REFLECTION ON THE ELECTION...Fran's Friday Forum...!!!

Fran, If you know your history, you'll see a very stark similarity in our country today as compared with the Roman Empire. The emperor gave out bread to the poor while keeping others busy with the gladiator spectacles all while another enemy force was lurking at the door. Our pop culture and sports entertainment are the gladiators and our welfare systems/entitlement programs are the bread. We are headed into the abyss and our lights should be shining brighter than ever. Isaiah 60 says to Arise, Shine for your light has come... it doesn't say reflect but shine! We cannot reflect the pop culture, we must shine with the Light placed within us, as you say... others centered. I feel so bad for all those I see in the news after this last storm, no food or water. We have 6-8 months worth of food and all the water resources we'll need but it's not for us. It's for all those around us who we know have not made themselves prepared for anything. Kudos to Josh... keep voting the values you know to be true.

Another thing that kind of shook me the other day, hearing Franklin Graham saying his father, Billy has been a lifelong registered Democrat. Something shifted in my heart when I heard that. He came out this election for the first time ever saying Romney/Ryan were the only choice for a Christian.

Fran, Although I agree mostly, the one area I question greatly is that God controls all the weather. I think even atheists love to blame God for some things.... act of God is still in insurance contracts. But I believe many times the weather is under our control. If you mean that God's hand can protect us from weather, I believe that. I believe that Sandy is a perfect example of how no matter how many of us prayed it away, (and there were many) it just didn't happen because the Hand of God's protection has been lifted. That is what I believe is happening. He gave us complete control over all things and we have ignored it. I believe 9/11 was a direct blow at the center of our economic center but not at God's hand or judgement but because He had to lift our protection while we stumble along without calling on His name. We were left unprotected by our slight of Him. I find it very ironic that 9/11 and Sandy struck the same area and that area was the same that Geo. Washington was 1st inaugurated and gave the speech where he said that if we should ever turn our backs on God that His protection would leave us. I find it just a little too coincidental that this all happened at the center of our economic power... where it began and where it will end for us.

"I dwell on this prospect with every satisfaction which an ardent love for my country can inspire, since there is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists in the economy and course of nature an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity; since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered, perhaps, as deeply, as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people."

"Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the Human Race in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so His divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend." - From Geo. Washington's 1st inaugural address.

Fran, I assure you that creed did not separate you and I in this election. All that aspire to be a child of God and who listens to the spirit would not vote for unGodleness.

Fran, I am so pleased that so many Catholics, myself included, refused to follow the directives of so many of the Catholic Bishops of the Catholic Conference of Bishops... and followed their own well-formed consciences and voted for President Obama.

Also... the same group of Bishops came out VERY strongly against the Marriage Equality issues on the ballot in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington State.  As was the case with the Presidential election, the majority of Catholics ignored the Bishops jaded directives, and voted in favor of Marriage Equality.  All four states chose Equality.

The Catholic Church has become both a Religious Organization, AND a Political Organization.  That is just fine.  This is America.  But... with them now being a political organization as well... the IRS needs to clamp down on them in a major way and remove their tax-exemption status.  They need to be paying taxes... just like everybody else.  I would also vote that none of that money be spent, but all of it used to reduce the deficit.

There are those who say the Bishops and the Church want to "take their country back."  Yes, they do.  They want to take it back about sixty years.  It didn't work.

Fran ~

"I am deeply disappointed by those of my own CATHOLIC Faith, who for whatever reason do not display the excellent values of our Catholic Faith. Better catechesis and insistence on moral certitude is greatly needed. There is only ONE Christ, and those who KNOW Him exhibit that unity...!!!"

Amen.

Yolanda, remember how Christ reacted to the Pharisees in the Bible?  That would be a great parallel to my opinion of the current Pope and his Bishops. 

Yes, there IS only one Christ.  In my opinion, and with my well-formed conscience, I say that it is too bad the Pope and his Bishops have strayed so far from what Christ taught.  While not all of them are following in the footsteps of the Pharisees, way too many of them are.  I pray for them.

Fran:  It appears that you have labeled me "unrighteous" and that my prayers are not heard.  And, of course, you claim for yourself the label "righteous" and declare your prayers "availeth much."

Now, did God Herself whisper this in your ear, or is this something you have concluded all by yourself?  In all humility, of course.

Whatever happened to "Blessed are the meek and humble of heart?"

And Blessings to you, as well.

Also... how about an opinion to my comment to Yolanda... if you would be so kind.

Fran:  I just saw your addition to your comment above... mentioning Benedict's best wishes to President Obama.  It is taken from a story on the National Catholic Register.  I am a regular reader of that (even though it is a major propaganda outlet of EWTN in Alabama)... but I also read the National Catholic Reporter... which, as they say, gives a "fair and balanced" reporting of Catholic news.

You DO like things that are "fair and balanced..." don't you?

And I am sure if somehow Mr Romney won, that President Obama would have been very gracious in his congratulations.

Fran:  I am a Notre Dame fan as well.  I am glad they defeated Boston College.

By the way... speaking of the National Catholic Reporter... here is an article which I know will inspire you.

Nighty night :)

  As believers we can learn an important lesson from the Republican Party. If we stand and major on non-mainstream thinking we will drive people away from our cause. Our #1 priority is introducing people to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The world in general is turned off by an impossible list of "Do's and Don'ts". But always remember the old hymn "Just as I am"(let Jesus work out my beliefs and opinions thru Spirtual Growth/the santification process).

30 million people that call themselves Christians are not registered to vote, that amazes me as did the fact that 3 million registered Republicans did not vote.

Either way you cannot beat Santa Claus (Obama) the people want FREE STUFF and no cares that it will be off the backs of the WORKING CLASS, not the rich, not the poor.

Rich Senators, Representatives and Presidents will say they want to tax the rich but they make the laws, the loop holes and we would be and they know most of are too stupid to see it that they are not going to tax themselves.

When the WORKING CLASS rises up or lays down we will see true reform.