“Without wanting to get even” is probably too much for all but the holiest among us. I try for “without seeking to get even” and also “praying for the graces needed to forgive offenders and offer up the pain.”
Category Archives: Christianity
What is virtue?
The dictionary defines virtue simply as “behavior showing high moral standards”, but people have many different ways or defining what morality means to them.
Thus, it pays to define terms carefully before judging or debating with others.
Jesus preached personal charity: ““Whoever has two tunics should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Luke 3:11 [NABRE]
But Immanuel Kant said the opposite. He preached that it was unjust to do anything for one needy person and that true justice was only found in doing the same thing for every needy person.
Since the definition of “every” is up for grabs, this strikes me as being not just anti-Christian, but anti-human.
Every who? Every needy person on my street? In my city? In the world? What a convenient way to justify being a greedy, self-centered, son of a bitch. Never mind that each person’s needs are unique. I’ve got personal experience with how the Left’s penchant for jamming everyone into predetermined, government-program, pigeon holes denies the needy the dignity that God says we all have. Sheesh!
Reading about Kant’s philosophy today went a long way toward explaining for me why so many Leftists claim the moral high ground, preaching pompously about our responsibility to help the needy, while living lives that are demonstrably less charitable than Christians in every way.
Arthur C. Brooks’ research demonstrated (against his “I was brought up Liberal and wanted to prove Liberals are better” desires) that politically liberal, secular people around the world are far less likely to donate blood, give money, or volunteer time than are politically conservative, church-goers.
I always thought Leftists were being hypocritical to equate voting Democrat with being compassionate and charitable. Now I see that I was wrong. They were being Kantian.
Kant’s philosophy also explains Democrat efforts to persecute those who attempt to do personal works of mercy.
E.g., Obamacare actually imposes fines on hospitals for giving pro bono care to those who cannot afford the medical care they need. Ditto soup kitchens. I remember reading about one 80-year old man who was arrested for feeding homeless people in his city. The Democrat mayor ordered the arrest, because he believed that being hungry would encourage the homeless to seek out government aid.
Below is the introduction to the Roman Catholic Catechism’s section on virtue. The Catechism goes into more detail in the pages following. It’s good reading and is available free on-line at the link below.
BTW, Phil 4:8 is one of my all-time favorite Bible passages. I read it every day during my morning Bible, prayer and meditation time.
Sources:
Comments Off on What is virtue?
Filed under Christianity, Democrats, Obamacare, Republicans
The Final Battle
H/t Quiner’s Diner where I saw these two graphics. I googled the Sr. Lucia quotation and found it is legitimate.
Comments Off on The Final Battle
Filed under Christianity
Back to Reality
Easter has passed. The holiest time in the Christian world saw yet more blood and pain spread by the enemies of the True God.
Hateful leftists stormed the altar and disrupted Easter Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.
Easter is the holiest day on the Christian calendar.
The protesters strapped cameras on their chests that looked like bombs.
Martin, who is a former University of North Carolina student and identifies as a Christian, also had a camera strapped to his chest, which worshippers believed was an explosive.
http://nypost.com/2016/03/27/protesters-disrupt-easter-mass-at-st-pats-frighten-worshipers/
In other parts of the world Christians are still being slaughtered for their faith.
Taliban says it targeted Christians in a park on Easter Sunday, killing 70
A splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the blast, which it said was aimed at Christians celebrating the Easter holiday. Pakistan, an overwhelmingly Muslim nation, has a small Christian minority. Officials said they had not confirmed if Christians were the target.
Pakistani news media, quoting officials in Lahore, said 70 people had been killed and that many others were in critical condition.
http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-pakistan-blast-20160327-story.html
ISIS ‘crucifies Catholic priest on Good Friday’ after kidnapping him from old people’s home where four nuns were shot dead
Father Tom Uzhunnalil was kidnapped by ISIS gunmen in Yemen
Terrorist had previously threatened to crucify the Indian Catholic priest
Reportedly carried out the threat on Good Friday, Austrian Cardinal claims
OCT. 2,2015
UMPQUA COMMUNITY COLLEGE:
NINE PEOPLE KILLED AND OTHERS WOUNDED
The gunman was described Friday as a “hate-filled” individual with anti-religion and white supremacist leanings who had long struggled with mental health issues, law enforcement sources said.
The family of Chris Harper-Mercer, who is suspected of killing at least nine people Thursday in Oregon, says they are in shock.
Officials said Friday that they recovered 13 weapons linked to the shooter, identified as Christopher Sean Harper-Mercer, 26. Six weapons were found at the college, seven were found during a search of his apatrtment—and all were legally purchased, officials said.
http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-oregon-shooting-20151002-story.html
It was, I believe, Bluebird who commented the bravest person that day was the girl who, when asked by this spawn of Satan whether she was a Christian, did not deny her faith even though she knew it would cost her her life. What is it about people of faith that will cling to their God, even in the face of certain death? Christians have been doing it for more than two millennia. I think it is the same devotion to something greater than one’s own self, much like the love that makes soldiers volunteer to don a uniform and face mortal danger in defense of something they believe is far greater than themselves. This, I believe, is why the godless left hates godly people and despises the military. I read a survey where people in an interview had to check off a box stating their religion. Many democrats marked the box: none. They do not know the peace we feel when we first accept the True Savior and know that our bodies will die, but paradise everlasting awaits, as He promised when He paid the ultimate price.
The persecution and sacrifice of the faithful will continue as long as there are people who fear such power and seek to destroy it.
Filed under Christianity, ISIS, Islam, Terrorism
Happy Easter from PoliNation
Added by PP:
from the book of John
The Empty Tomb
20 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. 2 So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
3 So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. 4 Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, 7 as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. 8 Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) 10 Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20&version=NIV
FOR OUR SECULAR FRIENDS:
Filed under Christianity, Holidays
Repetition in prayer
It’s a common practice among Protestants to condemn Catholics for “praying as pagans do.” The passage they cite is Matthew 6:7. Here are some parallel translations:
- “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” (KJV)
- “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.” (ESV)
- “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.” (NIV)
- “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.” (NABRE)
The key point is not whether or not a prayer is repetitive.
How often do we sing repetitive worship songs?
The key point is the nature of the pray-er’s intention.
- “Vain” means to have no meaning or likelihood of fulfillment. I.e., “empty phrases.”
- “Babble” means “talk rapidly and continuously in a foolish, excited, or incomprehensible way.” In other words, to spew hot air.
What Jesus was condemning was not putting your mind or heart into your prayers. He cited pagan pray-ers, but really … even a very short prayer is vain and empty, if it is said without thought or feeling.
I saw this piece by Frederica Mathewes-Green on her Facebook page. It gives a wonderful explanation for why, repetition in REAL prayer can be a good thing.
(continue reading here)
Comments Off on Repetition in prayer
Filed under Christianity, Prayer
polination.blog 