January 2014 – On God's Payroll

SIN: Gone with the wind

Sin- Gone with the wind 01/31/2014 12:23 VATICAN

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pope%3A-if-you-lose-the-sense-of-God’s-kingdom,-you-lose-the-sense-of-sin-30186.html

Pope: if you lose the sense of God’s kingdom, you lose the sense of sin

A supernatural “anthropological vision” emerges according to which “I can do anything.” “The power of man instead of God’s glory.” In life it is normal to have temptations, “the devil is never quiet, he wants his victory.”

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – “The greatest sin today is that people have lost the sense of sin” and therefore “the meaning of the kingdom of God” and in its place a “supernatural anthropological vision” has emerged according to which “I can do anything.” This was the lesson that Pope Francis drew in his homily at Mass this morning at Casa Santa Marta from the biblical episode in which King David falls in love with Bathsheba and sends her husband, general Uriah, to fight in the front line and thus to certain death. It is in fact a murder.

As Vatican Radio reports, the Pope noted that “David is faced with a great sin, but he does not see it as a sin” says the Pope, “He doesn’t even think of asking for forgiveness. Instead all he thinks about is: ‘How can I resolve this?'”.

“This can happen to us all. We are all sinners and we are all tempted and the temptation is our daily bread. If anyone ever said: ‘I’ve never been tempted’, either you are a cherub or a bit ‘ stupid, right? It’s understandable …its part of life’s normal struggle, and the devil is never quiet, he wants his victory. But the problem – the most serious problem in this passage – is not so much temptation and sin against the ninth commandment, but David’s behavoir. Here, David does not speak about sin, but about a problem that needs solving. This is a sign! When the Kingdom of God is forgotten, when the Kingdom of God diminishes, one of the signs is a lose of the sense of sin”.

Every day, reciting the “Our Father”, we ask God, “Thy kingdom come …”, which – says Pope Francis – means “that your Kingdom may grow”. But when you lose the sense of sin, you also lose the “sense of the Kingdom of God” and in its place – the Pope said – there emerges an “anthropological vision” according to which “I can do anything”.

“The power of man instead of God’s glory! This is the daily bread. This is why we pray every day to God ‘ Thy kingdom come , Thy kingdom grow ‘, because salvation will not come from our cunning, our cleverness , our intelligence in doing business. Salvation comes from God’s grace and how we train ever day of our Christian life for this grace”.

Pope Francis quoted the famous phrase of Pope Pius XII: “The greatest sin today is that men have lost the sense of sin”. H then went on to look at Uriah the innocent man put to death because of his king’s guilt. Uriah , the Pope says, becomes the emblem of all the victims of our inadmissible pride.

“I confess to you, when I see these injustices, this human pride, even when I see the danger that this will happen to me, the danger of losing the sense of sin, it makes me think of the many good Uriahs down through history, of the many Uriahs who today suffer our Christian mediocrity, when we lose the sense of sin, when we diminish God’s kingdom … These are the unrecognized martyrs of our sins. It would do us well to pray for ourselves today, that the Lord give us the grace to never loose the sense of sin, that His Kingdom is not diminished in us. We should also bring a spiritual flower to the graves of these contemporary Uriahs, who pay the bill for the feast of the secure, of those Christians who feel secure”.

A PARODY OF ESSENTIAL TRUTH

“How is my soil?” have you objectively checked it lately?

The New Testament often finds Jesus teaching important, even critical truths is the form of parables. Among my favorites is this one from Marks GOSPEL [“good news”]

Christ here is teaching large group of yet unconverted to “the way” [Acts 24:14]

Mt. 7:13 “Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there are who go in threat.”

Gal. 3:2 “Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by hearing with faith” Rom. 10:13 “ So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ”

Mk. 4: 1-10 “And again he began to teach by the sea side; and a great multitude was gathered together unto him, so that he went up into a ship, and sat in the sea; and all the multitude was upon the land by the sea side. And he taught them many things in parables, and said unto them in his doctrine: Hear ye: Behold, the sower went out to sow. And whilst he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the birds of the air came and ate it up. And other some fell upon stony ground, where it had not much earth; and it shot up immediately, because it had no depth of earth.

And when the sun was risen, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And some fell upon good ground; and brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased and yielded, one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred. And he said: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And when he was alone, the twelve that were with him asked him the parable. And he said to them: To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but to them that are without, all things are done in parable. That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand: lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them [Mark 4: 13-20 explain it].

I suspect that nearly everyone’s “soil type” varies from time to time; going from ROCKY to Good, and others in between. What is Critical to salvation is where we “land and end up.”

Here are significant tips:

“Here ye”

“And it yielded no fruit”

“And some fell upon good ground; and brought forth fruit that grew up, and increased and yielded, one thirty, another sixty, and another a hundred. And he said: He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Notice that there is only One type of good soil, BUT a variety of NOT good soils. And notice the final 3 words: “LET him [all] HEAR.”

READ Eph. 4:1-7 when checking your soil type.

God Bless you,

Patrick

i Catholic

by Pat Miron

Key’s “to The Kingdom” Explained

Collected and written in part by Pat Miron

Introduction by Marianne [A friend and convert]

That was a great reply! Now, she’ll be armed against protestant claims that “petra” and “petros” are different words. They were in Attic Greek, centuries before Christ, but in Koine Greek, they were the same word with feminine/masculine endings. And, of course, protestant skeptics overlook the evidence of Peter’s title in Aramaic altogether!

