I don't get it...

If you "Google" the New World Order or Trilateral Commission or Council on Foreign on Relations - all of which appear to be real organizations - you find all sort of conspiracy theories about how there is a movement to towards a one world government. If you think about how all of our news comes from a few sources, one must begin to wonder whether this is true or not. Most important, however, is whether the 50 United States of America are truly having their power consolidated into the Federal Government's hands. It seems clear with the Patriot Act, the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security and other recent legislation that this would appear to arguably have some legitimacy.

In one of the Republican Presidential debates, Dr. Ron Paul even touched on this issue and put it into the context of an ideological war:



Nevertheless, I think what we Catholics must understand is that there is truly a conspiracy against us - and by "us" I don't mean the United States, but the Catholic Church. But whom am I accusing of being against us? Well, actually I am not even saying something new, but what has been handed to all of us. It is precisely this: "Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens (Ephesians 5:11-12)."

But Holy Mother Church further makes the point: "The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the men of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of the followers of Christ. Indeed, nothing genuinely human fails to raise an echo in their hearts. For theirs is a community composed of men. United in Christ, they are led by the Holy Spirit in their journey to the Kingdom of their Father and they have welcomed the news of salvation which is meant for every man. That is why this community realizes that it is truly linked with mankind and its history by the deepest of bonds (Vatican II's Gaudium et Spes, #1)."

There is a conspiracy, therefore, not just against the Church, but against all of Mankind. Led, foremost, by Satan, his demons and his minions. Unfortunately, not many people know who Pope Leo XIII was talking about when he spoke of the "implacable enemy of Christ and the Church" and who Br. Charles Madden, O.F.M., Conv. spoke of when he subtitled his book "Mankind's hidden Enemy." As Catholics who desire to be serious about our faith we must understand who are the enemies of Holy Mother Church, and to what teachings they hold. In this regard, I would encourage every Catholic to read two letters, in which Pope Leo XIII sounded the charge against the impending onslaught of these men and their inimical ideology of indifferentism and syncretism. These letters are Inimica Vis and Custodi Di Quella Fide.

Let us recognize that these onslaughts have not stopped and yet continue in the darkness of this present world. A darkness which only the Light & Truth of Jesus Christ has already conquered, and which we must bear and fight by means of it in the world. Let no one be misled into comfort or false security. Our hope is not in this world, but in the world to come, for only then will the fruit of our hope be enjoyed - union with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

As the Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIII stated then, (and must now be upgraded to quadrupling or quintulpling our efforts):

"20. Beloved children, faith and state speak to you at this time through Us. Listen to their cry, arise together and fight manfully the battles of the Lord. May the number, boldness, and strength of the enemy not frighten you, because God is stronger than they; if God is for you, who can be against you?

21. Redouble your prayers so that God might be with you in a greater abundance of grace, fighting and triumphing with you. Accompany your prayers with the practice of the Christian virtues, especially charity toward the needy. Seek God's mercies with humility and perseverance, renewing every day the promises of your baptism."

Why I am sympathetic....

I do not endorse any candidate, let me be clear, but I am, as has been said before, sympathetic to Ron Paul. Why? Listen to his talk at CPAC yesterday. It comes in three parts:







To me this makes a lot of sense. It is also consonant with much of what I have understood in the Catholic Social Teaching. Moreover, I have found the answer that I have been very concerned with. Many of our candidates belong to the CFR, the so-called Council on Foreign Relations - which appears to be a Masonic if not Illuminati organization. The Freemasons are called, by Pope Leo XIII, the "implacable enemy of Christ and the Church." There is a very real threat to America and the world which 13 Popes called to mankind's attention over 245 years. There are videos showing other candidates involvement with this group, but Ron Paul has flatly denied being involved with this group.



What I find so interesting is that everyone takes him as "insane" or "out of step," yet what most pundits seem to ignore is that he has started a movement which, at this point is beyond this campaign.

And check this out:



It stuck me so hard, when Dr. Paul asked, "What if China came and invaded America, we would certainly want them out of our country too?" What will become of our country because of this so-called War on Terror? I don't know. All I know is that Christ is my King. I will fight for Him; That does not make me a follower of Ron Paul, but I am sympathetic to Paul's way of thinking. We, each of us, should focus our attention first on Jesus Christ, if we are to be worthy of the glorious name "Catholic."

Nevertheless, Ron Paul's views make a lot of sense as one seriously considers what he says. I know not everybody agrees, but I would ask anyone, seeking to be a just and free person of good will, to give his ideas a fair shake.

Let us not be deceived by the Media and rhetoric we hear, but consider our Christian obligations first. How might we place ourselves at the service of Jesus Christ individually and as a nation? I look forward to anyone's comments - especially, as I have pointed out, as Politics are not my area of speciality, but I sure am interested - thanks to Dr. Paul, who also cured my apathy.

