Folks,
In today's Daily Scripture reading, the Gospel reading from Mark 10:17-27 recounts the story of the rich man who came to Jesus to ask what he had to do to inherit eternal life, and Jesus responded with the Commandments. The man declared that he had kept these all his life, but Jesus, looking upon him, loved him and said he lacked one thing: he had to sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, not that the poor might be helped, but that the young man's idol - his attachment to the material thing he loved most that was keeping him from God - would be broken. The man went away sorrowful, having many possessions.
Now it is rare that I should ever quote a Zen Buddhist story to illustrate the point of detachment from our idols; however, from my early days in 12 step programs, this one story keeps coming back to me for here we have a man - a Zen Buddhist monk - from 17th century Japan for whom even reputation among the people of this world meant nothing. He simply did the right thing. To be sure, there are plenty of Catholic Saints whose lives exemplify this perhaps even better, but please let the story speak for itself:
Hakuin was greatly respected and had many disciples. At one time in his life, he lived in a village hermitage, close to a food shop run by a couple and their beautiful, young daughter. One day the parents discovered that their daughter was pregnant. Angry and distraught, they demanded to know the name of the father. At first, the girl would not confess but after much harassment, she named Hakuin. The furious parents confronted Hakuin, berating him in front of all of his students. He simply replied, “Is that so?”
When the baby was born, the family gave it to Hakuin. By this time, he had lost his reputation and his disciples left him. But Hakuin was not disturbed. He took delight in caring for the infant child; he was able to obtain milk and other essentials from the villagers. A year later, the young mother of the child was troubled by great remorse. She confessed the truth to her parents - the real father was not Hakuin but rather a young man who worked at the local fish market. The mortified parents went to Hakuin, apologizing, asking his forgiveness for the wrong they did him. They asked Hakuin to return the baby. Although he loved the child as his own, Hakuin was willing to give him up without complaint. All he said was: “Is that so?”
Today's world may seem to be falling apart. But in the midst of all the turmoil, will we walk away from Jesus like the rich man because we have many possessions and much reputation, and preserving them against the oncoming catastrophe is more important than Him? Or will we be like Hakuin and simply put one foot in front of the other, doing the right thing one day at a time and leaving to God the working of the results without our attachment to either material possessions or reputation in society? Now true, we can argue about the legitimacy of Zen Buddhism (no, I haven't gone over to the dark side of paganism). That's not the point. The point is - who's on first? Jesus or me? I'd rather be like Hakuin than the rich man. But that's awefully hard to do.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Comment by Jim McCrea on These Times
Folks,
The following is Jim McCrea's comment on my post, Update.
Actually, the situation has been predicted in Catholic prophecy, by Church approved seers consisting of Venerables, Blesseds, and Saints through most of the history of the Church.
We are closing in on what is known as the Minor Tribulation.
The whole world will fall apart and God will purify the world through natural disasters and man-made events.
Terrible things will happen in the future - Italy and France will fall into civil war at the same time, as the forces of Godlessness try to exterminate all Christians. After that there will be a terrible invasion of Europe by the Muslims who will commit innumerable atrocities. We can see now how both the fiscal and social policies of Obama are leading to a conflagration in the Western world (including Canada, and Central and South America).
Then there will arise a great military leader who will completely defeat Islam, and that will be the end of that religion (it was a colossal monument to falsity). He will defeat the final enemy of the secular forces at the battle of Birch Tree country, then ascend the throne of France, dragging the flag of the French Revolution through the mud which was an impious experiment. He will be the Great Monarch who will rule the world for many years, bringing peace, justice, and prosperity, and most of the world will become Catholic as even Protestantism will disappear. That is the Era of Peace predicted at Fatima.
But as man cannot stand material prosperity for long without abandoning God, fervor will cool and there will be a great falling away, called the Great Apostasy in the Bible (2 Thessalonians 2).
Then from that loss of Faith, the final and most terrible evil will arise in the person of Antichrist who will exceed all other tyrants in history in malice. That will be the Major Tribulation. He will rule for 3 1/2 years as Enoch and Elijah will return to combat him. Enoch and Elijah will be killed by Antichrist and then rise 3 1/2 days later and ascend into heaven.
Antichrist trying to go after them, will rise by the power of the devil and as he is doing so will be killed by the Archangel Michael (according to St. Thomas Aquinas).
Shortly after that will be the End of the World and the General Judgment.
God is strengthening all faithful Christians now for the up-coming events. A time will come shortly where we will not have government institution or steady job to support us, but only radical trust in the providence of God.
Catholic prophesy is explained in the tome Trial, Tribulation, and Triumph by Desmond A. Birch published by Queenship Publishing who has researched this for many years to write his book.
The following is Jim McCrea's comment on my post, Update.
Actually, the situation has been predicted in Catholic prophecy, by Church approved seers consisting of Venerables, Blesseds, and Saints through most of the history of the Church.
We are closing in on what is known as the Minor Tribulation.
The whole world will fall apart and God will purify the world through natural disasters and man-made events.
Terrible things will happen in the future - Italy and France will fall into civil war at the same time, as the forces of Godlessness try to exterminate all Christians. After that there will be a terrible invasion of Europe by the Muslims who will commit innumerable atrocities. We can see now how both the fiscal and social policies of Obama are leading to a conflagration in the Western world (including Canada, and Central and South America).
Then there will arise a great military leader who will completely defeat Islam, and that will be the end of that religion (it was a colossal monument to falsity). He will defeat the final enemy of the secular forces at the battle of Birch Tree country, then ascend the throne of France, dragging the flag of the French Revolution through the mud which was an impious experiment. He will be the Great Monarch who will rule the world for many years, bringing peace, justice, and prosperity, and most of the world will become Catholic as even Protestantism will disappear. That is the Era of Peace predicted at Fatima.
But as man cannot stand material prosperity for long without abandoning God, fervor will cool and there will be a great falling away, called the Great Apostasy in the Bible (2 Thessalonians 2).
Then from that loss of Faith, the final and most terrible evil will arise in the person of Antichrist who will exceed all other tyrants in history in malice. That will be the Major Tribulation. He will rule for 3 1/2 years as Enoch and Elijah will return to combat him. Enoch and Elijah will be killed by Antichrist and then rise 3 1/2 days later and ascend into heaven.
Antichrist trying to go after them, will rise by the power of the devil and as he is doing so will be killed by the Archangel Michael (according to St. Thomas Aquinas).
Shortly after that will be the End of the World and the General Judgment.
God is strengthening all faithful Christians now for the up-coming events. A time will come shortly where we will not have government institution or steady job to support us, but only radical trust in the providence of God.
Catholic prophesy is explained in the tome Trial, Tribulation, and Triumph by Desmond A. Birch published by Queenship Publishing who has researched this for many years to write his book.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Post Script to the Update
Folks,
Today's Scripture readings are so appropriate to what is going on. Take a moment to left click your mouse cursor on the aforementioned hyperlinked text and re-read the readings from this morning's Mass to remind yourself that God is still in charge and He won't leave or forsake us.
Today's Scripture readings are so appropriate to what is going on. Take a moment to left click your mouse cursor on the aforementioned hyperlinked text and re-read the readings from this morning's Mass to remind yourself that God is still in charge and He won't leave or forsake us.
Update
Folks,
I may not be blogging very much in the near future. To tell the truth, I find almost all of the news far too depressing and disheartening. Obama refuses to support the Defense of Marriage Act and takes every opportunity to widen the use of abortion. He defies the Constitution and rewrites history whenever he speaks. Wisconsin Democrats continue to act like the ass that is their party's symbol in refusing to accept budget cuts and removal of benefits from liberal teachers who fail to provide real education. The Middle East is in flames and Europe is about to be lost to the Muslim fanatics. Grocery and gasoline costs are skyrocketing. The nation is in debt up to its ears to the communist Chinese and neither cities nor states can afford to pay police or firemen any longer. All these things and more are the things that I simply cannot change. This then reminds me of the Serenity Prayer:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
My commentary on all the terrible things that are happening cannot effect their change and only serve to increase my anger at the seemingly hopelessness of the situation. Now I don't believe the situation is hopeless (even though I may feel that way - feelings aren't facts) because in the end Jesus Christ wins. We have all read the story, and God's Word is 100% true. Rather, it is more important for me to serve the Lord, keep sober one day at a time and try to help another human being in need. My sobriety a daily reprieve contingent on my spiritual condition and that condition is never helped by ranting about evil, thereby giving evil its power. I hope that the loyal reader will understand, and as to the liberal progressives who may gloat at this, you can enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, but you won't be gloating at the Judgment Seat of Jesus Christ. So my prayers go out for your conversion, as well as for that of our President and the rest of the Government.
Hail Mary full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
Holy Mary mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen
I may not be blogging very much in the near future. To tell the truth, I find almost all of the news far too depressing and disheartening. Obama refuses to support the Defense of Marriage Act and takes every opportunity to widen the use of abortion. He defies the Constitution and rewrites history whenever he speaks. Wisconsin Democrats continue to act like the ass that is their party's symbol in refusing to accept budget cuts and removal of benefits from liberal teachers who fail to provide real education. The Middle East is in flames and Europe is about to be lost to the Muslim fanatics. Grocery and gasoline costs are skyrocketing. The nation is in debt up to its ears to the communist Chinese and neither cities nor states can afford to pay police or firemen any longer. All these things and more are the things that I simply cannot change. This then reminds me of the Serenity Prayer:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
My commentary on all the terrible things that are happening cannot effect their change and only serve to increase my anger at the seemingly hopelessness of the situation. Now I don't believe the situation is hopeless (even though I may feel that way - feelings aren't facts) because in the end Jesus Christ wins. We have all read the story, and God's Word is 100% true. Rather, it is more important for me to serve the Lord, keep sober one day at a time and try to help another human being in need. My sobriety a daily reprieve contingent on my spiritual condition and that condition is never helped by ranting about evil, thereby giving evil its power. I hope that the loyal reader will understand, and as to the liberal progressives who may gloat at this, you can enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, but you won't be gloating at the Judgment Seat of Jesus Christ. So my prayers go out for your conversion, as well as for that of our President and the rest of the Government.
Hail Mary full of grace,
the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
Holy Mary mother of God,
pray for us sinners
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen
Friday, February 25, 2011
West vs East Commentary at Catawissa Gazetteer
Folks,
Please read Catawissa Gazetteer's commentary on Michael Voris' latest video, West vs East, from Real Catholic TV. Some hard words are said about Protestants, but organizations like Planned Parenthood wouldn't have existed in the first place, let alone threaten the Philippines if it weren't for liberal Catholics in North America. So if you're Pentecostal or Evangelical, then please don't get offended as Michael Voris points out certain things. Remember that while the Catholic Bishops in the Philippines are standing up for the faith once delivered unto the Saints and as such are heroes, we here in North America followed Luther's heresy of individual supremacy in decision making instead of God-supremacy.
Please read Catawissa Gazetteer's commentary on Michael Voris' latest video, West vs East, from Real Catholic TV. Some hard words are said about Protestants, but organizations like Planned Parenthood wouldn't have existed in the first place, let alone threaten the Philippines if it weren't for liberal Catholics in North America. So if you're Pentecostal or Evangelical, then please don't get offended as Michael Voris points out certain things. Remember that while the Catholic Bishops in the Philippines are standing up for the faith once delivered unto the Saints and as such are heroes, we here in North America followed Luther's heresy of individual supremacy in decision making instead of God-supremacy.
Godless Liberal Democrat Unionist Beats Up a Young Woman
Folks,
Timothy Whiteman of the Fayetteville Political Examiner has a video showing a godless liberal Democrat unionist beating up a young woman.
Thugger, Thy Name Is Democrat
Union Thug Beats Up a Girl
The quality is very poor, but there is enough to demonstrate that the advice of Democrat Congressman Michael Capuano is being followed:
"Every once and awhile you need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody when necessary."
Democrats murder more unborn babies than Hitler murdered Jews. Democrats send their unionists into a crowd to quell dissent in the same way that Hitler sent his brownshirts into crowds to quell dissent. To be a Democrat is to be the spiritual offspring of the Nazis and Bolsheviks. Civil War is coming, mark my words, caused and instigated directly by the godless Democrats.
Timothy Whiteman of the Fayetteville Political Examiner has a video showing a godless liberal Democrat unionist beating up a young woman.
Thugger, Thy Name Is Democrat
Union Thug Beats Up a Girl
The quality is very poor, but there is enough to demonstrate that the advice of Democrat Congressman Michael Capuano is being followed:
"Every once and awhile you need to get out on the streets and get a little bloody when necessary."
Democrats murder more unborn babies than Hitler murdered Jews. Democrats send their unionists into a crowd to quell dissent in the same way that Hitler sent his brownshirts into crowds to quell dissent. To be a Democrat is to be the spiritual offspring of the Nazis and Bolsheviks. Civil War is coming, mark my words, caused and instigated directly by the godless Democrats.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A Few Thoughts from Tonight's Meditation at Eucharistic Adoration
Folks,
I am very fortunate that St. Gabriel's Church in Charlotte has 24 hour perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. So last Tuesday evening and tonight I went to Adoration(Mass was at St. Thomas Aquinas last night), praying the Rosary and reading my Bible. Well tonight is the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, the second of which is the Wedding Feast of Cana where Jesus turned the water into wine as recorded in John 2:1-11. The notes in one of the study Bibles I have uploaded on my Apple iPad explains something that never occurred to me before, though I surely must have heard it from the pulpit before, but probably forgot about it.
"The wedding party's running out of wine may be seen as symbolizing the spiritual barrenness of first-century Judaism, especially against an OT background that viewed wine (never drunkenness) as a sign of God's blessing (Psalms 104:15, Proverbs 3:10, cf. Matthew 26:29)."
How like today is that scene from long ago, given the current barrenness in the insipid platitudes issued by liberal clergy during lackluster, uninspiring homilies of nothingness. We've run out of the wine of gladness and only intervention by Jesus can save the day. So what did the servants at the feast do? They went to our Blessed Mother - that's what they did. And that is exactly what we must do today to rejuvenate and regenerate ourselves from this spiritual barrenness that is liberalism.
Another thought occurred to me during this mystery. There were six stone water jars to be filled to the brim with water. Perhaps in some sense these represented the six days of creation to be filled with the spiritual wine of gladness. I am no theologian, but surely there is more than coincidence here.
Then I read an entry about St. Polycarp in the iPieta application since his Feast Day was yesterday. He was a disciple of St. John who had written the Book of Revelation. He was burned at the stake by the Romans for not worshipping Caesar. He is known for how he dealt with the heretic Marcion after ignoring him on the streets of Rome. Marcion asks, "Do you not know me?" and Polycarp responds, "Yes, I know you, the first born son of Satan." So if the reader thinks I am too harsh towards Obama, Biden, Pelosi and the rest of the liberals, then consider that precedence has already been set by men of God far more holy than I shall ever be. By the way, does anyone remember the name of the proconsul who sentenced Polycarp to death? I'll wager that he has been trashed into the dustbin of history, but Polycarp's fame lives on. It's sad what happens to pitiful pagans - ancient and modern - but they bring it on themselves.