A small interesting point about the transfiguration and Simon’s appointment as first pope. It happened at the headwaters of the Jordan, at the site of an older temple of the pagan Hellenistic god Pan and the later white marble temple Herod built to Caesar Augustus. There, a site that had been dedicated to false gods – imaginary and human – is supplanted by the creation of the one, holy, apostolic, AND visible Church. Here, where the headwaters of the Jordan arise in a great fountain, on the mountain of Caesaria Phillipi, Jesus establishes the new order. I find that a thrilling image. Where there had been superstition, fear, and slavery, Jesus creates Mother Church, to guide and preserve us. And he gives us Peter, the Rock, our Holy Father, to stand upon that high place to inspire and lead us. She is a visible Church, created to stand high upon a mountaintop, led by a human. This is another rebuttal of protestant theology that the Church is an invisible entity. The Church is a visible, human institution not some airy-fairy “spiritual” idea. One can go to that mountain today and stand where Peter stood and watch the waters of baptism well up out of the ground. Jesus gave us physical touchstones to confirm our faith: water, bread, wine, a Pope.

blessings to you my friend,

In your opinion, what does the phrase “keys to the kingdom” refer to?

Quote:

“I would like just one Catholic to tell me specifically what they think these keys are that” were given to their church.”

Who? Jesus the Christ [Mt. 16:16] The Son of God. All Knowing – all Wise – all everything Good. A key element of Gods Perfect Goodness is that God is and has to be “All-Fair and All Just.” Otherwise He would not be God.

The words used by Jesus are carefully selected to insure proper understanding.

[Mt. 16: 15-19] He [JESUS] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, [Peter is in a personal one on one conversation with Jesus here] “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And [JESUS]I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock [ON YOU PETER] I will build my [SINGULAR] church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. [19] I [Jesus] will give you [PETER / My new Church] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, [To be understood as everything one needs to get to heaven; Including Christ Himself] and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The choice of words selected by Christ. To “bind” and to “loose” were common, rabbinical, legally binding at Law terms for exactly that! Complete, and free governance. Jesus, Peter and all that heard knew exactly what Jesus meant!

WHERE Mt. 16:13: “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” “

Caesarea Philippi is in the Northern hill country of Judea. It was a by their standards, a large town. It was also the site of the areas Major Pagan Temple.

The location Jesus chooses is a clear indication of the Mission of His Church, and Peter and the Apostles. “Overcome, do away with pagan worship.” Jesus not only gives His Church this Mission, He gives His Church all of the tools and authority needed to accomplish it!

Why? The “Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven” is a literal statement of FACT! [Mt. 16:19] Jesus speaking directly to Saint Peter at the occasion of Founding His [now Catholic] Church: “[19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

This is what Jesus said, did, intended and has accomplished. It’s what the Word of God clearly says and clearly means. Amen!

Back in the time if Jesus it was common for major cites to be walled in for protection from attack. These cities actually had two real GATES, with REAL KEYS. A minor gate and the Main gate.

Now under independent rule, each major city also had there own king, and thus a “kingdom.” So there were many Kings and many kingdoms. A brief reading of the Old Testament list many Kings (who often merged with other kingdoms for the purpose of self-defense) because they were often too small to be completely independent against other NATIONS, who too merged all of their kingdoms resources to do battle and gain territory.

So the Apostles and the Jewish people of that time period would have been familiar and comfortable with the idea of a King and his Kingdom, as well as a Prime Minister who is the Keeper of the Key’s.

Typically the Prime Minister had complete, autonomous control of ALL day to day activities. The Prime Minister answered to NO-ONE except the King Himself. Thus the Pope answers directly to God.

This is the common understanding and the very reason for the specific reference to “Keys” and the “Kingdom.” There would have been absolutely zero doubts about what Christ was saying, doing and mandating for Peter, now the “Prime Minister” for Christ new Kingdom!

This account is historically provable. Indeed Christ intended to start His (ONE) Church, and to give Peter and those “prime-ministers” (POPES) complete and autonomous control and governance of His Church. WHY? Because Christ knew He would soon return to the Father.

Isaiah 22:22-24 Re: PETER(and Jesus)“And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open. And I will fasten him like a peg in a sure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father’s house. And they will hang on him the whole weight of his father’s house, the offspring and issue, every small vessel, from the cups to all the flagons”

Mt. 28: 19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

John 10: 1“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door [ MY CHURCH] but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; 2 but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Rev. 3: [RE: PETER] [/b]. “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens.

Eph. 2:19 “So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple [SINGULAR] in the Lord; [singular] in whom you also are built into it for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” [b]

John 20: 19-22 “On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

The last two color-highlighted verses are pregnant with teaching and meaning: Jesus is in the upper room with the eleven Apostles and 120 other disciples…. Clearly He is speaking Directly to the Apostles. [Verses 17 and 23 give evidence of this], as do these passages:

Mark.16:14 Afterward he appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table; and he upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen“. Luke.24: 9 “and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them,”

As the Father [God] has sent “Me” [also God and man] , even so I [God] send you.”

This is saying that Just as I came in the Power of God; so I send you with My Powers. It is these words that are attributed as Christ Officially initiation of the CC. [“CC”] means the Roman Catholic Church with Her Present 22 branches that are in FULL Communion with Rome. [The term means in alignment with and Obedient too].

Haydock’s Catholic Commentary [widely recognized throughout the years as perhaps the best… Written in the late 1800’s.]

