Christmas traditions

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year.  My tastes are very old-fashioned and traditional.  I still love the old C9 outdoor lights on an evergreen tree and I have decorated one in my front yard every year since we bought our first house in 1975.  Our first indoor tree was scotch pine.  We eventually went to white pine, and then discovered Frasier Fir which became our favorite, still with the old colored bulbs.  The wonderful fragrance of the Frasier Fir just added to the festive atmosphere.

 

For the past dozen years or so, we have been empty nesters.  Christmases weren’t quite the same although I kept up with the decorations each year. In 2020, my wife and I both turned seventy years old.  For the first time ever, we opted to purchase an artificial Christmas tree. Oh, it was nice with pre-lit LED lights that would change color with the touch of a remote control, but some of the magic was gone.  My wife and my son were both organists at Catholic Churches some 600 miles apart, making it impossible for us to get together on Christmas when they both had obligations.  That fact somewhat dampened my Christmas spirit, making the artificial tree a little more tolerable.  

 

Last August, our quiet retired lifestyle took a sudden turn.  Circumstances at the parish where my son was Liturgy and Music director, forced them to cut his position back from full time to part time.  His wife and my four grandchildren had always hoped to move closer to Indiana where both families originated, and they took this as an opportunity to make the move.  With no immediate prospects for employment, the family of six moved in with us.  For the first time since our own children were small, we are going to have four youngsters ranging in age from four to ten in our home at Christmas.  This Christmas would be special. 

 

We all cling to those Christmas memories from our childhood in the hopes of recreating them each year.  Only in December can we turn on contemporary radio and hear Gene Autry, Burl Ives, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams, and Bing Crosby.  Someday our grandchildren will grow up and look back on Christmases when they listened to Mariah Carey or Justin Bieber.  Well, maybe not, but you get the idea.  Anyway, I wanted to make this Christmas like those I remember from my childhood.

 

I knew immediately the artificial Christmas tree was staying in the attic this year.  I wanted my grandchildren to experience going to the Christmas tree farm and picking out the perfect tree.  We did it last weekend. Although we elected not to cut the tree ourselves, we did find a beautiful Frasier Fir that is now standing in our living room arrayed in old-fashioned colored lights and ornaments.  The children hung their stockings on the fireplace mantle where Saint Nicholas generously filled them on December 6^th.  Our formerly quiet abode is now filled with laughter, badly sung Christmas carols, and the aroma of Christmas baking.  

 

My mother-in-law always made fruitcake every Christmas season, not the hard kind nobody likes, but a tasty juicy cake like no other.  She developed a reputation for her fruitcake to the point where friends and acquaintances would ask her to make it for them each year.  Since her passing several years ago, we have missed the annual treat.  This year, my daughter-in-law decided to try bringing it back.  We had a copy of the recipe, and I must admit, it turned out just as I remembered it.  Perhaps a new generation will carry on grandma’s fruitcake tradition.  

 

My six-year-old granddaughter was in a Christmas dance recital with her ballet class last Sunday afternoon.  We sat through two and half hours of watching somebody else’s kids dance in order to see my granddaughter perform for two and a half minutes.  Her other grandfather drove two hours one way for the same experience so I shouldn’t complain!  

 

The presents are now piling up around the tree and the anticipation is bursting among all four of the grandchildren.  It brings back memories, not only of raising my kids, but even my own childhood when I wanted so badly to open at least one gift early.  My parents would never allow it and I won’t either.  I want to enjoy this Christmas season to the fullest.  At my age, there won’t be many more.   It is the most wonderful time of the year.  

 

Amidst all the festivities, let us not forget whose birthday we are celebrating.  I'm hoping to get the older grandchildren to come with us to Midnight Mass.  We will see how it goes!  Wishing everyone a very Blessed Christmas and a Joyful Healthy New Year!

 

 

 

November lament

A few thoughts after attending Mass on All Saints Day.  First of all, the pews were mostly empty, fourteen present by my count.  Granted, it fell on a Monday this year, so it was not a Holy Day of Obligation, but it was still a Holy Day.  Had we been obligated to attend Mass, I’m sure many more would have come.  This is the downside of obligated Mass attendance.  People tend to lose sense of the real reason we go to Mass.  We should go because we want to, not because we have to. 

