Vivat Agnus Dei

It seems to me there is a lot of confusion surrounding the faith vs. works disagreement between Protestant and Catholic Soteriology. There are distinctions between homophonic definitions and the rhetoric continually gets stuck here. Let us begin there: "Works" as actions in general, without faith being necessary, including all human actions, whether morally good, neutral, or sinful. These works may stem from natural abilities and dispositions but lack salvific value apart from faith and grace. Without the proper orientation toward God, even virtuous actions remain within the natural order and cannot justify a person (cf.  Isaiah 64:6). "Works" as actions ad salutem to human cooperation with the grace of God, where one’s actions are oriented toward forming virtue, disposing the soul to receive the infused virtue of justice (justifying grace) but are not themselves the cause of justification (cf.  Ephesians 2:8-10). "Works" as actions ex salutem  or from h...

"Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed" (James 5:16).  I was at an Advent communal penance service, and to my shock, the building was sturdy enough to hold up. I, naturally, saw a priest and said, "Imagine seeing you here!" Still, to my shock, he said, "Imagine seeing YOU here! One might say you are a sinner." To which, I understandably and truthfully responded, "I am just here for the prayer." Another priest behind him laughed for some reason. Anyway, if you can handle all of this shock, and you might not, please keep reading. If not, just take a break here, and go for a walk, this is going to be a lot to unpack, and you may find yourself gritting your teeth, or developing migraine symptoms. Just do what you can. I am not talking about a literal shoe, I am talking about the classic person-to-description analogy, "If the shoe fits, wear it." If the truth hurts and others seem to condemn someo...

The proposed course of correction to  Carter Carruthers, "Chronic Pursuit of Instant Gratification", Vivat Agnus Dei, November 24, 2024 . If you have ever had an in-depth spiritual conversation with a spiritual director, minister, a friend who is reading the saints, or even a recovering addict, odds are you have/will have heard the word "surrender" at least 5 times in the course of that conversation. Given the fact this word can begin to seem like vocal clutter solution more than a real term or concept or an opportunity to be dismissive of your trials (or effects of the sins others have committed against you), and how essential this concept appears to be in such conversations, it is well worth presenting at least an attempt at defining surrender. In consulting Scripture, the Magisterium, and 12-step group texts, it seems that surrender is best understood as the following sentences delimit: Surrender is the grace-filled act of aligning one’s will with God’s, born of ...

In light of  Carruthers, Carter. " Divorce: Rupture of the Highest Human Communion" Vivat Agnus Dei, August 25, 2024. https://vivatagnusdei.blogspot.com/2024/08/divorce-rupture-of-highest-human.html. In a world where individualism often reigns supreme, the bonds of marriage are frequently undermined by societal values that promote personal freedom over communal responsibility. The rise in divorce rates reflects a cultural shift away from the enduring commitment that marriage requires. Let us attempt to invert the post on divorce so that we can see what Christian families are called to. Jesus's teaching on the house built on a solid foundation versus a house divided against itself serves as a poignant reminder of the need for stability and unity in our relationships  (Matthew 7:24-27; Mark 3:25).  Just as a strong foundation is essential for a house to withstand the storms of life, a marriage built on mutual love, respect, and the teachings of Christ is vital for a thrivin...

"Well, I don't judge people on their worst mistakes." Natasha Romanoff of the MCU In order to know what it means to love most deeply, most boldly, most mercifully, we must first answer: how does God love? To do this well we must begin by saying that even to say that human words cannot begin to broach the answer is itself an understatement of just how incomprehensibly infinite and exceeding to human sense, expression, and estimation the love of God truly is, let alone the fact we are the aspiring fallen beloved of Him Who alone loves. Candidly, my original post/first attempt on this was focused on the end in mind and not so much on deriving what God has provided us in answering this question and in doing what He has taught/shown us, after all He gave the command. Nevertheless, it is precisely this question (how does God love?) whose answer truly answers what it means to "love the sinner and hate the sin", to not "judge people by their sins", and so not...