Luke 11:23 (RSVCE)
He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters.
We need to always remember our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted, but let us particularly remember today those who were killed yesterday in Nigeria, and their families. Let us pray for the repentance of the murders and for all those who are persecuting Christians, be they Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists or atheists.
Muslims slaughter hundreds of Christians in Nigeria
Muslim gangs attacked three villages in central Nigeria and killed up to 400 Christians in pre-dawn attacks on March 7. “The shooting was just meant to bring people from their houses, and then when people came out they started cutting them with machetes,” said one witness. Another added, “We saw mainly those who are helpless, like small children and then the older men, who cannot run, these were the ones that were slaughtered.”
Some 300 Christian churches have been destroyed in the area around Jos during the past four years. In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos described his efforts to have friendly relations with Muslims, the effects of the local imposition of Sharia, and the caution with which he catechizes potential Muslim converts, some of whom “come just because they want to infiltrate.”
Interesting quote from a BBC article on the US recognizing the Armenian genocide that provides insight into both revisionist history and political flip-flopping.
During his campaign for the 2008 election, Mr Obama promised to brand the mass killings genocide.
Mrs Clinton has acknowledged his administration’s change of opinion on the issue, saying circumstances had “changed in very significant ways”.
So what can change today that would change the truth about the past? What Hilary really means is that this is now inconvenient for the administration, and we all know that truth must conform to what is convenient.
St. Katherine Drexel reminds us to MYOB in discerning paths.
It is a lesson we all need – to let alone the things that do not concern us. He has other ways for others to follow Him; all do not go by the same path. It is for each of us to learn the path by which He requires us to follow Him, and to follow Him in that path. - St Katherine Drexel
Matthew 27:26b-27 (RSVCE)
whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
and whoever would be first among you must be your slave
It has been hotly contested by those not really familiar with how bizarre California politics is whether things could get more:
- a. surreal
- b. humorous
- c. disconcerting
- d. all of the above
Well, we have an answer. Things can get much, much worse. And they have. Jerry Brown, aka Governor Moonbeam,the person whoshirked his job as Attorney General, wants to be governor of California…again. If it wasn’t for the citizens of Sodom and Gomorrah the Bay area and Los Angeles, I would say that our state clown JB’s announcement would engender only a healthy serving of laughter. Unfortunately, that is not the case.
As a Catholic, I find JB to be a bit of an embarrassment. He is one of those CINO, Pho-Catholiques. He describes himself as “a Catholic in everything but theology.” ref Jesuit trained, didn’t you know?
Unfortunately, this is the left coast, and we will have endure a joke election…again. Pray for us, because the only thing worse could be this bozo getting elected as Govenor.
The folks at Live Action Films, a youth led group, continue to expose Planned Parenthood and their blatant disregard for law and the welfare of underage girls in their pursuit of profit and the “right” to an abortion. To date, government responses have begun, but do not match what is needed. A national investigation into the practice of this organization and their affiliates is required. It is time we start protecting our children from likes of Planned Parenthood and their affiliates.
While today’s bible quote has a clear meaning for Bishops, priests, deacons, ministers and teachers. It also has a message to parents, particularly fathers who are the head of their domestic church.
Tend the flock of God that is your charge, not by constraint but willingly, not for shameful gain but eagerly, not as domineering over those in your charge but being examples to the flock. -1 Peter 5 2-3 (RSVCE)
1 Peter 25-36 (RSVCE)
Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that you may do the will of God and receive what is promised.
Saint Theresa Benedicta said:
Do not accept anything as the truth if it lacks love. And do not accept anything as love which lacks truth! One without the other becomes a destructive lie.
In my opinion, this one was best.
1 John 2:15–17 (RSVCE)
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If any one loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides for ever.
Jeff Mirus at Catholic Culture, whom I have the greatest respect, has recommended an article from First Things on immigration called Our Muddled Masses. Catholic Culture is an outstanding source for an authentically Catholic perspective on issues, but I think Jeff misses the mark on this article.
