[Traditio]

How common a sentiment, how easy is it, I ask you, to dismiss your opponent and say: "Go to Hell"? Some of the posters here do precisely that. In the heat of the debate, when it seems as though our opponents are completely unwilling to come around to our side, is it not precisely them that it's easiest to dismiss them?

But what good can come from that?

And what's the point of debating and figuring out the truth to begin with? If not that each one of us has an eternal destiny, and we were made for a most noble calling: to know and love God forever. And if we miss that calling...is that not a fate infinitely worse than death?

Argument and debate has its place. And it is good to study hard and gain wisdom.

But ultimately, isn't that just the start? Isn't all of that just the groundwork for a task which is still greater yet? Must not study lead us to prayer?

It is good to persuade people of the truth. But we must not forget that each individual being has an intrinsic value and dignity and worth and an eternal destiny. And we only get one shot.

Don't forget to pray every day both for yourselves and your loved ones...but especially for your enemies, for those who are in error, who aren't living properly or who as of yet still need greater graces.

Instead of saying "Go to Hell," instead, in that moment of great temptation, turn instead to God and entrust that soul to Him. And pray. How great of a loss is it even for a single soul to be lost?

On TOL, we have such a great opportunity. Even though it's only over the internet, there are so many Christians who are brought into contact with each other.

So be sure to pray for each other that:

1. Every sinner may find the mercy of God.
2. That we all may live as God wants us to live.
3. And that every man may know and love the Divine Truth.
4. That through the tender mercy and love of God, we might preservere unto eternal life.

And pray for me especially! You are all in my prayers.

[annabenedetti]

Originally Posted by Traditio

But ultimately, isn't that just the start? Isn't all of that just the groundwork for a task which is still greater yet? Must not study lead us to prayer?

It is good to persuade people of the truth. But we must not forget that each individual being has an intrinsic value and dignity and worth and an eternal destiny. And we only get one shot.

Well said.

[bybee]

Blessings Trad! I agree. It is well said!

[kmoney]

Good post Trad.

[Traditio]

May I suggest to everyone the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy?

It's a prayer focused around the mercy of Our Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered and died on the Cross for us.

[freelight]

~*~*~

The spirit that inspires one to tell another to 'go to hell' is from hell itself.

Praying the chaplet of divine mercy from a true heart of humility and compassion would be a start for some. Jesus said others would recognize we are children of God by our demonstration of love.



pj

[Traditio]

"Whoever prays is certainly saved. He who does not is certainly damned. All the blessed (except infants) have been saved by prayer. All the damned have been lost through not praying. If they had prayed they would not have been lost. And this is, and will be their greatest torment in hell: to think how easily they might have been saved, just by asking God for His grace, but that now it is too late - their time of prayer is gone." - St Alphonsus Liguori, doctor of the Church

Link.

[annabenedetti]

Trad, really, find that book The Good God.

And remember the parable of the vineyard. Those who come late to the harvest will receive the same recompense as those who were there all along.

The loving Father sees the prodigal from afar why? Because he was standing at the door looking for him.

[Traditio]

A prayer for unbelievers.

"O God, the everlasting Creator of all things, remember that the souls of unbelievers were made by Thee and formed in Thine own image and likeness. Remember that Jesus, Thy Son, endured a most bitter death for their salvation. Permit not, I beseech Thee, O Lord, that Thy Son should be any longer despised by unbelievers, but do Thou graciously accept the prayers of holy men and of the Church, the Spouse of Thy most holy Son, and be mindful of Thy mercy. Forget their idolatry and unbelief, and grant that they too may some day know Him whom Thou hast sent, even the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Salvation, our Life and Resurrection, by whom we have been saved and delivered, to whom be glory for endless ages. Amen."

Source. I don't recommend clicking on this link, though I feel obliged to offer the link so as to show where I got the above from. There are advertisements on the right side of the above page, some of which involve scantily clad women. "Weird tricks to get rid of belly fat" or something like that.

[Traditio]

Originally Posted by annabenedetti

Trad, really, find that book The Good God.

And remember the parable of the vineyard. Those who come late to the harvest will receive the same recompense as those who were there all along.

The loving Father sees the prodigal from afar why? Because he was standing at the door looking for him.

I made the thread to encourage everyone on TOL to pray for each other. Prayer is a very good and valuable thing.