Category: Catholicism

A friend of mine borrowed my copy of the first part of Dante Alighieri’s triptych, the Divine Comedy. This sparked an interesting discussion of heaven and hell.

Thinking about it forced me to confront what I really believe about the hereafter, in the context of my faith and Church teaching, so I thought I’d share it with you.

Now, this post isn’t intended to be a theological dissertation, just my musing aloud. If I say something that offends, please write it off as my honest attempt to communicate what is in my heart in 600 words or less.

At every Mass, the faithful recite a “profession of faith,” which in most cases is the Nicene Creed, the seminal statement of the Christian faith proceeding from the first ecumenical council convened in the fourth century. In it, we proclaim, “He (Jesus Christ) will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end.”

This speaks of the great, last judgment. But what about my own particular judgment? It may be that I will die before Christ’s return. I will meet Him face to face. What will He say to me? Where will I spend eternity?

That’s THE question isn’t it? The bottom line of life is what will eternity be for me?

Continue reading “Heaven & Hell”

All the talk in the sports world today is about Jason Collins, a professional basketball player, who publicly announced that he is gay. This is a big deal for pro athletes, men who many would cite as the epitome of the macho, lady-killer persona. And no, macho and gay are not mutually exclusive terms. However, this isn’t the point I’d like to make. What I want to do, is take issue with the notion that Mr. Collins is somehow a hero for stating in public what he is in his heart, a gay man.

Here’s a bold statement: I believe that in our society, it’s no great feat of heroism to acknowledge that you’re gay. In fact, I can’t think of anything that will be more likely to elicit rounds of applause and atta-boys from the world at large. Furthermore, to state that you’re heterosexual in the same manner gets you labeled as a bigot for somehow suggesting that heterosexuality is the proper, God-ordained orientation.

In fact, in the wake of Mr. Collins’ announcement, many have had the temerity to assert their belief that, as a Christian, Muslim, or Jew, they cannot approve or condone of Mr. Collins’ life-style. Those people, in the media I’ve sampled, have been roundly castigated as narrow-minded, unenlightened, religious zealots.

Speaking as a Christian—or at least someone who strives to be a Christian while failing mightily over and over—I must agree that homosexuality is not something I understand as God’s will for men and women. Our society tells us that our thinking must evolve so that we can call what is objectively disordered as good. Rather than getting in an argument over theology, let me just state my position on the subject:

Over the course of time, I have had three gay roommates. Each of them were lovely people, who I liked very much and still do. They were men struggling to understand themselves, their relationships with other men, and with God. Let me also add the trite-but-true statement that I have several gay friends and acquaintances. I am not ashamed to call them friends, nor do I feel ill at ease when I meet gay couples. It is not for me to judge the condition of their hearts. It is enough for me to rigorously denounce my own heart for its many treasons against the God who created me.

Therefore, I hereby announce that I do not believe homosexuality is what God wants for men and women, because as a Christian, I believe God wants the very best for us. If a man or woman, who through genetics, psychological adaptations, trauma, or other factors find themselves attracted to the same sex, I can only wish them safety and peace as they try to find God’s perfect will for their lives. I know for a certainty that God loves them very much and wants their ultimate happiness.

I won’t spill more electrons on this tragedy except to reiterate that we live in a world at war. Nation against nation, man against nature, man against his own family, man against himself. Behind it all is the the fundamental war of evil against whatever is good. I’ve written before of my firm belief that there is one who wishes harm to God’s children and His creation. A true, spiritual force inimical to God’s loving plan.

What we must remember at times like this—and especially in this Easter season—is that the ultimate battle is won.  Though the whole world die, Evil will not prevail in the end. We must meet its every manifestation with good. We must resist with all our might, the tendency to despair and the whisperings of the devil who says that God is responsible for the wickedness men do.

I grant you that on this side of eternity, it doesn’t make any sense, but we must hold fast to our faith. We must cling the eternal meaning of the psalm,

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.¹

This is not a guarantee of a life without suffering. It is an assurance that you will never undergo anything alone, or unaided with grace from above. It is the assurance that when this life is at an end, you will rise to life eternal with your loving Father.

¹Ps 91:9-13 NIV

The Roman Catholic Church has taken a good deal of heat over its handling of sexual abuse by priests and I believe rightly so. But what most people overlook in their analysis of the Church’s actions, is her duty to mix mercy with justice.

Before you start sending me nasty emails please listen: My position is that abusive priests—or anyone in positions of trust in our society—who have credible allegations made against them must be removed from their duties immediately, with no exceptions. If proven true, I further believe that they must never have the possibility of returning to such positions in the future, or any position where they might be tempted to the same sin. For the sake of those to whom they minister, and for their own sakes.

You see, there are three victims here: the abused, the Church, and the priest. The abused has been shattered in the most abject way. The Church is also weakened by injury to its members and a rupture in fellowship and justice. But so is the soul of the abuser. The Church therefore, as a good mother, must offer the hope of redemption to all these victims.

Do you suppose that the weight and horror of the their actions does not crush their spirit? I suppose there are some whose consciences are so seared that they cannot feel the enormity of their sin. However, I believe that, by and large, men become priests—and I am including all clergy here: Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant ministers and pastors—because they have an inherent love of God and His people. Unfortunately, because they are on the front lines in the battle against real evil in this world, they are the most targeted by the devil and his angels.

Do not cluck your tongue and look askance when you hear of some poor soul who has lost the battle with his flesh. What they have done is wrong, and they will account for it before God, but they are not to be deprived of His love and mercy either. Instead pray for them. Lift them up before God because they have an enormous responsibility for your soul. YOU! Don’t you dare gossip and whisper. PRAY!

The thief on the cross justly deserved his punishment and he knew it. But he also knew that the One crucified next to him, had the power to make him clean again. So it is with our priests, pastors, and teachers. Pray for them because they bring the living God to YOU!