You no doubt have seen news coverage of the Bobby Cutts Jr. trial going on here in Cleveland. He was convicted this past week of a lesser charge of murder of his pregnant girlfriend but of aggravated murder in the death of his unborn child (who died as a result of the death of the mother). Is this not strange?In symbolism we have seen that symbols only have the meaning that we attribute to them. (The color red symbolizes martyrdom because we say and agree that it does.) Apparently human life is much the same, particularly human life in the womb. If a woman declares it to be an unwanted lump of cells, so be it. Pull it out, cut it up, and throw it away. But if that same woman declares it to be her unborn child, then it is a human life worthy of aggravated murder charges and a possible death penalty sentence. (And in this case the mother is not even present to make decision. The state accepts the testimony of others and rightly assumes that the baby was declared a person by the mother.) We seem to be in a frenzied state of straddling the fence. Or better yet, bilocating firmly on both sides of the fence.
Even individuals do not seem to know how to well express their points of view. A couple of times inquirers into the faith have wondered if they can become Catholic because they are pro-choice. So we sat and talked about it for a spell. Though they swing the “pro-choice” banner around, the area in which they believe in choice, from baptism to natural death, was really quite severely limited almost t
o the point of non-existence. I wonder how many surveys people with similar views have thrown off kilter by declaring themselves pro-choice but being barely in the camp.The other evening I was having a lovely cup of java and some horribly delicious ice cream with a great Catholic couple who are deep in to their faith. They proposed the great point that many organization such as Planned Parenthood are anything but pro-choice. They are pro-abortion – pro-contraception, pro anything but pro keeping with traditional Christian mores. If you want that, go elsewhere.
A few years ago (at my last assignment) there was a priest who regularly gave pro-life homilies. Just when I said, “Nothing exciting ever happens around here,” someone came running over to the rectory and announced that Father was giving another pro-life homily and a group of parishioners stood up, shouted, “You are a one issue homilist!” and marched out of church.
So in some ways we as a nation are clearly not well spoken on the topic, tend to practice opposite extremes in any given situation, and can become very touchy when discussing the matter. Because of this many people call out for priests to proclaim the pro-life message more strongly
and more often from the pulpit. Perhaps we should. But sometimes homilists feel as though they are preaching to the choir in the same way some priests yell from the pulpit, “You people better start showing up for mass!” What good is it yelling at those that are there? They’re there! In the same way it is presuppose those at mass know that to be Catholic is to be pro-life. What should we do?
26 comments:
On the first point, in Minnesota we've had similar laws on the books for a long time. In college I remember discussing it in our Criminal Law class, and the prof was also shaking his head over the dichotomy.
On speaking pro-life and giving even the simplest tenants of the faith at Mass....DO IT! The faithful among you will love you for it, will nod their heads happily with you because you'll be backing them up in what they've been telling their friends and relatives for ages...while their friends and relatives tell them they're old fashioned and then turn and reembrace their comfortable relativism.
And you'll be speaking to the people who don't often attend Mass, and really might take it to heart if they hear it from you.
And you'll be speaking to people who firmly believe that they are free to believe that killing a child in the womb is moral and necessary. And if you shake them up a bit in that process....GOOD! THAT'S THE BEGINNING OF CONVERSION!
A couple weeks ago I gave a talk on Lent to a women's group, and used that time also as a chance to help me prepare for the First Communion talk. They told me a couple things:
1. Tell people they have to go to Mass. EVERY WEEK. EVERY HOLY DAY. Because people really don't know!
2. Explain to people the simplest things...why we make the sign of the cross, why we genuflect, what do we say when we genuflect, why is there a red candle by the tabernacle....etc. They said that these are questions most people have because maybe they've forgotten, or were never taught. And as adults, they don't want to feel stupid, because they all think they're the only ones who don't know why we do what we do as Catholics.
Don’t assume you’re preaching to the choir. I’ve attended mass many times with friends who were living with their boyfriend/girlfriend. They just don’t get the impression that anyone objects. Most of the congregation is using contraception because they don’t understand that NFP works or how to use it. If I was hurting from abortion, I would look to the church for answers, but I would be too shy to ask for help directly. I would probably hope to get answers by showing up to mass anonymously. You don’t have to preach it graphically or constantly, just clearly and eloquently. This is right and this is why…this is wrong and this is why…we’re here to help if you need it…this is what to do if you want to help the cause. All of these life issues are the root of the breakdown of the family. People don’t make the connection that these issues have something to do with why that troubled teenager broke into your car this morning.
Adoro - yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
-a group of parishioners stood up, shouted, “You are a one issue homilist!” and marched out of church.-
I know somebody who's going to Hell!
