Going after James Martin, S.J. seems to be the new battlefront in between papal exhortations. One problem I have with this constant battle over how Martin fails to acknowledge Courage members is this statement from the Hudson Byblow post:
"Fr. Martin speaks about building bridges. However, he does not seem to be interested in building bridges to people like me who have same-sex attractions as a part of their story but who have found joy in pursuing a heart of chastity within the Catholic Church. " - NCR Courage and Chastity
Obviously Fr. Martin's book isn't written for Byblow. I have posted in the past saying Fr. Martin's book isn't written for me either. Truth be told, if, as Byblow insists, we have found joy in living a chaste life within the Catholic Church, why would we need a special bridge, a special outreach? It seems a bit like the older son's complaint in the Prodigal Son's story - we are already with the Father, with the Church.
If people have problems with Fr. Jim's outreach, with how he presents Catholic teaching, that is one thing, but don't expect him to reach out to you or me or the next Courage member - Courage is already an established and approved apostolate. Besides, we are doing just fine. Right? That's what we all say - SSA but not gay, and all that stuff. It's quite clear Fr. Martin writes for those who aren't here or there yet - and maybe never will be.
He thinks people are born that way? - prove him wrong, refute his argument, debate him online or in articles such as this, but don't expect him to write a book just for you and me, when we've already crossed that bridge and "found joy in pursuing a heart of chastity within the Catholic Church." Unless you want to have special treatment and recognition all your life. Our conversion should be the bridge to our integration within the Church, not forming a sect within it.
He thinks people are born that way? - prove him wrong, refute his argument, debate him online or in articles such as this, but don't expect him to write a book just for you and me, when we've already crossed that bridge and "found joy in pursuing a heart of chastity within the Catholic Church." Unless you want to have special treatment and recognition all your life. Our conversion should be the bridge to our integration within the Church, not forming a sect within it.
Just sayin'.
I am thinking that somehow Father James Martin may be an instrument of the Lord's. Sure, we may not agree with everything he says but I would like to think that once folks in the homosexual community begin to listen to him, maybe, just maybe, they will come to listen to the voice of the One True God and thus their hearts and minds will be converted making them credible witnesses for Christ Jesus.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to ask St. Paul to help out. He knows of what I mean ...
Bah! I meant St. Paul knows what I mean. ^^)
DeletePrayers all around!
Yaya, when I read your quote I thought of these words of St. Paul to Timothy: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage-with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
DeleteI think Fr. Martin is one of those teachers who say what "itching ears want to hear."
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DeleteOh, I agree with what you say about Fr. James but I still believe that God can move some of these same folks who might listen to Fr. James, to instead, be inspired to turn their hearts to Christ.
DeleteWhen St. Paul comes to mind, the Lord used him for his greater glory after St. Paul's conversion. If the glorious St. Paul who persecuted the followers of The Way, was converted, surely the Lord can and will do the same for Fr. James and those who are listening to him.
I'm no expert in how that might work but Hope has me praying for all concerned because while we live, the Risen Lord can still be found no matter where we are in life.
I just like Fr. Martin as a person, as a priest - I can disagree with him and I do. The problem I have with the gays/ssa's is the constant plea for validation - WTH? We have Courage, we have above all Catholic teaching and the sacraments - why the continued outcry for recognition and approval? That's all I'm getting at. Gay people are whiners and no matter how they identify, they love the victim mentality. Get over it.
DeleteYaya, I agree with you - where there's life there's hope.
Deletehttps://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2018/04/19/finding-courage-same-sex-attracted-catholic-man
DeleteI thought this a good and honest article. Passing it along ...
Maybe it is just me, but I am very tired of the cultural, doctrinal, and theological wars. I am retired from all that. Today my world is small, my wants few and my religion simple. I refuse to get sucked into debates about this or that which I have no influence over. I marvel at the beauty of the world and thank God for it. I pray for patience, goodness and in thanksgiving for so many good gifts from above. I cannot judge others because I know my own faults. Once I would have championed Fr. Martin. Now I am content to live and let live. It seems to me there are things we can never resolve in this life. If I am not dragged into this or that controversy it is just fine with me. Still I will pray for both sides to find the truth and have the strength and courage to live it. Jesus loves us all equally. The question is how much do we love him?
ReplyDeleteWe think alike - we could go fishing together and never say a word - or sit in adoration week after week and just nod and smile at one another as we come and go. ;)
DeleteYes Terry I think you are right about us. I find great peace in this stage of life. Nothing to prove no one to impress. Peace.
ReplyDelete