Ver. 21. As the Father hath sent me. The word mission, when applied to our Saviour Christ, sometimes signifies his eternal procession from the Father, and sometimes his mission, as he was sent into the world to become man, and the Redeemer of mankind: the first mission agrees with him, as the eternal Son of God; the second, as man, or as both God and man. The mission which Christ here gives his apostles, is like this latter mission, with this great difference, that graces and divine gifts were bestowed on Christ, even as man, without measure: and the apostles had a much lesser share in both these missions. See St. Augustine, lib. iv. de Trin. chap. xix. xx. tom. 4. p. 829. and seq. (Witham) —

A few words about Binding and Loosing: FYI: I make use of Strong’s [non-catholic] Lexicon to get definitions from the Bibles English to there Hebrew and Greek meanings.

Bind/ Hebrew = 3256 yacar yaw-sar’ a primitive root; to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively (with words); hence, to instruct:–bind, chasten, chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove, sore, teach. 6105 `atsam aw-tsam’ a primitive root; to bind fast, i.e. close (the eyes); intransitively, to be (causatively, make) powerful or numerous; denominatively (from 6106) to crunch the bones:–break the bones, close, be great, be increased, be (wax) mighty(-ier), be more, shut, be(-come, make) strong(-er).

Bind Greek = 332. anathematizo an-ath-em-at-id’-zo from 331; to declare or vow under penalty of execration:–(bind under a) curse, bind with an oath.

Loose Hebrew = 332. anathematizo an-ath-em-at-id’-zo from 331; to declare or vow under penalty of execration:–(bind under a) curse, bind with an oath. 7971 shalach shaw-lakh’ a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications):–X any wise, appoint, bring (on the way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give (up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose), push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send (away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread, stretch forth (out).

Loose Greek= 142. airo ah’-ee-ro a primary root; to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e. weigh anchor); by Hebraism (compare 5375) to expiate sin:–away with, bear (up), carry, lift up, loose, make to doubt, put away, remove, take (away, up). 630. apoluo ap-ol-oo’-o from 575 and 3089; to free fully, i.e. (literally) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexively, depart), or (figuratively) let die, pardon or (specially) divorce:–(let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty. 2673. katargeo kat-arg-eh’-o from 2596 and 691; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively:–abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void.

Haydock’s On Mt. 16:19 ‘The Key’s”

Ver. 19. And I will give to thee the keys,&c. This is another metaphor, expressing the supreme power and prerogative of the prince of the apostles. The keys of a city, or of its gates, are presented or given to the person that hath the chief power. We also own a power of the keys, given to the other apostles, but with a subordination to St. Peter and to his successor, as head of the Catholic Church. — And whatsoever thou shalt bind, &c. All the apostles, and their successors, partake also of this power of binding and loosing, but with a due subordination to one head invested with the supreme power. (Witham) — Loose on earth. The loosing the bands of temporal punishments due to sins, is called an indulgence: the power of which is here granted. (Challoner) — Although Peter and his successors are mortal, they are nevertheless endowed with heavenly power, says St. Chrysostom, nor is the sentence of life and death passed by Peter to be attempted to be reversed, but what he declares is to be considered a divine answer from heaven, and what he decrees, a decree of God himself. He that heareth you, heareth me, &c. The power of binding is exercised, 1st. by refusing to absolve; 2nd. by enjoining penance for sins forgiven; 3nd. by excommunication, suspension or interdict; 4th. by making rules and laws for the government of the Church; 5th. by determining what is of faith by the judgments and definitions of the Church. (Tirinus) — The terms binding and loosing, are equivalent to opening and shutting, because formerly the Jews opened the fastenings of their doors by untying it, and they shut or secured their doors by tying or binding it.

[QUOTE]=Protestant= You are really behind the times. Catholicism; especially in North America has become a house divided, on abortion, and other issues. [B] The [/B] only [B] difference is Catholics won’t call the differences “denominations.” [/B] They use other fancy words and terminology. [/QUOTE]

As highlighted I tend to agree with you on this one point. But that is not “the only difference.”

The Catholic Church in America (what some of refer to as the American catholic? Church) holds many different views, moral, political and biblical than us Roman Catholics living here in America.

[QUOTE]I would like just one Catholic to tell me specifically what they think these keys are that were given to their church. I would be willing to bet that the OP doesn’t even know and will have to look it up. [/QUOTE]

Allow me to at least try to respond to your challenge.

In order to do so I must attempt to answer for you the W’s, who, what, where and why?

Who? Jesus the Christ [Mt. 16:16] The Son of God. All Knowing – all Wise – all everything Good. A key element of Gods Perfect Goodness is that God is and has to be “All-Fair and All Just.” Otherwise He would not be God.

So from this we are able to understand that when God teaches He does so with complete understanding of what it is He is teaching, and does so in a manner those whom He chooses to enlighten WILL UNDERSTAND that. [Mt. 11:25-26]

The words used by Jesus are carefully selected to insure proper understanding.

[Mt. 16: 15-19] He [JESUS] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, [Peter is in a personal one on one conversation with Jesus here] “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And [JESUS]I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock [ON YOU PETER] I will build my [SINGULAR] church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. [19] I will give you [PETER / My new Church] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Peter called “Cephas” meaning Peter =ROCK

John.1: 40 to 42 “ One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). [WHICH MEANS ROCK]

Strong’s Greek Lexicon Search Results

Result of search for “Cephas”:

2786. Kephas kay-fas’ of Chaldee origin (compare 3710); the Rock; Cephas (i.e. Kepha), a surname of Peter:–Cephas.

http://www.agapebiblestudy.com

“Cephas” is the Greek transliteration of Peter’s Aramaic name “Rock” = Kepha, or perhaps in Galilean Aramaic “Qepha”. Only John among the Gospels gives this form of Peter’s name but it is also the preferred name that St. Paul uses when he writes about Peter.”

