Vacation

Dear Friends, I will be away the next two Sundays on vacation with family.  Reflections will resume for Sunday Nov. 4th.  God bless you all and thanks for visiting and reading my blog.  Peace of Christ...FJ

I Pleaded and Wisdom Came to Me

King Solomon, a great leader in ancient history, was known and renowned as wise, wealthy, and powerful.  God favored Solomon, because Solomon did not ask for power, prestige, or wealth, rather when he prayed he prayed for “Wisdom to rule this people, Israel.”  (1 Kings 3:4-9)  We also heard from today’s 1^st reading from the book of Wisdom in which King Solomon’s words are echoed, “I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.  I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her . . .” (Wisdom 7:7)  Great leaders, be they King David or King Solomon, Caesar Augustus, Constantine, Charlemagne, or our own George Washington are remembered for their heroism, dedication, and virtue.  Today’s leaders look to them for inspiration, to gain experience, to be wise so that they can rule with justice and wisdom this vast and numerous people.

It is not just our leaders that need to seek wisdom, but we too as voters.  The great thing about our nation is that we get to choose whom we want in office, we call this the democratic process, it is not a direct democracy, i.e. we have an electoral college and then our elected officials representative (vote) for us – for our needs, wants – for our good, therefore making us an indirect democracy.  Nevertheless we have a say in it.  Again, it is just not our politicians who should pray for wisdom when it comes to governance, but we too should pray for wisdom to discern the issues and form our conscience and then vote accordingly. 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has issued a statement on “Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship.”  In that document they focus on the issues that are important to us as a people, many of which are the very fabric of justice and the Gospel.

As you know, officials of the Church through the power and permission of the bishop, priests and deacons are to preach on the issues that are important to us, but we may not endorse any party or candidate, we for-go that privilege due to enjoying a tax exempt status.  Some may believe that is a disadvantage, but in reality it is an advantage as we can critique all parties, highlighting what is good and what needs to be addressed.

The USCCB has highlighted many issues central to Catholics when forming their decision in and how to vote.  These are the issues that are at the heart of our beliefs.  I will list the main topics at the end, but because of time restrictions will only focus on two here and get to the rest upon my return from vacation. 

Under human life the USCCB mentions the following issues: abortion, euthanasia, cloning, destruction of human embryos, genocide, torture, direct and intentional targeting of civilians and terrorism.  

As you know the Church according to Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition and the Magisterium, abortion for any reason is a grave and serious offense.  The respect and dignity of human life from natural conception to natural death is at the core of our beliefs.  Watching last week’s vice-presidential debate I would like to offer some insight on the issue of abortion.

Both Vice President Biden and Congressman Ryan accept the Church’s teaching on abortion, however, both left themselves a open to some critique.  Let’s start with VP Biden.  He claims that he accepts the Church’s teaching that human life begins at conception; however he does not force this belief on others.  It is true we cannot force our beliefs on others, but we as Christians must speak Truth.  St. Paul tells us to, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. (2 Tim 4:2, NIV)  My first duty as a Christian, over and above any office I may hold is to preach Truth even if it means to be unpopular, against my political party, or if it means back lash.  We are to reproof, correct and admonish one another when we stray.  To say I will not force my belief on someone else is an easy way out and it allows for relativism to take hold, i.e. truth is to be determined by the individual according to his or her own beliefs.  As Christians, however we believe Truth is objective, the same yesterday, today, and forever, c.f. Heb. 13:8.  To be clear, we are NOT to force beliefs on others but we are to invite them to what we believe is true and good, and more so if they are Christians.

Congressman Ryan also believes in the Church’s position, however as running mate to Senator Romney whom he endorses, since he is his running mate, Senator Romney will allow for abortions in extreme circumstances, i.e. rape, incest, and to save the mother’s life.  Congressman Ryan is in a little bit of a pickle here, since the Church does not allow abortion under any circumstance.  One might think this cold and harsh, but direct abortion even to save the mother is still abortion, however if trying to save the mother the unborn baby dies, that is an indirect consequence of the medical procedure done to save the mother.  Basically, indirect abortion, for lack of better term, in which the main intention was not to kill the baby but to save the mother is permissible, the abortion was an indirect consequence of whatever procedure was necessary to save her.  Wow, that was a mouth full.    

In the cases of rape and incest we must make sure that we reach out to the victim and offer any help we can for healing.  I can’t even begin to give you sufficient answers in how to deal with that, for only pure and total trust in Christ to bring about a good form that kind of evil can offer the victim maybe even the slightest of hope and consolation.  Life can be brutal sometimes, because people make horrible choices sometimes.  When we comfort the victim - the mother to keep that child it won’t be a matter of theological discussion that persuades her, but rather she must see Christ in those who minister to her, and those who may minister to her could be any one of us.

I want to move on to one other topic of which I have not spoken yet, and that is capital punishment.  Sometimes this issue gets lost.  And what is ironic is that the same people who protect human life at natural conception are pro-capital punishment.  The teaching in the Catechism is clear, Capital punishment may only be used by those societies that cannot protect themselves against an unjust aggressor, for example, tribal and indigenous peoples who do not have jailing facilities.  Since we here in America can protect ourselves from the unjust aggressor then the means of capital punishment should not be employed.  Here is the quote from the Catechism.  

2267:  Assuming that the guilty party's identity and responsibility have been fully determined, the traditional teaching of the Church does not exclude recourse to the death penalty, if this is the only possible way of effectively defending human lives against the unjust aggressor.

