Oh look! Something completly void of the death of Michael Jackson!

"And to keep me from being too elated by the abundance of revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated.
Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me;
but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." I will all the more gladly boast of my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities; for when I am weak, then I am strong."
2 Corinthians 12: 7-10

This is the second reading for mass next week, when I saw this my initial reaction was to be excited, it has got to be one of my favorite passages, I’m anticipating to go to Church next weekend and hear what my pastor has to say…and I think that makes me an idiot. Paul’s talking about his struggles and deficiencies referring to them as “a messenger of Satan”. I don’t know what this thorn in the flesh was, but it must have been a little more serious than meat on Friday. Paul brings this to the God, a God who wiped away his murderous past and created in him one of the greatest evangelists the Church has known, a God who sucked out Paul’s weakness and made him strong. You would think a humble request such as this would have been tended to post haste. This is not the case. He asks God once, then again, and again. Yet God says no.

Even Paul has rubbish that interferes with the flow of God’s grace. Even Paul, with all of his insight, still needs a Savior. In reaction to Paul’s third request God gives him an answer “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”. This is point where I’m stuck, it’s as far as I go. I’m weak, I know I need God’s grace, yet I keep complaining and complaining. My liking of this passage is nothing more than my delusion towards it. In reality I hate the idea of weakness, I try my best to be emotionally sober and have life appropriately prioritized! Has it worked out for me at all? Nope! Yet I’m perpetually in this cycle, however with Paul, it only took 3 tries to understand that it doesn’t work. I’ve heard it said that insanity is reproducing the same action expecting a different outcome. So now I’m not just an idiot, I’m also down right batty. Isn’t that what life without God is, to be divorced from truth and love?

I’m going to substitute my so called “approval” of this passage with a proper reverence of it. To me this is an essential element of what Christianity is and to be overjoyed with it would suggest my deep misunderstanding of it. So I guess I have the opportunity to go Church next Sunday with more of an open heart, free from being too elated, not so impressed with myself. Hopefully I’ll start to get it.

What's Church?

So I’ve been thinking a lot about the Church and what exactly it is. I’ve been thinking about the Church and what it looks like. I’ve been thinking about the Church and where my place is in it. In this desire to internally illustrate the Bride, being a good Catholic, I took a look in the Catechism.

“To reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son’s Church. The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation. The Church is “the world reconciled”. She is that bark which “in the full sail of the Lord’s cross, by the breath of the holy spirit, navigates safely in this world.” (CCC 845)

Immediately I picture this grand cruise ship traversing through turbulent and violent waters infested with sharks, octopi, and a many variety of sea monsters. Despite the crashing waves and monster attacks, nothing is quite capable achieving of any sort of debacle until the day we are all reunited on triumphant shores of the heavenly kingdom. But I think I’m wrong about something.

“Christians on earth (the Church Militant) are still struggling against sin in order that, when they die, they might go to heaven and be members of the Church Triumphant, those who have triumphed over sin. However, if this struggle is successful, but not completely so, then after death they temporarily become members of the Church Suffering before ultimately joining the Church Triumphant.” (Wikipedia.org)

Where does my imagination lead me now? This time we’re assembled in this massive regiment equipped with high-tech artillery; tanks, jets, and humvees all the while aided by distant subs and aircraft carriers. But something doesn’t seem quite right for me. I believe in the conditions that are being expressed but I hold a grievance with the loftiness. I believe there are turbulent waters, I believe there is a battle to be fought but I can’t reconcile it with being a guest on a cruise ship or a mighty military commander. For what reason? Because I don’t feel like one. I can’t ignore Deuteronomy 7:7 …

“The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.”

God in NOWAY requires mighty armies or majestic and affluent pleasure cruises, it’s our worldliness (my worldliness) to have ever suggested it in the first place. Who exactly are we?

“In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Ephesians 1: 4-5)

If we adopted it means one thing, we’re misbegotten, we’re bastards. The Church is no more an impressive army than daffy duck is a military strategist. The Church, in my mind, is an Orphanage, one with violent waves to circumnavigate and an enemies to vanquish. St. Paul says this…

“Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1: 26-31)

If this illustration is correct I think for once I feel like I have a place in the Church.

