Vatican Reforms

[Cathode]

Your idea of regeneration differs from mine in that the HS takes an active roll in remaking the creature, convicting and forgiving the sins …. That becomes a long lasting (some would say permanent transformation). You see it in the changes, it’s a born new experience.

I could quote thousands of historical writings demonstrating my understanding of Baptism is universal for the first 1500 years. Infant baptism and regeneration.

But I think the problem always seems to stem from a Protestant idea that the entire Church was universally deceived at some time. All the times mentioned, vary from Protestant to Protestant.

I looked everywhere for it. I wasted years looking for a break in Orthodoxy from the early Churches position on Baptism and infant baptism and the Eucharist.

All I found was universal doctrines.

Baptism = Regeneration, Universal.

Infant Baptism = Consistently practiced for the first 1500 years universally.

The Eucharist= The Body and Blood of Christ, Universally.

Protestantism is not a return to earlier Church beliefs, it is a break from Early Church beliefs, and it creates a historical mythology to justify its unbeliefs.

 

[Cathode]

As my beautiful German wife has noted, “cake goes better when paired with coffee in the morning.” I concur!

Well, here we say Cup of tea and a slice of cake.

Quality Black Ceylon tea, dash of milk, no sugar, and slice of lemon cake.

Generally had at morning break, we call Smoko, traditionally being a break when workers could stop to smoke as well.

 

[Cathode]

But Catholics do have much enrichment from extra biblical activities that most Protestant denominations will never understand…take Novinas for instance. Then there is Advent & Lenten services. My grandparents both were a part of prayer chains and rosary prayers. That all taps into the human & humble side of Christian devotions. I still read from “My Imitation of Christ“ ßook from Thomas a Kempis I purchased in 12/2004 as a devotional and instructional guide for emulating Christ. I read it each day on my long rides back & forth into NY on a commuter train that was read in addition to my Bible to solidify my daily study’s.

The Nine days between The Ascension and Pentecost is the general reason for the Novena practice, however there is Jewish roots to this as well.

And also with Advent and Lenten service, we also see this preparatory prayer lead up in expectation to the feast days.

It is part of what I call ‘Long Contemplation’ before a significant feast day. You don’t just savour the day itself, but savour the day in expectation. You are extracting the most appreciation by contemplative rumination days leading up.

There is also a joyful expectation of blessing as with the Apostles when the Lord promised them a Helper.

Long Contemplation is God’s pace, we back off the modern accelerator of rattled manic just in time prayer, which I scarcely call prayer all. The pause in the prayer as with the psalms and ecclesiastical prayers we have punctuated silences, there is good reason for these.

We settle in to the ebb and flow and seasonal breathings of the Church, examine hero’s of the past on their commemoration day’s, observe the fasts and feasts with this joyful expectation and thanksgiving of God’s blessing.

It’s not just the examined life that is lived well, but a contemplative life that elevates to the highest things and appreciates and truly savours them. Taking the time and bother to appreciate and savour.