Out of the Loop

It's Derby weekend here.  I am leaving town to go camping in the woods.  With Guns.  And Venison.  And Asbach-Uralt. 

If you life in Louisville--my sympathies, but I'm running as far and fast as I can.

What is the Beginning of Penance?

Where does penance start?   That's not a facetious question.  In fact, it might be the most important question to ask myself as I contemplate the role of penance in my life.  This question addresses the matter of why I should want to do penance in the first place.

If you start asking people who are doing penance, either for a specific sin, or after confession, or as a "life style choice" you are liable to get a raft of different answers.  And I think that if you do get variety of answers, you will get a variety of partial answers.

Some people will say contrition is the start.  But that isn't the prime cause.

Before you can feel contrition, you must first receive grace.  I know in my former life, I was habitually in a state or mortal sin, and I didn't even think of examining my conscience, let alone going to confession.  Yet I received grace.  I received the grace to get up, go to Church, to go to confession, and my life has been changed.   Grace is merited for us by Christ, by his sacrifice on Golgotha.  Yet I was closed to it.  Yet again, i received it. 

I am convinced that I received it because of the prayers of others.  Some I know, and some I will never know in this life.  Other prayed that my heart would be opened and I would repent.  Grace, through the merits of Jesus Christ, shed in response to the prayers of people who loved me--in the truest sense of the word--convinced me that I needed to repent.  And in one of those mysterious ways that the Lord works, grace made me open to grace.

Penance begins with grace, and many of us first receive this grace in response to the intercession and petitions of others.  I repented of my many sins, and am still repenting.  At first, I repented because my life didn't work.  The first grace I was given was seeing that my life was empty, that it had a "God Shaped Hole" in it, and that I needed the love that Christ offered to make it work.  The second grace was the inspiration to act on the first.  The second grace was to act on the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 

Writing this has answered a question for me.  Why do penance?  Why would I feel called to penance?  Because in my own story, when I looked at in this light, is the inescapable fact that someone prayed for me.  prayed hard and long.  Penance, and acts of reparation, from Christians who have managed to be successful in avoiding Mortal Sin, and who are regular at Confession, and Communion, helps those who are not even aware that they need to repent to receive the grace to do so. 

Penance starts with actual grace, received "from out of the blue", and this grace leads to contrition.  Contrition helps one, even imperfect contrition, to be open to the promptings of the Holy Spirit which is the meat of penance, in a way.  It seems to me that if one were to follow through with this train of thought, the urge to pray for someone who is still stuck, or who is completely uninterested in following the Lord, is in fact an act of penance which is in reach of anyone.   So if you ever feel that urge--be open to the Holy Spirit, and pray for someone!  And realize that in doing so, you are living penance.

I think about penance a lot, mostly because I think I am called to be a penitent.  Right now, after the past Lent, I know i need to figure out how to go about it.  I think praying for others is a good start, for no other reason than when you do so, you are not thinking of yourself.

A little good news, for a change.

You may have missed it, but the Archdiocese of Washington has established a new facility--Blessed John Paul II Seminary.  This is a response to the fact that vocations to the Holy Priesthood are on the rise, and more space is needed for men in formation. 

The new facility will house 30 men who are in pre-theology.  They will live at the seminary, and receive their priestly formation there, while attending Classes at Catholic University.  The idea, if i understand it correctly, is that they will receive their training in philosophy and spirituality at the seminary, while receiving their secular education at C.U., eliminating duplication.  They will then move on to Theological studies at the Seminaries used by the Archdiocese--Mount St. Mary's, in Maryland (my pastor is a graduate of that school, and one of the finest priests I have ever known.), The Pontifical North American College in Rome, Blessed John XXIII National Seminary and Theological College in D.C. .  It's nice to see seminaries opening, rather than closing.

In a related story, the Cardinal Newman Society blew the whistle on "catholic" schools with ties to Planned Parenthood.  They listed 150 connections, ranging from referrals to PP for medical services to intern placement with the "non-profit" that makes most of it's money killing unborn children.  After this exposure, 29 of the on-line links have been removed--that's about 20%.   When you turn on the lights, cockroaches scurry. 

Now it can be argued, that like cockroaches, the problem just went into the cracks, away from scrutiny.  But the Cardinal Newman Society has admitted this, and stated that the links are not the biggest problem--the biggest problem being the systemic illness in these institutions that led them to think the links were OK in the first place.  However, now these institutions know that the faithful are watching--and we're the ones who donate.  And at at least 29 of them, they know that this can't continue.  It's a start.


