Someone needs to write a book debunking those 'queer' saints stories.

Joseph Sciambra posted an article on Catholic LGBT ministry “Out at St. Paul” in NYC.

Joe says that St. Paul's is one of Fr. James Martin's favorite churches, and he is very supportive of the LGBTQ outreach in that parish.  Joe posted artwork and quotes from the church which give a really twisted view of Jesus - not the Christ, but 'queer Jesus'. 

On June 5, 2018, the official Facebook page for the Catholic LGBT ministry “Out at St. Paul,” located at the parish of St. Paul the Apostle in New York City, posted an image created by dissident former Presbyterian minsiter, now “Independent,” David Hayward, who goes by his blogger name – NakedPastor. Hayward is an author, cartoonist and life-coach; one of the titles of his books is: “The Art of Coming Out.” Many of his cartoons feature LGBT themes, including: “Gay? He Knew Before He Did” and “Making Paradise Fabulous.” The picture from Hayward that Out at St, Paul posted the day after the Supreme Court’s “Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission” decision depicts Christ with a rainbow-halo eating a layered cake comprised of the multi-colors from the gay “Pride” flag. Along with the picture, Out at St. Paul wrote: “I believe this means that we can be Catholic and eat our gay cake, too.” In addition, on June 5, Out at St. Paul posted an article from Cherry Kittredge that also featured the same image from the NakedPastor. In her article, Kittredge wrote: 

There is even a medieval European tradition that Jesus and his Beloved Disciple John were the bridal couple at the Cana wedding feast.

Kittredge is a longtime gay rights activist who advocates for ecumenical LGBT-inclusion within Christianity. A major focus of her work has been the exploration of so-called “Queer Saints.” She is also the author of “Art That Dares: Gay Jesus, Woman Christ, and More,” a collection of mostly homoerotic themed Christian-inspired images from various artists including Franciscan iconographer and Jesuit James Martin favorite Robert Lentz as well as gay Catholic priest William Hart McNichols. - Joseph Sciambra

Someone needs to intervene here.

This treatment of the saints has been going on far too long, without few, if any acredited hagiographer stepping in to correct - or debunk - the mythology which has been invented to recast saints and Biblical figures as gay heroes.  It is absolutely anti-Christ to suggest Jesus and the Beloved Disciple were a 'couple'.  It's absurd.  The Litany of the Holy Name venerates the chastity of Jesus, "Jesus, lover of chastity, have mercy on us."  "Jesus, purity of Virgins, have mercy on us."  Today virginity is mocked and only celebrated by hedonists as an erotic thrill to 'deflower', while chastity is often redefined permissively to include some degree of self-pleasure. 

I have written about the revisionist problem many times, go here.

That said, one of the advantages of being around for a long time is that I've read just about everything that is being regurgitated today as serious studies on same-sex relationships and evidence such unions were approved and accepted by the early Church right up to Medieval times. Swallowing that, one must accept the conspiracy theory that the Church destroyed all the evidence, suppressed by the wretched hierarchy over time, just as they did away with women priests and deacons. Gay conspiracy theorists know it all - and then they write their books. When the books are published, they are immediately accepted as absolute truth while scripture and doctrine are thrown by the wayside, only to be rewritten according to the newly discovered data. These days when everyone is a philosopher and theologian, we prefer to depend upon our own scholarship and academic expertise, rather than trust what the Church teaches.  It's anti-Christ.

I think we can pretty much blame this contemporary phenomenon on one scholar.

The late Yale professor John Boswell wrote extensively claiming the Early Church somehow approved of gay unions - even blessing them. He also tried to refute most Biblical condemnations of homosexuality. His 'research, studies, and conclusions have been repeated and expanded upon by gay advocates and academics ever since Boswell published them. It continues to be taught in gay studies programs in liberal church basements and elsewhere. It resurfaces periodically, as it did in 2012 here. Rumors and falsehoods never seem to die; they soon become myth, which somehow manages to be promoted and even accepted as truth. It is happening right before our eyes these days. 

Many people have refuted this research in Catholic literature on the homosexual person, but there is nothing comprehensive compiled debunking the myths and writing updated biographies of the saints lives, with references as to how the stories have become distorted.  For instance, the idea that Sebastian was gay pretty much developed because Western artists portraying him as a handsome youth, naked or nearly naked, in suggestive poses.  

Even the 'chaste', same sex attracted Catholic entertains the idea of a gay saint, a possible committed gay couple like Ss. Bacchus and Sergius.  Even though they know it to be revisionist - they adopt the devotion, influenced by the popular myth.  How they reconcile that with their otherwise orthodoxy in faith and morals and traditional liturgy is a mystery to me.  Just as much as Fr. Martin's, S.J. proposals for new Catholic teaching on gay relationships mystifies me.  

Be that as it may, one needs not follow their lead, but I do think it would be good for some academic to write a book on the lives of the saints debunking the gay myths which have developed around their cult - as well as the bad art that has been made celebrating these false histories.  

Let this be a call for artists and writers to debunk the revisionists corruption of the lives of the saints and Biblical figures.

The Pope on the Nazi mentality in family planning.

Everyone is concerned about the family these days.

