My Beloved Children
I am delighted that you come to Me to praise Me and to worship Me. Many of you have been coming to Me for quite some time, and others of you more recently. But, I desire that many, many more come to Me as well, and that you lift Me up in Praise and Worship, with greater fervor and love.
These are not the old days. These days I am pouring my Spirit out on all mankind. These are the days prophesied, when the old will pass away and I will make all things new.
But, how can I renew My Lands if you remain stuck in the old ways? You came to Me in response to My Call to you, but now I am calling you to receive a new and fresh anointing of My Holy Spirit, My Spirit of Power and Love, which empowers you to go boldly out into the world and proclaim My Majesty, My Authority, and my Merciful Love for all of mankind.
Are you giving yourself completely to Me? Are you prepared to set aside all that holds you back from operating in the gifts of My Holy Spirit, which I have lavished upon you?
When you Praise Me and Worship Me, those offerings to Me should rise like incense to My Throne Room always, not sometimes. Allow Me to heal those things in you, those wounds and hurts that prevent you from abandoning yourself completely to Me.
If you will not abandon yourself to Me, many who have been called by Me, but are dependent on you to witness to that call and to draw them into Life in My Holy Spirit, will be lost. I do not desire that one soul be lost for eternity. I desire that all come to Me, and share eternity with Me.
Love loves you. Enter fully into My Abiding Love, My Dear Children.
July 3, 2016 12:30 pm
Saturday, July 30, 2016
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Transformation by the Holy Spirit
My children
I am in the process of transforming you by the power of My Holy Spirit. It is My Spirit that you are responding to daily more and more, as My Work in you continues. I am teaching you to seek Me in every moment of your daily life.
I am doing this at this moment in time because I am looking for and searching out hearts and minds who will conform to Me and be witnesses of My abounding Love to this world that has hardened itself against me, their Creator.
As the world as you all know it continues to disintegrate and law and order break down, and conditions continue to deteriorate man will turn to despair, and become desperate.
But you, My Children, are part of a large cadre throughout the world, that I have called to be heroic witnesses to My abundant Love for all mankind.
When you praise Me and worship Me, you surrender to My Love for you, and allow Me to enter you more fully. I have created you to spend eternity with Me, and to bring as many as possible with you to heaven. My Love is strengthening you to be able to resist the temptations of this world, and to be able to show others a pathway that leads not to instant gratification, but to eternal joy in My Presence.
Turn to Me in prayer at all times. Give Me every moment of your day, every decision that you are presented with, every choice. I care about you and all of My Creation.
Do not be distracted by all you see going on around you. This must all come to pass and is all within My Plan. I hear your prayers for your loved ones and for others you have been asked to pray for. I hear these prayers and answer all those that come from your heart.
July 27, 2016 7:50 am
I am in the process of transforming you by the power of My Holy Spirit. It is My Spirit that you are responding to daily more and more, as My Work in you continues. I am teaching you to seek Me in every moment of your daily life.
I am doing this at this moment in time because I am looking for and searching out hearts and minds who will conform to Me and be witnesses of My abounding Love to this world that has hardened itself against me, their Creator.
As the world as you all know it continues to disintegrate and law and order break down, and conditions continue to deteriorate man will turn to despair, and become desperate.
But you, My Children, are part of a large cadre throughout the world, that I have called to be heroic witnesses to My abundant Love for all mankind.
When you praise Me and worship Me, you surrender to My Love for you, and allow Me to enter you more fully. I have created you to spend eternity with Me, and to bring as many as possible with you to heaven. My Love is strengthening you to be able to resist the temptations of this world, and to be able to show others a pathway that leads not to instant gratification, but to eternal joy in My Presence.
Turn to Me in prayer at all times. Give Me every moment of your day, every decision that you are presented with, every choice. I care about you and all of My Creation.
Do not be distracted by all you see going on around you. This must all come to pass and is all within My Plan. I hear your prayers for your loved ones and for others you have been asked to pray for. I hear these prayers and answer all those that come from your heart.
July 27, 2016 7:50 am
Sunday, July 24, 2016
The Holy Spirit and New Evangelization
Bulletin Insert for July 3, 2014
By Deacon George Sebok
By Deacon George Sebok
14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
The escalation of evil in the world today seems to be unstoppable except for God’s intervention by his immense mercy and love; and a new wave coming from the Church, a wave that washes us with God’s love, God’s word, the Holy Sacraments, especially the source and summit of our FAITH, the Holy Mass.
We cannot underestimate this perfect prayer of the Mass where we are nourished and fed by God’s word and Jesus Himself in the form of bread and wine.
We also cannot underestimate our responsibility Jesus gave us to go forth from Mass and to be part of the “New Evangelization” going forth glorifying the Lord by our lives as intentional disciples.
Not only do we have a responsibility to our family and friends, our responsibility of taking care of God’s creation includes the whole world.
What the world truly needs now is a tremendous outpouring of God’s love through the Holy Spirit into every person’s life.
Recently our parish and many other parishes throughout the world are experiencing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit causing extraordinary changes in lives inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of the Father and of Jesus.
The manifestation of the power of the Holy Spirit is overflowing with God’s love through the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Jesus is the baptizer of the Holy Spirit.
Pope Francis is encouraging every parish to take the “Life in the Spirit” courses so that everyone will experience the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and Fire. Our churches today certainly need “Divine Renovation” to face the future challenges locally and worldwide. We are truly fortunate to have pastors throughout the world implementing God’s vision that will bring lasting “CHANGE” that will ignite people with the power of the Holy Spirit so that not one soul be lost.
