I've known for some time that this powerful homosexual agenda will not let us abide in peace. Their version of tolerance demands that everyone agree with them. I trust the Holy Spirit will give us the words, but I think it's prudent to have an answer ready when we're confronted with this. Last night at work, at the bedside of a dying woman, I ran across a nurse I'd worked with years ago. Amazingly, just within earshot of the patient's family, she asked, "What do you think of your new Pope? Did you ever think you'd have a Pope who would accept gay people, and even allow them to marry?" I quietly answered, "This Pope teaches, with his words and actions, love for all people, which has always been the teaching of the Church. Sacramental marriage is another thing altogether..." "But did you hear what he said? I think he's going to allow gay marriage! Don't you think that's wonderful?" I didn't answer, and she launched into a diatribe about how badly she'd been hurt by the nuns in school. I apologized to her, and told her that never should have happened to her. She said, "I appreciate that, but I'm never coming back to that Church of yours. Never!!!". I said, "We miss you." She said, "I love my church. I've been going there for years, and I'm just fine there." I said, "It's all about Jesus." When I said His name, she looked stunned; even afflicted. By this time the family had taken an interest in our conversation, and she finally let it go. Anybody else have an experience like this? I'm afraid it's going to become very common...
Some trying, confusing times we are living in. Prayer is such a respite then - where I can escape and also know confidently that I am serving the Lord, if even for a little while.
kathy k, I know the feeling. I had a contractor (not Catholic) who does work at our site make a statement about our pope now essenitally endorsing homosexuuality by his statement, "who am I to judge" when speaking about gays in the priesthood. What is person to say to this. I am not silent to much of anything in defending the faith, but I had no come-back. If Pope Francis had said, love the gay person but reject the gay life style that would have been great, but he didn't. He said, "who am I to judge"! Judge what, his actions or his soul? Holy Father really muddied the waters on that comment with those wihin the Catholic faith and those on the outside.
I usually have the same answer for all the hopes of the liberals, from woman priests to gay marriage: The Church does NOT have the authority to change Jesus' teachings. No matter who is in the Church and no matter how high up, the actual doctrine has been passed intact from Jesus and the apostles themselves, and since the Holy Spirit will guide Her to the Second Coming, the holy Catholic Church will never be in error or lead a soul to damnation by her actual teaching. The world has always been contrary to Her teaching, even back when it was lawful to throw a Christian to the Lions. If go by societies laws, we will go straight to hell when we die, as society only thinks of money, power, and sexual freedom. So as Christians, we can never sin and expect it to be ok, even if it is promoted by civil law. People usually have to think about that for a little while...
I listened to a conversation at work between two Catholic ladies. I didn't say anything and I think they were hoping I would butt in. Eventually they asked what I thought and I told them that they both now Protestant because of their opinions. They just went kinda stunned quiet and that was that.
We are guaranteed that no validly elected Pope will officially define erroneous doctrines. Unfortunately we are not guaranteed that outrageously sinful men (like some of the Borgia's) will be elected nor men who speak too hastily and with insufficient circumspection. The Pope's words have been misinterpreted but I, for one, knew that they would be, it's a great pity that he didn't. Let's hope that he is learning some important lessons and doing so very, very quickly.
