Ave Maria!
Ordinary of the Mass
http://www.tfpstudentaction.org/stop-black-mass-oklahoma-city.html On July 4th we celebrated the Mass of Our Lady’s
Immaculate Conception in honor of American Independence for the wellbeing of
the American Republic. I started my sermon with words from then Monsignor
Fulton Sheen, written in 1940:
The Founders based their claims on the “Laws of Nature and of Nature's God….” They expressed the “self-evident” “truth” “that all men are created equal … “endowed by their Creator with” … “unalienable Rights” [to] Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed….[2] “All men—all men and women—all human beings, really, are equally endowed with the rights to do what they ought to do in life, that by leading an upright and productive life in this world they might one day enjoy eternal life with their creator. A legitimate government exists to protect these rights. Note that these are rights for the individual to “do as he ought to do.” Nothing is guaranteed to him other than the liberty to do what he must do. Of course, while all are equal in possessing these rights, it is obvious that not all will have the mental and physical wherewithal to be successful in exercising them. The Founders recognized that communities, churches, and other charitable institutions would have the opportunity to assist those less able to do for themselves. They recognized this as an opportunity for they were mindful of our Lord’s words: “as long as you did it to one of these my least brethren, you did it to Me.”[3] Well, a few things happened during the last few weeks and months which demonstrate that the American independence which we celebrate on July 4th has been turned completely upside down. On at least two occasions, groups of people have announced their intentions to worship the Devil in a blasphemy known as a “Black Mass.”[4] The “Black Mass” is a parody on the Holy Sacrifice in which a stolen consecrated Host (the body and blood of Christ) is sexually profaned in honor of Satan. The first “Black Mass,” scheduled to be at Harvard University was cancelled due to public prayer and protest, but a second is scheduled for late September in Oklahoma. Incredibly, the Harvard Satanists are claiming that their “freedom of religion” has been violated, and those in Oklahoma are talking as if they expect it to be violated! These people are trying to argue that worshipping the Devil is a God-given right! The right to “do as one ought” is being warped into a supposed right to “do evil.” And the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall seems to agree with them.[5] On July 7th the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the firm Hobby Lobby could not be compelled to provide abortifacient contraceptives to its employees under Obamacare. Perhaps this sounds good. Yet, in an earlier decision the Court failed 5-4 to protect the property rights of all Americans by allowing the outright confiscation that Obamacare is without any justification in the enumerated powers of the Constitution. The Hobby Lobby decision is not based on any actual right of conscience—not even on the First Amendment, which guarantees the “free exercise of religion.” Instead, the High Court ruled based on a statute called the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which was passed by liberals to allow American Indians to smoke dope in honor of their spirits. [6] Senate liberals are now maneuvering to amend that Act.But even more disturbing in the Court’s decision is an implicit acknowledgement that women have a “right” to contracept and abort their children; that the government has a compelling interest to be sure that women are able to do so; and that if not the employers, then the taxpayers, have the obligation to pay for these travesties of alleged “healthcare.” We are dealing with a government created “right” that is no right at all, may condemn many politicians and many souls to Hell, and should burden the consciences of all who are required to pay for it. I would be remiss in my duty if I failed to point out that, from a purely worldly point of view, Americans are damning themselves to extinction, as any increase in contraception or abortion will only make worse the reality that Americans (and most in Western civilization) are not having enough children to replace themselves.[7] And, no one should ignore the possibility that a “right” granted by the government may one day become an obligation! (If today the government is paying to kill your second child, sometime in the future (or sooner) you might just have to follow the example of Communist China and make sure that it is killed!) A government that makes believe that your children do not come from God will have no scruples about telling you that “the Government does not authorize you to have any more children.” The government created “right” that men may marry men, and women may marry women, is similarly absurd. Yet, even more absurd, is the governmental fraud requiring that all citizens accommodate such behavior. “You must bake their “wedding” cake; you must arrange their “wedding flowers”: under penalty of law. There is probably no way to know exactly how much damage this “right” will cause society, but the harm to souls is quite certain. So, what do we do? All of these things are political issues, along with any others in which government pretends to create “rights.” So as citizens, we have an obligation to keep ourselves informed, to support those candidates who promise proper action, and then to vote for those candidates. Be sure to look at past voting records where these are available—many of these folks talk a good campaign, but vote quite differently when in office. But we also have moral problem, beyond the political problem. If everyone kept the Commandments, these government created fictitious “rights” would be of little consequence. If you have children, you must begin by teaching them God’s law. And, of course, nothing teaches like good example, so we must all be quite careful to keep the Commandments ourselves. And, finally, we must pray. We may well be beyond the point where political action can help. The insanity of the “Black Mass” is best countered by attendance at the true Mass. Indeed, if every Catholic made the effort to attend just one extra Mass each week, I am sure we would see God work to solve all of the problems I mentioned. And imagine if everyone added a few more decades to their daily Rosary. Perhaps this should be a permanent petition at our holy hours. The longest journey begins with a single step. So please begin soon with those Masses, prayers, and petitions.
Please work and pray for a government that does its job according to the Founders’ intentions—and according to the will of God. NOTES: [1] Msgr Fulton J. Sheen, Freedom Under God.(Milwaukee: Bruce, 1940) pages 148-149 [2] Cf. Declaration of Independence http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/declaration_transcript.html [3] Matthew xxv: 40 http://www.drbo.org/x/d?b=drb&bk=47&ch=25&l=40#x
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