Purpose in praise.

Prior to actually looking at the readings for this following Sunday I automatically assumed that the theme was going to be positive and uplifting. Being in the Easter season one would assume that. I was surprised to see that every passage mentioned sin.

“But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you”
Acts 3: 13 - 15, 17 - 19

”O men, how long shall my honor suffer shame? How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies?”
Psalms 4: 2, 4, 7 - 9

” He who says "I know him" but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and th e truth is not in him;”
1 John 2: 1 - 5

Are we honestly this guilt stricken? That in our time of celebration and redemption we fulfill our Catholic stereotypes and continually recite the same remorseful banter the world knows us for?

The truth is in order to accept and receive the full arrival of true joy we have to participate in the complete departure of sin from our lives. There aren’t many words that hold such negative and adverse baggage as “Repentance”.

The Catechism says “ Indeed the sacrament of Reconciliation with God brings about a true "spiritual resurrection," restoration of the dignity and blessings of the life of the children of God, of which the most precious is friendship with God. ”

Sometimes in our jubilation we dismiss from mind the original reason to which we’re celebrating and solely focus on the act. It’s not just about saying “Alleluia” but “Alleluia that it’s not about me”. The only qualifying faculty we posses is that, without the Messiah, we don’t qualify and we cannot facilitate. This legitimizes and fuels our continuous rejoicing in this Easter season.

“The culture of death; the blindness of pride.
Self-exulting, others put aside.
Neglecting to acknowledge what it is we really need:
Redirection away from all our selfishness and greed.”
Paul Sanders, Identifying the Opposition

This truth must be clearly articulated. When it was proclaimed that Jesus was reveled in the breaking of the bread he appears to them. The timing was not coincidence. In their fear he affirms his identity and makes himself more present “Why are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? . See my hands and my fe et, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have." After all of this he issues to them " Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”. In our case Beginning from Winnipeg .

We can often complicate our call to evangelization. Often times not out of our own quest for truth but out of fear and anxiety we can recess away from this Christian duty by overanalyzing the situation, similar to performing brain surgery on a carrot. We can have so much relucta nce to the most fundamental, profound, and loving truth there is, that Jesus wants his love to be known and this is the pathway in which it is established.

Child and Heir

How many people here are High School Graduates? Have you ever considered the time it took, and the amount of work that was done, in order for you to have that title? The answer for most is probably 12 years. That’s a lot! Yet it’s rather interesting that something that would require great effort is not held in high esteem. It’s quite the norm for someone of my age to posses their High School diploma despite all the years of hard work. Now let’s look at those who have graduated from University or College. Depending on what avenue they studied it could take 3 to 8 more years until they have completed their education. (We’re including Doctors and Priests).

Dictionary.com calls a doctor “an eminent scholar and teacher.” A doctor, now that’s a title that holds respect. Someone would have to be very intelligent and determined if they wanted this role. In our society we value and admire such titles. For good reason, it’s quite the obstinate challenge.

We also give prestigious awards to those who make discoveries, write literature, perform on stage and in film, create beautiful music, and aid in humanitarian work. We give out Peabody’s, Oscar’s, Tony’s, Nobel’s, Pulitzer’s, Gold, Silver and Bronze. However there is one title none of us will ever grasp and no award we could ever achieve. No matter how educated or successful we become in this life we will never ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, be God. It’s simple and straight forward, the answer is no.

Yet God, in all his incomparable awesomeness, offers us something much greater than anything we could ever dream of achieving. “When we cry, "Abba Father!" it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” (Romans 8: 16 – 17)

A Child and an heir, this is what he gives us. So what astronomical adventure must we pursue in order to win that role? What insane gesture of greatness and act of heroism must we undertake? Our first step is to cry to Him, and then we offer Him our burden.

