Bishop Barron on Grace and Karma

[@CESSKAR]

There is a quote in "The Flowers of Saint Francis" early on: -"Why does everyone follow you, Francesco? You're not tall, handsome or noble." -Because God could not find a lower creature on Earth, nor a sinner worse than I, in order to show that all virtue and good come from Him, not us."

[@yf777a]

"For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them--yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it was I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed." 1 - Corinthians 15:9-11

[@cheflow3538]

Ur think lowest why?God choose because of they handsome ,tall ect.but coz of their kindness,although u have everything but u no have kindness that is useless

[@mearambu]

You hit the nail right on the head! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful quote.

[@andykim546]

Last week, I converted to Catholic and surprised everyone!!! I have listened to video your for a long time...your wisdom ,devotion and love of Christ have gradually changed me. I find myself wanting to learn more from you about Jesus Christ and ❤️ to will of good of the others. God bless you and thank you, Bishop Barron.

[@BishopBarron]

Well, God bless you!

[@TheAaronChand]

@@BishopBarron Karma father Barron as a Hindu is just cause and effect not getting what you deserve it's a misconception that Christianity has about Hinduism or Buddhism when it comes to Karma Karma is just like the law of gravity its impersonal it's not God punishing you for your sins such as the Abrahamic religions Christianity Islam and Judaism. Teach . So theres nothing about Karma that says your getting what you deserve. You can make the argument that Karma seems to make more sense than the idea of Jesus taking away sins. In Christianity theology. Becuse if Jesus takes away sins how do you grow and learn. Thanks I love your videos

[@Lerian_V]

@@TheAaronChand Grace doesn't mean your sins are taken away when you don't want it. Your sins will not be taken away unless you repent. To repent is not merely asking for forgiveness, rather, it is a turning away from your sin and then start walking with God. Is that clear enough for you?

[@TheAaronChand]

@@Lerian_V it gives people the illusion that however much they sin they will ultimately be saved by the grace of God. That doesn't exist in Hinduism. Cause and effect Karma will happen regardless if you where to repent. Forgiveness and repentance dosent change anything. In fact unlike our system in Hinduism Christianity grace or Jesus taking away sins actually encourage bad behavior. Because as I said it gives people the idea no matter how much they sin they will ultimately be saved by the grace of God.

[@Lerian_V]

@@TheAaronChand That is what grace is. When you turn to the true God, all your sins and guilt are taken away completely. You can't earn your way to eternal bliss. You need your sins forgiven and you need to trust in Jesus as your Lord and savior.

[@chrismoellering695]

"We may not get what we want, we may not get what we need, but let's pray we never get what we deserve." My favorite toast, and a compact statement of the idea of grace.

[@ahcokris]

Chris Moellering amen to that :)

[@naturalismforever3469]

Oh, Indya, you enjoy making fun! And i understand the reasons. Supernaturalism has no standards for plausibility. As I've written previously: The conflict between supernaturalists who disagree, each having zero verifiable evidence to support their particular predilections, is always a marvel. Supernaturalists have no standard--no accepted set of criteria--to determine whether an assertion, a speculation, an opinion, a conjecture is "true" or even remotely plausible. This is so much in contrast to naturalism, where we have a universally accepted standard of plausibility viz. is the assertion consistent with our best, most robust, broadest, most coherent, falsifiable, and predictive explanations? It's such a simple and reliable metric for promoting inquiry. But then, because supernaturalism requires no evidence whatever, what need have you for a metric? LOL.

[@naturalismforever3469]

Oh Timmy....And since Einstein's math is incredibly compelling, your eternity simply IS.

[@naturalismforever3469]

Oh, Timmy: Kindly provide the verifiable evidence for your assertion. Thanks!

[@naturalismforever3469]

Oh my dear, dear abysmally ignorant Tommy: Scientific naturalism provides us with the most powerful, most accurate, most reliable, and the ONLY PREDICTIVE means of inquiry ever devised by humankind. If you had taken but one course in a natural science at the university level, we'd not need to review such simple and fundamental characteristics of science. Science begins with unfettered, authority-free, imaginative inquiry. It then develops ideas about the Universe (multi-Verse) and every phenomenon that affects it or purports to affect it, seeks VERIFIABLE EVIDENCE about such, and then AIMS for robust, powerful, coherent, broad, falsifiable, and predictive explanations. That's it. EXPLANATIONS. Science cannot, nor does it seek to, "prove" or "disprove" anything at all, let alone the existence or non-existence of any of the tens of thousands of gods ever invented, including your particular god. As a naturalist, I have a standard by which I determine whether an assertion made by anyone is "true" or even "plausible." That standard? I ask: is the assertion consistent with our very best broad, robust, powerful, coherent, falsifiable, and predictive explanations? When I apply such standard to the question of a "god," I find that the Universe (multi-Verse) exists and behaves precisely as I'd expect absent any of the tens of thousands of gods ever posited by humankind. Therefore, any god of any kind, including yours, is irrelevant and inconsequential. You supernaturalists have no such standard to apply to your supernaturalism. Hence, you merely assert, conjecture, opine, and speculate...and then CONSTANTLY disagree----but not one of you has superior evidence to any other. Indeed, none of you as any verifiable evidence whatever. What never ceases to amaze me is that when you supernaturalists consider forms of supernaturalism other than your own (and there exist untold thousands of them), you apply scientific naturalism to those claims. A christian maintains that Mohammed had no winged horse, a Jew thinks that the reanimation of a corpse is absurd, a Hindus thinks that accepting just one puny god is stupid, and a Buddhist thinks that all of the others are utterly irrational. They all use scientific naturalism to judge the claims of OTHERS but NOT their own. Amazing. Thomism is merely opinion. It's not even rational conjecture---no more rational than its advocacy of the extermination of unbelievers. In my own personal life, I endeavor to use the most accurate, most reliable, most successful, and only predictive means of inquiry that we have, viz.: science. It works very, very well. You, of course, are welcome to continue to embrace your irrelevant and inconsequential god, but, for your sake, I hope that you've chosen the right one!