Lastly, I read Chapter 3 in Book 1 of the Imitation of Christ. The fourth to the last paragraph states:
"If men used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting virtues as they do in discussing problems, there would not be so much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious organizations. On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken but how well we have lived."
We now know why there is such liberal laxity in religion. Our clergy and lay leaders are all concerned in discussing problems and word-smithing policy statements instead of treating the heretics exactly as Polycarp treated Marcion. First we must uproot the vices so that we can make room for implanting virtues. Then we will be able to do Christian work and live Christian lives instead of pontificating about social justice, the common good and peace at any price. Virtue and justice begin in the individual heart consecrated to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, NOT in USCCB weak kneed policy statements and feeble wimperings over Obama having done exactly what they encouraged him to do: rescind conscience protections for health care workers and forbid the Attorney General from upholding the Defense of Marriage Act. What exactly do any of us think Polycarp would have told Joe Biden or Nancy Pelosi, both self-professing Catholics and both supporters of abortion and homosexual marriage? Exactly what he told Marcion: "You are the first born offspring of Satan." And what would John the Baptist have told Obama? Exactly what he told wicked King Herod: "It is not lawful for you to do evil." But I will now be accused of being judgmental. I am in, however, unworthily in august company.
I am very fortunate that St. Gabriel's Church in Charlotte has 24 hour perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. So last Tuesday evening and tonight I went to Adoration(Mass was at St. Thomas Aquinas last night), praying the Rosary and reading my Bible. Well tonight is the Luminous Mysteries of the Holy Rosary, the second of which is the Wedding Feast of Cana where Jesus turned the water into wine as recorded in John 2:1-11. The notes in one of the study Bibles I have uploaded on my Apple iPad explains something that never occurred to me before, though I surely must have heard it from the pulpit before, but probably forgot about it.
"The wedding party's running out of wine may be seen as symbolizing the spiritual barrenness of first-century Judaism, especially against an OT background that viewed wine (never drunkenness) as a sign of God's blessing (Psalms 104:15, Proverbs 3:10, cf. Matthew 26:29)."
How like today is that scene from long ago, given the current barrenness in the insipid platitudes issued by liberal clergy during lackluster, uninspiring homilies of nothingness. We've run out of the wine of gladness and only intervention by Jesus can save the day. So what did the servants at the feast do? They went to our Blessed Mother - that's what they did. And that is exactly what we must do today to rejuvenate and regenerate ourselves from this spiritual barrenness that is liberalism.
Another thought occurred to me during this mystery. There were six stone water jars to be filled to the brim with water. Perhaps in some sense these represented the six days of creation to be filled with the spiritual wine of gladness. I am no theologian, but surely there is more than coincidence here.
Then I read an entry about St. Polycarp in the iPieta application since his Feast Day was yesterday. He was a disciple of St. John who had written the Book of Revelation. He was burned at the stake by the Romans for not worshipping Caesar. He is known for how he dealt with the heretic Marcion after ignoring him on the streets of Rome. Marcion asks, "Do you not know me?" and Polycarp responds, "Yes, I know you, the first born son of Satan." So if the reader thinks I am too harsh towards Obama, Biden, Pelosi and the rest of the liberals, then consider that precedence has already been set by men of God far more holy than I shall ever be. By the way, does anyone remember the name of the proconsul who sentenced Polycarp to death? I'll wager that he has been trashed into the dustbin of history, but Polycarp's fame lives on. It's sad what happens to pitiful pagans - ancient and modern - but they bring it on themselves.
Lastly, I read Chapter 3 in Book 1 of the Imitation of Christ. The fourth to the last paragraph states:
"If men used as much care in uprooting vices and implanting virtues as they do in discussing problems, there would not be so much evil and scandal in the world, or such laxity in religious organizations. On the day of judgment, surely, we shall not be asked what we have read but what we have done; not how well we have spoken but how well we have lived."
We now know why there is such liberal laxity in religion. Our clergy and lay leaders are all concerned in discussing problems and word-smithing policy statements instead of treating the heretics exactly as Polycarp treated Marcion. First we must uproot the vices so that we can make room for implanting virtues. Then we will be able to do Christian work and live Christian lives instead of pontificating about social justice, the common good and peace at any price. Virtue and justice begin in the individual heart consecrated to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, NOT in USCCB weak kneed policy statements and feeble wimperings over Obama having done exactly what they encouraged him to do: rescind conscience protections for health care workers and forbid the Attorney General from upholding the Defense of Marriage Act. What exactly do any of us think Polycarp would have told Joe Biden or Nancy Pelosi, both self-professing Catholics and both supporters of abortion and homosexual marriage? Exactly what he told Marcion: "You are the first born offspring of Satan." And what would John the Baptist have told Obama? Exactly what he told wicked King Herod: "It is not lawful for you to do evil." But I will now be accused of being judgmental. I am in, however, unworthily in august company.
The Dysfunction of Islam by Jim McCrea
The Dysfunction of Islam
By Jim J. McCrea
With Catholic Christianity, creation is a reflection of God.
Goodness, truth, and beauty in creation are a reflection of God who is infinite goodness, truth, and beauty.
The crown of this, in the visible world, is man who is created in the image of God.
Now Islam denies all this and claims that God is completely dissimilar to creation and has nothing in common with it.
In fact, God's will is above good and evil and good is defined as what God happens to decide independent of what we can understand as good.
This is contrary to the Catholic Christian view that states that if we *rightly* understand something as good, God holds it as good also because God wills what is good in itself and good is not what God arbitrarily decides. God wills things because they are good. Things are not good simply because He wills them. Although God's will is largely a mystery and is infinite in extent, man's finite understanding intersects that partially when it is working properly.
With the exaggerated transcendence of God in Islam, God is considered the only cause of things. For example, fire does not burn paper, God does.
With this, natural causality is denied, undermining both reason and natural science.
That explains the dysfunctional nature of Islamic societies.
The egregious lack of justice in Islamic societies is based on their rejection of reason.
The fundamentalist Muslim learns verses from the Koran and other Islamic writings by rote. With this, the teachings of Islam are not examined as to how they fit into the logic of things but are applied by the automatic reactive mind. As reason is not the guide for their behavior, what guides it are the passions - the passions of lust and power.
Islam is an infra-human religion, in that base passion rather than reason and self-giving love guides it, and the rewards in heaven are sensual delights which are fit for animals not the true dignity of human beings.
Heaven, according to Catholic Christianity, is self giving love where all our actions are oriented towards the good of others and the glorification of God. In that, we find our true fulfillment.
Those who work for the paradise of Mohammed cannot enter the heaven of Jesus Christ.
By Jim J. McCrea
With Catholic Christianity, creation is a reflection of God.
Goodness, truth, and beauty in creation are a reflection of God who is infinite goodness, truth, and beauty.
The crown of this, in the visible world, is man who is created in the image of God.
Now Islam denies all this and claims that God is completely dissimilar to creation and has nothing in common with it.
In fact, God's will is above good and evil and good is defined as what God happens to decide independent of what we can understand as good.
This is contrary to the Catholic Christian view that states that if we *rightly* understand something as good, God holds it as good also because God wills what is good in itself and good is not what God arbitrarily decides. God wills things because they are good. Things are not good simply because He wills them. Although God's will is largely a mystery and is infinite in extent, man's finite understanding intersects that partially when it is working properly.
With the exaggerated transcendence of God in Islam, God is considered the only cause of things. For example, fire does not burn paper, God does.
With this, natural causality is denied, undermining both reason and natural science.
That explains the dysfunctional nature of Islamic societies.
The egregious lack of justice in Islamic societies is based on their rejection of reason.
The fundamentalist Muslim learns verses from the Koran and other Islamic writings by rote. With this, the teachings of Islam are not examined as to how they fit into the logic of things but are applied by the automatic reactive mind. As reason is not the guide for their behavior, what guides it are the passions - the passions of lust and power.
Islam is an infra-human religion, in that base passion rather than reason and self-giving love guides it, and the rewards in heaven are sensual delights which are fit for animals not the true dignity of human beings.
Heaven, according to Catholic Christianity, is self giving love where all our actions are oriented towards the good of others and the glorification of God. In that, we find our true fulfillment.
Those who work for the paradise of Mohammed cannot enter the heaven of Jesus Christ.
Gaddafi: Barakeh Obama Is Friend
Ynet News reports: Gaddafi: Barakeh Obama is friend
"Libyan leader praises US president: 'He is of Muslim descent, his policy should be supported, as he now leans towards peace'"
What more can one say?
In the meantime, the impetus to build new nuclear power plants in the United States is on hold given the infatuation that Obama and his flunky, GE CEO Jeff Immelt, have with green power, black death. And the Space Shuttle is going on its last voyage given Obama's emasculation of the American space program. Perhaps we need to learn Mandarin and Arabic.
The one consolation in all this is that we know the end of the story: Jesus Christ wins.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
All Flesh Is Grass
I want creation to penetrate you with so much admiration that everywhere, wherever you may be, the least plant may bring to you the clear remembrance of the Creator. If you see the grass of the fields, think of human nature, and remember the comparison of the wise Isaiah. “All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field.” Truly the rapid flow of life, the short gratification and pleasure that an instant of happiness gives a man, all wonderfully suit the comparison of the prophet. Today he is vigorous in body, fattened by luxury, and in the prime of life, with complexion fair like the flowers, strong and powerful and of irresistible energy; tomorrow and he will be an object of pity, withered by age or exhausted by sickness. Another shines in all the splendour of a brilliant fortune, and around him are a multitude of flatterers, an escort of false friends on the track of his good graces; a crowd of kinsfolk, but of no true kin; a swarm of servants who crowd after him to provide for his food and for all his needs; and in his comings and goings this innumerable suite, which he drags after him, excites the envy of all whom he meets. To fortune may be added power in the State, honours bestowed by the imperial throne, the government of a province, or the command of armies; a herald who precedes him is crying in a loud voice; guards right and left also fill his subjects with awe, blows, confiscations, banishments, imprisonments, and all the means by which he strikes intolerable terror into all whom he has to rule. And what then? One night, a fever, a pleurisy, or an inflammation of the lungs, snatches away this man from the midst of men, stripped in a moment of all his stage accessories, and all this, his glory, is proved a mere dream. Therefore the Prophet has compared human glory to the weakest flower.
Hexaemeron, Homily V, Section 2, Last Paragraph by St. Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, 370 AD
Hexaemeron, Homily V, Section 2, Last Paragraph by St. Basil the Great, Bishop of Caesarea, 370 AD
Catholic Zombies
Folks,
From Real Catholic TV, the only name we can give to contemporary Catholics who been lobotomized by the progressive liberal crowd in the Church is ZOMBIES:
Catholic Zombies
Thus does Matthew 3:7-12 state:
7* But when [John the Baptist] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees [e.g., today's liberal clergy] coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit that befits repentance, 9* and do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10* Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12* His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
From Real Catholic TV, the only name we can give to contemporary Catholics who been lobotomized by the progressive liberal crowd in the Church is ZOMBIES:
Catholic Zombies
Thus does Matthew 3:7-12 state:
7* But when [John the Baptist] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees [e.g., today's liberal clergy] coming for baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit that befits repentance, 9* and do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 10* Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 12* His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the granary, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."
Godless Unionism - and More
Folks,
CNS News reports that Two-Thirds of Wisconsin Public-School 8th Graders Can’t Read Proficiently—Despite Highest Per Pupil Spending in Midwest. But Democratic senators fled their jobs in Wisconsin to prevent a senate vote that would reel in the union school teachers who can't be fired even on the basis of such poor performance as this. Apparently, however, the traitors are back in the State Capital: Wisconsin Democrats Filibuster to Hal Anti-Union Bill. Democrats can't take losing to the democratic process that they say they exemplify.
Meanwhile, the Middle East continues to burn, Muslim pirates murder Christian missionaries on their own sailing vessel with impunity, gasoline is approaching $4.00 / gallon and Rahm Emanuel is elected mayor of Chicago. But the teflon coated, tin foil jerk in the White House and his wife go on skiing vacations. Dr. Pournelle's essays on all this is well worth reading: The Strategy of Progress and the End of the Industrial Revolution, Interesting Times and The End of History?
Liberal. Progressive. Democrat. All that is wrong with this nation is summed up in those three words.
CNS News reports that Two-Thirds of Wisconsin Public-School 8th Graders Can’t Read Proficiently—Despite Highest Per Pupil Spending in Midwest. But Democratic senators fled their jobs in Wisconsin to prevent a senate vote that would reel in the union school teachers who can't be fired even on the basis of such poor performance as this. Apparently, however, the traitors are back in the State Capital: Wisconsin Democrats Filibuster to Hal Anti-Union Bill. Democrats can't take losing to the democratic process that they say they exemplify.
Meanwhile, the Middle East continues to burn, Muslim pirates murder Christian missionaries on their own sailing vessel with impunity, gasoline is approaching $4.00 / gallon and Rahm Emanuel is elected mayor of Chicago. But the teflon coated, tin foil jerk in the White House and his wife go on skiing vacations. Dr. Pournelle's essays on all this is well worth reading: The Strategy of Progress and the End of the Industrial Revolution, Interesting Times and The End of History?
Liberal. Progressive. Democrat. All that is wrong with this nation is summed up in those three words.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Demonic Religion Called Islam
Folks,
I had a conversation with a person on a Facebook message forum where he was advocating love and tolerance and dialogue with Muslims. I quit that forum - I don't have time to argue with idiots. What Catawissa Gazetteer points out must be read by one and all:
The Rest of the Story about Killings Aboard the Quest and the Motives Behind Them
Basically, people aboard a small vessel named the Quest were murdered by Muslim pirates because they were Protestant missionaries distributing Bibles. That's it in a nutshell. And some freaking wacko on Facebook says I am not a traditional Catholic for avoiding dialogue with these barbarians? What would he say about the Christian sailors in the fleet who faced the Muslim Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571? Was the Blessed Virgin Mary wrong for interceding for the Christian Fleet? All I got to say is that my mini-14 is cleaned and my ammo is dry, so don't tread on me. Nope, I don't advocate violence, so no one out there had better get crazy. Do NOT initiate force - EVER. Leave the Muslims alone. Make peace where you can. And remember: the best Muslim is the isolated Muslim. But be prepared and when mortally threatened, be quick and ruthless. Anything less is NOT merciful.
By the way, from the Religion of Peace web site, here are Islam's latest contributions to peace over the past two days:
2011.02.22 (Torghundai, Pakistan) - Three children, ages 3, 6 & 8, and two women are among six killed in their homes by a Taliban rocket attack.
2011.02.22 (Coast, Oman) - A retired missionary couple is among four Americans taken hostage and executed in cold blood by Muslim pirates.
2011.02.22 (Borno, Nigeria) - Eighteen Christian villagers are massacred during a Muslim raid.
2011.02.21 (Narathiwat, Thailand) - A 32-year-old Buddhist is murdered by Islamic gunmen while walking home from a tea shop.
2011.02.21 (Narathiwat, Thailand) - A Buddhist couple is targeted by Muslim terrorists, witth the husband dying from injuries.
