Advent in the East and West
How do the different Churches in the Catholic Church experience Advent?
When you’re forced to say silly things…
Yesterday morning I was standing outside of a Planned Parenthood clinic and, as we prayed the rosary, I was reminded of a video I saw a few weeks ago and I made a mental note to share it here today. The video was of Debbie Wasserman Schultz, an American Politician, being interviewed about her children…
Here’s a transcript of the interview with my comments interspersed:
Interviewer: In your opinion, were [your children] human beings before they were born?
This is a simple question. It deserves a simple “Yes” or “No” answer. Of course, the answer is obvious: yes! Of course, they were human beings before they were born, it’s a simple matter of biology. They were living organisms with human DNA – they were therefore human.
Schultz: You know, I believe that every woman has the right to make their own reproductive choices.
Notice how a simple question was completely avoided. Instead of an answer, we were treated to a political slogan.
Interviewer: But what did you believe about your children?
The question is politely repeated…
Schultz: That I had the right to make my own reproductive choices, which I was glad to have and which I was proud to have.
Again the question is avoided. However, her response dresses in very nice language her rather distressing viewpoint, that she had the right to kill her children if she had so desired.
Interviewer: So were they human beings? Just yes or no.
Yet again, the question is politely repeated…
Schultz: They’re human beings today, and I’m glad I had the opportunity to make my own reproductive choices, as — a right that every woman has and should maintain.
So if they’re human beings today, what on earth were they before? Ants? Elephants? Dolphins? What species transitions into humanity? Aren’t we pro-lifers meant to be the ones who are unscientific? Sheesh…
I look back over this interview and marvel. I understand why this politician responds in the way she does – her philosophy demands it…even if it makes her look rather silly. Since she is in favour of “reproductive choices”, she is forced to avoid answering basic biological questions…because to do so honestly would bring her worldview into sharp conflict with reality.
Helping on the journey home
In case you haven’t seen them, this last week Brandon Vogt shared some guidance on helping those we love return to the Catholic Church. He did this through a series of four videos and I have included below my favourite of those videos:
These videos have been teasers for a larger video series which Brandon has now released. You can purchase them here and they’ll be available at a sale price until Thursday.
The Antichrist
“….throughout the short history of Protestant-styled Christianity, Evangelicals have identified the single antichrist as many entities: Queen Mary, Ronald Reagan, Adolph Hitler, Islam, Henry Kissinger, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Saddam Hussein, Barrack Obama, George Soros, even the Visa Corporation, and many others.
“When false teachings and imaginary enemies are revealed as simple Evangelical speculation, the system is rebooted and the title of antichrist defaults to the pope. It is expected; Jesus was accused of being demon-possessed. It is fitting for the Vicar of Christ to share some labels”
– Patrick Vanderpool
Friday Frivolity: Sound Theology
The Testament of St. Francis
One of the books I read on sabbatical was St. Francis and the Cross by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa and Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini. In the book they reflected on “The Testament of St. Francis”, a work which the great Saint dictated to a scribe shortly before his death.
I have, on occasion, met Anglican Franciscans, but after having read Francis’ Testament, I don’t really understand how one could wish to embrace Franciscan in spirituality and yet not become part of the Catholic Church. Below is the document in its entirety.
Wise Words on Wednesday: Raking Muck
Rake the muck this way. Rake the muck that way. It will still be muck. In the time you are brooding, you could be on your way, stringing pearls for the delight of heaven
– Hasidic Teaching.