In Case "Current Events" in the Church Distract You at Work
Our last weekday post addressed current events that might become a distraction in some way at work. Noting how political, social, or religious controversies can impinge on our daily work, we suggested ways to refocus our time and attention on those tasks essential to fulfilling the duties of our state of life. We also provided some verses from Psalm 32 that put most of these current events in perspective.
One of those current events noted was the Pope's declaration that capital punishment was "inadmissable" along with his inserting his "teaching" into the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It has proven to be not only controversial, but disturbing to both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. On the Catholic side, some have expressed the concern that the Pope's words and actions may give the green light to those who seek to undermine or even overturn teachings of our Church that trace their roots to Our Lord Himself. They reason that this is no "development" of doctrine, but rather a break with past teaching: something essentially "new" has been introduced that breaks with past teaching. That's serious stuff that could prove problematic not only to theologians, but to any Catholic who's been taught that the doctrines of our Holy Religion are based on Sacred Scripture and Tradition, rather than the unique thoughts of someone using the office of pope to offer an opinion.
But perhaps of even more concern have been continuing revelations of illegal and immoral acts by clergy - priests, bishops, cardinals - that have been going on for many years. In addition to the perpetrators, it's evident that their superiors were aware of what was going on and covered it all up. Those of us who have been aware of these activities, even been confronted with them in our own lives, may not be surprised by these revelations, but they continue to profoundly disturb us. There's no getting used to this. Both those of us previously ignorant of the details of what was done and by whom it was done, as well as we who have been aware of, exposed to, and thoroughly familiar with the lurid details, may find ourselves shaken. We're not talking about only sins of the flesh that break the vows of celibacy, but perversions of the most disgusting kind, in many cases perpetrated by those who used their position and authority to force themselves on innocent people, including children.
Recently, I came across some comments by a member of the clergy who has posted appropriately outraged remarks. At one point, he makes some suggestions that reflect what we've already recommended in our last post. I hope you find them helpful, especially if you find yourself distracted from diligently performing the duties of your state of life.
Attend well to your state in life, your vocation. Live your vocation with true devotion, committed to the here and now details. God will give you all the graces you need because, by living well your vocation, you are playing the role He knew you would have in His plan of salvation from before the creation of the cosmos.
Be wary and on guard against the “roaring lion”.
Examine your conscience. Go to confession. Make good Holy Communion. Visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and pour your heart out.
Make a plan about certain practices and act of penance for the specific purpose of reparation for the sins that so offend the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Joseph.
Prayer. Fasting. Reparation.
Ask God for help and be confident, remembering that He may also leave you in pain to test and purify and strengthen you.
Say the Rosary, that great spiritual armament which so terrifies demons. Ask Mary, Queen of the Clergy, to guard all the priests you know.
Reparation. Reparation. Reparation.
We've simply got to keep working despite what has been going on. Performing our work to the best of our ability in the face of what may be distracting and disturbing us can in itself be a form of mortification, even reparation.
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam - For the greater glory of God!
One of those current events noted was the Pope's declaration that capital punishment was "inadmissable" along with his inserting his "teaching" into the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It has proven to be not only controversial, but disturbing to both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. On the Catholic side, some have expressed the concern that the Pope's words and actions may give the green light to those who seek to undermine or even overturn teachings of our Church that trace their roots to Our Lord Himself. They reason that this is no "development" of doctrine, but rather a break with past teaching: something essentially "new" has been introduced that breaks with past teaching. That's serious stuff that could prove problematic not only to theologians, but to any Catholic who's been taught that the doctrines of our Holy Religion are based on Sacred Scripture and Tradition, rather than the unique thoughts of someone using the office of pope to offer an opinion.
But perhaps of even more concern have been continuing revelations of illegal and immoral acts by clergy - priests, bishops, cardinals - that have been going on for many years. In addition to the perpetrators, it's evident that their superiors were aware of what was going on and covered it all up. Those of us who have been aware of these activities, even been confronted with them in our own lives, may not be surprised by these revelations, but they continue to profoundly disturb us. There's no getting used to this. Both those of us previously ignorant of the details of what was done and by whom it was done, as well as we who have been aware of, exposed to, and thoroughly familiar with the lurid details, may find ourselves shaken. We're not talking about only sins of the flesh that break the vows of celibacy, but perversions of the most disgusting kind, in many cases perpetrated by those who used their position and authority to force themselves on innocent people, including children.
Recently, I came across some comments by a member of the clergy who has posted appropriately outraged remarks. At one point, he makes some suggestions that reflect what we've already recommended in our last post. I hope you find them helpful, especially if you find yourself distracted from diligently performing the duties of your state of life.
Attend well to your state in life, your vocation. Live your vocation with true devotion, committed to the here and now details. God will give you all the graces you need because, by living well your vocation, you are playing the role He knew you would have in His plan of salvation from before the creation of the cosmos.
Be wary and on guard against the “roaring lion”.
Examine your conscience. Go to confession. Make good Holy Communion. Visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and pour your heart out.
Make a plan about certain practices and act of penance for the specific purpose of reparation for the sins that so offend the Hearts of Jesus and Mary and Joseph.
Prayer. Fasting. Reparation.
Ask God for help and be confident, remembering that He may also leave you in pain to test and purify and strengthen you.
Say the Rosary, that great spiritual armament which so terrifies demons. Ask Mary, Queen of the Clergy, to guard all the priests you know.
Reparation. Reparation. Reparation.
We've simply got to keep working despite what has been going on. Performing our work to the best of our ability in the face of what may be distracting and disturbing us can in itself be a form of mortification, even reparation.
Ad maiorem Dei gloriam - For the greater glory of God!
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