I like what the Holy Father said about the trend to selective abortion:

“I've heard that it's fashionable, or at least usual, that when in the first few months of pregnancy they do studies to see if the child is healthy or has something, the first offer is: let's send it away,” the pope said June 16, referring to the trend of aborting sick or disabled children. 

This, he said, is “the murder of children…to get a peaceful life an innocent [person] is sent away…We do the same as the Nazis to maintain the purity of the race, but with white gloves.” 

“It's an atrocity but we do the same thing,” he said, according to Italian media. - CWR

We do the same thing.

No one wants an old guy like me to comment on family life.  

As a single, old man, no one is interested in my take on modern family problems, which is so influenced by popular culture and media, and so intent upon prosperity and luxury.  Old people are a drain on the economy and a waste of space for many today.

A new, state-of-the-art day care opened across the street from me, in the old church which has been completely rehabbed.  Big SUV's pull up, parents with infants and toddlers, who are dropped off to be cared for by strangers.  It's a Spanish immersion facility and all the care attendants are Latina.  (What a contrast with how immigrant children facilities are at our southern border - but that's another story - although the irony is not lost on me.)

Without detailing my reaction to the center, and after experiencing harsh criticism by parents in the neighborhood for objecting to the playground design of the center, which is directly across the street from my house, I have come to realize I'm on the wrong side of everything when it comes to American parenting.

That said,  I can only imagine what kids who are dumped in daycare from infancy, no matter how up-scale the facility and well trained the workers, will turn out. The daily routine of play and care provided by strangers, exposed to other kids and habits at such an early age, and separated from parents, it must have some effect.  Therefore, the experience of being semi-institutionalized from infancy just may account for gender identity problems and other  disturbances and disorders, which seem on the increase generation after generation.

I remember when I was in school we were told how bad the Soviets were for taking children from their parents to be raised/educated by the state.  Daycare seems to me a modern equivalent on some level - kind/sorta.  On a neighborhood site I simply expressed my incredulity that only weeks old infants are left at daycare, subsequently I was attacked by several parents - women and men - calling me ignorant and that I should mind my own business. I looked up the profiles of those people, they are fashionable young couples who have nice houses, nicer cars, great jobs, most likely gym memberships, along with other expenses - therefore they need to work to make daycare costs of $1400- per month, per child.

Nazi poster:  "60000 RM. This is what this person 

suffering from hereditary defects costs

 the Community of Germans during his lifetime. 

Fellow Citizen, that is your money, too."

Back to the point of this post, but it is no wonder modern families wouldn't want a sick or disabled child to mess up their life.  The Pope is right on the Nazi mentality thing.  BTW - if you want another clarification on Amoris, read this:

The pope, the paper reported, said it is “painful” to think that society would accept the killing of children simply because they are sick or disabled, but this is the current mentality. 

On the family, he noted that in modern society “one speaks of different types of family,” defining the term in different ways. “Yes, it's true that family is an analogous word, yes one can also say 'the family of stars,' 'the family of trees,' 'the family of animals,'” he said, but stressed that “the family in the image of God is only one, that of man and woman…marriage is a wonderful sacrament.” 

Turning to his 2016 post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis said that some have reduced the document to “you can, you can't,” referring to the debate surrounding access to the sacraments for the divorced and remarried in the document's eighth chapter.

“They have understood nothing,” he said, explaining that his exhortation “does not hide problems,” but goes beyond mere case studies. To understand the text, he said, one must read chapter four on the spirituality of everyday life, which he said is the “is the core” of the document. - CWR

Something is wrong with modern families, no doubt, but they don't want to be told anything they don't want to hear.  My mother had to work when I was little because my dad was always in trouble or between jobs.  I remember being dropped off at daycare and it was a bit traumatic at first, but it was a family situation - home daycare provided by a neighbor.  I adjusted rather well I suppose.  I just can't imagine leaving infants and babies to be cared for by strangers.

Devotion to the Infant Jesus for the immigrant children separated from their parents.

Santo Nino Cautivo,

release those held unjustly

and unite those families who are separated.

On the 16th of every month, some Carmelite monasteries and other people devoted to the Infant Jesus, begin a novena in honor of the Holy Childhood of Jesus.  It is a devotion similar to what many do for their annual Christmas novena.

This month I intend to pray for those children kept in detention centers, separated from their parents who are incarcerated, as they attempt to enter the United States.  The Bishops of the United States have condemned this treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers. 

I will honor the Infant Jesus in this novena with the titles of Santo Nino Cautivo and Santo Nino Atocha.

Traditionally, the Santo Nino Cautivo has been petitioned by those seeking release from some sort of impediment, restriction, or trap, especially financial problems or drug addiction, alcoholism.  Many pray for the release of a friend or family member who may have been abducted and held for ransom, or imprisoned unjustly.  Santo Nino Atocha is also a friend of those imprisoned and many stories of him visiting and consoling prisoners seems to me an important reason to implore his mercy for those who are detained by ICE.

Santo Nino Atocha,

have mercy upon us.

Visit those children who

are alone and frightened,

and unite them with their families.

Just a few thoughts without links or footnotes.

I wonder if I lost my sense of humor?  Or is it just because old men get grumpy?