This is part of the discourse in which Christ makes clear in unambiguous language that He intends to: 1. Form His Church (singular use of “I” and “you” and “church.” 2. That it is to be only ONE church. 3. That Peter is given the access (gate keys) to heaven. 4. Peter (and Peter alone) is given all of the power and authority to govern with COMPLETE autonomous authority, answering ONLY to God Himself!

We can know this by the choice of words selected by Christ. To “bind” and to “loose” were common, rabbinical, legally binding at Law terms for exactly that! Complete, and free governance. Jesus, Peter and all that heard knew exactly what Jesus meant! Exactly what Jesus meant! At the time these were very commonly used words. Also see [Mt. 18:15-18] “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; [SINGULAR] and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind [Mandate / decide on] on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

WHERE? Mt. 16:13: “Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that the Son of man is?” “

The timing and the location were of great significance to the message, the purpose and the mission of what Jesus was in the process of setting up and doing. Jesus was aware of when and how soon He would be put to death.

Caesarea Philippi is in the hill country of Judea. It was a by their standards, a large town. It was also the site of the areas Major Pagan Temple. Thus Jesus ask, “ who do people say that I am.” Not satisfied with the response Jesus then “ask His decuples (plural.) PETER answers, [Mt. 16: 16 ]Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

This is significant, for the mandate that follows is directly out of the mouth of God! And all there were aware of this fact.

Why? Why indeed! Jesus knew from the moment of his Conception in the Virgin womb of His Mother, what Gods plan (His Plan) was. He knew that he would suffer and die that He would rise from the Dead, and be our Redeemer. He further knew that [Mt. 22:14 “14 ] For many are called, but few are chosen.” The word “chosen, in this context means “chosen BY US!” In other words, many will deny, and many will die because of unbelief, because of the personal choice we make.

Jesus clearly knew what lie in store for His Disciples and the persecution His Church, and His Disciples, would have to face. This is precisely why the mandate, why the authority, why the church, why they too would die professing that Christ is Lord! That Jesus remains present “ Really Present,” why Jesus instituted the Seven Sacraments. All this so that His Church would have the power and the authority, the tools and the grace, to become the “Narrow Gate” of Christ plan for our Salvation. [Mt. 7: 13.] The “Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven” is a literal statement of FACT! [Mt. 16:19] Jesus speaking directly to Saint Peter at the occasion of Founding His [now Catholic] Church: “[19] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

This is what Jesus said, did, intended and has accomplished. It’s what the Word of God clearly says and clearly means. Amen!

I made a point of why Jesus selected Caesarea Philippi, and it was primarily because it was the “center of pagan worship for the area.” Indeed it was the location of a very large Pagan Temple.

But why did Jesus use the term “the keys?” Was there a specific reason? Would those to whom Jesus was speaking have easily picked up on what Jesus was saying and doing?

Our Blessed Lord was fond of Parables that told stories in order to make the point He was trying to make. So we can understand that whatever words Jesus selected were carefully chosen.

Have you by chance ever watched EWTN and the morning rosary?] The reason I ask is that it shows various parts of Jerusalem today. Jerusalem even today continues to be a walled in fortified city, with real gates, and real keys.

Back in the time if Jesus all major cites were walled in for protection from attack. These cities actually had two real GATES, with REAL KEYS. A minor gate and the Main gate.

Now under independent rule, each major city also had there own king, and thus a “kingdom.” So there were many Kings and many kingdoms. A brief reading of the Old Testament list many Kings (who often merged with other kingdoms for the purpose of self-defense) because they were usually too small to be completely independent against other NATIONS, who too merged all of their kingdoms resources to do battle and gain territory.

So the Apostles and the Jewish people of that time period would have been familiar and comfortable with the idea of a King and his Kingdom, a Prime Minister who is the Keeper of the Key’s.

Such was true of Kings and Kingdoms. All day to day governance was given to a person that they selected as “Prime Minister.” An example of this is Genesis 42 and Joseph, the brother sold into slavery, which is made Prime Minister of all of Egypt.

Typically a Prime Minister had complete, autonomous control of ALL day to day activities. The Prime Minister answered to NO-ONE except the King Himself and nobody but the King.

Some further Biblical evidence on the Authority of the Pope and the Only Church actually founded by Christ.

Authority Luke 10:16 “He who hears you hears me, and he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

John 21: 15-19 [15] When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” A second time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you girded yourself and walked where you would; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish to go.” (This he said to show by what death he was to glorify God.) And after this he said to him, “Follow me.”

Eph. 4: 1-7 “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body [WHICH MEANS ONE CHURCH] and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.

Luke 22:28 “You are those who have continued with me in my trials; 2 and I assign to you, as my Father assigned to me, a kingdom, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Mt. 28: 19-20 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”

2^nd. Cor.11: 12 “And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. 13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.”

1 Peter 1: “12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things which have now been announced to you by those who preached the good news to you through the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.”

John 10: 1“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door [ MY CHURCH] but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; 2 but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

Mt. 7: 21 “Not every one who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.”

2 Peter 2: 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their licentiousness, and because of them the way of truth will be reviled. 3 And in their greed they will exploit you with false words; from of old their condemnation has not been idle, and their destruction has not been asleep.

