"I Only Looked Away for a Second"

When Jesus created the world, He intentionally made it parabolic. What does "parabolic" mean? It means that He made it so that the world is filled with stories and images that relate to each other, and (most especially) to the spiritual realm. This applies most particularly (of course) to God Himself. This is important, not just for our personal enjoyment, but also because we cannot see the spiritual realm with our physical eyes; we only see the effects of it. This is the reason why Jesus' parables in the gospels are so helpful to understand the Kingdom of God: Jesus intended the world to be like that. How do I know this to be a fact? One simple verse of the Bible: "Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made" (Romans 1:20). God has always wanted to show Himself in Creation.

Psalm 19:1-4 speaks similarly:

The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.

It says that even without any speech, the "words" of Creation go out to tell us about God. In other words, the entire universe is "parabolic". This is one of the reasons that I use illustrations at the beginning of my homilies: it is how God intended for us to see the world; interconnected and interrelated.

Most people are unaware of the many and various parallels that exist in our daily lives. One that I have seen and spoken of quite often came to my attention again recently. How you drive reveals much about how you live. In the past I have only referred to the attitude we have when driving (polite, rude, safe, dangerous, etc). In driving between my three parishes lately (and I drive, on average, about 300 miles a week), I have seen numerous people driving "distractedly"; far more than I ever used to see. It is obvious sometimes; you can look ahead down the road and see a vehicle slowing veering into your lane, then it jumps back to its own lane, then it veers again, etc. The driver is more than likely looking at something on a cell phone and not paying attention to the road. I have seen it many times, and it has been confirmed every time when the vehicle gets closer and passes by -- there is the driver staring down at a rectangular object in his right hand and not looking at the road (if this is you, may I kindly say: stop it now before you die!).

The devil loves it when he can make people become so attached to a piece of technology that they are willing to endanger their own lives, and the lives of others. In the same way, the evil one wants each of us to live our spiritual lives distracted from what really matters. There are many ways that he can do this, and for each of us it will likely be a bit different than for others. If he can send us a problem in our lives that we focus on to the exclusion of more important issues (like prayer and personal devotions), then he has successfully gotten us to "take our eyes off the road".

Those who are bound up in regret and disappointment; those who are living in the past; those who are immersed in lust; those who are spending their time worrying about the future; each of these people has been "pulled away" by things that prevent us from growing in our faith. If you do not spend time each day in prayer, then you can be sure that you have gotten distracted from what really matters (especially if the devil has convinced you of the pitiful lie that, "you don't have time to pray").

Being addicted to anything is wrong, for nothing other than Christ should control us (and He never forces Himself upon us compulsively like an addiction). Today, however, people are addicted to distraction itself. It is as though they are desperately searching for distractions. The very word "distract" comes from a Latin root that means "to draw apart" or "to pull away". If our lives have no meaning and we are wallowing in misery, then we will look for things to "draw us away" from life and cause us distraction in the same way that a drunkard seeks the alcohol to help him forget.

Is this how we are going through life? Are we immersed in distractions and never connecting with reality? Is that what we really want for ourselves? Many people assume that distractions are good, and that each person just needs to choose his favorite distraction. What about focusing on reality? What about paying attention to those "real" things that actually matter; like the things of God? We have become obsessed with wanting our "free time" and assuming that we have a right to play. When entertainment becomes an end in itself, we are bound to become obsessed with it, and then we end up living in that fantasy world of distraction. This always makes it harder to leave fantasy and enter into the reality of heavenly things.

I am not just speaking about avoiding distraction while driving, or while in the Mass. I am speaking about living with distracted hearts; hearts that are always seeking for something "more fun" than what is going on. Things will eventually come full circle and people will see the futility of such living. In the meantime, we need to live with focus, with resolve, and with determination to stay on the path. All it takes is one time to take our eyes "off the road" and we end up crashing. When our soul crashes it takes a lot longer to heal from it than it does when we crash physically. Let us remain attentive to our spiritual duties, never allowing the evil one to pull us away.

