Later this afternoon a local politician will face the public, and face the music regarding his very foolish indiscretion with taxpayer's money. Up from the original estimate of $3000 wrongly charged to the public credit card are new estimates of even as much as five times that amount. Hi resignation is expected by some, hoped by others and gleefully anticipated by still others. It's possible his political career is over.
I pray that he has made his way to confession at some point in the last few days in order to prepare for today.
When we sin against others, confessing through our priest does not make the hurt we have caused others magically go away. It does not get us out of legal trouble, or even mitigate the consequences of law. By fully confessing we come clean with God. We hear the words of absolution. We are at peace and ready to bear the judgement of man.
The inner peace of reconciliation with God allows us to understand, listen, and if necessary forgive the (over)reaction of others. It can be a long road back, and it begins within.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
We can (and should) Forgive Even Politicians
My town is experiencing a bit of a crisis as a politician has admitted to a lapse in judgement in using the Library credit card for his personal, quite prolific spending habits. He has apologized and claims to have repaid all money owing, although new revelations are breathlessly reported in the mainstream media daily.
He's taking quite a hard knock in the social media. He's young, ambitious and frankly, a nice guy. Well connected and savvy, he's respected (or until now, he was.)
Elected officials have the expectation to intense scrutiny but no person should reasonably have to endure what this young man is going through. Criticism, disappointment, even anger; these are understandable reactions on the part of his constituents.
Glee at his plight, unwarranted speculation borne of malice and nurtured by ignorance, and attacks on his character are not Christian, not helpful and certainly not what we would wish on ourselves or a family member.
The councilman will answer for his error and decide if he'd like to finish his term, provided he is not found guilty of a crime (at this point there do not appear to be charges pending). After that, it's up to the electorate if his political career continues or ends, if he decides to run.
A little forgiveness and a whole lot of prayer on his behalf is what he needs from us in the meantime. There but for the grace of God go any of us. Christ knows how difficult it is to endure such public humiliation.
No really; Christ knows.
He's taking quite a hard knock in the social media. He's young, ambitious and frankly, a nice guy. Well connected and savvy, he's respected (or until now, he was.)
Elected officials have the expectation to intense scrutiny but no person should reasonably have to endure what this young man is going through. Criticism, disappointment, even anger; these are understandable reactions on the part of his constituents.
Glee at his plight, unwarranted speculation borne of malice and nurtured by ignorance, and attacks on his character are not Christian, not helpful and certainly not what we would wish on ourselves or a family member.
The councilman will answer for his error and decide if he'd like to finish his term, provided he is not found guilty of a crime (at this point there do not appear to be charges pending). After that, it's up to the electorate if his political career continues or ends, if he decides to run.
A little forgiveness and a whole lot of prayer on his behalf is what he needs from us in the meantime. There but for the grace of God go any of us. Christ knows how difficult it is to endure such public humiliation.
No really; Christ knows.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Judge Not
It happened one day in 1969 in West Germany, on a bus filled with boy scouts on a way to a jamboree, we happened into the middle of a protest that had all the signs of developing into a riot. The hippies, as we knew them to be, surrounded our bus. My father, the scout leader in charge, told us to press our Canadian flags against the windows. Badges, sashes, small flags, whatever we had. We passed in peace. The prevailing and unsubstantiated wisdom of the day was that Canadians would never encounter harm in Europe not because of our home and native citizenship, but because we weren't American.
Be that as it may, recently in Canada we have had our share of riots first in Vancouver after the Stanley Cup final, and then on March 17 in London, Ontario during the celebration of the life and good works of an Irish saint. A disquieting trend has emerged, and I speak not of the rioting itself nor of recognizing sainthood by exhibiting decidedly unsaintly behaviour.
In both instances the community has been quick to judge based on videos and pictures. Alleged rioters are being threatened and hounded, as though merely being photographed taking a big-screen TV through a broken store window or taking a two-by-four to a police vehicle is proof of complicity. It may well be, but that is for the court to decide.
