Crisis, Character, BengIRSAP, and US

I've decided to blend the scandals of the Benghazi terrorism cover-up, the IRS bullying tactics, and the bullying tactics of the DOJ with regards to the AP into the word BengIRSAP. It just makes it easier for me, and I have never liked making anything and everything scandalous into a "-gate" subcategory (as in "zipper-gate").

Also, I was thinking of something a former pastor of mine once said. 

"Crisis does not create character. Crisis reveals character." - Fr. Dennis Hayes (Archdiocese of New Orleans)

While Fr. Hayes was speaking of the varied responses to Hurricane Katrina, the responses (or lack thereof) we (the people) have received from the current White House Administration brings this statement to mind.

CRISIS - an unstable or crucial time or state of affairs in which a decisive change is impending - Webster

CHARACTER - the complex of mental and ethical traits marking and often individualizing a person, group, or nation - Webster

You don't need me to lay out the case regarding what we are seeing from the persons of or the Administration as a group. BUT...I wonder what the true character of our nation is.

How will we respond?

What will be revealed about us?

BengIRSAP: Where does "the buck" stop?

Benghazi, IRS, and the AP; BengIRSAP.

It seems the media is finally paying attention to the facts instead of the fairy tales. The White House is finally being asked real questions about its handling or mishandling of specific events and occurrences both domestic and abroad. Wow! What a shame it has taken so long.

But I suspect that this may not last for long. Even under fire, the President, the Head of the AG, and the White House Spokesman continue to spin, dodge, blame, and even lie.

But they are also enabled by their political opponents who try to get so far in front of the facts that they make themselves look like targets. Oh, and this Administration has had so much target practice, I'm sure they qualify as expert marksmen.

Whether "left", "right", or "moderate", I wish we could all just be honest.

I'll start. I am not a fan of this President, most of those in his Administration, and especially the AG.

That said, I am not hoping that the President will be found to have been criminally involved in BengIRSAP or intentional cover-ups.

That would further damage our country and the Office. I still hold that the Office commands a respect that goes far above anyone who occupies it. And seeking a particular person (even the President; especially the President) to be found of criminal intent is motivated by something other than a desire for the truth.

BUT...I do want the truth. I do want to know who "did it" (in each and every matter of importance as it relates to BengIRSAP), and I want their to be just consequences for those involved  regardless of who they are or what office they hold.

However, before we get to that point, I would like the President and each of those with authority regarding the various aspects of BengIRSAP to just take responsibility. Not as the former Secretary of State did. That was phony and meaningless. I mean a good old fashioned "The buck stops here" statement from those with whom "the buck" should stop.

But especially the President. NOT so he can become the target, but so that we can get beyond that and start searching for the true targets. In my thinking, passing the buck only makes one look guilty and arouses suspicions.

Don't get me wrong, this isn't the first President who has shirked responsibility, and he won't be the last; a lack of character not isolated to any particular political party either.

Viva la Vida: My Second "First Communion"

My 2nd Grade class received their First Communion this weekend. It was a truly joyous day. Adding to that joy was seeing my own son Brandon receive Holy Communion for the first time and having my wife  Kendra with us throughout the year and especially on that day.

Of all of the years that I have taught Faith Formation (or CCD) this year was unique, and not just because of our special family involvement. In some ways, there were challenges that I had not had in the past and did not expect. There were a few instances that I may never understand. Yes, I am being vague on purpose.

But the children surprised me in really good ways. They were not afraid to ask questions about some not-easy-to-understand topics; you know, mysteries. Many of them liked to talk about particular word translations too. We had a great time through several classes comparing Mass with a time machine.

And you bet they were prepared to receive their First Communion; catechetically, spiritually, and rubrically. (Although my spell check does not like that word, I double-checked to ensure it's a word.) We bought our own box of unconsecrated hosts and used more than 300 of them in addition to what was supplied to us by the Parish.

It was really great to have Brandon sitting next to me at the Mass and watching each of my students receive for the first time. But after I received Communion and was thanking God for these children, for entrusting them to me, and for the renewed life He had given to me, a very undeserving character, I thought about my two First Communions.

I thought about my First Communion as a child about 38 years ago. I remembered at least one of the lessons and rehearsals and the excited anticipation of receiving the Eucharist for the first time. I remembered the priest, the church, my white suit. I remembered the party at my house afterward; the cake and at least 3 of my presents. Strangely though, I do not actually remember receiving Communion that first time or any of the Mass at all.

And then I thought about my second First Communion; the one about 6 1/2 years ago. It was November 2006, a little more than 2 years after my reversion to the Faith following more than a decade of absence to varying degrees.

Kendra was in RCIA and was dismissed after the Homily, so I sat alone, but more un-alone than I can explain. Nor can I explain the overwhelming anticipation that I felt as I approached Jesus in the Eucharist after so long. After Communion, Flashes of my life literally passed before me at one instant and the emotion of it all was too much.

No. I do not remember the actual act of receiving the Eucharist this time either. As hard as I try, I cannot. I'm a big sap for the nostalgic, but I can honestly say that not remembering either of these times does not sadden or bother me at all.

I think it's because these moments are part of the kairos as I wrote about here before.

A former pastor of mine once preached about chronos and kairos time. Very simply, chronos time may be explained by the answer to the question "What time is it?" while kairos time is better explained by the statement "I had a great time". While chronos refers to sequential time, kairos refers to a moment. 