The Top 3 Easiest Ways to Create a Jellyfish

For those of you who do not know what a "jellyfish" is (because I am not talking about sea creatures), a "jellyfish" is also referred to as a "pansy", "milksop", "sissy", or "coward". I use the term "jellyfish" because I am referring to those who have no spiritual or emotional "spine" and who sting everyone they touch. Ever met someone like that? These are people who are constantly offended by things; so much so that it appears like they want to be offended. We have all heard it on the news, "you offended me so I hate you", "you infringed on my rights so I am filing a lawsuit against you", or (in the news just today) "you said something that made someone, somewhere, unhappy, so we are cutting you off".

As happens so often, at this point we should clarify our terms. What does it mean, technically, to be "offended"? In the Bible, "to offend" someone means "to cause to sin". It does not mean to be personally annoyed and emotionally hurt by someone's actions or words. In fact, the biblical term and the modern usage are two completely different issues. In the Bible we read things like "cause no offense", which does not mean "be nice" to others; it means to do nothing that would lead another person to sin. Although causing someone to be emotionally hurt can often lead to them sinning, these two situations are not the same thing.

Therefore, to arrive at the original subject of this post: let us discuss "offending someone" (in the sense of hurting someone's feelings). I would like to lay out for you, the three easiest ways to make your children into "jellyfish" (i.e. those who are constantly hurt by other's behavior). [Please take note of tongue in cheek at this point!]

• Method #1: Give good example by your own behavior. In this method, which takes the least effort, one should merely behave as a jellyfish; children will follow suit very easily. If you are regularly griping about co-workers, bosses, neighbors, politicians, relatives, and friends, then you are off to a good start. It may be difficult if you are not already doing this, but one can easily begin this behavior by examining every detail of another's actions and finding the most insignificant things to complain about. Be sure, however, that you always do this in front of your children (and throw in a cuss word now and then for good measure). Once this has become a regular behavior, you have accomplished the majority of the task. Next, all you need to do is to "show your offendedness" by holding on to it and never forgetting it. Allow yourself to become bitter enough to bring it up in regular conversation (daily if possible). Your children's jellyfish-like behavior is almost guaranteed.

• Method #2: Make sure your children never have any challenges in life. This second method takes a bit more effort, but once mastered it is even more effective than the first. With this second method, the parent should do everything possible to ensure that the children believe at a very early age, that life is handed to them on a silver platter, and that the world owes them something (it does not matter what they think the world owes them, and is often better if you leave it vague so that they can apply it in every situation they encounter). If a difficulty arrives that you cannot eliminate, then make sure that you just take it upon yourself so that they are never stretched and never acquire the ability to endure any hardship. Keep this up for the first 10 years or so of his or her life and you can be assured that they will become jellyfish by the time they are 15 or 16. Your children will definitely be furious at every person (teacher, police officer, etc.) who tells them to do something they do not like, and might even consider filing lawsuits against them at the earliest possible convenience. Make it a special goal to teach them the phrase, "who are you to tell me what to do?"

• Method #3: Stand up for them in front of others and say that they are right, even when everyone knows that they are wrong. Although this third method can be used by itself, and is often very effective, it also works well as a supplement to the first two (especially considering that it depends on the actions of others, and cannot be instigated solely by the parent). Did little Johnny do something wrong in front of others? Laugh at it and say something like "what can you do?" (making sure to shrug your shoulders with a facial expression of confusion). Another tactic is to respond to other's criticism of your child by making sure that you express personal offense and raise your voice; flailing of arms often helps to emphasize your seriousness. This type of response helps the child to think of himself as the most important person in the world, and prevents him from ever imagining that he would have to do something like repent, say he is sorry, or (oh no!) go to confession (especially if he already went years ago when before he received first communion)!

