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| I mostly have me a fum |
News is emerging of a possible faith shortage over the critical Easter Season. Reports suggest that priests are preparing for industrial action over plans to make them go to church on Easter Day - a day that the law prohibits most businesses from opening.
In an effort to assuage the growing sense of concern over possible faith shortages, the Prime Minister, Mr Lord David of Cameron said
"If there's an opportunity to top up your prayers if a strike is potentially on the way, then it's a sensible thing if you're able to do that,"
In an effort to be helpful, lesser known politician Maud Francis commented, that in order to avert a possible situation of shortage in faith that we keep
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| I mostly have me five fums |
"a little Bible in the garage as well"
Commenting outside St. Paul's Cathedral following Humanist Morning Prayers with Vigil and Exposition of the Dawkins Relic, one such Humanist Norbert Wedontbelieve accused Messrs Cameron and Francis of causing a faith panic and driving people in Churches. One woman is said to have been converted to Christianity as she placed a Bible in the garage.
Meanwhile, Lambeth Palace are preparing to redecorate.
Just read this collect for Ash Wednesday on your site: Almighty and everlasting God, you hate nothing you have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of you, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
ReplyDeleteIs it actually true, as the above seems to suggest, that God only forgives the "penitent"? I would have thought that God also forgives the impenitent, for there is nothing to limit Love, and it is up to the impenitent to choose to accept or reject this forgiveness. I would also have thought that it is up to Christians to follow this godly pattern and forgive all, not just the penitent but the impenitent too. Be curious to know what you thought.
Sincerely, Bop, a troll.
forgiveness is there for all people but it is like a gift if you choose not to open it you do not enjoy it's benefits. Just a pretty idea.
Deletewe Christians are not perfect we are mere mortals and do get things wrong.
I can and do forgive but sometimes it takes me a little longer to do it just because I am wounded. Also forgiving someone does not mean you allow them to continue to behave badly. (if we forgive a murderer that is different from letting them off the life sentence they are doing) If you live in a violent relationship you can forgive them but it would still be dangerous to remain with them.
I also believe that as God is the judge we should try to show the love of God to all people but I fail in this too. I have a limited capacity to love whilst God has no limits.
He loves you even if you do not think he exists.
Must we forgive those who do not seek forgiveness. Jesus says "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do". Jesus does no forgiving here.
DeleteThat all said, I find it hard to disagree with anything that you say, save for the fact that God is in relationship with us and relationships thrive when two sided.
Poor soul. You've finally lost it.
ReplyDeleteNever mind, you'll feel better when Easter is over.
Last seen, holding up his skirts yelling "wait for me Lord Cameron, I do believe in you".
Ray ... whibble
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, thank you for your comment. I don't regard you as a troll as your question is reasonable and delivered with generosity. My thought is that in being penitent, you choose be sorrowful for doing wrong and in making that choice, you accept forgiveness. I guess it makes very little difference how much forgiveness is on offer if in the first instance you don't think that you did wrong, and in the second that if you are not sorry. You rightly cite love, but such love has many facets of it that are relational.
I believe that God is ready to forgive every and anyone. And yes, Christians should mirror this in their own lives. However, one much want it before it is received, in the same way that love only really work when the other person wishes it. I hope that my answer helps.
OCICBW... has learnt from completely unreliable sources that Cameron has put the Salvation Army on standby.
ReplyDeleteI'm not quite sure why you say above that Jesus does no forgiving here. He intercedes on behalf of the mob. His expressed will is that the Father should forgive them. Surely Jesus' will that they be forgiven is inseparable from his own forgiving of them?
ReplyDeleteI am reminded of the father in the parable who ran to his son before a word of penitence was expressed.
I think the act of forgiveness, like that of Christian love, should never be conditional upon the object of forgiveness. For then it could never be unconditionally pure. I think it is the call that we forgive unconditionally that makes Christianity so difficult and so strange. And so wonderful.
Bop.
And another thought. If the forgiveness extended is unconditional, then the only way to remain unforgiven is to refuse it through irrepentence. The refusal of the Spirit of forgiveness is then the sin against the Spirit?
ReplyDeleteBop