Chatting about: Obedience

Ruth (Guest): I’m back, closed off one room and plugged in a little electric heater. It was 50 degrees in here. Seemed warmer outside. Maybe because I was active. And the sun had not yet quite set.

Ruth (Guest): We had frost this morning. Today was our parish outdoor Mass and picnic. People ate in the summer camp mess hall. Noisy!

Ruth (Guest): Justice AND Mercy!

Ruth (Guest): And our Government has now been doing that. I think it is sinful to force all of us to pay for abortions. And it is sinful to forceably separate children from their parents and/or imprison them for the misdemeanor of entering the country without papers while seeking asylum.

Ruth (Guest): Do you believe that Carol Ann?

Ruth (Guest): Oh, you answered before I could post my question.

Ruth (Guest): Hello Amy.

Ruth (Guest): STL?

Ruth (Guest): Thanks.

Ruth (Guest): Not a blueprint. Blueprints are very specific, every detail. But God’s Law is certainly an important guide to what will make us happy and make for a healthy community.

Ruth (Guest): We still have to prayerfully ask Him for the details in each specific situation –– and use good judgement based upon what he teaches us through Scripture and Tradition as expressed in the church.

Ruth (Guest): PHone.

Ruth (Guest): Back again.

Ruth (Guest): Guest 7458 I’d say that that is true IF we include the corporal and spiritual works of mercy under the term “law.“

Ruth (Guest): God bless you Jennifer.

Ruth (Guest): Have a good retreat.

Ruth (Guest): They have more to do with the “law of love” I’d say.

Ruth (Guest): Yes, and in the Old Testament times there were soooooo many laws. Some of them ought not to be followed today.

Ruth (Guest): I agree 7458.

Ruth (Guest): If by “Law” we mean the Ten Commandments, then the low is like a fence around a deep, deep pit. Climbing over it puts one at great peril. But if we are following the Law of Love which Christ taught, then we are not even inclined to go anywhere near that fence. We are more like mountain climbers.

Ruth (Guest): Yes, 7458. We would WANT to please God.

Ruth (Guest): That would displease our parents because our parents have OUR best interests at heart. I other words, we know, in some way, would hurt US.

Ruth (Guest): Hmm. I often felt freer, in some ways, in school. At home I was “walking on eggshells” all the time. Never knew what would set mother off. At school by following the rules, and trying to please teacher, there was peace and predictably good outcomes.

Ruth (Guest): Good question Carol Ann.

Ruth (Guest): Today the DRE assigned me to teaching k-1. Surprise! I think it will be for me a bigger challenge than teaching adults. But fun, too. She says the parents often just drop off the kids, don’t even go to Mass themselves. So we may have to make little evangelizers out of those children!

Ruth (Guest): The glory of God is a human FULLY ALIVE! God’s laws are not too restrictive; they guide us in knowing what will further LIFE!

Ruth (Guest): Ah, interesting Carol Ann. But when the culture goes against God’s laws, then the culture is a culture of death. We may find it difficult, challenging, even a kind of martyrdom to be counter-cultural. But is that restrictive? I think not; I think it is freeing.

Ruth (Guest): It is not ONLY on the next life. It is on THIS life, too. We can each contribute in some small way –– we must!, preferably all together –– to creating a new culture more in tune with God’s laws.

Ruth (Guest): Thank you Sister, for leading us in the chat.

Ruth (Guest): Oh, that is you, Brian, 7458! If you highlight the guest number and substitute your name, it is a bit easier.

Ruth (Guest): Carol Ann, you are doing God’s work. Keep plugging. He has promised to be with us ALWAYS. Trust Him. Would an encouraging CD help?: Swimming Against the Tide. Stephen Ray, I think. Funny, too.

Ruth (Guest): Augustinian Institute publishes it. You are in my prayers. God bless! It says 2 online, but I think I am alone here now, that Jennifer forgot to sign off.