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¿Miércoles de Ceniza?  Ash Wednesday?

3/1/2017

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Entiendo por qué los católicos participan en las tradiciones religiosas de esta temporada del año: miércoles de ceniza… cuaresma… semana santa. En sus propias palabras alegan:
  • “La meta del Cristianismo es la vida eterna. El logro de esta meta demanda un esfuerzo diario intenso. La época litúrgica de la Cuaresma nos provee de un campo especial en el que el esfuerzo diario se intensifica.”

    “Ir a Misa diaria, visitar a los enfermos, servir de voluntario en la parroquia o rezar el Rosario un domingo por la noche con toda la familia son actos virtuosos positivos que han ayudado a muchas personas a progresar en su relación con Dios.”

    es.catholic.net/op/articulos/19239/cat/751/la-cuaresma-es-un-entrenamiento-espiritual.html

Estos ejercicios caben dentro de su sistema teológico. Según su doctrina de satisfacción, no fue suficiente el simple sacrificio del Hijo de Dios -una vez por todas- para remitir el pecado. Nuestro esfuerzo por satisfacer a Dios ha de ser constante. He ahí, la justificación de misas continuas, el abstenerse con mayor intensidad durante la cuaresma, decir rosarios, confesarse, comulgar regularmente y todo lo demás que imponen a sus feligreses.

¡Qué sistema tan sin esperanza!

En toda mi crianza católica, nunca sentí ni escuché, “descansa… ya la hiciste… ya lograste tu eternidad con Dios.” En una religion basada en las buenas obras y el cumplimiento de leyes, nunca alcanzas la meta. Nunca llegas a la perfección. Nunca dejas de deber… porque nunca dejas de pecar.

Su sistema contradice la Palabra de Dios:
​
“…habiendo ofrecido una vez para siempre un solo sacrificio por los pecados"  Hebreos 10:12

"ya que por las obras de la ley ningún ser humano será justificado delante de él;"  Romanos 3:20

"siendo justificados gratuitamente por su gracia, mediante la redención que es en Cristo Jesús,"  Romanos 3:24

"Concluimos, pues, que el hombre es justificado por fe sin las obras de la ley."  Romanos 3:28


Dos lecciones importantes para estas fechas:
  • Si eres creyente por la fe en Jesucristo, manténte a distancia de costumbres que ofuscan el camino de la fe, que es el único camino a Dios.
    "Y no participéis en las obras infructuosas de las tinieblas, sino más bien reprendedlas;"  Efesios 5:11
    ​
  •  Si aun no tienes la certeza de estar en Cristo, ¡búscalo! Pero: no le ofrezcas lo que hayas hecho. Ven a él: con las manos vacías y tu corazón abierto…
    "Y ésta es la voluntad del que me ha enviado: Que todo aquél que ve al Hijo, y cree en él, tenga vida eterna; y yo le resucitaré en el día postrero."  Juan 6:40

I get why Catholics participate in the religious traditions of this time of year… Ash Wednesday… Lent… Holy Week. In their own words they state:
  • “The goal of Christianity is eternal life. Attaining this goal demands an intense daily effort. The liturgical season of Lent provides us a special space of time in which the daily effort intensifies.”

    “Attending daily Mass, visiting the sick, serving as a volunteer in your parish or reciting the rosary Sunday evenings with the whole family are positive virtuous acts that have helped many people to advance in their relationship with God.” (Trans.: GGS)

    es.catholic.net/op/articulos/19239/cat/751/la-cuaresma-es-un-entrenamiento-espiritual.html

These exercises fit within their theological system. According to their doctrine of satisfaction, the simple sacrifice of the Son of God, one time for all for the remission of sin, was not sufficient. Our effort to satisfy God will have to be constant. Thus, their justification for the continuous saying of Masses, abstinence with greater intensity during Lent, reciting the rosary, regular confession, receiving communion and everything else that they impose on their parishioners.

What a system without hope!

In all of my Catholic upbringing, I never felt or heard, “rest… you did it… you have achieved eternity with God.” In a religion based on good works and obeying laws, you never reach the goal. You never arrive at perfection. You never stop owing… because you never stop sinning.

Their system contradicts the Word of God.

“…when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins,"  Hebrews 10:12

"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight,"  Romans 3:20

"and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,"  Romans 3:24

​"For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law."  Romans 3:28


Two important lessons for this time of year:
  • If you are a believer through faith in Jesus Christ, keep your distance from customs that obfuscate the path of faith, which is the only path to God.
    "Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."  Ephesians 5:11

  • If you are still uncertain about being in Christ, look for Him! But: don’t offer Him what you have done. Come to Him: with empty hands and an open heart.
    "For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”"  John 6:40

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    Greg Smith

    Greg grew up in Menomonee Falls, WI. His ministry began in 1976: 5 years in Central America, 36 in Mexico. His passion is church planting and discipleship.
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    Greg enjoys being married to Carol Ahola-Smith. Both have been missionaries (Japan and Mexico); both watched their first spouses precede them in death.
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