The federal government demands that you to be a Christian for just one hour a week on Sundays and the rest of the time that light must be hidden under a bushel basket. That didn't just happen. The government has come to believe they can get away with this. And I believe it's because we let them.
In Sunday's gospel, many mocked Jesus for saying a woman wasn't dead, just sleeping. "Arise," He said. And she did.
Showing how little things change, many today say the Church is dead. They mock and jeer Christians. But it's time to arise.
It is said that the meek shall inherit the Earth...but that doesn't mean we have to be quiet about it. I think for too long many of us have confused meekness with weakness. I'm done with that. The apostles went all around the globe preaching the Good News. They submitted meekly to the power of Jesus but they unsettled people and changed the world. You know how bad you have to annoy people to have them crucify you upside down?
When someone sneezes I'm going to say, "God bless you."
I'm not going to say, "Happy Holidays." I'll say "Merry Christmas." If you're offended, find a therapist.
When my children and I are out in a restaurant we're not going to say grace so others don't see or hear. I won't be praying so they see me but I won't be praying so they don't either.
I'm not going to sit on the periphery of conversations about marriage. I'm going to explain exactly why I think marriage is between a man and a woman. And I'm not going to worry about being called a bigot or hatemonger.
I'll discuss abortion in public. Too often in mixed company, I've been quiet for fear of offending.
When someone talks politics I'm going to explain exactly why pro-abortion rights politicians don't have my vote.
When someone says religion causes wars, I'll ask what Mao, Stalin, Pol Pot, and Hitler would say about that.
I will explain how love transformed my life.
I'm going to say precisely why I think it's wrong that the federal government is forcing religious institutions to cover inherently evil acts.
When people ask me if all five of those kids are mine, I'm going to tell them every blessed one is mine. Every blessed one.
I'm going to work to be an example of love in this world.
Let others mock and jeer just like they did Jesus. It's time we woke up like Jesus ordered the woman. Arise.
You can have my bushel basket. I won't be needing it anymore. People are going to see my light whether they like the light or not. How about yours?
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Definitely love this post!
Just what I needed tonight. :)
Yes. No bushel basket. Free to love every human being—Even if every human being doesn’t fit in with the lovely, Catholic, un-molested, insular mass-every-Sunday-and-feast-day you and I grew up in.
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One Sunday afternoon, my family was on Muir beach. A “same sex” male couple with two twin daughters were next to us. We were making s’mores over the camp fire with our loud and needy bunch. The two twin daughters, (one blond, the other brunette, clearly one his, the other, uh, his), drifted over to the campfire and the s’mores. The “Dads” reluctantly came over. The one Dad, called his “husband” over to meet us. We were tongue tied when he introduced that other man to us as his husband. I know it isn’t right, I know it isn’t as God intended—those two beautiful daughters implied petri dishes, donor eggs, and all of that ...(heart ripping for the discarded embryos, wombs for hire…) We said nothing. We introduced ourselves. We made them feel at home with our large Catholic family. We didn’t preach to them. We talked about the stuff parents talk about. We chose to love them for so clearly loving their daughters. We offered them genuinely Christian hospitality… (Oh YES, we were so clearly Catholic!) We enjoyed their company. They were articulate, soulful, human beings—funny, kind—worried about stuff just like us. They sort of threw us for a loop. We all *LIKED* them. We talked about the fact that they were “Gsy” with our kids on the car ride home. We asked Jesus to bless them, and help them, and bring them closer and closer (my prayer for me, my family,and my own loved ones) to the furnace of HIS LOVE…and I ached for aching humanity, including the beloved members of my own family.
can’t decide if I like Mr. Archbold’s post or anna lisa’s post better. Both are good, but anna lisa’s rings so true to my experiences, thoughts, and feelings. Thanks, anna lisa.
You’re just bound to be the life of the party, Mr. Archbold. Good for you.
We all have a duty to acknowledge the truth and decry the false but it’s a lonely road and not for the feint-hearted. But we all need to give up our attachment to popularity and comfort to save our souls and the souls of others and improve our society. Of course, prudence comes into play in real situations.
I am with you Matt. We can both live our Catholicism boldly and be charitable. Its is tough balancing act, but it is possible. Here is a statement my pastor borrowed from Patrick Madrid who borrowed it from Dr Moorehead.
The Fellowship of the Unashamed
I am a part of the fellowship of the Unashamed. I have the Holy Spirit
Power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has
been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won’t look back, let up, slow
down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense,
and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight
walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions,
mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or
popularity. I don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised,
regarded, or rewarded. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by
patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.
