Honestly, I never watch the olympics - I call most of their "sports" welfare sports because very few people would actually pay to watch them. They are basically glorified hobbies. But, they have just given me more reason to totally ignore the event.
I love watching the games. :) It's amazing to see people who have dedicated their whole lives to the perfection of a sport. Talk about practicing virtue! They're teaching this Catholic a thing or two about perseverance, fortitude, justice, and temperance.
I'm on a big kick right now about purpose. I had a kid in class ask me this past year if school was a prison. We had a nice long talk about what it means to live in poverty and how there are children in Africa who would walk three hours just to get to school. What it means to care, to be disciplined, to be passionate about something, to desire to change the world with the gifts God gave us.
I've been praying a lot through ambition, purposeful living, and what God truly calls each person to, not just in a life of faith, but in the life he has given us (hobbies, skills, passions, etc.) I think a lot of times Catholics tend to separate the life of faith and our gifts. We feel like we have to sacrifice our gifts because they're too "ambitious" and "attention seeking." I've been pondering what it looks like when you marry the two.
Thank you for posting and writing this article. We have to speak out and proclaim that Christ is our King. We are inundated with the LGBTQ agenda at every turn, and we can not let this constant barrage of demonic influence try to weaken us and or normalize sin. God bless you, brother!
Great post, Dave. It's always a fine line to walk as a Christian between being rightly offended by such blasphemies and taking a bold, clear stand against them, or responding in a way that disturbs the peace of Christ within us. Most Christians fail more in the first line, tending towards indifferentism or even acquiescence, but the second line can also be dangerous.
I think we should take St. Peter's advice here: "If, after all, you should have to suffer in the cause of right, yours is a blessed lot. Do not be afraid or disturbed at their threats; enthrone Christ as Lord in your hearts. If anyone asks you to give an account of the hope which you cherish, be ready at all times to answer for it, but courteously and with due reverence. What matters is that you should have a clear conscience; so the defamers of your holy life in Christ will be disappointed in their calumny. It may be God’s will that we should suffer for doing right; better that, than for doing wrong." (1 Pt 3:14-17)
It is a fine line indeed. I like the quote from St. Peter. In many ways, a good response is in the first person, what Christ has done for me, what God's goodness means, and why I'm concerned about people being led away from the truth. And perhaps a good conversation piece is to ask people what they think the greatest good is--then share why I think that's the love of Christ and what His sacrifice means.
Absolutely. I think too many people also treat sin as a kind of contagion, as though by just hearing or seeing it they will participate in its sinfulness. In truth, we should pray for people like those who did this blasphemy - their souls are the ones in danger of Hell, not ours. The only people hurt by this are those who did it or who endorse it; God is immune to our insults and if we don't go along with it, He will protect us too. The real shame is how many moderates will be scandalized by it and how many Christians approve of it.
I’m not so much outraged as I am deeply saddened. As our Lady said at Fatima, souls are falling into Hell like snowflakes. We must offer our prayers and suffering for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for sin. My Jesus, mercy!
A change I’ve made personally when describing this kind of behaviour is to use the term “satanic” or “demonic” as I believe that are better descriptors for this type of blasphemy.
I could be wrong but it seems logical that Lucifer is a name that was lost at the time of the angelic fall and satan likely loves to be addressed by his former name.
But he is no longer a “light-bearer” and hasn’t been for aeons.
Bending to the use of names and words that others “prefer” seems counter productive at best and an outright lie at worst.
Many sane people in the world have given in to insanity out of a false sense of compassion. It seems once that inch was granted, the world was then demanded.
Time here is short. But it’s a short time in which to learn that Christ is King and to strive to conform our lives to His.
Mocking the means instituted by Christ to enable our union with Him seems one of the very the last things I’d want to answer for when my own race is run. Pray for these ignorant souls, as they don’t know what they do. Always give thanks for your Faith every circumstance and pray to persevere in striving for conformity to Gods Will.
That’s a good point about saying demonic instead of Luciferian. Though at the Olympics, the profaning of the sacred was done in the name of tolerance, diversity, and inclusion—in other words, as a pretend light bearer.
“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve”
My words are as the wind. What made me think that spending time composing, publishing, and then defending my opinions was a proper use of the precious gift of time? It is not my vocation. It is not my role to criticize your views.
My commenting contains the sin of pride. My opinions are not more valuable than yours or anyone else's. My time would have been better spent praying for sinners.
Please accept my apology for getting carried away.