Some priests foster this mentality by getting lackadaisical in the celebration of the solemnities.  The Mass had no music or singing, no servers, nothing beyond a regular weekday Mass except for reciting the Gloria and a second scripture reading.  We learn to celebrate a Holy Day falling on a Monday by being able to stay home.  It’s the same mentality we had as children when snow prevented us from going to school.  Somehow, our motivations have become skewed.  It just makes me wonder how many would stay home on Sundays too if the Mass obligation was relaxed. 

Those who did come were mostly the older members of the parish.  A few of them were daily Mass goers who would normally go on Mondays anyway.  On a positive note, one mother brought her three young children.  I happen to know they traveled a considerable distance.  If only more parents understood the importance of instilling this behavior in their children.  

Tomorrow is All Souls Day.  When I was growing up, a priest was permitted to say three Masses on All Souls Day.  We had two priests in our parish, so there were six Masses in a row, one right after another.  It was not a Holy Day of Obligation, but most Catholics went to at least one or two Masses.  Our parish will have only one Mass, and it will not be well attended, I am sure.  In full disclosure, I won’t be going either.  I too get lackadaisical in the practice of my faith.  It’s contagious.  The toned-down liturgies, the scandals, the confusion over the Church’s apparent tolerance of pro-abortion Catholic politicians, all these things have an effect on the temperature of our faith commitment.  We need to stay positive.  We need to celebrate!

A Word to the Unwise

I have been doing the Ascension Press Bible in a Year program.  Father Mike Schmitz leads a daily podcast of Scripture readings lasting 365 (or maybe 366) consecutive days.  I just finished day 287.  Some of the Old Testament is hard for me to follow.  Lots of names, tribes, conflicts, and lands.  I marvel at how Father Mike pronounces them all without missing a beat.  I should consider repeating this again next year as I would certainly get more out of it the second time through.  

The daily readings currently include the Book of Sirach and Proverbs where so much wisdom can be found.  Many verses seem to address concerns relevant to current times.   For example, social media is filled with polarizing arguments about mandatory vaccines, voter rights, cancel culture, budget ceilings, court packing, half truths and complete fabrications.  Conspiracy theories abound.  If people today would heed the advice of some Old Testament writers, our society would be much more respectful.  So here are some biblical words of wisdom for everyone to consider before posting anything on social media.

Proverbs 18:2  A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 18:17  He who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.

Proverbs 20:3  It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.

Proverbs 22:10  Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.

Proverbs 12:1  Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Proverbs 16:21  The wise of heart is called a man of discernment, and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

Proverbs 16:32  He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city

Proverbs 17:5  He who mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 17:7  Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.

Sirach 11:7  Do not find fault before you investigate; first consider, and then reprove.

Sirach 18:19-20  Before you speak, learn, and before you fall ill, take care of your health.

20 Before judgment, examine yourself, and in the hour of visitation you will find forgiveness.

Sirach 19: 4-10 

4 One who trusts others too quickly is lightminded, and one who sins does wrong to himself.

5 One who rejoices in wickedness will be condemned, 6 and for one who hates gossip evil is lessened.

7 Never repeat a conversation, and you will lose nothing at all.

8 With friend or foe do not report it, and unless it would be a sin for you, do not disclose it;

9 for someone has heard you and watched you, and when the time comes he will hate you.

10 Have you heard a word? Let it die with you. Be brave! It will not make you burst!

Sirach 19:15-16

15 Question a friend, for often it is slander; so do not believe everything you hear.

16 A person may make a slip without intending it.  Who has never sinned with his tongue?

 

Sirach 22:13  Do not talk much with a foolish man, and do not visit an unintelligent man;

guard yourself from him to escape trouble, and you will not be soiled when he shakes himself off;

Sirach 23:15  A man accustomed to use insulting words will never become disciplined all his days.

Or, just be nice. 

End of summer thoughts

 

My normal routine during weekly Eucharistic Adoration is a half hour of prayer, including the Rosary, and a half hour of reading or meditation.  I will call it meditation because it sounds better, but may be best described as thinking of whatever random thoughts come into my mind.  I believe it is important to just listen at times and God will speak to me.  Now, I’m not very good at that.  My mind tends to wander off easily.  Staying focused is a challenge where I often fail.  However, once in a while I am able to concentrate sufficiently that some intellectual clarity will emerge.  I would like to believe it is the Holy Spirit speaking to me, but that might be a bit presumptuous. 

