MikeLigalig.com

Vito,

To answer your question, when the elect are raised from the dead, the bodies that they will acquire are spiritual in nature. There is a dichotomy between spiritual and physical body; the physical body is weak, corruptible, and sinful; the spiritual body is pure, incorruptible, and can no longer commit sin.

The spiritual body is so pure that even the clothes that will adorn the bodies of the elect will become white as snow because of the purity of the spiritual body. As radiant as the sun. This is an effect of the elect who has beheld the beatific vision-- to be able to see God and in full communion with Him.

Your question regarding whether or not we will have children's bodies in heaven, the bible does specifically make reference if we will look like children, however, it does talk about some features of the spiritual body.

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So it is written: 'The first man Adam became a living being'; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven. As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven." (1 Corinthians 15:42-29)

Please note that when Paul talks about the "the earthly man" he is referring to Adam. When he refers to "the man from heaven" he is referring to the 2nd Adam, Jesus Christ.

One can find confidence in the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church in regards to the resurrection of the dead, as it was the discourse between the Early Church Fathers (Ecclesia Catholica) that established the foundation of Christian theology regarding the Resurrection of the saints.

The resurrection of the body is an essential Christian doctrine, as the apostle Paul declares: "If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished" (1 Cor. 15:13–18).

The Fourth Lateran Council (1215), infallibly defined that at the second coming Jesus "will judge the living and the dead, to render to every person according to his works, both to the reprobate and to the elect. All of them will rise with their own bodies, which they now wear, so as to receive according to their deserts, whether these be good or bad [Rom. 2:6–11]" (constitution 1).

Most recently, the Catechism of the Catholic Church reiterated this long-defined teaching, stating, "‘We believe in the true resurrection of this flesh that we now possess’ (Council of Lyons II). We sow a corruptible body in the tomb, but he raises up an incorruptible body, a ‘spiritual body’ (cf. 1 Cor 15:42–44)" (CCC 1017).

As the following quotes from the Church Fathers show, this has been the historic teaching of the Christian faith on the matter since the very beginning.

Reference:
Catholic Encyclopedia

Most if not all of the Imperial Army that was stationed in the Philippines during the war was exterminated.

Question: Do you think Nicodemus, a pharisees, was saved? What is your view?

who formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. "Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ"

-1 Peter 3:30-21

 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the Antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.

    1 John 2: 22

This was the proverbial saying, concept that confused even a great Jewish teacher named Nicodemus , which prompted him to visit Jesus Christ for answers to such a powerful question.

Mike and Tita Lee, thank you for sharing the link and the references.

Tita Lee,

Thank you for sharing that wonderful post. Amen!

Quote from: fdaray on December 09, 2011, 03:55:49 PM
...not touched by the holy Spirit, but filled by the Holy Spirit.

Yes, Mr. Daray, you are correct.

What is your explanation on the importance of being "born again? "

Share your views.

If we refer Jesus' message to the disciples concerning the children, ""Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these," see (Matthew 19:14), we have to take into consideration that Jesus is telling the disciples (and us) that children have a "absolute faith" in a belief. What Christ is telling us in this verse is that we all must have a child-like faith (a faith that does not doubt) in Him and in His Father. A child-like faith is an absolute faith, an undoubting faith, a holy faith. This effectively illustrates the basis and the attributes of the beatific vision.

This is reinforced by the definition of the beatific vision which His Holiness Pope Benedict XII expounded on in 1336:

"Since the passion and death of the Lord Jesus Christ, these souls have seen and see the divine essence with an intuitive vision and even face to face, without the mediation of any creature by way of object of vision; rather the divine essence immediately manifests itself to them, plainly, clearly and openly, and in this vision they enjoy the divine essence .

Moreover, by this vision and enjoyment the souls of those who have already died are truly blessed and have eternal life and rest. Also the souls of those who will die in the future will see the same divine essence and will enjoy it before the general judgment."





Reference: BENEDICTUS DEUS, written by Pope Benedict XII (1336)
http://www.ewtn.com/library/papaldoc/b12bdeus.htm

Quote from: Vito Andoline on December 09, 2011, 12:43:34 AM
Oo,naka suway na kadaghan sukad gisurrender nako akong kaugalingon sa ginoo.

That is the best response gayod, Bai Vito, when the Holy Spirit descends to touch us...to completely open our hearts to Him.

Mga taga-lungsod!

Ning preparar na ba mo sa fiesta? Looking forward to hearing news from back home about the going-ons in our yutang na-tawhan.

PIT SENYOR!



A Valecianhon,
Lorenzo

Thanks for the update, Palu-palo.

Luoy pod intawn. Will be praying for her.

Quote from: Way Nada on December 09, 2011, 05:57:30 AM
Dia pa'y dugang nga info. Kining Dubai Island expected na nga mag-move mao bitaw na nga naay bukid sa Dubai nga gi-quarry nila ang bato. Ang mag-move kadtong mga gi-abuno nila sa ibabaw pero kadtong bas nga tua sa ilawom dili na to mag move kay compact na to.

Sa Panglao dili mahitabo nga mag-move kay bato ug mabaw ra ang tubig nga abunohan ug yuta. Swerte ang Bohol pero ug mo-entra na ang leftist idea nga anti capitalism mao nay ikamatay sa reclamation project.


WN

You are right, Way Nada. In my visit to Panglao in 2010 to inspect the land that we own, I noticed that the soil is rock-ridden. There are a lot of Filipinos and foreigners building homes in Panglao , thereby causing the recent congestion.

In my honest opinion, if I were to build a home in Bohol in the future, I would never do it in a congested area like Panglao.

Somewhere quiet lang; Valencia to be exact.