You're not an idiot, Sylvia. You're right that only God can change hearts, and I'm interested in being part of His plan for that. Righteous anger is fine--it's not the same as an "unmeasured response." That's why I recommended "standing firm in our Christian faith," acknowledging that the Olympic opening was Luciferian, but doing so in a way that shows forgiveness and love of neighbor. I don't see that as fence sitting. When I was an atheist, it was Christians who talked to me as a person to be treated as they would want me to treat them, not as an argument to be defeated or someone to be yelled at, who had by far the most impact on me.
Did I mention hate? No. Was my comment an act of verbal violence? Not in the least.
I am not interested in changing the hearts of those already dedicated to the evil one. An impossible task for mortals, best left to God himself.
I am interest in a vigorous defense through offense for the admonishment of confused fence-sitters unable to think beyond "What's wrong with these differently oriented people expressing themselves in this way. How are they hurting anyone?"
As I assume you know, admonishment of sinners is virtuous in several ways including as an example to the tepid faithful that they too can join their hearts and words in the fight against evil in this valley of tears.
Are you recommending against admonishment of sinners?
Are you kidding me? There is nothing wrong with righteous anger, and these antics are most deserving of that response. Your recommendations seem to me to be the coward's way. Not to stand up as a defender of the faith against those who mock Our Lord is not worthy behavior of a member of the Church Militant. You can sit by and watch the machinations of satan take over large swaths of western culture without a peep of remonstrance, but I cannot view such disgusting, degrading, satanic sinfulness without openly and vigorously defending the One I adore the most! I refute all calm and measured responses to the war against Our Lord and prefer battle along with Saint Michael -- defend us in battle! (What do you think that prayer means?)
I totally understand your outrage about this Olympic evil, Sylvia! Justified anger is warranted, and I feel that was expressed in this article. What I’ve come to understand is that a healthy response doesn’t require verbal violence or hatred in response. We don’t need to attack the other side for attacking us, because that will do no good: it’ll only create more hatred and hardness of heart on the part of those who are rejecting our Lord in such evil ways. Rather, standing on the side of Truth and Justice in order to maintain our integrity is the key. Yes, we must speak out, and speak out firmly, which in my opinion was accomplished in this article. I feel this article is in alignment to what Bishop Barron said about this horrid evil, as well as the statement released Most Rev. Andrew H. Cozzens.
Honestly, I never watch the olympics - I call most of their "sports" welfare sports because very few people would actually pay to watch them. They are basically glorified hobbies. But, they have just given me more reason to totally ignore the event.
I love watching the games. :) It's amazing to see people who have dedicated their whole lives to the perfection of a sport. Talk about practicing virtue! They're teaching this Catholic a thing or two about perseverance, fortitude, justice, and temperance.
I'm on a big kick right now about purpose. I had a kid in class ask me this past year if school was a prison. We had a nice long talk about what it means to live in poverty and how there are children in Africa who would walk three hours just to get to school. What it means to care, to be disciplined, to be passionate about something, to desire to change the world with the gifts God gave us.
I've been praying a lot through ambition, purposeful living, and what God truly calls each person to, not just in a life of faith, but in the life he has given us (hobbies, skills, passions, etc.) I think a lot of times Catholics tend to separate the life of faith and our gifts. We feel like we have to sacrifice our gifts because they're too "ambitious" and "attention seeking." I've been pondering what it looks like when you marry the two.
But where else can you see Scots push stones around with brooms?
#clappingback at the Lucifer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raFnjGVkHe8
Thank you for posting and writing this article. We have to speak out and proclaim that Christ is our King. We are inundated with the LGBTQ agenda at every turn, and we can not let this constant barrage of demonic influence try to weaken us and or normalize sin. God bless you, brother!
Great post, Dave. It's always a fine line to walk as a Christian between being rightly offended by such blasphemies and taking a bold, clear stand against them, or responding in a way that disturbs the peace of Christ within us. Most Christians fail more in the first line, tending towards indifferentism or even acquiescence, but the second line can also be dangerous.
I think we should take St. Peter's advice here: "If, after all, you should have to suffer in the cause of right, yours is a blessed lot. Do not be afraid or disturbed at their threats; enthrone Christ as Lord in your hearts. If anyone asks you to give an account of the hope which you cherish, be ready at all times to answer for it, but courteously and with due reverence. What matters is that you should have a clear conscience; so the defamers of your holy life in Christ will be disappointed in their calumny. It may be God’s will that we should suffer for doing right; better that, than for doing wrong." (1 Pt 3:14-17)
It is a fine line indeed. I like the quote from St. Peter. In many ways, a good response is in the first person, what Christ has done for me, what God's goodness means, and why I'm concerned about people being led away from the truth. And perhaps a good conversation piece is to ask people what they think the greatest good is--then share why I think that's the love of Christ and what His sacrifice means.
