Wednesday, February 28, 2007

THE END OF CHRISTIANITY (AGAIN)

Wednesday mornings I go visit parishioners at the hospital. One of my favorite people to stop and say hi to is a Jewish man who volunteers for the valet parking service for those visiting the cancer center. Walking in to the hospital today he calls out, “So Father, I hear they found the body of Jesus!” (Isn’t it strange how these great discoveries always seem to occur during lent? Why don’t they ever come to light in a perfectly good month like August?)

“Yes,” I replied, “Apparently I am going to be out of a job by Easter.”

“Don’t worry,” he called back, “I’ll save you a seat at the synagogue.”

Once, when I was in Austria taking a tour through a museum, a docent announced that a beautiful reliquary contained the relics of Jesus. Rather awe struck I asked her if she was sure of that for if true, Christianity had just been struck down to nothing more than a nice but false therapeutic method. (You will be glad to know that she checked her notes and discovered that it was actually a relic of the True Cross.)

But now, we are confronted with the actual bodies of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and their son! What a yard sale we are going to have! Everything here will be about as useful as smoking paraphernalia, which has come on its own hard times.

“What do you think about them finding Jesus’ body?” is the greeting that has replaced “Hello” with many people as of late. I think we owe this movie producer an incredible amount of gratitude for doing what two thousand years of doubting Thomas’ could not: exposing the truth.

Forget the witness of the Apostles. Forget what the greatest minds in the history of humanity have contemplated and found true, forget the witness of the saints and the marvels that have been worked through their intercession as testimony to Christ and His mission. Forget that not even a credible whisper of this has been heard in all of history. Our only hope now is that the great Vatican conspiracy, which has all Catholics under its direct power and has mind control over all world leaders and scientist, will find a way to once again conceal this truth and allow the whore of Babylon to continue ministering to those who are hurting and lost in sin, caring for the sick, lonely, and disenfranchised, calling the rich and powerful to repentance and accountability, making education available, standing as a voice for peace in the world, and continue being the greatest contributor to the poor (including any nation) along with promoting art and science (with accountability and ethics). Our evil plan is hanging in the brink!

Or perhaps this is just a really insipid way to promote a movie.

13 comments:

Odysseus said...

"Our only hope now is that the great Vatican conspiracy, which has all Catholics under its direct power and has mind control over all world leaders and scientist, will find a way to once again conceal this truth and allow the whore of Babylon to continue ministering to those who are hurting and lost in sin"

Not likely, now that we know tinfoil hats protect us from the anti-Christ in Rome. :)

Fr. V said...

LOL! :) You are so cool!

Anonymous said...

i tink i gotta read duh paper moor ... or watch duh boob toob news ... or preten i dinnuh see dis peace hear by duh faduh. sints i done no nuttin bout no bodees be in found or nuttin.
maybe ize duh luckee won. whudyuhtink?

Anonymous said...

"Or perhaps this is just a really insipid way to promote a movie."

Yup, shameless publicity. We don't need no stinkin' truth!

sattvicwarrior said...

YOU SAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Forget the witness of the Apostles.