It is foolish to pursue a reclamation project in Panglao when the entire province of Bohol is still much underdeveloped. Why should they focus all resources in just one area of the island-province? The mountain regions of the province as well as other under-developed municipalities could benefit from the resources.

It is ironic to build man-made islands in the Philippines when the the country, an archipelago of over 7,100 islands, still has underdeveloped island territories.

The scheming hands of some politicians should be closed shut. Stop all this stupid, foolish ways to steal money.

Quote from: islander on December 07, 2011, 12:05:08 PM
tingali cross-dressers that's why?

bwahahaha sigoro isles. ang baji sa left side, wala jamong lubot. sobra ka flat lageh, nah, luoy pod ijang 'nobyo'.

The Little Drummer Boy-Gibson Highland Bagpipes

El camino que llega a Belén
baja hasta el valle que la nieve cubrio.
Los pastorcitos quieren
ver a su réy.
Le traen regalos en su humilde zurron.
ropopopon ropopopon

Ha nacido en un portal de Belén
el niño Dios.
Yo quisiera poner a tus pies
algun presente que te agrade Señor.
Mas tu ya sabes que soy pobre tambien,
y no poseo mas que un viejo tambor,
ropopopon ropopopon

En tu honor frente al portal tocare
con mi tambor

Cuando Dios me vio tocandole a el, me sonrio

El camino que llega a Belén,
yo voy marchando con mi viejo tambor.
Nada mejor hay que te pueda ofrecer.
Su ronco acento es un canto de amor
ropopopon ropopopon

Y cuando Dios me vio tocandole a el, me sonrio.

RAPHAEL...EL NINO DEL TAMBOR.

Little Drummer Boy Music Video - Christian Rock Guitar Instrumental Christmas Carol

7 December 2011


China's navy should speed up its development and prepare for warfare, President Hu Jintao has said.

He told military personnel they should "make extended preparations for warfare".

China is locked in territorial disputes with several other nations in the South China Sea. Political tension is also growing with the US, which is seeking to boost its presence in the region.

After Mr Hu's comments, the US said China was entitled to defend itself.

"Nobody's looking for a scrap here," said Pentagon spokesman Admiral John Kirby in quotes carried by the AFP news agency.

"Certainly we wouldn't begrudge any other nation the opportunity to develop naval forces."

Senior US and Chinese officials are currently holding talks on military issues.

The one-day meeting takes place every year, with the stated aim of ensuring there are no misunderstandings between the two nations.

'Sovereignty dispute'
China has recently acquired its first aircraft carrier and has been vocal about its naval ambitions.

But its military remains primarily a land-based force, and its naval capabilities are still dwarfed by the US.

Mr Hu told a meeting of military officials that the navy should "accelerate its transformation and modernisation in a sturdy way, and make extended preparations for warfare in order to make greater contributions to safeguard national security".

The word "warfare" was used in official media, but other translations used "military combat" and "military struggle".

Analysts say Mr Hu's comments are unusually blunt, and are likely to be aimed at the US and Beijing's rivals in the South China Sea.

Both the Philippines and Vietnam have repeatedly accused China of overt aggression in the region.

They are among the nations claiming sovereignty over islands in the sea in the hope that there could be oil and gas deposits there.

And US President Barack Obama announced last month that the US was boosting its presence in the region, and will base a full Marine task force in northern Australia.

Analysts say the US move is a direct challenge to China's attempts to dominate the area, and is likely to bolster US allies in the South China Sea dispute.

http://www.centurychina.com/plaboard/

Emotional little puppy. She was sighing all day when I was not paying her attention. Ingon sija sigoro, "Please, please, stop studying and play with me!" Luoy pood intawn...

I wanted to upload and share with you all a picture of my little girl Pippa. She is only 6 months old, a very lovable pup. She's such a daddy's girl. 

The key lime pie:

An "eye-to-eye" observation of the chicken , ha ha ha  

Posing with the key lime pie...it was pretty good, albeit, i will need to make sure i don't over-cook the base next time:

Gahapon, ning luto kami og key lime pie og roasted chicken. As for the chicken, it was marinated in olive oil, black pepper corn, salt, and beer for 5 hours and oven baked. As for the key lime pie, we followed the instructions we received from a friend.

voila ! the home-made key lime pie:

The human brain deteriorates because of the accumulation of beta amyloid plaques, in addition, the demyelination of the neural junctions precipitates the functional collapse of the brain and associated systems.

The brain, like all other organs , is susceptible to the effects of senescence, aging.

Ikaw Bai Vito,

Have you ever in your life remember feeling the touch of the Holy Spirit? And how did you react to His presence?

Quote from: Vito Andoline on December 07, 2011, 10:28:57 PM
Lorenzo,mangutana ko nimo.

1) Miabot na ba sa imong hunahuna kung mamatay ka, adto ka padulong sa langit?
2) Ug sigurado ka na maadto sa langit, Unsa man ang Imong itubag sa ginoo nganong pasudlon ka sa pultahan sa langit?

Bai Vito,

That answer will be between The Lord Jesus Christ and I.

Best,
Lorenzo

Quote from: hubag bohol on December 06, 2011, 08:08:47 PM

hahaha, nong, ka gamay'a man ilang lubut, nong.

Quote from: hubag bohol on August 06, 2011, 04:35:28 PM
Kini, eye-catching pud...

ayaw lang ta ani kai ma luoran ta....

The BRP Gregorio Del Pilar, recently acquired from the United States in June 2011 was commisioned into the Philippine Navy on August 2011. The ship is the flagship of the Philippine Navy and the largest ship in the Philippine Fleet. The Philippine Navy is to receive a 2nd Cutter Class Ship from the United States by 2012.



