Comments on: Saturday May 29, 2021: You Can’t Handle the Truth!!

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 14:08:25 +0000

Hi John. I enjoy reading your reflections as I find you to be challenging, informed and insightful. However on the issues of abortion I don’t agree with any of your solutions. Your views have a polemical slant in that you stress it is a grave evil! Agreed. But you don’t at all address the evils of why one would choose thus evil beyond condemning it. What about poverty and lack of choices that navy women feel that are in this position. You have never been in this position as yours is definitely one of white privilege.. I also believe it is far more nuanced position of Bishops not forbidding communion to politicians who are pro-choice. You dismiss summarily their view that they are against abortion but allow others to make the choices in life. Before abortion was legal there was terrible suffering and deaths because of ways of providing illegal means of abortion., Also when does one stop at deciding what grave sin is and who should be denied Eucharist for not publically taking a stand against grave sin. What about the soul and body killing sin of racism in the Catholic Church that historical until now has priests and bishops lying about it. What about the victims of the egregious sexual scandal most recently experienced in the Church.,It was a secular newspaper The Boston Globe who unearthed that. My Cardinal Law left in disgrace being an egregious violated of moving priest to another parish after allegations of sexual predation. He was appointed chief priest of a Roman basilica by John Paul II with out ever being accountable of such grave sin. I find this type it polemics using abortion as a cudgel in a very myopic way distracting at least and disingenuous on it’s own merits . Thanks Dan

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 31 May 2021 02:12:05 +0000

Christ said he came for the sinners and not the righteous, so why should the Eucharist be reserved only for the good ones? When I go to the altar to receive communion, I don’t do it as a reward or as a badge for being a perfect Catholic, but in the humble knowledge that God sent His only-begotten to be my saviour despite my sinfulness.

By: Brigid

Brigid — Sun, 30 May 2021 03:26:00 +0000

In elementary school, I remember being surprised when a fellow student whom we all knew was not Catholic, went up to receive Communion at our daily school Mass. Found out later that she had just been baptised and that was in fact her First Communion. That was my first hint, maybe, that it was better to be concerned first about the state of my own soul and leave Judgement up to the One qualified to make it. I am not a Eucharistic Minister in my current parish, but if, theoretically, a Public Sinner asked me for Communion, I think I will pray at that moment to the Holy Spirit for the grace to do whatever is right and good. God’s will be done.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 30 May 2021 00:48:26 +0000

In the reflection it was noted that there is a distinction between private individuals in which you do not know the state of their heart versus those who publicly proclaim their views in support of abortion and promote legislation making abortion more available.
And as for the story of Jesus and the woman at the well, Jesus forgave her but also told her to go and sin no more. There is an expectation of repentance.

By: Fr. Pat Ipolito

Fr. Pat Ipolito — Sat, 29 May 2021 21:03:38 +0000

On the issue of abortion the Church’s teaching is not in doubt ! It is the killing of innocent, vulnerable human life ! On the other hand, the state of a person’s conscience ( rightly formed or malformed) no one can judge all the factors ! Our prime responsibility is not to judge or condemn the person, but to offer Jesus love and mercy to them!Healing and helping to form a correct moral conscience is our prime responsibility !
Shalom ! Fr Pat Ipolito retired 😊
PS. TAKE NOTE OF HOW JESUS HANDLED THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY

By: OG

OG — Sat, 29 May 2021 17:43:23 +0000

Please reconsider.
You can be pro-life and pro-choice. God is! He gave us life and chooses always to love us – no matter what. We are His children and His ultimate goal is that with our actions and choices we choose to love Him. Didn’t He give us free will?
He always loves us. Remember the story about the lost sheep and how the shepherd goes out to find the sheep and leaves all the other sheep unattended? Then he’s overjoyed when he finds his lost one… because He loves each one of his sheep/us.
So the discussion about whether or not someone who is outwardly pro-choice should be allowed to receive Holy Communion is objectionable. It doesn’t make sense because what’s in each person’s heart and soul only God knows and God chooses to love us always.
“It’s not the law of religion nor the principles of morality that define our highways and pathways to God; only by the Grace of God are we led and drawn, to God. It is His grace that conquers a multitude of flaws and in that grace, there is only favor. Favor is not achieved; favor is received.” (Quote by C. JoyBell C.)
How many times, in your life have you received God’s grace or favor?
Something to reconsider…
Be Blessed.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sat, 29 May 2021 14:47:13 +0000

Good reflection John.
Stirring the pot just a bit huh?
Hard questions – hard answers.
I certainly wouldn’t want my darkest deepest sins exposed to the public and media for scrutiny as the pro-choice politicians do.
You know there could be another Schism of the Churh – then what???
Peace to you John

By: CK

CK — Sat, 29 May 2021 13:28:27 +0000

Thank you for your reflection. A very great challenge is to speak the truth with love.