All right then; so I am being a bit sarcastic (just a bit). Yet, modern society does seem to be intentionally trying to raise children to be unable to handle adversity and remain in a constant state of offense. It is as though people want to find a reason to be offended and victimized so that they can get others to feel sorry for them. This is a pitiful sign of extreme insecurity. What can we as parents do to overcome this? We certainly do not need to go overboard and make our children miserable or never show them compassion. Yet, I believe that some children are being raised with a constant diet of "prideful self-indulgence".

What happens when we turn our children into "jellyfish" like this? They find it difficult to forgive. They hold grudges. They live in a dream-world of entitlement. This is a childish kind of behavior that usually can be eliminated from a child with good loving discipline by the time they are 2 or 3 years old (yes, 2 or 3--it is possible!). Children like this grow up to have problems keeping a job; they feel attacked whenever someone offers them constructive criticism. In short, they become self-centered people who are more a liability to those around them than anything else. The majority of people who live like this usually contribute nothing to society of any good.

There was a time years ago when the Catholic Church spoke openly about the grave sin of being "permissive parents"; not much about it today. Can we turn the tide? Can we find that proper balance so that the coming generation will stop being offended at everything and learn how to "turn the other cheek" (a forgotten virtue)? Is it possible to teach our children the importance of overlooking an offense and seeing that "love covers a multitude of sins"? Let us seek to overcome the world's petty attempts at bolstering its own pride, and instead find strength in godly humility; thereby showing to the world the patience and wisdom of Christ.

The Idol of Comfort

Have you ever heard someone say that comfort was a bad thing? My guess would be that it is not likely. We all generally think of comfort as a good thing. There are numerous references to it in Scripture that tell us that we worship "the God of all comfort" and that we are to seek to "comfort others with the comfort that God has given us". Yet pretty much all of these ideas of comfort have to do with giving comfort to someone who is experiencing something painful and not with the common idea of being "comfortable".

Being "comforted" is not the same thing as being "comfortable". The first refers to receiving help and assistance after or during a time of great suffering; the second refers primarily to personal physical feelings. Our modern understanding of "comfort" is related more to the idea of being relaxed or at ease. It relates to being without restrictions, or inconveniences of any kind. This is quite different from the biblical concept of being given the grace of being free from fear and finding a peace in Christ. This is not to say that is wrong to be relaxed or to be without inconveniences, but despite similar words, these are two different things. If we do not keep this distinction clear, we may fall into a dangerous attitude. This is the attitude that "comfort" is more important to us than it is supposed to be; when this happens "being comfortable" can become an idol. Whatever we give more authority than the Lord is, itself, an idol.

When we make decisions based on a desire for comfort, that can become a serious problem. Our first thought when participating in any liturgical action should not be "how physically comfortable can I make myself while doing this?" It should be, however, "how can I honor the Lord God?" This is especially important because there may be things that are "comfortable" that actually dishonor God. As an example, would it be honoring to God for us to sit back on a couch with our feet up on a coffee table during the consecration at the Mass? It would be comfortable, yes, but not honorable. It would, in fact, show disrespect and a lack of reverence for the Lord. That is a time for kneeling, not lounging.

Let us take a comparative situation: imagine making your decisions based on food. One might say that since the Church requires a minimum of one hour fast before receiving communion, then it would be better not to go to Mass because that would mean having to give up food for a time. Or, one might say that the type of the wine used in communion is not his favorite so he refuses to receive the precious blood. Similarly, we could imagine someone saying that meat is not all that bad for you, so it is OK to ignore the Lenten abstinence from meat on Fridays. For each of these we would say that the person was being rebellious based on his own personal likes and dislikes; the wrong grounds for determining one's actions.

