Traditional Roman Catholic Thoughts

Traditional Roman Catholic Thoughts

Reintroducing Logic and Reason to the Age of Sentimentalism

Evangelizaton

All of the posts under the "Evangelizaton" category.

Pokemon Go and Evangelization

Pokemon Go! is currently sweeping the United States and soon, the world. If you don’t know much about this game, I’ll fill you in.

pokemon go

Pokemon Go! is a GPS location-based game, meaning that you download the app to your phone, turn on your GPS, and walk around until a Pokemon pops up on your screen. Many are playing this game and are congregating at important landmarks called “Pokestops.” These Pokestops can be found in parks, cemeteries, statues, famous or odd landmarks and most importantly, churches. Pokestops are also not one time events either, but rather they are constant, meaning that if your church or chapel is already a Pokestop, it will continue to be so.

I know a bit about this because Pokemon Go is built off of another game made by Google called “Ingress,” in which you capture and defend these same landmarks from competing players on the opposite team. In Ingress, players on either the Blue or Green team go around and capture portals and try to defend them from the opposing team, making them stronger by linking them to other portals of the same color. Over the course of three years, Ingress players have submitted hundreds of thousands of landmarks to Ingress to add them as portals within the game.

Ingress, while prevalent in many urban areas and even suburban areas, never took off to achieve the same popularity that Pokemon Go has achieved in as little as 12 days. Everyone of all ages seems to be playing it. In fact, just going around town on my bike the other night, I must have bumped into at least two dozen people playing it, and I admit, I was too.

Is it a silly game? Yes. But it is an interesting concept, especially to those of us who played Pokemon as kids. I know I wanted to be a “real life Pokemon trainer” and go around and catch Pokemon, and now I can. It’s also amazing to see how many of my co-workers are playing and has encouraged us to spend time away from our desks for some good old fashioned camaraderie.

But going back to Pokestops, I think that we have to admit that Catholics have been given an opportunity that we haven’t had before. People are coming back to churches. No, not to pray, but to play. They stop outside the Church to visit the Pokestop and get some gear to continue playing the game. These Pokestops have a 5-minute window where the player must wait before activating it again. We need to realize that while yes, from all outside perspective we are dealing with something rather silly, but at the same time, people are no longer afraid to step near a church anymore. So what are we going to do about it?

We need to consider approaching these kids, teens, young or older adults and invite them into the Church. Protestants will take advantage of this game and invite these players to their church for worship or prayer or what have you. Heck, they may even play with them! But what are we going to do? Are we going to give them glares and tell them to get off of Church property (mind you they don’t have to be on the property, just within the 30-yard range) or are we going to give them something to fill that void? Are we going to bring them closer to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and help guide them into the Catholic Church (or back to the Church for those who have left)?

There is a very real possibility that this might be our only chance to approach them and teach them about Jesus and salvation on our steps. I can tell you that I have already seen three teenagers outside of my local Catholic Church playing. I was running late for confession, so I did not stop to chat with them, and they had left by the time I had confessed, but they sat on the steps of the Church. We shouldn’t be afraid of messing up evangelization either, as we can at the very least strike up a friendly conversation with them. Invite them to come in and pray. Invite them to Mass. Offer to show them what Catholics believe and why. Each and every person is different, and thus there is no “right” way, as what may work to bring one person into the Church might not work on another. And Jesus never said that we had to convert them, but to plant the seed.

This game has made people far more comfortable with the churches than ever before, and we better get the most out of it, because Jesus wanted us to become fishers of men, and He wants to catch them all.

Image courtesy of Catholic Memes

Image courtesy of Catholic Memes

Jeff July 19, 2016 Leave A Comment Permalink

Living Out Your Faith Isn’t the Only Way To Win Souls

Somewhere along the line, many leaders in the Church forgot about the need for proper evangelization. That is, to make proselytites.

Now, I want to be clear, we are not to force people to convert. That is not how proper conversion works based on our understanding of the sacraments needing free will in order to be valid.

Many in the Church today are under the false ideology that if we only live authentic Catholic lives, that that is all we need in order to win over souls. We don’t need to meet people where they’re at, we don’t need to even try to convince them of why they should become Catholic. This is erroneous and a danger to the souls of those who we should be trying to convert.

