Comments on: Monday, September 2, 2019 Parousia: What Does It Mean to Rise from the Dead?

By: Jennifer

Jennifer — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 17:00:43 +0000

Dear Mrs Ortwein,
Thank you for your thoughtful reflections shared here! I have difficulty envisioning what our beloved dead are doing, hopefully in heaven after death. (I pray for the souls in purgatory!) Mostly I ponder when Jesus comes again on the last day, and the dead believers are risen, will they experience a *different* heaven considering they will have already been with Jesus in heaven before he comes to Earth again? It has always been a challenge for me to fathom/understand….anyone?

By: Kathy

Kathy — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 04:03:46 +0000

Lovely reflection. My dad passed away 2 months ago and this means a lot to me in my recent prayer time. Thanks

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 03 Sep 2019 03:42:26 +0000

Mary,

Thank you for your reflection.

I would like to respond to your comment: “I believe the Eucharist is the risen Body of Christ, present at every mass. But I haven’t thought before that by being a part of the Church, by receiving sacraments, I am already living Christ’s resurrected life. I am already, in a sense, living as if I were in heaven. That is something to ponder and submit to prayer.”

In a presentation on redemption suffering, Scott Hahn, the Catholic Apologist, said that the primary role of the Holy Spirit is to recreate Jesus’s life in – his birth, life, suffering and death, resurrection, and eternal glory. That was interesting for me to hear, as I always thought that the role (and only role) of the Holy Spirit was to provide guidance to us.

Interestingly, I was driving to meet with a priest as I listened to Scott Hahn’s presentation. During my conversation with the priest over lunch, redemptive suffering somehow came up and I told him about Scott Hahn’s remarks about the Holy Spirit that I had just been listening to, and I asked him if that was accurate — he said that it was.

So, by receiving the sacraments, you are indeed living Jesus Christ’s resurrected life.

I enjoy reading your deep reflections. God bless you.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 15:20:29 +0000

Thank you Mary I too look forward to your reflections. I’m sure those you are speaking to are comforted by this information – I know I am. Enjoy your day.

By: Mike Ruzza

Mike Ruzza — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 14:32:09 +0000

Excellent work Mary!! I really enjoyed reading this week’s commentary and your thoughts and prayers; it hit me where I ‘live’ as it were. haha Thanks!!

By: Mary Anne Kahler

Mary Anne Kahler — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:44:18 +0000

Thank you for expounding on a subject that for me, has never been really clear. Although it is still not clear, I have a better understanding with your writings.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:31:46 +0000

As usual Mary you help us think and pray in a more intimate way. When our lives as we know them are waning it brings very real thoughts of what is next. Today’s reflection is a reality check of our faith. With that faith the Holy Spirit can take us home. Let’s all meet in the air.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 02 Sep 2019 12:31:12 +0000

I also look forward to your reflections on Mondays. Thanks very much for all you do and I admire your dedication.

Bill