I implore all of us to support our priests like Fr. Bob with our prayers, our fellowship, and our gifts given to us, to serve and support the “God given vision” revealed to our pastor.
“God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
Please take your bibles and read what God says about the Holy Spirit’s activities:
• He fellowships with us (2 Cor. 13:14)
• He comforts us (John 14:16)
• He intercedes for us (through us) (Romans 8:26)
• He teaches us (John 14:26)
• He leads us (Romans 8:26)
• He guides us (John 16:13)
• He empowers our speech (Mark 13:11)
• He gives personal sanctification gifts (Isaiah 11:2)
• He gives supernatural gifts for service (1 Cor. 12:4-11)
• He produces fruit (Gal. 5:22-23)
You will be blessed when you take the time to read these scriptures.
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Trials and Tribulations
My Children
In your lives are many trials and tribulations. In the midst of them you often ask Me: "Why me, Lord?" The trite answer would be for me to say: "Why not you?" But My real Answer to you My Child is: "Because I love you."
It is in the trials and tribulations that you must turn to Me to endure. I walk beside you through them all. I weep with you. I hurt alongside you. I mourn your losses. I love you through each one.
You say to Me: "Lord, you could make it all go away. You are the Lord, after all." That is true, My Child. But, you see only a small part of a gigantic picture. You have no idea how your triumph in these trials brings glory and honor to Me, and sanctification to you.
I invite you to persevere in these trials, knowing that I am always with you. Even though you do not see Me, you can come to Me in My Sacraments, which were created to draw you closer to Me. There you will encounter Me in the depths of your heart.
July 13, 2016
In your lives are many trials and tribulations. In the midst of them you often ask Me: "Why me, Lord?" The trite answer would be for me to say: "Why not you?" But My real Answer to you My Child is: "Because I love you."
It is in the trials and tribulations that you must turn to Me to endure. I walk beside you through them all. I weep with you. I hurt alongside you. I mourn your losses. I love you through each one.
You say to Me: "Lord, you could make it all go away. You are the Lord, after all." That is true, My Child. But, you see only a small part of a gigantic picture. You have no idea how your triumph in these trials brings glory and honor to Me, and sanctification to you.
I invite you to persevere in these trials, knowing that I am always with you. Even though you do not see Me, you can come to Me in My Sacraments, which were created to draw you closer to Me. There you will encounter Me in the depths of your heart.
July 13, 2016
Monday, July 11, 2016
Responding In These Dark Times
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Recently I have received periodic messages that I believe are from the Lord. But, I submit them to either my pastor or my spiritual director, depending on where they are directed. They fall into the prophetic category of exhortation and teaching, not the false category we saw with Locutions to the World some time ago, of prediction of imminent disaster with details included to scare the pants off of us.
On Saturday morning I decided to go to the farmer’s market across town, but decided also to stop in at the Adoration Chapel at St. Mary’s Church after that. I chose, in obedience, to take my iPad along, though I have a beautiful little book for Eucharistic Meditation. I thought maybe there was something on it that I was supposed to read.
After some time glorying in His Majesty, and how Our Holy Mother fit into the plan of Salvation (not that I can really grasp these wonderful mysteries) sentences were coming to me, as they sometimes do, and I reached for my iPad to write them down. For me, using the iPad is a wonderful tool, because if I wrote things out by hand, even I would have no idea what I just wrote.
Anyway what follows is what I received. As I felt it pertained to the The Next Right Step folks specifically, I sent it to Charlie Johnston for discernment. He concluded that whether or not it was of divine origin, it was a worthy comment for this particular piece that was coming.
Today’s Mass readings make it clear that God wants our hearts to be committed and submitted to Him, and Him alone. Many years ago, in frustration, I called out to the Lord and asked Him what He wanted from me. His clear one word answer said it all: “Everything.” Now over 20 years later I am beginning to understand.
So, here it is.
My Dear Children:
The things that you see happening now, are signs of these dark times. But, they are the beginnings. Hearts are hardened against Me, and hardened hearts do not act in love, but in fear, rage and hatred. By removing Me from their lives, when I have called them so often, the people of this age have made a God of the one they see in the mirror, or so they think. In fact they have fallen into worship of the evil one covertly.
But, I am a jealous God, not jealous as you would be, but a jealousy that shows in My Mercy, and Tenderness, My Compassion. But, My Children, soon will come My Justice. The time of My Mercy will soon pass. But, My Justice is not like yours either. My Justice is coming to attempt one more time to call all mankind to Me, to Trust in Me, for there will be no other way out during the time of My Justice. Remember children, that I desire that none be lost, and so my plan takes this greatest desire of My Heart into account.
The fear, rage and hatred of these times will be shown to be fruitless and will burn out. When it does many will descend to despair. But, you My Children must be a beacon as a lighthouse shows the way, for all those you encounter. As you place your trust more and more in Me each day, your light grows brighter and brighter. This light of your spirit is seen by the spirits of others, and in the darkness coming will guide them to safety.
Do not fear that the decisions you make are wrong. If you have done your best to listen to My Voice, whether you have made the exact correct choice or missed the mark, your desire to serve Me and to honor Me arises to my throne as a sweet incense. I know where you are every moment of every day, and even if you discover that you have been in the wrong place, do you not think that I have taken that into account?