Pictures of BRP Gregorio Del Pilar:

From the look of it, it can function as a 'miniature' aircraft carrier for the Philippine Navy. We can now finally project attack aircraft on the Western Philippine Sea.

Now, we will need the Air Force to purchase newer craft.

This will arrive  in the Philippines by 2012. The ship will be able to project Philippine military power to regions of national interest.

MANILA, Philippines - The acquisition of a multi-role vessel (MRV) by the military may be finalized next year, Navy chief Vice Admiral Alexander Pama said yesterday.

He said the acquisition of the ship is now on its “advanced stage” and is awaiting approval from higher civilian authorities.

“At least until the level of the Department of National Defense (DND), there seems to be no objection. The process is moving. Hopefully, at the start of the following year, we can finalize this,” he said over radio station dzBB.

Pama did not give a timetable for the acquisition, saying he does not want to preempt his superiors. He also did not provide details about the ship to be acquired.

A multi-role vessel is capable of conducting patrols and humanitarian missions and delivering basic services to remote areas.

Earlier, the military announced plans to lease its real estate assets to private firms to raise funds for its modernization program.

Officials said such a scheme would allow the military to procure equipment without raising the budget deficit.

The 2nd United States Coast Guard Cutter Ship that will be given to the Philippine Navy in the 1st quarter of 2012. This 2nd USCG Cutter ship , armed with missiles and torpedoes, will boost the strength of the dilapidated and ill-equipped Philippine Navy.

MANILA, Philippinesâ€"The United States will provide a second warship to the ill-equipped Philippine military as it confronts China in increasingly tense territorial disputes in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin said Thursday.

US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton assured Gazmin during talks in Manila on Wednesday that Washington would give its longtime ally a second Coast Guard cutter virtually for free some time next year.

The first second-hand cutter from the US Coast Guard sailed into Manila in August and became the most modern vessel in the dilapidated Philippine fleet. Clinton assured the Philippine military of intensified US assistance Wednesday when the allies marked the 60th anniversary of the signing of their Mutual Defense Treaty aboard a US naval destroyer in Manila.

Gazmin said he and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario would meet Clinton and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta at the Pentagon headquarters in January to discuss America’s assistance, including a Manila request for a third Coast Guard cutter.

During his Wednesday meeting with Clinton and other US officials, Gazmin said he told them the Philippines would try to bolster its defense capability on its own but appreciated the help in case of any emergency in the volatile West Philippine Sea.

“We will stand alone as much as possible,” Gazmin told The Associated Press. “But when push comes to shove, it’s reassuring somebody is behind us.”

China and the Philippines, along with Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei have been contesting ownership of the potentially oil-rich Spratlys, which straddle international sealanes. All have stationed combat troops on islands and reefs they claim, except for Brunei.

The Philippines and Vietnam have accused Chinese government vessels of repeatedly intruding into their claimed territories in the Spratlys and of disrupting oil explorations in their territorial waters in the first half of the year.

Last year, the Indonesian navy came close to a shooting encounter with Chinese vessels, which strayed into waters off Jakarta’s Natuna island gas field near the West Philippine Sea. Indonesian officials played down the incident as an intrusion by ordinary fishermen unrelated to the West Philippine Sea dispute.

China’s claim over virtually the entire West Philippine Sea, which Beijing first made public in 2009 before the United Nations, appears to overlap with Indonesia’s territorial waters off Natuna. China has not detailed the limits of South China Sea claim, according to maritime experts.

China's aircraft carrier completes first sea trial - CCTV 110815

China's new aircraft carrier:

China carrier raises US eyebrows - PressTV 110819

What A Wonderful World (Guitar Instrumental Version)

Draw Me Close - Instrumental (HQ)

Seek the LORD and his strength;  seek his presence continually!

1 Chronicles 16: 11

Shout To The Lord - Instrumental (HQ)

Lord I Lift Your Name On High - Instrumental (HQ)

Wow! Ka gwapo kaayo! 5 stars out of 5 stars!

What was the most difficult time of your life and how did you meet it?

The strongest and most powerful experience I had regarding the touch of the Holy Spirit was Easter 2007. My sister and I received our Catholic Confirmation at St. Mary's Church in Meadville, Pennsylvania. The attending priest , my spiritual adviser and good friend, Fr. Mark Hoffman, presided over us during the event. When he was administering the annointing of Holy Oils on my forehead, I felt a sudden and absolute exhilaration throughout my entire body.

The experience was a glorious spiritual awakening. I became a 'born-again' Roman Catholic.

Have you ever been touched by the Holy Spirit? When have you felt His presence? Share some of your experiences...

He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:29-31

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Psalm 136: 1

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever. He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:8-12

luoy pod ijang nobyo, kulatonon ra nija dali.

What a tachycardic picture.

Excellent diagnosis, Ms. States. The patient most probably had a DVT (deep venous thrombosis) in the femoral vein (the most common site). The patient was in his 50's, perhaps had hypercholesterolemia that precipitated the DVT.

The massaging dislodged the embolus and could have caused either a pulmonary emboli , or could have caused a cerebral emboli.

If it was pulmonary emboli, he would have been dead within 5 minutes without emergency medical intervention. Hence, DOA sija sa hospital. Luoy pod intawn. He should not have gone to the masahista that day and should have stayed home eating kim chee.

The desert and the parched land will exult;
the steppe will rejoice and bloom.
They will bloom with abundant flowers,
and rejoice with joyful song.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to them,
the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
They will see the glory of the LORD,
the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the hands that are feeble,
make firm the knees that are weak,
Say to those whose hearts are frightened:
Be strong, fear not!
Here is your God,
he comes with vindication;
With divine recompense
he comes to save you.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened,
the ears of the deaf be cleared;
Then will the lame leap like a stag,
then the tongue of the mute will sing.

