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.

Interesting...

Why Did Pope Francis Go to St Mary Major?

Like I've been saying, the Holy Spirit seems to be trying to grab our attention...

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.

My thoughts on Pope Benedict's Resignation

Like everyone, yesterday morning I was caught completely off-guard by the announcement from Pope Benedict.  I awoke, said my morning prayer, grabbed my phone to check if there were any urgent emails waiting to ruin my day and I see the words "Pope Benedict resigns" scrolling across my phone's news ticker.

What?