Absolutely. I think too many people also treat sin as a kind of contagion, as though by just hearing or seeing it they will participate in its sinfulness. In truth, we should pray for people like those who did this blasphemy - their souls are the ones in danger of Hell, not ours. The only people hurt by this are those who did it or who endorse it; God is immune to our insults and if we don't go along with it, He will protect us too. The real shame is how many moderates will be scandalized by it and how many Christians approve of it.
I’m not so much outraged as I am deeply saddened. As our Lady said at Fatima, souls are falling into Hell like snowflakes. We must offer our prayers and suffering for the conversion of sinners and in reparation for sin. My Jesus, mercy!
Dave, you are very right and make excellent points!!!!
An excellent write-up.
A change I’ve made personally when describing this kind of behaviour is to use the term “satanic” or “demonic” as I believe that are better descriptors for this type of blasphemy.
I could be wrong but it seems logical that Lucifer is a name that was lost at the time of the angelic fall and satan likely loves to be addressed by his former name.
But he is no longer a “light-bearer” and hasn’t been for aeons.
Bending to the use of names and words that others “prefer” seems counter productive at best and an outright lie at worst.
Many sane people in the world have given in to insanity out of a false sense of compassion. It seems once that inch was granted, the world was then demanded.
Time here is short. But it’s a short time in which to learn that Christ is King and to strive to conform our lives to His.
Mocking the means instituted by Christ to enable our union with Him seems one of the very the last things I’d want to answer for when my own race is run. Pray for these ignorant souls, as they don’t know what they do. Always give thanks for your Faith every circumstance and pray to persevere in striving for conformity to Gods Will.
Christ Is King … Maranatha
That’s a good point about saying demonic instead of Luciferian. Though at the Olympics, the profaning of the sacred was done in the name of tolerance, diversity, and inclusion—in other words, as a pretend light bearer.
Key word being “pretend”.
“And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve”
I want to apologize. I'm an idiot.
My words are as the wind. What made me think that spending time composing, publishing, and then defending my opinions was a proper use of the precious gift of time? It is not my vocation. It is not my role to criticize your views.
My commenting contains the sin of pride. My opinions are not more valuable than yours or anyone else's. My time would have been better spent praying for sinners.
Please accept my apology for getting carried away.
You're not an idiot, Sylvia. You're right that only God can change hearts, and I'm interested in being part of His plan for that. Righteous anger is fine--it's not the same as an "unmeasured response." That's why I recommended "standing firm in our Christian faith," acknowledging that the Olympic opening was Luciferian, but doing so in a way that shows forgiveness and love of neighbor. I don't see that as fence sitting. When I was an atheist, it was Christians who talked to me as a person to be treated as they would want me to treat them, not as an argument to be defeated or someone to be yelled at, who had by far the most impact on me.
Thanks for the pat on the head.
Did I mention hate? No. Was my comment an act of verbal violence? Not in the least.
I am not interested in changing the hearts of those already dedicated to the evil one. An impossible task for mortals, best left to God himself.
I am interest in a vigorous defense through offense for the admonishment of confused fence-sitters unable to think beyond "What's wrong with these differently oriented people expressing themselves in this way. How are they hurting anyone?"
As I assume you know, admonishment of sinners is virtuous in several ways including as an example to the tepid faithful that they too can join their hearts and words in the fight against evil in this valley of tears.
Are you recommending against admonishment of sinners?
Are you kidding me? There is nothing wrong with righteous anger, and these antics are most deserving of that response. Your recommendations seem to me to be the coward's way. Not to stand up as a defender of the faith against those who mock Our Lord is not worthy behavior of a member of the Church Militant. You can sit by and watch the machinations of satan take over large swaths of western culture without a peep of remonstrance, but I cannot view such disgusting, degrading, satanic sinfulness without openly and vigorously defending the One I adore the most! I refute all calm and measured responses to the war against Our Lord and prefer battle along with Saint Michael -- defend us in battle! (What do you think that prayer means?)
I totally understand your outrage about this Olympic evil, Sylvia! Justified anger is warranted, and I feel that was expressed in this article. What I’ve come to understand is that a healthy response doesn’t require verbal violence or hatred in response. We don’t need to attack the other side for attacking us, because that will do no good: it’ll only create more hatred and hardness of heart on the part of those who are rejecting our Lord in such evil ways. Rather, standing on the side of Truth and Justice in order to maintain our integrity is the key. Yes, we must speak out, and speak out firmly, which in my opinion was accomplished in this article. I feel this article is in alignment to what Bishop Barron said about this horrid evil, as well as the statement released Most Rev. Andrew H. Cozzens.