Would you not say a prayer because it was associated with another sect of Christianity?
I think it is so fascinating to watch the page likes (fans) on Facebook. The number goes up and then the number goes down. It is like watching a roller coaster sometimes. As the FB page is my responsibility I try to see what people are interested in and try to keep both of us active on there. We get a trickle of responses for the introduction of products and contests and a huge response for prayers (who doesn't love to pray?). To date, the prayer for peace received an enormous response which was 1,779 likes, 43 comments and 15 shares. That is such a beautiful thing!! Peace is something that we universally look for in our lives. I wish we had more of it.
(Ooohh, I just heard the wings of a dove outside my screen door. We have two mourning doves that have taken up residence in the elm tree out back. What a beautiful, serene, sound.)
Anyway, It occurred to me one day that prayer is prayer regardless if you are a Catholic saying a Baptist prayer or a Episcopalian saying a Protestant one. We are all Christians and, as such, we are calling on God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit to sustain and guide us in this horrible world. I am a devout Catholic (I'll get to what that means to me in a bit) and many times I will post prayers that are from sites that are Protestant or more evangelical just because the prayer is beautiful. I don't think, huh, I wonder what the denomination of the person that wrote this is - before I post it. If I believe the prayer can help someone else well then I am going to share it. As you know I will also post prayers written by Catholic or Orthodox saints. Why not? They were just inspired people when they walked the earth. If they have something important or inspiring that I can share well then I will. I think any fan of our page is quickly learning that I love Mother Teresa of Calcutta. I find her so incredibly fascinating in both the life she left behind and the one that she led. Ghandi, Martin Luther King and the Dalai Lama have inspired me as well.
Let's face it brothers and sisters, when the great tribulations and persecutions come to our doorsteps, our enemies of Satan are not going to ask which denomination of Christianity we belong to. They see us as one in Christ; why don't we?
What does being a Catholic mean to me? It means that I love God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with my heart and soul. It means that all life is sacred from the moment of conception until we take our last breath. I believe that we find eternal life only through the forgiveness of sins and with the grace of God the son. I believe Jesus is present in a consecrated Eucharist. I believe in loving everyone and treating them the same way that I would want to be treated. I don't believe in judging anyone; though I believe it is prudent to keep our eyes and ears open as Satan is everywhere and working through so many people today. I believe in the power of prayer. I believe that all men are equal in the eyes of God. I believe that Jesus gave Mary not only to John, when He was on the cross, but to the entire world. She is our Mother as well. I believe there is a hell. Why? Because Jesus said so.
BTW, growing up I was raised in a family that is split right down the middle. My dad's side is all Roman Catholic with a few Monsignors and priests thrown into the mix. My mom's side is all Lutheran with a few Pastors, so I was exposed to more than one denomination. I think I turned out okay.
Let us all pray. Let us find a common ground that is Jesus Christ. We are all one body in Christ so let us act that way. Let us stand united against the enemy.
God bless and have a wonderful week.
Mare
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