The distinction made above between being "comforted" and being "comfortable" is important here. Many treat the idea of "dressing up" for Church to be a grave hardship or terrible suffering. "I'm not comfortable when I wear something like that." It is not an issue of suffering for someone to dress nicely when he attends Church; it is an issue of personal dislike. "This is who I am, take it or leave it" is not an attitude of holy submission. Yes, we are supposed to "accept people for who they are" (apart from sin), but people should want to honor God by presenting themselves respectably. The point of the Mass is not to make us feel good inside, it is to glorify God and receive the grace of Christ. Does Christ want us to be "comforted" when we come to the Mass? Yes, but as I said above, that is not the same as being "comfortable". Being comforted refers to something that we experience in our very souls; it endures and does not change with various outward circumstances. Being comfortable refers to physical ease.

Furthermore, respectable attire does not need to be "uncomfortable" per se. That is a common misrepresentation. Yes, there are some fancy clothes that are quite uncomfortable (to be honest, the alb, cincture, maniple, stole and chasuble the priest wears for Mass are often very uncomfortable). The "comfort" that seems to be so necessary to many today is related to what the Scriptures refer to as "luxury" (e.g. Sirach 37:29, James 5:5). This is related to the attitude that says "I have to be comfortable and have nice things", and not "I want to honor God and am willing to experience discomfort for it." We are, after all, called to suffer for Christ; are we really willing to say that we cannot be uncomfortable for Him?

How do you make your decisions about how you dress in the presence of Royalty? Is there an effort to show respect for the King of Kings, as well as for the others present? If we are called to love God with our "heart, soul, mind and body" then we must also recognize that what we do with our body will influence what is in our hearts and minds. It is difficult to have deep reverence when everything about our person says "casual". Let us each consider how to give to God our best, both in body and in soul.

Jesus is not a Superhero!

Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman; Captain America, Iron Man, Thor; etc. I could say that I like superhero movies, but I have to qualify that statement. What I like is more the principle of a superhero movie -- someone with special abilities steps up to take a stand for what is good and right and defend those who are defenseless. In that way, every single one of us is called to be a "superhero" at times because we are each called to use our special gifts and talents to help others (our gifts are not given to us for our own benefit!). Yet, that is not the point of superhero movies, is it?

The extra qualification that I gave above is not exactly sufficient though, since I have to admit that I do not like the way that most superhero movies are made today -- a constant barrage of fighting and destruction for two straight hours. I like to call that kind of movie "lots of glory but not much story" (e.g. all the Avengers movies except the first Captain America). This kind of entertainment is comparable to a two hour wrestling match with CGI; mind numbing devastation (not interesting, exciting, or very entertaining).

With that said, however, it should be clear to all of us that people still long for superheroes. Our English ancestors had Beowulf and King Arthur; in the last century comic books brought Superman to life, and today we have been inundated with more superheroes than we can keep track of. It is hard to deny, especially with the proliferation of superhero movies over the last ten years, that many people sense a "need" for superheroes. I would like to fathom a guess as to why this is the case.

We all want to believe two basic things: first, that there are people out there who are stronger than us who can take care of us when we are in trouble; and second, that we ourselves can rise to the occasion and be able to do great deeds for the good of all. The first is not always admitted, but it is clearly true. This is why so many who have abandoned God throughout their lives will cry to Him when they think they are going to die. Although there are some who actually enjoy rescuing others, we all hope that someone will swoop down and rescue us when we are in serious need. The second is not always well balanced but most people would like to have a special ability to help others.

The danger, of course, is when many people seek superheroes because they refuse to accept the Almighty Lord as the One Who is stronger than they are and can help them when they are in trouble. The desire for superheroes exhibits a desire to know that someone "has our back" and can help us when we get into a bad situation. It displays clearly the desire to believe in something that is bigger than ourselves. This is something everyone (even the most prideful self-indulgent person around) wants, but few are willing to admit.

It is not wrong to appreciate superhero stories (I personally really like Beowulf and The Dark Knight trilogy), but we will always gravitate to imaginary superheroes more and more as we lose our hope in the power of Christ. In today's gospel reading we are told that Christ has "all authority in Heaven and Earth". That means that He is the strongest, the smartest, the most powerful person in all creation. He is more than just a "superhero"; He is the King of Kings. If we truly trust in Him, then we will just "appreciate" superheroes. If we have a weak trust in Him, then we will replace Him with the heroes that the world invents; because every one of us needs a powerful savior.