[@Charlie-s4k4v]

I just came across this today (2024) in response to my daughter's discussion of lyrics to a song by Taylor Swift, who my daughter loves. Swift, who is a Christian, sings about karma. This discussion, buoyed by the words of Bishop Barron, allows an opportunity to discuss the difference between grace and karma and how blessed we are to believe in Christ.

[@Maroonlink5]

I love Bishop Barron. He is a true testament to the true Catholic Church

[@helloguy6452]

Gay

[@matty301]

Respect bro 💪!

[@3AA2]

Hindus are also very thankful that we live within a karmic tradition and not original sin. I will always be a Hindu, but I nevertheless enjoy this man’s teachings and come back everyday. If someone had a teaching, I want it. Bless you all.

[@knowledgedesk1653]

Hindus also believe in Grace. But this grace is not conditional. Everyone gets grace of God. Even if a person hates God. God gives grace for no reason. It is just that some people will understand this early and some late. Everyone will finally achieve liberation, it is just about time. Some will achieve it sooner some later. There is no concept of eternal blasphemy and eternal punishment in Hinduism. God loves everyone equally.

[@vincewyn1396]

“God is more willing to pardon than we have been to sin.”😇St. Catherine of Siena🙏🏻4us

[@KathleenFlynn-p2h]

AMEN .MAY CHRIST WALK YOUR JOURNEY BISHOP BARRON. YOU ARE A MARVELLOUS PREACHED ❤

[@marycahill546]

One of my favorite KZbin videos of all time. Fills me with hope and happiness.

[@notallgarbage]

Mary Cahill if you die tomorrow, do you know where your soul will go? Why?

[@carolinaarrudafreire3168]

Another wonderful mini-class, Dear Bishop Barron! Thanks and God Bless you. A true conduit of Grace.

[@jamestiburon443]

Am 58, American. Graduated philosophy 1985. Been a seeker since. Have read all theology and philosophy. Karma and Reincarnation is the only way to understand GOD. To be Catholic in 2022 is because of psychological problems. Or, to be ignorant followers of blind truth. The bishop is well educated, I would advise him, as I will do myself, this summer, to take a solo Motorcycle journey across the U.S. Catholic Dogma nor Protestant fundamentalism are not a path to peace with God. Only TRUST, in reality, that there is a purpose underneath our errors, which lets us work them out for ultimate RE-CONNECTION WITH the Divine, is the goal of most of Eastern Philosophy. And, TRUST is the Greek word for FAITH. In the end, we all choose our path, so, good tidings, to whatever you CHOOSE to believe. But, GOD, of course, our creator, and co-creator we smile upon!

[@jamestiburon443]

Sorry to offend any. I read the comments and see you like him. Ok. God Bless

[@etienne-victordepasquale668]

Beloved Bishop Barron, you don't need my praise but just the same, here it is: thank you Lord, for electing Bishop Robert Barron, a worthy conduit of your grace.

[@michaelkuhn8929]

WITH GOD ALL IS POSSIBLE...Strive everyday to be WITH GOD in thought and action and trust.

[@rohinimalhotra6931]

I love to listen at your feet Father...God bless your media ministry!!

[@seeker_of_peace]

They are making you fool.

[@hjpoloa]

Such an amazing explanation. Thank you Father!

[@Jason-qs4jj]

God bless you, Your Excellency! I pray every single one of our prelates would be as charitable, as knowledgeable, and as erudite as yourself. May God bless you abundantly with even more faith, hope, and charity, and may Our Lady pray Our Lord to fill you with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, and may the Holy Spirit give your words recognition and power with millions of people around the globe!

[@marypinakat8594]

Thanking Jesus for you Bishop Barron and lots of prayers on your way.

[@praxidescenteno3233]

Absolutly right with Jesús Christ we not need nothing!😇😇😇 He is our reason to live our Love! God is Love!

[@RAIRADIO]

Karma and Grace is not exclusive. I think Grace and Karma together explains life.

[@blackfalkon4189]

the sikhs appear to believe in that

[@AlejandroGarcia-ek3uy]

Bravo, father Barron. Christ nailed my karma to His cross. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

[@alocohc]

Thank you Bishop Barron, I appreciate the clear and concise explanation and it helps me in my discernment.

[@srinjoyroychoudhury7034]

Great video. Grace and Karma both have their merits and to each their own. Hinduism is one such religion that essentially combines the two together in the most harmonious way.

[@AzadHind572]

Eastern Religions are all from Karma. You may Google it

[@srinjoyroychoudhury7034]

@@AzadHind572 i don't need to Google it. I am from it. Eastern religion is not completely based on karma, a huge part of it is grace.

[@johannessudibyo741]

Truely revealation for me, thank you, Praise The Lord Jesus 🙏

[@ritabiro5105]

THANKS YOU ARE LUCKY TO HAVE AND TRANSMIT GRACE.GOD BLESSINGS

[@patgordon113]

Thank you, God, for raising up chosen ones to be a conduit of grace fir the rest of us. Thank you for giving Bishop Barron Your Holy Spirit, to be a conduit of love, wisdom, humility, & grace for the rest of us. I bless You, Lord Jesus, for Bishop Barron on his birthday.

