Lukewarm

[MelanieM]

What does it mean exactly to be a lukewarm Catholic? Can someone please give examples?

[OneFaith]

What does it mean exactly to be a lukewarm Catholic? Can someone please give examples?

You might find this useful.........http://www.concernedcatholics.org/lukewarm.htm

[DavidObeid]

Hi Melanie,

The expression "lukewarm" comes from Our Lord's words in the Book of Revelation:


"I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot!16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16)

If someone is lukewarm it means that he does not take the faith seriously, or treats the demands of faith lightly. For example, someone who puts their backside on a pew at Mass, but who has little interest in the act of giving thanks to God or offering adoration might be considered a lukewarm Catholic.

It's not so much someone who gets distracted, or commits sins either mortal or venial as much as it is someone who does not care that they do.

Does that help?

[MelanieM]

Yes, thanks guys...a bit off fun from that website you posted OneFaith: http://www.concernedcatholics.org/iq-test.htm

[OneFaith]

Yes, thanks guys...a bit off fun from that website you posted OneFaith: http://www.concernedcatholics.org/iq-test.htm

So you did the test as well. What did you score?

[MelanieM]

I scored 97% 28/30, I got Q21 & Q18 wrong...and you?

[OneFaith]

I scored 97% 28/30, I got Q21 & Q18 wrong...and you?

I got Q26 wrong.

[MelanieM]

Not bad at all...the test was pretty basic though lol

[Stephen Spiteri]

Yes, thanks guys...a bit off fun from that website you posted OneFaith: http://www.concernedcatholics.org/iq-test.htm
100% here... although I must admit a couple of those questions made me double-take. :p

[MelanieM]

I wouldn't have exptected anything less than 100% from you Mr TheSpiritMagnus :p

[GilWright]

Only 94%. My feeble excuse is that I know the commandments but not in numerical order....

[MelanieM]

Welcome to the Forum Gil :)

[frjohnlm]

Generally speaking, lukewarm water works well in winter especially for protecting sensitive throats. A cold refreshing drink goes down well for summer. But a hot cup of coffee works well all year around…mmm.. however, this is not so when it comes to loving God.

To go beyond the literal meaning of words we must keep in mind what our Lord clearly states (Jn 6:64 (http://drbo.org/cgi-bin/d?b=drb&bk=50&ch=6&l=64&f=s#x)) that His words are matters concerning our interior spiritual life first and utmost.

Just some of the effective analogies the Lord found fitting to utilise to describe our inner dispositions are the adjectives of temperature, HOT, COLD and LUKEWARM.

Now, to be hot, cold or lukewarm in our faith, either which, this is determined by a person’s knowledge of the Truth plus the person’s willingness to wager the matters concerning our self-fulfilment ‘for this worldly life’, and giving it all up for the love of God. In other words, how much are we willing to put our knowledge of the Truth into action by way of imitating Christ, drawing our source and nourishment from the God given gifts of life; the Church's Sacraments, in true hope and zeal for the love of God and neighbour…

..in effect, as one of our Great Church Fathers, ‘ (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=418)Saint Augustine (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=418) of Hippo’ (http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=418)confesses, likewise, we ourselves will truly find our heart confessing to the Lord by ‘word & action’, “I am restless until I rest in you my Lord (http://www.catholic.org/prayers/prayer.php?p=221)”. Is that hot or what!!

On the other hand, persons who are lukewarm, really know the Truth and ‘they enjoy the world of theory’, BUT, when ‘push comes to shove’ they are not willing to sacrifice of themselves for the sake of unconditional charity and justice as true witnesses should do.. in effect, the interior life of the lukewarm persons 'secretly' pursues the best of both worlds.. and that is a definite no no... having said that, i would hate to imagine the persons who are COLD..

[CherylObeid]

yay, I got 100% (although I probably should confess to having help with one of them :) )

[cmnunis]

I got 28/30 or 97% on my first attempt. I struggled with one sin question and indulgences.

[DavidObeid]

The indulgence question wasn't worded very well. The give way was the option that spoke about meriting forgiveness.