I sometimes react rather than respond these days, especially when it is unlawful to say anything some one else will disagree with.  At least it seems that way.  If you say one thing against Trump, you're labeled a liberal.  Same thing when you support the Pope and the U.S. Bishops - you're a liberal.  I always like to think I do not fit those labels - but then again, it's other people who apply them.  That's all I need to say on that.

June, being gay pride month is all about the gay.  

Ask Church Militant and Michael Voris, who have a campaign against it, which includes defaming priests and bishops who are now labeled homosexualists.  The first concern here has to be the outright attack on bishops and cardinals who seem to support lgbtq concerns.  This carries over to the apparently general consensus among 'conservative' Catholics that the bishops are the enemies of Christ.  It's not a stretch to carry that over to looking upon Pope Francis as the enemy in chief.  The damage done with this line of thinking, speaking and acting, is soul-destroying.  It is not only divisive in the extreme, it does nothing for the defense of the Faith.  That Catholics subscribe to sites such as CM, 1P5, and Canon 212 which condemn the episcopate is scandalous.

I was searching online last night for some photos of Rome to post and a few images of Pride celebrations in Rome popped up.  I noted the typical parade of drag queens and speedos and the blatant sexuality which reminded me of the Pompeii frescoes depicting sexual license and sodomy.  I couldn't help but make the comparison of how Western culture has once again fallen into paganism, very similar to what is read in today's first reading from Kings - culturally we too have 'forsaken God's covenant, torn down the altars' and abandoned traditional morality.  The Pride celebrations mirror Carnival - be it men or women in provocative dances, parading their nakedness.  We look, and then look the other way when it appears, yet if it is appealingly heterosexual and theatrical - it somehow gets a free pass.  Today Gay Pride takes advantage of that permissiveness.

I'm not moralizing here.  Just pointing out what I see happening.  I think it's why I react sometimes, to the more conservative sites, who condemn everyone else - or look down upon others - yet subscribe to the same permissiveness when it suits them; whenever they take a fall or sneak out to satisfy their lusts.  These same people support conservative ideology and mock others who do not - yet they have the exact same propensities as those they judge.  They indulge in the same pagan entertainment.  They love the same sins and fetishes of those they damn.

The hypocrisy of our times is a grave sin.  Because Pope Francis is so attuned to it and frequently brings it to our attention is perhaps the main reason so many people despise him and seek to 'kill' his teaching.  The Holy Father talks about discernment, and everyone is too busy trying to tell others what to think, pointing out error, and calumniating their pastors, to actually discern what they are doing.  They blame the pastors for apostasy but they are the ones listening to false teachers who rely on dubious locutions and interpretations of signs and apparitions.

That said, looking online at all the homo stuff - pro and con, and seeing photos of Pride parades and festivities is indeed a real turn off.  I totally understand how Christians, striving for authentic holiness can be "tormented in soul at the lawless deeds that they see and hear," day after day.  Those who strive for holiness and chastity likewise struggle and are tormented, yet they need to stop promoting what they insist they are leaving behind.  They need to stop pretending.  Posting pious thoughts and political and ideological anthems does nothing for one's conversion.  Maybe one feels better for it, but it's unproductive and is a scandal.

It's like this blog.  I keep writing this stuff, but it's unproductive.  Except for the fact I think I have sorted through enough to finally see through the illusion - delusion of Gay Pride - and those who use it to promote themselves.  When you look it straight in the eye - or rather, with straight eyes - you can't help but see it for what it is.  You can see how it, and every other disorder which affects people, is opposed to the image and likeness of God.  The Holy Father has been teaching clearly on this, how we are made in the image and likeness of God - God made us that way, male and female.

The Image of God - that is it!  That is the secret made known in Christ - made visible!  That is why we must be 'rooted and grounded' in Christ - to be conformed to that image.  "Christ, . . . in the very revelation of the mystery of the Father and of his love, makes man fully manifest to himself and brings to light his exalted vocation." It is in Christ, "the image of the invisible God," that man has been created "in the image and likeness" of the Creator. It is in Christ, Redeemer and Savior, that the divine image, disfigured in man by the first sin, has been restored to its original beauty and ennobled by the grace of God." - CCC 1701

So grow up.

What?

News for the heterosexually disabled.

Michael Voris says you can't be Catholic and gay.

He will be hosting a webinar this evening on the subject, going after the homo-heretics in the American hierarchy.

We are holding this webinar specifically to debunk all the homoheresy propaganda being peddled by the likes of Fr. James Martin and the whole clerical pro-gay crowd in the Church. If you look at any studies — usually done for political research, but still helpful for understanding conditions in the Church — you will find that the vast majority of Catholics in the U.S. and throughout the west are extremely supportive of gay sex. 

And we are going to be direct about this topic because it is precisely through being indirect that the homoheresy gang has been able to make such inroads and corrupt the minds and souls of so many Catholics. Martin and company, for example, are always presenting the case that this is about love and equality and so forth, thus pushing the propaganda themes of the political Left. - Vortex

Mike says you can't be both Catholic and gay, but there seem to be a lot of gay-Catholics around these days.  I've never come across that statement in the Catechism of course, so it may be just Church Militant's position.  Voris also slams Cardinal Dolan - coming close to suggesting Dolan might be a little light in the loafers as well.  Accusing people of heresy is a big deal - the Holy See usually rules on such matters - especially when it concerns bishops and priests.  They rarely go public with accusations, but CM seems to believe there is a state of emergency.  As Mike makes clear:

As we've covered many times before, one reason they keep silent is certainly because many of them, including bishops, are homosexual themselves. Today's leading bishops were in seminary and in formation — which was really quite often malformation — at a time when homosexual men ran the roost in seminaries and screened out good orthodox men and loaded up the classes with gay men. - Vortex

Good mother of Randy Engel!  Sounds like a cult!

Anyway, it should be a drama-filled webinar - especially for the heterosexually-disabled person who can't be gay and Catholic.

Feast of St. Anthony of Padua

If then you ask for miracles,

Death, error, all calamities, 

Leprosy and demons fly, 

And health succeeds infirmities.

The sea obeys and fetters break, 

And lifeless limbs do you restore; 

While treasures lost are found again, 

When young and old your aid implore. 

All dangers vanish at your prayer, 

And direst need does quickly flee; 

Let those who know your power proclaim, 

Let Paduans say: these are of thee. 

To Father, Son, may glory be 

And Holy Spirit, eternally. 

Pray for us, blessed Anthony. 

Make us worthy of the promises of Christ.

Summer Saints

Saint Onophrius by Master Darmsatdter circa 1460

Some of the saints went around naked - in summer and winter.  They were usually termed 'Fools for Christ' and their nakedness was penitential, an expression of extreme humility - and of course, poverty.

Today is the feast of St. Onuphrius the Great, a desert father saint.  He was quite hairy, and a bit more modest, since he also wore a loin cloth made of leaves.  Some saints didn't, but I doubt they would be a temptation against chastity for anyone.

Onuphrius, Macarius, and Peter

Basil the Fool

Mary of Egypt

Francis of Assisi

Brother Juniper, who gave his tunic to a beggar.

'Nude Beach' - T. Nelson

Repeat offenders ...

Why we keep repeating the same sins.

We lack charity - the one thing necessary.  As St. Catherine of Siena reveals to us, we lack self-knowledge.  Getting old and constantly striving to know oneself, gradually unmasks our self-delusion.  It really is a problem of charity.

In knowing yourself, you will come to know better the overflowing generosity of my charity. But if you make no effort to know yourself, [you won’t know me]. Because you don’t know me, you won’t love me. And because you don’t love me, you won’t serve me. As soon as you are deprived of me, you automatically return to your wretched selfish love for yourself, since you cannot live without love….

This is how viciously I am offended by my creatures! - Meditation June 12, 2018

A good man.

Not too hard to find.

This weekend I came across a notice of the death of a man I knew from church.  He attended daily Mass, he was a sacristan and lector, he attended devotions and events at the parish, and he was active in many charities.  A retired teacher, he lived around the corner from me with his partner who died about ten years ago.  Later he moved into a condo, and just a year or two ago I heard that he signed himself into a home for Alzheimer's patients.  Today is his funeral Mass.

We weren't really friends, we just said hello and chatted.  I think he wanted to be friends but I kept a distance because I knew he was more 'liberal' about being gay and Catholic.  He would have no problem identifying with gay, and I expect he'd fit right in with Fr. James Martin's POV on the subject.  He would agree that people are born that way and nothing is wrong with same sex unions.  I had great respect for him, but it has always been my experience that once people knew my POV, they more or less shunned me as too narrow, and/or tried to convince me I would be happier if rejected all of that.  I wanted to be friends, but he pretty much left me alone.  When he moved away, he became more active at a more liberal parish where his priest-friend helped out at in Minneapolis.

Despite our differences on Catholic teaching - which I would never have tried to 'covert' him to - he was a good man, a much better man than myself.  (I really mean that.)  He was generous and as I mentioned, very active in the parish and devoted himself to very real charitable works which demanded sacrifice.  I mention him today because he is receiving a Catholic burial - as he should.  The surprising thing about that is his obituary mentions he was preceded in death by certain relatives and his 'life-partner'.  In some places, that note alone would have caused some priests or parishes to refuse him a Catholic burial.  Thank God that is not how this diocese treats people.

I was so pleased this did not happen to my friend/acquaintance/neighbor who just died.  Rest in peace BD.  May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.

I wish I had accepted his friendship.

Pope Francis on Friday cleared an Italian layman for sainthood.

Thank you Blessed Nunzio for your patronage.

Yes!

My favorite young saint - a simple man, very much abused and very holy.

A decree recognized a miracle attributed to the intercession of Italian layman, Blessed Nunzio Sulprizio. He was born in Pescosansonesco (Italy) on 13 April 1817 and died in Naples (Italy) on 5 May 1836. Blessed Sulprizio is now cleared for canonization, the date for which will be fixed later in a consistory of cardinals with the Pope. - VR

Dear Blessed Nunzio, pray for us!

Thank you Fr. Horgan for your prayers and kindness to us.

A special thanksgiving for:

A miracle through the intercession of Venerable Servant of God, Maria Concepcion Cabrera de Armida was recognized. The mother of a family who later became a widow was born in San Luis Potosí (Mexico) on 8 December 1862 and died in Mexico City (Mexico) on 3 March 1937.

