[gromitt82]

Carpe Diem!

We are saturated with words. Every day we receive an exaggerated amount of messages. The massive and constant access to social communication media is responsible for our receiving more information than we can normally digest. Internet fast expansion has a great deal of responsibility thereof. On the other hand, the quality and importance of the information we receive is really uneven and bumpy.

It is true that there are many worthwhile words among those we hear or read every day. Still, they are difficult to pick up among the accumulation of so many others which are not only flimsy but even noxious.

Jesus did not talk too much. He was not used to making long speeches. His teaching was clear and direct, full of common sense and substance. His words transmitted wisdom and spurred reflection and reaction.

His thoughts are far-off from the many empty and often deceitful slogans of modern publicity.

And, all the same, not everybody used to absorb them in the same way.

Response to Jesus’ preaching was varied, and went from the very enthusiastic to the definite disavowal.

In [B]the parable of the sower [/B](today’s Gospel, Mat. 13:1-23), Jesus depicts the different attitudes of people to his teachings, and drives the attention to the importance of attentive listening and active reaction to the message diffused.

Otherwise, not even the wisest most profound words can “bear a good crop”.A superficial, unconcerned or absentminded listening do not allow spoken words to reach our heart and influence people’s lives.

Most surely, today, we all need a supplement of attention when we have to listen to so many messages. We must know how to discern the most valuable and positive from the totally useless ones, and once we have done it, we have to open our heart to them so that they can bear the desired fruit. Without forgetting that out of all good messages we may select, none will be as beneficial for our spiritual health as Jesus’ Gospel.

We should also remember that no one knows when his time will come, so we should not waste any time pretending that there is plenty of time ahead to listen to Jesus’ words. We prefer to say instead "let us enjoy life today: tomorrow will be another day!"

It was the famous Italian poet, Horace, who said: [B]carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero – [/B]"Seize the Day, putting as little trust as possible in the future"Gromitt82

[Fr_Chuck]

Actually we do not know exactly how long Jesus preached, but when followers were with him, they were there for days at times, so it is possible he did preach days or at least hours and hours.

What we have recorded in the bible is the important stories of his followers.

Next Jesus was not clear in all of his teaching, in fact his 12 have asked him to explain it to him.

And there was all sorts of problems during the time of Christ, teachings of the temple, customs of the people, rules of the church and more. The biggest issue attacking peoples faith is not outward but doubt inward.

[gromitt82]

Actually we do not know exactly how long Jesus preached, but when followers were with him, they were there for days at times, so it is possible he did preach days or at least hours and hours.

What we have recorded in the bible is the important stories of his followers.

Next Jesus was not clear in all of his teaching, in fact his 12 have asked him to explain it to him.

And there was all sorts of problems during the time of Christ, teachings of the temple, customs of the people, rules of the church and more. The biggest issue attacking peoples faith is not outward but doubt inward.

As a matter of fact, you are right, so we can easily assume as possible what you say. However, we could also imagine that He could also spend time with his followers by chatting about less transcendent topics, such as those problems they had to cope with on a day-to-day basis.

But, even takeing for granted He did preach for hours and hours, it does not mean He was not doing it in His clear and direct usual way.

Of course, as you say, what we have recorded in the Bible is the important stories of his followers, which are just transmitted to us basically through the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles.

As you know, Jesus used parables to help His followers assimilate the message He wanted to transmit. But, it is also true, that his Apostles, and probably all his followers, were not either scholars or learned people. So, more often than not, they needed additional explanations to really digest what Jesus was telling them. But, I would say, that bearing in mind the cultural level of the people surrounding him, His parables were pretty clear and direct.

As for problems during the time of Christ, of course there were as many as we want. So many, that because of them, He was crucified.

But I already said that “Response to Jesus’ preaching” was varied, and went from the very enthusiastic to the definite disavowal

What I do not understand is your last paragraph that says “The biggest issue attacking people’s faith is not outward but doubt inward”

Would you mind elucidating it a little bit further?
Gromitt82
:):)

[hauntinghelper]

Not to put words in Fr_Chucks mouth... but his statement, to me, implies that no matter what corporeal things we may deal with that can come against our faith... Christianity is a matter of our inward spirituality and faith. I have seen this time and time again in people's lives. You can give someone the best argument in the world... you can offer near perfect irrefutable proof toward what Christianity is... and if they are not ready to receive it on their inside, it really means nothing. You actually cannot PROVE God... and it's those inward doubts and thoughts that need to be dealt with first and foremost before you can move on to what you are willing to accept. Again, my words, not Fr_Chucks... but what he said reminded me of all that.

[gromitt82]

Not to put words in Fr_Chucks mouth...but his statement, to me, implies that no matter what corporeal things we may deal with that can come against our faith...Christianity is a matter of our inward spirituality and faith. I have seen this time and time again in people's lives. You can give someone the best argument in the world...you can offer near perfect irrefutable proof toward what Christianity is...and if they are not ready to receive it on their inside, it really means nothing. You actually cannot PROVE God...and it's those inward doubts and thoughts that need to be dealt with first and foremost before you can move on to what you are willing to accept. Again, my words, not Fr_Chucks...but what he said reminded me of all that.

Indeed, we cannot PROVE GOD... True! This is why we need FAITH to believe in Him... Mind you, I say Him, when I should perhaps sat IT, for by using Him we are already implying a gender... when, actually, we know nothing about GOD nor our earthly lexic contains any words that can truly describe GOD.
Gromitt82:rolleyes::rolleyes: