Freedom vs. License

"From its outset, human history attests the wretchedness and oppression born of the human heart in consequence of the abuse of freedom." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1739)

Once again prompted by the preaching of Fr. John Corapi in his series Come Home to the Catholic Church, I felt a need to offer some clarification on the subject of Freedom.  The word freedom has been twisted and stretched and abused every which way in this country.  We are a country of freedom, but I propose that we don't even understand what freedom is.

As Americans we pride ourselves in our freedom or "ability to do what we want."  And that is where the problem lies.  Words are very important and if we don't understand what they mean, then we may easily be fooled or manipulated by their use.  Besides, understanding freedom as the ability to do what we want can't be true since we have laws.  Why do we have laws when we regard freedom so highly?  Well, I think it is that someone at some point in American history had common sense, and they established laws so we would respect our freedom.  But rather than respect our freedom we have begun to abuse our freedom, which simply undermines the law.  For example, (using Fr. Corapi's example) if something that is detrimental to the moral good, such as pornography, is made legal, then the law which is meant to protect our freedom actually hurts us by destroying our freedom and disregards the very purpose of the law.

You see, freedom has it's root in the love and service of God and others. "Live as free men, yet without using your freedom as a pretext for evil; but live as servants of God." (1 Peter 2:16) So, permitting that which hurts or destroys our relationship with God or others can't be called freedom. Rather, the correct term is license.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, license is defined as: "a: freedom that allows or is used with irresponsibility, b: disregard for standards of personal conduct : licentiousness."

So, what has happened that we have gotten to this point in our country? Well, the Prince of Lies has propagated this very simple misunderstanding through a few generations, and now those who never came to understand the difference between freedom and license have risen to positions of authority where they may establish laws respecting license and abusing freedom. The irony is that those who establish laws permitting licentiousness are undermining and destroying the very laws they are responsible to uphold (which are meant to protect freedom) and in so are destroying not only the laws themselves but also the nation and souls of millions.  Our country's law makers have put us on the road to becoming "The Land of the Licentious and the Home of the Coward."

It is now our job to remind people of the true meaning of freedom, and the corruption of license. "And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (John 8:32) 

The Vatican Necropolis Scavi (Roma - part 2)

I spoke previously about how taken I was when visiting Rome for the first time last year.  It was a very spiritually moving experience for me to be where the first Christians fought and died for our faith.

One of my favorite parts of our trip was the tour of the excavations (scavi) of the Vatican Necropolis (city of the dead) beneath St. Peter's Basilica.  I had heard that it was "thought" that St. Peter's remains "may" be buried under the basilica. (I must be a little like St. Thomas)  Now in all honesty after visiting the excavations myself, I have no reason NOT to believe completely.  It is an absolutely incredible experience to see the bones of that great Apostle Peter.

Even from the early days of the Church, Christians had great respect and reverence for Peter, as the first Pope, the Rock upon whom Christ would build his Church.  So through all the trials and tribulations endured in Rome, the Christians took great care to safeguard Peter's remains.

Now, looking at all the history and even the scientific evidence pointing to the validity of Peter's remains, it is still tempting to contrive some sort of theory of conspiracy or reason for doubt. But I must say that actually experiencing it is very humbling and moving (once again much as St. Thomas' experience). When personally beholding the remains of that zealous and all too human fisherman from Galilee, his life becomes a reality in one's consciousness unlike ever before.

If you every get a chance to visit Rome, please do not pass up the opportunity to join a Scavi tour. You will not regret it.

Information on how to get tickets for a Scavi tour can be obtained at: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/uffscavi/documents/rc_ic_uffscavi_doc_gen-information_20040112_en.html

If unable to make the visit, a very wonderful virtual tour of the Vatican Necropolis Scavi may be viewed at: http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/necropoli/scavi_english.html

"Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesare'a Philip'pi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do men say that the Son of man is?' And they said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jona! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.'" (Matt. 16:13-19)

Excommunication Latæ Sententiæ

If you have never listened to any talks by Fr. John Corapi, then you absolutely must.  He indeed is a prophetic voice for our age, telling the truth as black and white.  He does have a booming voice and can come across as a bit harsh, but if you are seeking the truth, then what he says can be quite refreshing.

The series I'm currently listening to is titled Come Home to the Catholic Church.  I won't go into much detail about it besides that at one point he calls out Pro-Choice "Catholic" Politicians.  He says, you can not be Catholic and Pro-Choice.  It simply is not a possibility in our universe.  Then he goes on to say that those who knowingly promote the murder of the most innocent of humanity are EXCOMMUNICATED by the very virtue of their willful act of promoting abortion. Yes, that is right, they are EXCOMMUNICATED. Oh, that big scary word. Let me say it again, EXCOMMUNICATED!

