Monday Morning Musing on Forgiveness

In discussing the concept of forgiveness, our priest during his homily this past Sunday referred to Jesus on the cross forgiving the Jews and Romans for killing him. It occurred to me that this was, at the very least, literally incorrect. Since Catholics believe in Lectio Divina instead of Sola Scriptura, I thought my criticism needed further examination.

First off, to the Bible! Luke 23:34 (New American Bible)
"Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots."
So, Jesus does not forgive "them" but goes out of His way to ask his Father in Heaven to forgive them!

Just to be clear, all throughout the Gospels we read how Jesus forgives sinners and sends them on their way and tells them not to sin again, etc. But not in this case. He doesn't forgive them. Instead He asks God the Father to forgive them.

What can we draw from Jesus' last (human) act on Earth? What moral teaching are we to get from this? Are we asked to walk around forgiving everyone who harms us? Or, instead, are we to ask our Father in Heaven to forgive them? It makes a difference, doesn't it, whether I'm asked to forgive someone (something which I'm not personally sure is within my abilities as a human being to do) or to rely on God's forgiveness and mercy for the Other's transgression toward me.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church chooses instead to focus its interpretation of this passage on the mercy offered to those who sin out of ignorance.

Mozart and Springsteen

(Random) thought:

If we take into consideration musical themes and length of lines, we must conclude that:
Mozart is the Bruce Springsteen of classical music. :-)

The Need for Catholic Friends

I've discussed this view before, at conferences, in private conversations and with other Catholic friends: due to the Devil's ruling of the world, it is important, it is imperative, that Catholics hang out with other Catholics, in order that we may reinforce each other against the Devil and his ways.

I was therefore comforted when I prayed today's Morning Office and was reminded of this fact by the Psalmist, who wrote in Psalm 101:

I will walk with an innocent heart

  through the halls of my palace.

I will allow no evil thing in my sight.

  I will hate the man who retreats from perfection:

  he may not stay near me.

The wicked of heart must leave me;

  the plotter of evil I will not acknowledge.

The man who plots against his neighbour in secret:

  I will suppress him.

The haughty of eye, the puffed-up and proud –

  I will not support them.

I will turn my eyes to the faithful of the land:

  they shall sit with me.

Whoever walks in the way of perfection –

  he shall be my servant.

The haughty shall not live in my palace;

  the slanderer shall not stand in my sight.

Each morning I will suppress

  all the wicked of the land.

I will rid the city of the Lord

  of all that do evil.

"I will hate the man who retreats from perfection: he may not stay near me." In the same way that we are asked not to be scandalous, we have to acknowledge the scandalous ways of our acquaintances, coworkers, friends. Having done so, having warned them of God's love for the good, and his dislike of the wicked, we can do no more than turn our backs on them. Not literally, of course, that would not be compassionate or charitable, but spiritually, we must mark these people as someone who does not have our best interests at heart.

Psalm 101 offers such powerful, insightful words. The Psalmist teaches us how to behave, what to look for in friends, what to look for in enemies (of the Lord and the Lord's ways). We are also given our mission in the last line I quote: "I will rid the city of the Lord of all that do evil." Is that not the Church's mission, to bring about the Kingdom of God? Does "Thy kingdom come..." from the Lord's Prayer ring any bells?

Don't kid yourself. This attitude is not at all politically correct! However, I seriously doubt that when I die Jesus will pull me aside and tell me that I don't belong at the Heavenly Banquet because I wasn't politically correct during my life. Now, he might very well tell me that I wasn't compassionate or loving enough toward my enemies (and car tailgaters, grrr!), and he would have a valid criticism. But no one acting on his/her concern for social graces alone will ever get into Heaven. How do I know this? Jesus was killed for living his life opposing Jewish social customs, for saying that instead of stoning each other for perceived sins, we should love one another and forgive each other. He has already told us that this world is not ours, its ways are not our ways.

Even though we must give to Cesar what belongs to Cesar, we are not obliged to give Cesar any more than that, including our fealty, our love, our souls.