Mt. 16: 15 He [Jesus] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I [singular] tell you, you are Peter,[singular] and on this rock [singular] I will build my [singular] church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.[singular] 19 I [God singular] will give you [singular] the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you [singular] bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Eph. 4: 4 -8 “There is one body [One Church] and one Spirit, [One set of beliefs] just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, [One God] one faith, [One set of doctrine and dogma] one baptism,[ By water in the Trinity] one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it is said,

Eph. 5: 23 Christ is the head of the church [SINGULAR] , his body, [[SINGULAR].

1 Cor. 14: 12 “ So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. [singular]

Eph. 3: 9 “And to make all men see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; 10 that through the church [SINGULAR] the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. This was according to the eternal purpose which he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

Col. 1: 18 “ He is the head of the body [singular], the church; [singular] he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell”

Acts 20: 28 “Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of the LORD” [SINGULAR]

Mt. 18: 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; [singular] and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. [18] Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

1 Cor. 12: 12-1 “For just as the body [singular] is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, [singular] though many, are one body, [singular] so it is with Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body–Jews or Greeks, slaves or free–and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

The Keys represent unlimited Power of Governance as well as being “the [also singular] narrow gate” one MUST enter to attain salvation. PJM [Matt. 7:13-14.]

God’s Continued Blessings for you and your’s,

Love and prayers,

Pat

10 Reasons Catholics ARE

http://marysaggies.blogspot.com/2014/01/10-reasons-why-being-catholic-is-wicked.html

I’m uncomfortable with the terminology, BUT like what is shared [Patrick]

“10 Reasons Why Being Catholic Is Wicked Awesome

Civil disobedience. In refusing to obey laws that are unjust, we show the world that there are more important things in life than just getting along. When necessary we march, picket, and if it comes to it, we will even be thrown in jail or killed for our beliefs:

“I expect to die in bed, my successor will die in prison and his successor will die a martyr in the public square” -Cardinal George of Chicago

Counter-cultural rebels. Who else is can be found protesting outside an abortion clinic, praying in an adoration chapel, listening to a theology presentation in a bar, hanging a pic or a Saint’s card in a cubicle at work, confessing sins to a priest, and hanging out with nuns? Nobody.
Monks brew beer. It might sound silly, but the point is that we don’t believe every good thing in the world which can be abused is bad. In fact a good thing can only be “abused” because it is good. Beer can be abused, like any good thing. But, monks brewing beer shows us just how good beer can be.
We have a sense of humor. We can even laugh at ourselves. Have you seen this? If not, you should:

Natural Family Planning (NFP). We talk about sex as a natural and organic part of life and we work with our bodies to space births in marriage. The prevailing mentality is one that is pro-contraception. But,
We fight for the little guy, both literally and figuratively. We do more than the poor than any other non-governmental organization. Feed the poor, clothe the naked, etc. We also hold the right to life as a sacred duty. Babies ‘R Us.
We teach about what is really good, true, and beautiful. All three matter. Most modern education question if there really is goodness, truth, and beauty. We say “duh”.
Not afraid of culture, but not just a part of it either. Yes, we have to live in the world. But, we are called to change it, not let it change us. Hard to do, but awesome when we do it.
We take the Devil seriously. Otherwise exorcism, confession, and crucifixes wouldn’t make cool movies. The devil is real and is our real enemy. He bites and we help him bite the dust.

Leaders that lead. No comment needed, because of men like”

WHY God’s Love foe Us is Special

[quote]I had many similar problems when I was a young Christian. Many Christian jargons need to have some practical understanding so our faith will become real.

For example, God loves me. It bothered me for a few decades. Why should God love me so much? Frankly, in my Christian community, NONE gives a satisfactory answer to me. God helps me to figure it out. Now I fully understand why.[/quote]

My dear friend in Christ,

Please consider the following explanation as PART of the REASONS that Gods Loved YOU sooooo very much.

Genesis 1:26-27 Informs us that God with “Perfect Wisdom”; for reasons that only He can FULLY understand, decided that He would Create man “in His Own Image and Likeness.” How did He do this, seems a reasonable question?

Consider the following FACTS

The Universe that God Created consist of BILLIONS of stars, galaxies and planets; BUT only One; only Planet earth can be proved to support the life forms we know of. Consider the importance and significance of the Sun and moon for example.

Planet Earth holds Hundreds of Thousands of Living things; BUT Only One; Only man can rationalize, and can freely choose to love or to hate. How and WHY is this?

First the “HOW”

In order to rationalize, to be enabled to build complex things like the computer I’m using; to be able to freely choose to Love or to Hate, ALL Require the following:

A mind [not meaning our brain here]

An Intellect [not meaning ones “I.Q”]

A Freewill

All and each of which are permanently attached to mans “SOUL,” which for our discussion we will describe as the “source of life itself”. So every living thing has a “soul.” But man’s is FAR and Away the most complex in the hierarchy. This makes man not only “unique” BUT also factually superior to every other life-form. WHY?

God wants us to know and understand this; and doing so is essential to answering your GREAT question. The Bible in its entirety is inspired by our God, the very one who too Created us. And therefore it is to be used judiciously, prudently and in its totality of Teachings.

We ALONE, can and DO emulate our God who is “Spirit and Truth.” take note of the fact that God NEVER makes Himself visible in the Entire Old Testament. Even to Moses he appears “Spiritually Only” as a burning bush, a cloud, a fire or a “voice from above.” yes God did send angels that assumed a human form FOR God as God’s messenger’s; but humanity would not come face to face with God until the Incarnation of Jesus.

