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The secular coverage is the most interesting, maybe even the best - especially ABC with Fr. Martin, S.J..
Today I could probably delete all the Catholic blog links in my sidebar.
What a breath of fresh air Pope Francis is!
Rock hard hearts cry out ... [Luke 19:40]
“Today salvation has come to this house ..." [Luke 19:9]
I'm staying away from the naysayers, the doomsayers, the schism-mongers, the negative-mean-spirited people who seem to be so convinced of their own righteousness and despise everyone else. Those who bind up heavy burdens too heavy to carry without lifting a finger to help.
We know who we are.
So ... paradoxically:
Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? - [Luke 18]
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [2 Cor. 3:17]
Terry,
ReplyDeleteYou are right in what you have posted and advice I will follow since visiting those sites would only kill my happiness at having Papa here among us. All of this negativity is sad.
Papa Francis is in good company though, that of Christ Jesus.
So yesterday while flipping channels I came across The View - Whoopi and Behar said some positive stuff about the Pope - those are hearts pretty hard as rocks that cried out over the welcoming embrace of Pope Francis. Their spirits were touched - even though criticism of the Church was included. That's an amazing grace to me. These two women are cradle Catholics who reject Catholic teaching - but they recognize something greater than their prejudice is here.
DeleteYou know what I mean.
I surely do. What a witness for those of us whose eyes are closed, ears are shut, heart set like a stone. I have been there so I know what that's like.
DeleteAn after thought ...
DeleteAs many continue to rage online that the Holy Father "shoulda, woulda, coulda" I am wondering that perhaps he is saving the best for last? Much like our Lord Jesus Christ did at the wedding feast in Cana? I am read some good articles that counter all the rage. They are balanced, well thought out and fair.
Anyway, prayers for all but especially for our Holy Father as he continues his apostolic visit amid all the noise good or bad. ^^
I puzzled by the people who are so negative. My own reaction is that he didn't really say much of anything to Congress.
ReplyDeleteI actually think he said a great deal - not explicitly by name, action, or sin - but everyone there knew what he meant - at least it seemed like that to me. One of the sites in the UK said he scolded Congress - I didn't see or hear it that way - but I think he reminded them of many things their consciences knew already.
DeleteDon't mind me though - I totally love him and what he says and how he says it. My conscience has been pricked as well.
And isn't that the problem, Adrienne. The pope comes after revelations of all the horrors of Planned Parenthood selling baby body parts. Congress is voting this afternoon on defunding Planned Parenthood -- and what does Papa Francis talk about? Capital punishment. I'm a mom and grandma. Those babies are like my own children. The pope is supposed to be our daddy. And he says not one word to challenge Congress. I am heartbroken. And if that makes you want to take me off your sidebar, Terry, I'll still be visiting your site. But after 35 years fighting for the babies and for people like Terry Schiavo and other vulnerable, I can't wear rose colored glasses. This pope speaks boldly mostly when no one is listening. Today he had the ears of millions of Americans. And yes, I'll say it again, I'm heartbroken.
ReplyDeleteI'd never take you off my sidebar!
DeleteTerry,
DeleteI found this blog piece quite good.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davearmstrong/2015/09/must-the-pope-explicitly-mention-abortion-to-congress.html
Pope Francis is great, and I don't agree with him on a lot of things from the immigration issue, to the sticking with the whole silly gay is disordered bit of course,..but since when does a Pope have to accommodate every political and social opinion each individual has? Its as if he isn't a Tea Party Wing Nut that particular side is on him.
ReplyDeleteIts as if they want a fire and brimstone sermon from him denouncing every one who doesn't follow the Magesterium of the Church. Francis knows who is the audience is, and he realizes that when you scream in someone's ear they run to get away from you and when you berate them they do the same. He also realizes, as opposed to Huckabee, Cruz and Ms. Kim Davis, that we are a secular country made up of many different religions and he is speaking to us all about the heart of the faith, to love God and each other and respect life (which includes protecting both babies and the earth.) He actually is going out and meeting people where they are with a simple message that can bring everyone in, a starting point so to say.
I just went on a website to read his entire speech...(one that included references to protecting the family and human life) and read the combox that followed and ye Gods Terry, you are right, you would think that poor Francis was advocating a mass gay marriage in St. Peter's and pushing for an abortion mill next to every church. I am pretty conservative myself and I am thinking, "Did they hear a different speech?"
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great though Mack? I'm letting them rail all they want - I'm like Boehner today - tears.
DeleteI read that John Boehner can be sentimental at times. But the tears he shed today were a gift from the Holy Spirit – the gift of tears.
DeleteEarlier this year Pope Francis said: “It will do us good, all of us, but especially us priests, at the beginning of Lent, to ask for the gift of tears, so as to render our prayer and our journey of conversion ever more authentic and without hypocrisy”
http://www.osservatoreromano.va/en/news/gift-tears
The Pope just landed in NYC now - glad you're following bg!
DeleteAgreed Terry, we should just enjoy it for what it is! All of these people out in the streets welcoming and loving our Holy Father and here are some Catholics, moaning and groaning and looking like a bunch of sad sack sour pusses!
DeleteEvery party needs a pooper!
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DeleteMack, you know that while Papa's out they're measuring the gay lobby and calling in the interior decorators.
DeleteWhat?
MaryAnn, do not overlook his comments to respect every stage of human development. His message was as clear as crystal to me. From conception to death. There is no mistake for me for what he meant. It was clear to his audience as well. The true horror of abortion has only recently become evident to me. I have supported a women's right to chose, but no more. We are hearing the message and his speech today confirms it. There is room for difference on the death penalty even in the theology of the Church. There is no room for difference in abortion that is why, perhaps, he did no need to emphasize that sin by name. Take heart he is with you and with us on this.
ReplyDeleteIf it was so clear, why were all the rabid, pro-abortion democrats smiling and clapping?
ReplyDeletePerhaps they were as touched by his words as everyone else. Did you expect them to melt like the Wicked Witch or run screaming from him like a vampire from a crucifix? Perhaps there is a little bit of good in everyone and the Pope brings that out?
DeletePerhaps Mary Ann they are it deep thinkers and did not get the full message. Francis is very subtle and cleaver in his speech. As you reflect on his speech it becomes evident that he chose Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton for a very specific reason. I am certain that he knows the full story of both people. Dorothy Day admitted to having an abortion prior to conversion. An action she regretted for the rest of her life's. Thomas Merton father a child, a son in London before his conversion. It is believed the child died in one of the London blitzes. He regret his lack of morals and abandoning the mother and child for the rest of his life. Both repented serious sin and were sincerely troubled by their prior beliefs and thoughtless actions. Pope Francis used then as examples of liberal thinkers who by grace and mercy "woke up" and took action to mend their ways, correct their mistakes and teach others in the effort to avoid the same delusions of "modern" thinking. I am still overwhelmed by the strong anti-abortion message he delivered to Congress. If they did not hear it now perhaps they will later. It was, I think, subtle but powerful. Francis is like that. Jesus was like that. It is the old carrot vs. the stick approach. It was something to witness.
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