It is enlightening to look at readings from Mass over the next few days following this decision. Is the fact that they relate to the punishment of Sodom and Gomorrah for the sins of sodomy and lust a coincedance? I don't think so. But there is more even than that.
Today's first reading is from Genesis 17, God telling Abraham that he and Sarah will have a son, the fruit of their marriage. Even after years of infertility because of her age, Sarah will conceive; their marital relationship will be fertile because of God's covenant with them. God promises Abraham that through both of his sons, he will receive the blessing of of many descendants.
The responsorial refrain is "See how the Lord blesses those who fear him." Think about that. Who are blessed? Those who fear the Lord. What is this kind of "fear?" Certainly, there is an element of fearing God's punishment, but for those who truly love God, "fear of the Lord" is the dread we have of offending Him because of His great love for us and our filial response of love toward Him. Today's reading shows a profound respect toward real marriage, not the pretend marriage of same sex couples.
Tomorrow's first reading sees Abraham greeting and entertaining the angels who are on their way to Sodom and Gomorrah to destroy the cities because of their perversion. (In view of today's decision is this a warning?) The Lord, indeed, punishes wickedness. Sometimes the punishment comes here on earth, a direct consequence of our own sinful behavior. How many contract deadly diseases because of the perverted choices they make -- whether it's a young gay man who contracts AIDS or a promiscuous young woman who contracts syphilis. Sometimes, on the other hand, punishment is reserved for the last judgment when the sheep are separated from the goats and the goats go into the everlasting fire of Gehenna.
Next week, the story of Abraham will continue with the annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrah on Tuesday.
But what of the "interruptions" of Sunday and the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul on Monday? I don't think they are accidental either. Sunday's first reading reminds us of God's goodness:
God did not make death,In other words, the physical and spiritual death coming about through this wicked decision of the Supreme Court are not God's doing. It is the five judges on the court who belong to the company of the devil and are doing his work.
nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.
For he fashioned all things that they might have being;
and the creatures of the world are wholesome,...
For God formed man to be imperishable;
the image of his own nature he made him.
But by the envy of the devil, death entered the world,
and they who belong to his company experience it.
But the reading from the feast of Peter and Paul is for us. It relates Herod's persecution of the apostles and his imprisonment of Peter. We must prepare for the persecution and for martyrdom, if necessary. Peter is rescued on this occasion by an angel, but ultimately will die a martyr's death. What is coming for us?
Read the daily reading for the next few days and ask yourself whether God allowed this decision to happen during these particular days of the Church's ordinary time in order for us to understand the big picture. Pray and fast for yourself and your families. Dark days have been here for years especially since the murder of the innocent became the law of the land, but this equally evil decision brings the whirlwind. It is the death blow to the family.
It is found to be disturbing that we hear no calls for the excommunication of the three "catholics" serving on the bench. Their antiCatholic decisions were tantamount to the antiCatholic audacity displayed by Nancy Pelosi. Comrade Sotomayor was no surprise but the trade-off of the role of traitor between Kennedy and Roberts is appalling. One could understand Good Catholic Scalia bursting a vein over the issue.
ReplyDeleteThe refusal by the bishops to call the three justices on their blatant gross betrayal is beyond belief.