EACH of the attributes I shared are SIMILAR to our God; Spiritual Realities. yet each of them can be demonstrated to exist. Yet like God’s “essence” these things too are Spiritual realities. Only a fool would [and does] try to disprove this; BUT, take for example our freewill. Try to quantify it: what is its shape, weight, color and size? Can’t be done yet every person has one. ALSO, like God Himself, these attributes are EMORTAL; they can neither die or be killed. It is this part of us that spends Eternity in the location OF OUR OWN CHOICE: Heaven or hell.

Matthew 4:4 “Who answered and said: It is written, Not in bread alone doth man live, but in every word that proceedeth from the mouth of God”

So we now go back to the bible itself for the answer to this all-important question.

In Isaiah [a Great Prophet who foretold the coming Messiah] and lived about 500 years before Christ was born, we find the answer to our question.

Isaiah 43: 7 & 21

“And every one that calleth upon my name, I have created him for my glory, I have formed him, and made him & This people have I formed for myself, they shall shew forth my praise”

So now we know WHY we exist. Because man alone of ALL Created things can freely choose to Know; to Love, to Obey [fully] and to serve our God. That then is the purpose of our existence, our lives REAL goal; which must be FREELY chosen by us.

So dear friend God loves us because:

We; me and you and all humanity ALONE can and does emulate our God

We ALONE can know Of god, and then come to know God [through Grace]. In fact the entire Universe exist to enable man to know “god” as The First Cause and the as the Source of every Created thing. From this one can then come to KNOW GOD.

God Created us so that we Could and we WOULD choose to Know HIM; and only man has what it takes to make this a possibility.

God loves US soooo, because we TRULY are His Children!

Mass, How God wants it to be

On Thu, Jan 23, 2014 at 2:26 PM, Roger MacZura <gto_rog@hotmail.com> wrote:

Dear Fr. Perrone,

Thank you for the beautiful commentary on the orientation of the Priest at Mass. If you don’t mind I would like to share my thoughts with you and others as one from the pew. First off I want everyone to know that I do not contest the validity of the New Mass. What I have noticed over the years is the manner in which the New Mass is said and I wonder about the intentions of some of the priests saying it. I have also noted that the more reverent New Order priests will not lift their eyes up off the Altar from the time of the Canon until the Communion Ceremony. They stay focused. I have been taught that at Mass we transcend all time and space. We are present with Mary, John and the others at the foot of the cross.
These are the additional points I would like to make. In the Old Mass, prior to the communion of the faithful, the priest would turn to toward the faithful and give a final absolution. In doing so the priest would step aside to his left and turn toward the people, but no more than an approximately 135 degree angle,SO AS NOT TO TURN HIS BACK ON CHRIST ON THE ALTAR/CROSS. Please note that the priest also has bowed fingers. Now in contrast to the New Mass how many priests, ESPECIALLY during the sign of peace, leave the altar, (abandoning Christ), to go shake hands? Many will even leave the Sanctuary to be amongst the people. And remember the bowed fingers from the Old Mass, so much for reverence and sanctity. Now how does this look from our Lord’s point of view from the cross? Where is His alter Christus? What were those that condemned him doing at the time of his crucifixion? Congratulating themselves that they crucified him, and now we have everyone shaking hands and such, with many ignoring the Agnus Dei. Add in the song leaders, (what I call Cheer Leaders), raising up their arms to get me to SING and all of the Eucharistic Ministers to distribute Holy Communion, (without consecrated fingers), so as to save time. The time spent setting them up is as much as if the Priest, with his consecrated fingers, would take distributing communion. What is the hurry? Aren’t we at Calvary with Christ? Let us look at it from Christ’s point of view.

Roger Mac Zura

http://www.assumptiongrotto.com/thisweek.pdf

All Salvation is destined to FLOW through the Catholic Church

[QUOTE]

These forums are filled with hardcore Catholics. I saw a thread on here asking whether or not all Protestants go to hell or not. [/QUOTE]

Not “all catholics” feel the same way! THAT SAID; I wonder if this person was not only sincere but seeking a better understanding of the Catholic position of: ALL SALVATION FLOWS THROUGH THE CC?

Some believe this teaching to mean that One must be a member in good-standing of the Catholic Church in order to be saved: And yes there was a time when this was articulated and believed; and YES again; ALL SALVATION must flow THROUGH the CC, as it is the ONLY Christian Church founded by God; not by mortal men….

However there a more unlighted view [permitted as long as the basic doctrine remains un-changed; that indicates that this MIGHT BE possible for those outside of the CC membership:

These forums are filled with hardcore Catholics. I saw a thread on here asking whether or not all Protestants go to hell or not. [/QUOTE]

Not “all catholics” feel the same way! THAT SAID; I wonder if this person was not only sincere but seeking a better understanding of the Catholic position of: ALL SALVATION FLOWS THROUGH THE CC?

However there a more unlighted view [permitted as long as the basic doctrine remains un-changed; that indicates that this MIGHT BE possible for those outside of the CC membership:

[B][COLOR=”Blue”]Catechism of the CC[/COLOR][/B]…

[B][COLOR=”blue”]868[/COLOR][/B] The Church is catholic: she proclaims the fullness of the faith. She bears in herself and administers the totality of the means of salvation. She is sent out to all peoples. She speaks to all men. She encompasses all times. She is “missionary of her very nature” (AG 2).

