Happy belated 4th of July! I spent yesterday soaking up sun in my pool, consequently getting sun burnt just a tad, and then working until 10 pm. I was able to see a few fire works through the trees outside of the store when I was taking out the trash, and all in all it was a very good day.
America is the land of potential, of freedom, and opportunity. But there are a lot of issues right now threatening our freedom. The hot, current issue? Gay marriage. There are many different ways I can address this, but I don't think Bible thumping, threats, and bitterness are going to help resolve this. Gays are people too, they are just very confused. Threatening them with damnation is NOT going to make them feel disposed to listen to your point of view. No one wants to hear that God hates them, they are going to burn in hell, and they are disgusting sinners. First of all, God is love, He cannot be not love. He loves every single person he created. Yes, God loves the gays and the lesbians. He loves them and He wants them to be with Him in heaven. As Christians, it is our duty to help fulfill God's divine plan and bring people to heaven. In times and issues like these, we need to ask ourselves the famous question: WWJD? In last Sunday's gospel, James and John wanted to call down vengeful fire upon the Samaritans, but Jesus told them to hold their fire and brimstone. The Samaritans rejected Jesus. They turned Him out of their town. Yet He did not call down fire upon them. So too, in the gay marriage issue, we must handle this with great love and consideration. Not that acting upon homosexuality is not a sin, it is in fact a very grave and serious sin, but these people just want to feel loved and accepted. And what a better place to accept them than the Catholic Church, the Universal Church? God forgives ALL sins. No one is going to enter a Church where they feel persecuted and hated. We must love them, show them compassion, gain their trust, and only then will they learn to reconcile with God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says:
The number of men and women who have deep-seated homosexual tendencies is not negligible. This inclination, which is objectively disordered, constitutes for most of them a trial. They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God's will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord's Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition. (CCC- 2358)
As gay marriage becomes more and more a cultural issue, I urge you to treat everyone with the respect and love owed to them as children of God. Fire won't change the world, love will.
"Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words" ~ St. Francis of Assisi
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