 

Very few Catholics in my parish take advantage of Eucharistic Adoration.  For a time on this particular day, I was the only one present.  While I appreciate the lone time with Jesus, it saddens me that most people do not take advantage of this opportunity.  If we truly have the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ before us in that monstrance, why isn’t every Christian in the county trying to get in our doors?  Then, I began to think about some of the Protestant ministries in the area who are vibrant with active members, even without valid sacraments.  Why are they seemingly more attractive than we are?

 

Here is where I thought some inspired clarity added focus to the picture.  In typical Protestant communities around here, members will say the sinner’s prayer and accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.  They have the opportunity to go to church on Sunday, listen to some preaching, and sing a few songs, usually contemporary music with guitars and drums.  They may develop a more personal relationship with the pastor, his or her family, and all of this tends to be more socially entertaining.  If they don’t like the sermons or the pastor, they can go down the street and find one more to their liking.

 

Catholics on the other hand are centered on the Holy Eucharist.  The Church has much more to offer with the Sacraments, devotions, standardized prayers, and the various rites.  Worship is more vertical and not naturally conducive for socializing. If one is not properly formed in the faith, it can seem overly structured and restrictive, and unfortunately, our faith formation has been weak at best.  We have many more paths to connect with God than our Protestant brothers and sisters, but perhaps not as many to connect with one another.  Or maybe the social opportunities are there, but take a backseat to the spiritual side. The horizontal component of religion is much easier to maintain in the Protestant form it seems.

 

Having so many opportunities for Catholics to connect spiritually means we also have many more opportunities to disconnect.  In addition to Sunday Mass, there is confession, weekdays Masses, adoration, Holy Days, Fast and Abstinence Days, devotions, prayers, rosaries, lay ministries, the list goes on and on.  So those of us who are active in the parish pick and choose what we think we can handle, and usually find ourselves with the same faces, often few and far between.  It is so easy to gradually disconnect.  “No one can be expected to do all these things, so maybe I will lessen my load.” 

 

What is the answer?  How do we grow spiritually and pass that desire onto others?   If we truly understood and appreciated what we have as Catholics, our churches would be full.  Yet, how dare I find fault with others because they are not doing what I am doing?  Am I holier than they?  Probably not.  All I can do is keep praying and hope God tells me what I should be doing, and gives me the wisdom to hear and understand.

 

For those struggling in the practice of their faith, my advice would be to try doing one more thing than what you are doing now.  If you are a bare minimum Catholic only attending Sunday Mass, try adding one weekday Mass, or finding one program on EWTN that you might enjoy regularly.  Stop in for a quick visit next time you pass the church on a weekday.  Spend a few minutes at Eucharistic Adoration.  Go to the Catholic Answers website and read a short tract on some tenet of the Catholic faith.  Start small if you must, but do something to tighten that connection with your Catholic faith.  A little effort can go a long way. 

 

 

 

 

Shaming False Devils

 Slavery and the treatment of African Americans especially in the south left a scab on our nation’s history.  It is a scab that will always remain and serves to remind us of the injustice that was inflicted on our society.  Lately, certain people have been picking at that scab, perhaps trying to erase those painful reminders.  Statues have been removed, names changed, fingers pointed, boycotts urged, and people shamed.  But picking at the scab has reopened old wounds.  We can no longer freely interact with one another for fear of touching nerves that have been over-sensitized.  A sense of separation has arisen, an us and them awareness, counterproductive to the unity we might seek.

 

The University of Wisconsin-Madison recently removed a giant boulder that had been a campus landmark for nearly one hundred years because a 1925 Wisconsin State Journal article used the N-word in describing it.  No other record of this terminology to describe the rock could be found anywhere except for this one particular newspaper article.  Now in 2021, someone has decided that the boulder needed to be moved because it could be offensive.  The only victim in this case is the boulder itself.  It didn’t ask to be described in this manner by some crude long-forgotten journalist.  Thinking that relocating this massive rock somehow makes the world a better place is just plain ridiculous.

 
Closer to home, Valparaiso University has changed its nickname from Crusaders to Beacons reportedly because groups such as the Ku Klux Klan began using words and symbols associated with the Crusades.  Again, this is political correctness run amok.  One can make a derogatory connection to most any person, place or thing if one tries hard enough.  Suppose we uncover an article that claims beacons were once used to hunt down runaway slaves at night.  Would the university be compelled to change its name again?  Where do we draw the line?  Someone will always claim to be offended.
 