Like Martha, you often worry and fret about things that are of little import. But, as I loved Martha and corrected her, so I will love and correct you. Accept my correction, and imitate your dear Mother, who took all things into her heart and pondered them. She has remained close to My Heart, and I invite you to come take her hand and come to My Heart.
Continue to pray for this world in its sin sickened state. Continue to sacrifice your will to Mine. Be holy for I am Holy.
Love loves you.
Saint Mary’s Adoration Chapel
July 9, 2016
10:30 am
Recently I have received periodic messages that I believe are from the Lord. But, I submit them to either my pastor or my spiritual director, depending on where they are directed. They fall into the prophetic category of exhortation and teaching, not the false category we saw with Locutions to the World some time ago, of prediction of imminent disaster with details included to scare the pants off of us.
On Saturday morning I decided to go to the farmer’s market across town, but decided also to stop in at the Adoration Chapel at St. Mary’s Church after that. I chose, in obedience, to take my iPad along, though I have a beautiful little book for Eucharistic Meditation. I thought maybe there was something on it that I was supposed to read.
After some time glorying in His Majesty, and how Our Holy Mother fit into the plan of Salvation (not that I can really grasp these wonderful mysteries) sentences were coming to me, as they sometimes do, and I reached for my iPad to write them down. For me, using the iPad is a wonderful tool, because if I wrote things out by hand, even I would have no idea what I just wrote.
Anyway what follows is what I received. As I felt it pertained to the The Next Right Step folks specifically, I sent it to Charlie Johnston for discernment. He concluded that whether or not it was of divine origin, it was a worthy comment for this particular piece that was coming.
Today’s Mass readings make it clear that God wants our hearts to be committed and submitted to Him, and Him alone. Many years ago, in frustration, I called out to the Lord and asked Him what He wanted from me. His clear one word answer said it all: “Everything.” Now over 20 years later I am beginning to understand.
So, here it is.
My Dear Children:
The things that you see happening now, are signs of these dark times. But, they are the beginnings. Hearts are hardened against Me, and hardened hearts do not act in love, but in fear, rage and hatred. By removing Me from their lives, when I have called them so often, the people of this age have made a God of the one they see in the mirror, or so they think. In fact they have fallen into worship of the evil one covertly.
But, I am a jealous God, not jealous as you would be, but a jealousy that shows in My Mercy, and Tenderness, My Compassion. But, My Children, soon will come My Justice. The time of My Mercy will soon pass. But, My Justice is not like yours either. My Justice is coming to attempt one more time to call all mankind to Me, to Trust in Me, for there will be no other way out during the time of My Justice. Remember children, that I desire that none be lost, and so my plan takes this greatest desire of My Heart into account.
The fear, rage and hatred of these times will be shown to be fruitless and will burn out. When it does many will descend to despair. But, you My Children must be a beacon as a lighthouse shows the way, for all those you encounter. As you place your trust more and more in Me each day, your light grows brighter and brighter. This light of your spirit is seen by the spirits of others, and in the darkness coming will guide them to safety.
Do not fear that the decisions you make are wrong. If you have done your best to listen to My Voice, whether you have made the exact correct choice or missed the mark, your desire to serve Me and to honor Me arises to my throne as a sweet incense. I know where you are every moment of every day, and even if you discover that you have been in the wrong place, do you not think that I have taken that into account?
Like Martha, you often worry and fret about things that are of little import. But, as I loved Martha and corrected her, so I will love and correct you. Accept my correction, and imitate your dear Mother, who took all things into her heart and pondered them. She has remained close to My Heart, and I invite you to come take her hand and come to My Heart.
Continue to pray for this world in its sin sickened state. Continue to sacrifice your will to Mine. Be holy for I am Holy.
Love loves you.
Saint Mary’s Adoration Chapel
July 9, 2016
10:30 am
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Thoughts on Pope Francis
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
There is only one way to escape the human condition, and God willing we are all of us some time from our final exit of this mortal coil. Though we cannot escape this condition, we can be transformed daily to make it not only tolerable, but joyful.
One of the things that makes it such a challenge is that we so often have a need to be right, and so the truth takes a back seat. One of my darling daughters, the middle of 3 (go figure) has in many ways been a challenge to me, as I was to my parents. Doesn’t God have a marvelous sense of humor? At the most challenging of times, I have asked her whether she needs to be right, or if she is interested in the truth. As she matures (she is only 28) she calms more quickly, and climbs down off her high, but noble steed.
Our Holy Father is much like one who is trying to remove a nest of hornets. Though he is clothed in protective gear, he strikes the nest with a stick, and chaos ensues. Those of us who are not clothed in the same protective gear as he is may get stung if we are nearby.
Some who observe him run about proclaiming that we will all be stung. As word spreads, it spreads like wild fire, and even makes the international media. Pretty soon, we read that he tried to take out several nests of African killer bees, all of whom were armed with machine gun stingers, and people nearby were stung repeatedly and very painfully. Next comes an international call for disarming the Holy Father of his stick, and possibly a call for martial law in Rome.
But, we are all able to be clothed in the same protective gear as Our Holy Father, the Holy Spirit, the sacraments, the intercession of the saints, particularly Our Holy Mother, and have no need of worrying about pesky little hornets.
The truth is that God has called Pope Francis to remove the pests from the Church, and those they have infected.