I think its funny how we get offend at real life dramas like “The Hills”. We see the tension take place as these undeserving affluent young people, living off their parents millions of dollars, complain about life, relationships, fashion faux pas and any other superficial topic under the California sun. How are you any different? Just how deserving are you? We are completely unsuitable to say the least. Yet to acknowledge this somehow qualifies us to accept it. This is available to all; elitists, cosmopolitans, socialites, businessmen, politicians, bus drivers, single moms, the orphaned, jailbirds, vagrants, and You.

The next part is living it out. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age." (Matthew 28: 19 – 20). Notice in the gospel, Jesus provides a journey for the disciples and through this they find him. In my mind this encounter in an archetype for conversion and having an interior confidence in Jesus. We then are aware of our need to worship him. When this confidence is shaken, like other times in the gospel, all Jesus has to do is reaffirm that he’s Jesus “"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” This call to evangelization isn’t any kind of automated ritual but springs forth from our encounter with the risen Jesus.

A.D.D.

So I decided that blogging wasn't going to be one of those things that I get hooked on for a short time but loose interest. It may be June but I'm starting up again. The next couple posts will be reflections I did at a prayer meeting.

Substance

The Cure

“Abortion in Canada is not limited by the law. While some non-legal obstacles exist Canada is one of only a few nations with no legal restrictions on abortion. Regulations and accessibility varies between provinces
Polls continue to show that a majority of Canadians believe abortion should remain legal in some circumstances. Over 110,000 abortions are performed in Canada every year, that represents a ratio of about 30 abortions to every 100 live births, one of the highest rates among developed countries.”
wikipedia.com

I'm starting to think I should change the name of this blog to “The Buzz Kill”. So much news is depressing and dejecting. A lot of people run out of steam out of hopelessness. I know, for myself, I've been stuck in a state of perpetual mourning, like life has been one big funeral. So what the heck in the solution to this contention. Small pox, Bubonic, Celine Dion; the world has known disease and dysfunction on an epidemic scale. However they all have an undoing; a cure. If you've got a headache you take some Advil. So what is going to unravel the pro-choice movement into a community that upholds and protects the dignity of all people? What is going to rattle loose the chains? In order to synthesize a vaccine one must know the symptoms.
Bottom line, if a Woman had support, if she had anything she would need during a pregnancy would she get an abortion? Probably no. A Womans need for an abortion emanates from a nightmare of fear and insecurity, thus by encouraging someone to go through with an abortion is investing in her hurt. Abortion then leads to a whole other whack load of problems.

http://www.allaboutlifechallenges.org/post-abortion-syndrome.htm

http://www.afterabortion.com/

http://www.canadasilentnomore.com/

“I still feel physically sick when I remember this period of my life…After the abortion I cried uncontrollably, from the shame, guilt, remorse, sadness, anger and depression it has left me, but as hard as I try-27 years later-it is as fresh as the beginning of the nightmare.” AN

The answer is compassion an love, without these our appeal with dissolve. We must recognize that abortion only victimizes and abuses those around it, this is not exclusive those who support it. If we continue to see the pro-choice movement as an adversary instead of humans who has been lied to, pawns of manipulation, we then encourage stereotype that we ourselves have earned; that are mean and ignorant people. Some people react with a false compassion. They feel sorry for the girl and will say something like “What ever you want to do I will support you.”, right feelings but wrong avenue. Love does not give license to abuse. “I love you and I will support you and your child no matter what.”

I'm a Christian. However my Christianity is not the primary reason why I'm pro-life, but it does influence. I look at the evidence and it's a bonfire of conviction. Then when my faith comes into play it's like tossing gasoline onto that fire (I'll try to think of an environment friendly analogy). How?

I was in my “funeral mood”. I've done Pro-Life ministry and found 0% support. I eventually had to quit what I was doing for the sake of my own sanity. I was frustrated with people who, although they claimed to be pro-life, just could not understand why they had to lift a finger. I was attending a worship service here in Winnipeg called “Beyond”. Being a charismatic I had my hands in air in worship. I was sharing with God my anger and frustration when suddenly Jesus helped me realize something. It's already won! Through his death and resurrection he bore it all, he bore abortion. I felt it to be a completely arrogant and stupid thing to say but I began to accept it. I guess it's not about “what is the cure” but “WHO”. Jesus is the remedy to a culture committing value-system-suicide.