Jeff’’s take is that the original article provides a different way of thinking about immigration that avoids many of the debates going on about immigration reform by focusing on getting the right kind of immigrants. The theory appears to be that if you get the right kind of immigrant, the rest of the problem will sort itself out.
I believe Jeff, and the original article miss the core of the real immigration issue and should not be recommended as a particularly Catholic perspective on the issue. I am not saying that encouraging people who can contribute to the economy is a bad idea, but to argue that it is immigration reform is to completely miss what is going on – further, by defining a person by their economic worth, advocates a position that stands counter to an authentically Christian (i.e., Catholic) perspective.
The article is really about competing in the global talent pool and is an important economic activity. We certainly need to create opportunities for the people who are here, immigrant or not, and the people who will come. Getting the best talent in the world to work here in the United States is a sound economic strategy, but it is not a solution to the immigration issue as most understand it. When we talk about the “vital few” we may be losing in the competition for the global talent pool, it is the Asian and Indian immigrants that are the main problem. The issues there are complex, but, I would argue, are strongly affected by our posture toward the world and fear of letting in terrorists after 9/11. Important topics but not what is usually meant by the immigration issue.
There is an immigration problem right now. Millions of people are in this country illegally. These immigrants have left something and are coming to something. There are reasons at both ends of the migration that need addressing. The situation in their home countries is inadequate at a human rights level. Sometimes, the problem in the home country is more than just economics. They come here because it fills an economic need on our end – cheap labor. These two things are root causes, just as it was for many of our forefathers. They are leaving a bad situation in the hope of something better. There are more than one in my immigrant background who fled trouble. While I, the progeny of poor, uneducated immigrants (not those “vital few”), have achieved the highest of academic degrees and a modicum of success and societal contribution, that was hardly the case for them.
To really address the problem we must tackle several questions that largely center on the illegal immigration community, which is primarily Hispanic, and largely Mexican. We need to understand and address why we “need” the illegal immigrants that already form a substantial portion of our economy. What are they fleeing, can that be changed and how? Why are they coming? Is the current situation just for all involved? How can it be made more just? As a rich neighbor to a poor one, what is our responsibility to them? What is the value of an immigrant? How does a just society deal with such issues? What should be the Catholic voice on these issues?
In a stretch of logic, the original article makes the argument that if we poach talent (the “vital few”) from a country (like Mexico) that it will benefit that country. To be clear, the benefit IS for US, and not Mexico. A policy of recruiting away the intellectual elite and officially rejecting the suffering so that the leaders in Mexico will do something to improve their own situation is wishful thinking at best. Beyond this weak attempt, the vital questions above are ignored.
What is worse, the authors define people in a way that is counter to a Catholic perspective. It assigns a utilitarian assessment of the worth of an immigrant and argues that we need to recruit more of these valuable people to offset the supposedly negative value of the masses that are currently here. To the extent it talks about illegal immigrants, it defines these human beings as a drain on state resources, treating them as mere economic entities (though they even do that inadequately by ignoring the real value they provide to the economy).
The following is the argument reduced to its central theme. We the rich nation, have millions who seek the scraps from our table, and the solution offered is that we should invite more of the right type of immigrant (the “vital few”) to the table. If we do that, those massive drains on the state might become valuable (or at least offset). This perspective is not a Catholic approach to immigration.
What would an authentically Catholic approach involve? It would need to start from Catholic first principles. It would certainly involve advocating for justice and the dignity of every human being. It would involve mercy, going beyond mere justice – particularly for the less fortunate. Ultimately, it would involve faith that if we do what is just and merciful our heavenly Father will provide.
This information is worth spreading far & wide. Read it and share it. The link to the full article is below. When a woman and those who support her “decision” buy into the culture of death, it is not merely being closed to life or the violent rejection of her unborn children – it is her life she risks as well.
