How can you "trip" anyone? Are you saying that Swine can trip people? Or do you mean that by someone pointing deception and catching someone in lies is "tripping".
I assume that I am the "Swine" upon which these "pearls" have been "laid" down before? Are my questions and observations making any one here "uncomfortable"?
How have I "tripped" anyone here?
Have my questions about "speaking in tongues" made you or anyone else uncomfortable? Have I "tripped" anyone into saying something that they wish they could now retract? Something that they now realize shows what their True Nature is?
Hey...Swines have their day too! I'm just glad I do not live close enough where I have to keep an eye out for Torches in the Night!
If I am wrong in my assumptions...then rebuke my assumptions! Don't make vague remarks about "Pearls before Swine".
" ...rejoice when they fall..."
Who has fallen? If this subject makes you uncomfortable...I'll stop! If this subject hits a "sore" spot...I'll stop.
I am not denying that there are some Christians that "speak in tongues". I have heard one.
I just want to know a few things...such as why are there none on this site (except Chuck) that can interpret Tongue Speaking. Can you Joey?
There must be a reason why this makes you uncomfortable and that you dislike me "tripping" up Christians.
Are we to avoid asking Real questions on here because they make some uncomfortable or it causes some to "show" themselves (sorry..trip).
Let me see if I can find those pearls...where are they now?
Oh, just to clear up any misconceptions, I would just like to ask a question, oh, hum, I don't mean to offend anyone, trip anyone up, I just have a question, oh, hum, since I am a non-Catholic I and aren't blessed by God with the wonderful rituals of the Catholic church, I am just curious :
Why do Catholics purchase and light candles in their churches for their dead relatives so they will have to spend less time in purgatory?
All us non-Catholics would like to know, hope this doesn't trip you up.
Since it appears that you no longer want to address why you were given both the �gift� of �speaking in tongues� and being able �to translate� what you are saying. Which we all have to admit is kind of like the �Spiritual Trifecta� (although it�s actually only two�Exacta).
And it �seems� that you are deflecting by asking me this �penetrating� and so �pertinent� question about The Catholic Church. I could answer the way you seem to answer my questions here in this Forum by asking you
�Why is it after 28 years of being a Catholic and being up there as an Altar Boy�you do not know why we light candles and pray for the dead?�
Chuck, your question is not a sincere want to �get to know The Catholic Church better�, but instead is a Lame attempt to deflect and somehow make me shake in my pants because you�ve asked me this Devastating Question!
My answer is this:
First think about why you buy a Christmas Tree for Christmas? Why you will find a �manger scene� in front of many churches this time of year? Why we have a Birthday Cake at birthdays? Why a Wedding Ring? Why Fireworks on the Fourth of July?
Is there a Theme there?
Do you think that Purgatory�Praying for the dead�Purchasing Candles�praying for those in Purgatory is going to make me Run away�screaming
�I�ve been TRIPPED UP!!!!�
For 28 years you had no problem with any of this. Then suddenly�what?
For 1500 years there was no problem with any of these things�then suddenly�what?
If you want we can take one thing at a time. I will answer your question�if you will answer mine.
Which one first�Mr. Spiritual Trifecta? You choose.
You know very well that it would take much more room than available here to answer all of those points. Pick one...or do you want me to start with The Lighting of candles?
First think about why you buy a Christmas Tree for Christmas? Why you will find a �manger scene� in front of many churches this time of year? Why we have a Birthday Cake at birthdays? Why a Wedding Ring? Why Fireworks on the Fourth of July?
These are some of the many traditions that we men have made to honor special occasions and events in our lives. These are traditions with a small (t) denoting that they are the traditions of man (as opposed to the Traditions of The Church).
The Practice of lighting candles can be traced as far back as the Tombs of the Martyrs in the catacombs. Those lights were burned as a sign of �solidarity� with Christians still on earth. Because the lights continually burned as a silent vigil, they became known as vigil lights.
Jeremiah 20:9 (New International Version, �2010)
9 But if I say, �I will not mention his word
or speak anymore in his name,�
his word is in my heart like a fire,
a fire shut up in my bones.
I am weary of holding it in;
indeed, I cannot.
The flame of the candle represents light and scriptural references to Christ being the "Light of the world..." Flame signifies warmth and cleansing in references to Christ being a comforter and reminding church members of the belief that one day all works done by an individual will be judged and sifted by fire.
Thus the lighting of a candle is a symbolic gesture. I am sure Chuck that you�ve seen it in your church at some point in time? Perhaps at your wedding? The very act of lighting a new candle with the Flame from an older candle is symbolic of the passing on of Faith and Love and all of the things we hold True and Good in our Faith.
Matthew 5:15 (New International Version, �2010)
15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
Catholics lighting or gazing upon a candle often view the wax of the candle representing the body of Christ with the wick representing the belief that the spirit of Christ is in each Catholic believer. Sometimes the Catholic believer thinks of the soul both of the believer and of Christ when looking upon a candle flame. Catholics believe that by lighting candles during prayer, the prayer is symbolically carried up to heaven where God waits to hear the prayer. The lighted candles are confirmation of specific vows or intentions.
Psalm 119:105 (New International Version, �2010)
105 Your word is a lamp for my feet,
a light on my path.
There is always at least one candle burning in the sanctuary, usually held near the altar or hung above it that stays lit all the time, day and night. It is to signify the Catholic belief that God is always present. Catholics also keep it lit at all times as to signify the belief of always waiting and watching for Christ's second coming. When the candle needs replacing, the flame from the candle carries to the new unlit candle by placing the new candlewick to the flame of the currently burning candle.
Chuck, the reason there is a charge for these candles is because they have to be replaced�although I have never read or heard of anyone being arrested for not paying for them.
I can give you many more reasons why candles are lighted�going all the way back to Christ�s time on earth.
I have answered your question�now I have a question for you:
Why do you not take Jesus at His Word when He says:
John 6:53-60 (New International Version, �2010)
53 Jesus said to them, �Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.� 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