We know what it is to worship false gods.  They were prevalent in the Old Testament and we have our own today.  The problem lies not in the idol itself, but in the manner in which it is beheld by our human intellect.  The symbols being removed today can be regarded as false devils, objects perceived to be connected with some past evil, but really having nothing to do with the evil itself.  Finding them has become a modern day witch hunt, a quest to make a sinister association to formerly respected icons.  Removing them is like placing a band-aid where a wound has long since healed or never actually existed.  It simply calls renewed attention to a painful past event.

 
We Americans have it too good.  We should be thankful for the many blessings we have and stop nitpicking about names, statues, symbols and everything else that has no bearing on our future.  Playing the victim is never a good strategy.   Until we regain respect for human life, our society will continue to spiral downward.  The Catholic Church has the answers but few will listen.  In the meantime, hang on for dear life.

 

Punishment or tough love?

 

Many Catholics, including some bishops and priests, seem to be divided on the question of whether Catholic politicians who support legalized abortion should be denied Holy Communion.  Obvious to me is the fact that many who attack the Church for even considering this stance do not understand the real issue here.  Democrat Representative Ted Lieu, supposedly Catholic, recently dared the Church to deny him Communion for him supporting access to abortion and same-sex marriage.  Some Democrats want the Catholic Church to be stripped of her tax-exempt status over what they call “politically weaponizing religion”.  Is that what is really happening here?

 

The Holy Eucharist is the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ made present under the appearance of bread and wine.  To a non-Catholic, that probably sounds crazy, but if you were to take the time to deeply study the Scriptures and especially John Chapter 6, you might understand why this is belief is true.  Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians in Chapter 11, verses 27 to 30 says, “²⁷ Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. ³⁰ That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.^”

 

When the Church considers denying someone the Holy Eucharist due to an attachment to serious sin, the purpose is not to serve as a punishment.  Rather, the Church is concerned that the person is profaning the body and blood of the Lord, and therefore placing his salvation in jeopardy.  Being silent and allowing the person to receive Communion without warning would show a complete lack of concern for the person’s soul, and saving souls is the main purpose for the Church’s existence!

 

Another concern is the sin of scandal.  Allowing pro-abortion politicians to receive the Eucharist implies that what they are doing is okay.  If the Church does not take their sin seriously, then the rest of us need not take our sin seriously.  That is not a good message to be sending to a world where moral responsibility is already in decline.  

 

Denying someone the Holy Eucharist becomes a problem for the minister distributing Communion.  In many parishes, lay people called Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion (EMHCs) assist in distributing Communion.  They, along with the many priests and bishops, are not in a position to recognize every person who may approach in a seriously unworthy state, even those formally barred.  Even then, is the Communion rail the place to make a scene?  There is also the possibility, albeit unlikely, that the person has repented for his sin and been to confession.  The logistics of denying someone Communion are complicated.  

 

Truth be known, none of us are worthy, but those of us who acknowledge our sins and receive absolution, may approach humbly, asking for mercy.   The best treatment may be education and some tough love.  Pro-abortion Catholic politicians need to understand that they are risking their salvation.

 

Excommunication would send a strong message that repentance is urgently needed.  Our time on this earth is a blip when compared with our time in eternity.  Those who profaned the body and blood of Jesus Christ will be judged by him who they profaned.  They may need to be shocked into reality.

Regarding the upcoming Eucharistic coherence document that the U.S. Bishops are drafting, I am not so concerned with the reported disagreement among the bishops as I am about the amount of publicity about their bickering.  Bishops are not always going to agree with the best ways to deal with an issue.  However, one would think they should keep their disagreements in-house until a consensus is reached.  The letter signed by some sixty-seven members bishops in May calling for the Eucharistic coherence topic to be dropped from the conference agenda was widely reported.   

 

Anytime the secular media reports on faith matters within the Church, they usually misunderstand Catholic theology when looking at these issues from a political viewpoint.  This causes confusion among Catholics and non-Catholics.  Who leaks these discussions to the media?  The U.S. Bishops will eventually release a statement that will bring clarity to the question of who should and should not receive the Eucharist.  How much weight the statement will carry remains to be seen. 

 

Be careful what you say

 

Anyone in the public eye, or more precisely within public earshot, must be extremely cautious about every word that comes from his or her lips these days.  As innocent as any remark may be, someone will try to attach a racist or homophobic connotation.  There must be plenty examples of blatant prejudice out there without having to conjure up ones that do not exist.  Let’s face the facts.  We all have a certain tribal mentality.  It’s part of our nature.  We tend to favor those with similar qualities, looks, likes, thoughts, beliefs and behaviors to our own.  Those who are different may be less favorable, but that does not mean they are automatically disliked or hated.  We should all be able to recognize this fact and accept it, even if we are the ones being less favored at the time.  

