On the Road to Emmaus

Today's Gospel was Luke 24:13-35, the story of the disciples meeting the risen Christ on the road to Emmaus.  It got me thinking about my spiritual journey through the past several years of trial and suffering how early on depression, anger, and negative emotions were common, long lasting, hard to shake and how infrequently I fight depression or dwell on the negative now.  How the way I deal with things and the way I am more joyful now than many think there is reason for me to be...  How there are still times where I do get caught up on the things that are wrong or feeling depressed or self-pity or other negative emotions and how I try to pull myself from them, with varying degrees of success versus what actually has caused lasting change or what really does give me hope and the ability to be joyful and to accept God's plan...  And how it was right there in today's Gospel, it was the reason I got up and left my desk to be at Mass at 12:05 instead of at the burger place across the street eating lunch...

And to the other extreme..

I already commented on one set of critics of our new Pope, the group that is criticizing Pope Francis for holding Catholic beliefs...  Now, for the other end of the spectrum, those that are criticizing the way he shuns the traditions and the trappings of High Mass.

Let me start by saying, I love the High Mass.  It is beautiful and full of dignity which God fully deserves.  I am not opposed to beautiful cathedrals of marble of and stained glass, or gold chalices, and noble vestments.  They serve a purpose, they lift the mind and soul towards God.  They are all fitting to a King and with the priest in persona Christi honor, dignity, and signs of nobility are always appropriate.

A sad understanding of Catholicism

One of Pope Francis' allegiances might tell us something about the church's future | National Catholic Reporter

I was referred to this article by a well meaning friend and was quite troubled by this author's complete lack of understanding of what it means to be Catholic.  Every criticism this writer has of Comunione e Liberazione is refuting Catholic Dogma, Doctrine, or Catechesis.

Quick comment regarding the wealth of the "church"

John Thavis | First the gestures, now the words: “Jesus was born in a manger” is sometimes heard sarcastically by visitors to the Vatican’s rather opulent chambers

I just read the article containing the quote above.  And without getting into a longer, valid response to this attitude I just want to give one simple response:

Yes, Jesus was born in a manager, only the angels recognized Him for who He truly was.  But, since His death and resurrection we have come to realize that He is was not simply an impoverished baby, He is King of all Kings which does merit the treasures the Church holds in His Name.

Habemus Papam!

I love our new Pope!  Thank you Holy Spirit, you never disappoint.

Confused Catholics

I was just watching a couple videos on YouTube, one from a dissident Catholic that believes the Church needs to "modernize" its position on contraception, because it just doesn't make sense anymore in a world facing AIDS.  The usual, "celibate old men", "out of touch", and other standard arguments lacking any logic and refusing to understand why it is simply not an option for a Pope, Bishop, or Priest or any good Catholic to accept condom usage as legitimate teaching.

It's quite simple.  Pre-marital, extra-marital, and sex for purely pleasure that intentionally prevents the possibility of procreation is wrong.  It's not a grey area, it's 100% wrong.

How to respond as a Catholic

Today seems to be a day full of interesting articles crossing my desk.  There is some great thought here in this piece, “And the Gates of the NY Times Shall Not Prevail Against It.” Catholics Can Beat the Press–3 Easy Steps.  How common it is as a Catholic to find oneself on the defensive, being subject to questions that really miss the point, questions that allow the questioner to avoid real critical thought or real honest discussion of what they believe, what they seek, and how the Church, if actually listened to and understood, not only builds on what they truly know and believe in their heart, but gives them the answers they truly seek and desire.

I'll have to try to remember this for the next time I'm facing the barrage of misinformed, misguided, anti-Catholic questions...

And this afternoon...

The American Spectator : Miss Teen Delaware

OK, not a new story, but just read Ben Stein's piece on it after lunch today and a few things he said immediately reminded me of my response to the story I posted about this morning, as an example:

This girl was apparently a good student...Yet she somehow thought it was a good idea to do a porn video and when asked why, answered, “I thought it might be fun and I need the money.”

What a mess...

This morning I came across this article "Surrogate offered $10,000 to abort baby" on CNN.com.  As I read it, I certainly was encouraged by the surrogate's desire to do good, to protect life, and to bring this child into the world and give it a chance despite the challenges.  But, at the same time I could not help but think that this whole mess, the reaction of the genetic father and his wife, the fleeing to another state, the enticement to murder with cash, and the legal battles are all simply the product of the horribly wrong practice of in vitro fertilization, surrogacy, man trying to play God and separate marriage from sex and sex from reproduction.

Reaction to Pope Benedict's Resignation, predictable

The response to Pope Benedict's announcing his resignation is not surprising at all.  Among the faithful Catholics the responses are prayer and thanks, along with the typical human questions and thoughts on who his successor might be.  While the non-Catholic and dissenting Catholic responses fall primarily into two groups.  One group is seizing the moment to dwell on priesthood scandals from 30-50 years past.  The other group is publicly hoping that finally the Church will change, let go of its outdated morality and join the 21st Century, because it is doomed if it doesn't embrace modern values.

For the moment, I'm not interested in discussing the priesthood scandal and Pope Benedict XVI, then Cardinal Ratzinger's, role in the matter.

"A church that emphasizes the inclusive ministry of Jesus"

The church young Catholics want - Guest Voices - The Washington Post

As I read this article I repeatedly found myself pausing and thinking to myself, "She doesn't really understand her faith."  And after the third or fourth time, it dawned on me, at her age, I didn't either.  Some of that is due to the catechesis I received, some our culture, some my youth, and some my selfish desires and concupiscence.  I drifted as a "Catholic" going to Mass on Easter and Christmas Day, getting my kids baptized in a Church I rarely ventured into except for the occasional pancake breakfast or youth activity that was using the social hall.  I thought, the Church just isn't relevant, it's archaic, it needs to update itself in a number of areas and get with the times.  But, slowly, over time God worked His way into my mind and then my heart and through pain, suffering, life experience, truly exploring and really searching for Truth, I came to realize that there is nothing wrong with the Church's teachings.  They are teaching the authentic Truth handed to us by Jesus Christ, God become Man.

Reflection on society

I'm so saddened by the loss of life in Connecticut last Friday.  It's a tragedy, committed by a sick and/or evil man.  I pray for the victims, the living, the dead, the emotionally wounded, the physically traumatized.  But, not just those in that small New England town.  But those victimized by violence rooted in what seems to me to be an ever increasing lack of respect for human life.

It is a tragedy.  It was an awful, hateful, cowardly act.  It breaks my heart.  But the response troubles me.

"You will be like gods!"

And with those words, it went from "very good" to suffering and death...

Today, I was reminded of those words in a context that caused me to recall one of the theological arguments for the existence of One God.  And it struck as worth discussing...