[B][COLOR=”blue”]819 [/COLOR][/B]”Furthermore, many elements of sanctification and of truth” are found outside the visible confines of the Catholic Church: “the written Word of God; the life of grace; faith, hope, and charity, with the other interior gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as visible elements.” Christ’s Spirit uses these Churches and ecclesial communities as means of salvation, whose power derives from the fullness of grace and truth that Christ has entrusted to the Catholic Church. All these blessings come from Christ and lead to him, and are in themselves calls to “Catholic unity.”

MY NOTE: This does NOT mean we hold the same faith beliefs in total; nor are we literally members of the “same One Church.”…. it’s Through the CC ….

[B][COLOR=”Blue”]816[/COLOR][/B] “The sole Church of Christ [is that] which our Savior, after his Resurrection, entrusted to Peter’s pastoral care, commissioning him and the other apostles to extend and rule it. . . . This Church, constituted and organized as a society in the present world, subsists in (subsistit in) the Catholic Church, which is governed by the successor of Peter and by the bishops in communion with him.”

[B][COLOR=”blue”]The Second Vatican Council’s Decree on Ecumenism explains:[/COLOR][/B] “For it is through Christ’s Catholic Church alone, which is the universal help toward salvation, that the fullness of the means of salvation can be obtained. It was to the apostolic college alone, of which Peter is the head, that we believe that our Lord entrusted all the blessings of the New Covenant, in order to establish on earth the one Body of Christ into which all those should be fully incorporated who belong in any way to the People of God.”

[B][COLOR=”blue”]846[/COLOR][/B] How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers? [B][COLOR=”blue”]Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body: [/COLOR][/B]

Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. [B][I][COLOR=”blue”]He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it[/COLOR][/I][/B].

And YES I’m an OLD TIME LATIN CATHOLIC: All Catholics are morally obligated to accept this teaching! BUT some still hang on to there version of “one” truth.

God Bless,

Pat

Motherhood

The Merits of Motherhood

https://snt147.mail.live.com/default.aspx?id=64855#n=353972878&fid=1&mid=4a289150-84a8-11e3-a79b-002264c247be&fv=1

It’s an impressive thing to command a boardroom of executives. But it’s still far better to engage a bored room of toddlers.

It’s also much more needed.

The proper raising of children (which involves both mothers and fathers) will solve more ailments of our time than any government program, school system or equal opportunity ever will. It will also bring more joy, satisfaction, meaning and purpose to anyone who is so blessed to be called to such a vocation.

So many moms feel inadequate if they don’t have a successful career or a college degree or some other achievement to go along with their title of “mom.” All of those other things are great. They truly are. And it’s wonderful if anyone is blessed to achieve them. They may even make someone a better mom.

So by all means pursue them if you are called, but remember that no amount of other titles will ever be “enough” for your child, other than that of “mom.” (For the record, father’s aren’t off the hook. More on fatherhood soon.)

I’m in constant awe of my wife. She has the most prestigious job there is (mother) and she continually sacrifices her own interests for those of her husband and the tiny souls we’ve been entrusted with. Every single one of us are called to such sacrifice.

When you begin to live in this way, shoving all of your selfish interests aside — when you get your own selfish ambitions out of the way — you begin to see the simple and miraculous life God planned for you.

That life looks a little different for each of us. But I’m not sure if there’s anything more glorious than the life of a mother.

“A mother cannot claim the honor of having built Notre Dame Cathedral. She need not. She has built something more magnificent than any cathedral — a dwelling for an immortal soul, the tiny perfection of her baby’s body. The angels have not been blessed with such a grace…God joins forces with mothers in performing this act of creation. What on God’s good earth is more glorious than this — to be a mother?” – Cardinal Mindzenty

We so greatly value people who are able to maximize their productivity and accomplish so much with so little. Well, motherhood is the epitome of both.

The mother produces the most from the least. From nothing, she helps bring forth something unlike any product: A human person. An eternal being. She produces not just things, but producers. She grows not just things to love, but lovers. What’s more glorious than that?

“Pro LIFE” Instead of what?

Pro-Life Instead of What?

By Andrew M. Haines | January 22, 2014

The 2014 March for Life is upon us—an event that each year, on January 22nd, manifests the pro-life convictions of hundreds of thousands of Americans.

Since 1974, the goal of the March has been clear: to demonstrate an unfailing commitment to the dignity of unborn human life, and to resound a tireless cry against the atrocity of legalized abortion. The number of marchers has grown considerably in recent years, with 2013 pulling over half a million participants. As a result, it’s hard to find—at least along the East Coast—any school, church, or youth group that isn’t at least partly represented in the ranks. It’s safe to say that the March is an icon of a young generation, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing.

Yet it’s also no secret that since the early days of the March, pro-life activism on the whole has grown increasingly fragmented, and—quite frankly—a little stuck. If the ramped up participation each January signals a greater number of Americans concerned to protect innocent human life, it does not necessarily represent a growing consensus on what defending such life looks like, or on ever more nuanced prudential choices we each face in “standing for life” in our own circumstances.

The March for Life is a good thing—please let me be clear. But its merits are not absolute. And we do well—especially those of us who believe that our individual efforts can make a difference—to recall that popularity and principle are often inversely related. The very reason that the March has grown popular is, in some ways, the reason its principles are less obvious. Let me explain.

The aim of the March, as ever, is to defend life and once again criminalize abortion. But whereas in 1974 the path to that goal was clear—overturn Roe v. Wade—the last 40 years have introduced manifold new legislation, quandaries, and considerations for which pro-lifers must account. While the spread of an unmistakable “culture of death” has helped to galvanize sentiment against abortion, the actual means by which human dignity should be protected are murkier than ever. In 2014, only some pro-lifers would agree—or, indeed, even realize—that judicial process might factor meaningfully into abortion’s demise.

