Difference Between Eastern And Western Schism
The Great schism of 1054 contributed to the first major division of the the eastern and western church. This separation still remains today as the eastern Orthodox and western Roman Catholic churches of today. Many facets such as political views, theology and cultural rituals due to area invasions contributed to the separation. In the time leading up to the events of the schism the eastern and western churches had been developing separately with a different belief system of the Eucharistic ceremony and the power of the holy spirit. The Eastern Orthodox church see the Pope as infallible and they do not believe the Holy Spirit proceeds the father and the son. I would I like to touch on both of these issues, the role they play in my life and how they are intertwined to work together.
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The first being the Holy Spirit.
This brings me back to my freshman year in high school when I received the sacrament of Confirmation. As an infant I was baptized into the community of the church represented by my parents and godparents. Through this sacrament of confirmation I affirmed my religious beliefs and was fully initiated into the church. It was then that I felt empowered through the holy spirit. In John 16, Jesus refers to the the Holy Spirit as a “counselor.” A counselor by definition is a person trained to give advice on personal, social, or psychological problems. The Holy Spirit is my counselor. It guides me to make the right decisions not to give in to desires or peer pressure that will steer down the wrong path. I try and live my life free of judgement and blame of others. Afterall, I am not the final
judge.
When I think of the Pope I see not only a leader of the Catholic church but a true humanitarian and political advocate for world peace. Throughout the year he travels around the world celebrating mass filling stadiums of people. He offers hope, peace and unity to those in need. His presence alone is so powerful like that of the holy spirit. We see the Pope as infallible because of Peter’s authority by Jesus to lead the church. The term “infallible” has been misunderstood as “impeccability” by many outside the church. Infallibility is not the absence of sin. We are all sinners the Pope included. Let us think of my life as work in progress leading up to divine bliss in heaven. God created all with a purpose. The teachings of the Pope are the result of many years of discussion and debate. The church has to progressed just like time. The church would not survive if it ignored the changes in the world.
In our culture we need to keep in mind that religion different belief structures exists whether you belong to a church or not. How we decide what we believe and how we plan to achieve it is very personal. The one thing we have in common is God. God’s plan is for all with one goal to make the world a better place.
The first being the Holy Spirit.
This brings me back to my freshman year in high school when I received the sacrament of Confirmation. As an infant I was baptized into the community of the church represented by my parents and godparents. Through this sacrament of confirmation I affirmed my religious beliefs and was fully initiated into the church. It was then that I felt empowered through the holy spirit. In John 16, Jesus refers to the the Holy Spirit as a “counselor.” A counselor by definition is a person trained to give advice on personal, social, or psychological problems. The Holy Spirit is my counselor. It guides me to make the right decisions not to give in to desires or peer pressure that will steer down the wrong path. I try and live my life free of judgement and blame of others. Afterall, I am not the final
judge.
When I think of the Pope I see not only a leader of the Catholic church but a true humanitarian and political advocate for world peace. Throughout the year he travels around the world celebrating mass filling stadiums of people. He offers hope, peace and unity to those in need. His presence alone is so powerful like that of the holy spirit. We see the Pope as infallible because of Peter’s authority by Jesus to lead the church. The term “infallible” has been misunderstood as “impeccability” by many outside the church. Infallibility is not the absence of sin. We are all sinners the Pope included. Let us think of my life as work in progress leading up to divine bliss in heaven. God created all with a purpose. The teachings of the Pope are the result of many years of discussion and debate. The church has to progressed just like time. The church would not survive if it ignored the changes in the world.
In our culture we need to keep in mind that religion different belief structures exists whether you belong to a church or not. How we decide what we believe and how we plan to achieve it is very personal. The one thing we have in common is God. God’s plan is for all with one goal to make the world a better place.