Fabricating Francis

When Time announced that Pope Francis was named its Man of the Year, I announced that I didn't care. I even poked a little fun at myself for stating such, but that doesn't change what I think about Time's decision.

As I stated previously, it's not because I don't like Francis. It's not about him at all. It's about Time and more specifically about the motives I believe that much of the press (secular and non-secular in some instances) as well as a considerable number of persona have in "promoting", recognizing, or other-wise praising Francis.

It's my opinion that the aforementioned persons and entities at best misunderstand and at worst hate the Church. Some hate religion in general with a particular disdain for Christianity and a maximum detestation of Catholicism.

This is clearly evident by the euphoria over perceived change that many are boasting Francis brings to the Catholic Church.

All popes bring with them change to some degree or another. They're human, and God uses their own personalities and differences, just as He does with each and every one of us.

But it is what I perceive to be an intense desire for doctrinal change that I take exception to.

Now, there is a wide gap between "misunderstand" and "hate", so if you are one of those who fall into the "euphoric infatuation with doctrinal change category", I do not presume to know or judge the state of your heart nor your motives.

What I do know is that from the very beginning of his papacy, there has been an attempt by many to fabricate Francis. That is to say that many are trying to make him into what they desire rather than allow him to even lay the groundwork for his papal ministry.

We can't help it, can we? We are so used to this soundbite world where we deduce an entire theory based on one sentence of a thousand-word speech. We think in terms of politics, sides, and camps - where for instance the president makes a speech. Someone tells us what he is about to say, he says what he has to say, someone tells us what he "meant", and then "the other side" tells us what he "really meant."

We don't want to just shut up and listen, to observe, to reflect, and discern lest we discover it is not the Church that must change but rather it is we who must change.

Armed resistance to oppression by political authority

As Catholics, we have such a great resource in the Catechism.

Catechism means "teaching", and although the Catechism is pretty thorough about what the Church teaches, it is of course not all-inclusive.

Now, for those who might frown on a resource beyond the Bible, I suggest taking a look at the Catechism, and then seek out how that compares to your particular faith and the fullness of explanations provided.

I particularly like to view the searchable index to find out what the Church teaches regarding certain topics. This morning I decided to look up "politics". Well, I found "Political authority/community" with 10 sub-categories referencing 17 paragraphs. The first listed is "action of resisting oppression by political power".

Again, while not all-inclusive of even this particular sub-category (meaning there is room for particular circumstances and interpretation), I really love the thought that has gone into this. Here's what the Catechism (paragraph 2243) says:

Armed resistance to oppression by political authority is not legitimate, unless all the following conditions are met: 

• there is certain, grave, and prolonged violation of fundamental rights;  

• all other means of redress have been exhausted; 

• such resistance will not provoke worse disorders; 

• there is well-founded hope of success; and 

• it is impossible reasonably to foresee any better solution.

Disclaimer: This is merely a catechetical observation and not a suggestion that there is anything in the current political culture of the United States of America that warrants said action. Wackos stay away from my blog and Mr FBI man, you don't need to come visit me....again.

Why does the Catholic Church focus so much on sin?

This is my second year preparing second grade children to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation. I have been sending follow-up e-mails to their parents each week, explaining what we just learned.

This past lesson was on making good choices. We discussed contrition, the difference between mistakes and accidents and sin, the different kinds of sins, and making a good examination of conscience. These are very young children, but they have a pretty good grasp of this information believe it or not.

While composing the e-mail to the parents, I really felt compelled to say something to them about sin and the Catholic Church's motivation for helping us to think about our sins. Here it is, unmodified for this blog posting.

Many times we can wonder why the Catholic Church seems to want us to focus so much on sin. This may be the most important note I can ever pass on to you and to the children: The Church does not want us to beat ourselves up about sin. The Church does not want us to think about our sins so that we feel like we are bad people. The reason that we should think about our sins (examination of conscience) is to find the areas of our life we need to fix in order to heal our relationship with God and to be with Him for eternity; to learn to do better. A good examination of Conscience is a positive thing. It is looking at the way God wants me to live, to compare that to the way I have been living, so that I recognize where I have gotten off track and need to refocus on particular areas of my life, striving to do better with His Grace. And even more, going to God in the Sacrament of Reconciliation is real healing; God's forgiveness and Mercy understood in this way is real power. Like a good parent, the Church wants only the very best for us, what is most important. There is nothing more important than the salvation of souls. This is the mission of the Church., and it is precisely out of love that we are called to this great Sacrament.

The Mission of the Church; Salvation

I am finding more and more Catholics quoting Catholic Church doctrine. Great, right? Maybe, maybe not. The problem, or at least the potential problem is that many times, Catholic doctrine is used to support a "personal" position. This can be dangerous.

Now, I am not suggesting that one not quote Catholic doctrine. I do it all the time, and will do it again here in just a bit. But who knows, maybe I have been guilty in the past of doing exactly what I am going to point out as inappropriate  Writing this blog challenges me to be a better Catholic, so much of what I write is just that, God's challenge to me to do better. If someone else is helped along the way, then Glory to God!

What is dangerous, is to take a position, especially a secular one, and then try to "find" Catholic doctrine that meets your position. This is the reverse of what a Catholic should be doing. And since the satanic operates in a way that I will call a "mirror" image of God, that is to say in a way that may look like or be similar to but actually produces the inverted or reverse outcome willed by God, one should be on guard against such "traps and snares".

A Catholic should be availing his or herself of the teachings of the Church and strive to properly form his or her conscience, using those doctrines and the other necessary tools for proper discernment towards the mission of the Church.

Ah, the mission of the Church. The mission of the Church is the salvation of souls. Period. While there may be many means to this end, the "means" must not become the primary focus.

For instance, while we are all called to "feed the hungry", one may respond to this calling more fully through missionary work to the poor. While this can be of itself a good thing and certainly compassionate, if it is accomplished void of consideration for the souls of the poor, it is void of true "merit" and distinctly apart from the mission of the Church.

Even more dangerous today is to try to manipulate Church teaching around a political candidate or party. Ha! Folly indeed! I've got no beef with measuring a politician or party against Church doctrines in order to show the distinct differences between them or to persuade others to help in reforming candidates and parties, but don't try to tell me you've found the perfect politician or party out there that you feel so inclined to vehemently defend.

Also on that note, if you're engaging in conversations that are mean and nasty, that degrade to personal attacks and such and especially in the name of the Catholic Church or Church teaching, then perhaps you should consider stepping back and discerning whose agent you are being in all of this.

Apart from God, even something that looks good can bring about evil. It all started in a garden one day.

The missionary mandate. "Having been divinely sent to the nations that she might be 'the universal sacrament of salvation,' the Church, in obedience to the command of her founder and because it is demanded by her own essential universality, strives to preach the Gospel to all men": "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and Lo, I am with you always, until the close of the age." - Catechism 849