A little bit at a time, that's all it will take.  And, that's exactly what it will take.

Sometimes, I would really like to spanks some American Bishops....HARD!

Supposedly, the Catholic Church in the USA is the second richest denomination, per capita, in the land.  And that can be a real problem for us Catholics who don't fit the average!  Bluntly--our more affluant brethren forget we're part of the Church too.

Perhaps some examples would be in order.  We are told that we should make retreats, preferably one a year.  Go online, and price out retreats!  Many of us simply can't afford the cost, especially when you figure in the travel costs--and often, the lodging costs.  The same holds true for conferences--when a conference for two days runs a couple of hundred bucks, well, those of us who are affluence challenged aren't going to make it.  For that matter price some of the materials for inspiration and education--like F.r Corapi's CDs and DVDs--no way many of us can afford that.  (And don't high jack the comm box to turn this into a debate about John Corapi--I will delete such comments.)

All this from a Church that maintains as part of it's teaching the requirement of "preferential option for the poor".  Apparently, this doesn't apply to the poor in our midst--as in, the pew next to you.  It's interesting to see parish events scheduled, and priced right out of the range of many young families, especially those who actually eschew contraception!  Then people wonder why so many leave for other denominations.  Could it be that they can't afford to participate in Parish life?

Some of this makes a certain amount of sense--things cost money.  Retreats, Religious Ed materials, and parish events do cost money, and they must be paid for.  But other manifestations are simply thoughtless.

Some are so condescending as to be enraging.  Here's an example from RENEW, International.  In the "Why Catholic" series of books, they include a small group leaders book.  This book is entitled SOWING SEEDS, Essentials for Small Community Leaders.  In one section of the book, "Leaven for Transforming the World" there are given "Five Strategies".  The third of the five, on page 23 is "Know or be with someone who is poor".    Here is a quote, straight out of the book:  "Get to know one person who is poor.  Knowing just one person, a family or a group who are poor...will expand our horizons."

Great, now, in a book of guidance for small community leaders which was selected for use by my Archbishop, I am rendered "other".  Alienated in fact, to become a specimen to assuage the conscience of my fellows in Christ.  I got news for these people--I have this book because I was to be one of those small group leaders.  And I am poor.  My monthly income is $750--$200 less than the average cost to support and maintain a religious.   Forgive me if i object to being objectified, and my life being used as some sort of example for a social agenda.  I want to be a valued member of the Catholic Community, not some sort of token poor dude.  Just think though--If I meet wth other small group leaders, I will allow them to fulfill the"prophetic advice" (the books words) in this stupid book.  Gee thanks.  So much for my Dignity as a member of the body of Christ.  Archbishop Kurtz--I owe you one public put down.

But it gets worse--much worse, from my point of view.  The USCCB (Which I am so tempted to call the Unscrupulous Sneaky Coalition of Communist Bolsteres  [never mind, pretend I didn't do that]) has a whole new thing for 2011-2012.  It's called First Fridays for Food Security.   It's a crock of fertilizer.  The idea is that you will add up the number of people in your family, and see how much money you would get per week if you were on food stamps.  Devide that by seven, and spend that much for your meals on The First Fridays. 

This is supposed to show 'solidarity" with the food insecure. 

And it truly pisses me off.  Sorry about the language, but that what it does.  First, they say this is a fast.  it isn't.  A fast is taking one small meal, about 2/3 the size of your normal meal, and two collations that taken together do not equal the small meal in size.  This is simply playing at being "socially aware".  Second, you fast for the reparation of sin, and to open yourself to the Holy Spirit, not to make a political point.  This thing, at it's very core, strikes at Catholic Tradition, by attempting politicize spiritual exercises.  And third, for almost half a millennium, First Fridays have been days to consider and spend time with the Sacred Heart.  This is simply an attempt by modernists within the USCCB to divide us still further from our traditions, and to divert the attention of the faithful from the ineffable Charity that Christ holds for us, and fix it on humans.  It's a shame before the Saints and Martyrs.

And it's insulting.  I have been "food insecure" and to be quite blunt, I have been on food stamps, as I pulled out of addiction and despair.  I ate better on food stamps than at most times in my life.  Heck, I ate better on food stamps than I did in the Army!  To call this a sacrifice, and a fast is insulting. 