There is no justice in rushing to judgement. Offer the evidence if you have it, share the incriminating social media, and then let the system prove guilt and mete out punishment, correction and restitution.
"Vengeance is mine, says the Lord." Romans 12:19 Vigilante retribution is as bad and perhaps worse than the alleged illegal behaviour it seeks to punish.
Be that as it may, recently in Canada we have had our share of riots first in Vancouver after the Stanley Cup final, and then on March 17 in London, Ontario during the celebration of the life and good works of an Irish saint. A disquieting trend has emerged, and I speak not of the rioting itself nor of recognizing sainthood by exhibiting decidedly unsaintly behaviour.
In both instances the community has been quick to judge based on videos and pictures. Alleged rioters are being threatened and hounded, as though merely being photographed taking a big-screen TV through a broken store window or taking a two-by-four to a police vehicle is proof of complicity. It may well be, but that is for the court to decide.
There is no justice in rushing to judgement. Offer the evidence if you have it, share the incriminating social media, and then let the system prove guilt and mete out punishment, correction and restitution.
"Vengeance is mine, says the Lord." Romans 12:19 Vigilante retribution is as bad and perhaps worse than the alleged illegal behaviour it seeks to punish.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Catholic. Charity
Catholics should give to Catholic charities. I guess I could have hidden that somewhere between the lines, but it needs to be said, aloud, outside of the lines.
The faith is being watered down by well-meaning Catholics, teachers in the Catholic system, Catholic affinity groups and Catholic community leaders who raise and give money to causes that are quite admirable and quite secular, and there are many of them. But unless they are Catholic charities, or charities recommended by the local ordinary (our Bishop), we have no guarantee that every penny will be spent in support of Catholic values. What guarantee have we that money given to a secular charity in support of the sick will not someday be directed towards euthanasia? That giving to a charitable collective that supports many community charities will not include one that counsels abortion?
There are plenty of very generous people in the secular world with no allegiance except to their own conscience who support all sorts of worthy causes. God bless them.
There are precious few dollars to support Catholic causes in support of the poor, the sick, the elderly, the unborn, the sorrowful woman who has aborted her child, the crumbling historic church, the faithful. We must not allow charity inspired at the foot of the cross to be exploited by the secular world for it's own cause to the glory of it's own name.
Catholic dollars should be given, exclusively if possible, to support charity done in Christ's name in accordance with our faith, in accordance with what we believe.
The faith is being watered down by well-meaning Catholics, teachers in the Catholic system, Catholic affinity groups and Catholic community leaders who raise and give money to causes that are quite admirable and quite secular, and there are many of them. But unless they are Catholic charities, or charities recommended by the local ordinary (our Bishop), we have no guarantee that every penny will be spent in support of Catholic values. What guarantee have we that money given to a secular charity in support of the sick will not someday be directed towards euthanasia? That giving to a charitable collective that supports many community charities will not include one that counsels abortion?
There are plenty of very generous people in the secular world with no allegiance except to their own conscience who support all sorts of worthy causes. God bless them.
There are precious few dollars to support Catholic causes in support of the poor, the sick, the elderly, the unborn, the sorrowful woman who has aborted her child, the crumbling historic church, the faithful. We must not allow charity inspired at the foot of the cross to be exploited by the secular world for it's own cause to the glory of it's own name.
Catholic dollars should be given, exclusively if possible, to support charity done in Christ's name in accordance with our faith, in accordance with what we believe.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Ghetto Land
"People say that we should be glad for what we have.
Tell me, would you be happy in Village Ghetto Land?"
Stevie Wonder, "Village Ghetto Land", from the album "Songs in the Key of Life" 1976
I think my first brush with empathy came in 1969 when Elvis Presley sang about a life gone bad "In the Ghetto", to my mind an entirely American phenomena. Stevie Wonder picked up the theme on his "Songs in the Key of Life" album in 1976 when he describes the relative poverty of "Village Ghetto Land." It saddened me even as a child and as a teenager that people actually lived this way. I couldn't imagine it. More truthfully, perhaps I didn't see it.