Bob Brenly is a former major league baseball player and manager who now is a broadcaster for the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team.  He was recently criticized for an off the cuff comment he made during a game about a black players head covering commonly called a durag.  “Pretty sure that’s the same durag that Tom Seaver wore when he pitched for the Mets,” Brenly said attempting humor on the broadcast.  Several players took offense to Brenly’s remark saying it had racist overtones.

Now, I’m not even sure how to properly spell durag.  In writeups on this story, I have seen durag and do-rag.  I always thought it was a dew rag for the purpose of mopping dew from the brow.   When I first read about the incident, I had to look up d-u-r-a-g because I pronounced it wrong.  The dictionary said durag, so I will go with that spelling.  

Bob Brenly is 67 years old, a little younger than I am.  I was not aware that durags were exclusively black man’s attire.  My first awareness of durags were those worn by welders and bikers, most of whom were white guys.  I can appreciate Brenly’s attempt at humor.  Tom Seaver last pitched for the Mets in 1977. Back then, I doubt that any professional baseball player, black or white, would have been caught with a durag on his head.  Players of that era would have laughed at the appearance of today’s typical ball player with the long flowing hair, ink, chains, and earrings.  Brenly’s remark was simply a commentary on how players’ apparel has changed since Seaver’s day.  At least, that’s the way it appears to me.  Nevertheless, someone took offense and Brenly is now taking a week off for sensitivity training.  What we really need is desensitivity training for those who are constantly offended.  

We will never achieve equality until we acknowledge and accept our natural differences.  Repeated accusations of prejudice fosters more prejudice.  Those who are comfortable in their own skin will not waste time trying. to detect flaws in others.   None of us are perfect, but most of us are well intended.  A little patience and forgiveness can go a long way.  

Just a few questions Mr. President

 

Pope Francis has appointed a new Bishop of Wilmington, the home diocese of President Joe Biden.  Monsignor William Koenig will be ordained at St. Elizabeth Church in Wilmington on July 13.  At his first press conference, Msgr. Koenig did not indicate whether he would favor denying Holy Communion to Biden because of his public support of legalized abortion among other practices condemned by the Catholic Church.  “I certainly pray for him every day,” Koenig said of Biden. “I would certainly be open to having a conversation in the future with him. 

As a Catholic who is deeply troubled when Catholic politicians publicly support legalized abortion, and then present themselves for Holy Communion, I would love to hear that conversation between Biden and the new Bishop.  I tried to imagine how I would handle a conversation with the president given the opportunity for an interview. Catholic apologist Trent Horn is a big proponent of the Socratic method as the most effective way to win over someone with opposing views, so I would take that approach.  Here is a list of a few questions I would love the hear President Biden address.

First of all, why are you Catholic?  What does the Catholic Church mean to you?

Do you go to confession?   How often?

How do you justify accepting church rule privately, but work to oppose it publicly?  Don’t you see a contradiction there?  How do you reconcile your Catholic faith with your policies? 

 

Are President Joe Biden and Catholic Joe Biden two different people?  Are you in conflict with yourself?

 

Do you believe Jesus Christ established an authoritative Church with the power to bind and loose?

 

The Catholic Church claims infallible authority in certain matters of faith and morals.  As a Catholic, do you believe this, and if so, how do you justify promoting policies that contradict Catholic teaching?

 

Are you concerned about your own eternal salvation?  Do you feel any responsibility for the salvation of others?

 

Does your conscience ever bother you?  How do you form your conscience?  Where do you get your sense of right and wrong?

 

Have you ever witnessed an abortion?  Would you be willing to walk into a Planned Parenthood clinic and watch a live baby being killed in the womb?

 

Do you see a correlation between society’s acceptance of killing of babies in the womb and a general loss of respect for human life manifested in mass killings and inner city violence?

 

Do you believe in the Bible?

 

1 Cor 11:27-29 says the following:  ²⁷ Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. ²⁹ For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.   

What does that verse mean to you?

If you were denied reception of Holy Communion to protect you from profaning the body and blood of the Lord, how would you respond?

 

Do you own a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church?  Are you familiar Church teaching in the section on Scandal?  It says the following:

 

II. RESPECT FOR THE DIGNITY OF PERSONS   

Respect for the souls of others: scandal

2284 Scandal is an attitude or behavior which leads another to do evil. The person who gives scandal becomes his neighbor's tempter. He damages virtue and integrity; he may even draw his brother into spiritual death. Scandal is a grave offense if by deed or omission another is deliberately led into a grave offense. 

