Friday, April 27, 2007
Truth and Tolerance
All of us know that suicide is the number one cause of death among gay-identified youth. Some researchers report that as many as a third of all gay-identified youth has attempted to take their life. Why are gay-identified teens taking (or contemplating) taking their life? The answer is simple. Bigotry.
"Love one another as I have love you"
We should work as hard as anyone to put an end to bigotry. As Christians we need to love homosexuals. Though we definately do not condone homosexual behavior, we need to be encouraged to get out of our comfort zones and love the person behind the issue and to walk alongside those who are on the long, hard road to freedom.
No one can discount the truth that there is freedom from homosexuality in Christ! Scientific and social research have shown that same-sex attraction is not genetic. Therefore, it does not have to dictate the course of one’s life.
Many gay-identified Catholics have left the Church (altogether) because they feel that both God and Church has disowned them due to their orientation. This is not true. They leave because of the comments and remarks of certain members of the congregation that makes them feel left out and disowned.
Such attitudes must change!
As representatives of Christ, it is our duty to stand up for those who are hated and judged. This does not involve condoning sin, as Jesus demonstrated by saying to the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.” (St. John 8:11). But first, He chased away those who accused her in their self-righteousness. We can change lives with the grace Jesus exemplified.
We don’t do this by redefining marriage, we do it by being a friend to the lonely and sticking up for the bullied. We don’t silence the truth, but speak the truth even when lies are more popular. We don’t do this by offering false hope in sexual permissiveness; we do it by sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and facilitating the healing that is not only possible, but promised.
The most important thing is not to condemn!
It's hard to understand why someone we care about would live a lifestyle you don't agree with, but the best thing we can do when we have a friend who's struggling with sexual sin is PRAY! Continue to care. We need to remember we don't have to agree with him/her to love him/her with God's love. The Bible reminds us in Romans 3:23 that, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."All. As in you, and I too.
As Catholic Christians, it's our responsibility to share the truth in love. We're called to be ambassadors for Christ- not lawyers. We shouldn't feel as though we have to argue with someone until we're blue in the face, rather, we should simply let our lives be the example of Christ. Only then, everything we say or do will prove our faith and radiate God's love to anyone in need.
In society today, there are forces trying to disintegrate the meaning of family and indoctrinate younger and younger schoolchildren with sexual confusion. We offer this and all other intentions to our Blessed Mother- Virgin Most Pure- trusting in her maternal intercession. Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of your womb Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Labels: Catholic Belief, Homosexuality, Reply, Thoughts
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
The role of a lay person: to imbue society with Catholic Christian values
I write to alert you to a matter of grave urgency and importance. It's responding to the government's amendment of the Penal Code, especially the section pertaining to homosexual behaviour. The official invite for public feedback was issued months ago. The relevant part is Section 10 which covers "carnal intercourse against the order of nature". The debate on the draft amendments takes place in Parliament in July/August. - Decriminalize homosexual practice.
- Criminalized any public negative comment or statement against homosexual practice. (Some pastors in the State of Victoria, Australia are now in jail because of this)
- Legalize same sex marriages.
- Legalize adoption by same sex partners. (Roman Catholic adoption agencies have closed down in Britain because they now have to allow their children to be adopted by same sex partners).
- Have homosexuals classified as an ethnic group or race so that their rights are enshrined.
- Make it compulsory by law that homosexual practices are taught to children in all schools.
This is already happening in some parts of the world. They have already published colourful and explicit textbooks for this purpose!
While some denominational leaders have made Christian views known, our government's approach on public morality is based on the weight of public opinion. Hence the greater the number of similar opinions the greater the weight government will give.NOW IS THE TIME TO SUBMIT OUR FEEDBACK.
Please share this with the clergy and members of your parish. Once the law is passed in favour of the gay agenda, there'll be no turning back the gradual undermining and destruction of Biblical family values, as well as the freedom to preach godly sexuality standards, as in now happening in parts of Britain, Australia and the US.
The subject line should always mention: Penal Code Amendment:
All a person needs to do is write is something like: "With respect to the coming Parliamentary debate on the above subject, I would like to state that I'm against passing laws to allow same sex marriages or homosexual practices."
A mother could send in something like: "I have three young children and I'm against any legislation that allow for same sex marriages."
Other possible statements:
- I don't hate homosexuals, but I don't believe their lifestyle is good for the future of our country.
- I believe that real family is made from Dad and Mum, not Dad & Dad, or Mum & Mum.
- Please don't allow our country to be influenced by people who are
confused about their own gender. Please don't legalize same sex marriages.
Why can't the Catholic Church make a public statement?
"A response from any church group wouldbe treated as a religious reaction of the conservative right, of religion trying to impose its values. We need ordinary people to write in." Andrew Kong, Canon & Civil Lawyer.
What if we do not take action?
Then, I suppose, we'll probably be seeing more of these:
...... when these babies grow up, society will continue to face ......
...... and the next wedding you attend may look just like this......
...... or this ......
Scriptually
(cf: Genesis 1:27, Genesis 2:18-25, Romans 1:27, Leviticus 20:13, Leviticus 18:22)
The image of God is both male and female and is reflected in a godly union between male and female where the creative power of God, His life-giving, His self-giving and His moral nature are perfectly expressed. This is only possible in a heterosexual union.
When God created a partner for Adam He created Eve - not another Adam. This means that perfect partnership requires some level of difference as well as a level of similarity so great that Adam could cry out loudly, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh". Sexual intimacy between a man and a woman is the normal method of male/female bonding (emotionally and physically) because it corresponds to the design of our bodies and because it is the normal means by which offspring are created.
"If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them shall be put to death for their abominable deed; they have forfeited their lives." Leviticus 20:13, NAB
"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; such a thing is an abomination." Leviticus 18:22, NAB
"... and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity." Romans 1:27, NAB
Read: HOMOSEXUALS DESTROY THEMSELVES or the Time Cover Article: THE BATTLE OVER GAY TEENS.
Labels: Homosexuality, Penal Code Amendment, Politics
Monday, April 23, 2007
Our Lady of Fatima on Hell
This is a sermon by Monsignor Charles T. Moss during a Traditional Latin Mass at St.Roch's Church in West Bangor, PA.
"70% may go to Church but how many have the faith?" Msgr. Charles Moss.
Labels: Evil/Devil, Fatima, Hell, Homily, Homosexuality, Mary, Pornography
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