Pope Francis Works to Eliminate Death Penalty Worldwide

If you follow the news, you've probably seen, heard, or read this week that the Catholic Church has now evolved to oppose the death penalty. CCC 2267 reportedly will now read:

Recourse to the death penalty on the part of legitimate authority, following a fair trial, was long considered an appropriate response to the gravity of certain crimes and an acceptable, albeit extreme, means of safeguarding the common good. Today, however, there is an increasing awareness that the dignity of the person is not lost even after the commission of very serious crimes. In addition, a new understanding has emerged of the significance of penal sanctions imposed by the state. Lastly, more effective systems of detention have been developed, which ensure the due protection of citizens but, at the same time, do not definitively deprive the guilty of the possibility of redemption. Consequently, the Church teaches, in the light of the Gospel, that “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person”, and she works with determination for its abolition worldwide."

I am thinking that the Southern Baptist Convention might be an appropriate new alternate ecclesial community for "conservative" Catholics who prefer the likes of "Old Sparky" to the Pope. Any other suggestions?

The Cessation of Heroes

(written in 1989)

Inclyti, Israel, super montes tuos interfecti sunt: quo modo ceciderunt fortes!

There are no more heroes,

and that's how life goes.

Of what and whom does this speak?

Vietnam, Watergate, Swaggart, and Rose.

I'm so disillusioned,

Is there no one left to follow?

Rationalizations, justifications...

they all seem so hollow.

Humanity's weakness--Satan's strength;

Defensive egos offering excuses,

I cannot accept them, my mind just refuses,

Though the man be defended, integrity loses.

Sin after sin--

Is there no limit to its amount?

Man may forget God,

but he must give account.

So I end this poem

with a simple plan:

Fear God, keep the commands--

this applies to every man.

Deliver Us From Evil

Deliver Us From Evil
"A sword is upon the liars; and they shall dote (Heb. yaw-al'): a sword is upon her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed" (Jeremiah 50:36).
"A rich person will exploit you if you can be of use to him, but if you are in need he will abandon you" (Sirach 13:4 [NRSV]).
"When the rich speak they have many supporters, though what they say is repugnant, it wins approval"(Sirach 13:22a [NABRE]).
Do you pronounce justice? Do you judge fairly? No you freely engage in crime...liars from the womb, they have gone astray, their venom is like the venom of a snake. (See Psalm 58 [NABRE]).
"Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting" (Matthew 17:21 [KJV]).

Vote Your Conscience 2016

I'm a person of faith. I was raised Catholic, converted to evangelicalism at age 16. Subsequently went through many and sundry forms of Protestant faiths before becoming agnostic. Then reverted to Catholicism in 2008. As Pope Francis has pointed out, there is more to social justice than being anti-abortion and anti-homosexuality. And if you wonder which one of these principles to put first, side with the poor. I think neither party is Christian, and according to our Constitution should not be, but my conscience grades the Democrats at ..714 in their adherence to Catholic social teaching and the Republicans at .286. Read these and follow your own conscience to measure for yourself. If you are not a person of faith or of a non-Christian faith you may disregard.
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-social-teaching.cfm

Prayer for Protection from Hurricanes

O virgin,
Star of the Sea,
our beloved mother,
we ask you to 
plead with your son
in our behalf,
so that, spared from
the calamities
common to this area
and animated with
a true spirit of gratitude,
we will walk
in the footsteps
of your Divine Son
to reach the
heavenly Jerusalem
where a stormless
eternity awaits us.
Amen

Fasting and Feasting

Fasting and Feasting

The following Lenten Prayer blends together the idea that Lent is more than a time of fasting. It also increases our awareness of our need for God.

Gentle God, during this season of fasting and feasting, gift to us with your presence so we can be gift to others in carrying out your work. Amen.

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ indwelling in them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.

Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from worry; feast on trust.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.

Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Prayer for the Environment

As we breathe the very air which sustains us, we remember your love, God, which gives us life.

Fill us with your compassion for creation. Empty us of apathy, selfishness, and fear of all pessimism and hesitation.

Breathe into us solidarity with all who suffer now. And the future generations who will suffer because of our environmental irresponsibility.

Move us into action to save our earth and to build your sustainable kingdom.

Amen.