[@jessicag.3694]

"God elects for the sake of the world." I need to remember that the next time I'm jealous. It's not about me or the person who got the gifts. Those gifts are for everybody, and God's reasons for choosing that person or time doesn't really matter.

[@stephenmerritt5750]

God wants us to see each other as equals. We are not equal in strength and pride, but rather in our weakness and humility.

[@analuizakelly3610]

Thank you, dear Bishop 🙏 God bless you 🙏

[@etienne-victordepasquale668]

God bless you, Bishop Robert Barron, you are a worthy vessel of our Master's grace. Please rest assured of my prayers.

[@lukeknott407]

"Although our praises add nothing to your greatness, yet our thanksgiving is itself your gift."

[@theamchairphilosopher2213]

Robert Barron is a great speaker to listen to. I do not subscribe to Catholicism, nor plan on being so. However, I learn a lot from his speaks.

[@benlewis720]

Kev Zen Look up Lighthouse Media and their CD's.

[@naturalismforever3469]

Yeah, Harold. Conversion absent evidence. Such a delight!

[@notallgarbage]

Kev Zen read my comment, above... in most recent replies...

[@donna1089]

Although late but this is what I needed to hear... Thankyou Bishop Barron

[@AlejandroGarcia-ek3uy]

Amen. God bless you, father Barron.

[@billo875]

One of the best videos from Bishop Barron.

[@barnabyrt1012]

Excellent, father, as always.

[@majofadrilan7547]

Thank you Lord for your grace and mercy ✨🙏🏻✨

[@trishknaut1031]

Praise God for you! I am wondering if everyone gets grace? but to those who don't believe, we the church are given the chance to witness & evangelize with our testimony & must be compassionate to those who don't know Abbah...so that we who have had our faith activated by the Lord, with His love, in His timing, can love our neighbor as ourself so they too will feel, see & hear Jesus, through us as God blesses us with His timing & opportunities ! We are blessed to be a blessing!

[@nicksibly526]

.... and that last bit ties in with the parable of the talents. I love listening to this.......

[@josephbilderback4549]

That was beautiful Father!

[@securityfencingcompany6208]

Thank you Bishop Barron. This is a good video. I am a Catholic convert from Buddhism, so I would like to explain what I understand from having first-hand experience with a religion of karma, as you put it. :) The principle of kamma (karma) is described by Christ when He says that it is not what goes into the mouth which defiles a person, but what comes out of it. The reality of grace is something that is emphasized by Western religions such as our's, but it sits atop this universal reality of kamma. This makes the truth of God's grace a category of kammic truth. It is also worth noting that, just like a car, a person doesn't require intimate knowledge of the engine to make it work. The idea is that God is the master of kamma, and how God decides to reconcile what kammic debts there might be is God's decision. Also, being that Catholicism is a religion of devotion (bhakti yoga), the idea is that there is more to learn in heaven. The purpose of Christian devotion isn't to obtain this highest, esoteric sense of spiritual mastery such as that which is seen in Theravada Buddhism (raja yoga). I am thankful for this, since - as you mentioned in your video - to incur the full reality of one's due kamma might pay off in the end, but surely is most unpleasant. This would seem to be consistent with our theology, that certain truths will be revealed to us. At least according to my understanding, getting to heaven is just another step in the larger process of complete spiritual enlightenment, and I am infinitely gracious for Christ's sacrifice to get me to heaven so He can continue to teach me what I need to know where it is safe from evil. There is a story of a frog who was reborn into the heavenly realm after hearing one of Gotama-Buddha's discourses. This would seem to resemble the kamma of grace. I would say that this division between grace and kamma is truly a conventional distinction (which follows from higher beings). God can choose as God wishes, and this has kammic results.

[@research1982]

Great video, another wonderful emphasis on the fact that God works through mediums because he wants us to be a deep and active part of His divine life.

[@ricardoheredia7307]

THANK YOU AGAIN AND AGAIN FOR THE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR FAITH,OUR CREED. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING ALL YOUR WORK ON WORD ON FIRE,SPECIALLY THE CATHOLICISM SERIES,MAINLY EPISODE 6 AND 7.....I WAS TOTALLY CAPTURED REALIZING THAT 71 AND A PROFOUND BELIEVER I YET HAVE SO MUCH TO GRASP......AND YOU ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN THAT PROCESS.THANK YOU AGAIN.MAY GOD CONTINUE TO INSPIRE YOU AS YOU HAVE INSPIRED ME

[@robertlaporte2998]

Amen ! That those who see that they become blind and those who are blind that they may see.And for those who say we see their Sins remain .

[@keithdiaz8166]

This video brings to mind similarities between karma and prosperity theology. Very thought provoking Bishop Barron. Btw- enjoyed your reflections on Advent.

[@oambitiousone7100]

These videos have clarified so many terms - like grace - that were always elusive & unsatisfactorily explained. So grateful for this channel.

[@margarethhuapcent1270]

Yes i'm not karma just Grace. No body conviced me of false things. So i know the one Who i love and all thanks for God!😇😇😇👼🔥☄️

[@vereelizabeth4176]

Please God help me to rise above limitations and short comings of people

[@Kelpie119]

Thank You ! Another well thought out, easy to understand, even for a wretch like me, presentation. Cheers John

[@linasmarcinkevicius]

Thank GOD for this video!