2011.02.21 (Kunduz, Afghanistan) - A Fedayeen suicide bomber sends over thirty civilians to their death as they are lining up for identity cards.
I had a conversation with a person on a Facebook message forum where he was advocating love and tolerance and dialogue with Muslims. I quit that forum - I don't have time to argue with idiots. What Catawissa Gazetteer points out must be read by one and all:
The Rest of the Story about Killings Aboard the Quest and the Motives Behind Them
Basically, people aboard a small vessel named the Quest were murdered by Muslim pirates because they were Protestant missionaries distributing Bibles. That's it in a nutshell. And some freaking wacko on Facebook says I am not a traditional Catholic for avoiding dialogue with these barbarians? What would he say about the Christian sailors in the fleet who faced the Muslim Ottoman Turks at the Battle of Lepanto in 1571? Was the Blessed Virgin Mary wrong for interceding for the Christian Fleet? All I got to say is that my mini-14 is cleaned and my ammo is dry, so don't tread on me. Nope, I don't advocate violence, so no one out there had better get crazy. Do NOT initiate force - EVER. Leave the Muslims alone. Make peace where you can. And remember: the best Muslim is the isolated Muslim. But be prepared and when mortally threatened, be quick and ruthless. Anything less is NOT merciful.
By the way, from the Religion of Peace web site, here are Islam's latest contributions to peace over the past two days:
2011.02.22 (Torghundai, Pakistan) - Three children, ages 3, 6 & 8, and two women are among six killed in their homes by a Taliban rocket attack.
2011.02.22 (Coast, Oman) - A retired missionary couple is among four Americans taken hostage and executed in cold blood by Muslim pirates.
2011.02.22 (Borno, Nigeria) - Eighteen Christian villagers are massacred during a Muslim raid.
2011.02.21 (Narathiwat, Thailand) - A 32-year-old Buddhist is murdered by Islamic gunmen while walking home from a tea shop.
2011.02.21 (Narathiwat, Thailand) - A Buddhist couple is targeted by Muslim terrorists, witth the husband dying from injuries.
2011.02.21 (Kunduz, Afghanistan) - A Fedayeen suicide bomber sends over thirty civilians to their death as they are lining up for identity cards.
Am I Too Harsh - Too Bad!
Folks,
This latest video from Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV, entitled "Why We Do What We Do", expresses exactly what this blogsite has been saying for quite some time.
…there are lots of Catholics who are just either converting to Protestantism or just become atheists because the Catholic Church has gone down the liberal road and that only leads to one place – hell…
…Liberals present the Catholic Faith partially because they don’t actually believe it…
It's time to treat the liberals exactly as St. Peter treated Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11, as St. Paul treated Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1st Timothy 1:19-20, and as St. John treated Jezebel in Revelation 2:20-23. If one is liberal, progressive or Democrat, then may they repent or failing that, get out of the Church, the Body of Christ. They can go and join Bishopress Schori's collection of fruit cakes and nuts in the ECUSA. At best such people are an infestation, a pollutant and an irritant within the Body, and at worst a gay rights sex pervert and a baby murdering abortionist. One could say the same applies to neo-cons and RINOs who are simply liberals of a different persuasion.
And no, I am NOT going to tone it down. I am infuriated at what these vile, filthy, dirty, murderous creatures of utter malevolence and perniciousness are doing to the Republic and the Church that I love under the guise of the false gospel of social justice and the common good. It is not enough for them to have destroyed my family and many, many others - hundreds of thousands if not millions of others across this land - with their talk of reproductive rights and sexual equality. They will not rest till every soul they can grab is thrust into Satan's hell. So yes, I am angry and rightfully so. Therefore, it is a relief to hear Michael Voris' words of encouragement in the following video because the Devil isn't winning every soul and the Church is prevailing. Jesus Christ wins in the end, not the godless liberals.
This latest video from Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV, entitled "Why We Do What We Do", expresses exactly what this blogsite has been saying for quite some time.
…there are lots of Catholics who are just either converting to Protestantism or just become atheists because the Catholic Church has gone down the liberal road and that only leads to one place – hell…
…Liberals present the Catholic Faith partially because they don’t actually believe it…
It's time to treat the liberals exactly as St. Peter treated Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11, as St. Paul treated Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1st Timothy 1:19-20, and as St. John treated Jezebel in Revelation 2:20-23. If one is liberal, progressive or Democrat, then may they repent or failing that, get out of the Church, the Body of Christ. They can go and join Bishopress Schori's collection of fruit cakes and nuts in the ECUSA. At best such people are an infestation, a pollutant and an irritant within the Body, and at worst a gay rights sex pervert and a baby murdering abortionist. One could say the same applies to neo-cons and RINOs who are simply liberals of a different persuasion.
And no, I am NOT going to tone it down. I am infuriated at what these vile, filthy, dirty, murderous creatures of utter malevolence and perniciousness are doing to the Republic and the Church that I love under the guise of the false gospel of social justice and the common good. It is not enough for them to have destroyed my family and many, many others - hundreds of thousands if not millions of others across this land - with their talk of reproductive rights and sexual equality. They will not rest till every soul they can grab is thrust into Satan's hell. So yes, I am angry and rightfully so. Therefore, it is a relief to hear Michael Voris' words of encouragement in the following video because the Devil isn't winning every soul and the Church is prevailing. Jesus Christ wins in the end, not the godless liberals.
Last Days?
Folks,
I note with interest the riots throughout the Middle East, and the civil unrest that liberal demokracy and unionism have caused in these United States. That teflon coated, tin foil jerk in the Oval Office is as incompetent at dealing with crises half a world away as his Demokrats are in participating in a constitutional system in Wisconsin. When the plebians learn they can vote themselves bread and circuses from the public treasury, then the Republic is doomed. It won't be long now before the streets of Tripoli become the streets of major US cities. Will Barack Hussein Obama use military force to squash rebellion as his spiritual brother Muammar al-Gaddafi is doing?
Demokracy is a great thing except when it turns agains you; then you tuck your tail between your legs and run and hide as the Demokatic legislators are doing in Wisconsin. I will remind the reader the lesson of 1st Samuel chapter 8. What the "peepul" want does not matter. It's what God wants that matters. As John Adams declared on October 11, 1798:
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
We shall learn this lesson the hard way.
Liberal. Progressive. Democrat. Those perhaps are the three dirtiest words in the English language. They are followed closely by a fourth and fifth: Neo-Con and RINO.
I note with interest the riots throughout the Middle East, and the civil unrest that liberal demokracy and unionism have caused in these United States. That teflon coated, tin foil jerk in the Oval Office is as incompetent at dealing with crises half a world away as his Demokrats are in participating in a constitutional system in Wisconsin. When the plebians learn they can vote themselves bread and circuses from the public treasury, then the Republic is doomed. It won't be long now before the streets of Tripoli become the streets of major US cities. Will Barack Hussein Obama use military force to squash rebellion as his spiritual brother Muammar al-Gaddafi is doing?
Demokracy is a great thing except when it turns agains you; then you tuck your tail between your legs and run and hide as the Demokatic legislators are doing in Wisconsin. I will remind the reader the lesson of 1st Samuel chapter 8. What the "peepul" want does not matter. It's what God wants that matters. As John Adams declared on October 11, 1798:
We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.
We shall learn this lesson the hard way.
Liberal. Progressive. Democrat. Those perhaps are the three dirtiest words in the English language. They are followed closely by a fourth and fifth: Neo-Con and RINO.
Monday, February 21, 2011
More on the Godless Gay Canadian Pseudo-Priest
Folks,
Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV reports again on that godless man Raymond Gravel who parades himself as a Catholic priest and gets paid out of diocesan finds by Bishop Gilles Lussier of the Diocese of Joliette to spread his filth of homosexual marriage and the murder of the unborn:
Priest Update
And yes, this wicked man gets rewarded with the Fight Against Homophobia Award. Homophobia is a misnomer, coming from two ancient words, one meaning man and the other fear. I am not afraid of freaking perverted, godless sodomists. Rather, I want them to repent or failing that, I want them and their filth out of this country and back into the closet where they belong. So long as they commit their damnable acts, they aren't fit for civilized society, but I forget: our society is no longer civilized. One more time, let's have what the Bible says:
Don't you know that evil people will not receive God's kingdom? Don't be fooled. Those who commit sexual sins will not receive the kingdom. Neither will those who worship statues of gods or commit adultery. Neither will men who are prostitutes or who commit homosexual acts. Neither will thieves or those who always want more and more. Neither will those who are often drunk or tell lies or cheat. People who live like that will not receive God's kingdom. 1st Corinthians 6:9-10
Yes, I am a hard minded person with little to no tolerance. But the time has come to take our country back from the wicked liberals. People like them who murder unborn babies and don't repent are going to hell. People like them who commit homosexual sodomy and don't repent are going to hell. And failing repentance, they will be joined by our Congress critters, that teflon coated, tin foil fool in the Oval Office and their equivalents in the Canadian Parlaiment. It's that simple and neither so-called Father Gravel nor his Bishop, Gilles Lussier, seem to understand that. The floors of hell will thus be paved with the skulls of renegade priests and bishops. "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of Man..."
Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV reports again on that godless man Raymond Gravel who parades himself as a Catholic priest and gets paid out of diocesan finds by Bishop Gilles Lussier of the Diocese of Joliette to spread his filth of homosexual marriage and the murder of the unborn:
Priest Update
And yes, this wicked man gets rewarded with the Fight Against Homophobia Award. Homophobia is a misnomer, coming from two ancient words, one meaning man and the other fear. I am not afraid of freaking perverted, godless sodomists. Rather, I want them to repent or failing that, I want them and their filth out of this country and back into the closet where they belong. So long as they commit their damnable acts, they aren't fit for civilized society, but I forget: our society is no longer civilized. One more time, let's have what the Bible says:
Don't you know that evil people will not receive God's kingdom? Don't be fooled. Those who commit sexual sins will not receive the kingdom. Neither will those who worship statues of gods or commit adultery. Neither will men who are prostitutes or who commit homosexual acts. Neither will thieves or those who always want more and more. Neither will those who are often drunk or tell lies or cheat. People who live like that will not receive God's kingdom. 1st Corinthians 6:9-10
Yes, I am a hard minded person with little to no tolerance. But the time has come to take our country back from the wicked liberals. People like them who murder unborn babies and don't repent are going to hell. People like them who commit homosexual sodomy and don't repent are going to hell. And failing repentance, they will be joined by our Congress critters, that teflon coated, tin foil fool in the Oval Office and their equivalents in the Canadian Parlaiment. It's that simple and neither so-called Father Gravel nor his Bishop, Gilles Lussier, seem to understand that. The floors of hell will thus be paved with the skulls of renegade priests and bishops. "As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be in the days of the Son of Man..."
Sunday, February 20, 2011
From 360 AD St. Basil Debunks Richard Dawkins and the Atheists
Folks,
I came across the writings of St. Basil the Great in a meditation book that I had bought at the Charlotte Catholic Men's Conference yesterday. It seems that the pitiful arguments of Richard Dawkins and his like have been around for millennia, and they are as misleading and erroneous now as they were then. Indeed, paragraph 2 in Hexaemeron I states the following:
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” [Genesis 1:1] I stop struck with admiration at this thought. What shall I first say? Where shall I begin my story? Shall I show forth the vanity of the Gentiles? Shall I exalt the truth of our faith? The philosophers of Greece have made much ado to explain nature, and not one of their systems has remained firm and unshaken, each being overturned by its successor. It is vain to refute them; they are sufficient in themselves to destroy one another. Those who were too ignorant to rise to a knowledge of a God, could not allow that an intelligent cause presided at the birth of the Universe; a primary error that involved them in sad consequences. Some had recourse to material principles and attributed the origin of the Universe to the elements of the world. Others imagined that atoms, and indivisible bodies, molecules and ducts, form, by their union, the nature of the visible world. Atoms reuniting or separating, produce births and deaths and the most durable bodies only owe their consistency to the strength of their mutual adhesion: a true spider's web woven by these writers who give to heaven, to earth, and to sea so weak an origin and so little consistency! It is because they knew not how to say “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Deceived by their inherent atheism it appeared to them that nothing governed or ruled the universe, and that was all was given up to chance. To guard us against this error the writer on the creation, from the very first words, enlightens our understanding with the name of God; “In the beginning God created.” What a glorious order! He first establishes a beginning, so that it might not be supposed that the world never had a beginning. Then he adds “Created” to show that which was made was a very small part of the power of the Creator. In the same way that the potter, after having made with equal pains a great number of vessels, has not exhausted either his art or his talent; thus the Maker of the Universe, whose creative power, far from being bounded by one world, could extend to the infinite, needed only the impulse of His will to bring the immensities of the visible world into being. If then the world has a beginning, and if it has been created, enquire who gave it this beginning, and who was the Creator: or rather, in the fear that human reasonings may make you wander from the truth, Moses has anticipated enquiry by engraving in our hearts, as a seal and a safeguard, the awful name of God: “In the beginning God created”— It is He, beneficent Nature, Goodness without measure, a worthy object of love for all beings endowed with reason, the beauty the most to be desired, the origin of all that exists, the source of life, intellectual light, impenetrable wisdom, it is He who “in the beginning created heaven and earth.”
I came across the writings of St. Basil the Great in a meditation book that I had bought at the Charlotte Catholic Men's Conference yesterday. It seems that the pitiful arguments of Richard Dawkins and his like have been around for millennia, and they are as misleading and erroneous now as they were then. Indeed, paragraph 2 in Hexaemeron I states the following:
“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” [Genesis 1:1] I stop struck with admiration at this thought. What shall I first say? Where shall I begin my story? Shall I show forth the vanity of the Gentiles? Shall I exalt the truth of our faith? The philosophers of Greece have made much ado to explain nature, and not one of their systems has remained firm and unshaken, each being overturned by its successor. It is vain to refute them; they are sufficient in themselves to destroy one another. Those who were too ignorant to rise to a knowledge of a God, could not allow that an intelligent cause presided at the birth of the Universe; a primary error that involved them in sad consequences. Some had recourse to material principles and attributed the origin of the Universe to the elements of the world. Others imagined that atoms, and indivisible bodies, molecules and ducts, form, by their union, the nature of the visible world. Atoms reuniting or separating, produce births and deaths and the most durable bodies only owe their consistency to the strength of their mutual adhesion: a true spider's web woven by these writers who give to heaven, to earth, and to sea so weak an origin and so little consistency! It is because they knew not how to say “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Deceived by their inherent atheism it appeared to them that nothing governed or ruled the universe, and that was all was given up to chance. To guard us against this error the writer on the creation, from the very first words, enlightens our understanding with the name of God; “In the beginning God created.” What a glorious order! He first establishes a beginning, so that it might not be supposed that the world never had a beginning. Then he adds “Created” to show that which was made was a very small part of the power of the Creator. In the same way that the potter, after having made with equal pains a great number of vessels, has not exhausted either his art or his talent; thus the Maker of the Universe, whose creative power, far from being bounded by one world, could extend to the infinite, needed only the impulse of His will to bring the immensities of the visible world into being. If then the world has a beginning, and if it has been created, enquire who gave it this beginning, and who was the Creator: or rather, in the fear that human reasonings may make you wander from the truth, Moses has anticipated enquiry by engraving in our hearts, as a seal and a safeguard, the awful name of God: “In the beginning God created”— It is He, beneficent Nature, Goodness without measure, a worthy object of love for all beings endowed with reason, the beauty the most to be desired, the origin of all that exists, the source of life, intellectual light, impenetrable wisdom, it is He who “in the beginning created heaven and earth.”
