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Friday 24 October 2014

For My Reader Who Asked This













If you know someone who is called to be a saint, and you have responsibility over that person, (for example, you are a parent forming children, or a husband or wife), you must look at several things.

One, you are also called to holiness and, therefore, you must cooperate with graces. We are all called to be saints.

Two, if you are willing to follow the course to holiness, then, you have a right and duty to work with those, but only those, who God has given you authority over. For example, a teacher or tutor, may have authority over students, given to him by God and parents. 

But, parents are the main and first formators. 

Wives and husbands are called to help each other get to heaven.

Three, one cannot give what what does not have. 

Four, we are not to meddle in the lives of others for whom God has not given us responsibility. That is "out-of-order".

Five, God will call us to account for those souls to whom we have been given reprehensibility, but we are not to assume authority over others. God has called priests and some lay spiritual directors to this task. It is not out business to become spiritual leaders unless God clearly calls us to this.

Which is why, because of this blog, I must be hard on myself and stay very close to God.

St. Paul has much to say on the subjects of holiness and authority.

A few passages:

2 Corinthians 6 Douay-Rheims 

And we helping do exhort you, that you receive not the grace of God in vain.
For he saith: In an accepted time have I heard thee; and in the day of salvation have I helped thee. Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Giving no offence to any man, that our ministry be not blamed:
But in all things let us exhibit ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in tribulation, in necessities, in distresses,
In stripes, in prisons, in seditions, in labours, in watchings, in fastings,
In chastity, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in sweetness, in the Holy Ghost, in charity unfeigned,
In the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armour of justice on the right hand and on the left;
By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet known;
As dying, and behold we live; as chastised, and not killed;
10 As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as needy, yet enriching many; as having nothing, and possessing all things.
11 Our mouth is open to you, O ye Corinthians, our heart is enlarged.
12 You are not straitened in us, but in your own bowels you are straitened.
13 But having the same recompense, (I speak as to my children,) be you also enlarged.
14 Bear not the yoke with unbelievers. For what participation hath justice with injustice? Or what fellowship hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath the faithful with the unbeliever?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God; as God saith: I will dwell in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore, Go out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing:
18 And I will receive you; and I will be a Father to you; and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
And
2 Timothy 4:7Douay-Rheims 
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.
And
Philippians 2:12-14Douay-Rheims 
12 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, (as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but much more now in my absence,) with fear and trembling work out your salvation.
13 For it is God who worketh in you, both to will and to accomplish, according to his good will.
14 And do ye all things without murmurings and hesitations;
And
1 Corinthians 9:27Douay-Rheims 1
27 But I chastise my body, and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway.