How many times have you criticized your fellow Christians today about any number of things? ?So and so? is annoying, lazy, cheap, boring, conniving, promiscuous, etc. We all fall into the trap of criticizing our brothers and sisters from time to time. Some even tend to criticize our priests, bishops and the pope for numerous things. If we got to meet Jesus, would we criticize Him in the same way? Would we say, ?Your rules are too tough?, ?You better change with the times?, ?Your priests are all a bunch of perverts?, ?How come you?re always asking for money?? Somehow, I don?t think we would?do you agree?

What is the difference between criticizing Jesus and criticizing the members of His Church? Saul of Tarsus (later to be known as St. Paul) was a staunch persecutor of Christians. He was relentless in making sure that the early Christians were punished for their beliefs. On the other hand, he never did anything to Jesus, just His followers?correct?

On the road to Damascus, when Saul encountered the risen Lord, Jesus said to him, ?Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?? (Acts 9:4) Saul then asked Him, ?Who are you, sir?? and Jesus replied, ?I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.? (Acts 9:5). Note that Our Lord never accused Saul of persecuting Christians or His Church, instead saying ?Why are you persecuting Me??

When we attack another Christian or criticize the Church, we are actually attacking or criticizing Christ (as all members of the Church are part of the “mystical” Body of Christ). On those occasions where we need to point out someone?s immoral behavior, we need to always be charitable and do it kindly ? with the intention of actually helping them. Once we start gossiping about others (especially behind their back), we are walking on ?thin ice?.

I don?t know about you, but the last thing I want to hear someday is, ?Gary, Gary, why did you persecute me??

Anytime you hear the story of a priest involved in an inappropriate relationship with a woman, or a man (or woman) being unfaithful to their spouse, or a celebrity arrested for DUI or entering rehab for drug addiction ? you can be sure that they?re looking for pleasure.
As human beings, we are made to seek pleasure. We like those things that feel good and avoid things that are painful. What we tend to forget is that the ultimate source of pleasure in this life is God. St. Augustine once said, ?O Lord, you have made us for thyself and our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.? When we sin, we are actually looking for pleasure ? in the wrong place.

The famous Catholic writer G.K. Chesterton is purported to have said, ?A man knocking on the door of a brothel is knocking for God?. While at first it seems like an outrageous statement, it actually makes a lot of sense. Ultimately, it?s not going to be sex (or food or money or alcohol) that gives us lasting pleasure, but a closer relationship with The Lord.

If you have a hard time seeing this in the midst of your daily life, join the club! I?ve spent the past few days in a general state of sadness. Work, family responsibilities and rainy weather left me feeling miserable. To make matters worse, I didn?t even feel like praying. Instead I wanted to eat, sleep and watch TV to escape from my misery. While none of these actions are objectively sinful, I certainly could have made better use of my time. I finally forced myself to say a rosary and asked the Blessed Mother to help me regain the peace of her son, Jesus. Even though the problems were still there, my peace did return. This time, it only took one rosary. Next time it might take longer, but it reminded me of an important lesson. No matter how miserable you feel about your life, always turn to God for pleasure. Sinful activities and vices might make you feel good for a few minutes, but they are ultimately going to make you feel worse.

Always seek pleasure by following Christ and you?ll ultimately find the happiness you desire. While The Lord never promised us a problem-free life in this world, He did promise it in the next?

Stay focused on Jesus!

I’ll be taking a few days off from blogging in order to “recharge my batteries”. Thanks for following the blog and I hope to see you soon.

Have you ever struggled with figuring out how The Blessed Mother fits into the Catholic Faith? Simply put, getting close to her is the best way to get closer to Jesus! The May issue of The Catholic Truth email newsletter features a discussion of how Mary can bring you closer to Christ and it is available now. Please visit http://www.thecatholictruth.info/ for a free subscription (the only information we request is your email address).

As we begin the month dedicated to Our Blessed Mother (May), why not attempt to discover what the Catholic Church truly teaches about her?

I guarantee that it will transform your life!

Sometimes when I feel that my blood pressure is too low, I take a look at some of the stories carried by the Philadelphia Inquirer. In today?s edition, there is an editorial about how Senator Robert Casey (D. Pa.) is a ?hero? because he stood up to the Catholic Church and voted to confirm abortion supporter (and fellow Catholic) Kathleen Sebelius as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. The editorial goes on to criticize Scranton Bishop Joseph Martino for warning Casey, a member of his diocese, to not vote for Sebelius. The editorial goes on to state, ??But, threatening to withhold the sacrament from a parishioner over a matter of public policy comes close to saying that one church’s tenets should have priority in law over all others’. This country was founded on the principles that all religions are welcome and that none should take precedent in civil law. As a senator, Casey represents Catholics as well as non-Catholics. He should consider his faith when making decisions, but a public official’s faith shouldn’t be the only consideration. His reasoning on Sebelius shows Casey understands that balance.?