Low Fatima Theology?

Or High Fatima Theology?

I hate it when academia takes over and dissects and reconstructs a correct exegesis on events such as Fatima - not that it's a bad thing - but distinguishing between low and high theological interpretations somehow diminishes the simple urgency of the fundamental message.  I may be wrong about that, but it seems to me to distract and even detract from original spirit.  Of course, Our Lady intended that the Church interpret the events and secret of Fatima, as she indicated to Sr. Lucia as she wrote the secret,  Our Lady told her not to offer her own interpretation as she understood it, but instructed her to simply write what happened.  "Be at peace and write what they order you, but do not give your opinion of its meaning."  Therefore any exegesis on the texts is to be expected - but in our day it can add to the confusion.

I'm reacting here to a post by Fatima exegete Kevin Symonds, concerning his response to author Michael Lewis of Where Peter Is, who wrote: “While the term [apostasy] appears often in the claims and writings of the Fatima conspiracy theorists, the word appears neither in the Church-approved messages of Fatima or in any of the subsequent elocutions or statements by Sr. Lucia….”

Mr. Symonds takes issue with that, writing: "An examination from the “high” Fátima theology perspective demonstrates that one can discern a warning against the danger of apostasy within Our Lady’s message even if the actual word is not used. Lewis’ desire to clarify some misconceptions about Fátima is noble and he makes some other Fátima-related observations in his article that are noteworthy. His one argument on apostasy, however, emanates from the perspective of a “low” Fátima theology, which provided a short-sighted vision of the message of Fátima unequal to the argument being made. As one sympathetic to Lewis’ desire to dispel myths and falsehoods among us, I respectfully and charitably encourage him to exercise caution before taking such a heavy-handed public stand on Fátima and its relation to apostasy."

"The task of giving an authentic interpretation of the Word of God, whether in its written form or in the form of Tradition, has been entrusted to the living teaching office of the Church alone. Its authority in this matter is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ."47 This means that the task of interpretation has been entrusted to the bishops in communion with the successor of Peter, the Bishop of Rome." - CCC

Urban legends and conspiracy theories have corrupted the Fatima message.

To be sure, Mr. Symonds analysis is well done and fairly balanced. I never read the Where Peter Is article until today, though I was aware of it, but I don't see Lewis being any more heavy handed than some of the papal critics and dubious Fatima exegetes he takes aim at. Quite frankly, I'm just not sure the prophecy of a genuine, outright apostasy can be discerned in the Fatima message - be it 'low or high Fatima theology'.  I think it rather to be the responsibility of the Holy Father and the CDF to make that determination and to guide the faithful accordingly. Blog posts and social media commentary not withstanding. Apostasy was never discussed in the Holy See commentary after the Third Secret was revealed under Cardinal Ratzinger.  If any one would have, could have, should have warned the faithful of apostasy it would have been Ratzinger.

It's an unfortunate distinction to make regarding low and high Fatima theology, another bit of academic snobbery and exclusion, I would say.  One must remember, the Blessed Virgin revealed herself to small, uneducated children, and as Sr. Lucia always insisted, "The part necessary for the people to know was already known since 1917."

Anyway - if you are truly concerned about Fatima and its continued relevance in our day, follow Our Lady's requests, stop offending God, do penance, pray the rosary, and practice the First Saturday devotion.  Little children understood that in 1917, and those like them understand it in 2018.

Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Tell everybody that God grants us graces through the Immaculate Heart of Mary; that people are to ask her for them; and that the Heart of Jesus wants the Immaculate Heart of Mary to be venerated at his side. Tell them also to pray to the Immaculate Heart of Mary for peace, since God entrusted it to her. -  St. Jacinta to Lucia

This was the idea... the effect I was after.

He first loved us ...

Sacred Heart of Jesus, I trust in you.

One summer day in Montreal ... many tears ago.

This is where it began - my return to the sacraments.

“It is not us who first loved God,” it's the other way around: “it is He who loved us first” he said. 

The Pope said the prophets used the symbol of the almond blossom to explain this reality highlighting the fact that the almond blossom is the first to bloom in spring. 

“God is like that: he is always first. He's the first to wait for us, the first to love us, the first to help us” he said. - Pope Francis, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Good catch!

H/T Campy Catholic

Venerable Matt Talbot

Man on a Bridge

(Matt Talbot on Newcomen Bridge)

T. Nelson

2018

Today is the anniversary of Matt's death.  It was Trinity Sunday, June 7, 1925.

The painting shown above is my attempt at depicting Matt Talbot in the moment of his conversion.  I imagine him here as he crossed Newcomen Bridge, after his friends ignored him.  Knowing he was probably broke, they avoided him and did not offer to buy him drink.  Though we don't know what happened on the bridge to give him the resolve to take the pledge, the bridge is a sort of metaphor of conversion, crossing over from one sort of life to another.  I imagine the 28 year old Matt Talbot as a young man, in a very private moment - looking at a crumpled piece of paper - perhaps it's a prayer, a scripture verse, or even a sort of printed notice encouraging pub patrons to take the pledge and join the Total Abstinence League?  In any case, it signifies his call to conversion.