Daily News: Federal Study Confirms Contraception-Breast Cancer Link: NCRegister
Ten years ago, Dr. Chris Kahlenborn, authored the book Breast Cancer: Its Link to Abortion and the Birth Control Pill, which established the connection between the birth control pill and breast cancer.
Now, a federal study confirms that data.
The study shows a strong connection between the use of oral contraceptives and a particularly aggressive form of breast cancer with a high mortality rate, known as “triple-negative” breast cancer (TNBC). The study also found that the connection was highest among women who began using oral contraceptives while they were teenagers.
I know that The Biggest Loser is not the height of TV excellence, but I was watching it a couple days ago (Jan 5). While it won’t win any TV awards and there is a sense in which the misery of others is exploited as entertainment, there is also an element that is good and inspiring. I have not found many shows where I genuinely find myself rooting for everyone to do well. There is a little bit of motivational help too as I look to shed a bit of weight this year as well.
The Biggest Loser itself is not what I want to blog about, it is Pillsbury. In the middle of the show Pillsbury had an ad for cinnamon rolls. What kind of company places ads for cinnamon roles on a show that is about losing weight? Who do they think is watching the show? Given that most of the ads are about weight loss and exercise, one understands that the audience is largely people who need to lose weight. One of the show’s trainers mentioned how all of the contestants are fans of past seasons.
If that is the case, and let’s not pretend that Pillsbury doesn’t know it, how can they ethically advertise a products that are designed to tempt those who least need that? They can’t. It is like putting Vegas casino ads in at a gambler recovery meeting, or offering cigarettes to someone trying to quit smoking. What is wrong with these people? It is not the ads themselves, but the placement in an inappropriate place that makes it unethical. The lack of ethical consideration takes two parties here. Not only is Pillsbury willing to help sabotage the good intentions of Americans seeking to improve and extend their lives, but NBC had no problem taking their dough.
There are two reasons that I call your attention to this issue. The first is to give a shout rather than a whisper when something is amiss. I don’t think ethics is a high priority at NBC or Pillsbury, but I do think that public opinion is. So I am doing my small part in trying to shape it.
The second reason is to provide a reminder for all of us engaged in business. What we do “for business” can and should be judged in terms higher than mere economics. Doing what is right must take precedence over doing what maximizes profit. Hopefully in all of our efforts the two will align, but when they do not we must decide as if the health of our souls depended on it (because it does). The dollar should not be our god, even in business. If you find yourself slipping in your own business decisions, it would be a good idea to re-read the first commandment (Exodus 20:2-6).
Praise God for the gift of himself to us!
Just got back from the Children’s choir mass and are about to start the Christmas eve festivities.
May your Christmas be joyous!
How is your Advent? Advent represents a time of waiting, expectation, and change. If we are open to it, Advent is a time of spiritual journey, of change. It can be a time of hammering out our issues in preparing for the coming of Christ. Or more properly put, it is a time when we may allow God to hammer out our flaws – if we are willing to let him.
I was graced last week to encounter a most generous group called In the Arms of Mary at Catholics at Work OC event. This is not the first time that I have experienced this groups generosity. Earlier this year, they gave away to members of Catholics at Work OC the book God Alone Suffices, a book I shared with all who were interested. This past week, they shared yet another book, Behold, I Stand at the Door and Knock, as a gift at our last event before Christmas.
I highly recommend both books, and have been repeatedly brought up short by the insights of these books. They are heavily based on some intellectual and spiritual heavyweights and the insights can change your life. This advent one of the images that struck me was one of the Dead Sea and the Jordan river. The Dead Sea is 1385 feet below sea level, the lowest point on the Earth’s surface that is not beneath water.[ref] Because of its hypersalinity (more than 1/3 salt) there is essentially no life in the sea. It is fed only by the fresh waters of the Jordan river, which are turned saline in the Dead Sea.
