Important Disclaimer & Background Information:
I enjoy reading and listening to authors and spiritual leaders that espouse different views and theological beliefs from my personal beliefs to gain insights. We can all learn and grow spiritually by considering truths from other denominations/faith traditions within Christianity. I want to be clear that I am not promoting a particular tradition (in this case Catholicism) in referring you to these following links nor am I criticizing or critiquing Catholic beliefs. What I am promoting is the inherent truths/insights that we can seek to understand and apply them to our lives!
Background/Explanation of Liturgy of the Word
Bishop Barron demonstrates a special gift in explaining how scripture(s), tradition, and truth come together. The Catholic tradition/worship service is known as the Mass. Part of the Mass is the public reading of God’s Word “Liturgy of the Word.” This includes readings from the Old Testament and New Testament as well as a passage from a gospel. The benefit of the Liturgy of the Word is that it connects passages together! Some Protestant denominations also have “readings” as well–Anglican, Lutheran, various Presbyterian, and Methodist churches. It’s a beneficial way to proclaim scripture in your worship service. It provides lay members a chance to proclaim God’s Word and be involved in worship other singing or listening!
To see this principle at work: here’s the link to this past Sunday’s readings:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/073023.cfm
Breif Explanation of Catholicism and the Mass
Catholicism has three sources of authority: God’s Word, traditions of the church, and the teachings of the church (Magisterium). The central, focal point of the Mass is the celebration of Eucharist. This is the crucial point in which Protestants and Catholics differ considerably in theology and understanding of God’s grace. In protestant churches the preaching of God’s Word is the central point. Catholic bishops, priests, and/or deacons deliver a brief 10-15 minute “homily” prior to the Eucharistic celebration.
Why is the Eucharist central? The Catholic belief is that God enters into the elements and transforms the bread and wine into Jesus’ body literally as the priest prays the Eucharistic prayer. To partake in Eucharist according to this understanding, means that one receives Christ in a real, literal physical sense. This sacrament confers grace to the recipient. The Church has other sacraments as well. The purpose of this article isn’t to explain or debunk Catholicism. Including this very brief information to help you to understand the differences. If you want to know more the U.S. Conference of Bishops explains the order and significance of the Mass:
https://www.usccb.org/offices/public-affairs/structure-and-meaning-mass
The Protestant View of Authority and Grace
Protestant churches typically only consider God’s Word as the Sole Authority for faith and practice. This concept is referred to as Sola Scriptura. Luther used the Latin phrase: Sola fide, sola scriptura, solus Christus, sola gratia, soli Deo gloria to explain what would become the Reformation. Here’s what each Latin word means:
sola/solus/soli: alone–notice the repetition of these terms! means by each one alone,
fide: faith (by faith alone),
scriptura: scriptures/ Word of God (by God’s Word alone)–eliminates traditions and church teachings (official Magisterium),
Christus: Christ (by Christ alone)–Jesus who saves not any other,
Gratia: Grace (by grace alone)–grace saves not works/legalism or good deeds, and finally
Deo Gloria: by or for God’s glory alone–about God not about humans.
What is interesting to me is that both Protestant and Catholic traditions emphasize receiving Christ and God’s grace. Protestants receive God and His presence through learning and reflecting on God’s Word as well as by a “personal relationship” through faith in Christ. Catholics receive God’s grace and presence through Church Sacraments and consider baptism (starting place for God’s grace).
Can we learn from various church teachers? Definitely, but we need to understand them in the context of history and how teachings later impact trains of thought/philosophy. I would like you to consider that Christianity is a wonderfully deep and rich tradition with thousands of years of diverse people who experienced God’s grace and presence!
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas is a famous 13th century theologian and philosopher who developed a form of thought known as scholasticism. Check out the two links below for a quick overview of his life and impacts. For a brief overview of his life and work:
Thomas Aquinas and a Protestant Viewpoint
Domine, non nisi Te—that is, “Lord, nothing except you.”
According to tradition (written witness account accepted by Catholic Church), Thomas was praying in a chapel. A monk present in the chapel heard a voice that he believed was from God talking to Thomas. According to this account, God asked Thomas what he wanted as a reward for his faithful writing. Thomas replies, “Lord, nothing except you.” Basically, Thomas wants Christ! Is that the desire of our hearts? What are we really seeking? Do we want Christ or all the good things that He gives us? This is the crucial question of our lives. How we answer this question determines the path we follow! This is a daily choice!
Article:
https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/domine-non-nisi-te/
Video Link to Homily
Bishop Barron links Solomon’s request to God with the Gospel parables of God’s Kingdom being like a field with buried treasure and the Pearl of Great Price. I have written about this topic in previous posts:
https://wordpress.com/post/wordsofencouragementinchrist.com/275
and
https://wordpress.com/post/wordsofencouragementinchrist.com/258
Solomon’s Dream & Wise Request
1 Kings 3:4-15
4Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for it was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there.
5One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”
6Solomon replied, “You have shown much loving devotion to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness of heart. And You have maintained this loving devotion by giving him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
7And now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king in my father David’s place. But I am only a little child, not knowing how to go out or come in. 8Your servant is here among the people You have chosen, a people too numerous to count or number.
9Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
10Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had made this request. 11So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this instead of requesting long life or wealth for yourself or death for your enemies—but you have asked for discernment to administer justice— 12behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you.
13Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal. 14So if you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commandments, just as your father David did, I will prolong your days.”
15Then Solomon awoke, and indeed it had been a dream. So he returned to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.
Key Elements of this Divine Dream Encounter
1: Solomon had been worshiping God through sacrifices when God comes in a dream. Are you worshiping God and seeking Him? Is your heart open to receive Him when He comes to you?
2: Solomon is humble and reflects on God’s past actions of grace and calling. Solomon remembers God’s purpose and grace on David and him. He considers his role as king as being a gift from God. God set him upon the throne of Israel to guide and protect God’s people.
What is God doing in your life? Do you recognize His grace and that He has placed you? God gives us roles and we need His presence and guidance to represent and serve Him!
3. Solomon understands and values wisdom and discernment in ruling/serving God’s people. He is aware and acknowledges that he can’t perform this task alone or through his own means.
4. God graciously gives Solomon even more than he asks/requests! Consider this passage from James 1:5-8
5Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Doubt in this context means a lack of trust in God’s desire and ability to give wisdom. Double-minded implies trying to walk two paths: a person’s own way while trying to walk according to God’s way. We can’t follow the world or our own “understandings” and God’s. God’s way of wisdom becomes our way!
James provides the traits of this heavenly wisdom in the following passage:
James 3:13-16
The Wisdom from Above
13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. 15Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness
Words of Grace & Hope 