The Challenges of Life

I have often struggled with how much to change things here at the parish. One of the practices that has been handed down to me is that the children have been used to calling teachers by their first name. In our third grade book however, it makes the point that speaking to others who are elders with respect means calling them by their proper titles, i.e. Mr., Ms., Mrs., Fr., or Br. or Sr.

In our modern day, this is something which seems to be a struggle. In fact, going to the Franciscan University of Steubenville I often recall some of the Vocation Awareness days and we had priests, Jesuits in particular, who would show up and ask that we call them "Gary" or "Bob" or whatever. In reality, even then I knew, they are to be referred to as Father Gary or Father Bob. It is not because of Bob or Gary or whoever that I use this title of respect, rather the divine office which they have been entrusted with is the reason for the respect they ought to be shown.

Yet even in our own day we have such a witness of the lack of respect that is shown even amongst presidential candidates. If you have read my previous posts, then you are aware that I am sympathetic to Dr. Ron Paul. But regardless of this I find this YouTube video of an radio show in Florida particularly disturbing. Listen to this (but please note the Radio host uses some colorful language that may not be appropriate for kids):



There is much to say about this interview politically, but that is not my field. I do want to address the disrespect that Gov. Romney shows to a gentleman who is his elder and, as well, who is also a candidate for the United States of America. Not only does this remind me of the topic I spoke of above about using proper titles, but it also reminds me that we seem to be devolving from the respect we should show those who are our elders - especially not laughing at them, but considering that they may have some wisdom to share with us.

Along this same line, it is unfortunate the we have a candidate who would laugh at the belief of the candidate who has raised the most money from private donors and who is supported by a number of people from Gov. Romney's own Republican base. Where has respect gone in this country?

I find it interesting that a friend of mine told me that Glenn Beck, famous radio show host, was concerned when Ron Paul had said on his TV show that if we got rid of the income tax that the government would still take in what it took in 10 years ago! He was shocked, after looking into it, that Dr. Paul was absolutely right! You can find the interview here, albeit with some pretty outlandish visual additions of Sen. Clinton, but nevertheless the audio is what is important here. Mr. Beck makes his point at 4:26 in this audio track (with outlandish picture additions):



However, regardless of this reality, Mr. Romney is laughing at a position which is different than his own. I have difficulty wanting to vote for Gov. Romney when this is the case. Just as much, do I have difficulty when Sen. McCain has sneered repeatedly at the answers given by Dr. Paul throughout the debates - at least the ones Dr. Paul was actually invited to and given time to speak. Nevertheless, I at least will give, as the kids say these days, "props" to Mayor Giuliani when he can at least recognize that Dr. Paul actually won all the debates.



While I struggle with how to make St. Jude a more respectful Religious Education program and how to implement that charitably, I am encouraged to overcome my lethargy in this sign of our modern times. I know that I am not perfect, though I continue to try, its just that some battles seem harder to fight than others. I think you can probably understand this in your own life.

Regardless of all of this, I am very thankful that I have received the gift of life from the one living and true Triune God who has shown me His love in our Lord Jesus Christ. Now if only I can just get out of the way to let him work in me.

How about this!?

Hello all!

This has been a very busy and exciting week. I have so much going on, what with First Reconciliation on this Saturday, practices for that this week on Tues & Wed for the kids, my class at the seminary on Friday, Parent Orientation for First Communion next Saturday, and other things!

Nevertheless, I have been thinking about those of you who have been faithful to reading or at least being subscribed to my blog. I wanted to just post something for all of you.

Thus, I thought I would put this link of Catholic interest on here. I hope you find this as interesting as I think it is, and perhaps someone might be interested enough to purchase it! I am really interested to know what it smells like!

I hope to be more prolific next week. I apologize again for being so scarce this week.

A New Endeavor...

Today, I began a new chapter in the life of my working career. I have begun to teach at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary a class on the Catholic Social Teaching of the Church. As one book puts it, this is "our best kept secret."

For my students one of the text I am having them read is "The Reign of Christ the King" by Michael Davies. Michael Davies is not known to be a big supporter of Vatican II, to put it lightly. But the text of the book is a very interesting one which many Catholics should consider, despite Davies insistence that only in the Tridentine Mass will the Church find salvation from all her current woes.

As my class and I will explore, what Davies recommends is that we return to the Social Reign of Christ the King - a point which I think every one of us, especially here at St. Jude - should agree and integrate into our lives. For if we desire to serve the Son of God, let us not withhold anything from him. Let us abandon ourselves to His care. For God created us for communion, or friendship, with Him. As with any friend we should entrust ourselves to God, but since He is our Creator and Redeemer, let us recognize that we can not only entrust but we are able to totally abandon ourselves to his care. This is what St. Paul meant when he said, "In all things give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus (1Thess 5:18)." Certianly this is a challenge to see things this way, but Jesus never said carrying our own cross would be. Hopefully, I won't be too big a cross for my students, but just enough that they learn the Social Teaching of the Church well.