[@nuquenilex3188]

Everything comes from a source of Love and Compassion

[@littlemichael7]

Hi there Bishop Robert Barron. Eastern religion teaches surrender (grace) and freedom from action (karma). “Surrender exclusively unto him with your whole being, O Bharat. By his grace, you will attain perfect peace and the eternal abode.” - Bhagavad Gita 18:62 “Those whose intellect is unattached everywhere, who have mastered the mind, and are free from desires by the practice of renunciation, attain the highest perfection of freedom from action.” - Bhagavad Gita 18:49

[@danielt.9101]

An observation from an interested agnostic (or a "secret Herod" as you would say)... what attracted me most with the teaching's of Eastern religions and Karma is the non-finality ingredient in this worldview which I find gives a sense of Hope, whereas the finality ingredient in most Abrahamic religions can lead to a sense of despair. What I mean is, in Karmic religions there is always Hope even in the midst of reaping what you deserve because the punishment is finite and proportionate. In Abrahamic religions, once a certain threshold is passed there is no Hope. That is something that attracts me more towards a Karmic worldview than an Abrahamic worldview. But nevertheless I enjoyed this video and I always enjoy your perspectives on these issues.

[@bryancleary4952]

awesome again dear bishop

[@Petre66CA]

Excellent. Thank you for the clarification

[@bluesky7226]

Thank you!

[@AquaGirlOo]

God bless you 💕

[@sirtinley-knot2944]

Utterly inspiring words thank you

[@lucaschute7264]

Bishop have you considered sitting down with Jordan peterson? I feel your two perspectives would lead to an amazing conversation

[@leemansuleiman5907]

I see your comment aged pretty well

[@gladysruiz258]

Just beautiful ❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏

[@happyguy5165]

The Grace of God is a gift bestowed on those who ask for it, and any elected by God as Chosen are like kings most high... however, the higher one is on God’s hierarchy, the more one has to serve and bring God’s Grace to

[@chrissonofpear3657]

Slightly intoxicating opening offer...

[@composerdoh]

This is a great talk, particularly within the context of the idea of grace. You very poetically and clearly explain some problems with the idea and also how it works. But I think when you address karma it shows at best a slight distortion or misunderstanding of the idea of karma, particularly in Buddhism. Karma is not "getting what you deserve" but rather the idea of cause and effect. If you plant a lemon seed, and the right cultivating conditions occur, a lemon tree will grow. You shouldn't be surprised nor upset that a mango tree didn't grow instead. This is how it works at the simplest and most practical level that most meditation practitioners deal with. I don't think it's even necessarily mutually exclusive from the idea of grace, at least at karma's simplest and most obvious levels. Again, I'm speaking for Buddhism here- not sure about Hinduism, but in Buddhism karma is not at all about "punishment" or getting "just deserts" (although it's possible to manifest that way sometimes- but that's not what it's "about") but on the every day level it's about how mind states are cultivated, how they develop and grow into emotions, impulses, then actions, and then those actions meet with external circumstances, and when repeated and cultivated they can ripen into relationship patterns and personal dispositions. You don't even HAVE to go further into the idea of rebirth- one CAN just leave it there. But in other words, if you want to grow certain kinds of mind states, pay attention to the thought seeds. What kinds of thoughts are you allowing to run through your mind and "listening to" from moment to moment? if your thoughts are criticizing, complaining, blaming, etc. you should not be surprised that you are in a foul mood and treat people poorly, and in return those people are upset with you, or have some poor opinion of you. THAT is the law of karma. The training is to watch those thoughts, and if those thoughts are causing suffering to yourself and potentially to others, the practitioner is to redirect the mind, to see the thoughts are not real nor substantial, have compassion for the conditions that brought about those those thoughts, (you have to practice to see clearly you didn't CHOOSE those thoughts, so you don't "DESERVE" them- they probably came from previous conditions- your biology, your family, etc.) and then to try to cultivate compassionate and kind thoughts. Also to see how this pattern works with others, and how they're ALSO the result of their causes and conditions, which allows you to not see them as inherently "good" or "bad" (although they might be temporarily MANIFESTING as "good" or "bad" fleetingly in a particular context or situation) but rather see them as suffering, and as a fellow human being. From this position it's very hard to see them as an "enemy" but one can still stand up to them or try to stop them from doing harm if that's what you see them doing. But it's from a very different place- not from "you're my enemy" but from "you're my brother or sister, and I feel I need to do XYZ to help you." And as much as possible to be kind, understanding and generous, and how those actions will cultivate the "fruit" of compassion, happiness, and enjoyable relationships. One could argue on a theoretical level how the law of karma and idea of grace are fundamentally different, which I'm not really interested in doing, but on a practical level I don't see how this practice contradicts the tenets of living a Christian life, nor how it contradicts grace. In fact I think it can give you a psychological technology to help improve your Christian walk. You will still have plenty of room for growth, plenty of places where you'll mess up and do something stupid, selfish or unkind, from which you can ask for God's grace to forgive and help you with.

[@deb783]

Karma is a dangerous philosophy, I am Indian and I know how disgusting it is, you never know how much you have to pay for sins from your previous life, when the Idea of determined destiny is involved it becomes worst.

[@chris-solmon4017]

Debasish Halder - you reap what you sow. It's called Cause and Effect. Everything has a consequence. Nothing dangerous about Natural Law.

[@skepticalorganism7820]

debashish do you even know the concept of karma? u r mixing karma with reincarnation

[@naturalismforever3469]

And BVale, what the heck does that show? Who cares what Rupert Sheldrake decided? You supernaturalists. Constant irrelevancy.

[@naturalismforever3469]

BVale: Dogs and Bonobos embrace altruism. It's intrinsic to our evolutionary heritage. Of course, I embrace altruism as a valuable, positive, behavioral attribute for the preservation of our species, selected by evolution. Sheldrake presented no verifiable evidence for his assertions and is therefore discounted. Your point?