The painting is still on the easel.

I asked him for a model and I searched Google for an "Irish lad".  Surprisingly an actor showed up and the thought came to mind as if Matt said, 'this could be me'.  I did my best to change the expression from the photo I used, but I wasn't very successful.  Perhaps one day I can try again.

The enemy of your salvation.

What Jesus told Margaret of Cortona.

St. Margaret had a lover.  She had his son.  She was his concubine - which indicate he was probably married - I can't recall.  Some biographies describe her as a servant in his household.  No one uses the term concubine these days - it's also not uncommon any longer for people to live together without benefit of marriage.  I guess that means we live in a promiscuous society - which maybe explains why marriage is so screwed up - but that's not my point with this post.

The fact that our Lord referred to her lover as the enemy of her salvation is what I find so striking.  How can one's love-er be one's enemy?  One to whom we give our entire self?  Who would believe our closest friend could be an enemy of our salvation?  How about other 'friends'?

Worldly friendships.

Bad friendships can be dangerous - toxic friends can bring out the worst in us, even lead us into grave sins which we might not have been willing to engage in on your own.  I'm not suggesting they are at fault, or that a bad friend 'made' me sin - since each of us are responsible for our own actions.  Yet we can surely follow a friend's lead and be led into sin. "Everyone has enough bad inclinations of his own without burdening himself with another's. A friend who would lead us into sin has become our enemy.  False friendship brings on dizziness of mind which causes people to falter in chastity and devotion and carries them on to improper looks, sensual caresses, deep sighs, little complaints about not being loved, enticing postures, acts of gallantry, requests for kisses and other familiarities. - St. Francis De Sales

I used to justify some bad, even 'toxic' friendships because I had more fun with such friends.  Sometimes I was the culprit, my worse side would emerge and I had a willing partner to go out and have a good time with.  That's what drinking buddies are for, kinda, sorta.  Oblivious to my own propensity for sin, I'd justify the friendship loosely based upon another maxim of St. Francis: "Friends love each other despite their faults and flaws. Just as a gold miner separates the precious metal from the earth or sand, so friends must sort for the best in each other and treasure it."  De Sales was speaking of virtuous friendship and the faults, not the sins of our friend.  "We must, of course, meekly put up with a friend's faults, but we must not lead him into our faults, must less should we acquire his.  But I speak only of imperfections. As to sins, we must neither occasion them nor tolerate them in our friends. What a strange or sinful friendship that would watch the friend die spiritually!"

One needs honest discernment in our relationships with one another.

Worldly friendship impairs the judgment and leads to rationalization. False friendship, even when it is repulsed, leads to slander, trickery, sadness and jealousy. - St. Francis De Sales

I have experienced the last part of that statement many times after such a friendship has waned: False friendship, even when it is repulsed, leads to slander, trickery, sadness and jealousy.  I often thought of the friendship as close and true, yet it was false.  The gossip and detraction and slander that resulted was proof of that.  Anyone who reads this blog may have on occasion seen the contemptuous remarks left by former friends and acquaintances, although the slander gets back to me in other ways as well.  I have former friends who say terrible things about me - in some cases, I know how terrible it is by the things they have said in anger, in my presence about their other 'friends'.  It's a good learning experience, a purifying trial in some ways, which leads to an ever deeper conversion and love of what is true and good, I think.  Everything is a grace.  It also teaches us to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us - with a healthy distrust of self.

I have often written about 'disinterested friendship', which seems to me is the kind that lacks any self-seeking and is above all 'detached' - devoid of sensuality and sentimentality.  Some friends want to control and direct the other, even to own or possess the other - for their own self-interest.  In effect these friendships tend to limit our freedom and are untrustworthy.

Let us not allow our will to be the slave of any. - S. Teresa of Avila, Way of Perfection, Chapter 4

Today is the day.

Thursday, June 7, 2018.

Works for me ...

"Homosexuality is an act, not an essential nature. Therefore, one cannot be a non-practicing homosexual. That would be as preposterous as being a murderer who never killed. A person born with homosexual feelings is tempted, but not sinful, unless that potential becomes actual sin by unnatural behavior." - Rev. Gerard Lessard, OP

If I can't say anything bad about anybody, why say anything at all?

That's my problem now.

After posting all of this stuff about sins of the tongue, I probably have nothing to blog about now.  Unless of course I go deeply passive aggressive.  Yeah, that might work.

An Excerpt From Fr. Ciszek

The key word, in fact, of our priestly apostolate in the camps had to be the word 'witness'. It wasn't so much a matter of preaching God and talking religion to the men around you as it was a matter of living the faith that you yourself professed. 

It was not always a matter of preaching God and religion. It was enough at times to simply respect each of your fellow men in the camp, to do good to each no matter what he himself did or said, no matter how he acted toward you ... There was little call to preach about sin or damnation or hellfire to men who experience daily the hell of loneliness and separation and anxiety. A great deal of tolerance and a great deal of understanding were required of a priest if he wished to be effective among these unfortunate and almost degraded human beings. Common sense and intuition, a feeling for the finger of God's grace behind a question or a conversation or an encounter, was much more necessary than textbook answers in theology." - The Priesthood, He Leadeth Me, Walter Ciszek, S.J.

True devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Let us not interfere with His acting in us and for us just as He wishes. - S. Margaret Mary

It seems to me that our Lord's earnest desire to have his Sacred Heart honored in a special way is directed toward renewing the effects of redemption in our souls. For the sacred heart is an inexhaustible fountain and its sole desire is to pour itself out into the hearts of the humble so as to free them and prepare them to lead lives according to his good pleasure.

From this divine heart three streams flow endlessly. The first is the stream of mercy for sinners; it pours into their hearts sentiments of contrition and repentance. The second is the stream of charity which helps all in need and especially aids those seeking perfection to find the means of surmounting their difficulties. From the third stream flow love and light for the benefit of his friends who have attained perfection; these he wishes to unite to himself so that they may share his knowledge and commandments and, in their individual ways, devote themselves wholly to advancing his glory.

This divine heart is an abyss of all blessings, and into it the poor should submerge all their needs. It is an abyss of joy in which all of us can immerse our sorrows. It is an abyss of lowliness to counteract our foolishness, an abyss of mercy for the wretched, an abyss of love to meet our every need.

Therefore, you must unite yourselves to the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ, both at the beginning of your conversion in order to obtain proper dispositions, and at its end in order to make reparation. Are you making no progress in prayer? Then you need only offer God the prayers which the Savior has poured out for us in the sacrament of the altar. Offer God his fervent love in reparation for your sluggishness. In the course of every activity pray as follows: "My God, I do this or I endure that in the heart of your Son and according to his holy counsels. I offer it to you in reparation for anything blameworthy or imperfect in my actions." Continue to do this in every circumstance of life. And every time that some punishment, affliction or injustice comes your way, say to yourself: "Accept this as sent to you by the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ in order to unite yourself to him."

But above all preserve peace of heart. This is more valuable than any treasure. In order to preserve it there is nothing more useful than renouncing your own will and substituting for it the will of the divine heart. In this way his will can carry out for us whatever contributes to his glory, and we will be happy to be his subjects and to trust entirely in him. - St. Margaret Mary

This just in: 'We are due for another Carrington Event.'

Keep watch over your mouth ... fake news and lies.

So you think you know the law.

People online, many people online, with a website, in the combox, clergy or laity, educated and under-educated: take note.  Study the Catechism.  If Fr. Corapi did nothing else, at least he preached/taught the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  It is clear to me, that many of us online have lost our way and daily commit sins of the tongue.  Sadly, we have a White House* which leads the way in fake news and lies, as we are all finding out today.

Lies.

2482 "A lie consists in speaking a falsehood with the intention of deceiving."²⁸¹ The Lord denounces lying as the work of the devil: "You are of your father the devil, . . . there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies."²⁸² 

2483 Lying is the most direct offense against the truth. To lie is to speak or act against the truth in order to lead someone into error. By injuring man's relation to truth and to his neighbor, a lie offends against the fundamental relation of man and of his word to the Lord. 

2484 The gravity of a lie is measured against the nature of the truth it deforms, the circumstances, the intentions of the one who lies, and the harm suffered by its victims. If a lie in itself only constitutes a venial sin, it becomes mortal when it does grave injury to the virtues of justice and charity. 

2485 By its very nature, lying is to be condemned. It is a profanation of speech, whereas the purpose of speech is to communicate known truth to others. The deliberate intention of leading a neighbor into error by saying things contrary to the truth constitutes a failure in justice and charity. The culpability is greater when the intention of deceiving entails the risk of deadly consequences for those who are led astray. 

2486 Since it violates the virtue of truthfulness, a lie does real violence to another. It affects his ability to know, which is a condition of every judgment and decision. It contains the seed of discord and all consequent evils. Lying is destructive of society; it undermines trust among men and tears apart the fabric of social relationships. 

2487 Every offense committed against justice and truth entails the duty of reparation, even if its author has been forgiven. When it is impossible publicly to make reparation for a wrong, it must be made secretly. If someone who has suffered harm cannot be directly compensated, he must be given moral satisfaction in the name of charity. This duty of reparation also concerns offenses against another's reputation. This reparation, moral and sometimes material, must be evaluated in terms of the extent of the damage inflicted. It obliges in conscience. -CCC

Liars.

Similarly, we have Catholics who spread lies and gossip about the Pope, mocking and sneering and criticizing everything he does or says.  Just a week or so back, his critics with or without an STB or BA in theology, pretty much condemned him for telling the German Bishops to rework their proposal of inter-communion for Protestants.  Today we learn the Holy Father rejected their proposal.  Catholics online were less than charitable when speculating and discussing the subject when it made news not long ago.  If you read some of the commentary from the most notorious Catholic tabloid sites, you would have to wonder if many of these folks even understand the gravity of the sin of  slander and detraction, at times even calumny.  So often these same people speculate upon the state of soul of others who approach Holy Communion, when they themselves should examine their own conscience first. 