Catholic Men's Conference in Charlotte
Folks,
Yesterday I attended the first annual Catholic Men's Conference here in Charlotte, NC. Below are provided a few quotes from the speakers at this meeting:
The worst thing about pornography isn't that it reveals too much, but that it doesn't reveal enough. You don't see a father's little daughter upon whom you are gazing, once so full of hope and vitality.
No Bible, no breakfast. No Bible, no bed. And if you don't eat breakfast, then no Bible, no lunch.
How do you expect to fight in this new war if you don't pick up your sword. For those of you who didn't bring your Bibles, you are without your swords. That's what it says in Ephesians 6:17.
Does God punish? You bet He does. Which of you fathers here doesn't punish his son or daughter because he loves them? And if you're not being punished, then you're a bastard. That's what God's Word says - Hebrews 12:8.
What's wrong with Joel Olsteen's religion? There's no Cross! God uses the scalpel of chastisement to cut away your selfishness and self-centeredness. So be a man and get used to it.
Do you love your wife? Then after a hard day's work when the football game is about to come on the TV, hand her the remote and say, "Whatever you'd like to watch, dear."
You will never regret telling your wife and your children once a day that you love them.
Virtue comes from the Latin word vir which means man. To be a real man, you must be virtuous.
You're depressed because you don't pray. Pray the Rosary every day. It takes fifteen minutes. Jesus gave you His life; can't you give Him fifteen minutes?
Only Saints get to Heaven. The rest of you are going to hell. Don't believe me? Then read Leviticus 19:1, "Be holy for I the Lord your God am holy." So be a Saint.
God gives people who go to hell exactly want they love most: themselves.
Everything God created is good. God created man. Man is good. Being good won't get you into Heaven. Lots of good people will be in hell.
Yesterday I attended the first annual Catholic Men's Conference here in Charlotte, NC. Below are provided a few quotes from the speakers at this meeting:
The worst thing about pornography isn't that it reveals too much, but that it doesn't reveal enough. You don't see a father's little daughter upon whom you are gazing, once so full of hope and vitality.
No Bible, no breakfast. No Bible, no bed. And if you don't eat breakfast, then no Bible, no lunch.
How do you expect to fight in this new war if you don't pick up your sword. For those of you who didn't bring your Bibles, you are without your swords. That's what it says in Ephesians 6:17.
Does God punish? You bet He does. Which of you fathers here doesn't punish his son or daughter because he loves them? And if you're not being punished, then you're a bastard. That's what God's Word says - Hebrews 12:8.
What's wrong with Joel Olsteen's religion? There's no Cross! God uses the scalpel of chastisement to cut away your selfishness and self-centeredness. So be a man and get used to it.
Do you love your wife? Then after a hard day's work when the football game is about to come on the TV, hand her the remote and say, "Whatever you'd like to watch, dear."
You will never regret telling your wife and your children once a day that you love them.
Virtue comes from the Latin word vir which means man. To be a real man, you must be virtuous.
You're depressed because you don't pray. Pray the Rosary every day. It takes fifteen minutes. Jesus gave you His life; can't you give Him fifteen minutes?
Only Saints get to Heaven. The rest of you are going to hell. Don't believe me? Then read Leviticus 19:1, "Be holy for I the Lord your God am holy." So be a Saint.
God gives people who go to hell exactly want they love most: themselves.
Everything God created is good. God created man. Man is good. Being good won't get you into Heaven. Lots of good people will be in hell.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Islam - "The Religion of Peace" - Strikes Again
Folks,
Thanks go to Jim McCrea for pointing out this story. We are today in a three way struggle between the Church, Islam and Secular Humanism just as in the 1500s we were in a three way struggle between the Church, the Protestant rebellion of John Calvin, Henry VIII and Martin Luther, and the Muslim Ottoman Turks. We need to remember, though, that it's always darkest before dawn.
What are we missing in this horrible story?
February 17th, 2011 by Genevieve S. Kineke
Most have heard of the grotesque way that the Egyptian mob turned on CBS reporter Lara Logan. It took her own news desk five days to report the story, which may have been because of the delicacy of the situation–rape is always a sordid affair that shames the victim almost as much in the telling as in the act. And there seems to be more to it, especially in the way it was reported. Certainly, the American media has tried to paint the protesters as virtual Tea Partiers, agitating for a better economy and more responsive government, which may or may not be accurate. Hard to tell. But even as the story leaked out (through the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post) the details were still suppressed in a curious way:
"The sexual assault of a woman in the middle of a public square is a story . . . particularly because the crowd in Tahrir Square was almost invariably characterized as friendly and out for nothing but democracy," Cohen wrote. Watching the same complicit media we all saw, Cohen notes most journalists covered the mobs "as if they were reporting from Times Square on New Year’s Eve, stopping only at putting on a party hat." Even CBS’s own statement said Logan was "covering the jubilation" and was attacked "amidst the celebration."
Having 200 "good guys" gang assault a female reporter while screaming "Jew! Jew!" doesn’t fit the narrative. Is that why CBS sat on the story?
Or is it the cultural issue? A rape in a bar is a sex crime. But a pack of political protesters who rape a "Jew" in public is a story about culture.
Amanda Marcotte, a zealous feminist, tries to gain a perspective by assuring us that it could easily happen in the United States–women everywhere are subject to sexism and violence at the hands of men–but that gets into very complex issues concerning our debased culture. Surely there are areas where women risk their safety and men and alcohol provide a dangerous gauntlet, but that’s not what was at play in this situation.
A Slate.com contributor asks a key question concerning this event:
Larimore wonders if "Logan’s attack [is] an anomaly, or is it to be expected from men raised in a culture that treats women as lesser citizens?"
And that is a topic that most feminists have refused to discuss. Sexual harassment has long been a problem for Egyptian women:
For whatever reason, there is a studied silence on the entire premise of Islam:
Islam’s stand on women is the same as its stand on every issue—duality and submission. Dualism demands that everything is seen, not as a unified whole, but as divided. The primary political duality is the division between kafirs (unbelievers) and believers. The primary internal duality is the division between males and females. The principle of submission means that one must rule over the other. No surprise, the women must submit to the men.
In an interview with Jamie Glazov, Bill Warner explains how Muslims see non-Muslims:
All morality in Islam is patterned after the example of Mohammed. Everything that he did and said defines what is permitted or "good." Mohammed repeatedly sanctioned forced sex (rape) with kafir females after they were captured. The Hadith clearly reports that he got first choice of the women. In one case, he repeatedly demanded one particular woman for himself and swapped two other kafir slave women for his choice. So if Mohammed was involved in the rape of kafirs, then rape is a virtue, not a sin or error...This is a continuous 1400-year history of jihad. In every detailed history that comes from the original documents from history, rape is a constant. You have to look in the original documents, since our historians refuse to report it in so-called history books.
Rape is Sunna. Rape is not a sin. Rape is permitted and encouraged by Mohammed and the Koran. Islam is the only political system in the world that includes rules for rape and war. Rape is jihad.
So we have some troubling elements in the narrative: we have a population immersed in Islamic thought, whether each man is a fervent believer or not. You have a dualistic world view, cutting through both the Muslim world and the non-Muslim world and men and women. You have an uncovered female in a mostly male mob who easily recognize that she is a non-Muslim, from a country they know to be allied with Israel. And yet, it is considered inappropriate to actually discuss what happened. The same way that few knew what happened to Jessica Lynch, the Army private taken POW in Iraq, whose story was manipulated by the military, and her family placed under a 'gag order' not to discuss it. Sure enough, there was a brutal sexual assault that fits the standard profile of how non-Muslim women are treated. She finally published the details of her own story, which show that Muslim men don’t exactly abide by the Geneva Convention:
"The records do not tell whether her captors assaulted her almost lifeless, broken body after she was lifted from the wreckage, or if they assaulted her and then broke her bones into splinters until she was almost dead," the Daily News quotes from the book.
Warner makes a final observation:
The most disgusting aspect of the Islamic rape of kafirs is not the rapes, but the kafir response. Kafirs become dhimmis by ignoring the rapes. I challenge you to find one, even one, mention of Islamic rape in the history books.
I’ve found those references, but not in the average history books. One must seek out Bat Ye’or, Andrew Bostom and Bill Warner’s scrupulously documented accounts to provide what is missing elsewhere. One risks being called all sorts of names when laying out these ugly facts, but we owe it to our sisters who are suffering from this degrading culture.
Yes, I know, current western mores aren’t much better, which is all the more reason why we must promote the Catholic understanding of the human person. Only when we insist on authentic complementarity between the sexes and charity towards all will this toxicity abate. Let it be sooner rather than later.
Thanks go to Jim McCrea for pointing out this story. We are today in a three way struggle between the Church, Islam and Secular Humanism just as in the 1500s we were in a three way struggle between the Church, the Protestant rebellion of John Calvin, Henry VIII and Martin Luther, and the Muslim Ottoman Turks. We need to remember, though, that it's always darkest before dawn.
What are we missing in this horrible story?
February 17th, 2011 by Genevieve S. Kineke
Most have heard of the grotesque way that the Egyptian mob turned on CBS reporter Lara Logan. It took her own news desk five days to report the story, which may have been because of the delicacy of the situation–rape is always a sordid affair that shames the victim almost as much in the telling as in the act. And there seems to be more to it, especially in the way it was reported. Certainly, the American media has tried to paint the protesters as virtual Tea Partiers, agitating for a better economy and more responsive government, which may or may not be accurate. Hard to tell. But even as the story leaked out (through the Wall Street Journal and the New York Post) the details were still suppressed in a curious way:
"The sexual assault of a woman in the middle of a public square is a story . . . particularly because the crowd in Tahrir Square was almost invariably characterized as friendly and out for nothing but democracy," Cohen wrote. Watching the same complicit media we all saw, Cohen notes most journalists covered the mobs "as if they were reporting from Times Square on New Year’s Eve, stopping only at putting on a party hat." Even CBS’s own statement said Logan was "covering the jubilation" and was attacked "amidst the celebration."
Having 200 "good guys" gang assault a female reporter while screaming "Jew! Jew!" doesn’t fit the narrative. Is that why CBS sat on the story?
Or is it the cultural issue? A rape in a bar is a sex crime. But a pack of political protesters who rape a "Jew" in public is a story about culture.
Amanda Marcotte, a zealous feminist, tries to gain a perspective by assuring us that it could easily happen in the United States–women everywhere are subject to sexism and violence at the hands of men–but that gets into very complex issues concerning our debased culture. Surely there are areas where women risk their safety and men and alcohol provide a dangerous gauntlet, but that’s not what was at play in this situation.
A Slate.com contributor asks a key question concerning this event:
Larimore wonders if "Logan’s attack [is] an anomaly, or is it to be expected from men raised in a culture that treats women as lesser citizens?"
And that is a topic that most feminists have refused to discuss. Sexual harassment has long been a problem for Egyptian women:
- Experienced by 98% of foreign women visitors
- Experienced by 83% of Egyptian women
- 62% of Egyptian men admitted harassing women
- 53% of Egyptian men blame women for ‘bringing it on’
For whatever reason, there is a studied silence on the entire premise of Islam:
Islam’s stand on women is the same as its stand on every issue—duality and submission. Dualism demands that everything is seen, not as a unified whole, but as divided. The primary political duality is the division between kafirs (unbelievers) and believers. The primary internal duality is the division between males and females. The principle of submission means that one must rule over the other. No surprise, the women must submit to the men.
In an interview with Jamie Glazov, Bill Warner explains how Muslims see non-Muslims:
All morality in Islam is patterned after the example of Mohammed. Everything that he did and said defines what is permitted or "good." Mohammed repeatedly sanctioned forced sex (rape) with kafir females after they were captured. The Hadith clearly reports that he got first choice of the women. In one case, he repeatedly demanded one particular woman for himself and swapped two other kafir slave women for his choice. So if Mohammed was involved in the rape of kafirs, then rape is a virtue, not a sin or error...This is a continuous 1400-year history of jihad. In every detailed history that comes from the original documents from history, rape is a constant. You have to look in the original documents, since our historians refuse to report it in so-called history books.
Rape is Sunna. Rape is not a sin. Rape is permitted and encouraged by Mohammed and the Koran. Islam is the only political system in the world that includes rules for rape and war. Rape is jihad.
So we have some troubling elements in the narrative: we have a population immersed in Islamic thought, whether each man is a fervent believer or not. You have a dualistic world view, cutting through both the Muslim world and the non-Muslim world and men and women. You have an uncovered female in a mostly male mob who easily recognize that she is a non-Muslim, from a country they know to be allied with Israel. And yet, it is considered inappropriate to actually discuss what happened. The same way that few knew what happened to Jessica Lynch, the Army private taken POW in Iraq, whose story was manipulated by the military, and her family placed under a 'gag order' not to discuss it. Sure enough, there was a brutal sexual assault that fits the standard profile of how non-Muslim women are treated. She finally published the details of her own story, which show that Muslim men don’t exactly abide by the Geneva Convention:
"The records do not tell whether her captors assaulted her almost lifeless, broken body after she was lifted from the wreckage, or if they assaulted her and then broke her bones into splinters until she was almost dead," the Daily News quotes from the book.
Warner makes a final observation:
The most disgusting aspect of the Islamic rape of kafirs is not the rapes, but the kafir response. Kafirs become dhimmis by ignoring the rapes. I challenge you to find one, even one, mention of Islamic rape in the history books.
I’ve found those references, but not in the average history books. One must seek out Bat Ye’or, Andrew Bostom and Bill Warner’s scrupulously documented accounts to provide what is missing elsewhere. One risks being called all sorts of names when laying out these ugly facts, but we owe it to our sisters who are suffering from this degrading culture.
Yes, I know, current western mores aren’t much better, which is all the more reason why we must promote the Catholic understanding of the human person. Only when we insist on authentic complementarity between the sexes and charity towards all will this toxicity abate. Let it be sooner rather than later.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Tonight's Humor - "It's Not PMS; It's You"
Folks,
At the risk of offending my lady readership, I offer this photograph for the reader's enjoyment. Here perhaps we see the complaint of every housewife. ;-) I'll wager the husband in the picture has likely dragged some dirt into where he wasn't supposed to, or failed to take care of cleaning up after the morning's hunt, or otherwise committed some other felonious infraction against the established social order, and the peace and tranquility of the nation.
At the risk of offending my lady readership, I offer this photograph for the reader's enjoyment. Here perhaps we see the complaint of every housewife. ;-) I'll wager the husband in the picture has likely dragged some dirt into where he wasn't supposed to, or failed to take care of cleaning up after the morning's hunt, or otherwise committed some other felonious infraction against the established social order, and the peace and tranquility of the nation.