[@naturalismforever3469]

Ah, BVale, the PERFECT EXAMPLE of supernaturalistic inability to establish a common standard of the plausible! Perfect! You are amazing in your propensity to cite examples counter to your apparent preference! Supernaturalism possesses NO UNIVERSAL COMMON STANDARD to determine that which is plausible. Hinduism may well disagree with the verifiable evidence of Bonobo altruistic behavior. Such is the typical supernaturalistic position. No inquiry. No verifiable evidence. No predictive explanation. Thank you for such a splendid example! It's actually one of my favorites, but YOU presented it, making it even more interesting. If I were you? I'd simply return to embracing my irrelevant, inconsequential 3-part god, ignore verifiable evidence, cover my eyes, and hope for the best! Good luck!

[@leighsphillips3625]

I think I finally figured out what asking for the grace of... patience or understanding my situation. Or the grace of...

[@scottyj6226]

Yep I needed that,....

[@patriciairish8726]

God made us in his image and likeness and wants us to be his sons and daughters and we need his grace to become what he would like us to be. God wants all of us and calls us to be holy. we can't make ourselves holy-- only grace can.

[@chrissonofpear3657]

Hopefully not wanted dead, in the case of some people.

[@TheAaronChand]

That's another problem with Abrahamic religions I have as someone who has a Hindu background that somehow mortal men are speical

[@mariaelenarodriguez6188]

Gracias, Padre Barron! Sobre la palabra "karma" Fray Nelson Medina publicó un video también muy clarificador : "La Gracia del sábado 4 de noviembre de 2017".

[@JorgeRodriguez-zc7fc]

Gracias por el video.

[@perstorrpetersen2335]

Interesting statements, but very simplified presentation of Carmaic religions. You can gain insight or enlightenment, which can also be described as grace, because when gained the Ego and it's motives is dissolved or weakened. Compassion for your self and others are born.

[@marinieves6258]

Superbly explained eminece We needed it There is so much obscuruty about that suject

[@Jay-sy4kx]

Excellent!

[@foxdenham]

If you view Karma as a basic cause and effect the judgment of moral action (or lack thereof), then Grace will often be the better observation. But when karma is just the outworking of the 'law' in which Grace weaves its magic, then Grace is just a greater outworking of divine life. They are both handmaidens of each other when properly understood as for the betterment of mankind (Karma is very much misunderstood in the West). In the end grace 'does thankfully abound' but rarely without the former.

[@anniebanderet]

Wonderful. Love seeing your library, I recognize some books I have, esp. the Pelikan. Someday, would you consider giving us a library tour and commenting on the books you have found most helpful?

[@sowmitradasshuvro2298]

The path of grace is also embedded in the eastern philosophy too. Which is known as the path of devotion, one of the four major paths of Indian tradition from Vedas. To understand concept of Karma one need to realize the lessons of the Upanishads (Brihadaranyaka Upanishad specifically), which consists of the core philosophy of Vedas.

[@shrgai8821]

My family have different members from different school of thoughts. Father is Christian, mother is Hindu and two aunts are Buddhist and Sikh. In terms of grace and karma I would like to share something here. Basically Hinduism is karma centric religion. Yet in Bhagwat Gita (Song of Almighty) Krishna tells Arjuna that it was only grace and grace only that he is helping him win war. Many were righteous and many followed karma point by point, yet it was God's grace that saved the day. In my opinion, theology is often surrounded by laws of the world. But be it holy Spirit or in East atman ( which translate to spirit) is the core of enlightenment of humanity. So in my opinion, Lord and Lord alone grants Grace and judge us according to acts/karma.

[@knowledgedesk1653]

Right

[@seanbachet1215]

Very nice video. Thank you .

[@ThomasUfnalCrowlake]

I would really love to hear Bishop Barron's take on the fate of peoples who God's grace distributed through Israel did not reach and had no chance to reach. What about, say, Native American peoples that were cut off from God's grace for hundreds and thousands of years? Did God's grace not work among them?

[@carlosparra8976]

But my question is, why christian doctrine believes that man deserves the worse? I get that we are fallen creatures, we are fallible, but, why does christian doctrine automatically assumes that man is so wicked and corrupt and evil that he deserve the worse of the worse, so as to be thankful that he has a religion of grace and not karma? Karma is a natural law and it operates regardless of what religion you profess.

[@tapestry6455]

You know, I used to think it was awful that life was so unfair. Then I thought, wouldn't it be much worse if life were fair, and all the terrible things that happen to us come because we actually deserve them? So, now I take great comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the universe. Marcus Cole, Babylon 5

[@chrissonofpear3657]

Ah - a fellow fan.

[@guitardds]

While not Karma per se', The Bible does indeed teach that if you do not forgive, you will not be forgiven.

[@illuminatingone]

Thank you Bishop! We will continue to spread the good news of Grace! Do you have any recommendations on evangelizing to people who insist they don't need it?

[@naturalismforever3469]

Don't believe "Conservative" my friend Indya. Your comments are based upon verifiable evidence plus billions of dollars in payoffs, well documented. Conservative's stuff is absent verifiable evidence. Now that's a real difference.

[@chrissonofpear3657]

Wide variations may occur.

[@lightowl4345]

My 2 cents (or less), be an example for them, be there for them when they struggle (everyone struggles), take every opportunity to teach (not push, but in a way that shows how God, God's word, Jesus death and resurrection,etc, apply to their life). Emphasize the love that God has for us.

