Posted on October 18, 2020 View all news
Just a reminder that each Tuesday, we post lectures given by Bro. Brent to the parish web page. The theme right now is the Church’s Social Teachings, with an emphasis on election principles. Please be sure to tune in! Also, we have begun our conversion classes (RCIA) each Tuesday in Fr. Felten Hall at 7:00 p.m. If you know anyone who would like to become Catholic this upcoming year, please let them know soon so they can begin classes!
With election season upon us, please keep the following principles in mind. Even as we live in a secular society, and in a nation that has never in its history been a Catholic nation, our goal remains the Social Reign of Jesus Christ as King. Pope Pius XI declared: ” It would be a grave error, on the other hand, to say that Christ has no authority whatever in civil affairs, since, by virtue of the absolute empire over all creatures committed to him by the Father, all things are in his power.” He further said: If princes and magistrates duly elected are filled with the persuasion that they rule, not by their own right, but by the mandate and in the place of the Divine King, they will exercise their authority piously and wisely, and they will make laws and administer them, having in view the common good and also the human dignity of their subjects. The result will be a stable peace and tranquillity, for there will be no longer any cause of discontent. Men will see in their king or in their rulers men like themselves, perhaps unworthy or open to criticism, but they will not on that account refuse obedience if they see reflected in them the authority of Christ God and Man. Peace and harmony, too, will result; for with the spread and the universal extent of the kingdom of Christ men will become more and more conscious of the link that binds them together, and thus many conflicts will be either prevented entirely or at least their bitterness will be diminished.”
So long as mankind remains separated from Christ, and so long as rulers rule independent of Christ, there can be no equality, peace, justice, or prosperity. It is a grave error when politicians, especially Catholic politicians, state that their faith should not and will not in any way influence their decisions; that these ideas should be left inside the church walls. But if what we do inside the church walls is true, is it then not also true outside the church walls? If we wouldn’t allow ourselves to have an abortion, euthanasia, or anything opposed to Church teaching, how can that be any less true for others? It is fundamentally uncharitable and unjust to say I believe such is evil, but since you aren’t Catholic or believe in Christ, then do as you please. Is that what Christ did when he lived among us? Only preached to those he deemed worthy of His message? On the contrary, He sent His apostles to all nations.
Keep in mind, we must not be embarrassed by the Gospel. Yes, we must be patient with others, sacrifice for them, walk with them. Just as much as we would hope someone would do the same for us. But we must never compromise what we know to be true and be afraid to share that with others. If something is good for us, then it is good for all. All have the inherent right to know that “God so loved the world enough that He sent His only begotten son” (John 3:16) in order to die for us. Otherwise, why are we here? Why did the martyrs sacrifice themselves? Why are priests and religious celibate? Why do we fast?
The goal always is that at the name of Jesus, “every knee should bow, of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11). We can never let anyone tell us otherwise!