P.S. Birch bark! Birch bark on a fire.

The Sickness

I could not (and wasn't able to) begin writing anything unless this topic was not a complete priority. As I was trying to illustrate the initial feelings I had for subjects that were, in all honesty, superficial. I began to become frustrated with my inability to process and elaborate on my opinions. Evidently they were reduced back to the unexpressed emotional jargon...FROM WENCE THEY CAME! The truth of the matter was I was trying to hold back on passions. Why? It wouldn't have been original of me. I hate it when I fall into my own personal Bill-cliché's.

I believe that every individual on the face of the planet should have equal rights. A lot of people would probably say “Hey, well that's just swell and I concur with said statement”. Then they find out this also means the unborn. This is when people usually retreat within themselves and start to pray that the conversation goes absolutely nowhere. In any case this is what being Pro-life is, wanting fair rules for everyone who plays the humanity game. Even those who profess themselves to be Pro-life do not understand this. Some seem to think that when abortion is no longer around that the Pro-Life movement will cease. This is the kind of shortsightedness that really hurts us. We simply cannot win (or take back) the affirming status of “personhood” for one group of people if we don't want the exact same thing for the entire body of humanity. With all of this in mind we focus on abortion; a direct attack on the most vulnerable moment of life and a violation of so many scared women...in our own country no less.

So why are there so many who neglect and ignore this issue? Why are there so many who think that this isn't their fight? I don't know, I truly hold no inclination of knowing. When a predator threatens a heard of Elephants what takes place? They form circle around their young. If you're a human, if you're a person, if enjoy the many uses you get out of your opposable thumb and free will than abortion IS your fight. The child may not be known to anyone. She may not be your sister, girlfriend, daughter, wife but she's somebody's.

There's a movie from 1976 called “Network”. It's about an older man who, for his entire adult life, has reported the news. After the death of his wife and having an estranged child he finds out that he will be let go from his job. He then proceeds, while being live on the air, to announce that he's going to kill himself on his program. After this the Network goes insane over a PR fiasco. He's then told to apologize on air. The man does apologize but then proceeds to preach against the injustice of the corporate world and government. By this time, after his suicide announcement, he's caught the attention of more and more people. The man's popularity soars. A great success comes and is offered his own show. During one f his programs he instructs those watching at home to get up off their seats, open their windows, and yell “I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore!”. People from across the city open their windows and begin to shout. Well here I am. Mad and not wanting to take it anymore. Hell, I'm genuinely pissed off. Why?

I knew this girl in high school. I went to a Catholic school so we had a chapter of the OSFL (Ontario Students for Life). One year we were on a road trip to the March for Life in Ottawa. On longer bus trips we play a bus rotation game so we get to know everyone there. This time we had a new person, she caught me attention because...well....she was pretty. She became involved with the group for a time but then we just didn't see her anymore. After a while a friend and I bumped into her, It was late at night in a Tim Horton's and “bumping in” wasn't the only bump around. She was pregnant and not going to school anymore due to a lack of support. She was going to classes and having a hard time handling the morning sickness. She approached our vice-principle asking if ANYTHING can be done to help her out. “Oh, just put a bucket beside your desk, you'll be fine”. Eventually she had to drop out of school all together. She doesn't regret it.


I knew a second girl. I met her at a conference. I was speaking and she approached me, thanked me ahead of time for speaking, then she shared with me. The young women told me that in the past she had 2 abortions. She seemed very enthusiastic and full of life . She was present during my workshop. A man asked a question concerning how to approach women who have had abortions. With a stern tone I said “We do not judge”. Right then this woman who had shared her story with me began to cry, this redeemed individual showed her weak side. She tried to hold it all back but just couldn't and began to cry. Her reaction told volumes.

It's stories like these that make me “Mad as Hell”. Mad, because nobody wants at all to be aware of the chilling loneliness that abortion brings, it brings death to both the child and the mother. It a prudish breed of irresponsibility and complacency; real poverty. Sadly, a lot of people require to play with fire before they finally realize “Oh, this Burns.”.

However, their's a cure...