Catholics/merits and energies

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Expert: Fr. Timothy Johnson - 4/11/2009


Question
Hello Father.
I just wanted to know the meaning of DIVINE merits.does it mean thatr these merits are uncreated and therefore are "God" himself?
the other:I red about the debate between catholics and schismatics about energies of God.that one party believed that God's nature and energies are one and the other said that they are not.I want to know which one was the chuch's opinion.
Thank you in advance.

Answer
Hi, Farnazf:
Thanks for the question.
Well, it certainly seems as though you are doing some rather in-depth research concerning the concepts and teachings on Divine Grace...
God's energies would not be one-with-God, but rather eminate or radiate from the Divine into creation; otherwise there would be some sort of underlying "pantheism."  God is not ALL; God is the Creator of all things apart from Himself.  It is this sense that the Catholic Tradition teaches in what is sometimes referred to as the "reification" of Grace.  A human nature can receive something in accord with its human nature, and so Grace must be despositive for that nature.  But by Baptism, one is enabled to share, participate, or have a "consortio" with the Divine Nature through Jesus Christ, Who shared in our humanity so that we could share by participation in God's Divinity.  This is the whole idea of Adoption by Grace.  Human beings cannot be the sons of God by nature, but rather by participation in the Divine nature.  It is the power of God superadded to the human nature; like the branches grafted to the grape vine.
The Divine Merits, I suppose, would refer primarily to the work of Redemption accomplished in Jesus Christ with His power as God, united to His human nature.  He is God in order to have the power to accomplish what He will; He is man so that it is efficacious for all men.  But it is not automatic for all men; individual people must respond to God's invitation to salvation by the operation of the supernatural virtues of Faith and Hope in this world.

Fr. Timothy Johnson

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Fr. Timothy Johnson

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A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.

Experience

I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.

Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)

Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology; MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary; 2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality. BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy; BA - Liberal Arts; AA - General Studies.

Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15. Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office. I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church. Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.

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