In the Eastern Church, before the Liturgy begins, the deacon exclaims "Kairos tou poiesai to Kyrio"; which means "It is time for the Lord to act", recognizing the joining of our earthly and heavenly worship.

I sometimes think about how hard it was to go to Mass after Mass without being able to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.

I sometimes think about how many years I didn't think about it much at all.

I sometimes wonder why God would still want me after those years of rejecting Him. I wonder why He would want to use someone like me. This is too self-absorbed. God wants each of us. He calls each of us.

I just finally listened....and responded.

Viva la Vida (Live Life) is a running series of posts about my life experiences, meant to help me reflect on the "why's?" of who I am becoming through my ongoing conversion. The inspiration for the title comes from the Coldplay song.

Other posts in this series:

A Glimpse
Tribute to a man I never knew
What's in a Name?

My Heroic Announcement

I am officially announcing that I am heterosexual. I do not suffer from same-sex attraction.

Right about now, you are probably mad at me or are laughing.

If you are mad, you are a hypocrite and should probably stop reading.

If you are laughing, then it just goes to show how upside down we find ourselves these days.

I thought the "news" which prompted the post to which I just linked would have blown over by now, but sadly it has not. It seems that nearly every athlete interviewed this week must be forced to go "on record" on the situation.

I find myself wondering how many would be labeled as being heroic or courageous for standing strong for heterosexuality and the natural order, God's plan for the continuation of human life.

How many would be labeled as empathetic and loving if they stated their support for those who suffer from same-sex attraction yet resist the urge to act upon their disordered attractions?

Someone announces that they are homosexual; they are heroic and courageous. Someone announces they are heterosexual; well that's just hateful.

Mediocre athlete makes an announcement; news for a week and a call from the President of the United State. Husband and father makes an announcement; crickets, I'm sure.

May Day! May Day! St. Joseph, Mother Mary Help Us!

Today, girls as young as 15 will be able to purchase abortion pills off of store shelves.

May Day! May Day!

God is not allowed in our schools and public places.

May Day! May Day!

About 125,000 babies are killed in the womb every day.

May Day! May Day!

Disorder is celebrated as heroic greatness.

May Day! May Day!

The FCC has a plan to reduce complaints they receive about indecency. It's not to make network tv more decent. It's to allow just about anything, including the F-Bomb and full nudity.

May Day! May Day!

Most people follow along like sheep as government distracts them from the true causes of violence in our society.

May Day! May Day!

You know I could go on and on here.

Today is the feast of St Joseph the Worker. It is an opportunity to reflect on the true direction of our lives. Our work, whatever that is, finds its true fulfillment when directed toward the service of God. That is, we understand that in performing the work of our lives, the work God has given us, we thank Him by performing that work in a dignified manner. Our work is blessed when we recognize it as God's provision to us, to sustain us and our families.

It is a way to "pray without ceasing". It is a way to give our lives in sacrifice. As with any true sacrifice, we acknowledge that our work (our lives) are a gift from God. We take that gift, make something of it, and offer it back to God.

This is far different from the Communists' (who celebrate May Day today) perspective that each person is but a unit of labor in service to the government. When Christians rightly understand that the true orientation of work is toward God, they gain a better appreciation of the other's work as well. And this should translate into a better understanding and appreciation for the dignity of the entire person as well.

May is the month of Mary.

How blessed to have been given the responsibility of giving our Savior life, loving and nurturing Him. If ever we needed the intercession of our Blessed Mother, we need it now.

Let's turn to her intercession and ask her to petition her Son to intervene in the gross situation we find our world today; to give us a true love for each other, not the false love of the world which says that in order to love we must diminish God.

MAY the examples of St. Joseph and the Blessed Mother re-orient us towards our God.

POOF!!! Your Medical Woes Have Disappeared

A relative of mine recently went to the OB doctor.

She was informed that Medicare no longer pays for annual visits.

Poof! She does not need those anymore I guess. Oh, they take regular insurance, so....

She's been taking a prescription for more than ten years. This particular doctor has been prescribing it to her for about 8 years. It seems she no longer needs the medication. The doctor questioned out loud whether the medicine ever proved to work.

POOF!

Celebrating Disorder

Tolerance does not mean pretending that something which is disordered is something other than that. I find it ridiculous that I even have to start with that line, but in our current culture it is a necessity.

If people tell themselves something enough times, they may begin to believe it. If people are told to believe something enough times, they may begin to believe it. If people witness others being ridiculed for speaking the truth, they may be reluctant to speak the truth. If people witness others being wrongly accused of intolerance  they may lose perspective of what that really means.

This is where we find ourselves.

Same-sex attraction is disordered. That is, it is not in the natural order of things; it is against the natural law. Those who suffer from same-sex attraction should be treated with respect and understanding, encouraged to a life of chastity; not told that the trial they are experiencing is "a great thing".

Some will interpret these words as "hateful", but to those who do so, I say that it is you who are hateful and intolerant.

Oh, by no means is same-sex attraction alone in the categorization of  sexual disorder. Lust is of itself a disordered desire toward sexual pleasure. And that's not all of course.

For years the secular world has embraced and encouraged disordered sexual acts such as fornication and adultery and have promoted a culture which stimulates interests in pornography, sexual violence, and of course "homosexuality".

The world is not interested in loving people enough to help them with and through such disorders. In fact, the world celebrates these things and attempts to make those who do care enough to speak truthfully appear to be insensitive.

All one has to do to confirm what I am saying is to put on the news today, wait for the "Sports" stories of the day, and see what is being celebrated.

How backwards and upside down we have become!