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Just Soak This In and Tell Me We Don't Need Drastic Change

"The majority of self-identified Catholics!" This is the shape of our faith today. 51% of people don't go, don't know, and don't care. They identify, but don't believe. They accept the label, but don't follow the Lord. They write "Catholic" on forms, but not their hearts.

71% of former Catholics "no longer have any religious affiliation."

Do you understand what this means? Those who were enlightened by the gift of Baptism, but probably never enlightened by the gift of a living, personal faith, are in no way, shape or form adoring Christ Jesus. They might know his name and a few scattered stories, but they are not making life decisions in order to give Him honor and glory. He is not being worshipped by these 71% anymore! This breaks my heart.

Church LifeMichael GormleyMay 15, 2015statistics

Great Talk from the Humanum Conference

Church LifeMichael GormleyApril 13, 2015evolution, gay marriage, male and female

Letters to a Struggling Young Friend - Second Question

Brother R asks:

2. Why are all homosexual acts wrong? I can understand no gay sex. But what's wrong with kissing, making out, or holding hands. How can I witness to a gay atheist? How can I use natural law to argue against homosexuality? Also if all acts have to work towards procreation, then can impotent couples kiss, hold hands, make out? Aren't we applying a double standard. (I also want to witness at a gay pride parade with Church, any suggestions? I find it interesting how we pray in front of abortion clinics but not gay pride parades, I think we need to start doing that and spread it across the Church.)

A PRECURSER OR INTRODUCTION

Before we dive into the issue of homosexuality, I think it is important to establish some details. First, the Church is not against sex. Sexual differentiation, the sexual urge, and sexual desires are all a part of what it means to be human, what it means to have a body. That is why the Sistine Chapel is adorned with nudes- because the body is lovely and expresses something lovely about human nature and about God.

Church Life, PersonalMichael GormleyApril 9, 2015Homosexuality, gays, love, same-sex attraction

Letters to a Struggling Young Friend - First Question

1. What makes the disciples martyrdom different from the martyrdom of the ISIS militants? Both truly believe in their cause, both are willing to die or their cause, and both are in a position to know if it is true or not. Couldn't the disciples be as crazy and deluded as ISIS?

This is an interesting question. The confusion comes in with the language that we use. It is one word that describes two different realities. In the Christian world the word martyr comes from the Greek word for "Witness". A martyr in the Christian faith is someone who has witnessed to the Risen Lord to the point where someone takes their life. In the Church this is viewed as the ultimate witness and a certain climax to Christian holiness because one has imitated Jesus Christ in life and in death. So the martyr is one who lays down one's life for Christ and for others.

In the Muslim religion this is not so. The archtype of the Muslim martyr is one who dies while in battle spreading Islam. ISIS would celebrate those soldiers who kill in the name of Allah and the spread of their version of what it measn to be a Muslim (many Muslims disagree with ISIS!). The Muslim martyr is more akin to the Viking concept of the warrior dead that enter Vallhalla than of Christian who dies for others.

Church Life, PersonalMichael GormleyApril 7, 2015Martyrdom, Muslim-Catholic Relations

Smyrna Speaks

The first and the last, who once died but came to life, says this: “I know your tribulation and poverty, but you are rich. I know the slander of those who claim to be Jews and are not, but rather are members of the assembly of Satan.”

“Do not be afraid of anything that you are going to suffer. Indeed, the devil will throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will face an ordeal for ten days. Remain faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Whoever has ears ought to hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The victor shall not be harmed by the second death.”

“But you are rich.” How I long to hear those words from God about me! “You are rich in My love. You are rich in faithfulness, in endurance, in hope. You are rich.” Imagine the joy you would experience hearing Jesus Christ announce that to you.

Because the thing of it is, these people are being hunted, tortured and murdered. They are being arrested, exiled and denounced. They are, in the eyes of the world, despised, unlucky, weak, marginal, and oppressed. “But you are rich” says the One who sees beyond appearances and into the heart, “But you are rich.”

“Remain faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Church Life, ScriptureMichael GormleyMarch 5, 2015Churches Speak, Revelation, Smyrna

A PRECURSER OR INTRODUCTION

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