Beyond “mission” concerns, the March for Life faces a profound challenge, as well, since at its core, like any other social institution, it relies on the stability of local communities (in this case, moral communities) in order to thrive. It’s no secret that while numbers at the March have grown, American consensus on sexual ethics—a pillar of the “culture of life”—has wholly waned. More alarming than simple attrition, though, is the actual impact that this moral sea change has wrought: namely, an emerging belief that not only are moral values relative, if even possible at all, but that the rejection of traditional sexual ethics will haveno effect on society. According to Gallup’slatest poll on same-sex marriage, for example, 22% of 18 to 29 year old Americans—a major constituency of the March—believe that same-sex marriage will harm society, while 43% believe it will have no effect at all.

It’s true that many marchers—indeed, the great majority—identify with the segment of Americans who maintain the value of consistent sexual ethics, but I’d venture that a growing number don’t. (Experience traveling to the March with schools and youth groups, for example, has taught me that it’s very realistic to find a strong desire to save babies alongside ambivalence towards “free love.”) And this trend is almost sure to continue. The same powerful sentiment that connects us to an unborn child, made even stronger through scientific progress, is also stirred in favor of those among us—an increasing and ever more familiar lot—who profess and practice a morality at odds with sexual consistency.

If I’m permitted another thesis along these lines, many of the local communities that contribute to something like the March, too, are running on fumes: Many parishes and schools that once offered supportive moral narratives have been left pockmarked by a growing acquiescence to emotion over tradition. Here, I’m not talking specifically about orthodoxy versus heterodoxy, but instead the crumbling social infrastructure that accompanies modern culture. As a result, even some of the best Catholic youth programs, which do indeed profess the faith, are set up for failure atop shaky foundations. This comes full circle when participation in the March (as, again, many of us realize from experience) is taken as a metric of success for such programs; the leap toward a new type of society—one still, sadly, out of reach—relies on a springboard that is about to collapse.

This might all seem a bit sour. Again, I’ll say,none of it makes the March for Life less good. But it should force those who promote and participate in the March to ask a new, likely uncomfortable question: Pro-life instead of what?

The answer to this is not easily gained, as Alasdair MacIntyre showed by asking “Catholic instead of what?” The pro-life identity, much like Catholicism, was conceived at least partly in contrast to prevailing and popular trends. Yet just because abortion is the common enemy of pro-lifers does not mean that the pro-life movement is a compelling force. (In fact, I think it is, but for very different reasons that I mention below.) Changing the culture, like evangelization, requires not only identifying and naming bad things, but also providing relevant answers to the questions they pose. Without both, opposition to something—no matter how carefully construed—will fail to convince. What’s more, such relevant answers must account for the background beliefs and experiences of the “other side.” In 1974, the field was arranged much differently: not only was judicial pressure the clear political choice, but there existed a living memory of communities that could sustain society without abortion on demand.

The key difficulty facing pro-lifers now is that “good” and “bad” no longer make a significant difference to how most of society sees itself. What’s more, the lack of local moral communities makes practical alternatives to abortion less obvious to individual Americans. While the nation is still split near evenlyalong pro-life and pro-choice lines, the staying power of moral arguments against abortion is weaker than ever. This is not because “Killing innocent human life is wrong” is any less true than before, but because our interest in evaluating this claim has effectively been squelched.

Conversely, the power of strong communities—sustainable, local, evangelical communities—has never been more intriguing. Such communities are the object of our every “social” move, even if we can’t place a finger on them. Yet for all our zeal in seeking interpersonal relationships, our method is one obsessed with “safety”—safety in networking, in the ability to unplug at any moment and remove any risk that’s entailed by opening up beyond ourselves.

To all of this—to the question of “Pro-life instead of what?”—the March for Life serves an invaluable purpose. For one, as the banner of pro-life activism, it is still an enormous prick of conscience for a “culture of death” that, despite best efforts, relies on human flourishing to survive. The tip of the spear, however, and the greatest good of the March, lies in its unique ability to produce an intellectually honest type of community, one formed around universal, timeless truths of human goodness; most importantly, a community that includes risk at its very core. This is a decisive point, since the obstacles we face today in defending human dignity are not the type that can be overcome without sacrifice—the kind that’s learned by long bus trips and sleeping on gym floors, but which bears real fruit when applied to the even riskier prospects of our daily lives.

To be pro-life is to oppose abortion, sure. It’s to desire and work to make it illegal. But it is also to live the sort of life that begets others, as well as the institutions and cultures that allow human beings to flourish. In this way, especially, the March helps us to discover our real identity.

10 [K] not’s to Loving

10 [K]not’s to loving

Listen without interruptions

Speak without accusing [ever/always]

Give without sparring

Pray without [always] seeking

Answer without argument [ever /always]

Share without compromise

Enjoy without complaint

Trust without wavering

Forgive without punishment [or having to first “get even”]

Promise without forgetting [to keep it]

“FEAR is the activator of all of our faults”

FROM EWTN’S Father Wade Mendenz

	thermotron11 on The Man Who Killed Commun…
	Bo bjarno on HOW TO AVOID PURGATORY
	thermotron11 on Biden’s Religious Double-Stand…
	Anonymous on Biden’s Religious Double-Stand…
	Paul Saintonge on The Man Who Killed Commun…