Father Alar and Fr. Goring are bending over backwards to not jump on the condemnation bandwagon. Father Alar at the 2:30 point runs into the crux of deception. Blessing a person with same-sex attraction who is pursuing a chaste life is one thing, but blessing a homosexual "couple" approaching a priest for a blessing in-and-of-itself visually conveys approval of their sinful relationship. This dilemma is why Fr. Alar questions why the word, "couple", is used. The document conveys such ambiguity in other places. Showing just this fault line is enough because actions speak louder than words. It all goes back to AMORIS LÆTITIA. If couples who are such, without previously obtaining an annulment of their former marriage, receive Holy Communion, their reception of that sublime GIFT proclaims to faithful Catholics that everything is just fine! Actions speak louder than words! Remember the brochure celebrating the synodal process in our dioceses that had pictures of women in clergy garments. Again, the visuals have more impact than words do! And so, mitigating clauses in the new document, will quickly be forgotten when actions are taken that publicly appear to approve what is actually sinful. There is a proverb: look at what they do, not what they say! C'mon Father Alar and Fr. Goring, stand your ground and reject the deception of the Evil One! O Mary , conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee!
I always like to look at the positives in all this. One great positive has been the reaction of ordinary Catholics....I mean the Catholics who actually go to Church. It has been wonderful and a great source of hope. It reminds me of what Fulton Sheen once said , that it is the Laity who will save the Church, Bless them. They are not afraid to open fire with both barrels.
Pope Francis, early in his pontificate, insulted those groups who were praying rosaries for him. The perverts fear only the rigid and backward.
The Mass readings today are just so powerful and imo THE only response to what is going on in the Church and works right now. It’s no coincidence that this comes out in Advent… in the midst of the darkness. But Advent is a time of joyful waiting and hope. We know Christ came to bring light and the darkness will not cover this light. Christ will come again at the end of tine whenever tgat us. BUT if we personally allow it and open our hearts he comes again now in our time to build HIS kingdom within each of us. And that joy cannot be taken away by anybody including Pooes, Kings, prime ministers, or Presidents. Come Lord Jesus Come! Maranatha! Sharing this reflection on today’s readings… it’s perfect for where /what I’m feeling. Peace. https://watch.formed.org/suggested-...RCA&utm_content=287169115&utm_source=hs_email
Here's a good response from a faithful Bishop.https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/b...ssed/?utm_source=most_recent&utm_campaign=usa What terrible times we find ourselves in.
You could see this coming.https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/j...es/?utm_source=featured-news&utm_campaign=usa
Thank you everyone for your prayers! Power here was restored by midnight last night. Those hard working crews are truly heroic. May God bless them! Our state is very hard hit. Rivers only now beginning to recede from flood stage. Many still without power. But they are working hard to have everyone back on line by Christmas.
On the Terry and Jesse radio show on Virgin Most Powerful radio had Fr Charles Murr on discussing this blessing fiasco. He was so clear and concise. He says everyone knows the teaching about this who are practicing Catholics. The Dicastrie has turned clear truth into theological word salad. These blessings cannot be given. Period. If you can find the podcast "Full Sheen Ahead" its worth a listen.
I don't doubt he will use this in the debates he will have with the Republican candidate. Indeed, in the face of Pope Francis' declining health, perhaps they are already planning the "Catholic Spring" (Part 2).
---- The media has reported that both US and Canadian CCBs have issued statements declaring that the Vatican approval of the blessing of same-sex couples does not change Catholic doctrine. They point to the difference between "sacramental" and "pastoral". Many cardinals, bishops and priests are being deceived, are acting or not acting due to cowardice, stifling their consciences in the process, or have personally fallen spiritually. Others are acting out of (blind) obedience to Church authorities because they have been taught and formed to do so. It is really up to the few brave clergymen and the faithful remnant to defend and hold on to the true faith. God promised to raise up and to send us "giants of holiness" to lead us in these times as never before. As I was praying and meditating on this unfolding moral and spiritual crisis, these thoughts came to my mind: "Pastoral" is intended to uphold "sacramental". It should never reject, oppose or even subtly and cunningly undermine the sacred and inviolable teachings of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The pastoral should complement and support the precious, priceless gifts and graces of the sacraments offered by God to His people, undeserved by us and paid for with immeasurable pains and sufferings by Our Savior. Sacramentals, such as blessings, should be both given and received with the right interior disposition to be effective. For these very reasons, Our Lord Jesus warns us to stay on the straight and narrow path as the only way to heaven.
A trial run for living without electric. I'm so glad it's back! My husband is a retired lineman so I know all about outages. When we had our ice storm six months ago and were without power for a week. we invested in a woodstove and stocked up on wood this summer when it was cheaper. We've been using it a little for supplemental heat already. It's great! Trying to have our bases covered.
Praying Divine Office everyday can really keep you focused. The readings this morning were very profound. I'm pasting a commentary that is very deep but so needed as we struggle through current events. Second reading From a commentary on Luke by Saint Ambrose, bishop Mary visits Elizabeth When the angel revealed his message to the Virgin Mary he gave her a sign to win her trust. He told her of the motherhood of an old and barren woman to show that God is able to do all that he wills. When she hears this Mary sets out for the hill country. She does not disbelieve God’s word; she feels no uncertainty over the message or doubt about the sign. She goes eager in purpose, dutiful in conscience, hastening for joy. Filled with God, where would she hasten but to the heights? The Holy Spirit does not proceed by slow, laborious efforts. Quickly, too, the blessings of her coming and the Lord’s presence are made clear: as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting the child leapt in her womb, and she was filled with the Holy Spirit. Notice the contrast and the choice of words. Elizabeth is the first to hear Mary’s voice, but John is the first to be aware of grace. She hears with the ears of the body, but he leaps for joy at the meaning of the mystery. She is aware of Mary’s presence, but he is aware of the Lord’s: a woman aware of a woman’s presence, the forerunner aware of the pledge of our salvation. The women speak of the grace they have received while the children are active in secret, unfolding the mystery of love with the help of their mothers, who prophesy by the spirit of their sons. The child leaps in the womb; the mother is filled with the Holy Spirit, he fills his mother with the same Spirit. John leaps for you, and the spirit of Mary rejoices in her turn. When John leaps for joy Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, but we know that though Mary’s spirit rejoices she does not need to be filled with the Holy Spirit. Her son, who is beyond our understanding, is active in his mother in a way beyond our understanding. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit after conceiving John, while Mary is filled with the Holy Spirit before conceiving the Lord. Elizabeth says: Blessed are you because you have believed. You also are blessed because you have heard and believed. A soul that believes both conceives and brings forth the Word of God and acknowledges his works. Let Mary’s soul be in each of you to proclaim the greatness of the Lord. Let her spirit be in each to rejoice in the Lord. Christ has only one mother in the flesh, but we all bring forth Christ in faith. Every soul receives the Word of God if only it keeps chaste, remaining pure and free from sin, its modesty undefiled. The soul that succeeds in this proclaims the greatness of the Lord, just as Mary’s soul magnified the Lord and her spirit rejoiced in God her Savior. In another place we read: Magnify the Lord with me. The Lord is magnified, not because the human voice can add anything to God but because he is magnified within us. Christ is the image of God, and if the soul does what is right and holy, it magnifies that image of God, in whose likeness it was created and, in magnifying the image of God, the soul has a share in its greatness and is exalted.
Sister Lucia of Fatima told us that there was no problem that could not be solved through the power of the rosary.
This is a fine response and pleases me. I will say, however, that the MSM will fawn over the Fr. James Martins of the world, who will use this as an opportunity to go beyond the letter of the document and bless gays as couples. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
