I was reading in PARADE on Sunday, the section on celebrity news. I was sickened by the report about Melissa Etheridge. Now I don’t know anything about her, really, except for what I read, but that was enough.
Apparently, she has exchanged vows with her new female partner, with whom she “has” 17-month old twins, following her relationship with another woman with whom she “had” two children.
What struck me—and frightens me—is how casually it was reported—as if true—that two women can actually “have” a child. It’s as if it were the most natural thing in the world! It’s the same thing I hear when people identify same-sex couples as being married.
I’m not being mean or uncharitable here. I’m simply stating the truth. Two women cannot have children, nor is their relationship a marriage. It’s not a condemnation of them, it’s just a fact. We should never condemn others, but we must speak the truth in love.
Can you imagine if Jesus would have had the “whatever goes” philosophy of life? He wouldn’t have spent so many difficult hours trying to help the Pharisees “get it.” No matter how difficult it may be, we cannot change the truth.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Pope Benedict--a true leader
I was reading a report in the National Catholic Register about Luxembourg’s potential for becoming Euthanasia-friendly. The Pope and the Prime Minister had a meeting where this topic was addressed. The bill is passing in this mostly Catholic country. The Prime Minister’s party wanted to block the legislation as well.
What struck me in this article, though, was a quote from the Vatican communiqué reflecting what is very typical of the Vatican—they’ll talk to anybody, even if you don’t agree with them.
According to NCR, the release from the Vatican said that they had “cordial discussions” and that those discussions were an ‘“opportunity to evoke the good relations that exist between” the Vatican and Luxembourg.”’ It said that this gave them the opportunity to “examine a number of questions of mutual interest concerning the current situation of the country.”
“We’ll talk” the Vatican seems to have said; they are a good model for us to follow . . .
When you or your brother have a major, serious disagreement, try to work through it, even if you don’t get your way. Euthanasia is a very, very serious subject and one that surely would raise the ire of the Pope, yet he keeps the lines of communication open because he knows that to do so provides the only real opportunity for progress. Just keep trying.
If you are a strong pro-life advocate, you, too, know what it feels like when your emotions are “stirred into flame” by the ignorance of the pro-abortionists. But, using the Vatican as your model, you now know that progress does not come by force, but by perseverance and love.
Pope Benedict XVI continues to lead by example. We should be paying very close attention.
What struck me in this article, though, was a quote from the Vatican communiqué reflecting what is very typical of the Vatican—they’ll talk to anybody, even if you don’t agree with them.
According to NCR, the release from the Vatican said that they had “cordial discussions” and that those discussions were an ‘“opportunity to evoke the good relations that exist between” the Vatican and Luxembourg.”’ It said that this gave them the opportunity to “examine a number of questions of mutual interest concerning the current situation of the country.”
“We’ll talk” the Vatican seems to have said; they are a good model for us to follow . . .
When you or your brother have a major, serious disagreement, try to work through it, even if you don’t get your way. Euthanasia is a very, very serious subject and one that surely would raise the ire of the Pope, yet he keeps the lines of communication open because he knows that to do so provides the only real opportunity for progress. Just keep trying.
If you are a strong pro-life advocate, you, too, know what it feels like when your emotions are “stirred into flame” by the ignorance of the pro-abortionists. But, using the Vatican as your model, you now know that progress does not come by force, but by perseverance and love.
Pope Benedict XVI continues to lead by example. We should be paying very close attention.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Who is the Woman Behind the Mask?
I was talking to my dental hygienist the other day and she was talking about her upcoming wedding. I always peruse the engagement section of our newspaper, but I missed hers. She pointed to a copy of her engagement picture clipped from the paper. I sat there is disbelief. I wouldn't have recognized her if she had walked past me on the street!
We laughed at how her hair is always up and her unrecognizable face is always disguised by a mask.
I was thinking about our conversation as I reviewed the scripture readings for this week. This week we will spend a lot of time reading about people who didn't recognize Jesus. Particularly, on Tuesday, we read that Mary Magdalene thought Jesus was the gardener!
This passage has always struck me. Did Jesus look like the gardener, or did Mary just assume that because he was there, that he was? And then my thoughts go on to consider how often, maybe, I have not recognized Jesus in others. We understand, especially from Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, that we can see the face of Jesus in the poor, the sick and the dying. Can we also see Jesus in the cashier at the grocery store? My sibling, parent or friend? Or, like Mary, do we mistake him?
A greater challenge in some ways, I suppose, is seeing Jesus in the Eucharist. Do I recognize our Lord in that tiny piece of bread or in the cup?
Whether you meet Jesus on the street today, in the Eucharist, or both, be sure not to be like Mary and mistake him for someone else!
Also this week, if you are paying close attention, you will see that Jesus' identity became known when he spoke a name, broke bread or performed a miracle. This clearly indicates to us that Jesus knows us, connects with us, even when we are not aware of His presence.
We laughed at how her hair is always up and her unrecognizable face is always disguised by a mask.
I was thinking about our conversation as I reviewed the scripture readings for this week. This week we will spend a lot of time reading about people who didn't recognize Jesus. Particularly, on Tuesday, we read that Mary Magdalene thought Jesus was the gardener!
This passage has always struck me. Did Jesus look like the gardener, or did Mary just assume that because he was there, that he was? And then my thoughts go on to consider how often, maybe, I have not recognized Jesus in others. We understand, especially from Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, that we can see the face of Jesus in the poor, the sick and the dying. Can we also see Jesus in the cashier at the grocery store? My sibling, parent or friend? Or, like Mary, do we mistake him?
A greater challenge in some ways, I suppose, is seeing Jesus in the Eucharist. Do I recognize our Lord in that tiny piece of bread or in the cup?
Whether you meet Jesus on the street today, in the Eucharist, or both, be sure not to be like Mary and mistake him for someone else!
Also this week, if you are paying close attention, you will see that Jesus' identity became known when he spoke a name, broke bread or performed a miracle. This clearly indicates to us that Jesus knows us, connects with us, even when we are not aware of His presence.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)