Right now, And for many years, my daily food budget is generally lower than that provided by food stamps, thank you very much.  Am I fasting every day?  I guess that's why my waist went from 32 to 34, huh?

This is simply the latest part in the form over substance programs the Bishops have forced upon the laity since the 1960s, in a half witted attempt to "further Catholic Social Teaching".  Which by the way, isn't their job--it's ours, the laity.  The Bishops, in their disconnected and rarefied circles of liberal, elite Catholics don't have a clue how these programs affect those of us who happen to be poor.   Like the Great Society Programs instituted by LBJ--which have worked so well that the percentage of Americans living below the poverty line has doubled!--and the Corrupt Campaign for Humanist Deception Catholic Campaign for Human Development (I've got to stop speaking my mind so freely!) these hurt us.  They rob us of our dignity, they alienate us, and stereotype us, and sometimes they "help" us by murdering our kids before they are born.

I don't need the solidarity of a bunch of middle class saviors of all mankind.  And I don't need organized to demand more services.  I need to be seen as a human, with the full dignity of a member of the body of Christ, and mot be condescended to.

If you are going to fast on First Fridays, by all means, make it a canonical fast.  Do it in reparation of sins.  Don't do it because you want to show 'solidarity' and feel self righteous--that just adds to the problem.  Poverty is a consequence of sin--not necessarily, or even often, of the poor them selves--and is best eradicated by the conversion of manners of the very class that keeps condescending to us.  Politics is never penance.  Penance however, can redeem and affect politics.

A Cause for Hope, and for Sorrow.

Cardinal George has suspended Rev. Pfleger. (I will not call this man Father!).  This comes after many years of blatant disobedience and disregard of Catholic Teaching on everything from sexuality to private property.  The suspension came after Pfleger (I don't really want to call him "reverend" either!) misrepresented statements and conversations with Cardinal George, the Archbishop of Chicago and Pflegers ordinary, and said that he would consider leaving the Church if he didn't get his way.  Cardinal George suspended him at this point, and published the letter of suspension, in which he said quite clearly that Pfleger was suspended for his words and actions--not because of any political pressure or conspiracy.  (Pfleger had gone so far as to say he was the victim of a conspiracy by the NRA!)

Of course, members of his parish have protested outside the residence of the Cardinal.  This is problematic in several ways.  One-it's the bishop. not the pastor, to whom we owe obedience.  Two--a mob gathered outside someones home is always an act of intimidation--in every instance, without exception. 

It is a thing of hope, that a Bishop is finally taking steps to reign in a priest who uses race as a lever to foment a cult of personality.  It's a thing of hope that a Bishop will require obedience from his priests.  And, its a thing of hope that a Bishop requires priests to be accountable, in a severe and meaningful way, for their speech an actions as a priest. 

Bishop William Morris of Toowooba Diocese, in Australia is no longer the Ordinary.  The circunstances are being clouded by the press.  Yahoo Canada reports that the Vatican has said he was removed.  The Telegraph is saying he resigned.  Well, technically both are correct--he resigned at the request of Pope Benedict, because his ministry as Bishop has damaged the Church.  Being allowed to resign grants him some dignity, which being deposed would not.  He will be allowed some of the functions of a retired bishop--like administering the Sacrament of Confirmation to School children--which outright removal would preclude. 

Morris supported ordination of women, and recognized Anglican "Holy Orders"--which neither the Catholic nor the Orthodox Churches recognize.  There are other problems with his adherence to Catholic Teaching as well.  The Vatican began investigating him in 2006.

This is a hopeful sign--for it is not just the correction of a local situation in Australia, but a clear signal to Bishops through out the world:  They must be Catholic to remain in good standing as Catholic bishops.

Of course, the press and the dissenting "catholic" laity are trying to spin the story.  One idea is that he was victimized by the "temple police", a group of lay catholics (lack of capitalization is on purpose) who go around, finding bad dissenting clergy and writing the Vatican about them.  A problem with this narrative is this--there is no organized group doing so.  Another problem with it is not only do the laity have that privilege, they have that responsibility under Canon Law.  To try and demonize Catholics who live up to their responsibility, in favor of those "catholics" who violate their clear rights to the liturgy and teaching of the Church is calumny, and a demonic attempt to obscure the faith, and it's requirements.