Notwithstanding that these places exist not only in America but mere blocks from my front door, I am more disheartened by the ghetto of hopelessness in which so many live. This hopelessness is typified not just by neglected property standards, trash on the street and foul mouths. It's evident in the lack of respect people pay to each other. You have to have respect for yourself before you can ever spare it for another, and I believe it is the most arrogant, thoughtless and uncaring of people, no matter their income level who are living in a ghetto of self loathing.
Perhaps, just maybe, it's because so many people can't accept that anyone loves them. They believe themselves to be unlovable for whatever reason; their sins, their circumstance, their very being. The thought that God loves them is worse than laughable, it's inconceivable. They live in a poverty of hope.
And yet, speaking of inconceivable, it's to these that Jesus came to serve. He's standing right beside them, us, in the depth of our poverty whether we experience it in a hovel or in several thousand square feet in the best part of town.
Easy for me to say. Is there reason for joy in Village Ghetto Land?
Yes. Happy Christmas.
Tell me, would you be happy in Village Ghetto Land?"
Stevie Wonder, "Village Ghetto Land", from the album "Songs in the Key of Life" 1976
I think my first brush with empathy came in 1969 when Elvis Presley sang about a life gone bad "In the Ghetto", to my mind an entirely American phenomena. Stevie Wonder picked up the theme on his "Songs in the Key of Life" album in 1976 when he describes the relative poverty of "Village Ghetto Land." It saddened me even as a child and as a teenager that people actually lived this way. I couldn't imagine it. More truthfully, perhaps I didn't see it.
Notwithstanding that these places exist not only in America but mere blocks from my front door, I am more disheartened by the ghetto of hopelessness in which so many live. This hopelessness is typified not just by neglected property standards, trash on the street and foul mouths. It's evident in the lack of respect people pay to each other. You have to have respect for yourself before you can ever spare it for another, and I believe it is the most arrogant, thoughtless and uncaring of people, no matter their income level who are living in a ghetto of self loathing.
Perhaps, just maybe, it's because so many people can't accept that anyone loves them. They believe themselves to be unlovable for whatever reason; their sins, their circumstance, their very being. The thought that God loves them is worse than laughable, it's inconceivable. They live in a poverty of hope.
And yet, speaking of inconceivable, it's to these that Jesus came to serve. He's standing right beside them, us, in the depth of our poverty whether we experience it in a hovel or in several thousand square feet in the best part of town.
Easy for me to say. Is there reason for joy in Village Ghetto Land?
Yes. Happy Christmas.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Quote of the day from Martin Sheen
The Quote of the Day from Martin Sheen, courtesy of Deacon Greg: read it here: Quote of the day .
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Merry Christmas! Yeah, I said it...
The traditional greeting lately sounds more and more like "Merry Christmas, dammit!" It's uncomfortable. The way some people say "Merry Christmas" can only be described as "in your face." I'm not sure anymore whether a Christmas greeting is a sincere wish of peace and goodwill, or a dare.
What's wrong with saying "Happy Holidays?" Wishing someone a happy holiday does not reflect poorly on our standing as Christians. How we behave otherwise may.
And when did wishing someone a "Merry Christmas" become a statement of patriotism, particularly in this country of increasingly unChristian values?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all. Let's make 2012 a year in which we live our message all year round; a year in which we speak the truth to all, starting with ourselves.
What's wrong with saying "Happy Holidays?" Wishing someone a happy holiday does not reflect poorly on our standing as Christians. How we behave otherwise may.
And when did wishing someone a "Merry Christmas" become a statement of patriotism, particularly in this country of increasingly unChristian values?
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to one and all. Let's make 2012 a year in which we live our message all year round; a year in which we speak the truth to all, starting with ourselves.
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