2285 Scandal takes on a particular gravity by reason of the authority of those who cause it or the weakness of those who are scandalized. It prompted our Lord to utter this curse: "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened round his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea."⁸⁶ Scandal is grave when given by those who by nature or office are obliged to teach and educate others. Jesus reproaches the scribes and Pharisees on this account: he likens them to wolves in sheep's clothing.⁸⁷

2286 Scandal can be provoked by laws or institutions, by fashion or opinion. 

Therefore, they are guilty of scandal who establish laws or social structures leading to the decline of morals and the corruption of religious practice, or to "social conditions that, intentionally or not, make Christian conduct and obedience to the Commandments difficult and practically impossible."⁸⁸ This is also true of business leaders who make rules encouraging fraud, teachers who provoke their children to anger,⁸⁹ or manipulators of public opinion who turn it away from moral values. 

2287 Anyone who uses the power at his disposal in such a way that it leads others to do wrong becomes guilty of scandal and responsible for the evil that he has directly or indirectly encouraged. "Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come!"⁹⁰

If you were denied reception of Holy Communion for committing the sin of scandal, how would you respond?

 

Do you understand why the Church, under certain conditions, chooses to excommunicate persons in order to shock them into reconsidering their standing in the eyes of God?

 

Oh how I would love to hear his responses.  Biden’s position on abortion has changed over the years.  In 1974, he was critical of the Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade.  He said, “I don't think that a woman has the sole right to say what should happen to her body," As late as 1983, he voted to prevent federal employees from obtaining abortion services through their health insurance.  He also stated he would not support partial birth abortion.  

More recently during his campaign for the presidency, Biden stated he would favor passing legislation to make Roe the law of the land. He no longer supports the Hyde amendment, which bans the use of federal funds for abortion except in rape cases, incest or life-threatening circumstances.  So, what changed his mind over the years?  How did his respect for human life become less civilized?  Having demonstrated some fluidity of opinion over the years, let us pray that he might regain his respect for life, not only for the sake of the unborn, but also for the sake of his soul. 

 

 

Major League Blunder

After missing out on Easter liturgies last year due to the pandemic, what a joy to celebrate the vigil this year by receiving two new Catholics into the Church at our small parish, along with two others who were baptized Catholic but never completed their Sacraments of initiation. Our Easter Vigil liturgy lasted two hours and forty minutes, which is a long time to breathe through a mask, but we made it. We are so blessed to be back. Things are returning to normal as more and more people are being vaccinated against the Covid virus. Even the baseball season is starting on time. 

I sometimes wonder if some of the craziness going on in our world today has been exacerbated by the pandemic. People seem to be angrier than ever. Unable to enjoy all of our normal activities, many have resorted to insulting one another in social media. The so-called cancel culture has grown to ridiculous proportions. Major League Baseball has pulled the All-Star game out of Atlanta because the state passed a new voting law.  “Major League Baseball fundamentally supports voting rights for all Americans and opposes restrictions to the ballot box,” according to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred. 

That is a silly statement. So, every American should be allowed to vote without any restrictions? Four-year-old Americans should be allowed to vote? You should be able to cast your vote anytime you want anywhere you want, as many times as you want? No. Obviously, all eligible Americans should be allowed to vote with certain necessary restrictions. Read the Georgia voting law and explain to me how it restricts any eligible voter from voting. It does not. 

Whether the Georgia law is fair or restrictive is a matter for political debate. It is not a question of right or wrong. To cancel a major event based on political ideology is stupid and dangerous. MLB is setting themselves up for scrutiny in all of their business practices now. Anyone can conjure up a connection to some objectionable practice that may be offensive to somebody. Where does one draw the line? At least in the Church, we have an understanding of the difference between formal and material cooperation with evil. In this case, no evil is involved and playing a baseball game in the State of Georgia would not be cooperating even if political evil were involved. None of this makes any sense. 

I would love to hear Rob Manfred explain in detail what part of the Georgia voting law he finds so objectionable that it deserves a boycott. He may have fallen for the absurd claim that the law is racist. Does he believe particular citizens of Georgia are not capable of obtaining a proper ID? How many innocent Georgia residents are going to be financially impacted by his action? 