Streams will burst forth in the desert,
and rivers in the steppe.
The burning sands will become pools,
and the thirsty ground, springs of water;
The abode where jackals lurk
will be a marsh for the reed and papyrus.
A highway will be there,
called the holy way;
No one unclean may pass over it,
nor fools go astray on it.
No lion will be there,
nor beast of prey go up to be met upon it.
It is for those with a journey to make,
and on it the redeemed will walk.
Those whom the LORD has ransomed will return
and enter Zion singing,
crowned with everlasting joy;
They will meet with joy and gladness,
sorrow and mourning will flee.

-Isaiah 35:1-10

Answer:


The Aglipayano sect caused more annoyance than damage to the Church in the Philippines. The originator of the schism was a native priest, Gregorio Aglipay. He was employed as a servant in the Augustinian house, Manila, and being of ingratiating manners was educated and ordained priest. Later he took the field as an insurgent general. Being hard pressed by the American troops he surrendered and was paroled in 1901. In 1902 he arrogated himself the title of "Pontifex Maximus", and through friendship or fear drew to his allegiance some native priests. Those of the latter who were his friends he nominated "bishops". Simeon Mandac, one of the two lay pillars of the movement, is now serving a term of twenty years in the penitentiary for murder and rebellion. At first the schism seemed to make headway in the north, chiefly for political reasons. With the restoration of the churches under order of the Supreme Court in 1906-07 the schism began to dwindle, and its adherents are now inconsiderable.


reference: Catholic Encyclopedia
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12010a.htm

Pope Benedict XII , In the year of our Lord 1336, wrote the following concerning Heaven:

"We define that the souls of all the saints in heaven have seen and do see the Divine Essence by direct intuition and face to face [visione intuitivâ et etiam faciali], in such wise that nothing created intervenes as an object of vision, but the Divine Essence presents itself to their immediate gaze, unveiled, clearly and openly; moreover, that in this vision they enjoy the Divine Essence, and that, in virtue of this vision and this enjoyment, they are truly blessed and possess eternal life and eternal rest"

By that regard, and in recognition of the Infallability of the position of the Pontifical Chair of Peter, we can surmise, in confidence in the Established and True Church of Jesus Christ In Earth [The Holy, One, Apostolic Roman Catholic Church], that Heaven is indeed a true destination for those who pass on in the Peace of Jesus Christ. In addition, we can confidently surmise that being united with the vision of The Holy Lord God, all and every single satisfaction that the soul could ever dream of would be fulfilled. We know that all and every good thing in this physical life (love of family, love of friends, love of the Lord) comes and emanates from the Lord God. So, when the holy blessed soul is united with the Lord God via the beatific vision, there will be nothing else the soul yearns for.

All physical and emotional turmoil and sins are not possible and nor do they occur in Heaven. When the holy soul is purified in purgatory, his or her ascension into Heaven relegates that the passion of the soul is to yearn to be united with the Lord God Jesus Christ.

The blessed are confirmed in good; they can no longer commit even the slightest venial sin; every wish of their heart is inspired by the purest love of God. That is, beyond doubt, Catholic doctrine. Moreover this impossibility of sinning is physical. The blessed have no longer the power of choosing to do evil actions; they cannot but love God; they are merely free to show that love by one good action in preference to another.






Yours In Christ,
Bran Lorenzo Lucino




reference:  The Roman Catholic Encyclopedia
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm

Brother Vito,

Dili man ni ahong words, pero, mao ni ang words from the Roman Catholic Church concerning Heaven. They are, in my honest opinion, the most credible source in all things concerning systemic theology.

Merry Christmas to you, Isles!!

How sweet of you, Isles! Thank You

bwahahahahahahaha!!


Bisdak Jokes Part 6

Bisaya Jokes 4

Yoyoy Villame & Max Surban - Megellan (Remix)

Blessings and Peace from our Lord Jesus Christ be with everyone!

Dear friends, and colleagues, i hope that the spirit of Christmas has infused within all of your hearts and souls. Hapit na ang pasko! I am excited to be going home this December 21 , 2011 back to New Jersey for a break. To be reconnected with family , surrounded in their love and felicitation gives me strength to work harder.

I do pray that all of you are also encouraged in the sense that family waits for all of you. I hope you all are well, and that work and duties do not take too much of your time.

Today is Sunday , the first Sunday of December. In heart and mind, I would like to remind all of you that in some 22 days, we will celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word Incarnate. And how beautiful is His Name, the name that us above every name, at which all and every knee should bow--in heaven, in the earth and below the earth. The name of Jesus!

May you all have a blessed Sunday and a productive week!



Yours in Christ,
Lorenzo

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

Psalm 85:10

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Colossians 3:13

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

   -Psalm 103:13



Yes, Lord Jesus, we trust you, and love you!!

The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.

   -Psalm 147: 11

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.

   -Psalm 34:10

 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want (lack) to them that fear him.

   Psalm 34:9

 For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.

   Proverbs 2:21,22

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Psalm 55:22

The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
Isaiah 65:25

And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who is seated on the Throne, Who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who is seated on the Throne and worship Him who lives for ever and ever; they cast their crowns before the Throne, singing, "Worthy art Thou, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for Thou didst create all things, and by Thy will they existed and were created."