I?m sure the writer of this editorial would have good things to say about Pontius Pilate, who also didn?t want to inflict his personal beliefs about Jesus? innocence on the people. This story illustrates three people who literally have no clue about the teachings of the Catholic Faith – Casey, Sebelius, and the author of the editorial. If they really want to be members of the Church founded by Jesus (the Catholic Church), Casey and Sebelius should understand that there are rules and one of them is that murder is always intrinsically evil. The problem with their logic is the belief that they only need to follow the rules with which they agree. This is never how Jesus operated and it has never been the policy of His Church. There have always been moral guidelines laid down by the Church. If there weren?t, what is the point of belonging to a church? Why not just create your own rules?

The unnamed editorial writer is equally clueless about the role of a bishop. Bishop Martino is doing exactly what he?s supposed to do in shepherding his flock. Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Athanasius, a fourth century bishop (of Alexandria, Egypt) and doctor of the Church who spoke out many times on various heresies and attacks on the Church. Bishop Martino, not Casey, is the real hero in this story and he?s doing an excellent job carrying on the Apostolic Tradition established by Our Lord when He selected the original twelve Apostles.

You can read the full editorial at http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20090502_Editorial__Standing_up_to_his_church.html

Today the Church celebrates the feast of Saint Joseph the Worker, dedicated to his status as the patron saint of workers. For any of you who are currently employed, it is a good chance to reflect on your job. Do you offer up your work to God each day as a form of prayer? If so, do you always put forth your best effort? Even though we don?t often think about it, doing our job well is a great way to glorify God. If you are unemployed or searching for new employment, ask St. Joseph for help. He certainly understands the importance of work and will not ignore your request.

In the gospel reading from today?s Mass (Acts 8:26-40), we see how Philip encounters an Ethiopian eunuch who is reading a passage from the book of Isaiah. When Philip learns that the man doesn?t understand what he is reading, he ?proclaimed Jesus to him?. This leads to Philip baptizing the Ethiopian which caused him to ?continue on his way rejoicing?.

When was the last time that you shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with someone? You can do it by sharing a Bible passage or simply by explaining how your faith in Christ makes a difference in your life. As simple as it sounds, there are a lot of people who have never heard this message. Ask The Lord to send some people your way and be prepared to share the ?Good News?. You might just make it possible for someone to ?continue on their way rejoicing?.

The recent outbreak of swine flu throughout the world serves as a reminder that we aren?t really in control of our destiny. While we can take measures to protect ourselves, ultimately God is in charge of our lives. In today?s society, many people fool themselves into thinking that hoarding money makes one invincible. The recent economic collapse and now the threat of a global flu pandemic should be a wakeup call for each one of us.

No matter what the world wants us to believe, we really aren’t in control. If God wants to get our attention, He’s going to find a way. These recent events make me want to take a good look at my life and make sure I’m doing The Lord’s will. One day He’s going to call me home and, ready or not, I’m going to be judged for how I lived my life.

I want to be prepared, how about you?

Former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican Mary Ann Glendon has informed Notre Dame University that she will not accept the Laetare Medal (the highest honor conferred by the University of Notre Dame), due to their honoring pro-abortion president Barack Obama at this year?s commencement. This is a tremendously courageous move and provides us all with a great example of how a Catholic should behave! In her letter to Notre Dame President Father John Jenkins, Glendon completely obliterates the University?s feeble plan to ?use? her to balance Obama?s anti-life position. I can?t begin to express how much respect I have for Mary Ann Glendon.

The text of her letter to Fr. Jenkins follows:

Dear Father Jenkins,

When you informed me in December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame?s Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame?s most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty.

Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors.

First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops? express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions ?should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles? and that such persons ?should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.? That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution?s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it.

Then I learned that ?talking points? issued by Notre Dame in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event:

? ?President Obama won?t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.?

? ?We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.?

A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame?s decision?in disregard of the settled position of the U.S. bishops?to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church?s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice.

Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops? guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame?s example could have an unfortunate ripple effect.

It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony.

In order to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision, I will release this letter to the press, but I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.

Yours Very Truly,
Mary Ann Glendon

Read the full story at: http://www.catholicculture.org/news/features/index.cfm?recnum=60313