Simply put, you have to preach to the choir - every choir needs a director no matter how well they know the music. A well-tuned ear teaching with a single voice can bring a greater cohesion and clarity than any ad hoc collection of even the most talented and well-intentioned players.
Do most (I hope most, anyway) of us know that the pro-life issues are of critical importance? Sure. Do we have the theological background with which to create a consistent platform from which to speak? Most of us do not and even those who do should appreciate the insights a different perspective brings.
Most of all, I think, if you don't talk about it people will think it's not important. Someone once tried to tell a RCIA class I was teaching that Humanae vitae was not important because you never heard about it from the pulpit. If a catechist gets that message, think about how many others do as well.
Yes, preach to the choir. Absolutely, and without reservation. I tell you simply, even if I've heard the tune before, the beauty of Truth will always be music in my ears, bring a smile to my face and renew both the love and the determination in my heart.
As a postfix ... speak, because the next pro-life homily I hear ... will be my first.
I agree with all of the above. You have to talk about the simple things that you assume people know. After 8 years as an RCIA teacher I realize that we are on about our 3 generation of un-churched Catholics. They do not know the most basic tenents of our faith.
FYI, Fr. V. ~ Very timely topic for today. I got to work to learn that I'm being blasted to Father and the school Principal because of my talk last week. Outright slander, too.
And I just opened to the Magnificat, first page, part of morning prayer:
Psalm 31
(prelude to the psalm) If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. No slave is greater than his master. (Jn 15:18-20)
And then it goes into Psalm 31.
So...I first have a great deal of respect for you because if you tell people they have to go to Mass, you're going to get blasted on all sides. And now I know what that's like. And secondly...if you get blasted, well, I'm finding the above verses from John and Psalm 31 to be very helpful in the perspective department. :-)
Hmmmm.
Got the message. Thanks.
Adoro - The only time one gets yelled at is when they have something to say. Glad you are not beige on white.
Beige on white?
BLAND - forgetful - not saying much of substance. Able to have your message fade off into general whiteness of ineffectual speech. etc.
beige on white...
i thought that was a kind of off color remark
keep preaching it
and tell us about priorities in selecting candidates for whom to vote - especially since you have primaries there in OH in the next couple of weeks -people need, and want, to know (well, some of them do)
Well, the comment to this, painful as always, is how I feel about the Church's hesitance to address the one issue without which there are no others: life. Abortion is THE spiritual battle of the day and maybe of all time, for it enters exactly where Jesus Himself was incarnated. It is time for Jesus' Church to cross the line, even if it means tax woes.
Ditto to all of the above! Preach it constantly. And for what Uncle Jim said--I asked my priest to do a little presentation on this. We need it! I'm 40 and one of those Catholics who is just now learning about my faith. We need to hear it and hear it often
God bless.
"Apparently human life is much the same, particularly human life in the womb. If a woman declares it to be an unwanted lump of cells, so be it. Pull it out, cut it up, and throw it away. But if that same woman declares it to be her unborn child, then it is a human life worthy of aggravated murder charges and a possible death penalty sentence."
Such is the confusion of moral relativists.
I'm gonna have to agree with the basic consensus, but add one point: when you explain about genuflection, don't just mention how and why, say when.
Father...add me to this choir that says, "preach it." In fact, our family switched parishes after 18 years of a "seamless garment" pastor. The pastor at our current parish has said he "assumes" everyone attending Mass must be prolife. IMO, couldn't be further from the truth. Just this week at a women's morning bowling group, the subject of who to vote for came up. The mix of women range in age from 29-49 yrs., however, there were just 7 of us... all Catholic (some admittedly, nominal). The consensus among these women was thay there must be separation of Church and State and the *Church* should not tell *us* how to vote. Someone called John McCain "Satan" and no one disagreed. I have to say I wasn't in the mood to get into politics at 9:00 a.m. but did say the Church does not force anyone to vote one way or the other...the subject changed to bowling soon after ;) So a small sampling of what is out there.
One of the problems with the pro-life movement is not so much their argument, but how they go about it.
I am firmly pro-choice, but I believe the issue of abortion is one that deserves a lot of discussion. I don't like the idea of destroying a life, but I also don't believe simply a fertilized egg justifies life.
The joining of an egg and a sperm I don't believe is all that miraculous, it's a rather simplistic thing and prior to their joining no one seems to pay any attention to the either the sperm or the egg.
I strongly disagree with the opposition of contraceptives.
The other issue I take with the pro-life movement is the rather vulgar stance that people can take on issues such as stem cell research. There is very little understanding about what exactly this implies, and little understanding about how important this research is and the non-effect it has on potential new life.