-Revelation 4:2-11

Attributes of beatitude



There are various degrees of beatitude in heaven corresponding to the various degrees of merit. This is a dogma of faith, defined by the Council of Florence (Denz., n. 693 â€" old, n. 588). The Bible teaches this truth in very many passages (e.g., wherever it speaks of eternal happiness as a reward), and the Fathers defend it against the heretical attacks of Jovinian. It is true that, according to Matthew 20:1-16, each labourer receives a penny; but by this comparison Christ merely teaches that, although the Gospel was preached to the Jews first, yet in the Kingdom of Heaven there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile, and that no one will receive a greater reward merely because of being a son of Judah. The various degrees of beatitude are not limited to the accidental blessings, but they are found first and foremost in the beatific vision itself. For, as we have already pointed out, the vision, too, admits of degrees. These essential degrees of beatitude are, as Francisco Suárez rightly observes ("De beat.", d. xi, s. 3, n. 5), that threefold fruit Christ distinguishes when He says that the word of God bears fruit in some thirty, in some sixty, in some a hundredfold (Matthew 13:23). And it is by a mere accommodation of the text that St. Thomas (Supp:96, aa. 2 sqq.) and other theologians apply this text to the different degrees in the accidental beatitude merited by married persons, widows, and virgins.

The happiness of heaven is essentially unchangeable; still it admits of some accidental changes. Thus we may suppose that the blessed experience special joy when they receive greater veneration from men on earth. In particular, a certain growth in knowledge by experience is not excluded; for instance, as time goes on, new free actions of men may become known to the blessed, or personal observation and experience may throw a new light on things already known. And after the last judgment accidental beatitude will receive some increase from the union of soul and body, and from the sight of the new heaven and the earth.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm

Eternity of heaven and impeccability of the blessed



It is a dogma of faith that the happiness of the blessed is everlasting. This truth is clearly contained in the Holy Bible (see Section I); it is daily professed by the Church in the Apostles' Creed (credo . . . vitam aeternam), and it has been repeatedly defined by the Church, especially by Benedict XII (cf. Section III). Even reason, as we have seen, can demonstrate it. And surely, if the blessed knew that their happiness was ever to come to an end, this knowledge alone would prevent their happiness from being perfect.

In this matter Origen fell into error; for in several passages of his works he seems to incline to the opinion that rational creatures never reach a permanent final state (status termini), but that they remain forever capable of falling away from God and losing their beatitude and of always returning to Him again.

The blessed are confirmed in good; they can no longer commit even the slightest venial sin; every wish of their heart is inspired by the purest love of God. That is, beyond doubt, Catholic doctrine. Moreover this impossibility of sinning is physical. The blessed have no longer the power of choosing to do evil actions; they cannot but love God; they are merely free to show that love by one good action in preference to another. But whilst the impeccability of the blessed appears to be unanimously held by theologians, there is a diversity of opinion as to its cause. According to some, its proximate cause consists in this that God absolutely withholds from the blessed His co-operation to any sinful consent. The beatific vision does not, they argue, of its very nature exclude sin directly and absolutely; because God may still displease the blessed soul in various ways, e.g., by refusing a higher degree to beatitude, or by letting persons whom that soul loves die in sin and sentencing them to eternal torment. Moreover, when great sufferings and arduous duties accompany the beatific vision, as was the case in the human nature of Christ on earth, then at least the possibility of sin is not directly and absolutely excluded.

The ultimate cause of impeccability is the freedom from sin or the state of grace in which at his death man passes into the final state (status termini), i.e. into a state of unchangeable attitude of mind and will. For it is quite in consonance with the nature of that state that God should offer only such co-operation as corresponds to the mental attitude man chose for himself on earth. For this reason also the souls in purgatory, although they do not see God, are still utterly incapable of sin. The beatific vision itself may be called a remote cause of impeccability; for by granting so wondrous a token of His love, God may be said to undertake the obligation of guarding from all sin those whom He so highly favours, whether by refusing all co-operation to evil acts or in some other manner. Besides, even if the clear vision of God, most worthy of their love, does not render the blessed physically unable, it certainly renders them less liable, to sin.

Impeccability, as explained by the representatives of this opinion, is not, properly speaking, extrinsic, as is often wrongly asserted; but it is rather intrinsic, because it is strictly due to the final state of blessedness and especially to the beatific vision. This is substantially the opinion of the Scotists, likewise of many others, especially in recent times. Nevertheless the Thomists, and with them the greater number of theologians, maintain that the beatific vision of its very nature directly excludes the possibility of sin. For no creature can have a clear intuitive view of the Supreme Good without being by that very fact alone irresistibly drawn to love it efficaciously and to fulfil for its sake even the most arduous duties without the least repugnance. The Church has left this matter undecided. The present writer rather inclines to the opinion of the Scotists because of its bearing on the question of the liberty of Christ. (See HELL under the heading Impenitence of the Damned.)

Existence of heaven




There is a heaven, i.e., God will bestow happiness and the richest gifts on all those who depart this life free from original sin and personal mortal sin, and who are, consequently, in the state of justice and friendship with God. Concerning the purification of those just souls who depart in venial sin or who are still subject to temporal punishment for sin, see PURGATORY. On the lot of those who die free from personal sin, but infected with original sin, see LIMBO (limbus pervulorum). On the immediate beginning of eternal happiness after death, or eventually, after the passage through purgatory, see PARTICULAR JUDGMENT. The existence of heaven is, of course, denied by atheists, materialists, and pantheists of all centuries as well as by those rationalists who teach that the soul perishes with the body â€" in short, by all who deny the existence of God or the immortality of the soul. But, for the rest, if we abstract from the specific quality and the supernatural character of heaven, the doctrine has never met with any opposition worthy of note. Even mere reason can prove the existence of heaven or of the happy state of the just in the next life.

We shall give a brief outline of the principal arguments. From these we shall, at the same time, see that the bliss of heaven is eternal and consists primarily in the possession of God, and that heaven presupposes a condition of perfect happiness, in which every wish of the heart finds adequate satisfaction.


