Keepin' the Pace

Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father. (Matthew 10:32)


It's always interesting to me that secular society can call people of God "bigots" for not agreeing with conduct in opposition to the Gospel, such as homosexuality. My wife said it best when talking about such issues: People want to justify their actions, however wrong, by getting as much public support so that they can feel better about their choices and suppress the voices telling them it's immoral.

This all was prompted from a news article I read last night. It isn't often that I'll read or listen to secular media, but I discovered a man who acknowledged God before the entire nation and did so with courage. Thank you, General Peter Pace.


From the Associated Press:

Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, caused a stir at a Senate hearing Wednesday when he repeated his view that gay sex is immoral and should not be condoned by the military.

Pace, who retires next week, said he was seeking to clarify similar remarks he made in spring, which he said were misreported.

"Are there wonderful Americans who happen to be homosexual serving in the military? Yes," he told the Senate Appropriations Committee during a hearing focused on the Pentagon's 2008 war spending request.

"We need to be very precise then, about what I said wearing my stars and being very conscious of it," he added. "And that is, very simply, that we should respect those who want to serve the nation but not through the law of the land, condone activity that, in my upbringing, is counter to God's law."

Anti-war protesters sitting behind Pace jeered the four-star general's remarks with some shouting, "Bigot!" That led Committee Chairman Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., to abruptly adjourn the hearing and seal off the doors.

The hearing resumed about five minutes later in which Pace said he would be supportive of efforts to revisit the Pentagon's policy so long as it didn't violate his belief that sex should be restricted to a married heterosexual couple.

"I would be very willing and able and supportive" to changes to the policy "to continue to allow the homosexual community to contribute to the nation without condoning what I believe to be activity — whether it to be heterosexual or homosexual — that in my upbringing is not right," Pace said.

Pace's lengthy answer on gays was prodded by Sen. Tom Harkin, who said he found Pace's previous remarks as "very hurtful" and "very demoralizing" to homosexuals serving in the military.

In March, the Chicago Tribune reported that Pace said in a wide-ranging interview: "I do not believe the United States is well served by a policy that says it is OK to be immoral in any way."

Harkin, D-Iowa, said he wanted to give Pace a chance to amend his remarks in light of his retirement.

"It's a matter of leadership, and we have to be careful what we say," Harkin said.

Pace noted that the U.S. Military Code of Justice prohibits homosexual activity as well as adultery. Harkin said, "Well, then, maybe we should change that."

General Pace, may God bless you.

Jobu

The 2008 Election Coverage is getting into full swing and tons of polls show likely candidates. The Democrats are not giving us any pro-lifers and except for Giuliani and Romney, the Republicans are giving us plenty (as usual).

I want to mention one in particular: Hillary Clinton.

It was always rumored that Hillary was quietly running the country, and her household, during Bill Clinton's two terms in the White House. A friend sent me two interesting articles that should concern all of us:

Religious Devotion to Abortion

Hillary the Abortion Decision-Maker


A bit scary to say the least.

All Saints, pray for us!

Catholics for Abortion?

Yeah, that's right. These lost sheep of our flock clearly voting against the Gospel. We need to pray for them. I have seen these bumper stickers, but the shirts might be even better...



The "Mexico City Policy" was instituted by Ronald Reagan ("Life" Guard) in 1984 I believe. It stated that US funding for international "non-governmental" organizations could not spend these funds on advocating, promoting, or performing abortion (Yeah, Reagan!), but the fine line stipulates it can if it's for rape, incest, or life-threatening situations (Ugh, Reagan.).

The problem with the fine line of this policy is that some of the countries receiving funding have laws in clear contradiction to this policy, i.e. abortion is illegal or against the country's religious tradition.

Of course, Bill Clinton rescinded this policy.

Of course, of course, when W took office, he issued an executive order to reinstate the policy. Yeah, W!

Senator Barbara Boxer (no surprise) moved to rescind this policy this month and it passed 53-41. The difference? Our "Gang of 16" Catholic brothers and sisters supporting Barbara Boxer's move:

Bob Casey, Jr. (D-PA)
Patrick Leahy (D-VT)
Ted Kennedy (D-MA)
John Kerry (D-MA)
Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Susan Collins (R-ME)
Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
Mary Landrieu (D-LA)
Ken Salazar (D-CO)
Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Patty Murray (D-WA)
Jack Reed (D-RI)
Chris Dodd (D-CT)
Claire McCaskill (D-MO)


Praise be to God that W said he would veto it. Except for the war, are we positive he isn't Catholic?