This all said it would be great to see leaders of our churches perhaps give the pro-life movement some better focus so the discussion could be more productive.
I would also like to see the discussion around stem cell research limited to those that understand it rather than those that are told to oppose it.
As a last note, I reject the idea that Planned Parenthood are pro-abortion. Abortion is a very tough discussion for those that have it and I just don't see any reason to believe that they are secretly promoting a pro-abortion agenda. It doesn't even make sense to be pro-abortion.
Pro-contraception is a different topic. Contraception prevents people from getting caught in a situation where they will have to ponder abortion. I really don't like the idea of linking contraception. Contraceptives are the result of there being a long proven history that people are just not going to conform to abstinence.
Nothing's arguable at all, if it's your own cells or DNA which are dangled in that abysmal spot between life or death to be decided for you. I always suggest for relativists to consider whether or not they themselves would even be here, if abortion was something Moms could choose retroactively.
I've been pregnant 4 times. Not once did that clump of cells turn out to be a kumquat.
Abstinence is the greatest pro-life choice one can make. Actually, it's the only one that is morally valid. I tested the limits of virginity twice.. neither time were there any implosions or spontaneous combustion.
Adult stem cells have produced many treatments and cures. Embryonic stem cells have produced nothing but tumors in lab animals. It's a purely scientific stance we take.
Common misconception about stemm cells there sparky...here's a quick link for you:
http://www.scienceissues.net/mthys-and-misconceptions-about-stem-cell-research
Abstinence is a great option justme, but it's clear that people don't follow it.
I address that a bit here in my blog entry on the subject:
http://www.rationalresponders.com/pro_life_pro_choice_pro_discussion
Your article confirms my statements, quote:
"It is true that injecting human embryonic stem cells into mice often results in benign masses of tissues forming."
"All breakthroughs in medical research have to go through a process of research and development before medical therapies can be made available. "
Tumors, yes. Treatments, maybe in future.
Secondhand Smoke Blog:
http://www.wesleyjsmith.com/blog/
Absolutely outstanding for any of you out there who want to stay on top of bioethics news.
Father:
By "morays" I believe you mean "mores," an essential communal custom, right? Not the nocturnal great predatory eel that hangs out in reefs?
Charles Curtis
ROFL!
THANK YOU Charles!
I really do need an editor.
Fr.,
I recently became the respect life coordinator of my parish. While both of my priests are very supportive, it would be very, very, very nice if I heard it from the pulpit once in awhile. Far too many times those of us in the pews who are trying to do something about life issues feel alone. We can't do it without you. Please keep on preaching. Of course abortion can't be the only issue from the pulpit. If it is at some point people will stop listening. But an occasional mention of the good work being done in the pro-life movement, and the importance of speaking out, would be a big help, and a boost fo all of us.
We need you, all of our priests - sometimes far more than we realize.
Mrs. M.
But sometimes homilists feel as though they are preaching to the choir in the same way some priests yell from the pulpit, “You people better start showing up for mass!” What good is it yelling at those that are there? They’re there! In the same way it is presuppose those at mass know that to be Catholic is to be pro-life.
That's a bad presupposition to make. When our new pastor was assigned to us, after a few weeks he gave the infamous "abortion homily". He said that we lost three families that weekend who chose to go to another parish.
The prior pastor never made waves. He never preached about issues people might get emotional about. He never challenged people to try and increase in holiness. It was the "I'm OK, You're OK" school of pop psych kind of homilies. It seemed that he was more worried about keeping the a**es in the pews and the envelopes coming in than he was about preaching the Truth, forcefully if necessary.
What should we do?
Keep doing what Jesus said: "preach the Gospel to all nations". And that starts by bringing the authentic Gospel to your own congregation.
Our pastor took the tack that he was going to preach rightly, and with charity in his heart no matter who it offended. If the entire congregation left, and our parish closed down because of lack of attendance, so be it.
He took a lot of abuse, had his share of health problems and heartaches until the remnant of our parish, who understood that God had ordained him to lead us stood firmly behind him and told his detractors that we're not going to allow you to abuse our pastor.
I discovered that many times when I become offended by a priest's homily, it's because it touches me in an uncomfortable place. A place that needs to be poked to bring me closer to God.
What to do, Father? Keep on keeping on, just like I told my pastor.
Now the seats are filling again with people who want to hear God's word instead of a feel-good fluff-fest. They hungry, they don't know what for because they've been fed theological twinkies for so long. But give them a slab of good rare steak. They may not like the taste of it at first, but the taste buds of their egos are not important. The nutrition of their souls is.
Post a Comment