If, however, non-lethal means are sufficient to defend and protect people's safety from the aggressor, authority will limit itself to such means, as these are more in keeping with the concrete conditions of the common good and more in conformity to the dignity of the human person.

Today, in fact, as a consequence of the possibilities which the state has for effectively preventing crime, by rendering one who has committed an offense incapable of doing harm - without definitely taking away from him the possibility of redeeming himself - the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity "are very rare, if not practically nonexistent."

You can’t pray the rosary in front of an abortion clinic to save lives and then want people executed, it does not make sense nor is it compatible, we teach the respect and dignity of human life from natural conception to natural death.  As always people will bring up the exceptions and try to make them the rules, for instance, “Father John are you saying we should not put to death those who commit treason, or serial killers, rapists, and the world’s worst hardened criminals?”  That is correct; if those societies can protect themselves then they should not employ capital punishment.  No one is beyond redemption, “For God so loved the word that He gave His only begotten son . . .” (Jn 3:16).  It does not say, “except for the worst of sinners,” everyone has the possibility to be forgiven.  It seems that one party favors capital punishment while the other is moving away from it.

What then are we to do as voters, it almost seems that we must vote for a lesser evil?  Here is the honest truth, there is good in each party, there is also some things left to be desired – putting it mildly  in each party, the question comes down to which one or which persons are closer to those Truths we believe have been given to us by God?  These truths include to be free, to pursue happiness, and to be a just society that progresses in virtue.  The decision is ours, it is the privilege we have as Americans to vote, it is a great responsibility, one that should not be taken or influenced by party lines, but influenced by the King of Kings who speaks to our conscience, and be they a President or just the local priest with his congregation, Christ speaks to us all, what is He saying to us on these truths?

There are other issues as well please visit the USCCB at the following website http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/faithful-citizenship/ to better help inform you on the issues that are important to us as Catholics, the major issues are: Human Life, Family Life, Social Issues, and Global Solidarity.  There are many sub issues under each of the major ones, please take a look.

FJ

Slave to Christ or self?

The first reading for this Sunday from Genesis chapter two is a foundational scriptural passage dealing with marriage, family, and life.  God said, “It is not good for man to be alone.”  At first God created all kinds of living things, birds, cattle, wild animals, and yet none of them were Adam’s equal.  Therefore, from man God created a partner for him, an equal partner.  One that man could look to and see a reflection of his own nature, alike, but yet different.  God in his very nature, which is perfect in and of itself, needs nothing, and yet God still has this desire or innate quality to share with others his love.  God’s love points outward, to us.  We are made in God’s image so our love by nature points outwards, to others.

Today, however, because of a radical progressive ideology, love points towards self, i.e. I have the right to choose, be it an abortion, be it to end a marriage, and remarry, and remarry, and marry again.  I also have the right to do as I want for me, no one can tell me what to do.  But, from the beginning this is not how God intended it.

If we understand just one thing from all of today’s readings is that God wants us to look to others first, even before ourselves.  Is that not what Jesus did from the cross?  If he would have looked to himself only he would never have went through that suffering and would have left us stuck in the mud.  Jesus’ entire Gospel has to do with service towards others, be it healing, sacrifice, compassion, corporal works of mercy, and the list goes on.  All holiness is based on my charity (love) for others.  It completes man to love outside of himself and that is why God created an equal suitable partner.  

Now, God is not completed by creating us, rather we are created out love, God’s unquenchable, infinite, and glorious desire to share and he has given us a taste of it.  Why do you think we love to be with others, why people get married, why they love children, why we love our schoolmates, colleagues, why we love to be social?  We love all this because we are fulfilling our very nature.  The problem is as I stated we have turned this around on its head.

Many believe the Church cannot tell me to be pro-life  nor can the Church tell me whether or not I can remarry according to my own desires and wants, nor can the Church tell me what I can or cannot do in my private life.  I am a free person.  A radical sense of liberalism has created this type of thinking, even amongst Christians.  Scripture tells us something else.

This belief in a radical freedom of self is not only contrary to our nature, but when practiced is sinful.  St. Peter is clear, “Act as free men, do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond slaves of God” (1 Peter 2:16, NASB) and from St. Paul, “Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ . . . Romans 1:1, NABRE).  We are not radically free to choose at our every whim and fancy always looking to please self.  No, we have responsibilities towards Jesus and towards neighbor.  Anything that points to self is greed, selfishness, and contrary to the grace and nature that we have been given.

Jesus tells the people, “Moses gave you the right to give your spouse a bill of divorce not because it was allowed by God but rather because of the hardness of your hearts.”  So too does radical freedom give us permissions to do “WHAT WE WANT.”  It has given us permission to end the lives of unborn babies; it has given us the permission to redefine marriage, the family, drug use, government and corporate greed, fighting one war after another, all because freedom says I can. 

Liberalism tells us it is forward thinking, it knows truth, that it is making society better.  Really?  Is that why thousands of babies never see the light of day, why 50% of all marriages end in divorce.  Is that why the rich get bailed out and the poor are left to dry?  Is that why our children are more stable now and better educated?  (Being sarcastic here!)  Obviously we are not better off now, but worse off.  We have turned to being slaves to self rather than slaves to Christ. 

St. Paul tells us we will become slaves to the one whom we serve?  I ask you (and myself) who am I slave of?  Am I slave to self and sin or am I slave to others and Jesus?  I pray the latter.  Anything else and we are not living according to our nature and more importantly not living according to God’s command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

FJ