Rev. Thomas Euteneur, Head of Human Life International, had this to say:
"At a time when these same politicians bewail America's standing in the world they vote to export death to nations that don't want it, in violation of those nations' religious traditions. They are the new 'ugly Americans' practicing imperialism at its worst."

Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

I saw Mother's Joy Before Her Death

The excitement bordering on hoopla generated by the publication of Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light (Doubleday, 2007) causes me to want to let people know that there was clearly another side.

I knew Mother Teresa for more than 30 years — half my life — and always found her to be a deeply prayerful, gentle and extremely compassionate person. She also had a wisdom that was not of this world, and it was obvious to me that she was inwardly directed in the work she did.

The darkness she experienced is part of the mystery of God’s dealing with human beings, but my opinion is that that darkness made her one of the strongest people I ever knew.

The general secretary of the United Nations referred to her as the most powerful woman in the world.

What makes a person powerful? The ability to struggle long and hard through difficulties.

There is another side. A few weeks before her death, Mother Teresa was in New York. The sisters very kindly invited me to offer Mass for her the day before she left for Calcutta. It was obvious that she was dying. She attended the Mass lying on a cot, unable to stand.

After Mass, I met a person I had never known. She was bubbly, exuberant, joyous, and telling Father Andrew Apostoli and me of the wonderful growth of the Missionaries of Charity. She was not bragging, but triumphantly rejoicing in the Lord. It was most remarkable, and we talked to her for quite some time.

As we were leaving, I commented to Father Andrew that we would never see her again, that she was obviously beginning to go through the gates of eternity. This is not an unknown phenomenon in the lives of certain mystic saints. They begin to enter eternal life while they are still in this world.

I want many people to know of this triumphant exultation of Mother Teresa in the last days of her life. Why did God permit her to experience his absence while she was profoundly motivated by his presence? Why did he permit her to be in darkness while she gave so much light to others? These are questions that we should perhaps not ask.

How do we know how God deals with his most chosen souls?

But it is perfectly obvious to me that Mother Teresa was not only a saint but a prophetess. She was given to us like the prophetesses of the Old Testament to remind us of the absolute transcendence of God, whom we must follow obediently wherever He leads us.

Father Benedict J. Groeschel, Franciscan Friar of Renewal.

Conception to Natural End

Earlier today, the Holy Father approved replies from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to questions raised by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops on artificial hydration and nutrition to a person in a vegetative state. The questions were:

1. Is the administration of food and water (whether by natural or artificial means) to a patient in a 'vegetative state' morally obligatory except when they cannot be assimilated by the patient's body or cannot be administered to the patient without causing significant physical discomfort?

Response: Yes. The administration of food and water even by artificial means is, in principle, an ordinary and proportionate means of preserving life. It is therefore obligatory to the extent to which, and for as long as, it is shown to accomplish its proper finality, which is the hydration and nourishment of the patient. In this way suffering and death by starvation and dehydration are prevented.


2. When nutrition and hydration are being supplied by artificial means to a patient in a 'permanent vegetative state,' may they be discontinued when competent physicians judge with moral certainty that the patient will never recover consciousness?

Response: No. A patient in a 'permanent vegetative state' is a person with fundamental human dignity and must, therefore, receive ordinary and proportionate care which includes, in principle, the administration of water and food even by artificial means."

"When stating that the administration of food and water is morally obligatory 'in principle,' the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith does not exclude the possibility that, in very remote places or in situations of extreme poverty, the artificial provision of food and water may be physically impossible, and then 'ad impossibilia nemo tenetur.' However, the obligation to offer the minimal treatments that are available remains in place, as well as that of obtaining, if possible, the means necessary for an adequate support of life. Nor is the possibility excluded that, due to emerging complications, a patient may be unable to assimilate food and liquids, so that their provision becomes altogether useless. Finally, the possibility is not absolutely excluded that, in some rare cases, artificial nourishment and hydration may be excessively burdensome for the patient or may cause significant physical discomfort, for example resulting from complications in the use of the means employed.

"These exceptional cases, however, take nothing away from the general ethical criterion, according to which the provision of water and food, even by artificial means, always represents a 'natural means' for preserving life, and is not a 'therapeutic treatment.' Its use should therefore be considered 'ordinary and proportionate,' even when the 'vegetative state' is prolonged."

AMEN!

9/11 - A Bible lesson.