Finally, please pray for my students as they endure my rants and general goofiness!

MLK, JFK & Ron Paul?

I hope you enjoy this video. I find it extremely compelling. What are your thoughts?

Art attacks...

I am reading an article about art in America today, found in First Things Magazine. The article quotes this little nugget from James Elkins book On the Strange Place of Religion in Contemporary Art. Apparently Mr. Elkins is affiliated with the Art Institute of Chicago. The article reports that Mr. Elkins would have us us believe that the art world, he says:

"can accept a wide range of 'religious' art by people who hate religion, by people who are deeply uncertain about it, by the disgruntled and the disaffected and the skeptical , but there is no place for artists who express straightforward, ordinarily religious faith."

The article continues, as Mr Elkins explains:

"To fit in the art world, work with a religious theme has to fulfill several criteria. It has to demonstrate the artist has second thoughts about religion... ambiguity and self-critique have to be integral to the work. And it follows that irony must pervade art, must be the air it breathes...Committed, engaged, ambitious, informed art does not mix with dedicated, serious, thoughtful, heartfelt religion."

Seriously?

Pope Benedict XVI talked about the dictatorship of relativism, if I remember correctly, in his final homily as Cardinal Ratzinger. Who couldn't recognize this in this statement about art. Why must art be this way? Because those who believe this way wouldn't accept anything else. People often talk about being open minded but I think G.K. Chesterton said it best when he said, "An open mind was meant to close on something solid." Instead of openness what we find here is a bigotry.

Perhaps we would do well as a parish to promote our children in not only the sciences but the arts as well. But if we are to change the face of our country we must first help them to see that there is only one thing that can supercede or transcend all categories of prejudice - really only one person: Jesus Christ.

Knowing the only true and living God allows us to recognize that all humanity is created in his image and likeness (Gen 1:27). Jesus reveals to ourselves that there is nothing which man does that is not meant to bring us joy. However, that action must be a moral action, it must correspond to the "rules," if you will, that God has laid out for us. But beyond those Ten Commandments, what is God's plan for mankind: "Be fruitful and multiply." In other words, we must recognize that only love creates, while hate destroys. This is precisely, it seems to me a problem of modern art, there are no forms or content in so many pieces because artists seek to deconstruct or alter reality, rather classical artists sought to appreciate and imitate the glory of creation - even if they didn't necessarily believe in God.

Nowadays, that glory has become a shackle to throw off. Yet the love from which the glory comes is still constantly offered to all. Each of our choice is whether we will see that love or whether we will harden our hearts to it. In the meantime, however, let us appreciate the glory of creation...for we know our Father has created and sustains it.

Like a lighthouse...

I have mentioned that I am sympathetic to Ron Paul. I keep wondering why, to be honest? But it is reports like these that make me keenly more sympathetic. Is anyone listening to the truth these days?!

A wise man...

I received this link from a fellow parishioner. I think, as well, that is quite a moving little video. Let me know what you think.

How true it is that those who learn from their mistakes become wise. But how true as well that few are willing to be humble enough to learn from their mistakes. Why must humanity be so?

Where do you stand?

In a recent post, I had stated that I was sympathetic to Ron Paul. So far that is still the case in many of his positions with regard to the Constitution. In fact, I even found myself closely aligned with Dr. Paul on the Mainstream positions on "ABC News' Match-o-matic." You might be interested to check it out. Its a lil bit of fun!

That being said, I was also shocked to learn about the possibility that Dr. Paul may also hold some views that I most definitely do not hold, consider this report by Tucker Carlson. I don't know if I buy this allegation yet, until I am able to actually read the text to which they refer, since I don't think media reports these things in the most objective manner to begin with, e.g. the fact that Ron Paul wasn't allowed on the Fox News debate on Sunday night even if he had 7% more votes that Rudy Giuliani and has raised more money than any other candidate last quarter.

One must admit it is disconcerting that any of these candidates could have "skeletons in the closet" that we might not want to know about or perhaps better that we do. But regardless of these men's positions it is important we not lose sight of our only king, Jesus Christ. Many are the candidates that we could support for our president, and let us support that president who ever it ends up being to the extent we are able, but let us never lose devotion or love for our only true king who is deserving of all our love - Jesus Christ. For there is no other name under heaven or under earth by which we are to be saved.

There is great joy in understanding this fundamental difference - we worship our True King, but we support our President. May we never lose sight of this fact, and may we draw closer to both of these realities as we move forward in history this day.

UPDATE: Minutes after first posting this, I checked Dr. Paul's website to find this response posted.