Progress
Folks,
Dr. Pournelle's essay "Progress" at the Chaos Manor web site is illustrative of the end result of progressivism. I won't copy and paste it here; rather, simply left click your mouse cursor on the aforementioned hyperlinked text to read this important article.
This is only one reason why we are in such terrible economic times: sin. A nation which murders the unborn and sanctifies the filth of homosexual sodomy and glorifies in the perversion of adultery and fornication deserves neither success nor safety. Israel and Judah had to learn this the hard way. Let us read the example of King Mannaseh in 2 Chronicles 33; he had to be led away into captivity with a hook through his nose before he repented. What will it take for Obama, the Democrats and the multinational corporations that serve them?
1-6 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king. He ruled for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. In God's opinion he was a bad king—an evil king. He reintroduced all the moral rot and spiritual corruption that had been scoured from the country when God dispossessed the pagan nations in favor of the children of Israel. He rebuilt the sex-and-religion shrines that his father Hezekiah had torn down, he built altars and phallic images for the sex god Baal and the sex goddess Asherah and worshiped the cosmic powers, taking orders from the constellations. He built shrines to the cosmic powers and placed them in both courtyards of The Temple of God, the very Jerusalem Temple dedicated exclusively by God's decree to God's Name ("in Jerusalem I place my Name"). He burned his own sons in a sacrificial rite in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. He practiced witchcraft and fortunetelling. He held séances and consulted spirits from the underworld. Much evil—in God's view a career in evil. And God was angry.
7-8 As a last straw he placed a carved image of the sex goddess Asherah that he had commissioned in The Temple of God, a flagrant and provocative violation of God's well-known command to both David and Solomon, "In this Temple and in this city Jerusalem, my choice out of all the tribes of Israel, I place my Name—exclusively and forever." He had promised, "Never again will I let my people Israel wander off from this land I've given to their ancestors. But on this condition, that they keep everything I've commanded in the instructions my servant Moses passed on to them."
9-10 But Manasseh led Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem off the beaten path into practices of evil exceeding even the evil of the pagan nations that God had earlier destroyed. When God spoke to Manasseh and his people about this, they ignored him.
11-13 Then God directed the leaders of the troops of the king of Assyria to come after Manasseh. They put a hook in his nose, shackles on his feet, and took him off to Babylon. Now that he was in trouble, he went to his knees in prayer asking for help—total repentance before the God of his ancestors. As he prayed, God was touched; God listened and brought him back to Jerusalem as king. That convinced Manasseh that God was in control.
Dr. Pournelle's essay "Progress" at the Chaos Manor web site is illustrative of the end result of progressivism. I won't copy and paste it here; rather, simply left click your mouse cursor on the aforementioned hyperlinked text to read this important article.
This is only one reason why we are in such terrible economic times: sin. A nation which murders the unborn and sanctifies the filth of homosexual sodomy and glorifies in the perversion of adultery and fornication deserves neither success nor safety. Israel and Judah had to learn this the hard way. Let us read the example of King Mannaseh in 2 Chronicles 33; he had to be led away into captivity with a hook through his nose before he repented. What will it take for Obama, the Democrats and the multinational corporations that serve them?
1-6 Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king. He ruled for fifty-five years in Jerusalem. In God's opinion he was a bad king—an evil king. He reintroduced all the moral rot and spiritual corruption that had been scoured from the country when God dispossessed the pagan nations in favor of the children of Israel. He rebuilt the sex-and-religion shrines that his father Hezekiah had torn down, he built altars and phallic images for the sex god Baal and the sex goddess Asherah and worshiped the cosmic powers, taking orders from the constellations. He built shrines to the cosmic powers and placed them in both courtyards of The Temple of God, the very Jerusalem Temple dedicated exclusively by God's decree to God's Name ("in Jerusalem I place my Name"). He burned his own sons in a sacrificial rite in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. He practiced witchcraft and fortunetelling. He held séances and consulted spirits from the underworld. Much evil—in God's view a career in evil. And God was angry.
7-8 As a last straw he placed a carved image of the sex goddess Asherah that he had commissioned in The Temple of God, a flagrant and provocative violation of God's well-known command to both David and Solomon, "In this Temple and in this city Jerusalem, my choice out of all the tribes of Israel, I place my Name—exclusively and forever." He had promised, "Never again will I let my people Israel wander off from this land I've given to their ancestors. But on this condition, that they keep everything I've commanded in the instructions my servant Moses passed on to them."
9-10 But Manasseh led Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem off the beaten path into practices of evil exceeding even the evil of the pagan nations that God had earlier destroyed. When God spoke to Manasseh and his people about this, they ignored him.
11-13 Then God directed the leaders of the troops of the king of Assyria to come after Manasseh. They put a hook in his nose, shackles on his feet, and took him off to Babylon. Now that he was in trouble, he went to his knees in prayer asking for help—total repentance before the God of his ancestors. As he prayed, God was touched; God listened and brought him back to Jerusalem as king. That convinced Manasseh that God was in control.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Conspiracy
Folks,
As Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV explains tonight, The Conspiracy is not limited to multi-national corporations in collusion with the Regime occupying Washington, DC. He therefore asks:
Is there a conspiracy inside the Church on the part of various high-placed people to help bring Her down? It's a vexing question that many people are now beginning to seriously consider.
The corporations and the liberal Regime act together to take out faithful employee and patriotic citizen alike while liberal clerics and their lay supporters act together to take out the devout worshipper. We in these United States are, however, lucky in spite of this, for there are Christians in Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam, North Korea, China and elsewhere to whom the following can legitimately apply:
They cried out in a loud voice, "How long will it be, holy and true master, before you sit in judgment and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?" Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little while longer until the number was filled of their fellow servants and brothers who were going to be killed as they had been. Revelation 6:10-11.
Because of our apostasy, heresy and open rebellion, our turn is coming. The branches must be pruned from the tree.
For if God did not spare the natural branches, (perhaps) he will not spare you either. Romans 11:21
Then will Philippians 2:10-11 be fulfilled:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Thus, along with the rest of us, liberals will bend their knee and give glory to God Almighty.
As Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV explains tonight, The Conspiracy is not limited to multi-national corporations in collusion with the Regime occupying Washington, DC. He therefore asks:
Is there a conspiracy inside the Church on the part of various high-placed people to help bring Her down? It's a vexing question that many people are now beginning to seriously consider.
The corporations and the liberal Regime act together to take out faithful employee and patriotic citizen alike while liberal clerics and their lay supporters act together to take out the devout worshipper. We in these United States are, however, lucky in spite of this, for there are Christians in Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Vietnam, North Korea, China and elsewhere to whom the following can legitimately apply:
They cried out in a loud voice, "How long will it be, holy and true master, before you sit in judgment and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?" Each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to be patient a little while longer until the number was filled of their fellow servants and brothers who were going to be killed as they had been. Revelation 6:10-11.
Because of our apostasy, heresy and open rebellion, our turn is coming. The branches must be pruned from the tree.
For if God did not spare the natural branches, (perhaps) he will not spare you either. Romans 11:21
Then will Philippians 2:10-11 be fulfilled:
That at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Thus, along with the rest of us, liberals will bend their knee and give glory to God Almighty.
Another Update
Folks,
As a blogger I make use of Google Analytics in tracking internet visits to this forum. Imagine my surprise when I found that someone at the corporate headquarters of the worldwide company which I have left has taken a fleeting interest in the ramblings of a devout Catholic and an American patriot. Here we have a minor technical functionary of no consequence who has garnered the interest of a monolithic corporation beholden to no one except the Caesar Augustus reigning in the Oval Office? Now perhaps mere paranoia afflicts me. After all, the visits were very brief and nothing written here can surely threaten a corporation that with complete impunity willy-nilly murders unborn babies for profit, calls it embryonic stem cell research, and then receives open accolades from all the right - er, I mean left - thinking people.
I can only hope and pray that this whole sad affair is behind me. But some have told me that this company's actions could be considered harrassment and defamation of character in a Court of Law. I have zero interest in pursuing anything like that. As I have repeatedly stated: I have NO intellectual information from this company, having turned everything over to it, and I have NO interest in suing anybody for anything. Who wants to stain his hands with the blood of unbabies?
Let the mess stop. Come on, guys: I have nothing except debt and alimony payments - unless it's revenge you want. Well, John the Baptist did tell King Herod that it wasn't lawful for him to take his brother's wife, and he did lose head. I'm no John the Baptist (I don't have that kind of courage), and I certainly don't want to lose my head. But I will tell the truth regardless of accusations of non-credibility to the contrary.
Oh, one last thing: liberals can't stand freedom of speech. They can't stand points of view opposing their own and they will usually do anything to shutdown those points of view. But then again, maybe I am paranoid.
As a blogger I make use of Google Analytics in tracking internet visits to this forum. Imagine my surprise when I found that someone at the corporate headquarters of the worldwide company which I have left has taken a fleeting interest in the ramblings of a devout Catholic and an American patriot. Here we have a minor technical functionary of no consequence who has garnered the interest of a monolithic corporation beholden to no one except the Caesar Augustus reigning in the Oval Office? Now perhaps mere paranoia afflicts me. After all, the visits were very brief and nothing written here can surely threaten a corporation that with complete impunity willy-nilly murders unborn babies for profit, calls it embryonic stem cell research, and then receives open accolades from all the right - er, I mean left - thinking people.
I can only hope and pray that this whole sad affair is behind me. But some have told me that this company's actions could be considered harrassment and defamation of character in a Court of Law. I have zero interest in pursuing anything like that. As I have repeatedly stated: I have NO intellectual information from this company, having turned everything over to it, and I have NO interest in suing anybody for anything. Who wants to stain his hands with the blood of unbabies?
Let the mess stop. Come on, guys: I have nothing except debt and alimony payments - unless it's revenge you want. Well, John the Baptist did tell King Herod that it wasn't lawful for him to take his brother's wife, and he did lose head. I'm no John the Baptist (I don't have that kind of courage), and I certainly don't want to lose my head. But I will tell the truth regardless of accusations of non-credibility to the contrary.
Oh, one last thing: liberals can't stand freedom of speech. They can't stand points of view opposing their own and they will usually do anything to shutdown those points of view. But then again, maybe I am paranoid.
Diversity - It Ain't All It's Cracked Up To Be
Folks,
Dr. Pournelle has a great essay at Chaos Manor on Diversity. Please left click your mouse cursor on the hyperlinked text to read this important article. Then ask yourself this: why isn't the news media saying very much about the Muslim sexual assault on CBS news reporter Lara Logan in Cairo by the democratic celebrants?
The fruit of democracy is nothing other than two wolves and one sheep voting on what's for dinner. And tolerance is nothing other than denigrating everything that is noble and honorable to the same level as sexual filth and murder. Whether caused by neo-cons or Obamessiah worshippers, this is where liberalism always and inevitably leads. And the root of liberal-ISM is "I-Self-Me", the very same pride to be like gods with which the serpent tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Dr. Pournelle has a great essay at Chaos Manor on Diversity. Please left click your mouse cursor on the hyperlinked text to read this important article. Then ask yourself this: why isn't the news media saying very much about the Muslim sexual assault on CBS news reporter Lara Logan in Cairo by the democratic celebrants?
The fruit of democracy is nothing other than two wolves and one sheep voting on what's for dinner. And tolerance is nothing other than denigrating everything that is noble and honorable to the same level as sexual filth and murder. Whether caused by neo-cons or Obamessiah worshippers, this is where liberalism always and inevitably leads. And the root of liberal-ISM is "I-Self-Me", the very same pride to be like gods with which the serpent tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden.
Be Holy, for I, the Lord Your God, Am Holy
Folks,
Yesterday we talked a little about about holiness before the Lord. Father Thomas Rosica of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation and Television Network in Canada, and a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications gave the following sermon for next Sunday's Scripture Readings regarding this very subject.
Be Holy, for I, the Lord Your God, Am Holy
TORONTO, FEB. 15, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The Scripture readings for today issue three calls to us– to be holy as the Lord our God is holy; to not deceive ourselves with the wisdom of this age; and to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Let us begin our reflections this week by considering the words of the Leviticus reading (19:1-2, 17-18.)
God is the Holy One and the Creator of human life, and the human being is blessed and obliged by God’'s utter holiness. Therefore every human life is holy, sacrosanct and inviolable. According to Leviticus 19:2 God’s holiness constitutes an essential imperative for the moral behavior: "You shall be holy for I am Holy, the Lord your God!" This loaded statement describes best the vocation of every man and woman, and the entire mission of the Church throughout history: a call to holiness.
You shall be holy
Holiness is a truth that pervades the whole of the Old Covenant: God is holy and calls all to holiness. The Mosaic Law exhorted: "You shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy." Holiness is in God, and only from God can it pass to the crown of God’s creation: human beings. We are made in the image and likeness of God, and God’s holiness, his ‘total otherness’ is imprinted on each one of us. Human beings become vehicles and instruments of God’s holiness for the world.
This holiness is the fire of God's Word that must be alive and burning within our hearts. It is this fire, this dynamism, that will burn away the evil within us and around us and cause holiness to burst forth, healing and transforming the society and culture surrounding us. Evil is only eradicated by holiness, not by harshness. Holiness introduces into society a seed that heals and transforms.
Holiness is a way of life that involves commitment and activity. It is not a passive endeavor, but rather a continuous choice to deepen one's relationship with God and to then allow this relationship to guide all of one's actions in the world. Holiness requires a radical change in mindset and attitude. The acceptance of the call to holiness places God as our final goal in every aspect of our lives. This fundamental orientation toward God even envelops and sustains our relationship with other human beings. Sustained by a life of virtue and fortified by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, God draws us ever closer to himself and to that day when we shall see Him face to face in heaven and achieve full union with him.
Here and now, we can find holiness in our personal experience of putting forth our best efforts in the work place, patiently raising our children, and building good relationships at home, at school and at work. If we make all of these things a part of our loving response to God, we are on the path of holiness.
Revolution of holiness
The words of Leviticus in today’'s first reading (19:2) come alive in the saints and blessed of our Catholic tradition. These countless men and women throughout our tradition are the true “revolutionaries of holiness” as Benedict XVI said so beautifully during the 2005 World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany:
www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2005/august/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20050820_vigil-wyd_en.html
“It is the great multitude of the saints -- both known and unknown -- in whose lives the Lord has opened up the Gospel before us and turned over the pages; he has done this throughout history and he still does so today. In their lives, as if in a great picture-book, the riches of the Gospel are revealed. They are the shining path which God himself has traced throughout history and is still tracing today…. The saints, as we said, are the true reformers. Now I want to express this in an even more radical way: Only from the saints, only from God does true revolution come, the definitive way to change the world.”
Pastoral planning
In his apostolic letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte" at the close of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, Pope John Paul II invited all “to place pastoral planning under the heading of holiness”, to express "the conviction that, since baptism is a true entry into the holiness of God through incorporation into Christ and the indwelling of his Spirit, it would be a contradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic and a shallow religiosity… The time has come to re-propose wholeheartedly to everyone this high standard of ordinary Christian living: the whole life of the Christian community and of Christian families must lead in this direction" (No. 31).