Both of these developments are signs of Hope--we, the faithful, now have shepherds who will use David's sling to drive away the wolves.  I do not see the fact that both of these occurred during Lent and the Season of Easter as coincidence.  Rather, the penitential season of Lent, and the renewed Faith of Easter tide have born some fruit.  The fasting and sacrifice have done something, in the unique and ineffable economy of Grace.

Yet this is an occasion of sadness too--the latent schism, formally known as material schism--in the Church is becoming manifest, and such division in the Mystical body isn't analogous to disease--it is a disease.  Branches will be pruned.  The very fact that such actions are necessary should give us pause.  And the response of the laity in each case shows us that many of our brothers and sisters in Christ have no idea what the Church is, or is supposed to be. 

If you, like so many of us, do not have a place where you can worship in accordance with the Traditions of the Church, or with the Authoritative guidance for your rite, perhaps the timing should tell you something.  It does me--it's time for more fasting, more prayer and more confession!  Do penance!

We were warned at Fatima--"Penance, Penance, Penance!"

Wrath! I'm Feeling It!

Much like a vicious dog, Osama bin Laden has been put down, for much the same reason.  I feel no elation.  This is good, because Scripture tells us we shouldn't rejoice when an enemy falls, lest the Lord see it and be displeased.

But I must say that political statements surrounding this event have angered me.  Very much so.

One of the things that angers me is the reporting of the "relief" felt in the Islamic world at his death.  I am sure that there are many Muslims who are relieved at his death.  At the same time I cannot help but be aware that the total rewards offered for bin Laden was 27,000,000 dollars.  he resided in an impoverished area of the world, the residents of which have been described sociologically as "Amoral Familialists"--that is to say, if it's good for their family, or clan, it's an acceptable action--yet no one turned him in.  And a large, well appointed compound isn't exactly a deep cover hiding place.  Add to this that he was in a country that has an authoritarian government, and I cannot help but conclude that he was being protected by at least a faction of the Pakistani government.

I also noticed that there all these reports of jubilation in the American Streets over this.  Oddly enough, I haven't actually seen any of it.  And since the event I have been in Louisville, Clarksville, Jeffersonville and New Albany--no jubilation evident in any of these places that I have managed to see.

Given this--why is the media controlling the narrative of the reactions to this event?  What I am observing doesn't coincide with what they have been saying.  Especially the idea that this is leading to feelings of solidarity in the US--where?  I have seen and read nothing to support that, outside of newspapers and media outlets saying so.  I am sick of being lied to and manipulated by the media.  They do not own or define truth.

I've also been reading a lot of things, on the Internet, on Facebook, and the twitters of "celebrities", that indicate something that truly makes me angry.  There is a deep ambivalence to the death of bin Laden.  But a near universal expression of hope, based on the fact that the "political capital" of this event will accrue to Obama.  Look at this closely.  The man who has been masterminding attacks of great and murderous effect against  Americans--to include against a US warship (The USS Cole), US Embassies, and most especially US civilians on 9-11 has been killed.  They aren't all that good with that.  But they are delighted that it will improve the position of a partisan politician.  They could, on first glance, be assumed to give less than a rat's ass about the war that we are in, in favor of furthering the chances of an unpopular politician.  I cannot help but wonder if they care about our Republic at all.  Especially as a republic, as they favor a centralist, statist politician.  This is perhaps the most crass thing I have seen since I have followed politics--and that dates to Nixon.

This coupled with the refusal of many on the left to admit that we are in a war with Islam, over the future of the west, and our culture is infuriating.  The refusal to admit that the rioting in France, by Islamic youth, coupled with the widespread desecration of churches, gang rape and the establishment of "no go" zones for police and courts (which fall into the control of sharia courts established without legal basis!) is ignored.  The elimination and truncation of civil rights for Christians, even in Detroit and Ann Arbor, in favor of Islam is ignored.  And pointing it out is decried as racism.

This really bothers me, especially as people I love are in this camp--some of them are in my family.  yet I have to say, unless these folk wake up in time, we will become Dhimmi.

After all, there is the insistent call for the re-establishment of the Caliphate, and the street demonstrations in favor of Sharia, even in the US.

I guess the idea of ignoring it and it will go away has always bothered me.  And the Idea of "go along and get along" is the most evil thing to enter the human lexicon, for it enables all other evils.