When pride overcomes someone who already believes in God, then that person will often seek to diminish God down to a "user-friendly" size, so that He is not so intimidating. Once this happens, someone can go through life without being threatened by things like eternal Judgment, Hell, etc. The problem is, however, that it is a vicious cycle: as soon as someone lowers God down to a manageable size (which can only happen in our minds, and never in reality), then he needs, once again, to find a hero to trust in. If we control God, then we cannot expect much genuine help from Him, so we have to go elsewhere.

So then, I encourage everyone to ask themselves about their hope and trust in God. Do you truly see Him as Creator of the universe, the Judge of all men? Or have you reduced Him to a more manageable size that no longer needs to be respected? Do not take from God what is His and give it to someone else. Do not seek hope in any of the things of men (like imaginary superheroes), for only God grants us true hope. Only He can "swoop down out of the sky" and save us when we need it. What glory it is to be the servants of King Jesus Who is above every hero the world can imagine.

I would rather not talk about it, but...

In my ordination vows I was required to say the following: "I will always tell people what they want to hear, and will do everything in my power to make friends with each parishioner, never offending or upsetting anyone". No, actually, that is completely false. My vows did, however, require me to preach the truth in every situation. I took that vow, and that means that I am expected to obey it. Which leads me to the following point: there are times when I have to say something that I do not want to say. This is one of those times. I do not want to have to speak about immodesty, but it is spreading in our society like a plague.

It was Bp. Athanasius Schneider who said recently that, "there is a mentality of radical relativism within the Church". He was speaking about many things in that comment, and it would not take anyone long to come up with a Catholic truth that has been attacked lately by relativistic compromise. Today, we see so many areas of "radical relativism" that I almost do not know where to start. Modesty, however, has become very "relative" in modern society and the subject pops up every year with the arrival of summer. What one person considers to be modest another considers to be immodest; this only happens when we have been tainted with relativism. Today, immodesty has become the norm and only a few Catholics seem to be aware of it.

It took a long time for us to arrive at this state of affairs. What was immodest just a century ago is now the commonplace; how is that supposed to be acceptable? I have heard Catholics say directly to me "as long as you love Jesus, what does it matter what you wear to Church?" What most people miss when they read that previous sentence is the reality that the very comment itself is immodest. The fact that a comment like "as long as you love Jesus" would be considered gravely immoral to the vast majority of our forefathers should be enough to make us feel ashamed; but shame is a lost art.

There was a time when I thought that I could get by without saying anything; that was naive. To say nothing is to encourage the status quo. Yet, to attempt to be gentle but honest is going to invite attacks that I am a "prude" or an "old fuddy-duddy". I am thankful that the instances I have encountered at my three current parishes are small by comparison with things I have seen in the past. If, however, I do not make it clear now, the course of society shows that it is going to get out of hand.

So then, let me be as clear and direct as I can: we live in an immoral and immodest society, and we have become so used to it, that now even many Catholics can be heard defending the immodesty. This should not be. No, the Church does not have dress codes in Canon Law, but the Catechism does say that "purity requires modesty" and that "modesty is decency" (CCC 2521, 2522). In other words, Church dogma says that there is a standard of modesty, and that it is something that we all should be striving for. What are you (both men and women) doing to aim at modesty? Do you distinguish between modest and immodest clothing, or do you just wear "what's comfortable" without consideration for how it affects others?

This post is just the beginning of a very important discussion of a subject that I really dislike talking about, but it cannot be ignored. If good people do nothing, then evil will win. As uncomfortable as it may be, can we honestly say that we are happy with how modern society is steadily degenerating into greater and greater immodesty? Let us begin the conversation here, and let us do something about it.

