Saint Francis seems to imply that there is nothing good that can come from humans. Is this so? Now consider that first question in light of humans who have been regenerated by baptism. Can nothing good come from humanity still? If we are “utterly useless” as Saint Francis describes, why does God still deem to make use of us? What then makes our acts and works meritorious? Have you ever had a discussion with a fundamentalist Protestant who believed that all good works are useless for salvatio
Sep 15, 8:07 AM
VisitationSiste: salvation? How can this essay help you explain things to him?
Sep 15, 8:07 AM
VisitationSiste: Sun Sept 15 chat 730pm est
Sep 15, 7:19 PM
Sep 15, 7:32 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Saint Francis seems to imply that there is nothing good that can come from humans. Is this so? Or is it a misinterpretation of the saint’s statements
Sep 15, 7:32 PM
Lisa C: Nothing in our own power, but through the Holy Spirit when we do God’s will everything good is done
Sep 15, 7:33 PM
Brian (Guest): Hi Sister Susan , Lisa , Blanca , and Guest ! God Bless You !
Sep 15, 7:33 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Hi Brian!
Sep 15, 7:33 PM
Lisa C: Hi Brian, hi Michelle
Sep 15, 7:33 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): and Blanca
Sep 15, 7:33 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Yes Lisa all good does come from God
Sep 15, 7:33 PM
Brian (Guest): Amen Lisa !!!
Sep 15, 7:34 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): but I think St Francis compared what we do to frail reeds without God
Sep 15, 7:34 PM
Lisa C: There is no life other than the life of God in which we participate
Sep 15, 7:34 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Although we can never be completely without God!
Sep 15, 7:35 PM
Blanca Villa: Hello everyone!
Sep 15, 7:35 PM
Lisa C: Hi Blanca
Sep 15, 7:35 PM
Lisa C: Hi Caroll
Sep 15, 7:35 PM
Guest712 (Guest): When we unite our works with Christ – that is when our deeds have value of His saving Blood
Sep 15, 7:36 PM
Brian (Guest): Hi Carroll ! God Bless You !
Sep 15, 7:36 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Hi Carroll!
Sep 15, 7:37 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): This si similar in some respects to an earlier chat on virtue and who really can live true virtue
Sep 15, 7:38 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Now consider that first question in light of humans who have been regenerated by baptism. Can nothing good come from humanity still?
Sep 15, 7:40 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): I think the answer is similar because now in baptism we are part of the mystical body of Christ who graces us for ALL good
Sep 15, 7:40 PM
Lisa C: We receive grace from all the sacraments, and that allows us to work for God
Sep 15, 7:40 PM
Lisa C: as long as we cooperate with the grace
Sep 15, 7:41 PM
Lisa C: Can Blessed Mother give us grace?
Sep 15, 7:41 PM
Lisa C: Maybe she can ask God to send it to us
Sep 15, 7:41 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): I think grace passes through our Blessed Mother’s hands
Sep 15, 7:42 PM
Lisa C: She is very powerful in protecting us
Sep 15, 7:43 PM
Brian (Guest): Amen !!!
Sep 15, 7:43 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): and visiting us!
Sep 15, 7:43 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): all over the earth
Sep 15, 7:43 PM
Guest712 (Guest): Mary is our mother and will intercede for her children
Sep 15, 7:43 PM
Blanca Villa: As human beings we can do good. Even people who reject God or are not baptized, do good works, but the God’s grace is not “attached” to them. They are not performed for the glory of God.
Sep 15, 7:44 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Yes it depends on how good is defined
Sep 15, 7:45 PM
Blanca Villa: Yes, I agree.
Sep 15, 7:45 PM
Brian (Guest): We are unprofitable servants of God ! We just keep doing the next thing He wants us to do !!!
Sep 15, 7:45 PM
Lisa C: God also accomplishes things via people who are not of faith. He knows what they will do and uses it for good.