MLB plans to move the All-Star game to Denver. Colorado is one of only seven states that permits abortion at any point in pregnancy, and women in their second or third trimester consistently go there for the procedure when they can’t find a provider in their home state. So, MLB is taking their game away from a state that wants to codify laws to ensure a fair election and move it to a state where it is easier to kill its future fans. Georgia, by the way, has tried to enact restrictive abortion laws only to have them thrown out by a federal judge. Georgia is safe and MLB is charged with an error.

A Little Testimony

At the end of our RCIA class a week ago, one of the young women candidates asked us life-long Catholics what our faith means to us. I had a week to think about it before answering, but still found it difficult to put into words. Those of us who grew up in the faith sometimes take it for granted. Our religion is so ingrained in us that it becomes automatic. We seldom give it much thought, and that is not a good thing. 

I decided to make some notes on what my Catholic faith means to me. Telling some soon-to-be Catholics why I love my faith seemed of critical importance so I didn’t want to leave anything out. I wanted to do it justice. How does one speak of something so central to one’s life without falling short? After writing down a few thoughts, I tossed my notes aside. When the time comes, I will just speak from my heart and hope the Holy Spirit helps me find the words. 

The time came last Wednesday. My fellow teacher, a very spiritual woman, went first. She gave a beautiful explanation of her faith journey, starting many years ago in a poor neighborhood in Chicago. She began attending retreats and her love of Jesus and the Church grew over time. Today she attends Mass daily and leads a very prayerful life despite some tragedies including the loss of a child in an accident years ago. 

When it was my turn, I told of my upbringing with a Catholic mother and a non-practicing Methodist father. Religion was not talked about much in our household. I went through eight years of Catholic school, taught by nuns from the Order of Saint Francis. We attended Mass before school every morning, religion class each day, I was an altar boy, and a good one I might add. i learned what the Church taught, but not always the reasons for the teachings. 

My last year of Catholic school was 1964. The Beatles were the latest thing and the Second Vatican Council was session. The world was changing. The Church was changing. Many of my former Catholic school classmates would soon drift away from the faith. I never did. I continued going to Mass with my mother and sister through high school. 

By the time I went off to college, the sexual revolution was going on. Woodstock, hippies, long hair, and free love were the common denominators among people my age. I never fit in with that crowd and continued Mass attendance every Sunday. It was the way my mother and the nuns had raised me. Yet, I had my doubts about the authority of the Church to rule over our lives. I became what some call a cafeteria Catholic. I liked to pick and choose what teachings I would follow and which ones I would ignore. I thought the Catholic Church was just one of many Christian denominations. That attitude continued after college and into my married life. 

I had a friend at work who belonged to the Church of the Nazarene. He knew I was Catholic and would occasionally hit me with accusations that many Catholic teachings were non-biblical. Jesus had brothers, Mary was not sinless, we have graven images in our churches. I did not know how to refute his arguments. In fact, most of the time, I didn’t even know what he was talking about. My response was silence and a shrug. 

In the mid 1990’s (I wish I could remember the exact date), everything changed in the span of about ninety minutes one evening in our church basement. Out pastor at the time invited a young apologist from Saint Joseph Communications to speak, not just to our congregation, but to anyone in the community who wished to attend. He mailed handbills to every household on our postal routes telling of this former Baptist minister who would speak about his conversion to the Catholic Church. The speaker’s name was Tim Staples. 

 I remember thinking at the time that this guy is probably setting us up. He is going to come here under false pretenses to point out all these non-biblical Catholic teachings my friend had told me about. I decided to go hear what he had to say. 

 If you have never heard Tim Staples’ conversion story, please search his name and find it. He did bring up all of those so-called non-biblical Catholic teachings during his talk, but Tim had a friend in the Marine Corp who actually knew his Catholic faith and was able to refute every anti-Catholic misconception he raised. I learned there were Catholic answers to all of the objections to which my friend had challenged me. Tim had converted to the Catholic Church and I was inspired that night with a new confidence in my faith. He lit a fire in me that still burns today. 

 I realized the Catholic Church is not just one of many Christian denominations. She is the original Church instituted by Jesus Christ. The other Christian denominations are offshoots and offshoots of offshoots. Christianity is like a tree where the trunk represents the Catholic Church and the branches are those who have split away. Some are like twigs far removed from the original source. They sway with the winds of the world, but the trunk remains unrelenting and solid. She may not be as pretty as some of the foliage, but she is true and trustworthy and I will cling to her. 