Charlie Johnston at The Next Right Step says Our Holy Father is somewhat klunky in how he says things. For me, it more appears that he is boiling the ocean and trying to make us tea in a paper cup. Knowing we cannot drink the whole ocean at one time, he tries to give us small sips. But we are stubborn. He gives us a sip of green tea, and we wanted chai, and so we complain.
If Jesus told us the truth, and we have His Word that he did, then Our Holy Father cannot lead us away from Him.
Band wagons are easy things to jump onto. But, they are going where the band is going. If the band on your band wagon is playing disharmony get the hell (literally) off it.
We have too much work to do to waste time and energy on people sowing revolt over Our Holy Father. He was God’s choice for this particular time and place. And that is truth.
There is only one way to escape the human condition, and God willing we are all of us some time from our final exit of this mortal coil. Though we cannot escape this condition, we can be transformed daily to make it not only tolerable, but joyful.
One of the things that makes it such a challenge is that we so often have a need to be right, and so the truth takes a back seat. One of my darling daughters, the middle of 3 (go figure) has in many ways been a challenge to me, as I was to my parents. Doesn’t God have a marvelous sense of humor? At the most challenging of times, I have asked her whether she needs to be right, or if she is interested in the truth. As she matures (she is only 28) she calms more quickly, and climbs down off her high, but noble steed.
Our Holy Father is much like one who is trying to remove a nest of hornets. Though he is clothed in protective gear, he strikes the nest with a stick, and chaos ensues. Those of us who are not clothed in the same protective gear as he is may get stung if we are nearby.
Some who observe him run about proclaiming that we will all be stung. As word spreads, it spreads like wild fire, and even makes the international media. Pretty soon, we read that he tried to take out several nests of African killer bees, all of whom were armed with machine gun stingers, and people nearby were stung repeatedly and very painfully. Next comes an international call for disarming the Holy Father of his stick, and possibly a call for martial law in Rome.
But, we are all able to be clothed in the same protective gear as Our Holy Father, the Holy Spirit, the sacraments, the intercession of the saints, particularly Our Holy Mother, and have no need of worrying about pesky little hornets.
The truth is that God has called Pope Francis to remove the pests from the Church, and those they have infected.
Charlie Johnston at The Next Right Step says Our Holy Father is somewhat klunky in how he says things. For me, it more appears that he is boiling the ocean and trying to make us tea in a paper cup. Knowing we cannot drink the whole ocean at one time, he tries to give us small sips. But we are stubborn. He gives us a sip of green tea, and we wanted chai, and so we complain.
If Jesus told us the truth, and we have His Word that he did, then Our Holy Father cannot lead us away from Him.
Band wagons are easy things to jump onto. But, they are going where the band is going. If the band on your band wagon is playing disharmony get the hell (literally) off it.
We have too much work to do to waste time and energy on people sowing revolt over Our Holy Father. He was God’s choice for this particular time and place. And that is truth.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Superman Got it wrong
Superman burst on the stage in 1938; well if not the stage, into the consciousness of the American people, and those of us in Canada as well, in comic book stories about "The never ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way."
Or so we were told. The reality is that truth and justice are subservient to "the American way", and not necessary for the American way to prevail, and that's how WE roll both in the USA, and in Canada.
Or so we were told. The reality is that truth and justice are subservient to "the American way", and not necessary for the American way to prevail, and that's how WE roll both in the USA, and in Canada.
Contrast that with the quote on the left side of this blog from Blaise Pascal a 17th century philosopher and mathematician who said:
“He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God's providence to lead him aright."
If that does not get your attention then how about Father John Hardon, as quoted by Father Gordon MacRae at his latest posting at These Stone Walls:
“Our duty as Catholics is to know the truth; to live the truth; to defend the truth; to share the truth with others; and to suffer for the truth.”.
For those of us who are Catholic or catholic, both quotes should be our guides in our daily lives.
Our North American cultures are on a precipice today, waiting to fall into the sea. Our economies are shaky, our morals are long over the cliff, and our hearts are along for the ride.
The American way (which is not limited in any sense to America) has become about expediency and me, and truth and justice have gone by the boards.
The trust that Americans (and Canadians as well, from my personal experience) now have in politicians and in the justice system to mete out truth and justice is at an all time low, and deservedly so.
We have politicians in Canada and the USA, proclaiming to be Catholic, while dispensing lies about abortion, same sex relationships, setting themselves above the Catholic Church, and bearing false witness to all who hear their words. Our Catholic bishops have failed to speak out publicly about the lies put forward to us by the Nancy Pelosi's, Joe Biden's and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada.
This is nothing new, of course. In an article in October 2012, called Take Them to the Woodshed Bishops, I urged Canadian Catholic bishops to speak out to our Ontario Catholic politicians, who were in grave error, in that instance in the Provincial political sphere.
But, what I have mentioned above is life at the macro level, and it impacts the lives of people like you and me at the micro level, the personal level.
This is becoming more evident in legal cases we are seeing of prosecutorial misconduct that are coming forward with greater frequency as investigative methods and availability of information make them more easily detectable.
The truth behind the disgusting trials and incarceration of Father Charles Englehardt and Monsignor William Lynn, and the ultimate tragic death of Father Charles were uncovered by journalist Ralph Cipriano, who has finally had his take on the unraveling of injustice in an article published very recently in Newsweek entitled Catholic Guilt? The Lying Scheming Altar Boy Behind a Lurid Rape Case. But, this case and others where truth is taking a back seat, was described in some detail previously in My Cipriano's Big Trial Blog.