God made all things for His objective honour and glory. Every creature was to manifest His Divine perfections by becoming a likeness of God, each according to its capacity. But man is capable of becoming in the greatest and most perfect manner a likeness of God, when he knows and loves His infinite perfections with a knowledge and love analogous to God's own love and knowledge. Therefore man is created to know God and to love Him. Moreover, this knowledge and love is to be eternal; for such is man's capability and his calling, because his soul is immortal. Lastly, to know God and to love Him is the noblest occupation of the human mind, and consequently also its supreme happiness. Therefore man is created for eternal happiness; and he will infallibly attain it hereafter, unless, by sin, he renders himself unworthy of so high a destiny.

God made all things for His formal glory, which consists in the knowledge and love shown Him by rational creatures. Irrational creatures cannot give formal glory to God directly, but they should assist rational creatures in doing so. This they can do by manifesting God's perfections and by rendering other services; whilst rational creatures should, by their own personal knowledge and love of God, refer and direct all creatures to Him as their last end. Therefore every intelligent creature in general, and man in particular, is destined to know and love God for ever, though he may forfeit eternal happiness by sin.

God, in his infinite justice and holiness, must give virtue its due reward. But, as experience teaches, the virtuous do not obtain a sufficient reward here; hence they will be recompensed hereafter, and the reward must be everlasting, since the soul is immortal. Nor can it be supposed that the soul in the next life must merit her continuance in happiness by a continued series of combats; for this would be repugnant to all the tendencies and desires of human nature.

God, in His wisdom, must set on the moral law a sanction, sufficiently appropriate and efficacious. But, unless each man is rewarded according to the measure of his good works, such a sanction could not be said to exist. Mere infliction of punishment for sin would be insufficient. In any case, reward for good deeds is the best means of inspiring zeal for virtue. Nature itself teaches us to reward virtue in others whenever we can, and to hope for a reward of our own good actions from the Supreme Ruler of the universe. That reward, not being given here, will be given hereafter.

God has implanted in the heart of man a love of virtue and a love of happiness; consequently, God, because of His wisdom, must by rewarding virtue establish perfect harmony between these two tendencies. But such a harmony is not established in this life; therefore it will be brought about in the next.

Every man has an innate desire for perfect beatitude. Experience proves this. The sight of the imperfect goods of earth naturally leads us to form the conception of a happiness so perfect as to satisfy all the desires of our heart. But we cannot conceive such a state without desiring it. Therefore we are destined for a happiness that is perfect and, for that very reason, eternal; and it will be ours, unless we forfeit it by sin. A natural tendency without an object is incompatible both with nature and with the Creator's goodness. The arguments thus far advanced prove the existence of heaven as a state of perfect happiness.
We are born for higher things, for the possession of God. This earth can satisfy no man, least of all the wise. "Vanity of vanities", says the Scripture (Ecclesiastes 1:1); and St. Augustine exclaimed: "Thou hast made us for Thyself (O God) and our heart is troubled till it rests in Thee."

We are created for wisdom, for a possession of truth perfect in its kind. Our mental faculties and the aspirations of our nature give proof of this. But the scanty knowledge, that we can acquire on earth stands in no proportion to the capabilities of our soul. We shall possess truth in higher perfection hereafter.

God made us for holiness, for a complete and final triumph over passion and for the perfect and secure possession of virtue. Our natural aptitudes and desires bear witness to this. But this happy goal is not reached on earth, but in the next life.
We are created for love and friendship, for indissoluble union with our friends. At the grave of those we love our heart longs for a future reunion. This cry of nature is no delusion. A joyful and everlasting reunion awaits the just man beyond the grave.
It is the conviction of all peoples that there is a heaven in which the just will rejoice in the next life. But, in the fundamental questions of our being and our destiny, a conviction, so unanimous and universal, cannot be erroneous. Otherwise this world and the order of this world would remain an utter enigma to intelligent creatures, who ought to know at least the necessary means for reaching their appointed end.

Very few deny the existence of heaven; and these few are practically all atheists and epicureans. But surely it cannot be that all the rest have erred, and an isolated class of men such as these are not the true guides in the most fundamental questions of our being. For apostasy from God and His law cannot be the key to wisdom.
Revelation also proclaims the existence of heaven. This we have already seen in the preceding section from the many names by which the Bible designates heaven; and from the texts of Scripture, still to be quoted on the nature and peculiar conditions of heaven.

The location of Heaven


Where is heaven, the dwelling of God and the blessed?

Some are of opinion that heaven is everywhere, as God is everywhere. According to this view the blessed can move about freely in every part of the universe, and still remain with God and see everywhere. Everywhere, too, they remain with Christ (in His sacred Humanity) and with the saints and the angels. For, according to the advocates of this opinion, the spatial distances of this world must no longer impede the mutual intercourse of blessed.

In general, however, theologians deem more appropriate that there should be a special and glorious abode, in which the blessed have their peculiar home and where they usually abide, even though they be free to go about in this world. For the surroundings in the midst of which the blessed have their dwelling must be in accordance with their happy state; and the internal union of charity which joins them in affection must find its outward expression in community of habitation. At the end of the world, the earth together with the celestial bodies will be gloriously transformed into a part of the dwelling-place of the blessed (Revelation 21). Hence there seems to be no sufficient reason for attributing a metaphorical sense to those numerous utterances of the Bible which suggest a definite dwelling-place of the blessed. Theologians, therefore, generally hold that the heaven of the blessed is a special place with definite limits. Naturally, this place is held to exist, not within the earth, but, in accordance with the expressions of Scripture, without and beyond its limits. All further details regarding its locality are quite uncertain. The Church has decided nothing on this subject.

