Down to Earth

February 16, 2009 by Be Holy

It’s a bit of a jolt leaving morning mass to engage life on planet earth again. The car radio was on; Dr. Meg Meeker, a pediatrician, and Teresa Tomeo of Catholic Connections on Immaculate Heart Radio, brought the secular world sharply into focus. Both ladies are terrific. Each is taking on the the culture of death and perversion as their professions allow. Dr. Meeker spoke of how she has encountered the effects of even soft porn in her practice. Looking at the aftermath of pornography through a pediatrician’s eyes can bring tears to mine.

Dr. Meeker spoke of pornography as being “straight from the pit of hell” and striking at the heart of the home. It feeds a bent in the human person for evil, especially in someone who has a propensity for sexual evil. “It’s going to breed a whole generation of young men, and even older men, who are going to play it out and the victims are going to be younger and younger and younger children.” She goes on to say, “Some of the most disturbing, horrific, days I have had as a pediatrician have been when I have had to confront people… deal with young children who have been sexually abused by a perpetrator. It’s just devastating, absolutely devastating… It does start with a perverse soft porn, a song, pictures on a page, pictures on a video screen, and it gets worse and worse and worse.”

There definitely is a reason we been asked to “pray without ceasing.” Add to prayer, vigilance, in our homes and over our hearts. “Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8

Who’s the Leper Now?

February 15, 2009 by Be Holy

The Leper, who comes to Jesus in today’s Gospel (Mark 1:40-45,) is often seen as an embodiment of those who are the “untouchables” of our society (the poor, the weak, the unwed mother, the addict.) The Leper, in another view, is one who is “outside the camp”. The leper is the one cut off from worship and cut off from community.

In the United States today, the Leper is 75% of those who call themselves Catholic, yet no longer celebrate Mass or practice their Faith. No matter the reason that they left the Church (disbelief, anger, lifestyle, boredom), they are now “outside the camp.”

The tragedy is that our worship, while directed to God, has an effect on us. Worship orders the one who worships. Worship grounds the worshiper once again in the Truth of Who it is he worships. It prepares a man for battle, so to speak. “Happy the people that know the joyful shout!” (Psalm 89:16) Without worship, the World becomes the voice that lies to him, tempts him and in the end may even conquer him.

The poor and the weak are in the Lord’s camp. The true outsider is one Jesus calls home. “I do will it. Be made clean.” (Mark 1:41)

I Want a Miracle!

February 15, 2009 by Be Holy

According to the Drudge Report and Rep. John Culberson of Texas, Speaker Nancy Pelosi may already be in Rome; on the supposed agenda, a meeting with His Holiness Benedict XVI.

Nancy strikes me as an upfront,in your face,no apologies-type gal. I can see her kissing the papal ring while sporting a Pro-Choice tee? However, despite my knee jerk emotions, I'll be joining the Anchoress praying for Nancy's enlightenment. I can hang with hope, since I must, but I want a miracle!

This Is What Love Looks Like

February 14, 2009 by Be Holy

While I’ve given the secular world it’s due, I’d be remiss in not mentioning that today is actually the Feast day of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, not St. Valentine. These brothers of the ninth century loved Christ, His Church and the Slavic peoples. They heroically endured the politics of their day. Do you think the political storms of our day might actually challenge us to end as saints?

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”

“When I am weak, then I am strong” (2Cor 12:9-10)

iconpieta3

This is what real love looks like.

Foundational Basics

February 14, 2009 by Be Holy

Today is about more than hearts and flowers. Everybody knows it’s crunch time for the U.S.A. When things get really bad, the American people have a way of getting back to basics. The basics start with the foundational underpinnings of our Nation. Ronald Reagan got it right! Others, it seems, don’t like the founding fundamentals They hope for changes that will create an America no one will recognize as America. Texas Rainmaker and the Anchoress spell it out.