In my humble opinion, I thought it very sad that Issue One in the recent election was defeated. I know that there were varying opinions, but I looked at it from the attempt that will be made to make the right to an abortion a part of our state constitution, and there will be no restrictions on this so called “right”, even up to the moment of birth. This amendment, which will most likely be on the November ballot, will also allow underage (teenagers) to get an abortion without their parent’s knowledge or consent. This will also include having gender transitioning surgeries and treatments without parental consent. This is absolutely absurd to say nothing of being demonic. No person under 18 years of age can receive any other form of medical treatment without parental consent. As I am sure every parent knows, a child cannot even be given an aspirin at school with the permission of the parents.
What are we to make of all this? First of all, we must pray and fast for the grace of God to be given to all of us in these matters, especially our law makers and civil leaders. We must also use our right to vote as a sacred responsibility to carry out the wisdom of God by which we truly provide for the common good of our brothers and sisters. We need to be careful about what we hear in various ads concerning the issues before us. I think we can be certain we will get all the correct information by turning to Catholic news sources and teachings of the Church.
We cannot be lead astray by what is popular, but must always turn to the Word of God for the best instruction that we can receive. When something is revealed to us by God through His Word in the scriptures or through His Church, we can be certain that it is the truth, and it is what is best for us. God never asks us to do something or not to do something unless it is what is truly best for us. This requires trust in God on our part, and that does not come easily to anyone. It comes from prayer and a willingness to take the time to truly reflect on the scriptures and the catechism. Wisdom is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Every baptized and confirmed Catholic has access to this great gift. It is not a gift that is simply poured out on us, but one that we must grow into by the grace of God and our cooperating with that grace. The Wisdom that we seek in all things is the Wisdom of God, and that means the grace to see things the way God sees them. This comes only when we allow ourselves to decrease and Him to increase, just as St. John the Baptist said about Jesus.
This is a great challenge for all of us, but there is so much at stake. The welfare of our families, our communities, our society at all its levels, but most of all the salvation of ourselves and those we love.
The November election is still a few months away. You can be sure that those who want total access to abortion, which means the killing of thousands upon thousands of innocent children, and the great harm that can be done to our young people through the feeble attempts to treat gender confusion with drugs and surgeries, will be in full force. They will be aided by millions and millions of dollars from the likes of Planned Parenthood, George Soros, and many others who support such measures out of a false sense and understanding of compassion. We have prayer and the TRUTH as revealed by God Himself. It will take a great deal of prayer and fasting, as well as financial resources, to defeat this enemy. We also need to be willing to speak out among our families, friends, neighbors, and fellow workers.
Let us be encouraged by the presence of God among us, our Faith, prayer, and fellowship of other Christians and people of faith. You can be sure that I will be writing and speaking on this topic as we approach the November voting. Please pray for me and Fr. Pat and all our priests, that we have the courage to speak the truth whether convenient or inconvenient.
As of last week, we have begun work on the lower level beginning with the Andes Room. The work here will consist of new floor and wall coverings, shades for the windows, a new ceiling, and AV components. This should take several weeks. I do hope it will not be much longer than that, but you know how these things go with delays, especially in getting the needed materials. I do hope it all goes well. We need to start on McMahon Hall and the Conry Room, as well. As I have mentioned before, we were hoping to have all this completed this summer, but we were delayed by the bell tower work.
I am very grateful to Pat Boyert who is overseeing the work and Holly Linger who has been working on the interior design. It looks like it will be a very attractive room. God bless all for their efforts.
LITURGY LESSON: THE SIGN OF PEACE
At the conclusion of the Our Father, the priest says:
“Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.”
Facing the people, he continues: “May the peace of the Lord be with you always” – and then the Deacon, if the deacon is present, says, “Let us offer each other the sign of peace.”
Where does this come from? It’s the Church’s liturgical response to the Lord’s teaching in the gospel of Matthew: “If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” Before we approach to receive Him who is the cause and sign of our communion as the body of Christ, we embody through ritual gesture that we are in communion with one another by offering each other the sign of peace.
It is important to remember however, that at this time, the sign of peace that we offer to those around us should maintain proper reverence and decorum. The Lord himself, the King of kings and Lord of lords, is sacramentally present on our altar. Let us greet each other with the sign of peace and then redirect our attention to the Lord who is now among us, upon the altar.