The Church is the “home of holiness” and holiness is our most accurate image, our authentic calling card, and our greatest gift to the world. It describes best who and what we are and strive to be.
True wisdom
In today’'s second reading (1 Corinthians 3:16-23), St. Paul, in continuing his reproach of the Corinthians for their contentions (1-4), reminds the community that the churches of Christ ought to be kept pure, and humble (16:17). To have a high opinion of our own wisdom, is but to flatter ourselves; and self-flattery is the next step to self-deceit. People are deceived who deem themselves the temples to be temples of the Holy Spirit yet are unconcerned about personal holiness, or the peace and purity of the church.
If the Corinthians were genuinely wise (3:18-20), their perceptions would be reversed, and they would see everything in the world and all those with whom they exist in the Church in their true relations with one another. Paul assigns all the persons involved in the theological universe a position on a scale: God, Christ, Church members, Church leaders. Read from top to bottom, the scale expresses ownership; read from bottom to top, the obligation to serve. This picture should be complemented by similar statements such as those in 1 Corinthians 8:6 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-28. Christians are holy by profession, and should be pure and clean, both in heart and conversation.
Love your neighbor
As we reflect on today’'s Gospel passage (Matthew 25:38-48), Jesus in no way teaches us to be passive in the face of physical danger. Jesus teaches that violence can breed violence. And if nonresistance will shame our opponent into peace, then such is the better course.
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil." (Matthew 5:38-39). With metaphorical language Jesus teaches us to turn the other cheek, to hand over not only the tunic but also the cloak, not to respond with violence to the vexations of others, and above all, "Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow" (5:42). This is a radical exclusion of the law of retaliation in the personal life of Jesus' disciples whatever be the right of society to defend its members from evildoers and to punish those guilty of violating the rights of citizens and of the state itself.
Jesus teaches the ultimate step in the process of bringing to perfection, that in which all the others find their dynamic center: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust." (5:43-45). In opposition to the common interpretation of the old law which identified the neighbor with the Israelite, and indeed with the pious Israelite, Jesus set out the authentic interpretation of God's commandment. He added to it the religious dimension of reference to the clement and merciful heavenly Father who does good to all and is therefore the supreme exemplar of universal love.
Jesus concluded, "Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect" (5:48). He asked of his followers the perfection of love. Love is the synthesis of the new law he brought. This love will enable us to overcome in our relations with others the classical opposition of friend-enemy. It will tend from within hearts to transform into corresponding forms of social, political and even institutionalized solidarity.
The fruit of nonviolence is love
There are lots of mean-spirited people who have never broken the law, but can they truly be models for Christians? There is always the risk of being taken advantage of when we are generous and unselfish. If we open ourselves to love, we may very well get hurt. If we share our material goods, we may very well be used. In no instance are we obligated to get hurt or used; it just happens sometimes. The only way to be fully protected is to be suspicious, stingy, cynical and selfish. But this is certainly inconsistent with love. The fruit of nonviolence is love. This love blossoms everywhere when people meet each other, and everywhere it divulges its divine origins. This love overcomes all opposition. It brings together strangers, overcoming distance. It fills emptiness. It heals the sick. It raises the dead to life.
Let us try to break those patterns within us individually and communally that lead to violence, destruction and lack of love. If violence seems a reasonable option for us, then let us invent a different kind of logic. If violence is a machine, dealing mechanically with people whom we don't like, let us pray for the courage to throw a monkey wrench into it. And if violence is a chain of which we are part, let us be the first link that's broken.
The "dark" passages of the Bible
Continuing our reflection on "Verbum Domini" in light of today’’s Gospel, let us consider No. 2 of the postsynodal exhortation that reflected on the theme "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church."
"“In discussing the relationship between the Old and the New Testaments, the Synod also considered those passages in the Bible which, due to the violence and immorality they occasionally contain, prove obscure and difficult. Here it must be remembered first and foremost that biblical revelation is deeply rooted in history. God's plan is manifested progressively and it is accomplished slowly, in successive stages and despite human resistance. God chose a people and patiently worked to guide and educate them. Revelation is suited to the cultural and moral level of distant times and thus describes facts and customs, such as cheating and trickery, and acts of violence and massacre, without explicitly denouncing the immorality of such things. This can be explained by the historical context, yet it can cause the modern reader to be taken aback, especially if he or she fails to take account of the many "dark" deeds carried out down the centuries, and also in our own day. In the Old Testament, the preaching of the prophets vigorously challenged every kind of injustice and violence, whether collective or individual, and thus became God's way of training his people in preparation for the Gospel. So it would be a mistake to neglect those passages of Scripture that strike us as problematic. Rather, we should be aware that the correct interpretation of these passages requires a degree of expertise, acquired through a training that interprets the texts in their historical-literary context and within the Christian perspective which has as its ultimate hermeneutical key "the Gospel and the new commandment of Jesus Christ brought about in the paschal mystery". I encourage scholars and pastors to help all the faithful to approach these passages through an interpretation which enables their meaning to emerge in the light of the mystery of Christ.”"
[The readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time are Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48]
Yesterday we talked a little about about holiness before the Lord. Father Thomas Rosica of the Salt and Light Catholic Media Foundation and Television Network in Canada, and a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications gave the following sermon for next Sunday's Scripture Readings regarding this very subject.
Be Holy, for I, the Lord Your God, Am Holy
TORONTO, FEB. 15, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The Scripture readings for today issue three calls to us– to be holy as the Lord our God is holy; to not deceive ourselves with the wisdom of this age; and to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Let us begin our reflections this week by considering the words of the Leviticus reading (19:1-2, 17-18.)
God is the Holy One and the Creator of human life, and the human being is blessed and obliged by God’'s utter holiness. Therefore every human life is holy, sacrosanct and inviolable. According to Leviticus 19:2 God’s holiness constitutes an essential imperative for the moral behavior: "You shall be holy for I am Holy, the Lord your God!" This loaded statement describes best the vocation of every man and woman, and the entire mission of the Church throughout history: a call to holiness.
You shall be holy
Holiness is a truth that pervades the whole of the Old Covenant: God is holy and calls all to holiness. The Mosaic Law exhorted: "You shall be holy; for I the Lord your God am holy." Holiness is in God, and only from God can it pass to the crown of God’s creation: human beings. We are made in the image and likeness of God, and God’s holiness, his ‘total otherness’ is imprinted on each one of us. Human beings become vehicles and instruments of God’s holiness for the world.
This holiness is the fire of God's Word that must be alive and burning within our hearts. It is this fire, this dynamism, that will burn away the evil within us and around us and cause holiness to burst forth, healing and transforming the society and culture surrounding us. Evil is only eradicated by holiness, not by harshness. Holiness introduces into society a seed that heals and transforms.
Holiness is a way of life that involves commitment and activity. It is not a passive endeavor, but rather a continuous choice to deepen one's relationship with God and to then allow this relationship to guide all of one's actions in the world. Holiness requires a radical change in mindset and attitude. The acceptance of the call to holiness places God as our final goal in every aspect of our lives. This fundamental orientation toward God even envelops and sustains our relationship with other human beings. Sustained by a life of virtue and fortified by the gifts of the Holy Spirit, God draws us ever closer to himself and to that day when we shall see Him face to face in heaven and achieve full union with him.
Here and now, we can find holiness in our personal experience of putting forth our best efforts in the work place, patiently raising our children, and building good relationships at home, at school and at work. If we make all of these things a part of our loving response to God, we are on the path of holiness.
Revolution of holiness
The words of Leviticus in today’'s first reading (19:2) come alive in the saints and blessed of our Catholic tradition. These countless men and women throughout our tradition are the true “revolutionaries of holiness” as Benedict XVI said so beautifully during the 2005 World Youth Day in Cologne, Germany:
www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/speeches/2005/august/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20050820_vigil-wyd_en.html
“It is the great multitude of the saints -- both known and unknown -- in whose lives the Lord has opened up the Gospel before us and turned over the pages; he has done this throughout history and he still does so today. In their lives, as if in a great picture-book, the riches of the Gospel are revealed. They are the shining path which God himself has traced throughout history and is still tracing today…. The saints, as we said, are the true reformers. Now I want to express this in an even more radical way: Only from the saints, only from God does true revolution come, the definitive way to change the world.”
Pastoral planning
In his apostolic letter "Novo Millennio Ineunte" at the close of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000, Pope John Paul II invited all “to place pastoral planning under the heading of holiness”, to express "the conviction that, since baptism is a true entry into the holiness of God through incorporation into Christ and the indwelling of his Spirit, it would be a contradiction to settle for a life of mediocrity, marked by a minimalist ethic and a shallow religiosity… The time has come to re-propose wholeheartedly to everyone this high standard of ordinary Christian living: the whole life of the Christian community and of Christian families must lead in this direction" (No. 31).
The Church is the “home of holiness” and holiness is our most accurate image, our authentic calling card, and our greatest gift to the world. It describes best who and what we are and strive to be.
True wisdom
In today’'s second reading (1 Corinthians 3:16-23), St. Paul, in continuing his reproach of the Corinthians for their contentions (1-4), reminds the community that the churches of Christ ought to be kept pure, and humble (16:17). To have a high opinion of our own wisdom, is but to flatter ourselves; and self-flattery is the next step to self-deceit. People are deceived who deem themselves the temples to be temples of the Holy Spirit yet are unconcerned about personal holiness, or the peace and purity of the church.
If the Corinthians were genuinely wise (3:18-20), their perceptions would be reversed, and they would see everything in the world and all those with whom they exist in the Church in their true relations with one another. Paul assigns all the persons involved in the theological universe a position on a scale: God, Christ, Church members, Church leaders. Read from top to bottom, the scale expresses ownership; read from bottom to top, the obligation to serve. This picture should be complemented by similar statements such as those in 1 Corinthians 8:6 and 1 Corinthians 15:20-28. Christians are holy by profession, and should be pure and clean, both in heart and conversation.
Love your neighbor
As we reflect on today’'s Gospel passage (Matthew 25:38-48), Jesus in no way teaches us to be passive in the face of physical danger. Jesus teaches that violence can breed violence. And if nonresistance will shame our opponent into peace, then such is the better course.
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil." (Matthew 5:38-39). With metaphorical language Jesus teaches us to turn the other cheek, to hand over not only the tunic but also the cloak, not to respond with violence to the vexations of others, and above all, "Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow" (5:42). This is a radical exclusion of the law of retaliation in the personal life of Jesus' disciples whatever be the right of society to defend its members from evildoers and to punish those guilty of violating the rights of citizens and of the state itself.
Jesus teaches the ultimate step in the process of bringing to perfection, that in which all the others find their dynamic center: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust." (5:43-45). In opposition to the common interpretation of the old law which identified the neighbor with the Israelite, and indeed with the pious Israelite, Jesus set out the authentic interpretation of God's commandment. He added to it the religious dimension of reference to the clement and merciful heavenly Father who does good to all and is therefore the supreme exemplar of universal love.
Jesus concluded, "Be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect" (5:48). He asked of his followers the perfection of love. Love is the synthesis of the new law he brought. This love will enable us to overcome in our relations with others the classical opposition of friend-enemy. It will tend from within hearts to transform into corresponding forms of social, political and even institutionalized solidarity.
The fruit of nonviolence is love
There are lots of mean-spirited people who have never broken the law, but can they truly be models for Christians? There is always the risk of being taken advantage of when we are generous and unselfish. If we open ourselves to love, we may very well get hurt. If we share our material goods, we may very well be used. In no instance are we obligated to get hurt or used; it just happens sometimes. The only way to be fully protected is to be suspicious, stingy, cynical and selfish. But this is certainly inconsistent with love. The fruit of nonviolence is love. This love blossoms everywhere when people meet each other, and everywhere it divulges its divine origins. This love overcomes all opposition. It brings together strangers, overcoming distance. It fills emptiness. It heals the sick. It raises the dead to life.
Let us try to break those patterns within us individually and communally that lead to violence, destruction and lack of love. If violence seems a reasonable option for us, then let us invent a different kind of logic. If violence is a machine, dealing mechanically with people whom we don't like, let us pray for the courage to throw a monkey wrench into it. And if violence is a chain of which we are part, let us be the first link that's broken.
The "dark" passages of the Bible
Continuing our reflection on "Verbum Domini" in light of today’’s Gospel, let us consider No. 2 of the postsynodal exhortation that reflected on the theme "The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church."
"“In discussing the relationship between the Old and the New Testaments, the Synod also considered those passages in the Bible which, due to the violence and immorality they occasionally contain, prove obscure and difficult. Here it must be remembered first and foremost that biblical revelation is deeply rooted in history. God's plan is manifested progressively and it is accomplished slowly, in successive stages and despite human resistance. God chose a people and patiently worked to guide and educate them. Revelation is suited to the cultural and moral level of distant times and thus describes facts and customs, such as cheating and trickery, and acts of violence and massacre, without explicitly denouncing the immorality of such things. This can be explained by the historical context, yet it can cause the modern reader to be taken aback, especially if he or she fails to take account of the many "dark" deeds carried out down the centuries, and also in our own day. In the Old Testament, the preaching of the prophets vigorously challenged every kind of injustice and violence, whether collective or individual, and thus became God's way of training his people in preparation for the Gospel. So it would be a mistake to neglect those passages of Scripture that strike us as problematic. Rather, we should be aware that the correct interpretation of these passages requires a degree of expertise, acquired through a training that interprets the texts in their historical-literary context and within the Christian perspective which has as its ultimate hermeneutical key "the Gospel and the new commandment of Jesus Christ brought about in the paschal mystery". I encourage scholars and pastors to help all the faithful to approach these passages through an interpretation which enables their meaning to emerge in the light of the mystery of Christ.”"
[The readings for the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time are Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48]
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The Suing Priest - Father Gravel Needs to Read Ezekiel 34:1-10
Folks,
I have been a bit quiet of late, given all the things that have happened as a result of my former employer's paranoia. But one can expect paranoia from an employer that reaps profit from fatally experimenting on unborn children and covering it up with fancy phrases like "embryonic stem cell research." Distrust and murder go hand in hand: when one murders, then how can one trust another person for in being a murderer one cannot tell truth from a lie? Nevertheless, I have been reading the news, the blogsites and Facebook entries of friends, and so on, and the more I read, the more inflamed I become. Tonight is no exception. Indeed, my former employer would just adore the liberal open-mindedness of the pseudo-priest pervert in the following account. Let us remember, however, that an open mind enables all the knowledge to fall on out.
Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV now reports to us on "The Suing Priest." A certain Catholic pseudo-priest Father Raymond Gravel (his photo accompanies this entry) of Canada has (as a male homosexual prostitute) openly approved, supported and engaged in the sexual deviancy and perversion of sodomy, and continues to do so. He has also openly supported the murder of the unborn as the damnable right to choose, and he continues to do so. Now he is suing Lifesite News for pointing our what he himself has stated in the public forum about homosexuality and abortion. He is a godless liberal, progressive, modernist heretic and apostate pretending to be a priest.