[@TheAaronChand]

As a Hindu the Hindu doctrine of Karma and transmigration and reincarnation counter Christianity idea of needing a savior according to Karma man has no need for a savior because each one must atone for his or her sins in success or rebriths untill they can retain salvation by the of Karma an endless cycle of reincarnations the soul reaps what it sows in one life in the form of either misery or of a blessing in a future rebirth. The Christian idea of Atonement through Jesus who sacrificed himself for fallen humanity is opposed to the law of Karma. As Hindus we find it hard to subscribe to the idea of one man suffering for another mans sin as it makes the moral laws of the universe unrealistic by keeping people in the happy illusion that however much they go on sinning they would ultimately be saved by the grace of God

[@jmclaughlin2009]

We have a troll in the dungeon, folks. Ignore and pray for him. Great video though as always, bishop!

[@naturalismforever3469]

The conflict between supernaturalists who disagree, each having zero verifiable evidence to support their particular predilections, is always a marvel. Supernaturalists have no standard--no accepted set of criteria--to determine whether an assertion, a speculation, an opinion, a conjecture is "true" or even remotely plausible. This is so much in contrast to naturalism, where we have a universally accepted standard of plausibility viz. is the assertion consistent with our best, most robust, broadest, most coherent, falsifiable, and predictive explanations? It's such a simple and reliable metric for promoting inquiry. But then, because supernaturalism requires no evidence whatever, what need have you for a metric? LOL.

[@jmclaughlin2009]

The assertion that the physical sciences can explain everything in this world cannot be proven scientifically, so naturalism/scientism falls on itself. I would suggest reading Peter Kreeft or St. Thomas Aquinas on the importance of theology.

[@naturalismforever3469]

Oh Timmy, Timmy! As a molecular biologist, of course I can! There are many ideas and much, much evidence for various options. Again, science cannot nor does it seek to "prove" anything, but options for very reasonable and coherent explanations abound. It requires time to do the experiments, obtain the verifiable evidence, etc. Much more time than some ancient Jew scratching out the fairytale of Genesis. Please, please take just one course in a natural science at the university level. My goodness it becomes onerous to teach the fundamentals of scientific inquiry to ignorant supernaturalists. Here is one very nice source among hundreds that discusses many possibilities under consideration, most entirely consistent with our best explanations in biology, physics, and chemistry: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abiogenesis Enjoy! But please take just one---just one---course in a natural science at the university level so that you won't appear quite so ignorant. Thanks!

[@naturalismforever3469]

Ridiculous, Tommy! Ridiculous! Know you no science at all? Not a whit? See my response to Timmy above. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abiogenesis Read and enjoy! You won't understand it, but read it anyway.

[@naturalismforever3469]

Oh, Johnny, Johnny, Johnny! Such ignorant supernaturalists! Can I find no relief? Science can neither "prove" nor "disprove" anything at all! Know you not that fundamental attribute of this most powerful, most accurate, most successful and only PREDICTIVE means of inquiry ever devised by humans? Please take just one course in a natural science at the university level. Oh, and Tommy Aquinas is a poor excuse for a philosopher. He advocated the extermination of those who disagreed with him. At least in philosophy departments today, they don't often do that. Another point: our best scientific explanations and observations show us unequivocally that the Universe (multi-Verse) exists and behaves PRECISELY as we'd expect absent any of the tens of thousands of gods ever invented by humankind, including yours. That makes any god, including yours, inconsequential and irrelevant. That in turns makes "theology" a masturbatory activity. You are more than welcome to continue to embrace your inconsequential and irrelevant god but, for your sake, I certainly hope that you've chosen the right one out of the tens of thousands of options.

[@stevenmiller289]

Best video yet!

[@rcordiner]

That quote from Isaiah sounds like the fulfilment of the Bahai faith.

[@facundol.7419]

Dear Father Barron, there are several Eastern religious traditions (Pure-Land Buddhism or certain Bhakti Hindu denominations) which place very strong emphasis on the question of Grace. They believe 'Karma' is ultimately only governed or controlled by God. This is identical to the question of "Temporal Punishment" in Catholic Purgatory theology. "Temporal Punishment" and the Purgatory system is a 'Karmic' (Works) System, just as much. Just that, simply, we Catholic don't believe it "trickles-down" or "catapults" our Soul into another Re-Birth Re-Incarnation. This is why Protestants reject the doctrine of Purgatory: They reject any "Good Works" dimension and "Merits" realm or dimension to religion and faith. As such, they are "Grace Absolutists" (Such as Calvinists and all other Protestants in different degrees). They believe Purgatory to be to 'Karmic'. Thus, it is important to understand, that, while as you correctly say that Christianity (and other western-abrahamics) is particularly "Grace-Based" or "Grace-Focused" ... there are 100% dimensions of Catholic and Orthodox Christianity, especially in its Medieval and more Classical sort of "Tridentine Latin" expressions, feelings, and "colors" which, though not ultimately rejecting the Grace-Model of Free-Salvific Blessing and "Electedness", still sees the importance of God is determining and valuating and co-ordinating the distributions of graces, BUT ALSO, merits, fruits and blessings of good works, and thus 'karmic' dimensions of temporal punishments and so on. Temporal Punishment is the 'Karmic' (Works) Element, and Eternal Punishment is the Grace Element. We cannot by-pass God's forgiveness and "*reconciling the world to himself* through Jesus's free grace-blood" without this Grace dimension: that part and element of election-and-forgiveness can only be resolved as a tension THROUGH the element of God's choosing majesty and sovereign dominion. Jesus himself says, any other attempt to "catapult" or push and "prolong" ourselves into this further divine-dimension (heaven) through our own 'karmic' good works alone are as thieves or as those, who, only a few Sundays ago in the previous Gospel, entered the marriage feast WITHOUT a marriage garment. Many, many, many Hindus and Buddhists are right on this issue too! Don't mis-understand or mis-represent them please! Many of them believe that Only God mitigates and guides and rules 'Karma'. They believe that often, if and when God wants, some of these deserving 'Karmas' can be dissolved only at the free and merciful Grace of God in forgiveness. Forgiveness often, for them, also eliminates 'Karmic' degrees and elements because God chooses to do so. In the same way that God, within the Christian frame-work, and fully and faithfully sometimes forgive us with such a powerful wash and tide of detergent in the spin-cycle of his mercy, that we don't even have to "pay back" or "work-back up" those just-tithes for penances towards temporal punishments. No, often enough, through the very merciful friendship and dialogue which God has with us - in that "work" of tendency towards faith and devotion, 'karmas' can be cleared, and our "just-deserts" are washes in or through the simplest Work of Faith. Faith in this sense is actually indeed also a "Work" of the choice towards forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Which is why, ultimately, Calvinism is the only eternally-coherent Protestant formulation: it places Grace as the central defining feature of God's ultimate and extreme surpassing and transcending Majesty and Majestic Sovereign: God is Grace and maybe even heretically for them sometimes, Grace is God. But what I am trying to ultimately make clear here is that, really, this dynamic or dramatic feature of 'karma' and "grace" or "Grace vs. Karma" (Works) is NOT at all only a dynamic between Eastern and Western religion(s)! It is universally a feature of all religious dramas and "dramatics". HOWEVER, there is certainly more pronounced emphasis on Grace in the Western religious traditions and more (General) pronounced emphasis on Karma (Works) in the Eastern religious traditions. But these lines nowadays, more and more, in today's very ecumenical and inter-religious open-dialogue world, are openning up more and more... this old and ancient "East-West" divide is closing up in light of and in facing the fact of global "universalization" of human experience, digital or other-wise. I think and believe that an ultimately good or true religion or religious tradition must have an emphasis or focus on Faith and Grace as central BUT on Karma and Works as "stationary" (it positions and re-positions you faithfully and fully-firmly in the ground of belief and divine-trust!)

