6 They therefore who were come together, asked him, saying: Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
It is almost unbelievable that in this first chapter of The Acts of the Apostles, that the followers of Jesus, Whom the have seen raised from the dead, are still asking about the restoration of the Kingdom of the Jews.
Did they not listen? "My kingdom is not of this world..."
Some people are still holding on to ideas of the restoration of Christendom. No offense, but I think this is not only a waste of time, but a misunderstanding of Christ's entire mission to think about prophecies which may or may not be true.
As I noted in a post recently, Liberation Theology was condemned, partly, for making Jesus into a political Messiah, an earthly king.
The Kingdom of God is within. Baptism gives us the Indwelling of the Trinity. We cooperate or we do not cooperate with God in the building up of virtues in our lives.
The Church is the physical manifestation of Christ's Kingdom on earth.
Here is the answer to the above question.
7 But he said to them: It is not for you to know the times or moments, which the Father hath put in his own power:
8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon you, and you shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the uttermost part of the earth.
We are not to speculate on prophecies regarding the restoration of any kingdom or when Christ will return.
This type of speculation can actually lead to sins.
The sins of presumption and pride...
Too many lay people have wasted time on prophecies and are simply ignoring the real ministry which Christ gave to us.
Jesus did not say, "Sit around and figure out arcane prophecies".
He said this, in today's Gospel.
Matthew 28:16-20
Douay-Rheims (as is the above)
16 And the eleven disciples went into Galilee, unto the mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And seeing him they adored: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth.
19 Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.
http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-church-is-not-utopia.html
The laity must evangelize, teach, baptize and the priests must give us the sacraments. We do all this in love.
Period.
http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-church-is-not-utopia.html
The laity must evangelize, teach, baptize and the priests must give us the sacraments. We do all this in love.
Period.