My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my
way is rough, my companions few, my Guide is reliable, my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted,
or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the
presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the
pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of
mediocrity.
I won’t give up, back up, let up, or shut up until I’ve preached up, prayed
up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I am a
disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop,
preach until all know, and work until He comes.
And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My
colors will be clear for “I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the
power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..” (Romans 1:16)
By Dr. Bob Moorehead
I think the agenda being attempted is to relegate Catholics & other non-compliant faith groups into “religious ghettos” where they can only fully interact with their own.To interact outside of those narrow confines will require compliance.
@ ana lisa: You are being lured into accepting a “world” view rather than a biblical world view. The Christian view is that the homosexual should be loved and accepted. What is not acceptable is tolerance and justifiable continuance of sinful behavior. The same applies to straight people who attend Mass who are adulterers and fornicators. The homosexual who is unrepentant for his sin should not be viewed as “I’m OK and you’re OK.”
“This little light of mine…..” You weren’t watching that stupid new Disney movie about the rapper-kid when you thought of this, were you?
Awesome! Thanks for posting!
Right on! In 1996, Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger said that a subtle, anti-Christian manipulation of public opinion constitutes a very real danger to faith. Segments of society will claim to be totally tolerant, “open to everything”, yet they will discredit authentic Christians as “hardliners” or “fundamentalists.” Ratzinger urged Christians to resist this kind of dictatorship, what he calls the “intolerance of the tolerant.”
Brilliant as usual. I love reading your blogs. You are so right on! I do not and will stand by… I will continue to SHINE BRIGHTLY! Catholic ON brother! Catholic ON!
anna lisa.. We are Catholic and we all hope that people will know that because they see Jesus in us. You did just that! We love the sinner and hate the sin. We are not the final judgement…the Lord is. I hope and pray that people will see Him in all that I do. God Bless you and your family for being His witness!
@Donna Beatrice: So loving someone and not explaining how their behavior is displeasing to the Lord is judgmental? Is that how you would share John 3:16? If that’s an example of how you witness the Catholic faith I feel sorry for you. You can explain without condemning.
Once again, spot on.
New Observer….So are you saying that we should tell a person that we meet that we know to be gay that they are sinning? That is not what the person in the original post did. They loved as Jesus did as it says in John 3:16. We are all sinners. Jesus did not go into the house of Matthew and tell all the people gathered there that they were sinners…He loved. Please do not feel sorry for me. We need to see Jesus in all people…especially the sinners. Take a look…He is there. I know that He is in you.
Thanks for the great post! i agree its time we take our faith and explain to others in a clear honest and loving way why we believe what we beleieve! Most dont understand the “why” Its good to remember that Jesus loved the sinners, ate with them, and socialized with them, he also called them to sin no more!! In these challenging times we need to stand up loud and clear for our faith with out becoming like those who we say persecute us!!
This is inspiring. I will hold my tongue no more! I will boldly proclaim that the nuns are right, and the Pope and Bishops are wrong. I will explain that traditional marriage means one man and as many women as he can afford. But now marriage is two adults who love each other. I will let people know that the “Church” is the people, and has nothing to do with administrative officers in Rome.
I will tell people the truth, that there is no threat to religious freedom in this country, and if you think there is you are either stupid or a liar.
And finally, I will spread the word that Jesus would be disgusted by the arrogant, power hungry men that claim to represent him on earth.
Rick,
I hope you were being facetious; if not, you have really strayed away from the true teachings of the Catholic Church.
Rick,
When was the last time you read your catechism? I highly recommend that you read the following article from Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke entitled “Obedience to The Magisterium and the Responsibility of the Bishop
Toward the Laity”
Introduction
1. The relationship of the Magisterium to our eternal salvation lies at the very foundation of our life in Christ. In a world which prizes, above all else, individualism and self-determination, the Christian is easily tempted to view the Magisterium in relationship to his individualism and self-pursuit. In other words, he is tempted to relativize the authority of the Magisterium. The
phenomenon today is popularly known as “cafeteria Catholicism.”
2. It is timely, therefore, to reflect again upon the nature of the Magisterium and our relationship to it, inasmuch as we are followers of Christ. Our reflection will consider the Magisterium, including the charism of infallibility; our relationship of obedience to the Magisterium; and particular challenges faced today in obeying the Magisterium.
Continue reading the text @ http://www.mariancatechist.com/burke/obedience_responsibility.html
p.s. I don’t think that you will find much to argue with after you have read his article!