Sep 15, 7:46 PM
Lisa C: Even an evil act can become good via God
Sep 15, 7:46 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): He lets us serve Him whether we are aware of it or not
Sep 15, 7:46 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): We become His Hands and feet
Sep 15, 7:46 PM
Lisa C: The crucifixion is an evil act that saved us
Sep 15, 7:47 PM
Lisa C: Because Jesus turned it to good by suffering for us and offering it
Sep 15, 7:47 PM
Lisa C: Our Holy Lamb
Sep 15, 7:47 PM
Carroll (Guest): Yes, Lisa- God most certainly brings a greater good from whatever evil He allows!
Sep 15, 7:48 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Can you think of an example of that?
Sep 15, 7:48 PM
Lisa C: In the New Jerusalem everything will be made new and good again
Sep 15, 7:49 PM
Lisa C: Example of it…..the world trade center blows up and tons of people get close to God again
Sep 15, 7:49 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Great!
Sep 15, 7:50 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): So it is the Lord then who makes our acts and works have merit?
Sep 15, 7:50 PM
Lisa C: I think they are His works
Sep 15, 7:50 PM
Lisa C: They are not really ours
Sep 15, 7:51 PM
Lisa C: We can only do things via grace and they belong to Him
Sep 15, 7:51 PM
Guest712 (Guest): Yes, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit
Sep 15, 7:51 PM
Carroll (Guest): The first example that comes to mind is sin, … evil tempts, often either out of ignorance or weakness we sin, … Jesus often uses that very weakness to draw us closer to Himself through repentence, …then our experience contributes to our usefulness in helping others.
Sep 15, 7:52 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Hi Ruth How are you and where are you?
Sep 15, 7:52 PM
Lisa C: Hi Ruth
Sep 15, 7:53 PM
Carroll (Guest): Hi Ruth… still sending prayers your way!
Sep 15, 7:53 PM
Ruth (Guest): Hello eveyone. I’m home. And happy to have slept in my own bed and seen the light of day!
Sep 15, 7:53 PM
Blanca Villa: 🙏yay!
Sep 15, 7:54 PM
Brian (Guest): Wonderful Ruth !!!! God Bless You !!!!
Sep 15, 7:56 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Can you catch up on our dialogue here?
Sep 15, 7:56 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): The last question is about good works and salvation.
Sep 15, 7:57 PM
Ruth (Guest): Thank you! Yes, I’ve been trying, just now. Phone and messages kept me busy practically all afternoon/evening. Sorry I’m late again. Didn’t even get to warm my soup. But that can wait.
Sep 15, 7:57 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): This has been a stickler topic for hundreds of years
Sep 15, 7:58 PM
Lisa C: Faith without works is dead….said James. I think the works are a sign of our salvation
Sep 15, 7:58 PM
Lisa C: The works do not cause it, because the works are the works of God
Sep 15, 8:00 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): If we have charity flowing within the works are natural and charity is from the Lord
Sep 15, 8:01 PM
Lisa C: charity=love=God
Sep 15, 8:01 PM
Guest712 (Guest): The Bible also says, the good we do is seen by God and He will reward us
Sep 15, 8:01 PM
Brian (Guest): Knowing God and knowing what God wants us to do . Easy to get addicted too works without consulting with God !!! God will guide us to what He wants us to do !!!
Sep 15, 8:02 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Prayer is also “works”
Sep 15, 8:02 PM
Blanca Villa: I heard this some time ago…that when a person performs good works they are done at the natural level, but when they are offered for an intention, example for the greater glory of God, salvation of souls, etc they are elevated to the supernatural level. It is prayer in action. Sister what are your thoughts?
Sep 15, 8:02 PM
Lisa C: Yes, Mother, maybe the biggest work
Sep 15, 8:04 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Yes Blanca, the intention is key and the goal is the glory of God
Sep 15, 8:06 PM
Blanca Villa: Amen. I will meditate on this this week.
Sep 15, 8:06 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Knowing the will of God is not always easy
Sep 15, 8:06 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Brian, do you have insight on this?
Sep 15, 8:08 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): I meet with so many people trying to find their path
Sep 15, 8:10 PM
Guest712 (Guest): Just a thought, when we make our morning offering we offer all our prayers and actions in union with Christ
Sep 15, 8:10 PM
Lisa C: Maybe everyone’s path is to live with God
Sep 15, 8:10 PM
Lisa C: Keep God with us, keep talking to Him
Sep 15, 8:10 PM
Lisa C: He will lead us
Sep 15, 8:11 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): The challenge is often the choice between two goods
Sep 15, 8:11 PM
Guest712 (Guest): I think we know our path is with God, I think the question for some may be how to do it. Yes, choices.
Sep 15, 8:12 PM
Brian (Guest): When we were adopting Maria and soo many obstacles came up . I remembered to ask God what I can do for Him in this situation . He told me to be in Guetemala in one week !!! I trusted God !!! Incredible obstacles but Through our Obediance He was able to uncover corruption and help soo many famililies !!!! Many details that I left out but think I told this too Group before !!! God is Soo Good !!!!
Sep 15, 8:12 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Miracles abound
Sep 15, 8:12 PM
Carroll (Guest): Amen, Brian
Sep 15, 8:14 PM
Blanca Villa: That is true Sister. The world is noisy and obligations weight us down
Sep 15, 8:14 PM
Brian (Guest): When you know God wants you to do something Do It !!!🙏🙏🙏
Sep 15, 8:15 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): each of us has a “vocation story”- how we came to know God and our way. It’s the little steps that often lead us
Sep 15, 8:15 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): or the people we meet
Sep 15, 8:16 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): or situations- God uses them all to guide us
Sep 15, 8:16 PM
Ruth (Guest): It is often hard to remember God’s Love for us when pain — physical, mental, emotional — weighs down on us, but it really helps to remind ourselves or let others remind us that GRACE sometimes comes in surprising and even painful forms, that God sees the WHOLE picture while we see only a little bit of it.
Sep 15, 8:18 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): and you were a beneficiary of this over the past 2 weeks?
Sep 15, 8:19 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): are there any general questions or topics you would like to end with tonight
Sep 15, 8:19 PM
Carroll (Guest): Yes, Ruth, and bearing our crosses draws us ever more closely to Him!
Sep 15, 8:21 PM
Lisa C: I asked someone to pray for the Church and her answer was how is one more person praying going to make God do something. What do you say to answer someone who says that.
Sep 15, 8:21 PM
Lisa C: ?
Sep 15, 8:21 PM
Brian (Guest): 911 had a Great impact on me and I am soo Greatful to God for all those people who gave their lives to point us all to God !!!! Couple years ago visiting New York on top floor of Hearst Tower . First High Rise built after 911 we were on top floor looking out and all these Beautiful Monarch Butterflies flying around I could not help but think of all those who lost their lives that soo many could come to Christ !!!
Sep 15, 8:21 PM
Ruth (Guest): I know a woman, 88 years old, who survived the Nazi invasion of her Warsaw, Poland home. Her parents were killed. She “hid out” (Jewish) under multiple identities. And I’ve always been amazed at the vitality she brings to life as a master gardener. A happy woman, sharing a home with a handicapped daughter. For the last year she’s been unable to do the things she loves to do.
Sep 15, 8:22 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): God usually does something through us, and if we are praying the power of grace can touch someone’s soul with a holy inspiration
Sep 15, 8:23 PM
Lisa C: Thank you Mother
Sep 15, 8:23 PM
Guest712 (Guest): “Ask and you will receive”.
