do not bring us to hard tests"... it must be our attitude on life, always to have hope in the infinite mercy of God.
9- "Deliver us from evil" (Matt.6:13):
The 7th and last petition is a "prayer of deliverance": The greatest "evil" is "sin" for a Christian... and for an atheist!... and we ask to deliver us from "the evil one", from Satan!... because when we are in "sin", we are slaves of the devil (1Jn.3:10).
- The "Confession" is the throne of God where we are cleaned of all our sins, as we commented in the "Sacrament of Confession", on pag.320...
There are many other beautiful Prayers: We already commented the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in the Sacrament of the Eucharist... The Rosary is seen in the "Mother of the Church", the Way of the Cross...
The Holy Spirit:
Is "our teacher" in prayer, because we do not know how to pray (Rom.8:26).
- Everything in the life of Jesus was done by the power of the Holy Spirit: His Incarnation, the good deeds of Jesus, his Crucifixion, Resurrection, the Eucharist... as we commented on "Holy Trinity", in pag.295.
- Everything good in our life is the work of the Spirit, without him we can not even say "Jesus is Lord" (1Cor.12:3)...
- The Holy Spirit comes to us very humble, as a "dove"... but with the immense power of the strong driving wing of Pentecost... to fill us with the fire of love, joy, peace... to clean all our sins, to guide us, and re-create in us a whole new life!.
- The Holy Spirit wants to do in us the same work he did in Virgin Mary: To fill us with Jesus!... so we can live the glorious Christian life: "Serve" our neighbor, with love and joy, and sing the "praises of the Lord" (Luk.1:35,39,46).