Catholics in Guam
One of the biggest problems facing our culture and our
people is
the
lack of knowledge of the reality of the
living God. More
emphasis is
on Mary (for instance)
than on Jesus and God
the father. When our
people go
to church on Sundays it is
for traditionalistic execution;
debi di ûn falak y guma’
Yu’us cada Damenggu.
In entering most Catholic churches, the first observation is a
dead Jesus on the
cross and/or Mary holding a dead son.
That
scene is an undying portrait of Catholic-
ism and the
Church.
The
image of Jesus on the cross mentally paints
death; the
truth
is…our
Lord Jesus is not dead; He is alive
and sits at
the right hand of God the
Father in heaven.
Now, with Him being alive, what should our lives and
relationship be to
Him? Catholicism teaches honor when it should include
Faith. Honor is
passive; Faith is active. Honor is emotion; Faith is action based
upon belief. Knowing that Jesus is alive should activate a
life that looks for His
return and
a new millennial life in this world to be run by Him.
The teachings are wrapped in the huge Catholic Bible being read only by the
priest
and limited to verses adopted by the Church. Ask any typical Catholic where the
Book of
Romans, the Book of Proverbs, the Book of Ezekiel, or any
book of the Old
Testament is
and most will have a lost look in their faces.
In observing a Sunday Mass, one can see that the event is so traditional and
spiritually
empty. Congregants are not given the opportunity to follow scripture
readings from the
Bible; they simply listen and assume that it is accurately read,
defined, and explained.
Most of the time the scripture verses being read during the
service is not connected to sermons given by a priest. What is sad is that most
congregants do not understand bible readings behind the pulpit.
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