After Father Gordon first wrote about this in January 2015, in A Rolling Stone Gathers No Facts, Just Dirt I added my own take with Ringing True and Tickling Ears, though I did not publish my piece until December 22, 2015.
Father Gordon has had more to say, including urging us to follow the words of Father Hardon quoted above in The Lying, Scheming Altar Boy on the Cover of Newsweek, published on February 24, 2016.
As Father Gordon's own case attests, the Englehardt/Lynn cases are not isolated incidents, but are exemplars of availability bias, particularly availability bias manipulated by those in power, with the main stream media as their shills.
We are in the season of Lent, a time for Catholics and people of goodwill to contemplate the saving actions of Jesus Christ, and what it means for us in our own lives.
One thing we are undoubtedly called to is truth. In this year declared by Pope Francis as the Year of Mercy, he has let us know clearly that mercy depends on truth to be authentic. It is not sufficient to follow what tickles our ears, nor to subject ourselves to availability bias. The truth is often much deeper, and requires discernment. To grasp at whatever passes our eyes is to be slothful.
May our eyes be opened to all injustice that comes to our attention, and may we seek to know how we are to respond to bring mercy to those in need.
After Father Gordon first wrote about this in January 2015, in A Rolling Stone Gathers No Facts, Just Dirt I added my own take with Ringing True and Tickling Ears, though I did not publish my piece until December 22, 2015.
Father Gordon has had more to say, including urging us to follow the words of Father Hardon quoted above in The Lying, Scheming Altar Boy on the Cover of Newsweek, published on February 24, 2016.
As Father Gordon's own case attests, the Englehardt/Lynn cases are not isolated incidents, but are exemplars of availability bias, particularly availability bias manipulated by those in power, with the main stream media as their shills.
We are in the season of Lent, a time for Catholics and people of goodwill to contemplate the saving actions of Jesus Christ, and what it means for us in our own lives.
One thing we are undoubtedly called to is truth. In this year declared by Pope Francis as the Year of Mercy, he has let us know clearly that mercy depends on truth to be authentic. It is not sufficient to follow what tickles our ears, nor to subject ourselves to availability bias. The truth is often much deeper, and requires discernment. To grasp at whatever passes our eyes is to be slothful.
May our eyes be opened to all injustice that comes to our attention, and may we seek to know how we are to respond to bring mercy to those in need.
Monday, February 22, 2016
The Lightning Rod
In His day, Jesus was a lightning rod for the people. Today, we have Pope Francis. And today we have the Internet, so when lightning strikes it spreads like wild fire. The problem with lightning spreading like wildfire is that it breaks containment and covers the earth in excrement.
When Jesus entered into Jerusalem heralded as the Messiah, the people were elated. At least that was so, until the gossip and rumor mill kicked in to full swing. Political correctness reigned even then, though not with such a high sounding name. Jesus died as the victim of gossip. The people were too lazy to see through the lies that were perpetrated against Him and that fomented the mini rebellion that led to His crucifixion.
Not much has changed, except today we have the Internet, so lies and gossip spread at Internet speed around the world. And as each lie compounds its predecessor, it becomes a spiritual tsunami.
Is there help for our addiction to needing to be right and being contentious to prove our rightness?
To answer that I turned to two philosophers of the 20th century, one fictitious, and one who would never believe himself to have been philosophical, just pragmatic.
The fictitious philosopher is Pollyanna Whittier from the book and more from the subsequent Disney film "Pollyanna". When Pollyanna was living with her aunt, she encountered the pastor by the river one day. The pastor was a fire and brimstone preacher and was practicing a sermon by the river that particular day. In the exchange between them Pollyanna noted: "If you look for the bad in people you're sure to find it, so look for the good in them instead."
The real philosopher I refer to above is my long deceased father Alvin Brandon. My Dad was a very good man, who flew Spitfires in WWII, courtesy of the RCAF, and returned home physically damaged with their courtesy as well. He was a humble man, and though well schooled for his time, was largely educated by the school of hard knocks, and was humble enough to learn the lessons taught in that school.
When I was about 16 years old, I knew everything. Of this I have been subsequently disavowed. But, then I was all that and a bag of chips, or so I thought. I was on the verge of that time period that many teens enter into where they discover that their parents know nothing, or at least barely enough to know how and when to breathe. The piece of advice I am about to share from him was the tipping point that led me to several years of certainty in my own brilliance, which ultimately was knocked out of me both literally and figuratively. But those are other stories, some of which I have shared already.
I was having a particularly difficult time with my mother over some MAJOR thing or another for a 16 year old that was really a mere triviality in the scheme of life in our family. My father taught me a lesson that I rejected out of hand, and wish I could have gotten. It was so fundamental to successful relationships that I would love to go back to that moment, receive it again, and thank him for it.
I was in our den complaining to my dad about my mom over this catastrophe, and he interrupted my self righteous indignation. He then said: "Your mother may be wrong, but she is your mother, and therefor she is right."
I could not grasp the nuance of what he said. I was too angry to do anything but parse the words to fit what I wanted them to fit. My dad was not only right, he was correct in his assessment of the situation, and the remedy for it. That his son behaved like an idiot was not his responsibility.
And this is how it is with the lightning rod that is Our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
One writer intent on justifying his own piling on of Pope Francis reminded readers that St. Paul had upbraided St. Peter over matters in the early Church where he witnessed that St. Peter was in the wrong. He was anointed to do so. He also had first hand knowledge of the particular situation, which is referenced in Galatians Chapter 2.