The name of Heaven

Heaven (Anglo-Saxon heofon, O.S. hevan and himil, originally himin) corresponds to the Gothic himin-s. Both heaven and himil are formed from himin by a regular change of consonants: heaven, by changing m before n into v; and himil, by changing n of the unaccented ending into l. Some derive heaven from the root ham, "to cover" (cf. the Gothic ham-ôn and the German Hem-d). According to this derivation heaven would be conceived as the roof of the world. Others trace a connection between himin (heaven) and home; according to this view, which seems to be the more probable, heaven would be the abode of the Godhead. The Latin coelum (koilon, a vault) is derived by many from the root of celare "to cover, to conceal" (coelum, "ceiling" "roof of the world"). Others, however think it is connected with the Germanic himin. The Greek ouranos is probably derived from the root var, which also connotes the idea of covering. The Hebrew name for heaven is thought to be derived from a word meaning "on high"; accordingly, heaven would designate the upper region of the world.

In the Holy Bible the term heaven denotes, in the first place, the blue firmament, or the region of the clouds that pass along the sky. Genesis 1:20, speaks of the birds "under the firmament of heaven". In other passages it denotes the region of the stars that shine in the sky. Furthermore heaven is spoken of as the dwelling of God; for, although God is omnipresent, He manifests Himself in a special manner in the light and grandeur of the firmament. Heaven also is the abode of the angels; for they are constantly with God and see His face. With God in heaven are likewise the souls of the just (2 Corinthians 5:1; Matthew 5:3, 12). In Ephesians 4:8 sq., we are told that Christ conducted to heaven the patriarchs who had been in limbo (limbus patrum). Thus the term heaven has come to designate both the happiness and the abode of just in the next life. The present article treats as heaven in this sense only.

In Holy Scripture it is called:

the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:3),
the kingdom of God (Mark 9:46),
the kingdom of the Father (Matthew 13:43),
the kingdom of Christ (Luke 22:30),
the house of the Father (John 14:2),
city of God, the heavenly Jerusalem (Hebrews 12),
the holy place (Hebrews 9:12; D.V. holies),
paradise (2 Corinthians 12:4),
life (Matthew 7:14),
life everlasting (Matthew 19:16),
the joy of the Lord (Matthew 25:21),
crown of life (James 1:12),
crown of justice (2 Timothy 4:8 ),
crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4),
incorruptible crown (1 Corinthians 9:25),
great reward (Matthew 5:12),
inheritance of Christ (Ephesians 1:18 ),
eternal inheritance (Hebrews 9:15).

Last year, 2010, when i went to visit bohol, i stayed in my father's house in tagbilaran. I opted to sleep in my uncle bayoy's room (Engr. Roy Rustico Lucino) who had passed away in may 2009. I was so tired from the flight from Manila to tagbilaran so i decided to take a nap. I remember that i dreamed of him. In my dream, Uncle Bayoy woke me up from my sleep , he said to me, "doy bran bran, dako naman ka kaayo doy!"

ingon ko balik, "mao lagi, uncle roy...."

he was crying. he grabbed me and gave me a big hug. we both hugged.

then i woke up.

I know that uncle bayoy came to visit me because i had not had seen him since 1998. in fact, had web cammed with him back in january 2009, some 4 months before he died. Dali kaayo to si uncle bayoy mo hilak. he was a man of very little words, but a very emotional man. he was a very loving, and kind uncle.

Thank you for sharing that story, Father, with all of us. I could not help but shed tears in reading your posting. If i may be allowed to share my feelings on this, i think your uncle visited you, Father. It was the last message he could give you, communicating with you through a happy dream. It was his way of saying to you, "gimingaw ko nimo, ayaw ko kalimti..." The prayers you offered for them was powerful, i am sure.

Back in 1998, my Lola Babing (the younger sister of my Lola Nating) passed away on August 1998 one month after my lola nating passed in July 1998. My younger sister, Angel, had a dream about her. There were three of us: lola Babing, ako, og si angel. We were in a church. Lola was sitting in between us near the altar. She said to each of us kono, "pag buutan kamo duha" ; she then kissed both of us and gave us a hug, then afterwards she got up and walked to the altarand a big white light came , then lola was no more. My sister relayed me her dream the next day. Ning hilak kami duha.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
     -1 Corinthians 15:57

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves...
â€" Colossians 1:13

To enable it to see God, the intellect of the blessed is supernaturally perfected by the light of glory (lumen gloriae). This was defined by the Council of Vienne in 1311 (Denz., n. 475; old, n. 403); and it is also evident from the supernatural character of the beatific vision. For the beatific vision transcends the natural powers of the intellect; therefore, to see God the intellect stands in need of some supernatural strength, not merely transient, but permanent as the vision itself. This permanent invigoration is called the "light of glory", because it enables the souls in glory to see God with their intellect, just as material light enables our bodily eyes to see corporeal objects.

The blessed are confirmed in good; they can no longer commit even the slightest venial sin; every wish of their heart is inspired by the purest love of God. That is, beyond doubt, Catholic doctrine. Moreover this impossibility of sinning is physical. The blessed have no longer the power of choosing to do evil actions; they cannot but love God; they are merely free to show that love by one good action in preference to another.



Since eternal happiness is metaphorically called a marriage of the soul with Christ, theologians also speak of the bridal endowments of the blessed. They distinguish seven of these gifts, four of which belong to the glorified body â€" light, impassibility, agility, subtility (see RESURRECTION); and three to the soul â€" vision, possession, enjoyment (visio, comprehensio, fruitio). Yet in the explanation given by the theologians of the three gifts of the soul we find but little conformity. We may identify the gift of vision with the habit of the light of glory, the gift of possession with the habit of that love in a wider sense which has found in God the fulfilment of its desires, and the gift of enjoyment we may identify with the habit of love properly so called (halitus caritatis) which rejoices to be with God; in this view these three infused habits would he considered simply as ornaments to beautify the soul. (Cf. St. Thomas, Supp:95)




http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm

Quote from: Vito Andoline on December 03, 2011, 01:37:24 AM

Wa na diay pud ilhanay inig abot sa langit?wa na puy silinganay?