[@BishopBarron]

I agree with you. I was speaking about general tendencies.

[@facundol.7419]

Bishop Robert Barron hello Fr. Barron, thank you for your reply! I hope you understand that my capitalizations were expediencies for emphasis haha. And yes, there is no doubt that you were speaking about the question of general tendencies and from that point-of-view it is very true. I once knew a Catholic traditionalist Tridentine priest Latin (I love all that beautiful traditional symbolism and ritualism, in its more beautiful and more truer sincere truthfulness) who squirmed to think of how protty Amazing Grace is lol so it was not often uaed or sung in our parish lol not sure if I mentioned that already

[@luzclara3855]

Facundo L. - Excellent commentary, interesting and accurate. Thank you! What you explain here also happens in Tibetan Buddhism, between Karma (works), and Guru Yoga (faith and devotion on the part of the disciple), and the bestowing of blessings (grace) on the part of the Guru, who is one with the Buddha mind (not specifically the historical Buddha, but the ultimate enlightened mind, the source, the origin), Dharmakaya.

[@naturalismforever3469]

The conflict between supernaturalists who disagree, each having zero verifiable evidence to support their particular predilections, is always a marvel. Supernaturalists have no standard--no accepted set of criteria--to determine whether an assertion, a speculation, an opinion, a conjecture is "true" or even remotely plausible. This is so much in contrast to naturalism, where we have a universally accepted standard of plausibility viz. is the assertion consistent with our best, most robust, broadest, most coherent, falsifiable, and predictive explanations? It's such simple and reliable metric for promoting inquiry. But then, because supernaturalism requires no evidence whatever, what need have you for a metric? LOL.

[@facundol.7419]

antyszambruje Dear person, it surprises me quite honestly that a person who seems to have some basic understanding of other religious traditions would say something so horrendous. I will certainly look into those books, since some of those critiques of these other religious traditions are valid, but to then jump to calling them satanic is completely extreme. In eastern traditions, such as pure-land Buddhism or Bhakti movements in Hinduism, it is precisely ONLY in and through this nuanced dialectic and dialoguing discourse of loving devotion between devotte-believer and God that one attains salvation/liberation.

[@GiantsHunt]

I think a lot of people are confused by God's decision to save so many "wretches" and damn so many people whose only fault is failing to be convinced of his existence.

[@88dodgerdave]

God desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. All humankind. The salvific event of the crucifixion was for all and does not discriminate. God does not damn people for not believing in Him. Damnation is the choice that some humans make to distance themselves from the God who loves them and desperately want them to be with him. We never assume who is or who is not saved or damned. This is only for God to decide, and in His infinite mercy, we pray that all will join him in the beatific vision.

[@naturalismforever3469]

Hey David! Kindly supply the verifiable evidence for your many assertions? Thanks!

[@chrissonofpear3657]

Some ontological concepts travel easier than others, viz culture, parable.

[@chrissonofpear3657]

Being backed into a corner and making hoops and hurdles might be awkward.

[@yf777a]

The Divine not merited by anyone of humankind (including the Blessed Virgin Mary) certainly astounds those who receive it. But I do think there are elements of reaping what we sow or have sown in God's justice even after receiving Grace. We are responsible to not only be sorry for our sins, but as best as possible in one's circumstance to reconcile the *effects* of each of our sins. Many times this can only be done Spiritually, but none the less it is done. I do truly think that one's own pain, like the prodigal son, is part of this. But I'm certain that for the rest of his life, as cheerful giving as possible out of living The Covenant with God with all of his heart, soul, and resourcefulness (loving God) and his family and neighbors as himself --- it helped by Grace make restitution for the already forgiven wrongs. I do understand that this is not exactly that which you were referring, but this element is often missed in Christendom. It is one of the reasons some of those practicing the religion that Jesus Christ Himself practiced (like the Days of Awe, 10 days for The Ten Commandments to be reconciled with God and neighbor - very solemnly with a firm purpose of amendment) have difficulty accepting our religion. Don't we need to convey this to one another and the world more than we do?

