The Attraction of Courage!

There is something about the virtue of courage that calls to my heart in a way that many other virtues do not. Why is that I wonder? Is it because our modern world overflows with cowardice, that so few are willing to defend the truth? Fr. John Hardon often urged parents to raise their children to be martyrs. "You do not remain faithful to the Savior without paying for it," he once said. 

Sunday Meditation: "Wickedness in the High Places"

I came across the phrase "wickedness in the high places" this morning while I was reading the meditation for the day in Benedictus. We're certainly seeing plenty of that these days. Earlier this week I blogged about the queer Mass in Germany aired on the diocesan website. The "presider" priest may not occupy a high place in the diocese, but his bishop does. And that Mass was, indeed, wicked and scandalous. 

Reflecting on Facebook Memes

I know a lot of people hate Facebook and social media in general; and I tend to agree. Having said that, though, I just watched with a smile the first steps of my niece's youngest child, and I delight in keeping up at least a little with far-flung relatives and friends. Facebook makes that possible and it truly is a gift of family.

Today's Gospel Reading Illustrates the Cost of Human Respect

Because her lewd dance delighted him so much, Herod offered Salome anything she wanted even up to half his kingdom. Goaded on by Herodias who hated John and wanted to kill him, Salome asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

"Because of his oath and the guests who were present...[Herod] sent the order to have John beheaded in prison." Matt 14: 9-10

How many times have we done something wrong out of human respect? Do we put man's opinion above God's? Consider, parents, how many times you have (fearing rejection) chosen to support an adult child in sin rather than face the unpleasant task of speaking the truth in love. How many children continue on the path of evil with a dead conscience because those around them, including parents, stroke them in their sin? I would rather die with my children hating me in the hope my witness would help convert them than see them go to hell aided by my ear tickling. 

Meditation for Sunday: Pontius Pilate, Patron of Political Correctness and Human Respect

In the Passion today, the Narrator reads, "So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified."

Isn't pleasing the crowd the epitome of political correctness?

Pilate knew the truth, despite his cynical question, "What is truth?" He told the crowd Jesus was innocent when he said, "I find no guilt in him." He further illustrated it when he asked, after releasing Barabbas, what they wanted him to do with Jesus. At their insistant cry, "Crucify him!" he again reflected his awareness that Jesus was innocent. "Why? What evil has he done?" Even the Gospel writer, Mark, witnesses to Pilate's awareness of the truth writing, "For he knew that it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed him over." But still, he had an innocent man scourged nearly to death, perhaps in the vain hope that the mob would have pity on him.

Bishop Tobin Refuses to Join the Hallelujah Mandela Chorus

Catholic Bishop Slams Nelson Mandela’s Legalizing Unlimited Abortion as “Shameful”

It's high time the descendants of the apostles stopped paying human respect to the rich and powerful of the world and spoke the truth:

One unrepented mortal sin is enough to send a soul to hell for all eternity. 

When you think of the blood on the hands of so many of the "great ones" worshiped by the world, you wonder what will happen to them on Judgment Day. It is not a good sign to be held up as an icon of this world. Remember, its prince is Satan himself. 

Pray for Nelson Mandela and all those who are in danger of dying in mortal sin. 

Lord Jesus, please send the dying soul today who is closest to damnation the grace of repentance. I offer my rosary as a channel of grace to inspire tears of sorrow for his or her sins. Please don't let that poor soul be lost. Mary, Mother of sinners, please intercede for that endangered soul and save him or her from the fires of hell.  Amen.