Pope's popularity falters with Westerners!

Ralphy1

Ralphy1

Well-known Member
His exhortations about living a less materialistic life seem to be falling on deaf ears. He is coming to speak to the U.S. Congress in September. MethInks he will be warmly welcomed by Congress and the public in general but that will be it as nothing will change our behavior...
 

Nothing new here. Jesus himself observed,

"Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God."

In the subsequent 2,000 years it hasn't gotten any easier.
 
The Donald doesn't seem to be worried, but, then, he probably sees himself as God...:D
 

Dame Warrigal said:
Nothing new here. Jesus himself observed,

"Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God."

In the subsequent 2,000 years it hasn't gotten any easier.
Click to expand...
That's a perfect reference Dame Warrigal. But Jesus was saying that it's not how much money you have for determining eternal life…you can be financially rich or poor to enter the Kingdom God. He's saying that its impossible for anyone to be saved on his own merits. Since wealth was seen as proof of God’s approval, it was commonly taught by the rabbis that rich people were blessed by God and were, therefore, the most likely candidates for heaven. Jesus destroyed that notion, and along with it, the idea that anyone can earn eternal life.

"With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God" Matthews (19:26). Men are saved through God’s gifts of grace, mercy, and faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nothing we do earns salvation for us. It is those who recognize their spiritual poverty and their utter inability to do anything to justify themselves to a holy God and therefore in need of a savior that will enter into eternal life aka the Kingdom of God.

The rich man so often is blind to his spiritual poverty because he is proud of his accomplishments and has contented himself with his wealth. He is as likely to humble himself before God as a camel is to crawl through the eye of a needle.
 
And so it is with Donald Trump. But not only Donald Trump.

FWIW I deplore the modern tendency for some churches to preach a prosperity gospel. IMO it is absolute heresy.
 
A lot of wealthy people will be relieved to hear that they are not excluded so long as they are nice. The Donald, however, might just set up his own heavenly kingdom...:eek:nthego:
 
OK, big donations to the poor, and even serving soup in a homeless shelter on holidays might "move the needle" as the saying goes...
 
Dame Warrigal said:
Nothing new here. Jesus himself observed,

"Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
"Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to get into the kingdom of God."

In the subsequent 2,000 years it hasn't gotten any easier.
Click to expand...

Tell me about it - that poor camel of mine is still wasting away in the backyard ... :(
 
Lon said:
The rich don't worry about ever being able to enter "The Kingdom of Heaven", they can afford to have Heaven on Earth.
Click to expand...

They can keep their idea of heaven as far as I am concerned.
I wouldn't want to trade places with them because in the end their wealth is more of a millstone round their necks than it is a means to a happy fulfilled life.

IMO, the Kingdom of Heaven is not a place but a state of existence. I've been telling people that I have fallen into the K of H since I entered this rehab hospital. Everyone here is a member of a team devoted to healing people. From the cleaners, to the nursing staff, the doctors and the therapists and last not but not least, the kitchen staff, all have devoted themselves to this task with a devotion and warmth that is tangible. Obviously they are not all paid the same salaries/wages but that doesn't seem to matter to the way they go about their duties. Nor does it matter which patient is being treated/served. Respect is afforded to all and comfort is given freely.

For those of us who are serious about following Christ, this is what we are called to aspire to - bringing the Kingdom of Heaven into being here on earth, in this lifetime. The wealthy find this difficult because in the K of H, status is turned upside down - the first shall be last and he who would be the greatest must be servant of all. It's not a popular doctrine with the privileged of the earth.
 
Dame Warrigal said:
... I wouldn't want to trade places with them because in the end their wealth is more of a millstone round their necks than it is a means to a happy fulfilled life ...
Click to expand...

But some millstones are easier to bear than others ...

In my own situation I would find it difficult to show empathy and kindness to others if I am homeless, sick and hungry. Money would solve most of those problems - it's all about the hierarchy of needs.

You can't feel for others when you can't provide for yourself, and everyone has a different comfort level.
 

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