The contradiction in Catholism

The contratiction--in one extended sentence---more-more-more

The more the Catholic church puts herself forward as the seat of infallible authority, the more insistent her demands for allegiance, the more she points to her priesthood as the one by which men are saved, the more she claims by powers unique to herself to lay hold on the saints or to trade in the merits of Christ, the more she appropriates of the kingdoms of this world and the glory thereof, the more majestic her dress and bearing, the more lordly her tone, even when expressed in all humility or in the voice of the servant of the servants of Christ-- (that is, in the lordliest tones of all), the more she insists that she is the arbiter of men's salvation, the more emphatically she asserts that no congregation is valid except as a tributary of herself, the more she equates the actuality of her existence with the Church that is the Bride of Christ and ground and pillar of truth, then the more she looks like an imposter, the more demonic her aspect, the more she appears to be an earthly wraith claiming to be the heavenly reality, the more she looks like a false church, the less she (or Mary magnified within her) looks like our Mother -- the more charity one must exercise to love her -- and the more one must look within her instead of upon her to find the Church.

Therein lies the great contridiction.--or more-more-more---more of man and less of who he represents! It is within the church not upon the leaders where one finds the church.

When Jesus Christ handed the keys to his kingdom to Saint Peter and left this earth to sit at his Fathers side -- the church itself was doomed to an existance of impossible comparisom. Who amongs us --dependant upon mortal senses have ever understood exactly what the kingdom of heaven is? None. It is impossible to grasp with human means. Every word, evey song, every symbol of our faith is at best a very dirty, impure reflection of that which was promised.

And what of protestants and all their various creeds? I believe that those who first rejected Catholism have tried themselves in vain to find a more perfect reflection of that to come --and themselves been even more disatisfied with the results of their protest.

The truth of the matter is--you cannot find perfection reflected from a priest, bishop, cardinal, or pope. Tis irony is one that i n itself breeds discontent. They dress in flowery robes, wear all manner of jewels and symbols, have for the most part a demeaner intended to suggest power, humility, and spirituality.The error in their plight-- is that Catholism is not about a mans spirituality at all--it is a reflection of our Savior's spirituality which is impossible to duplicate, replicate, or imbode in ones mortal being.We get there by living as we were instructed--not through another.

This same problem exists to a larger degree within non-Catholic Christian churches. No minister can truly represent that which is un-representable by man.

We get even more uneasy when these mere mortals begin errecting cathedrals and bureaucracy of a secular nature within the hallways of that which has been sacredly placed in trust!! The true hallways of faith are within the man not outside.

The "true" purpose of a priest, bishop, cardinal, or pope is to lead by example as Christ did and taught. And when the followers see the hypocracy within the priesthood--that too drives them into the waiting arms of non-Catholic churches who are quick to blame-- and themselves offer up a ministry of false pretense.

When Christ took his disciples on the road with him, he was instilling teachings and behavior to those who would be handed the keys of his church. They were to lead by example and build his church in HIS image not theirs! The Catholic church is not the church of Peter, Paul, or Mark--but the church of Jesus Christ himself. "GOD"! incarnate.

I know these things because I have lived them in the past--and with quite a contradiciton within my own soul. I can not represent what I do not have--but I can live and lead by example. And--no--I do not possess anything but a flawed character which I'm constantly at odds with. If I can assist one through sacramants-- attain a place where they can then seek "GOD", then I have succeeded. Not by authority of the church--but by the humility of a shepherd.True hurch leaders [as I'm convinced Jesus envisioned] teach through example not through words. The bible is made up of exammples, the church traditions are stories of examples, Christ's life as told-- is one of example.

One cannot threaten another into heaven.Fear does not uplift a soul. Worthiness to attain salvation comes through living this life by example. A priest is to teach a father, who teaches a mother, who teaches his children -- by example.

Priests and ministers should leave their cathedrals and live among their flock. How can a shepard teach through mere words and costumes? If you wonder why a mistrust exists between the flock and the shephard--this is not hard to grasp. In a world ruled by evil, the sheep reconginize when they have a wolf among them. They can sense this and run away.

The Catholic church is true, its sacramants true, its mission one of truth, but its practice one of contradiction. So charge me with apostasy--render my words those of a madman bent on heresy.I no longer seek to please a hiarchy on earth. I know the secret that exists in all of those within the priesthood. Late at night as they lay in bed with only their thoughts for company--they all know that their present practice is a very poor imitation of who they represent. And if they are honest with themselves they will change.One cannot teach or give what one does not have themselves.

I pray that the leaders come down off their man made thrones and enter the streets and villages where their flocks reside. And quit pretending they know what is beyond all of mankind to grasp. We were commanded to follow Jesus our Savior. It is through our faith and trust in him that we will reach our just reward. And we must all await our final judgement before we experience that which their are no words to describe.

Ok Yodi, help me drag this stump off the srreet. We have said enough for a day. Now comes the hard part--we must live it.