N (as in "N") . . . O (as in "O")

I am a workaholic; I cannot hide it. I also really like spicy foods, scary movies and hard rock music. Now, I would like to ask, how did I get that way? Was I forced into it? Was it determined beforehand by fate? Or (dare I ask it?), did God make me this way? That last question might seem a bit ridiculous, but there are those today who believe that God makes people a certain way, and that means either that they are not accountable for their behavior, or that the behavior is not sinful (there are even some in very high positions with the Catholic Church who appear to believe this in some areas).

Does God make people homicidal maniacs? Does God make people liars? Does God make people idolaters? Does God make people adulterers? Does God make people have any tendency toward a sinful behavior? NO. That is, N (as in "N") . . . O (as in "O"); of course not, only someone who did not understand Catholic truth would believe that. But somehow, today, people do believe that God makes people desire sodomy.

In order to hold a position like this, one must believe either that homosexual behavior is not sinful, or that it is only mildly so. If someone holds to the Catholic position regarding homosexuality (that it is always gravely immoral and completely disordered) then to claim that God "makes people" this way would mean that he believes that God makes people sin (or at least causes them to have weaknesses in that area). This would mean that God intentionally encourages sin in someone. This is entirely against the Catholic faith. Sin is a choice; it is our choice and no one else's. Yes, there may be some circumstances that lead us in that direction (as when those who are abused, end up abusing others), but every sin is our own choice and the result of the circumstances that we choose to give in to.

It does not help us to overcome sin if we blame our weaknesses on God. "He made me this way" is at best dangerous theology, and at worst it is blasphemous (no I am not exaggerating). To say that God forces anyone to sin is to enter into a confusing arena that ends in theological suicide. It also does not help those struggling with homosexual tendencies to be told this (any more than it helps a thief to be told "God made you that way") because it effectively prevents them from seeking holiness. God does not "make people that way" -- as a Protestant I was a Calvinist and I can smell that twisted theology a mile away.

This idea also cheapens the work of the Spirit. It treats the victory over sin that we can find in Christ as useless for many people. Yes, the sin of sodomy has spread far and wide, but we will not overcome it by being nice to it and pretending that it does not matter. I personally know some Catholics who struggle with homosexual temptations and they are each working to remain faithful to Christ in their lives (and I am encouraged regularly by their commitment to holiness). They have grown in their obedience to God more and more over time and are able to give glory to God for it. What would happen to their path of faith if I told them "God made you that way"? It is painful even to think about it.

Christ offers victory over every sin, and we should never settle for less than holiness. If it was a sin, it is a sin, and it always will be a sin. Sin is not subject to the definitions of modern society, and the Church does not make her determinations by listening to popular opinion (regardless of what some clerics would like). If anyone has a different position than that of the Catholic Church regarding the sinfulness of homosexual behavior, then he will have to answer to God for it (be he politician, layman, or clergyman).

Some have pointed out recently (e.g. see: Fr. Raymond J. de Souza) a comment that was apparently made by Pope Francis in a private conversation (again!) and are trying to use it as Church dogma (again!). The comment seems to say that God makes people "gay" [I do not like using that word] and so if God did it, then it is no big deal after all. It is not unheard of for a Pope to believe something that is contrary to Church teaching (even this extreme), but today we hear about everything the Pope says because technology allows us to spread it far and wide before anyone has had a chance to realize the consequences.

Another factor that we are dealing with in the Holy Father's comments is the manner in which so many people twist things to their own ends (for which, see my previous post: Marvel Not). I can think of many times when someone has taken my words (which I believed were spoken in complete clarity) and turned them to suit their own ends. This is happening more and more today in a number of different situations. Thus, when our current Holy Father is generally viewed as a "mover and shaker" who wants to "change" the Church into something different, then we have a recipe for disaster.

