Meditation on the Crucifixion; Forgive them for they know not what they do

While meditating upon the last sorrowful mystery, some thoughts occured to me regarding the crucifixion and the true meaning of love. Have I stopped and fully realized and appreciated the love shown by Jesus to those around him during the crucifixion? Jesus was nailed to the cross by those whom he created, fashioned together from his hands. As they were nailing Him to the cross, causing Him unimaginable agony, Jesus looked at them in love. He looked at them in love and forgave them. He asked His Father to forgive them. It was more than simple forgiveness, it was love. Love for the unlovable. It was not the kind of forgiveness that we all find ourselves granting from time to time because someone is "due" forgiveness because they apologized and its what we "should" do. It was rather, pure love and forgiveness. They didn't ask Him for it, they didn't say they were sorry. Still, He forgave and asked for them to be forgiven. He cried "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34 NAB). Such love is held in that sentence, that we can barely begin to understand it. Forgive them, as they were murdering him? Such compassion, such mercy is almost incomprehensible to us humans. We get that we have to forgive people. Sometimes, we manage to do well, other times we manage to forgive, but begrudginly. In that passage, He not only forgave them, He loved them. He loved them right there in the midst of their horrific behavior. He recognized that they didn't understand what they were doing. They didn't understand that right in front of them was pure love personified, crying out to them, reaching for them even in the midst of His torture at their hands. They didn't hear it, they didn't see it, they didn't believe it, and He still kept giving it. Do we understand that love? The love for the unlovable? or do we get miffed when someone says something unkind, gets short with us, or pushes our buttons? Can we look out and show Christ's love? We must. If He did that, and we know He did, then how can I not respond with love and compassion when someone hurts my feelings or causes me pain. We must carry Jesus to the world despite our brokeness of being human, and we must carry Him by showing nothing but love. So the next time someone says or does something to me unjustly, I hope to be able to remember this and to try to unite it to Jesus' suffering and look out with love. I hope that Jesus will look at that person through me, for when they see me, I want them to see something of Jesus. Even in the midst of correction, when it must be given, I want the world to see Jesus. In everything I do, I want the world to see Jesus. I sure am going to pray to try to be better at loving those around me.

When the Fence Becomes a Razor Blade

I think we've all been in this position---pulled between two options, undecided as to the correct course of action.  We don't like to be wrong, but we also don't like to be unpopular.  The consequenses of defying our peers can be absolutely brutal; so we wait to decide, until the edge of our comfey little fence sharpens and we're forced to make a decision. I think one of the most famous fence-sitters of all time was Pilate, unwilling to condemn Jesus, but fearful to not appease the crowd.  As the crowd grew in its fervor against Christ, that fence became a razor blade.

He chose, alright.

I've read that Pilate was driven by a torturous cancer to an early  grave, utterly consumed knowing that he sent an innocent man--the Son of Man--to a wrongful death.  We don't know what would have happened if Pilate had declared Jesus an innocent man and set Him free; but his accusers were hotly determined to carry out their plans.  It's likely that the mob wouldn't have rested until it found someone to carry out its agenda.  I wonder how many churches to St. Pilate, Martyr, might be around had he the courage to choose the right thing over the threats of an angry mob.

Let's face it, the world is falling into a strange state of affairs.  Thanks to a bunch of modern-day fence-sitters, we've seen bills signed into law without first being discussed, or even read, spiraling us into a financial and social vaccuum; anyone with half a brain realizes that an executive order will not trump the rule of law, and abortions will be funded by taxpayer dollars.  I can't help but wonder if our legislators even realize that they chose the angry mob over right. 

If we each think about it, we've each probably felt the bite of that fence sharpening out of nowhere, and if we're honest with ourselves, we've sometimes chosen the angry mob for fear of the immediate consequences.  There's nothing easy about following Jesus.  Sure, at first we think it's all rainbows and pie, but it can't stay that way if it's going to be authentic.  Hard decisions lie before each of us in every area of our lives.  The cut from choosing right could be more painful than we think we can take, but in the end, we'll rise again with Christ, because there isn't an angry mob big enough that can stop our Glorious Lord.

