Nabi Sayeth: The Health of the Flock Depends on the Shepherd!

Obvious Answer! 

Editor's Note: Our shepherds are spiritual physicians. If they dispense a healthy prescription --an example of truth, virtue, goodness, beauty and respect for others -- they encourage a healthy flock. If they dispense poison -- an example of lies, corruption, greed, lust, pride, and contempt for others -- they create the diocese from hell. Even in those dioceses, however, one can find faithful shepherds, but it is much more difficult. 

The moral? Pray and fight for orthodoxy and support faithful and holy priests! And don't tolerate bishops who hide the truth and cover up the corruption. It needs to be exposed. McCarrick could only continue living his double life because his activities were hidden -- Pope Benedict failed us by not publicly admonishing McCarrick and letting the faithful know he had levied sanctions against him. Shame on them all!

Is This the Namby-Pamby Jesus of Liberalism?

Today's gospel shows Jesus the head of the Church Militant in warrior form. Can't you almost see Him brandishing the "sword of the Spirit, the word of God."

"Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You lock the Kingdom of heaven before men. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance to those trying to enter. 

"Woe to you , scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You traverse sea and land to make one convert, and when that happens you make him a child of Gehenna twice as much as yourselves. 

"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'If one swears by the temple, it means nothing, but if one swears by the gold of the temple, one is obligated.' Blind fools, which is greater, the gold, or the temple that made the gold sacred?" (Matt 23: 13ff)

Jesus is certainly the lover who won't break a bruised read or quench a burning ember. But he never flinched at condemning hypocrisy, especially from the Jewish clergy of His day. And John the Baptist, among other saints, imitated Him. No one could ever accuse him of being non-confrontational!

So what are we called to do in imitation of Christ? Certainly pray and fast. The Bible makes it clear Jesus often went away to a deserted spot to pray. But are we not also called to confront the evils of our culture and admonish sinners? Shall we not follow Christ into battle with the "sword of the Spirit?"

Pray for the Bishops; they need it!

More here.

CRS Loves to Hire Pro-Abortion Employees!

Woman who rammed pro-lifers with car was Catholic Relief Services employee

No wonder the bishops' charities have such a record of supporting contraception and abortion when these are the types of employee they have on the payroll. Seems like the bishops' charities are magnets for those who hate the Church. How the devil must laugh on payday!

Boycott CRS, CCHD, and Catholic Charities -- actually, you'd be wise to boycott all the second collections as a policy. There are plenty of worthwhile charities out there that deserve our support: the Missionaries of Charity, the Sisters for Life, the Dominican Sisters of Mary Mother of the Eucharist, solid Catholic schools, your local cloistered contemplatives, etc. 

Oh, and this is a good time to reflect on today's first reading from Ezekiel:

The word of the Lord came to me: Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel....Thus says the Lord God: Woe to the shepherds of Israel who have been pasturing themselves! ....You have fed off their milk, worn their wool, and slaughtered the fatlings, but the sheep you have not pastured. You did not strengthen the weak nor heal the sick nor bind up the injured. You did not bring back the strayed nor seek the lost, but you lorded it over them harshly and brutally. So they were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and became food for all the wild beasts.... 

Therefore, shepherds, hear the word of the Lord: As I live, says the Lord God, because my sheep have been given over to pillage, and because my sheep have become food for every wild beast, for lack of a shepherd; because y shepherds did not look after my sheep, but pastured themselves....hear the word of the Lord: Thus says the Lord God: I swear I am coming against these shepherds. I will claim my sheep from them and put a stop to their shepherding my sheep so that they may no longer pasture themselves. I will save my sheep, that they may no longer be food for their mouths. 

For thus says the Lord God: I myself will look after and tend my sheep.

Unfortunately, the Church in the U.S. is filled with shepherds busy pasturing themselves. They leave their oversight responsibility to professional bureaucrats who, in many cases, are enemies of the faith. Pray and fast for bishops and clergy. The devil assaults them day and night because their downfall devastates the sheep in their care. Love your bishop. Pray for him and speak the truth even when it makes you a pariah in your diocese. Join the club: Pariahs in the Pew. Our model is the widow who harangued the unjust judge. Remember, eventually he gave her justice.