For those of you who don't know it, the "Father General" of the Jesuit order is often referred to among Jesuits, as "The Black Pope" because of the power and influence they yield within the RCC. They consider their "Father General" to be the #2 man in the Vatican - second only to the Pope himself.
Given the discussions that are taking place under this topic, I wanted to share my own experience with the Jesuits. Before coming to know that YY even existed, during my personal search for God, I actually contemplated entering the Jesuit order. I was even invited to join a group of Tertians that were completing their training for the priesthood, in order to discuss the possibility further.
During my stay, before dinner one evening, I remember asking the group assembled two questions: 1.
Why be a Christian? and, 2.
Why be a Catholic? Do you know, that not one single priest there even attempted to answer either question? During dinner, the conversation was not about substantive, Spiritual things like the lessons/truths contained in Scripture, how to better serve the laity, the problem of Islam (there was even one priest from Malaysia who was noticeably uncomfortable whenever I raised the issue) - no, only about such things as where the Bishop had taken so and so out to lunch the other day, how Jesuit influence continued to grow within the RCC - all of it just so inane.
Another comment that was made to me, which I will always remember, was when I was talking to two priests about "teaching the Words of God" and how I had as a lay Catholic sitting in the pews, always wanted something a bit more informative - more real teaching and instruction based on Scripture. As I was speaking, one of the Jesuits cut me off and quipped, "
we have a saying - a good sermon is one in which nobody gets hurt." He started laughing - the other priest joined in - they both had a good chuckle over it.
I left the novitiate house the next day distraught. As I walked to the station, I wondered "where" and "how" it was possible to find God? If the Jesuits and the RCC didn't have the answers, who did?
Funny thing - shortly thereafter I discovered the writings of YY and came to understand that the "where" and "how" of finding God first begins by learning His name -
"Yahuweh"After that, you have to learn to "Yada" with Yahuweh. I am still learning.
-Yada
Edited by user Sunday, September 2, 2007 4:59:31 AM(UTC)
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