Feb 14, 2012 -- 1:12AM, SeraphimR wrote:

Feb 13, 2012 -- 3:35PM, hamerhas wrote:

"But whom say ye that I am?"

    ( Matthew 16:15)

 

That is:

"But who do you say I am?"

the verb "to be" takes a predicate nominative, not an accusative.

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As far as prayers for the dead are concerned, we can still appeal to God's mercy before the final judgement, surely.

Jesus gave His disciples and us the model for prayer. 

Jesus prayed for many people .

He even prayed for an entire city.

But He never once prayed for the "dead".

Quite the contrary He gave every indication that death itself seals the deal.

                 " Follow me , and let the dead bury the dead. "

                          ( Matthew 8:22 )

The Catholic Church does indeed endorse prayer for the dead:

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."⁶⁰⁹ From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.⁶¹⁰ The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.⁶¹¹

Feb 14, 2012 -- 8:05PM, SeraphimR wrote:

The Catholic Church does indeed endorse prayer for the dead:

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin."⁶⁰⁹ From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God.⁶¹⁰ The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.⁶¹¹

 Jesus, the author and finisher of the faith prayed more than anyone.

 He never prayed for the dead.

Not even once.

I will take the word of this Jesus who is the Christ concerning praying for the dead.

               " Follow me  , and let the dead bury their dead. "

                      (Matthew 8:22)

Feb 14, 2012 -- 8:36PM, hamerhas wrote:

 Jesus, the author and finisher of the faith prayed more than anyone.

 He never prayed for the dead.

More correctly: the Gospels do not record him praying for the dead. 

But there are many instances where it is simply said "Jesus prayed" or something similar.  We do not know specifically what he prayed about.

What he did pray, a number of times, is "Your will be done."  That is good enough.  This is in God's hands,  and no better place for it.

.

Feb 15, 2012 -- 10:32AM, Mostyn32 wrote:

why are you so concerned about where celebrities are after they die

I'm not concerned about them at all. I'm only taking advantage of their fame to draw attention to one of my very favorite Christian discussion topics.