On Character reflection: solid points, but to the point made by Veritas Splendor, indeed we aren’t closet Calvinists, and so we should be wary of sin always lurking at the threshold, like a prowling lion.
After I read the story about the massive theft, I DO hope she goes to jail, both from the views of justice and mercy. Sometimes God let…
On Character reflection: solid points, but to the point made by Veritas Splendor, indeed we aren’t closet Calvinists, and so we should be wary of sin always lurking at the threshold, like a prowling lion.
After I read the story about the massive theft, I DO hope she goes to jail, both from the views of justice and mercy. Sometimes God let’s people hit rock bottom, so that they will be truly converted to Him. I want her, just like me, to be truly converted. I shouldn’t hope for a less comfortable or less free life, anymore than for them. Indeed St. Ignatius of Loyola’s prayer embodies that.
To borrow from literature, Victor Hugo chooses Jean Val Jean to suffer for 20 years for stealing a loaf of bread, and other offenses while in jail, but it’s clear that theft wasn’t out of his heart when he stole from the Bishop while on parole. It was when he was caught, and stared that incarcerated life in the face once more, that the Bishop could offer him something More. It was then that he could finally receive Christ.
This was true in real life for Chuck Colson. I’m sure there are other such redemption arcs. So perhaps Jail time is exactly what God has allowed in an attempt to finally reach deep into the recesses of her heart.
We live in a rich world where we have been preached the gospel of “good enough” or “moral enough” that we don’t really need a savior to help us survive in each and every situation to be so. We’ve missed out on the reality that Jesus tells us: it is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter Heaven. Our cooperation is indeed necessary, but we need be praying unceasingly in praise, thanksgiving AND petition for unfailing help.
Our former parish in the Houston area went through that in the late 90’s. The pastor of the church embezzled money meant to built the new church. He was removed but the parish found out that he had done the same thing at another parish and the archbishop sent him to our parish. As far as I know he was never posted at another parish in the Houston area.
I interpret Jean ValJean's story a little differently. He stole a loaf of bread because his children were starving. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, that doesn't actually constitute a sin at all. It was the 20 years of slave labor for stealing that was unconscionably unjust. During which I assume his family died. When you wound someone that badly, you can expect them to become hardened, bitter, angry, and lashing out at innocent bystanders. It is that wound that the bishop healed. By showing Jean kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness when wronged, he taught him how to respond to his own wrong.
That doesn't mean punishment for doing evil is a bad thing that hardens people. Unjust punishment does, just punishment does not.
On Character reflection: solid points, but to the point made by Veritas Splendor, indeed we aren’t closet Calvinists, and so we should be wary of sin always lurking at the threshold, like a prowling lion.
After I read the story about the massive theft, I DO hope she goes to jail, both from the views of justice and mercy. Sometimes God let’s people hit rock bottom, so that they will be truly converted to Him. I want her, just like me, to be truly converted. I shouldn’t hope for a less comfortable or less free life, anymore than for them. Indeed St. Ignatius of Loyola’s prayer embodies that.
To borrow from literature, Victor Hugo chooses Jean Val Jean to suffer for 20 years for stealing a loaf of bread, and other offenses while in jail, but it’s clear that theft wasn’t out of his heart when he stole from the Bishop while on parole. It was when he was caught, and stared that incarcerated life in the face once more, that the Bishop could offer him something More. It was then that he could finally receive Christ.
This was true in real life for Chuck Colson. I’m sure there are other such redemption arcs. So perhaps Jail time is exactly what God has allowed in an attempt to finally reach deep into the recesses of her heart.
We live in a rich world where we have been preached the gospel of “good enough” or “moral enough” that we don’t really need a savior to help us survive in each and every situation to be so. We’ve missed out on the reality that Jesus tells us: it is easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter Heaven. Our cooperation is indeed necessary, but we need be praying unceasingly in praise, thanksgiving AND petition for unfailing help.
Our former parish in the Houston area went through that in the late 90’s. The pastor of the church embezzled money meant to built the new church. He was removed but the parish found out that he had done the same thing at another parish and the archbishop sent him to our parish. As far as I know he was never posted at another parish in the Houston area.
I interpret Jean ValJean's story a little differently. He stole a loaf of bread because his children were starving. According to St. Thomas Aquinas, that doesn't actually constitute a sin at all. It was the 20 years of slave labor for stealing that was unconscionably unjust. During which I assume his family died. When you wound someone that badly, you can expect them to become hardened, bitter, angry, and lashing out at innocent bystanders. It is that wound that the bishop healed. By showing Jean kindness, gentleness, and forgiveness when wronged, he taught him how to respond to his own wrong.
That doesn't mean punishment for doing evil is a bad thing that hardens people. Unjust punishment does, just punishment does not.
"Five years for what you did
The rest because you tried to run"
so is 5 years unjust for robbery? 15 for attempted escape?
more asked in jest. I love the musical, so had to make sure that quote was in here