Sep 15, 8:23 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): But one needs faith to believe in the power of prayer unless one sees the results
Sep 15, 8:23 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): That’s why miracles stand out
Sep 15, 8:23 PM
Lisa C: The person has faith
Sep 15, 8:24 PM
Lisa C: also a VA grad
Sep 15, 8:24 PM
Ruth (Guest): Arthritis — back pain, a fall and knee injury , long, long waits after ER, 25 days before she could get a first appointment with an Orthopedic surgeon . . . I stopped by because I knew her daughter, one of my hiking partners, was away for the weekend and feeling “guilty” about leaving her mother . . . It was so good. We even prayed together.
Sep 15, 8:25 PM
Blanca Villa: Sister in regards to the last question…conversations with a protestants. For the last few years I have come across people involved in new age beliefs & people who dont believe in God. Sometimes I would welcome a conversation with a protestant.
Sep 15, 8:25 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): because at least they are Christian?
Sep 15, 8:25 PM
Blanca Villa: Yes
Sep 15, 8:25 PM
Brian (Guest): My answer to her would be remember when Jesus went to His hometown and was only able to some works because of the unbelief of the people in that community . When we are all praying and Trusting God !!!! We allow God Too do many many many Miracles !!!
Sep 15, 8:26 PM
Carroll (Guest): Sometimes it is helpful to pray because I love God, … not because I expect any particular result… I want to show I trust Divine Providence to use my prayer… This is part of the beauty of consecration to Mary
Sep 15, 8:26 PM
Lisa C: I cannot imagine not praying
Sep 15, 8:28 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Prayer is the heart of our soul
Sep 15, 8:28 PM
Brian (Guest): Amen Lisa and Sister Susan !!!
Sep 15, 8:29 PM
Ruth (Guest): Yes, Mary takes our feeble efforts to pray to our Lord, and somehow she knows just how to present them and us to Him.
Sep 15, 8:29 PM
Lisa C: Fr Fiorelli said prayer keeps the world from being destroyed by God
Sep 15, 8:29 PM
Carroll (Guest): I met someone today who is a member of a ” noncanonical” religious community, but she emphasized that they are not any sort of splinter group and are in full communion with the Church. Is this possible?
Sep 15, 8:29 PM
Lisa C: Did not think God would be that angry, but he said it maintains the world
Sep 15, 8:29 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Interesting
Sep 15, 8:29 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): Carroll it might mean they are not yet approved but in development
Sep 15, 8:30 PM
Carroll (Guest): Thank you.
Sep 15, 8:30 PM
Guest712 (Guest): There is a non canonical group call Sisters for Christian Community
Sep 15, 8:30 PM
Guest712 (Guest): They are Eccumenical
Sep 15, 8:31 PM
Sister Susan Marie (Moderator): I hope each of you have a blessed week- I need to leave now. Thank you for your sharing!
Sep 15, 8:32 PM
Guest712 (Guest): Thank you good night
Sep 15, 8:32 PM
Carroll (Guest): Thank you Mother Susan Marie- good night!
Sep 15, 8:32 PM
Blanca Villa: Thank you sister, likewise. Good night everyone.
Sep 15, 8:32 PM
Lisa C: God be praised!
Sep 15, 8:32 PM
Ruth (Guest): Thank you for moderating, Sister Susan. I hope to get back to you. I was not ignoring your question but on another “page” in my thoughts and typing when you addressed one directly to me.
Sep 15, 8:34 PM
Brian (Guest): New Bible Study starting 9/25 many Christian Denominations represented !!!! Should be Awesome 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Sep 15, 8:34 PM
Carroll (Guest): Have a blessed, peaceful week everyone. Good night.
Sep 15, 8:34 PM
Ruth (Guest): Blessings to each of you. And please continue to hold me in your prayers.
Sep 15, 8:35 PM
Carroll (Guest): 🙏🙏🙏
Sep 15, 8:37 PM
Brian (Guest): God Bless You All !!!!Keep Shining For Jesus !!!!!🙏🙏🙏