When Pope Francis spoke on his plane ride back to Rome from Mexico recently, he responded to a spate of questions, and at least one particular question that has begotten so much controversy for some. The particular one was about a theoretical wall across the Mexican border, and a statement alleged to be from Presidential candidate Donald Trump. Our Holy Father spoke in Spanish. It has been translated to English, which is a degree of separation from the original to begin with. The context of preceding and following questions is not present, and if it were they too were translated from the original language. Yet another degree of separation.
But, much of the brouhaha over the original statement occurred because those intent on being right left out the key words "if" and "only". This is less a degree of separation than it is a total misconstruction of the words and probable intent of Our Holy Father, to serve their own purposes.
So, I return to Pollyanna, and my father.
Our Holy Father is our parent in the Church of Jesus Christ. As such, he like my own parents is anointed to be in the position that he is in. The meaning in my father's statement restated as "Your Holy Father may be wrong, but he is your Holy Father and therefor he is right," is that Our Holy Father warrants our respect for his position, and our love. Unless you have lived in his shoes or been around him you have no real idea of what is behind whatever he says, or does.
So, then you should take Pollyanna's advice and look for the good in Pope Francis. Whatever you look for you will find. The problem is that what you will likely find is support for your own presumptions, not for the truth.
We might be wise to take the words of Blaise Pascal to heart that I have on the left side of this blog as a reminder. He said:“He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God's providence to lead him aright."
When Jesus entered into Jerusalem heralded as the Messiah, the people were elated. At least that was so, until the gossip and rumor mill kicked in to full swing. Political correctness reigned even then, though not with such a high sounding name. Jesus died as the victim of gossip. The people were too lazy to see through the lies that were perpetrated against Him and that fomented the mini rebellion that led to His crucifixion.
Not much has changed, except today we have the Internet, so lies and gossip spread at Internet speed around the world. And as each lie compounds its predecessor, it becomes a spiritual tsunami.
Is there help for our addiction to needing to be right and being contentious to prove our rightness?
To answer that I turned to two philosophers of the 20th century, one fictitious, and one who would never believe himself to have been philosophical, just pragmatic.
The fictitious philosopher is Pollyanna Whittier from the book and more from the subsequent Disney film "Pollyanna". When Pollyanna was living with her aunt, she encountered the pastor by the river one day. The pastor was a fire and brimstone preacher and was practicing a sermon by the river that particular day. In the exchange between them Pollyanna noted: "If you look for the bad in people you're sure to find it, so look for the good in them instead."
The real philosopher I refer to above is my long deceased father Alvin Brandon. My Dad was a very good man, who flew Spitfires in WWII, courtesy of the RCAF, and returned home physically damaged with their courtesy as well. He was a humble man, and though well schooled for his time, was largely educated by the school of hard knocks, and was humble enough to learn the lessons taught in that school.
When I was about 16 years old, I knew everything. Of this I have been subsequently disavowed. But, then I was all that and a bag of chips, or so I thought. I was on the verge of that time period that many teens enter into where they discover that their parents know nothing, or at least barely enough to know how and when to breathe. The piece of advice I am about to share from him was the tipping point that led me to several years of certainty in my own brilliance, which ultimately was knocked out of me both literally and figuratively. But those are other stories, some of which I have shared already.
I was having a particularly difficult time with my mother over some MAJOR thing or another for a 16 year old that was really a mere triviality in the scheme of life in our family. My father taught me a lesson that I rejected out of hand, and wish I could have gotten. It was so fundamental to successful relationships that I would love to go back to that moment, receive it again, and thank him for it.
I was in our den complaining to my dad about my mom over this catastrophe, and he interrupted my self righteous indignation. He then said: "Your mother may be wrong, but she is your mother, and therefor she is right."
I could not grasp the nuance of what he said. I was too angry to do anything but parse the words to fit what I wanted them to fit. My dad was not only right, he was correct in his assessment of the situation, and the remedy for it. That his son behaved like an idiot was not his responsibility.
And this is how it is with the lightning rod that is Our Holy Father, Pope Francis.
One writer intent on justifying his own piling on of Pope Francis reminded readers that St. Paul had upbraided St. Peter over matters in the early Church where he witnessed that St. Peter was in the wrong. He was anointed to do so. He also had first hand knowledge of the particular situation, which is referenced in Galatians Chapter 2.
When Pope Francis spoke on his plane ride back to Rome from Mexico recently, he responded to a spate of questions, and at least one particular question that has begotten so much controversy for some. The particular one was about a theoretical wall across the Mexican border, and a statement alleged to be from Presidential candidate Donald Trump. Our Holy Father spoke in Spanish. It has been translated to English, which is a degree of separation from the original to begin with. The context of preceding and following questions is not present, and if it were they too were translated from the original language. Yet another degree of separation.
But, much of the brouhaha over the original statement occurred because those intent on being right left out the key words "if" and "only". This is less a degree of separation than it is a total misconstruction of the words and probable intent of Our Holy Father, to serve their own purposes.
So, I return to Pollyanna, and my father.
Our Holy Father is our parent in the Church of Jesus Christ. As such, he like my own parents is anointed to be in the position that he is in. The meaning in my father's statement restated as "Your Holy Father may be wrong, but he is your Holy Father and therefor he is right," is that Our Holy Father warrants our respect for his position, and our love. Unless you have lived in his shoes or been around him you have no real idea of what is behind whatever he says, or does.