Supernatural character of heaven and the beatific vision

(1) In heaven the just will see God by direct intuition, clearly and distinctly. Here on earth we have no immediate perception of God; we see Him but indirectly in the mirror of creation. We get our first and direct knowledge from creatures, and then, by reasoning from these, we ascend to a knowledge of God according to the imperfect likeness which creatures bear to their Creator. But in doing so we proceed to a large extent by way of negation, i.e., by removing from the Divine Being the imperfections proper to creatures. In heaven, however, no creature will stand between God and the soul. He himself will be the immediate object of its vision. Scripture and theology tell us that the blessed see God face to face. And because this vision is immediate and direct, it is also exceedingly clear and distinct. Ontologists assert that we perceive God directly in this life, though our knowledge of Him is vague and obscure; but a vision of the Divine Essence, immediate yet vague and obscure, implies a contradiction. The blessed see God, not merely according to the measure of His likeness imperfectly reflected in creation, but they see Him as He is, after the manner of His own Being. That the blessed see God is a dogma of faith, expressly defined by Benedict XII (1336):

We define that the souls of all the saints in heaven have seen and do see the Divine Essence by direct intuition and face to face [visione intuitivâ et etiam faciali], in such wise that nothing created intervenes as an object of vision, but the Divine Essence presents itself to their immediate gaze, unveiled, clearly and openly; moreover, that in this vision they enjoy the Divine Essence, and that, in virtue of this vision and this enjoyment, they are truly blessed and possess eternal life and eternal rest" (Denzinger, Enchiridion, ed. 10, n. 530--old edition, n, 456; cf. nn. 693, 1084, 1458 old, nn. 588, 868).

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07170a.htm
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When we receive the beatific vision, there is no need to reconnect with family , loved ones in Heaven for we have connected with the Holy Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing and no-one else will matter. The blessed soul is gloriously overwhelmed with satisfaction in beholding the beatific vision. All holy souls yearn for this.

Limahong, also known as Lim Ah Hong , or Lin Tao Kien was a Chinese pirate who invaded the northern islands of the Philippines and tried to seize the City of Manila from the Spanish in 1574.
Limahong was born as Dim Mhon , since he was young he started to do criminal activities, including robbery, . He met and became a protege of an old pirate, Tial-lao. When Tial-lao died, Lim became his heir, inheriting the old pirate's fleet and around 2,000 pirates. His numerous attacks on ports and ships throughout southern China made the authorities issue a warrant for his capture. This brought him to pursue his criminal activities on higher seas, far from China's reach.
He was able to accumulate 40 ships which increased to 95 ships when he took over the fleet of another pirate, Vin To Quiam. He came to be the notorious king of the waters of southern China.
It was in late 1573 that an army of 3,000 outlaws, bandits, and pirates led by Limahong arrived at the island of Luzon. There, they established a kingdom and waged war against the Spaniards.
In early 1574, their fleet fled to Ilocos Sur and had a run-in with its Spanish commander, Juan de Salcedo. The pirates were driven away by the Spaniards.
When they fled from Ilocos Sur, Limahong learned that Manila was an unprotected city though already occupied by the Spaniards. He decided to take over Manila and make it his kingdom. He attacked the city in 1574 with 64 ships but failed. However, he was able to kill Martin de Goiti of the first Spanish expeditionary force and several Filipinos under the leadership of Rajah Lakandula. He also burned the city.
From this unsuccessful attempt, he led his fleet to what is now Pangasinan. He was trailed by a ship under Governor-General Guido de Lavezaris, who found him settling a colony in Lingayen, Pangasinan. The people of Pangasinan became hostages in their own province as Limahong fought against a seven-month siege by Juan de Salcedo's army. During that time Limahong started a sort of Kingdom; surrounded by spanish and local forces he fled the province in 1574 and disappeared; according to some sources he gone to Taiwan ; since then they never heard anything about him... ..
The "Limahong Channel," dug over six months, served as the pirate's escape route. According to Restituto Basa, author of Footnotes on Pangasinan History and The Story of Dagupan, Limahong married a certain Princess Kabontatala who helped him dig this channel. A marker has been placed at the channel commemorating his failed attempts to occupy Manila.

http://www.watawat.net/limahong_the_pirate_and_his_kingdom.html

a supposed image of Limahong

Interesting. I wonder what would have happened had the Spaniards not been around to repulse Limahong and his war brigands. Philippines could have become: Limaholandia

Samtang mo hilak ko kai gimingaw na ako kaninyo
Gimingaw na gayod ko nimo Mama, Papa
Gimingaw ko sa kind words ni Mama
Gimingaw ko sa stern words ni Papa

Kahibalo ko ang rason ngano strikto namo
Kahibalo ko ngano strikto kamo nako
Tinuod gayod ka, Papa, daghan gajud ang mga bisyo
Tinuod gayod ka, Papa, daghang tawo nga mo bungkag nato

All that you have taught me, and prepared me for, are true.
I honor , and I love you, my mother and father.

I dedicate this balak to you.
Without whom, I would be nothing.



With Love and Adoration,
Bran Bran

awwww ... 

A dog and cat eating from the same bowl? 

Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they were defeated and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world--he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, "Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Rejoice then, O heaven and you that dwell therein! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!"

-Revelations 12: 7-12