Now let me conduct some clarification, before we go much further.  Excommunication is too often misunderstood as a vindictive punishment cast down by the big mean Church upon those who are simply trying to serve God in their own way instead of how the Church orders them to. Oh, don't the partial truths of Satan always sound so good?!  The Church is our mother and when Excommunication is declared it is with medicinal and spiritual intent, meaning "not so much to punish the culprit, as to correct him and bring him back to the path of righteousness."¹ Our mother has our best interest in mind.  And we don't need our mother to tell us we did something bad in order to have actually done it.  Committing a grave mortal sin by the nature of the act separates us from Christ's body (excommunication latæ sententiæ).  Should we recognize the sin for what it is, confess it, and repent (story of the Prodigal Son) we would find Christ and His Church waiting with open arms welcoming us back.  However, if we don't recognize our sin, our mother may need to warn us of the punishment we face or declare what we have done to offend Christ (excommunication ferendæ sententiæ) in hope that we may still turn back to him.  You see God's love shows forth even in the most severe of punishments handed out by the Church.

When our "Catholic" political leaders declare themselves moral theologians and excuse and promote the murder of innocent children in the womb, it is their very efforts to advance abortion that achieves them excommunication. That is the truth. They are excommunicated. Period. Whether or not the Church has declared them such publicly or not. And so we must pray for their return to the truth and the Church.

"Formal cooperation in an abortion constitutes a grave offense. The Church attaches the canonical penalty of excommunication to this crime against human life. 'A person who procures a completed abortion incurs excommunication latae sententiae, by the very commission of the offense,' and subject to the conditions provided by Canon Law. The Church does not thereby intend to restrict the scope of mercy. Rather, she makes clear the gravity of the crime committed, the irreparable harm done to the innocent who is put to death, as well as to the parents and the whole of society." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2272)

Now that you know the truth, you must share it with other so that they may be set free from the lies of the evil one.

Note: The Catholic Church's full teaching on excommunication is much broader than what has been distilled above. For an in depth study on excommunication please visit: ¹http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05678a.htm

Sufferings of this Present Time

The other day when I was speaking with my mom, we started discussing how anti-christian this country is becoming. It seems to get worse every day. Our leaders rejecting their faith or inventing their own doctrines. Those in authority seemingly poised for the genocide of the unborn.  Those who appear to have power speak fancy words like double tongued serpents. You see how Eden is never that far?  We are continuously allured with lies that seem good but kill us in the end. How long will we buy the lie? I'll tell you. Until we see God, realize our shame, and are kicked out of the garden!

Not only do we have to deal with difficulties in the public square, but we have to deal with everyday struggles to provide a living, care for loved ones, deal with sickness, and manage the demands of the modern world.  How can anyone manage it? How can anyone deal with all this world throws at them and keep their faith, let alone become a saint like we are called to? It just doesn't seem possible if you look at the big picture. No wonder there are so many drug commercials on TV. A country without God needs something to cope.

I think it is time we all stop (and I'm talking to everyone of any faith or none) and look around us. If things are getting worse, what have we changed? Any good company does audits to make sure they catch any problems before it is too late. Well it is just about too late in this country. An honest review would acknowledge that conditions have been getting worse. Sure everyone appears to have a higher standard of living, but in most cases it is just a lie built on debt.

So why so many problems in such a prosperous country? It is because the light of the world has been hiding under a bushel basket, the salt of the earth has lost it's savor. Christ's Church is supposed to bring Christ's life to the world. And we Catholics have been starving ourselves. With only 20% of Catholics attending Mass regularly and receiving the sacraments, there is a deficiency of sanctifying grace in this country. We are only receiving 1/5th of the nourishment we need to bring REAL change in this world. Can you image how you would feel day to day if you cut your diet down to 1/5th?

How long can we endure this? For that faithful remnant, the suffering to be endured can often feel too great.  And despair can start to set in.

We must remember that God's weakness is greater than our strength. So when all the forces of evil, even those brought about by our own neglect or sin, appear ready to charge down on us. There still is no reason to fear. Because it is God's power in the smallest stone of the weakest boy that with one hurl brings down the giant. You see, God uses those who appear insignificant to win the victory. So if you feel insignificant, count yourself fortunate. But remain faithful.  God was only willing to spare Sodom because of the faithful remnant.
And how do we remain faithful? Seek always to grow in your understanding of God (intellect/relationship) such that you may know his will, and continue to receive God's sanctifying grace in the sacraments (food) so you can do his will.

And recall frequently Paul's words to the Romans, "I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us." (Rom. 8:18)