Christian LivingAdvent Message for 11 Dec 2016
A Christian Living Article from All-Creatures.org Guide to Kingdom Living

True Christian living requires us to live according to Kingdom standards which bring Heaven to earth.

By T. S. Nicholson

This is Sunday, December 11, 2016, in the third week of Advent

Advent is a time of expectations of gifts within the world, but the truth of Christmas is what is to inspire us within our hearts and is the real meaning of this season. And the truth of Christmas inspires us to recognize that Jesus was born in a stable surrounded by animals. These animals were NOT driven out into the night, but were with Mary & Joseph and then Jesus. It is time that all Christians revisit that fact. If you truly believe in the trinity, then you know the Lord could have allowed Jesus to be born anywhere. Yet, He allowed a humble stable filled with other types of life that He created.

Yet, how do we, as a society, perceive ourselves compared to all other lives the Lord has made? Do you consider animals dirty, less than, without the ability to commune with Him? Its not true!

Do you give them the respect that many faiths, including Catholicism, demand or do you corrupt the word of dominion and only view the parts of scripture or the catechism that can be twisted to support current abuse, torment, and torture that creation is suffering every day?

We know that the Lord is calling us to lovingkindness, but many give little significance to certain parts of the catechism and only emphasize the parts where it is suggested that certain usage is acceptable. Thus the meanings of the statements are corrupted to support worldly usage and abuse. Please awaken from your slumber and pull your focus from the horrible worldly and twisted perceptions of what the following mean and bring them into correct alignment with what lovingkindness demands. (The statements within the brackets are my commentary on each section.)

The Catholic Catechism says: "2415 The seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity. Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives. Man's dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbor, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation. ((The "common good" if interpreted in a corrupted manner justifies a continuation of our current abuse of creation. But the "common good" interpreted in a manner of loving kindness will recognize that the use of animal resources could be us working with them in a collaborative effort much different then how we treat them now. Today we injure, maim, kill, rape, isolate, torment, and torture other life and this is NOT the Lord's will. The "animal resources" mentioned in a world of lovingkindness today might include learning from them in their nature environments and nothing more.))

"2416. Animals are God's creatures. He surrounds them with his providential care. By their mere existence they bless him and give him glory. Thus men owe them kindness. We should recall the gentleness with which saints like St. Francis of Assisi or St. Philip Neri treated animals. ((These are the statements that need to receive much more weight in our society.))

"2417. God entrusted animals to the stewardship of those whom he created in his own image. Hence it is legitimate to use animals for food and clothing. They may be domesticated to help man in his work and leisure. Medical and scientific experimentation on animals is a morally acceptable practice if it remains within reasonable limits and contributes to caring for or saving human lives. ((These are the statements that most focused on by mankind's selfish and warped perceptions. If re-read through the lens of God's will and lovingkindness, they have much different meaning today. I cannot legitimately use animals for food and clothing today because (a) there is no longer a need to do so and (b) they are stripped of all their Godly rights today to be made into food and clothing and experiments. This area of statements should be obsolete in a world filled with lovingkindness to all life.))

"2418. It is contrary to human dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly. It is likewise unworthy to spend money on them that should as a priority go to the relief of human misery. One can love animals; one should not direct to them the affection due only to persons." ((This is another abused area of statements. If we were following the first sentence, then the second statement would already be in place. They go hand-in-hand. Yet sleeping Christians keep referring to the second sentence and forgetting the first. Our society is abusing creation causing an uprising of people across the world that cry out for these atrocities to stop. When Christians come into the place where they are acting in accordance with the first sentence that it is against our own dignity to cause animals to suffer or die needlessly, then the second sentence will be able to take place. Until that time, the sins of all who cause animals to suffer or die needlessly will steel the money that could be otherwise focused on the affections of humanity. Again, these statements go hand-in-hand.))

Go on to: Advent Message for 12 Dec 2016
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