I SAY[ FOLLOW THE CAPS]
BUT BRING INTO ACCOUNT THAT HISTORY HAS BEEN RE-WRITTEN TO ACCOMMODATE GROUPS OF PEOPLE SO THAT THIS “VISION” OF ACCOUNT IS POSSIBLY A SYMBOLIC " REPRESENTATION OF THE SPIRIT???
Forget what the greatest minds in the history of humanity have contemplated and found true,
ONE WOULD HAVE TO DESCRIBE” GREATNESS” CONFINED OF COURSE WITHIN THE ELEMENTS OF THAT INTELLECTUAL FORMAT SPEAKING ON SAID SUBJECT MATTER WHICH AGAIN IS MOST AND PROBABLY WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THEIR OWN LIMITED KNOWLEDGE OF SAID SUBJECT MATTER.???? EXPLAINED THROUGH THE SECOND LAW OF ENTROPHY, AS A FORM OF NON -LINEAR DYNAMICS] HONORABLE OF COURSE. BUT NOT ABSOLUTE ,[ BUT THEN AGAIN THATS THE PURPOSE OF THEORIES] AS TRANSLATIONS OF WHAT HAPPENED OVER THE CENTURIES HAVE BEEN DISTORTED TO SAY THE LEAST. . JUST LOOK AT THE PICTURE OF YOUR JESUS OUTSIDE THE TOMB. NOW REALLY . THAT IS ONE "HUNKY JESUS."
HARDLY A PICTURE OF WHAT THE MIDDLE EASTERN “DNA” AT THAT TIME WOULD REFLECT. . [ NO OFFENSE . BUT THAT HAS TO BE THE GAYEST JESUS PIC I HAVE EVER SEEN]
forget the witness of the saints and the marvels that have been worked through their intercession as testimony to Christ and His mission.
THAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT YOUR ADDRESSING . THERE HAVE BEEN MANY GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENTS THOUGH SAINTS THAT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR ARTICLE . YOUR ANALOGY IS A POOR CHOICE. ITS APPLES AND ORANGES SO TO SPEAK..
Forget that not even a credible whisper of this has been heard in all of history. Our only hope now is that the great Vatican conspiracy, which has all Catholics under its direct power and has mind control over all world leaders and scientist, will find a way to once again conceal this truth and allow the whore of Babylon to continue ministering to those who are hurting and lost in sin, caring for the sick, lonely, and disenfranchised,
THAT IS AN INTERESTING PERSPECTIVE. ITS NOT THE CHURCH THAT IS DOING THAT . IT’S THE SELFLESS ACTIONS OF ITS GOOD AND WONDERFUL PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THE CHURCH. ITS NOT ABOUT A COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS, BUT MORE OF AN INDIVIDUAL CONSCIOUSNESS, THAT MAKES THIS TRANSPIRE AND THE NEED TO HELP OTHERS AND TRULY GIVE FROM WITHIN THE GREATNESS OF GOD TO SHARE WITH THOSE LESS FORTUNATE, THE CHURCH IS JUST THE CATALYST FOR THIS, IT’S THE PEOPLE WHO ADMINISTER THEIR KINDNESS THAT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED. THEY ARE THE TRUE ESSENCE OF CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS. NOT THE CHURCH.

calling the rich and powerful to repentance and accountability,
IT SHOULD START WITH ITSELF. ONE OF THE MOST RICH AND POWERFUL ORGANIZATIONS ON THIS EARTH .

making education available,
THAT IS OF COURSE YOU DO IT WITH THEIR AGENDA OF WHAT IS EDUCATION
standing as a voice for peace in the world,
TELL THAT TO YOUR NEW BOSS AS HE INSULTED THE DEAMONS OF ISLAM BEFORE HE VISITED THERE A WHILE AGO

and continue being the greatest contributor to the poor (including any nation) along with promoting art and science
UHHHHHHHHH WELL. PROMOTING ART” AND “SCIENCE” IS A BIT OF A STRETCH DUDE . AND SOMEWHAT ROMANTIC. “ART” IN HISTORY HAS SHOWN IT HAD TO BE DONE BY THE STANDARDS OF THE CHURCH , AND WAS TOTALLY AND ONLY TO BE APPROVED BY THE CHURCH. BUT THE GOOD PART ABOUT IT IS. WE WOULDN’T HAVE ALL THOSE REALLY BORING PAINTINGS TO REFLECT THE TIMES. . LIKE FOR EXAMPLE. FRA LIPPO LIPPI.[ MY FAVOURITE BYZANTINE CLONE] I MEAN C'MON . BLOND HAIRED VIRGINS, AND 15 THE CENTURY COUTURE ????? AND DON’T FORGET. THAT SCIENCE WAS STRICTLY CONTROLLED BY THE CHURCH [ PEOPLE WERE PUT TO DEATH FOR EVEN QUESTIONING THEIR ABSOLUTE POWER OVER THE UNIVERSE]. YOU KNOW THAT AS WELL AS I DO .[ HOW DARE ANYONE SAY THAT THE EARTH IS THE CENTRE OF THE UNIVERSE. THAT'S BLASPHAMY ….. IT DESERVES BURNING AT THE STAKE….. SO DID THE “ CHURCH” POWER ACTUALLY CRIPPLE THE PROGRESS OF MAN IN THE RELATIONSHIP OF FORM AND CONSCIOUSNESS TO THE MARCH OF TIME?? ?? I MEAN . C'MON . THEY DON’T CALL IT THE DARK AGES FOR NOTHING

(with accountability and ethics).
GEE. HOW QUICKLY ONE TENDS TO FORGET THE POPES OF FRANCE.