[@fantom5894]

One difference is that Karma protects (or purports to protect) the *good* actor from harm on Earth. Grace doesn't seem to do that.

[@johnchege4247]

Woah I don't wonna stand up in the harsh wind of what I deserve.

[@laapasakuna]

A grace that doesn't reach everyone sounds like an exclusive gift, much more cruel than the principle of karman, which is supposed to be impersonal and not necessarily good and right. I never heard anyone accusing the law of gravity of being unjust.

[@BishopBarron]

But grace does reach everyone! God chooses some--precisely for the sake of everyone else.

[@laapasakuna]

@@BishopBarron So, nobody is left outside the kingdom? Nobody goes to eternal death? Or to the "unquenchable fire"? No "weeping and gnashing of teeth"? To me, this grace looks much more limited and arbitrary than the law of karman. Also: what texts on karman are you referring to?

[@BishopBarron]

laapasakuna We can hope so.

[@imommtube]

Wooooow as always a fabulous great, video, thanks a lot Fr Barron Su fan de México

[@dynamic9016]

Interesting.

[@dragonxx77]

It appears religions of grace invented the easy way out.

[@varunnrao3276]

But I would like to point out that, some of the deistic eastern religions operate under the framework of grace+karma. It's not karma alone. Especially the school of Shri Vaishnavim. Where they say you are stuck in the karmic loop, but you can be saved by Lord's grace. It's a mixture of both grace and karma. But again, in grace based religions, God makes choice on something, right? What is that something? however secretive it is, there must be something on whose basis God makes a choice. The difference is called karma. And again even though Christianity is not proclaiming karma explicitly, the spirit of karma is abundant in many statements, one of which is "as you sow , so you reap". and many more www.openbible.info/topics/that_what_you_sow_so_shall_you_reap

[@coxchandler1]

Question to the video editor: Are you editing in Final Cut Pro X? If so I think I might know what's causing the flashes of black to occur at the very beginning and end of the images in the video. If you are making the images compound clips after keyframing the movement and then applying the cross dissolves to the compound clips, it will cause this phenomenon to happen. My recommendation would be (if you even want this phenomenon to go away) to stretch each image longer in the timeline than you need it, then apply your keyframes to the beginning and end, then drag the edges in to the desired length you want the image to last, and then applying your transitions.

[@nelsongalvan2178]

The prophet Jonah starts off as a believer in Karma by disobeying God's command to preach to the people of Nineveh, which the prophet Jonah hated. Jonah found God's grace inside the belly of a fish.

[@rougeshot7395]

ah Leviathan

[@MsKristi1234]

INDYA 1846 I really am concern where you are getting this information? Would you mind giving me clear evidences? (: I would appreciate you thank you! God bless!

[@chrissonofpear3657]

Rape is a strong word, but so is the idea of blood used as a 'shield' against wrath. Both can seem alien.

[@TheElva823]

Best karma. Is when the Lord told me that the Jehovah's don't adore him. True story.

[@chrissonofpear3657]

Dangerous to egg your children on or against each other...

[@thedisintegrador]

First off, I am a an orthodox christian, just to clarify. I think you’re misunderstanding the basic karman law. Yes, “you get what you deserve”, but that’s found in the bible as well. Look at proverbs for that. What’s important considering karma in Hinduism and Buddhism for example is that this law, this karmic law connected to it the samsara of deaths and rebirths, the important thing to realise is that this is NOT A GOOD THING for us. And that Maya, the veil over our eyes of not knowing God, the Truth, is behind this whole cosmic law, and that this needs to be escaped by knowing God or the essence of all things, or letting go, as in Buddhism. This then sets you free from this law, as you said, freeing you from the terrible law of karma. Mind you, even reincarnating as a god is not in your best interests. In your best interests is to leave this endless wheel of suffering. Much like Christians die to the world with God creating everything anew, so do the easterners escape the circle of samsara by coming to God who frees them from this endless horrifying destiny. It’s not as straight forward as you are presenting it, bishop, no offence.

[@jaasjose]

Amen

[@Boletodecinecom2011]

The always amazing Mons Barron, however in the Gospel Jesus says ""Consider carefully what you hear," he continued. "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you-and even more." Mark 4:24, therefore your actions are important.

[@vickvilleneuve7640]

I like this one. Grace vs Karma. I'll take Grace please, hold the Karma.

[@plumjam]

Eastern religions have grace as well as karma.

[@BishopBarron]

Yeah, but not nearly as prominently as in the Biblical religions.

[@chrissonofpear3657]

Oh, it does often have to be made a competition sometimes. Then you get Essenes vs Pharisees...

[@shivamercer]

Yes you have perform many auspicious act to clear bad karma...

[@TheAaronChand]

@@BishopBarron we have grace in Hinduism too father even in Christianity and Islam Judaism the Abrahamic religions there are consequences for your actions or sins that's what Karma is it's a natural order of the universe. That's no right or wrong or inherently evil thing about Karma. But there is forgiveness in Hinduism or non Abrahamic religions. But you have to work at fixing your self even if you are trying to make amends for your past sins or bad Karma. It's never automatically washed away.

[@BishopBarron]

Aaron Chand True enough. I’m not proposing a sharp either-or. But there are clearly differences in emphasis.