Comments for Revelations Public and Private at http://www.thecatholicthing.org , comment 1 to 4 out of 4 comments http://www.thecatholicthing.org Thu, 23 May 2013 04:06:23 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/revelations-public-and-private.html#comment-5875 Crucial to this is understanding that Revelation is not primarily a communication of information. While this is true in the ultimate sense, this distinction does not really help distinguish between public Revelation and private revelations, so I was a bit curious as to why it is employed in this presentation. Private revelations also can be of a "personal" nature, and both Public Revelation and private revelations in fact do present us with information, for that is fitting man as intellectual. I am not trying to disagree with anything here, but just noting that the "crucial" insight above the Christocentric notion of Revelation (which is true and crucial) is not so crucial to this specific presentation. Thanks and Peace. - champd Mon, 31 Jan 2011 01:52:07 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/revelations-public-and-private.html#comment-5870 My apologies, but an odd misspelling crept into that previous post. In that last sentence, I clearly meant that "we mustn't lose SIGHT of that central message." But then again, we also mustn't ever stop CITING it to others. If as Alfred North Whitehead once suggested, "all of philosophy is merely a series of footnotes to Plato," then clearly all of Christian theology is merely a series of footnotes to Jesus Christ. Theologians who do their work well shouldn't fail to cite Him. Mary never fails to do so. Cute, perhaps, but I still made a spelling mistake. - Randall Smith Sat, 29 Jan 2011 08:55:49 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/revelations-public-and-private.html#comment-5869 In the article, I am "only" citing an encyclical by Pope Benedict (as opposed to "only" citing Fatima). I suggest to my students that they read the encyclical and then make up their own minds. But I never suggest to my students that they listen to mystical visions or prophetic proclamations without the guidance of the magisterium of the Church. My advice is not dissimilar to St. Paul's admonition in 1 Thess 19-22: "Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil." Who is the final arbiter? Who "tests"? The Church herself, which has an authority that is apostolic, as was Paul's. And in the final analysis, whatever bits and pieces of other "information" might be communicated, the central message will always be this: Look to Christ! He is our life and our salvation. Whatever evil there is in this world and in this generation, Christ can overcome it, if we look to Him for help, guidance, and His grace. The rest is not unimportant, but we mustn't lose cite of that central message. - Randall Smith Fri, 28 Jan 2011 07:23:26 +0100 http://www.thecatholicthing.org/columns/2011/revelations-public-and-private.html#comment-5867 If people do not convert and amend their lives, there will be a war worse than this war.(1917) Russia will become a great power and spread its errors throughout the world. The Pope will suffer much. Only I can help you.Pray the Rosary! You have seen Hell where poor souls go who have no one to pray for them (this vision was shown to three children, the oldest was nine). There will come a time when the Church will suffer a diabolical disorientation, bishop against bishop. Many of the faithful will be led astray. My Son is deeply offended... (I am only citing Fatima!) Perhaps your students would do better to read of these apparitions on their own. - Bill Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:20:49 +0100