Our evil plan is hanging in the brink!
WELL. I DUNNO ABOUT EVIL . BUT THERE REALLY COULD BE A LITTLE “ CLEANING UP” TO SET THE FACTS STRAIGHT.

or perhaps this is just a really insipid way to promote a movie.
MAYBE A LITTLE OF BOTH???
THANKS FOR LETTING ME COMMENT!!!!:)

Fr. V said...

satvicwarrior! You were worrying me! I thought you had strayed. (The picture was just there to attract attention.) I wish you would pick just one thing to question per post! You make responding pert near impossible! ;) So I'll choose. Actually the intercession of the saints (if one believes in it as I do) makes a perfect fit. If Jesus did not resurrected and assend into heaven, open the gates for us - then that makes his whole message suspect. But if it is true, and the Church (as a faith) provides a means by which we can be made holy, and that holiness can lead one to heaven, and that we are given assurances of this by being given answer to prayers through intercession of the saints thereby giving credence to Jesus' teaching (and His by way of that His assention) then it all ties together neatly.

sattvicwarrior said...

you say
If Jesus did not resurrected and assend into heaven, open the gates for us - then that makes his whole message suspect.
I SAY.
NOT AT ALL. THERE IS NOTHING " SUSPECT" ABOUT IT. THAT SOUNDS SO " ROMANTIC" ON YOUR PART I BELIVE IT HAPPENED. WITHOUT A DOUBT. BUT THE METHOD OF DISCRIBEING IT IS SUSPECT. .
THE " EL GRECO PAINTING " ET ALL ASENCION IMAGE IS WHAT CREATES FALSE CONCEPTS OF SPIRITUALTY, AND LEADS TO FURTHER CHAOS OF THE ACTUALTY OF THE WHOLE SITUATION. INTELLECTUALIZATION AND A ROMATICIZED PRESENTATION THROUGH SOMEONE ELSES CONCEPT PRECEPT OR NOTION [ BORN OF THE THINKING PRINCIPLE] DOES NOT CONSITIUTE TRUTH [ THE ACTUALITY OF PURE BEING] FOR THE ASPIRANT OF SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE. THIS IS WHAT PROMOTES "MYTH " RATHER THAN TRUTH . AND THAT IN ESSENCE DENIES THE TRUE SPIRITUAL ASPIRANT A CLEAR PATH. . IN OTHER WORDS ITS A LOT EASIER TO ASPIRE GOD CONSCIOUSNESS THAN WHAT IS TAUGHT THROUGH RITUAL AND DOGMA.
aLSO .
THE CHURCH CANNOT BE A " FAITH" FAITH IS SOMETHING FROM WITHIN AND IS UNTOUCHABLE AND UNSHAKEABLE ONE IT LINES UP WITH TRUTH. ALSO FROM MY OBSERVATION OVER THE YEARS THE CHURCH CAN BE A STEPPING STONE SO TO SPEAK OR A PATH. BUT IT IS NOT THE WAY. . ITS ONLY A PATH . THE " WAY" IS A PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH ONES CREATOR NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND
THANKS FOR YOUR RESPONSE:)

anniegregory said...

Thank you for this blog. Beautifully said.

Anonymous said...

"The religious community is essential, for alone our vision is too narrow to see all that must be seen. Together, our vision widens and strength is renewed."
-Mark Morrison-Reed

This element helps us differentiate bewteen an individual and a corporate spirtuality. The body of Christ, the children of God, the seekers of truth, can do a little for another when acting as an individual; but when acting coporately, God's work can be expandeded geometically.

Fr. V said...

True Uncle Jim,

And like coals gathered together, the fire stays more intense than one pulled out and set aside. It too easily cools.

Cindy said...

I think it dangerous to lump together each and every detail of the Bible (which I'm sure you're aware is even self-contradictory) and pretend that it must ALL be true, or else Christianity/Catholicism/Religion are all false (and Evil). The Bible comes to us through the translations of many many people - human beings with their own lives and perceptions and agendas. To paint all these things in black and white is to rival Speilberg himself in dramatic convention.

Fr. V said...

Cindy! Good to hear from you again! The question being asked is, "Is this God or a delusional man with some good ideas?" If His body is found this goes beyond percieved descrepencies in the Bible. A tremendous amount of teaching, particularly in Catholicism, depends on the Ascention of the Lord; so interconnected are all of the teachings. So are these nice ideas that perhaps we may or may not incorporate into our lives, or is this God and worth laying down our lives for? For an interesting look at this you might want to check out Being Frank. http://www.beingfrank.co.nz/?p=234

Anonymous said...

I got three insults into Frank's post and stopped - had yet to hit a cogent point, just a lot of spleen. I am afraid I stand by my notion that it's not all or nothing.