The citizens of Jerusalem, to our kings and princes, our priests, our prophets, as to our ancestors, because we have sinned in the sight of the Lord, have disobeyed him, and have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God telling us to follow the commandments which the Lord had ordained for us
Don’t listen to what they say, watch what they do!
“Do Gooder’s” come in all shapes and sizes. They are quick to judge, quick to act and slow to repent. I am probably guilty myself. This is something we as Christians and more importantly as Catholics must be careful not to do. We must play to a higher standard. Despite all the words of those prophets whom he sent us, we have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God, but each following the dictates of his evil heart, we have taken to serving alien gods, and doing what is displeasing to the Lord our God.
Take the humble waiter, waitress, store clerk who have humble jobs. How are they treated? Do we treat them with respect. Bosses who humiliate their employees are not following Jesus.
We have a wonderful men and women who comprise our federal work force. They do a good job and should be respected. They are humble and for the most part try to do a good job. I was a federal employee myself for 35 years and worked on the 2000 Census for almost a year. Nonetheless, we as a country have policies that are not Christian. We try to have policies that reflect our Christian values. Integrity belongs to the Lord our God; to us the look of shame we wear today, to us, the people of Judah and the citizens of Jerusalem, to our kings and princes, our priests, our prophets, as to our ancestors, because we have sinned in the sight of the Lord, have disobeyed him, and have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God telling us to follow the commandments.
The trouble is our country is acting more like the people of Jerusalem and Judah today. So many people are praying for our country to be more Christian but the outcome is evil. Despite all the words of those prophets whom he sent us, we have not listened to the voice of the Lord our God, but, each following the dictates of his evil heart, we have taken to serving alien gods, and doing what is displeasing to the Lord our God.
As Catholics we are all Pro-Life. Pope Leo spoke this week about what it means to be Pro-Life. It is not just being against Abortion. It includes the elimination of capital punishment, respecting immigrants, healthcare, and the elderly. Matthew 25:35-45 describes Jesus’ opinion on Pro-Life. Most Catholic Bishops agree with him. Some do not. The Holy Spirit will sort it out.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus were immigrants to Egypt to escape King Herod. The “Holy Innocents” didn’t escape. They were not criminals but were treated as such. Please read the following scripture on Immigrants. Exodus 22:20; Deuteronomy 10:19.
Leviticus 19: 33-34; Hebrews 13:2.
No one disapproves of criminals to be deported, but hardworking immigrants harvest our food and process our chickens. They build our houses and paint our old buildings. They put new roofs on our houses. Deporting a husband and leaving a wife and child is not Pro-Life. Separating families is not Pro-Life. I stand with the Pope.
This is only part of the false Christianity that we sometimes practice. We need to change our poliicies if we are to make this country more Christian. The poor are facing increases in medical costs and rising prices. Food insecurity is an increasing problem. Last week my wife, Anna, made an extra meatloaf. There were 40 other families that did the same thing. We cooked it and took it to the Church who fed the homeless. It is a small act, but hundreds of small acts make a community. Sometimes that community consists in of citizens and immigrants. It consists of rich and poor, but we are all on the same place in time together. To be clear I am not saying I can change our country’s policies. I have no power except my vote. Nonetheless, I can’t call our present policies Christian.
‘Anyone who listens to you listens to me; anyone who rejects you rejects me, and those who reject me reject the one who sent me.’ To be true to His words we must follow the commandments but included we must show the mercy that Jesus has extended to us. Luke 6:37-38 “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
Jesus never said that being a Christian would be easy. Our road to the Kingdom of God is a constant battle against false piety and self-aggrandizement. Don’t listen to what politicians says, listen to what they do. We in the pew can’t influence these policies, but they can influence the people who have control of those policies.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Pope Leo XIV. Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land. Pray for peace! The impossible could and can happen. ( Saint Rita ) Never deny God! Pray for justice for immigrants! Pray for justice for our President!