So, spend some time with your Catholic friends, teach each other about your faith, arm yourselves against the world and its evil ways. Be friendly, compassionate, loving (philia, agape) with your other friends, but don't get dragged down into their muck if they are unwilling to rise above it.

Yeah, Mary Knew!

Pentatonix Lyrics 

(https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/pentatonix/marydidyouknow.html)

 
Mary, Did You Know?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new?
This child that you've delivered, will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy will calm the storm with his hand?
Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby, you kiss the face of God.

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?..
Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?..

The blind will see, the deaf will hear, the dead will live again.
The lame will leap, the dumb will speak, the praises of the lamb!

Mary, did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know that your baby boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
That sleeping child you're holding is the great I am.

Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know? Mary, did you know?..
Mary, did you know? 

 

---------------------------------------------

Why must we Catholics be forced to endure this blasphemous seasonal song during Mass? I can at least turn off the radio or turn away from the radio station when it comes on, but how do I turn off the Mass?

 

I heard it (again) yesterday, at Mass - during Communion - no less! 

Any Catholic who likes this song does not understand basic Catholic theology, or the role of Mary the Mother of God in Salvation history. Or their Bible. Or the heretical Protestant origins of the song. 

 

Yes, Mary knew.

For Catholics interested in learning why the song is heretical and blasphemous, please read this article at the Catholic Thing: https://www.thecatholicthing.org/2017/12/07/mary-did-you-know-and-the-immaculate-conception/

 

For a more pointed, anti-Protestant, slant on the song, watch this video or read the transcript from Church Militant: https://www.churchmilitant.com/video/episode/mary-did-you-know

 

I could list another dozen or so Catholic sites condemning the song, but I hope this dead horse has been beaten enough.

 

I have yet to read one review of the song/lyrics by any Catholic priest where they do not condemn it. 

 

Let's make 2019 the last year that we will be subjected to this heretical and blasphemous song inside our churches!

 

Nancy Pelosi Is A Catholic?

A Catholic. Really?

When recently asked if she hated Donald Trump this was her reply, as reported by CNN.com December 6 2019:

"I think this President is a coward when it comes to helping our kids who are afraid of gun violence," she said. "I think that he is cruel when he doesn't deal with helping our Dreamers, of which we are very proud of. I think he is in denial about the climate crisis. However, that's about the election."

"This," she said, tapping hard on the podium, "is about the Constitution of the United States and the facts that lead to the President's violation of his oath of office. And as a Catholic, I resent your using the word 'hate' in a sentence that addresses me. I don't hate anyone."

How dare she use her "Catholicism" in defense of any of her public positions, and especially one so politically motivated! This, let's recall is the same Democrat leader who is in Planned Parenthood's back pocket, who dares to advocate (as a Catholic) the abortion of pre-borns.

Pelosi doesnt hate anyone? What about the pre-born that she hates enough to allow to be killed? What about the women she hates enough to scar for the rest of their lives by allowing laws where their babies can be killed right before their eyes? What about the men who fathered these children and have no say into whether they live or die?

No, she may not hate Donald Trump, after all, why would she? It would be like hating one's brother, since they are both cut from the same political cloth. But can she stand on her Catholicism as a reason? I don't think so. IN fact, many Catholics (those who understand their faith) believe that politicians like Pelosi should be excommunicated for expressing their public views contary to Catholic doctrine.

I pray for Pelosi's conversion of heart, for her to some day recognize the dignity and right-to-life of the pre-born and the teens who feel they can only turn to Planned Parenthood's abortion mills as a way out of their situation, and for her lack of respect for the family, the backbone of society.

Halloween Post - Better Late(ran) Than Never

Today is the feast day commemorating the dedication of the Lateran Basilica, hence the title of this post, nearly two weeks past Halloween.

And for more information on this feast day, click on the link: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/dedication-of-saint-john-lateran/

Connect the Dots

Here's a fun Wednesday exercise, let's put two facts together and see how many of us can connect the dots:

#1 Sunday October 6, 2019
President Trump decides to pull troops out of Syria

#2 Wednesday October 9, 2019
Turkey launches attack on Syria.

Hmm... what can we make of this?