tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post5005126899134903618..comments2024-03-22T05:53:17.342-04:00Comments on On This Rock: The Homily I Wish I Would Have Heard Growing UpFather John Hollowellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12850864104003705536noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post-87298811321184036262014-09-05T16:56:44.652-04:002014-09-05T16:56:44.652-04:00It isn't Catholic teaching that every Protesta...It isn't Catholic teaching that every Protestant gets to Heaven, nor is it Church teaching that any Protestant gets to Heaven, nor is it Church teaching that every Catholic necessarily gets to Heaven either. The only people the Church says are in Heaven are the saints. The Church admits there are likely many other saints besides the ones who have been declared, but other than the declared saints, we don't know who is and who isn't in Heaven.<br /><br />You are taking this question from the completely wrong angle - it isn't about "what's the minimum I have to do to get in" - the life of Christ, His Church, the Sacraments, etc. is about joy, peace, and happiness (even amidst great sufferings at times). <br /><br />The Church says "you want to be here in the Church because this is where you will be the MOST fulfilled, the MOST happy, the CLOSEST to our Lord." Father John Hollowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12850864104003705536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post-28619057824616575582014-09-05T13:37:53.005-04:002014-09-05T13:37:53.005-04:00But that doesn't answer the question at hand. ...But that doesn't answer the question at hand. How do Protestants get to Heaven if they've never had the sacraments? If they do get there, why do they get to go to the same place(Heaven) after never ever confessing their sins in a confessional? I know it's Catholic teaching that Protestants do get into Heaven....but why is it fair that they get to do less, while the Catholic is required to do more and still get to the exact same place?!?!?!?The Wonderernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post-91322580855606326172014-09-04T06:40:09.516-04:002014-09-04T06:40:09.516-04:00The only place we KNOW and are GUARANTEED Christ&#...The only place we KNOW and are GUARANTEED Christ's Grace comes to us is through the sacraments. Father John Hollowellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12850864104003705536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post-41041616812268490102014-09-03T21:43:18.795-04:002014-09-03T21:43:18.795-04:00So Fr. Hollowell, how do Protestants get to heaven...So Fr. Hollowell, how do Protestants get to heaven then without ever going to confession? Why should Catholics have to do MORE to get into Heaven when Protestants obviously do less and still get in Heaven??? I'm baffled. The Wonderernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post-13414681031792070732014-08-25T18:36:51.937-04:002014-08-25T18:36:51.937-04:00Ok. Thanks! So how about #8 to 10 of Fr. Hollowell...Ok. Thanks! So how about #8 to 10 of Fr. Hollowell's list? Maybe you could elaborate a little more on them? It would seem that I would have to go to confession every single weekend due to #8. As for #9; what single person doesn't "lust" over somebody? If you ask me, that's kind of unfair, really. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post-68233408921985641302014-08-25T14:54:01.290-04:002014-08-25T14:54:01.290-04:00Briefly, you can receive forgiveness outside of co...Briefly, you can receive forgiveness outside of confession if you contrition is perfect. Meaning it is motivated purely out of love for God, as opposed to shame, fear, etc. Problem is, one usually can never be really sure their contrition is perfect. The Sacrament is good news in that Our Lord is mercififul, but also in two specific ways. 1. Imperfect contrition is sufficient for absolution and 2. Absolution by a priest is a <i>judicial</i> act. An ruling in a manner of speaking that Our Lord said He would honor. (Binding and loosing and all that). With the Sacrament, you never have to wonder or second guess.Scott W.https://www.blogger.com/profile/00068345077529012543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8560483615460834385.post-51509925098700060122014-08-24T20:35:44.193-04:002014-08-24T20:35:44.193-04:00In that list of reasons you can't take communi...In that list of reasons you can't take communion, could you please elaborate a little more on hate/anger, lusting after somebody, also pride/greed/sloth/envy? Who doesn't get angry about something every week? What single person doesn't lust after somebody??? Or hating something? It almost seems like you'd have to go to confession every single weekend.....<br /><br />Another question: Suppose I missed Mass on one particular weekend because I just didn't feel like going. The Church says I have to go to confession before receiving communion. But let's say that on the Monday following Sunday Mass, I feel bad about skipping church. From Monday through the next Sunday, I beg God for His forgiveness every single night and tell Him how sorry I am for skipping Mass. Why would that not be sufficient enough to take communion? Does God not forgive people for mortal sins outside the confessional? If He does not, then how do protestants get to Heaven? They NEVER go to confession. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com