It is time for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to follow the example of what St. Paul did to Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1st Timothy 1:19-20: hand this reprobate over to satan to be taught not to blaspheme. But I predict that the CCCB will be just as toothless, weak-kneed and yellow-bellied as our own USCCB here in these United States, and thus do people leave the Roman Catholic Church for our separated Evangelical and Pentecostal brethren.
Unrepetent perverts and murderers cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. That is exactly what 1st Corinthian 6:9-10 states. And those disobedient rebels who continue as priests are subject to what Ezekiel 34:1-10 states. But our Bishops tolerate them instead on following St. Peter's example with Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 and St. John's example with Jezebel in the Church at Thyatira in Revelation 2:20-23. Thus did St. John the Baptist warn the Pharisees and Scribes in Matthew 3:7-12. Thus, if we in the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church don't straighten out and purge this vile sickness and disease of murder, sexual perversion and idolatry from our midst, then we the children of the Kingdom may find ourselves cast out as God raises up Sons to Abraham from the stones themselves. He can and would very well use devout Baptists and Pentecostals to do what we refuse to do.
Holiness before the Lord is NOT a recommendation. It is a REQUIREMENT and NO ONE enters the Kingdom of Heaven WITHOUT holiness. That means no sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman - God made Adam and Eve, NOT Adam and Steve. No fornication. No adultery. No sodomy. And no murder of the unborn. If I don't want a baby, then I must abstain from sex. We are supposed to be sober adults: so let's keep our pants zipped up and our legs closed. We are created in the Image and Likeness of God Himself. He therefore gave us brains and He expects us to use them instead of acting like wild baboons and mindlessly acquiescing to the lusts of the flesh. But I guess in being liberal "Father" Gravel simply can't help himself. It's easier to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season. But hell lasts forever.
Controversial Priest Wants Bloc Repentigny Nomination
Lifesite News Being Sued for $500K
I have been a bit quiet of late, given all the things that have happened as a result of my former employer's paranoia. But one can expect paranoia from an employer that reaps profit from fatally experimenting on unborn children and covering it up with fancy phrases like "embryonic stem cell research." Distrust and murder go hand in hand: when one murders, then how can one trust another person for in being a murderer one cannot tell truth from a lie? Nevertheless, I have been reading the news, the blogsites and Facebook entries of friends, and so on, and the more I read, the more inflamed I become. Tonight is no exception. Indeed, my former employer would just adore the liberal open-mindedness of the pseudo-priest pervert in the following account. Let us remember, however, that an open mind enables all the knowledge to fall on out.
Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV now reports to us on "The Suing Priest." A certain Catholic pseudo-priest Father Raymond Gravel (his photo accompanies this entry) of Canada has (as a male homosexual prostitute) openly approved, supported and engaged in the sexual deviancy and perversion of sodomy, and continues to do so. He has also openly supported the murder of the unborn as the damnable right to choose, and he continues to do so. Now he is suing Lifesite News for pointing our what he himself has stated in the public forum about homosexuality and abortion. He is a godless liberal, progressive, modernist heretic and apostate pretending to be a priest.
It is time for the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to follow the example of what St. Paul did to Hymenaeus and Alexander in 1st Timothy 1:19-20: hand this reprobate over to satan to be taught not to blaspheme. But I predict that the CCCB will be just as toothless, weak-kneed and yellow-bellied as our own USCCB here in these United States, and thus do people leave the Roman Catholic Church for our separated Evangelical and Pentecostal brethren.
Unrepetent perverts and murderers cannot inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. That is exactly what 1st Corinthian 6:9-10 states. And those disobedient rebels who continue as priests are subject to what Ezekiel 34:1-10 states. But our Bishops tolerate them instead on following St. Peter's example with Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 and St. John's example with Jezebel in the Church at Thyatira in Revelation 2:20-23. Thus did St. John the Baptist warn the Pharisees and Scribes in Matthew 3:7-12. Thus, if we in the one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church don't straighten out and purge this vile sickness and disease of murder, sexual perversion and idolatry from our midst, then we the children of the Kingdom may find ourselves cast out as God raises up Sons to Abraham from the stones themselves. He can and would very well use devout Baptists and Pentecostals to do what we refuse to do.
Holiness before the Lord is NOT a recommendation. It is a REQUIREMENT and NO ONE enters the Kingdom of Heaven WITHOUT holiness. That means no sex outside of marriage between one man and one woman - God made Adam and Eve, NOT Adam and Steve. No fornication. No adultery. No sodomy. And no murder of the unborn. If I don't want a baby, then I must abstain from sex. We are supposed to be sober adults: so let's keep our pants zipped up and our legs closed. We are created in the Image and Likeness of God Himself. He therefore gave us brains and He expects us to use them instead of acting like wild baboons and mindlessly acquiescing to the lusts of the flesh. But I guess in being liberal "Father" Gravel simply can't help himself. It's easier to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season. But hell lasts forever.
Controversial Priest Wants Bloc Repentigny Nomination
Lifesite News Being Sued for $500K
Tonight's Humor - For My Family and Friends in Pittsfield, MA
Folks,
Here is tonight's humor for my family and friends in Pittsfield, MA. Of course, maybe the humor won't be taken well.
Here is tonight's humor for my family and friends in Pittsfield, MA. Of course, maybe the humor won't be taken well.
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Will of God
Folks,
Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV has issued a video that is most apropos for me right now. It is entitled, "The Will of God."
http://www.youtube.com/user/RealCatholicTV?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/pTXE6acKpBw
I encourage everyone to copy and paste the URL address above into the address field of his web browser and view this short video. God's will is the salvation of souls. Whether one marries or stays single, or one has this job or that, or one goes to this school or that are all incidentals. What is important is that we completely abandon ourselves to Him exactly as the Blessed Virgin Mary did some 2000 years ago. And look what happened - she became the Mother of the Son of God. Incidentals like the rest will then straighten themselves out.
I have a dear friend who told me exactly that a few days ago. I am very worried about all the stink my former employer is throwing into the air. But really - who is on the Throne? Indeed, every time Mother Angelica says the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary on EWTN, the pop up meditation for the first mystery - Jesus Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane - is ended with the words, "Nothing happens to us that isn't for our good." You see, seeking God's will instead of trying to protect our own is for our own good. I may have a hard time seeing that right now, but in the end it's the salvation of souls that matters.
Michael Voris of Real Catholic TV has issued a video that is most apropos for me right now. It is entitled, "The Will of God."
http://www.youtube.com/user/RealCatholicTV?feature=mhum#p/a/u/0/pTXE6acKpBw
I encourage everyone to copy and paste the URL address above into the address field of his web browser and view this short video. God's will is the salvation of souls. Whether one marries or stays single, or one has this job or that, or one goes to this school or that are all incidentals. What is important is that we completely abandon ourselves to Him exactly as the Blessed Virgin Mary did some 2000 years ago. And look what happened - she became the Mother of the Son of God. Incidentals like the rest will then straighten themselves out.
I have a dear friend who told me exactly that a few days ago. I am very worried about all the stink my former employer is throwing into the air. But really - who is on the Throne? Indeed, every time Mother Angelica says the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Holy Rosary on EWTN, the pop up meditation for the first mystery - Jesus Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane - is ended with the words, "Nothing happens to us that isn't for our good." You see, seeking God's will instead of trying to protect our own is for our own good. I may have a hard time seeing that right now, but in the end it's the salvation of souls that matters.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A Personal Note
Folks,
I hesitate to write the following, but sometimes the truth needs to be exposed to the light of day. As most of you may know, I recently left a certain company to go to work for a different company. I had found myself at odds with the former company's position on and support for abortion, gay marriage and embryonic stem cell research. I was beyond words with the antics of one of its political pundits on its "news" network, and with the collusion between its CEO and Barack Hussein Obama, especially when it came to Obama's campaign for useless green energy and that company's profit from useless green energy schemes while letting its nuclear program flounder. So I left.
Now sadly I must confess that during the course of my employment I would from time to time back up work-related files on a portable hard drive and sometimes on thumb drives for smaller files. This was done because one time in November I was teaching a one week training class and my company-provided laptop failed catastrophically. The desk top computer provided in the classroom did not have access to the share drive where my training files were located, so if I did not have an immediate backup, then I would not have been able to continue to teach the class. But I was able to continue class due to my foresight, yet unfortunately the media I used was "unauthorized".
I also confess that prior to leaving I did upload data to such memory with the intent of turning everything over to a certain technical manager who was in charge of a project I had been working on. But during the intimidation and harrassment of the exit interview, while I remembered the portable hard drive and had volunteered such information to appropriate authority, I forgot about the thumb drives. At that point my character was derided and condemned with words such as "untrustworthy" and "non-credible". Needless to say, I was always most happy to turn everything over to that company and I did exactly that. In fact, the management flunkie at the exit interview took my personal cell phone and examined all the files therein to try to find something incriminating. Of course nothing was found. And I was telephoned by one of the company's lawyers that Saturday with intimidating threats of what would happen to me. But things have not stopped there.
Now that I am in my new job, that company has twice sent nasty letters to my new employer deriding my character and casting suspicion on my motives. Let me therefore state publicly that to the best of my knowledge I have NO proprietary or intellectual information from my three and a half years at that company, and that everything which I did have has been turned over. Furthermore, I do not and shall not share any such information with my new employer, nor would I every think to do so. "Thou shalt not steal" comes to mind.
I can only imagine in all this that the reason for that company's continued harrassment is the fact that I told it exactly why I was leaving: its immorality and idolatry in performing embryonic stem cell research, donating money to pro-abortion social service groups and ensuring via its news media outlet the election of the most wicked man yet to occupy the Oval Office. I fear that that company is attempting to make an example of me because it can't stand the truth, and because it is murderous in its profits from embryonic stem cell "research".
A friend of mine disagrees with me and thinks this company is simply following its myriad rules of bureaucracy that no sane human being could every follow 100% of the time. It has no concern for the humanity of those involved. By the design of its bureaucracy, it simply assumes that everyone is inherently dishonest who goes to work for a preceived competitor. Perhaps my friend is correct.
At this point, folks, I don't know what will happen. I just know that I have NO proprietary or intellectual property information from this company, nor do I want such information. That's like staining one's hands with the blood of the unborn which that company sheds. And that is why I suspect the reason for this persecution to be defaming my character and putting my integrity into question so that anything I say about abortion or gay marriage is held suspect.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
I hesitate to write the following, but sometimes the truth needs to be exposed to the light of day. As most of you may know, I recently left a certain company to go to work for a different company. I had found myself at odds with the former company's position on and support for abortion, gay marriage and embryonic stem cell research. I was beyond words with the antics of one of its political pundits on its "news" network, and with the collusion between its CEO and Barack Hussein Obama, especially when it came to Obama's campaign for useless green energy and that company's profit from useless green energy schemes while letting its nuclear program flounder. So I left.
Now sadly I must confess that during the course of my employment I would from time to time back up work-related files on a portable hard drive and sometimes on thumb drives for smaller files. This was done because one time in November I was teaching a one week training class and my company-provided laptop failed catastrophically. The desk top computer provided in the classroom did not have access to the share drive where my training files were located, so if I did not have an immediate backup, then I would not have been able to continue to teach the class. But I was able to continue class due to my foresight, yet unfortunately the media I used was "unauthorized".
I also confess that prior to leaving I did upload data to such memory with the intent of turning everything over to a certain technical manager who was in charge of a project I had been working on. But during the intimidation and harrassment of the exit interview, while I remembered the portable hard drive and had volunteered such information to appropriate authority, I forgot about the thumb drives. At that point my character was derided and condemned with words such as "untrustworthy" and "non-credible". Needless to say, I was always most happy to turn everything over to that company and I did exactly that. In fact, the management flunkie at the exit interview took my personal cell phone and examined all the files therein to try to find something incriminating. Of course nothing was found. And I was telephoned by one of the company's lawyers that Saturday with intimidating threats of what would happen to me. But things have not stopped there.
Now that I am in my new job, that company has twice sent nasty letters to my new employer deriding my character and casting suspicion on my motives. Let me therefore state publicly that to the best of my knowledge I have NO proprietary or intellectual information from my three and a half years at that company, and that everything which I did have has been turned over. Furthermore, I do not and shall not share any such information with my new employer, nor would I every think to do so. "Thou shalt not steal" comes to mind.
I can only imagine in all this that the reason for that company's continued harrassment is the fact that I told it exactly why I was leaving: its immorality and idolatry in performing embryonic stem cell research, donating money to pro-abortion social service groups and ensuring via its news media outlet the election of the most wicked man yet to occupy the Oval Office. I fear that that company is attempting to make an example of me because it can't stand the truth, and because it is murderous in its profits from embryonic stem cell "research".
A friend of mine disagrees with me and thinks this company is simply following its myriad rules of bureaucracy that no sane human being could every follow 100% of the time. It has no concern for the humanity of those involved. By the design of its bureaucracy, it simply assumes that everyone is inherently dishonest who goes to work for a preceived competitor. Perhaps my friend is correct.
At this point, folks, I don't know what will happen. I just know that I have NO proprietary or intellectual property information from this company, nor do I want such information. That's like staining one's hands with the blood of the unborn which that company sheds. And that is why I suspect the reason for this persecution to be defaming my character and putting my integrity into question so that anything I say about abortion or gay marriage is held suspect.
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:11-12
The Catholic Faith on My iPad
Folks,
I had gotten an iPad a month or so ago as a gift. I wasn't ever going to use an Apple product because of Steve Jobs' opposition to Christian doctrine, especially his acceptance of homosexual sodomy and the murder of the unborn, demonstrated by his refusal to allow an application developed by the Christian Manhattan Declaration to be used on Apple products. However, having received the iPad as a gift, I have discovered that there are still a wide variety of pro-Christian, pro-Catholic applications available. Within the iBooks application I have been able to obtain the Douay-Rheims Bible, the King James Version Bible, and the English Standard Version Study Bible. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition available, nor the New Jerusalem or New American Bibles. Nevertheless, I was able to download iMissal (which is the entire Roman Missal for the Novus Ordo Mass along with the Catholic Daily Bread meditations and a collection of standard Catholic prayers. I also downloaded an application called iPieta which contains a veritable wealth of Catholic doctrinal information, including:
The Biblia Sacra Vulgata
The New Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Baltimore Catechsim
Father Haydock's Commentary on Sacred Scripture
The documents of the Church Councils, including the Council of Trent, and Vatican I and II.
St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica
St. Augustine's The City of God and other works
St. John Chrysostom's various treatises
St. Louis DeMonfort's True Devotion to Mary
Thomas A Kempis' Imitation of Christ
Papal Encyclicals from the time Pope Gregory XVI to today's Pope Benedict XVI.
And more - I just can't record all the writings, prayers, meditative exercises, etc. that are available.
I therefore have changed my mind and commend to the reader's use the Apple iPad. I have found it particularly useful in reading Sacred Scripture or the writings of the Saints when in a dimly lit chapel for Eucharistic Adoration or similar meditative and contemplative exercise. I seem to recall that recently our Holy Father told us to make use of this modern technology of electronic communication to make the Gospel message available to all. This is a most ideal repository and method for doing exactly that. Now I don't have to carry a ton of books with me to Bible Study - one simple lightweight device no bigger that a sheaf of 30 or so papers suffices.