Be Still

This is perhaps the most surprising interview upon which I've stumbled. C.C. DeVille is the lead guitarist for 80's glam rock phenomenon Poison.  (by surprising I mean the content, not the delivery--he's a nut, man.)

Dance, Dance Wherever You May Be

"If we are to serve others,...

...for Christ’s sake, we need to be very human. If our life is less than human, God will not build anything on it, for he normally does not build on disorder, selfishness or emptiness. We have to understand everyone; we must live peaceably with everyone; we must forgive everyone. We shall not call injustice justice; we shall not say that an offence [sic] against God is not an offence against God, or that evil is good. When confronted by evil we shall not reply with another evil, but rather with sound doctrine and good actions: drowning evil in an abundance of good."

-from Christ Is Passing By by St. Josemaría Escrivá

Ghettos to the left of us, flowers to the right. There'll be bread for all of us...

if we can just bear the cross.

The Answer Is...

Pope Leo XIII wrote Rerum Novarum in 1891 AGAINST Socialism as a viable solution to poverty. I quoted yesterday the opening paragraph of this timeless encyclical.

Some time ago I posted a quote from Rerum Novarum, to which one of my readers responded that it was considered "too old" to be taken seriously anymore.

After almost a year of pondering it, my doubts regarding his assessment have considerably grown.  In other words, I don't believe it's the document's age that keeps it in shadow, but it's content.

Pope Leo XIII absolutely denounces Socialism in his visionary encyclical that many call a capstone of Catholic Social Teaching. In just paragraph 4 he links the socialist ideal to one of the seven deadlies: "To remedy these wrongs the socialists, working on the poor man's envy of the rich, are striving to do away with private property, and contend that individual possessions should become the common property of all, to be administered by the State or by municipal bodies.(emphasis mine)"  He affirms that it's the family--not the state--that is the rightful centerpiece of society, with marriage as its foundation, fatherhood the authority and private property an extension of the Natural Law.

He was most definitely ahead of his time, denouncing Communism decades before the Soviet regime and their socialist counterparts behind the Iron Curtain imposed tyranny upon millions. Soviets coerced, imprisoned, tortured and murdered as many Catholics (and later other denominations of Christians) as they could get their hands on--bishops, priests, religious and laity were all targeted, because to an admittedly atheist government, the Church is its primary enemy.

Think about what an encyclical is: a document designed to guide and direct our Priests and Bishops in teaching us the faith. The contents of this document were of course taken very seriously, and still are. Every pope after him has stood firmly upon what Pope Leo XIII teaches.

If you've never read an encyclical, Rerum Novarum is the one with which you should start.

Wednesday Morning Quiz

That the spirit of revolutionary change, which has long been disturbing the nations of the world, should have passed beyond the sphere of politics and made its influence felt in the cognate sphere of practical economics is not surprising. The elements of the conflict now raging are unmistakable, in the vast expansion of industrial pursuits and the marvelous discoveries of science;...in the enormous fortunes of some few individuals, and the utter poverty of the masses; the increased self reliance and closer mutual combination of the working classes; as also, finally, in the prevailing moral degeneracy. The momentous gravity of the state of things now obtaining fills every mind with painful apprehension; wise men are discussing it; practical men are proposing schemes; popular meetings, legislatures, and rulers of nations are all busied with it - actually there is no question which has taken deeper hold on the public mind.

In what year was this paragraph published?

A)1996
B)1891
C)1939
D)2009

Answer tomorrow...with commentary.

Christian Dynamite

I can't wait until the series is completed.  To get a sneak preview of The Catholicism Project, click here.

A Decision Will Be Made Today--Please pray it's the right one!

Today Mahoning Valley Health is meeting to decide the fate of their newly aquired property.  Please pray for the board members that they discern well what to do with the facility and property.

The property in question was an abortion facility.  Mahoning Valley Health, an organization of Pro-Life physicians and activists who raised funds to purchase the building.  Click here to read more about how they acquired this facility.

Several suggestions have been made, all of which are being taken under advisement.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the unborn, pray for them.

UPDATE: THE MEETING TO DECIDE THE FATE OF THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN POSTPONED UNTIL FRIDAY.  Please keep Mahoning Valley Health in your prayers.