 In the Bread of Life Discourse in John Chapter 6, many of Jesus followers left him when He told them they must eat his body and drink his blood. Jesus asked the twelve, “Will you also go away?” Simon Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:66-68) I too will always remain in the Catholic Church. Where would I go? Anywhere else is going out on a limb.

Identity Crisis

I recently caught an episode of Catholic Answers Live (January 25) when the guest was Joe Heschmeyer on the topic, “Who does Jesus say that you are”  Joe Heschmeyer is an author and cohost of the Catholic Podcast Weekly.  One of his books is titled, “Who am I Lord?: Finding your identity in Christ.”  

The book description on Amazon.com says:  

The question "Who am I?" is on the minds and hearts of people of all ages. And for good reason: The answer is important! Who we are - or who we think we are - drives our actions and shapes our relationships.

While we are asking the right questions about identity, the world is busy feeding us the wrong answers: We are our political party, job title, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity - and the list goes on. But until we know why we were created, by whom, and for what purpose, we can never be truly satisfied.

Heschmeyer’s point is that we are created in the image and likeness of God.  Our identity is modeled on His identity.  Therefore, the more we know God, the better we know ourselves.  I found his presentation on Catholic Answers Live very thought provoking and would highly recommend listening to the download or getting his book.  

As our society tends to grow more distant from God, we see more people, especially the young, going through an identity crisis.  We have a natural yearning to know who we are.  Why are we here?  How do we identify?  If we do not know our creator in whose image we are made, we must create our own identity. That identity is often determined by what we are rather than who we are.  It becomes an open-ended question that can lead to confusion and uncertainty.  As Heschmeyer puts it, we settle for something less than the reality of who we are.  We should live in the identity of being a son or daughter of God.

Identity is important.  In the broadcast, Heschmeyer mentioned how Adam’s first job in Genesis was to name the animals, and that created a relationship with them.  He said we tend not to name the animals we eat.  If we name an animal, our relationship with it changes.  Today we live in a society where identity has become somewhat fluid.  Meanings change and foundations are weakened.  

In Matthew 16:15-19, Jesus names Simon Peter, the Rock, but not before He first asks Simon, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon is not identified as Peter, the Rock, until he first acknowledges Christ.  Similarly, we cannot know our true identity until we know Christ. Jesus is God and we created in the image and likeness of God.  Knowing God is a prerequisite for knowing ourselves. 

How do we get to know God?  How does God speak to us?  He makes Himself known to us through His Son, His Church and the Scriptures.  He speaks to us through the Magesterial authority given to the bishops in union with the Pope.  But, do we really listen?  We cannot do it as a casual observer.  Going to Mass once a week and saying a few Hail Marys doesn’t get us there.  It takes time, effort and desire.  All close relationships must be nurtured in order to grow.  Prayer, study, adoration, discipline, spiritual and corporal works of mercy -  All of these things help us grow closer to God, to know Him better, serve Him better, and to better know ourselves. 

 

Quiet Please!

For the first time ever, I am beginning the New Year by silencing several of my social media friends who have a penchant for posting critical rants, most of which are copied and pasted from some other questionable source.  The insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, demonstrates the consequences of irresponsible denigration so rampant on the internet.  I have grown tired of the disrespect shown from both sides of our polarized society.  Too many people with too many opinions based on too much misinformation.  

Conspiracy theories abound.   Some people believe anything but trust no one.  It seems like a contradiction.  Our government is perceived as an enemy.  Anyone in a position of authority is an oppressor.  These paranoid radicals have always been around, but social media has brought them together.  When our nation is not at war against a common transgressor, we instead have to fight one another. 

   

My views are conservative, and I definitely align with the Republican platform and its respect for life.  Yet, I find myself silencing many like-minded friends on social media due to their continued defense of the president despite his despicable behavior.  Both sides are guilty of fanning the flames.  As Catholic Christians, we need to treat each other with respect and put a stop to baseless accusations and name-calling.  

Our parish is distributing a little book called Do Something Beautiful for God, the essential teachings of Mother Teresa, that contains some of her words of wisdom for each day of the year.  The January 9 message from Mother says, “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”  The same could be said for harsh words. They can promote peace or instigate unrest. They can be forever uplifting or inflict permanent scars.  

The time has come to step back and take a breath, to seek truth backed up with facts, to remain calm, and rely on common sense.  Arguments are never won with intimidation and threats of violence.  Speak the truth with calm and confidence.  Make sense, earn respect and gain a convert.