I cannot believe it has been 6 years since that horrible morning that found me heading to a meeting in Lower Manhattan on an otherwise, normal September 11th. That was definitely one of the most horrible days I've ever experienced and today I find myself reflecting on the events.

What I find most interesting is the dynamic of fundamentalism - notably Islamic - and the path God Incarnate took when conquering sin and death.

Deus Caritas Est.

"God is love" and we know this because how often the Creator of the Universe humbled Himself as equal to man, His creation. Unlike Adam who sought equality with God, [Christ]:

Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.

Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance,

he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)

God sent His only son into the world to be born of a virgin. He didn't order it, he awaited Mary's reply (His gift of free will). Her "yes" has changed the world. Her "yes" brought Christ the King.

Christ the King, not born into royal garments within a castle, but in swaddling clothes in a manger.

Christ the King, who modeled his "righteous" earthen father and became a carpenter.

Christ the King, who was mocked.

Christ the King, who was scourged.

Christ the King, who was crowned with thorns.

Christ the King, who embraced the Cross that he would later be nailed to.

Christ the King, who at anytime could have shown his awesome wonder on Calvary and come down from the Cross. (Mark 15:32)

Christ the King, who prayed, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." (Psalm 31:5, Luke 23:46)

This King, who created the world and who created man, died for the sins of many.

For you.

For me.

The Creator of the Universe could have destroyed evil with the sword, but He chose to show us that only by humility can you defeat the Evil One.

So as I think of those planes diving into the World Trade Center, an image that none of us can soon forget, do remember my brothers and sisters that we are called to conquer by love.

"All who take the sword will perish by the sword." (Matthew 26:52)

We adore You, O Christ, and we praise You.

Because by Your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world.

Christ Jesus: Hero

A great meditation by Rev. Gerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. (1844-1889)...

[Christ] is the true-love and the bridegroom of men's souls; the virgins follow him whithersoever he goes; the martyrs follow him through a sea of blood, through great tribulation; all his servants take up their cross and follow him. And those even that do not follow him, yet they look wistfully after him, own him a hero, and wish they dared answer to his call. Children as soon as they can understand ought to be told about him, that they may make him the hero of their young hearts.

From all that might be said of Christ's character I single out one point and beg you to notice that. He loved to praise, he loved to reward. He knew what was in man, he best knew men's faults and yet he was the warmest in their praise. When he worked a miracle he would grace it with "Thy faith hath saved thee," that it might almost seem the receiver's work, not his. He said of Nathaniel that he was an Israelite without guile; he that searches hearts said this, and yet what praise that was to give! He called the two sons of Zebedee Sons of Thunder, kind and stately and honorable name! We read of nothing thunderlike that they did except, what was sinful, to wish fire down from heaven on some sinners but they deserved the name or he would not have given it, and he has given it them for all time. Of John the Baptist he said that his greater was not born of women. He said to Peter, "Thou art Rock," and rewarded a moment's acknowledgement of him with the lasting headship of his Church. He defended Magdalen and took means that the story of her generosity should be told for ever. And though he bids us say we are unprofitable servants, yet he himself will say to each of us "Good and faithful servant, well done."

And this man whose picture I have tried to draw for you, brethren, is your God. He was your maker in time past; hereafter he will be your judge. Make him your hero now.

Amen.

The VIS is back!

Now that the Vatican Information Service has resumed daily reports from the Vatican, I feel a bit closer to the Holy See. Pope Benedict XVI was in Montorso, Italy, on Sunday presiding at a Eucharistic concelebration in front of 500,000 young people. During his Homily, he touched on the importance of us Christians being counter-cultural, as Christ was:


The Holy Father launched a message to the young people "who wish to follow Christ and to be part of His Church. ... Do not follow the path of pride but that of humility. Swim against the tide. Do not listen to biased and persuasive voices advocating lifestyles based on arrogance and violence, on self-importance and success at all costs, on appearance and possession to the detriment of being."

"Be vigilant and critical" towards the messages that reach you via the communications media, warned the Holy Father. "Do not be afraid to give preference to the 'alternative' paths indicated by real love: a life of sobriety and solidarity; pure and sincere emotional relationships; honest commitment in study and work; profound concern for the common good. Do not be afraid to seem different or to be criticized for ... being out of fashion. Your peers, ... and especially those who seem furthest from the mentality and values of the Gospel, have a profound need to see someone who dares to live in accordance with the fullness of humanity as manifested by Jesus Christ."

It's easy to swim with the tide, but salvation comes with a price.

Sober up!

"Proclaim the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words."

(St. Augustine of Hippo)