P.S., There are a couple of issues yet remaining to be overcome: (1) Meditations for the Chaplet of Dvine Mercy have been removed because of copywrite concerns. (2) It is unlikely that the Catholic New American Bible controlled by the USCCB will become available in the near future, again because of copywrite issues. I am sure the issues over availability of Divine Mercy will be worked out with the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA in a matter of months, but I don't hold out hope regarding availability of the NAB simply because of how the USCCB itself operates, though perhaps I shall one day be happily wrong. As for other Bible translations for the iPad, I think one can get them at Olive Tree http://www.olivetree.com/ - supposedly even the Greek and Hebrew if one is ambitious enough. I must tell you: that's great having the Bible in St. Jerome's Latin and in the Greek and Hebrew along with Strong's Concordance. But I think I shall learn how to master iPieta first. There is enough in that to keep me busy for the next year.
I had gotten an iPad a month or so ago as a gift. I wasn't ever going to use an Apple product because of Steve Jobs' opposition to Christian doctrine, especially his acceptance of homosexual sodomy and the murder of the unborn, demonstrated by his refusal to allow an application developed by the Christian Manhattan Declaration to be used on Apple products. However, having received the iPad as a gift, I have discovered that there are still a wide variety of pro-Christian, pro-Catholic applications available. Within the iBooks application I have been able to obtain the Douay-Rheims Bible, the King James Version Bible, and the English Standard Version Study Bible. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition available, nor the New Jerusalem or New American Bibles. Nevertheless, I was able to download iMissal (which is the entire Roman Missal for the Novus Ordo Mass along with the Catholic Daily Bread meditations and a collection of standard Catholic prayers. I also downloaded an application called iPieta which contains a veritable wealth of Catholic doctrinal information, including:
The Biblia Sacra Vulgata
The New Catechism of the Catholic Church
The Baltimore Catechsim
Father Haydock's Commentary on Sacred Scripture
The documents of the Church Councils, including the Council of Trent, and Vatican I and II.
St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica
St. Augustine's The City of God and other works
St. John Chrysostom's various treatises
St. Louis DeMonfort's True Devotion to Mary
Thomas A Kempis' Imitation of Christ
Papal Encyclicals from the time Pope Gregory XVI to today's Pope Benedict XVI.
And more - I just can't record all the writings, prayers, meditative exercises, etc. that are available.
I therefore have changed my mind and commend to the reader's use the Apple iPad. I have found it particularly useful in reading Sacred Scripture or the writings of the Saints when in a dimly lit chapel for Eucharistic Adoration or similar meditative and contemplative exercise. I seem to recall that recently our Holy Father told us to make use of this modern technology of electronic communication to make the Gospel message available to all. This is a most ideal repository and method for doing exactly that. Now I don't have to carry a ton of books with me to Bible Study - one simple lightweight device no bigger that a sheaf of 30 or so papers suffices.
P.S., There are a couple of issues yet remaining to be overcome: (1) Meditations for the Chaplet of Dvine Mercy have been removed because of copywrite concerns. (2) It is unlikely that the Catholic New American Bible controlled by the USCCB will become available in the near future, again because of copywrite issues. I am sure the issues over availability of Divine Mercy will be worked out with the National Shrine of Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, MA in a matter of months, but I don't hold out hope regarding availability of the NAB simply because of how the USCCB itself operates, though perhaps I shall one day be happily wrong. As for other Bible translations for the iPad, I think one can get them at Olive Tree http://www.olivetree.com/ - supposedly even the Greek and Hebrew if one is ambitious enough. I must tell you: that's great having the Bible in St. Jerome's Latin and in the Greek and Hebrew along with Strong's Concordance. But I think I shall learn how to master iPieta first. There is enough in that to keep me busy for the next year.
The Spirit That Makes War by Archbishop Fulton Sheen
My friend Jim McCrea has recommended the following article by Archbishop Fulton Sheen for the reader's attention. His words apply to all the countries of Western Civilization - or what the liberal progressive modernists have left of such civilization.
The Spirit That Makes War
Address delivered on December 15, 1940, by Fulton Sheen when he was Monseigneur
This series of talks is a call to America to return to God; not by lip-worship, but by prayer, penance, reparation, by rekindling in our consciences the Justice of God, and by emblazoning before our eyes the Christ of Judgment in order that all of us, Jews, Protestants, and Catholics may, by a rebirth of the moral law, save America and salvage the world. Let us not fool ourselves ! Nothing short of contrition and humiliation before the Lord of the Universe can save us: unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city, he ratchets in vain that keeps it” (Psalms 126:1).
Before one can cure a disease one must diagnose it. This initial broadcast, therefore, is limited to the fundamental evil of the day: The spirit that makes war, the evil spirit that visits disaster upon Europe, the spirit that changes ploughshares into swords, the spirit we must conquer or die.
The three characteristic elates of this spirit are: First, it is irrational; second, it is violent; and third, it is atheistic.
We know what it means to be rational; namely, to think before we act. We do not just suddenly find ourselves, for example, standing in a telephone Barth; a reason preceded and determined our presence there. As St. John expressed it: “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1) – first the Word, the Idea, the Thought, Reason; then the action: (hand the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
The irrational is just the contrary. It is the primacy of action over idea: First you act and then you think why you did it. As Goethe put it: "In the beginning was the Deed." Reason exists, according to this philosophy, merely to justify action, or to rationalize an evil. Ideas are, as one jurist in America believes, just "instruments of power”; that is, one uses an idea to further one’s power, and then when it ceases to be useful, one scraps it and substitutes another. Not justice but opportunism becomes the rule. Russia ruined France in that way by using the "Popular Front” as an ”instrument of power" and almost ruined us by using the "idea" of democracy to overthrow democracy. The idea of democracy was, to Communism, only a contrivance for the seizure of power; it was not an ideal to be lived, as it is for you and me. Germany in like manner used the idea of Bolshevism as an ”instrument of power” to fool the simple until it was ready to join hands with its natural ally, Russia. The same irrationality was at work in Finland. Russia seized Finland and then justified its action on the ground that other nations might have invaded it. If that irrationality becomes popular it will not be long until you will find robbers occupying your house on the pretext that they came to protect you from mythical robbers who might rob you next year.
That the modern world is inspired by irrationality is further proved by the fact that practically all revolutions were initiated without ideologies; and even if a program was elaborated before the Revolution, it was abandoned soon after. First the power is seized, then a program developed. Law thus becomes not a mandate of reason,, but of the will whatever the dictator decides is right! Because modern politics is irrational, it is unpredictable. If you and I hold certain doctrines our neighbors expect us to live up to them; they can predict our actions to the extent that we are reasonable. But we can never predict what certain nations will do tomorrow, because unrestrained power is unpredictable. A final consequence of this irrationality is the glorification of myth, which has been defined as a slogan for evoking mass-enthusiasm. Hence we have the myth of "race" in Germany, the myth of ”class” in Russia, and the myth of "nation" in Italy. Because the myth is unreason or socialized emotion, its best expression is in marching armies. Vast armies of boys and girls are sent tramping– going nowhere, never being told where they are going, and soon beginning to care less. They are myths on the march. As this irrationality gets into our American blood it manifests itself in gullibility, and with a naive simplicity we believe everything that is told us about anyone, particularly the worst. We care not so much whether it be true; we are concerned only with the fact that it bears repeating. Thus do we add our share to myth, and drop our grain of incense before the false god of irrationality, which exalts power over truth, action over the idea, apotheosizes immediacy, glorifies the uncriticized and uncriticizable affirmation, and promotes revolution whose end is chaos.
The second characteristic note of the modern world is violence. And violence, be it noted, follows from irrationality. Reason is the faculty which gives us goals, purposes, ends, and ideals. When a man loses the purpose of living, he becomes mad. A boiler, for example, has a purpose – namely the retention of steam at a given pressure for heat and power. The boiler receives its purpose from a human reason – the mind of an engineer. The moment the boiler loses the purpose imposed upon it by human reason, it explodes. And the moment society loses the purpose given to it by the Eternal Reason of God, it revolts.
Violence follows irrationality. Of course, there has always been violence in the world, but the violence of our day is different from the violence of the past in two respects. Violence in the past was based on an affirmation: Men loved something so much they resorted to force to achieve it. But today violence is grounded not on an affirmation, but on a negation: Men are violent not because they love something, but because they hate something.
Violence in the past ended either with the attainment of a purpose, or exhaustion, or by a return to the past. But today because violence has no ideology, it never ends. It is used to create and maintain a new aristocracy – not the aristocracy of blood, or ideas, or wealth, but the new aristocracy of power. This new elite does not care whom it serves, so long as it maintains itself in its privileged position. The elite in Germany today would be willing to serve Bolshevism tomorrow if that were the condition of retaining their booty, just as the elite in Russia were ready to serve Nazism and Fascism as the price of keeping their loot. Modern violence never ends; if it stops for a moment it is only to create terror or to attack when the enemy believes he is at peace. Revolution exists for revolution; violence is permanent – only its tempo changes.
This brings us to the third and final characteristic of the modern world: Atheism. Here we are not concerned with the individual atheist, for it is dubious if atheism ever gets beyond the lips into the heart. Modern atheism is not individual but social, the social enthronement of human pride and power. Not only is it social or organized, it is also not unbelief but belief. It may strike one as odd at first to be told that atheism is belief in God, but such is the fact. Modern atheism does not deny God: It believes in Him; it believes in the Divinity of Christ, in the Eucharistic Presence, in the Vicar of Christ not as we believe with an illumined faith inspired by grace, but it believes like the demons in hell! The Devil believes in the Divinity of Christ, in the Eucharist, in the Church, and yet believing he would destroy. Why was it that a few years ago when the Reds pillaged convents in Spain they would ask the sisters as they met them: ”Where is that bread you call God?” If there be no God, then there is no Eucharist. If there be no Eucharist, then why make the distinction between the living bread of souls and the bread of bodies? It was not because they did not believe in the Eucharist, but because they did, not as we do, to worship, but as the devil does, to destroy.
So it is with atheism today. You cannot explain either the intensity of organized atheism, with its persecution of religion in Mexico, Spain, Russia, Germany, Poland, Austria, and other countries, nor its violence, on the assumption that religion is only a myth or the opium of the people. Men do not go into a rage over an illusion; they do not combat phantoms with pitchforks, nor dynamite dreams, nor bomb illusions, nor assassinate fancies, nor throw themselves into frenzies of hate against the man in the moon. The present day violence against religion can be explained only by the reality of that which is persecuted, namely, God Himself.
A few years ago I encountered a young atheist in the vestibule of a Catholic Church in London who, boasting of her atheism, shouted: "Every night I go out to Hyde Park and talk against God. I urge my listeners to drive the illusion from the earth. I circulate England, Scotland, and Wales with pamphlets denouncing a belief in God." When she drew a deep breath thus giving me my just opportunity to speak I said to her: "Suppose I went across the street here to Soho Square and every night talked against 20-footed ghosts and 10-legged centaurs; suppose I circulated England, Scotland. and Wales with pamphlets denouncing a belief in 20-footed ghosts and 10-legged centaurs. What would happen to me?" She said: "You would be crazy; they would lock you up." "Correct," said I "Now, tell me, why don’t they lock you up? Don’t you put God in exactly the same category of illusion as that in which I put a 20-footed ghost and a 10-legged centaur? Why would I be crazy and not you?” I had to tell her the answer: "Because if I attacked ghosts or centaurs the reason of men and the tradition of mankind would tell me I was attacking a figment of my imagination– which is a mark of insanity. But when you attack God you are not attacking an illusion but something just as real as the thrust of a sword or an embrace. It is the reality of God which saves you from insanity and it is the reality of God which gives substance and energy to your attacks." And she answered: "I hate you!” To which I answered: "Now you have answered me. Atheism is not a doctrine, it is a cry of wrath.”
Universalize the case and you have the explanation for the vehemence and ferocity of modern atheism. It could not so hate a myth. If there were no God, the rage of atheism would be without foundation. They destroy only because there is something to be destroyed. In a word, they believe. Only where the image of God is can there be the counterfeit; man can set himself up as God only because he came from God. Behind every persecution, every human perversion, and every insolence to rid the world of Him, the Divine Original shines forth. Men could not be godless without God; they could not curse God if they were not first loved by God. The wrath of God under which every atheist stands is the Divine Love, which has become a force opposed to him because he has turned against God. The God whom the atheist hates is the God whom the believer loves; God is not hate save to him who hates.
Morality, piety, love of God, are constant reproaches to the atheists immorality and their burdened consciences. They falsely believe that remorse of conscience, a sense of guilt, and the effects of sin, are the creation of priests and religious; if they could kill all priests, ministers, and rabbis, and raze all churches and synagogues, they could sin with impunity, do wrong without feeling guilty, and lift themselves up to the insane stage where there is no longer a distinction between good and evil and therefore one where man is God and God is naught. They cannot drive God out of the world, but they seek to banish His representatives. That is why they persecute! But instead of scaling the heavens and making themselves as gods, they only lay waste the earth.
This is the spirit that makes modern war. Political and economic upheavals are only symptoms of the more radical evil, which is born of irrationality because human reason lost its roots when it abandoned the Eternal Reason of God; born of violence, because purposeless living is madness; and born of atheism, because uneasy consciences must persecute goodness.
What are we going to do about it? One thing, admit our guilt – our guilt, all of us, Americans as well as Europeans, for we too have let God slip from our grasp. Then, conscious of guilt, let us get down on our knees once again and with prayer, chastened by penance, ask God whom we have offended to forgive us our sins.
Our unity must be in God or we will fall as other nations that have abandoned God have fallen and will fall. There are too many divisions and classes among us in America now; too many hates, too few deep loves; too much tolerance based on expediency and not enough tolerance grounded in charity; too much tolerance of evil, not enough intolerance for righteousness.
There can be differences in our national life without animosity, varying lights of conscience without bitterness, provided we have a really good reason for loving one another. And the only good reason for loving everyone, whomsoever he be, is because he is a creature of God, redeemed by the precious blood of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is important, for unfortunately the basis of unity among many of us is a common hate, and too often a hatred of a person rather than a hatred of wrong. We know whom we hate, but whom do we love? The most frightening symptom of this negative spirit is the number of people who will hiss in a motion picture theatre at the picture of one whom they hate. There is something that crawls on the round that makes a noise like that, and our imitation of it is the betrayal of the profound misery of our souls.
We cannot and we must not hate any person whom God made – even though he be our enemy. But in forgetting evil we have substituted a hatred of persons. It is very well for us to sing ”God Bless America," but how can He bless us, if we hate? How can He bless us unless we deserve the blessing? Our greatest enemy is not outside our shores; it is not even in our saboteurs, secret agents, and Fifth Columnists; it is in our souls – our forgetfulness of the God of Justice and Love. We are all as sheep going astray! May we return to the Good Shepherd of our souls who alone can save!
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