@New Observer, I can’t remember the first time I heard my mother say: “There but for the grace of God, go I” She said it a lot. I was raised in a stable, protected, affluent home. I have had so many opportunities to *watch* the truth being *lived*. ALL of my siblings have Catholic spouses. We *all* had large families. My parents are going on 55 years of marriage. All of my grandparents were Catholic, none divorced. Will I be judged the same as someone who had little or none of those advantages?
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Tell me, please, how you would have handled the situation I described above.
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Those beautiful little girls did what all children do: they gravitated to other children, and fun by a campfire. Should we have banished them when we realized they were *those kind of people*?
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These things aren’t easy. It wasn’t my or my husband’s place to say “go and sin no more.”
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Consider this: On EWTN, I watched a show in which the priest stated, “the next time you are at mass, look around you, over 50% of the men in attendance are addicted to pornography.” I don’t know if his numbers are right, but this is serious.
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Now stop and look around at the women in attendance. Some say that over 50% of the women of childbearing years are using artificial contraception. The pill causes early abortion, loss of life.
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So what are we to do?
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I believe we are called to an apostolate of *friendship*. We can point a finger (“Who among you is without sin?”) We can rant, hate, decry, mock, ridicule, look down our righteous noses…(“Thank you God, that I am not like HIM”)
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Or we can get down on our knees and start washing some feet. We can console. Mother Teresa washed her Hindu, dying patients with water from the Ganges river, because this is what was sacred to them. It was too late for some of them to learn more about Jesus. She said, “they go to God.”
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I understand this post in the “big picture”. I agree with it. I just don’t agree with how it tempts some to interpret it.
@Donna Beatrice: There are people who have never heard the gospel so they do not know their behavior is sinful. Still others have indeed heard the gospel but don’t care. In order for a man to know and understand he must first be shown his true condition according to God’s standard—the Ten Commandments, which, btw, we are all guilty. The Good News is that Christ has made a way of escape and paid our penalty. It’s not that YOU are telling anyone about their sin, it’s the word of God which defines sin. The word says all liars, thieves, adulterers, fornicators and homosexuals will not have a part and enter the Kingdom. You personally are not passing judgment by explaining your disapproval of their homosexual behavior. It is not unkind to say you cannot accept homosexual behavior because God’s word says x, y and z. Off hand it may sound harsh, but if spoken in kindness and without condemnation, you may be the only opportunity such a person may ever have to truly hear the Good News of Jesus Christ.
anna lisa [We can rant, hate, decry, mock, ridicule, look down our righteous noses…(“Thank you God, that I am not like HIM”]. I never said to do any of this. That would be the wrong approach for sure. Besides, you are missing the point. You can wash as many feet as you like and someone may still be lost. Acts of Christian kindness and charity do not supersede your obligation to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Works of mercy aside, you still must be able to explain the meaning of John 3:16 to someone who has no understanding. And frankly most people you will run into in life really do have no true understanding of the cross.
@ new observer, we are not in disagreement about anything you just said, only you and I would take a different approach and timetable in delivering that verbal message. Please explain to me how you would have broached the subject there on the beach, as I described.
Luke 10: 30-37
Great article Mr. Archbold. I love it! It’s about time we stood up, spoke up and acted like Catholics! I’m tired of the “PC”, “diversity” and “not offending anyone” baloney! God bless you and your family.
The worst part of “hiding under a bushel basket” has been Catholic clergy who object to a clear and confident witness of our faith by their flock.I am not referring to fanatics (though this is not a clear definition). It is time they support/ at least smile at the people in parishes/schools/organizations that are strong witnesses.Usually they are ostracized. We must pray for courage - both for lay people and our clergy.
Yes, this post will prompt many exceptions to this case, but if that really was so, there would be no need for this article.
@Lux
I beleive the Magisterium has lost there way. I am not worried about salvation - I believe in universal salvation.
“All that’s needed for evil to triumph, is for good men to do nothing.”
I’m with you, Matt.
I’ve been “in the trenches” with you. Especially since the HHS mandate. Most people are polite, and willing to listen, if you are willing to listen to them, and a civil, courteous discussion develops. My goal (in most of these conversations,) is not so much to “prove I’m right,” as much as to give the other person a chance to see the issue from our perspective. So often they have only heard the “CNN” side of things, and really don’t understand why we are upset.
I have, on the other hand, been chewed up one side, and down the other by some people. Like you, I won’t let it stop me from talking about the issues, and I REFUSE to stoop to that level of verbal bashing. If they want to make a fool of themselves, they are free to do so. However, I will be remembering your line “If you’re offended, find a therapist” and chuckling to myself!
Amen! Alleluia!!!
Hi Rick,
Please explain your understanding/definition of universal salvation. There are many different versions of this theory out there.
Thank you
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