Obama Silencing the Voice of Conscience

Obama silencing the voice of conscience? Not!

“Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.” Matt 22L 21, Mark 12: 17, Luke 20: 25

When something is repeated in the Gospel as this is by three Evangelists, it means this is supremely important.  Of course, when you don’t like what the Gospel says, you simply leave the Church or come up with a version of church that makes you the Magisterium.  In other words, you become the Voice of the Holy Spirit.  Convenience, but not conscience!

Repealing this rule is, of course, one more issue of conscience vs. having none.

Here’s the NY Times report:

The rule prohibits recipients of federal money from discriminating against doctors, nurses and other health care workers who refuse to perform or assist in abortions or sterilization procedures because of their “religious beliefs or moral convictions.” Its supporters included the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Catholic Health Association, which represents Catholic hospitals.

Representative John A. Boehner of Ohio, the Republican minority leader in the House, said, “This is the third action taken by Washington Democrats in the past 38 days to weaken American rules that are meant to safeguard the sanctity of human life.”

“The “separation of Church and state” does not mean – and it can never mean – separating our Catholic faith from our public witness, our political choices and our political actions.  That kind of separation would require Christians to deny who we are; to repudiate Jesus when he commands us to be “leaven in the world” and to “make disciples of all nations.”  That kind of radical separation steals the moral content of a society.  It’s the equivalent of telling a married man that he can’t act married in public.  Of course, he can certainly do that, but he won’t stay married for long.”

A Prayer For Quiet

While I busy myself, beating at the wind, You, My Lord, are content with a Cross; hands bleeding and unbusy, nailed to Your Father’s Will, unresisting and uncomplaining.

Silence my hurried breathlessness.  Be all stillness.  I surrender all.

Rhythm of My Life

Thoughts from the Quiet:

If I can’t find my balance, Lord, at least help me set a rhythm to my life.  Let me return to You each day as though I’d never been away.  Flow in upon me, wash over me and carry away the debris of daily life.  Flotsam and jetsam too much for me, float like foam upon your waves.  My sands pristine and ready for tomorrow.  With eyes of faith, I  see Your footprints on the shore.

I wrote these lines  this morning and just a bit ago thanks to the Anchoress found this from Zoe at InsideCatholic.com that goes beyond my thoughts.

From Flannery O’Connor’s letter to Alfred Corn on May 30, 1962:

Even in the life of a Christian, faith rises and falls like the tides of an invisible sea. It’s there, even when he can’t see it or feel it, if he wants it to be there. You realize, I think, that it is more valuable, more mysterious, altogether more immense than anything you can learn or decide upon in college. Learn what you can, but cultivate Christian scepticism. It will keep you free — not free to do anything you please, but free to be formed by something larger than your intellect or the intellects of those around you.

Don’t Forget the Angels

Don’t forget about the angels.  They are the guardians of nations as will as persons.  When we pray, and we are humble, we become the “anawin” in Hebrew terms, they are “the little ones” of God, relying on God for all. We are told, “Their angels in heaven always look upon the Face of My heavenly Father.” Matthew 18: 10

Pope Benedict XVI had this to say here.

“We find these figures throughout the Old Testament who help and guide men in the name of God. Just consider the Book of Tobit, in which the figure of the angel Raphael appears to assist the protagonist through many vicissitudes. The reassuring presence of the angel of the Lord accompanies the people of Israel through every event, good and bad.”On the threshold of the New Testament, Gabriel is sent to announce to Zachariah and Mary the joyous happenings that are the beginnings of our salvation; and an angel, whose name is not mentioned, warns Joseph, directing him in that moment of uncertainty.

“A chorus of angels reports the glad tidings of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, as the glad tidings of his resurrection will also be announced by angels to the women. At the end of time the angels will accompany Jesus in his glorious return.”

“We would take away a significant part of the Gospel if we left aside these beings sent by God to announce his presence among us and be a sign of that presence.” “Let us,” he said, “call upon them often, that they sustain us in the task of following Jesus to the point of identifying ourselves with him.”

That Your Joy May Be Full!


Good Morning, Everyone!  This is a good day, even particularly in a troubled world, to praise the Lord.

As the day begins, this antiphon from today’s Office of Readings sounds in God’s ear, rising from the lips of those praying around the world.

“Lord, You know the burden of my sorrow.”

God’s response is, “Ask that you may receive and your joy will be full.”

Prayer:

“Rise up Lord in defense of Your people.  Do not hide Your Face from our

troubles.”


Wake Up and Pray

No one can  stop you from praying; not the liberals, the progressives,as they call themselves, not the brights, no government demagogue or Board of Education.  Wake up America!  God is waiting for an honest conversation.  Pray without ceasing…. and no less!  Who will stop your inner dialogue?  Who will monitor your thoughts?  Who will censor your constant bombardment of the Divine with the entreaty that His Will be done?

Do it, America! Your life depends on it.  Your children deserve it.  For your own sake, your God demands it. God is not an afterthought, waiting for you to solve your problems.  God is the prime-mover, the beginning and the end.

If my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14