"Do not tell me, 'I would be a slanderer only if I lied. I am committing no slander if I tell the truth.' Error! Speaking evil of others, even if the evil be true, is always a crime. Surely the publican was really a publican and a sinner; but he left cleansed of all his defilements because he was scorned by the Pharisee. You want to correct your brother? Weep, pray to God, warn him by speaking to his heart, advise and exhort him. That is how Saint Paul acted. 'But backbiting is so sweet!' you say. Yes, but not backbiting is sweeter still. The backbiter creates deadly anxiety for himself, he is constantly besieged by suspicion and fear. He repents, but too late; he bites his tongue, but in vain; he trembles, for as his words spread, they may cause him grave danger and expose those who repeat them to enmities which so easily could have been avoided." - Saint John Chrysostom, Homily 3, Ad pop Antioch.

Back to the Catechism...

V. THE USE OF THE SOCIAL COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA

2493 Within modern society the communications media play a major role in information, cultural promotion, and formation. This role is increasing, as a result of technological progress, the extent and diversity of the news transmitted, and the influence exercised on public opinion. 

2494 The information provided by the media is at the service of the common good.²⁸⁵ Society has a right to information based on truth, freedom, justice, and solidarity:
The proper exercise of this right demands that the content of the communication be true and - within the limits set by justice and charity - complete. Further, it should be communicated honestly and properly. This means that in the gathering and in the publication of news, the moral law and the legitimate rights and dignity of man should be upheld.²⁸⁶ 

2495 "It is necessary that all members of society meet the demands of justice and charity in this domain. They should help, through the means of social communication, in the formation and diffusion of sound public opinion."²⁸⁷ Solidarity is a consequence of genuine and right communication and the free circulation of ideas that further knowledge and respect for others. 

2496 The means of social communication (especially the mass media) can give rise to a certain passivity among users, making them less than vigilant consumers of what is said or shown. Users should practice moderation and discipline in their approach to the mass media. They will want to form enlightened and correct consciences the more easily to resist unwholesome influences. 

2497 By the very nature of their profession, journalists have an obligation to serve the truth and not offend against charity in disseminating information. They should strive to respect, with equal care, the nature of the facts and the limits of critical judgment concerning individuals. They should not stoop to defamation. 

*2498 "Civil authorities have particular responsibilities in this field because of the common good. . . . It is for the civil authority . . . to defend and safeguard a true and just freedom of information."²⁸⁸ By promulgating laws and overseeing their application, public authorities should ensure that "public morality and social progress are not gravely endangered" through misuse of the media.²⁸⁹ Civil authorities should punish any violation of the rights of individuals to their reputation and privacy. They should give timely and reliable reports concerning the general good or respond to the well-founded concerns of the people. Nothing can justify recourse to disinformation for manipulating public opinion through the media. Interventions by public authority should avoid injuring the freedom of individuals or groups. 

2499 Moral judgment must condemn the plague of totalitarian states which systematically falsify the truth, exercise political control of opinion through the media, manipulate defendants and witnesses at public trials, and imagine that they secure their tyranny by strangling and repressing everything they consider "thought crimes." - CCC

"He who speaks against his brother, or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law." Jas 4:11 -  Sins of the Tongue

Corpus Christi ...

Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, 

Yeah.  So the next time someone tries to tell you the Pope doesn't kneel before the Blessed Sacrament, show them this photo.  

The online comedy club has a lot to answer for ...

III. OFFENSES AGAINST TRUTH

2475 Christ's disciples have "put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."²⁷⁴ By "putting away falsehood," they are to "put away all malice and all guile and insincerity and envy and all slander."²⁷⁵

2476 False witness and perjury. When it is made publicly, a statement contrary to the truth takes on a particular gravity. In court it becomes false witness.²⁷⁶ When it is under oath, it is perjury. Acts such as these contribute to condemnation of the innocent, exoneration of the guilty, or the increased punishment of the accused.²⁷⁷ They gravely compromise the exercise of justice and the fairness of judicial decisions.

2477 Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury.²⁷⁸ He becomes guilty:

- of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor;

- of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another's faults and failings to persons who did not know them;²⁷⁹

- of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.

2478 To avoid rash judgment, everyone should be careful to interpret insofar as possible his neighbor's thoughts, words, and deeds in a favorable way:

Every good Christian ought to be more ready to give a favorable interpretation to another's statement than to condemn it. But if he cannot do so, let him ask how the other understands it. And if the latter understands it badly, let the former correct him with love. If that does not suffice, let the Christian try all suitable ways to bring the other to a correct interpretation so that he may be saved.²⁸⁰

2479 Detraction and calumny destroy the reputation and honor of one's neighbor. Honor is the social witness given to human dignity, and everyone enjoys a natural right to the honor of his name and reputation and to respect. Thus, detraction and calumny offend against the virtues of justice and charity.

2480 Every word or attitude is forbidden which by flattery, adulation, or complaisance encourages and confirms another in malicious acts and perverse conduct. Adulation is a grave fault if it makes one an accomplice in another's vices or grave sins. Neither the desire to be of service nor friendship justifies duplicitous speech. Adulation is a venial sin when it only seeks to be agreeable, to avoid evil, to meet a need, or to obtain legitimate advantages.

2481 Boasting or bragging is an offense against truth. So is irony aimed at disparaging someone by maliciously caricaturing some aspect of his behavior.