Mix together these four things: a Pope viewed as liberal, people prone to twist truth to their own ends, a lack of clarification of confusing statements, as well as a technological setting where off-the-cuff comments can fly around the world in seconds, and you have the circumstances in which error can spread like wildfire. I cannot lay the blame on any one individual (I do not know their minds) but vague and fuzzy teaching in crucial areas that society wants to distort will only continue to lead us to greater and greater confusion.

I would certainly hope that it is not the opinion of the Holy Father that God "makes people gay". I know that in many other places he has spoken clearly about the sinfulness of homosexuality, so I do not know how this apparent comment could fit with that. I will pray for him and I will pray for the Church. I will continue to speak the "whole counsel of God" to my people that are under my care and I will pray for Jesus' mercy to help us through these ugly times. I pray for you, to pray for me.

Marvel Not

"Marvel not that I say unto thee, ye must be born again" marvel rather that people will someday quote these words of mine and have no idea of what I am talking about.

No, that was not the actual quote on the marquee in front of the Baptist Church I drove by; the latter part is just what went through my mind when I read the quote in the first part. Having been, myself, a Baptist for a number of years, I feel that I can comment on Baptist theology and compare it with Catholic theology. This is not for the purpose of attacking the Baptists, but rather for making a larger illustration.

Baptists (as well as just about every other Protestant denomination except very traditional Anglicans) hold to a different understanding of Jesus' term "born again". They believe that it is a spiritual event that has largely no association with any outward event that we experience. This event, according to their teachings, is what makes a person a Christian, and determines his eternal status (thus explaining why they so often ask "are you born again?").

This understanding is not what the early Church taught about Jesus words in this regard. They associated it, rather, with baptism (as the Apostle Paul did in Titus 3:5). This is the main focus of the Catholic teaching, but it also touches on the renewal of one's personal relationship with God -- as in "I feel like I have a completely new relationship with God, as though I have been born all over again". In that way, the Church also teaches that one can be "born again" multiple times as after baptism a person may have many experiences of "renewal" in the faith.

This post is not, however, intended to distinguish these two ideas. The real point is my original reference: "marvel rather that people will someday quote these words of mine and have no idea of what I am talking about." In other words, people often take the words of God and twist them (often so slightly it is almost imperceptible) to fit with what they want. When I say "people", however, I am not just speaking about our Protestant brethren. I am also speaking about us Catholics. I have seen Catholics take the words of the Saints, the words of the Catechism, and the words of Scripture and use them for their own ends. We all are tempted to do this, but as Catholics we should recognize that this is not living faithfully to the Magisterium.

When God reveals something to us, He also reveals, through the authoritative teachings of the Church, what the proper interpretation of those things is. Otherwise, we would all be forced, like orphans, to figure the whole thing out on our own (which Jesus promised not to have us do -- cf. John 14:18). Humbling ourselves and forcing ourselves to accept the truths of God, without twisting them, is hard to do; especially when we live in a world that seems to enjoy twisting everything to its own ends.


When we (even quietly) reject the teachings of God by turning the interpretation of something to our own desires, we are essentially "marvelling" at the words of God, and coming up with something that we do not have to marvel at (because it fits with our personal preferences). Yet as I said at the beginning, we should marvel that people use Jesus' words wrongly; that they would reinterpret them to suit their own sinful inclinations. We all know how difficult it is when we hear or read a passage of the Catechism or of Scripture and feel that it is directly attacking our behavior; and many, when doing so, will salve their conscience by telling themselves "that does not apply to me" or "that is not what it means". This should not be our behavior.

Let us seek, rather, to find God's truth and accept it as He has revealed it, without any taint of our own personal ideas. Let us ask the Lord to give us "ears to hear" and "eyes to see" what He is telling us, and to push away any and all selfish pride that would filter out what we do not want to hear and see. Whether it is a disagreement with a Church dogma, or a rejection of one of the precepts of the Church, we should never fall into the temptation to see only what we want or hear only what we like. For Jesus said very clearly that, the truth would set us free, not that our own personal interpretation of the truth would set us free.