So, then you should take Pollyanna's advice and look for the good in Pope Francis. Whatever you look for you will find. The problem is that what you will likely find is support for your own presumptions, not for the truth.
We might be wise to take the words of Blaise Pascal to heart that I have on the left side of this blog as a reminder. He said:“He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God's providence to lead him aright."
Friday, February 19, 2016
Pope Francis in Persona Christi
I have given much thought to things said by Our Holy Father, Pope Francis these last 3 years, and things purported to have been said by him. There is actually little difference between what people think they heard him say and how they report it. There is however a great difference often times between that and what he actually said.
In light of the comments he made on the flight from Mexico recently, this came home for me this morning as my wife and I prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries in the Scriptural Rosary.
Francis speaks in nuanced language, much like Jesus did in say, Mark Chapter 14, which is meditated on in the second mystery, The Scourging at the Pillar:
Pope Francis has been anointed by God to be the leader of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, to act in persona christi as earthly shepherd of the flock. John Chapter 15 warns us about what will happen to those anointed by God and acting on His behalf:
In light of the comments he made on the flight from Mexico recently, this came home for me this morning as my wife and I prayed the Sorrowful Mysteries in the Scriptural Rosary.
Francis speaks in nuanced language, much like Jesus did in say, Mark Chapter 14, which is meditated on in the second mystery, The Scourging at the Pillar:
60 The high priest rose before the assembly and questioned Jesus, saying, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?”
61 But he was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, “Are you the Messiah, the son of the Blessed One?”
62 Then Jesus answered, “I am; and ‘you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.’”
63 At that the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further need have we of witnesses?
64 You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as deserving to die.
After I had read verse 62 above for the 4th Hail Mary, my dear wife stopped me and asked me a question. Her question was "What would you think if somebody walked up to you on the street and made the statement Jesus made?" It is a good question, and my response to her, less in answer but as a clarification, was that these were the same people who had known that He preached in their synagogues, performed miracles, and walked and lived among them for 3 years. Though that might have made it easier for them to anticipate His answer, it did not make the truth of the answer any easier to absorb and believe.
Before the verses above people came forward to testify against Him, and lied through their teeth. But, when the high priest, Annas asked Jesus if He was the Messiah, he was not prepared for Jesus' answer. It did not line up with what he believed about the coming Messiah, and so he considered it blasphemy. It also did not line up with the fear that they all lived in of disturbing the status quo with their Roman conquerors.
Annas and the Sanhedrin were intent on being right, and protecting themselves, and so they let the truth slip right by them, with nary a nod of the head to it.
The correct answer for the high priest to the question: "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" would have been: "No, not me, everybody knows I am just the son of the carpenter." And, of course, for levity, he could have followed that up with: "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46)
It appears that Annas was flabbergasted because he tore his robes when Jesus said "I am."
18 “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first.19 If you belonged to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you.20 Remember the word I spoke to you, ‘No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.21 And they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me.
So, whether Jesus responds "I am" to a question, or Francis says: "…if he wants to address illegal immigration only by building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border" the answer is not the answer the survey says was the (politically) correct answer. Interestingly enough since we are all family, this is a form of Family Feud, but not the oft watched television show by that name.
Remember Matthew Chapter 10, where Jesus is preparing the twelve for ministry:
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword.
35 For I have come to set a man ‘against his father, a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36 and one’s enemies will be those of his household.’
Monday, February 15, 2016
We Are Plan B People. We Must Stop it!
God is the God of The Plan, one plan, His Plan for the Salvation of the World.
"No Battle Plan Survives Contact with the Enemy" - Helmuth von Moltke
We, mere mortals, are Plan B people. We know that von Moltke spoke a general truth, and though we might be irritated by it, we generally expect it. If, for example, you are doing some renovation of your basement, you will undoubtedly come across something you did not expect. Then you have to move from Plan A to Plan B.
God is not like that. Because God is omniscient and all seeing He does not need a Plan B. God is not bound by time or space.
So, when Adam and Eve committed the Original Sin, the Father did not call Jesus, and the Holy Spirit together and have a family conference to figure out what to do next. The Father was in no way shocked or surprised that Adam and Eve bit into that juicy apple. He knew they would, and The Plan had already factored that in.
Also, when God the Father sent the Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he did not have the Angel Rafael in reserve to go down the street and ask Betty Lou in case Mary said no. The Plan had already factored in what God already knew was about to happen.
God has known every little detail of all of the world and all of humanity since before there was time, and He did it anyway, all of it. He knew that we would sin against Him before He created us, and He also knew that He would send His Divine Son Jesus to redeem us, and knew that we would still reject Him and continue to do so.
But, from before time began Mary was a part of The Plan.
Mark Mallett has laid out for us simply how Mary is a part not only of the original Incarnation of Jesus but of His incarnation in each one of us in today's Lenten Meditation. The part that Mary plays in God's plan of salvation is critical to its success. You could say it is pivotal to success. You could also say, and it is important that you say it, not only with your lips, but with your heart, that Mary is an instrument in any part you have to play in The Plan, by her example and by her motherly love.
When, by the Middle Ages, many Catholic leaders had gotten off God's Plan by lies, cheating, and gross negligence of the responsibilities they were given, Luther and others, in their frustration, came up with a new plan. They called their plan The Reformation. So, they countered disobedience by ramping up disobedience to a higher level. Neither of these were The Plan, but bastardizations of The Plan, which, by the way, in no way have ever diminished God's Plan for Our Salvation.
