Post from yesterday's Gospel (8/29/12)
Children are acutely aware of our behavior and attitude at all times. They learn to pray when we pray, curse when we curse. Learn to treat others with disdain when they have seen, as an example, a parent yell at a waitress for the wrong order. We all want our children to be healthy and well-adjusted. When they aren't, don't you think, as parents, we need to take a look at our own behavior before we ground or criticize them?
In todays Gospel (Mark 6:17-29), think about Herodias' daughter and what kind of woman she may have grown up to be:
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias' own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you." He even swore many things to her, "I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request, "I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
In Anne a lay apostle's book Lessons in Love, she clearly defines the erroneous statements made by those who make excuses about their lack of commitment to the Church:
Lay apostles, think before you speak when your children are around. If you speak ill of our beautiful faith, what kind of impression are you leaving for our future generations? Do you want your children to love Christ despite human failings? YES!!! You do. Stop the negative thoughts within yourself. Remember, all eyes are on you.
Thank you, Lord, for teaching me to love and respect my Catholic faith and understand humans are fallible whereas You are steadfast.
God bless,
Bonnie
Children are acutely aware of our behavior and attitude at all times. They learn to pray when we pray, curse when we curse. Learn to treat others with disdain when they have seen, as an example, a parent yell at a waitress for the wrong order. We all want our children to be healthy and well-adjusted. When they aren't, don't you think, as parents, we need to take a look at our own behavior before we ground or criticize them?
In todays Gospel (Mark 6:17-29), think about Herodias' daughter and what kind of woman she may have grown up to be:
Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married. John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so. Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man, and kept him in custody. When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed, yet he liked to listen to him. She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers, his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee. Herodias' own daughter came in and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you." He even swore many things to her, "I will grant you whatever you ask of me, even to half of my kingdom." She went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl hurried back to the king's presence and made her request, "I want you to give me at once on a platter the head of John the Baptist." The king was deeply distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests he did not wish to break his word to her. So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders to bring back his head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison. He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl. The girl in turn gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.
In Anne a lay apostle's book Lessons in Love, she clearly defines the erroneous statements made by those who make excuses about their lack of commitment to the Church:
“Many Catholics see themselves as separated from the Church, even
exhibiting anger and rebelliousness against the Church. They make statements
like this: “The Church is only after money. All priests are pedophiles. The
Church is all about rules.” Let me translate these statements in order and try
to guess what is really meant. “I don’t want to give away any of my money. I
can use pedophilia as an excuse not to go to Church. I personally do not want
to obey God’s rules.” Clearly, some claiming to represent the Church have made mistakes
and committed sins and abuses. The enemy tempted them efficiently and, for
whatever reasons, they were not armed against the temptations. The ones
abandoning God’s path allowed many to be lured out of safety through their
actions. But I ask each person to look at the Church. If one studies the
Church, one will see that Her guidelines are protective in nature, most priests
serve ably and truthfully, and each Catholic should, if possible, give some
money so that the individual parishes can be maintained and so that the wider
goals of the Church can be achieved. If the Church flourished financially in
one period, rejoice. If there are those who then squandered the Church’s assets
through either criminal behavior or fiscal irresponsibility, God will hold them
accountable. It is still no reason for us to abandon the Church, and a
financially poorer Church will not do us any harm at all. We must think of
Jesus Christ when we think of the Church. What does He need us to do to help
raise up the Church? Again, to repeat a point almost to tiredness, the
misbehavior of some is no excuse for others to abandon God’s cause in the
Catholic Church.”
Lay apostles, think before you speak when your children are around. If you speak ill of our beautiful faith, what kind of impression are you leaving for our future generations? Do you want your children to love Christ despite human failings? YES!!! You do. Stop the negative thoughts within yourself. Remember, all eyes are on you.
Thank you, Lord, for teaching me to love and respect my Catholic faith and understand humans are fallible whereas You are steadfast.
God bless,
Bonnie
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