9. Are Christians really the children of some sacred feminine figure?
Yes. “Then a great sign was seen in the sky – a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and was crying out in the pangs of childbirth… She gave birth to a son, a male child who will rule all the nations with an iron rod, but the child was snatched up to God and His throne…. The dragon was enraged with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring – those who keep God’s commandments and accept the testimony of Jesus.” (Rev. 12:1-2, 5, 17)

10. Is that sacred feminine figure Mary or the Church?
Yes.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc/index.htm

You can choose your own language and there is now a Compendeum – a quicker read. the full version is also there for more in debth study.

You wanted to know how things would change for “religious” people if the events in the Davinci Code were found to be true. The short answer is that there would be no Church if the events in the DaVinci Code were found to be true. Usually I have an analogy, but today I don’t have one – there just isn’t one to be had for so important a subject. I’ll just try to explain as best I can and pray to be understood. If I make any errors, Fr. John will correct me, I hope! Fr. John answered your question in #288 (July 5 at 9:03 a.m.) My guess is that without a background in Catholicism, his answer would be meaningless. He spoke about 1) The Nature of Christ and 2) Christian Revelation.

1) The Nature of Christ:

There is only one God. We speak of God’s Nature as being Divine. There is only one Divine Nature, God’s. There are however, three persons in that one Divine nature – this is what we refer to as the Holy Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity – the Son. There is only one God and they have all existed from all eternity. Saint Patrick of Ireland is famous for illustrating the Trinity with a Shamrock (three leafed clover).

2) Christian Revelation: We know about the Trinity and most things about God because He revealed them to us. There are some things that are written on our hearts, but certain things were revealed by God over the ages. Christ did a lot of the revealing for us and of course the Father helped out a bit – all three did of course. I think particularly of certain miracles surrounding Christ during his first years on this planet. This “revealing” is where the term “Christian Revelation” comes from.

Note: There are many persons with a human nature. As I mentioned above – there is however only one divine nature with three persons therein – The Holy Trinity.

What does this all have to do with the Davinci Code? That answer is coming up next.

# 149 (6/5 at 7:16) #178 &178, #251 – 266

I’ll write up something later to try and tie it all together. Also keep in mind that the Mary spoken about here is the Mother of Jesus, not Mary Magdalene.

Good Night.

The kids are asleep, I’m watching the late news and thinking of you. It’s been a busy summer, but you have been on my mind every day. My computer was sick and needed a new hardrive. Today’s news is difficult to understand. Consider the following: Just yesterday a child brought up the fact that God gives faith to all so that they can believe. How can this be right, she wanted to know. There are people who don’t believe in God. Freedom, I told her, capacity and freedom. I noted that she has two hands and so has the capacity to learn a musical instrument – if she so chooses – freedom. So it is with faith – freedom.

Today many must be wondering how God can let people treat each other so badly. The answer is still the same – freedom. We are not little puppets, dangling on the ends of strings controlled by God. Innocent people get hurt, it’s so unfair, you might think. Not really, unless you don’t believe in eternity.

Yesterday also, I was in a Day of Recollection given by a priest who had lived with Saint Josemaria. He was speaking about time. One thing he noted is that compared with eternity, the small amount of time we have here on earth is so small. It’s something like a few inches, maybe when measured on the vast timeline of eternity. God, he noted has an eternity to compensate each of us.

When you think of this, you can know that a loving father has so many wonderful things prepared for those who have suffered here, whether voluntarily or innocently – marvelous experiences that will never, ever end.

I’ll try to fulfill my promise to you before the weekend is over. Take care.

(So Sandra, how’s Germany recovering from post-World Cup withdrawal? It amazes me I still have to convince these guys at work that soccer is actually fun to watch. They thought soccer will take a long time to become popular (well, at least as popular as American football) because it’s too ‘slow’ to watch, the goal should be wider bc “why are there so few goals!?”, etc., etc., etc. Mind-boggling.)

You mentioned being interested in how Davinci Code deals with religious issues– you may be interested in reading a backgrounder that points out many of its mistakes in theology, history, art, etc. in order to understand why many people strongly dislike the book, even though it seems to be a good “page turner”. It’s on the website http://www.mercatornet.com . On the left there is a link to this backgrounder.

The sun has finally come out here (after 3 days). Has it stopped raining for you?

I haven’t forgotten you. The summer deays have been full of activity and preparation. I’m leaving today for a biennial family reunion. I’ll continue with links for you to explore when I return, and hopefully I will have time to write something up that will finally answer your question. In the meantime, I wanted to leave you with a thought and a suggestion.

If you’ve read any of the second link, you’lll have noticed that the “unmoved mover” is loving Father. You will also have noticed that at the beginning of human history, “man” cut himself of from that loving Father. Look at it this way, when that early rebellion took place, we were plunged into a darkened room, unable to see. We can now each of us have the switch turned on so that we can see, but only if we choose. I have firsthand experience of this and I know others who have as well. It required two things: 1. That you simply ask to see and 2. That you keep your “eye” only so that you can see.

For me, one night I asked God to send me answers and withing the fortnight I had them. With one of my friends, he found himself drowning. Since he was an atheist, he spoke to God in this way. “I know I don’t believe in you, but if you are there, I could use your help about now.” According to him, he was then deposited into shallow water by two large strong fellows who had appeared from nowhere.

If you take even one little step towards Him, He’s going to pick you up and carry you the final way. You have to be sincere, though, and you have to keep your eyes and mind open. My experience also is that you won’t ever be sorry and that more peace and joy than you can ever imagine will follow.

There is one catch, however – He won’t ever force himself on you. Freedom for his creatures is essential, so essential, that He does allow us to even walk away if we choose. I hope you don’t choose that in the end.

Take care, I hope to hear from you again.at some point. I’m gone for one week.

http://www.ccel.org/a/aquinas/summa/FP/FP002.html#FPQ2A3THEP1

Actually, I left it off on purpose, as Father John W.’s program would hold my post for moderation with more than one web link.

As I stated before, the questions you asked are complex and cannot be answered without background….and so….onward and forward with the next step towards undersanding it all:

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c1p7.htm

Hope to hear from you soon! Good night and good day, etc.