The analogy compares the Dead Sea with our pride, and the fresh water with the life giving and transforming grace of God. Our pride can kill that grace, and is the essential source of our sin. Our preoccupation with what we want, our narcissistic self love, and desire to follow our own will are like the saline sea that turns the life giving waters of into dead water. It is only if we turn away from our sin, or self-love, and surrender to God’s will that we can be transformed. This dieing to ourselves is not just a one time event, because our predilection to pride is so strong, we must constantly watch against it and continually surrender to God’s will.
This ongoing process of sanctification is not without pain. To free us from our pride, God reveals to us who we are inside. When we see our true selves, it can be painful. We see our sin and our arrogance, how we treat others, and how we treat God. It is easy in such times to despair. But we must also remember that God loves us in spite of all of our failings, and he is calling us away from this – if only we will let him. We must become truly humble – able to recognize our own sins, failings, corruption and inadequacy AND recognize that God loves us beyond all measure and wants to transform us. If we can do that, then we can be transformed and progress spiritually and get beyond the pain of our own inadequacy.
As we prepare to celebrate our Saviors coming in history, look within yourself and prepare for his coming there. It is time to unseat the usurper pride from His rightful throne in your heart.
Ever notice how just about every group thinks its OK to attack Christians and what we hold sacred? Atheists, Hindus, Muslims; even Jews in Jerusalem are spitting on Christians. Now Budhists those “peace loving” Budhists are in on the act.
Of course here in this country we are attacked, for daring to speak our beliefs and defend the defenseless.
Let us remember that this is to be expected. Remember John 15:20.
Buddhist extremists brutally attack Catholic church in Sri Lanka
More than 1,000 Buddhist extremists armed with clubs, swords and stones ferociously attacked a Catholic church in the town of Crooswatta, Sri Lanka on December 6, destroying the altar, statues and pews.L’Osservatore Romano reported that Father Jude Denzil Lakshman, pastor of Our Lady of the Mystical Rose, said “I still can hear their shouts in my ears, ‘Cut him to pieces, kill him’.”
The attack took place after the 7 p.m., Sunday Mass, leaving several parishioners wounded. “It is obvious that the attack was well-planned and that the mob waited for us to come out after Mass,” Father Lakshman said.
One parishioner told the Archdiocese of Colombo that as the congregation was leaving the evening Mass, they saw a mob coming towards them.
The parishioner added that the mob “set fire to Fr. Lakshman’s car and then someone attempted to strike him with a sword,” but a young man heroically pulled him away.
Live Action Films is one of the brightest spots in our culture in the past 10 years. This is a group that is on the front lines of the most important human rights issue facing the world today. UCLA student Lila Rose has created something that is bringing awareness and change.
Their latest series just kicked off uncovering the lies told in “counseling” at Planned Parenthood clinics. Watch this first episode.
If you value what this group of energetic and effective young people is doing, then spread the word – and if you are ready to put your money where your beliefs are – shoot over to their site and donate a little something too. I did.
Here is and interesting fact. “New FBI statistics on hate crimes show a nine percent increase in crimes against religious groups in 2008 and an almost 25 percent increase in reported hate crimes against Catholics. Ref
With all the “yes we can” and bringing everyone together and all sorts of other platitudes fed to us by the current administration, we would have expected to see an increase in civility. In fact, we have seen quite the opposite. Hate crimes are on the rise. I think that maybe the difference is that those committing the hate crimes are usually the ones complaining that they are the targets. It sure has gotten interesting, hasn’t it.
It would be wise if our elected officials would attend to this issue. The most fundamental right in our society is for a person to believe as their conscience leads them. It is more fundamental than the right to speech or to vote or any of the other civil liberties – it is a definition of liberty itself – to believe and act according to what one’s conscience indicates as right and just. In fact, this right ranks second only to the right to life. Of course, we already know the administrations stand on the right to life.
So if the primary fundamental right is negotiable, and the second fundamental right is under attack, what are we to believe about the current leaders of our society?