But, now we find ourselves in dire times that have been prophesied, It is evident that we are teetering on the brink of chaos, of a magnitude and depth that we have never seen, and cannot imagine.
So, what are we to do? You may say to me that if you knew what was coming you would prepare. In response, I say to you that the signs of what is coming have been in front of your very nose for a long time, and yet you have done nothing, expect party on.
Many of you want to know if when whatever happens happens, whether you will lose access to your medications, clean water, electricity, that nice car in your driveway, and your home, and internet service. Well, God knows. It is part of His Plan, and you will find out when you need to know.
We are in the midst of the wonderful Season of Lent. It is a time for us to draw closer to Our Lord. It is a time to listen for His voice and to set aside the voices that do not lead us to Him.
Charlie Johnston produced a new article today entitled The Way of the Cross is the Path to Victory. In it he makes mention of a number of the things that have been part of the rupture of our society, some of which will probably come as news to you. Yes, it is getting that bad. THAT BAD!!
But, that is good.
Pope Francis was raked over the coals by many well meaning individuals for appointing folks to positions that were not on the "right" side of many issues, and for allowing voices to be heard at the two halves of the recent Synod. I refused to get my knickers in a twist over it. I was certain in my heart that God was guiding Our Holy Father to bring the wolves out of the darkness into the open so we could all see them and what they stand for.
The evil one is having to come out of hiding as he ramps up his plans to take as many with him to eternal damnation as he can. This too is all part of God's Plan.
Bear in mind and heart these words from 2 Chronicles Chapter 7:14
"No Battle Plan Survives Contact with the Enemy" - Helmuth von Moltke
We, mere mortals, are Plan B people. We know that von Moltke spoke a general truth, and though we might be irritated by it, we generally expect it. If, for example, you are doing some renovation of your basement, you will undoubtedly come across something you did not expect. Then you have to move from Plan A to Plan B.
God is not like that. Because God is omniscient and all seeing He does not need a Plan B. God is not bound by time or space.
So, when Adam and Eve committed the Original Sin, the Father did not call Jesus, and the Holy Spirit together and have a family conference to figure out what to do next. The Father was in no way shocked or surprised that Adam and Eve bit into that juicy apple. He knew they would, and The Plan had already factored that in.
Also, when God the Father sent the Angel Gabriel to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he did not have the Angel Rafael in reserve to go down the street and ask Betty Lou in case Mary said no. The Plan had already factored in what God already knew was about to happen.
God has known every little detail of all of the world and all of humanity since before there was time, and He did it anyway, all of it. He knew that we would sin against Him before He created us, and He also knew that He would send His Divine Son Jesus to redeem us, and knew that we would still reject Him and continue to do so.
But, from before time began Mary was a part of The Plan.
Mark Mallett has laid out for us simply how Mary is a part not only of the original Incarnation of Jesus but of His incarnation in each one of us in today's Lenten Meditation. The part that Mary plays in God's plan of salvation is critical to its success. You could say it is pivotal to success. You could also say, and it is important that you say it, not only with your lips, but with your heart, that Mary is an instrument in any part you have to play in The Plan, by her example and by her motherly love.
When, by the Middle Ages, many Catholic leaders had gotten off God's Plan by lies, cheating, and gross negligence of the responsibilities they were given, Luther and others, in their frustration, came up with a new plan. They called their plan The Reformation. So, they countered disobedience by ramping up disobedience to a higher level. Neither of these were The Plan, but bastardizations of The Plan, which, by the way, in no way have ever diminished God's Plan for Our Salvation.
But, now we find ourselves in dire times that have been prophesied, It is evident that we are teetering on the brink of chaos, of a magnitude and depth that we have never seen, and cannot imagine.
So, what are we to do? You may say to me that if you knew what was coming you would prepare. In response, I say to you that the signs of what is coming have been in front of your very nose for a long time, and yet you have done nothing, expect party on.
Many of you want to know if when whatever happens happens, whether you will lose access to your medications, clean water, electricity, that nice car in your driveway, and your home, and internet service. Well, God knows. It is part of His Plan, and you will find out when you need to know.
We are in the midst of the wonderful Season of Lent. It is a time for us to draw closer to Our Lord. It is a time to listen for His voice and to set aside the voices that do not lead us to Him.
Charlie Johnston produced a new article today entitled The Way of the Cross is the Path to Victory. In it he makes mention of a number of the things that have been part of the rupture of our society, some of which will probably come as news to you. Yes, it is getting that bad. THAT BAD!!
But, that is good.
Pope Francis was raked over the coals by many well meaning individuals for appointing folks to positions that were not on the "right" side of many issues, and for allowing voices to be heard at the two halves of the recent Synod. I refused to get my knickers in a twist over it. I was certain in my heart that God was guiding Our Holy Father to bring the wolves out of the darkness into the open so we could all see them and what they stand for.
The evil one is having to come out of hiding as he ramps up his plans to take as many with him to eternal damnation as he can. This too is all part of God's Plan.
Bear in mind and heart these words from 2 Chronicles Chapter 7:14
if then my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and heal their land.But, to put it more simply, Acknowledge God, Take the Next Right Step, and Be a Sign of Hope for Others. Be like Mary, and say yes, moment by moment, step by step.
Hell breaking loose does not change God's Plan one iota. There is no plan B.
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