As a convert myself, it was not the idea of Catholics being hunky dory that led to my conversion. What led to my conversion was the deep shame I had for my sins and the realization that I would never be the same for committing them. On top of that, I felt guilty for my actions and didn’t feel that I was worthy of Heaven.

My friend eventually told me that I needed the saving waters of Baptism to not only cleanse me of Original Sin, but of the sins that I had committed.  On top of that I needed to worship the Triune God, in His Son’s Church, the Catholic Church. This is what drew me into the Catholic Church. Not a life of happiness, but of second chances.

It is rare that we choose a life-changing event based on how happy we see others doing it. This idea that we only need to live an authentically joyful life in order to win over souls, is not something that Christ preached:

Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world. Matthew 28:19-20 DR

There are two figures who can shed more light on this.

Mother Theresa interacted with many people both directly and indirectly. I have never met her, but have heard the stories of those who have, as well as have heard her speak. Likewise, I was not Catholic when Pope St. John Paul 2 was alive. Nevertheless, I can read what he had to write and hear what he had to say.

Pope St. John Paul II and Blessed Mother Theresa

With the combination of Blessed Mother Theresa and St. John Paul 2 and the way they joyfully lived out their lives, wouldn’t you think that a majority of the world would be Catholic? When you look at the numbers, it doesn’t add up. The number of Catholics in India is only about 19.9 million. This makes up for roughly 1.55% of their population. This tells me that just living out your faith joyfully isn’t enough.

Part of living out your faith requires that you evangelize and teach non-believers to come into the Church. We Catholics know that we are doomed if we step foot outside of the Church as she teaches beautifully EXTRA ECCLESIAM NULLA SALUS or No Salvation Outside of the Church.

Because we know of this teaching, we realize that all other practices are poisonous. Much like you wouldn’t let a friend or family member drink an actual bottle of poison, you shouldn’t let a friend or family member stay outside of the Church. It is indeed a matter of life or death, of the soul.

We learn from the Catholic liturgy the importance of living out an authentic Catholic life. Worship, doctrine, and prayer all come together as it all points us back to God.

Living out your faith, while important, is not the only way, nor even the best way to bring about conversions. Regular conversation is the best way. It may not be your job to fully convince them of the Truth, but it is your job to tell them the Truth.

Jeff August 17, 2014 3 Comments Permalink

The Black Mass: An Alternative Solution

Bishop Slattery of the neighboring diocese of Tulsa, Oklahoma offered some sound and pastoral words in response to the Oklahoma City Black Mass scheduled on September 21.

I appreciate and approve of His Excellency’s request for some hardcore fasting and prayer leading up to this blasphemous event. Fasting and prayer worked well during the last Black Mass. The event ended up becoming cancelled all together. It was a triumphant victory. As critical as prayer and fasting is, I would like to suggest an alternative approach as well.

These Satanists have taken Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist as hostage, it only makes sense that we send in some strong Catholic men and priests to take him back.

Crusaders

St. John Chrysostom said when it came to blasphemy:

And should you hear any one in the public thoroughfare, or in the midst of the forum, blaspheming God; go up to him and rebuke him; and should it be necessary to inflict blows, spare not to do so. Smite him on the face; strike his mouth; sanctify your hand with the blow, and if any should accuse you, and drag you to the place of justice, follow them thither; and when the judge on the bench calls you to account, say boldly that the man blasphemed the King of angels!

The Black Mass is a blasphemous affair. These poor souls who violate our Lord in this sacrilege have admitted that they understand what they are doing. Thus, it would make sense to go in there, smiting these blasphemers left and right.

I do not see the saints standing idly by while Our Lord is desecrated upon these Satanic “altars”. The saints would go in and take back Jesus, the laity doing the fighting, the priests handling Christ. St. John Chrysostom would organize a take back strategy, while praying the Rosary for victory over his enemies. The saints would fight for Jesus.

You may accuse me of being angry, but if you aren’t angry that Jesus has been taken hostage, then you aren’t practicing your faith right.

All-Saints

It would only seem appropriate that while these modern day saints are rushing in like soldiers, marching on to battle, that they sing “When the Saints Go Marching In”.

Jeff August 10, 2014 5 Comments Permalink

What Vatican 2 Actually Said: Preach the Faith

We’ve all heard many people argue that the Second Vatican Council changed a lot of things. But did it really?

Now before you spam my comment box that it did indeed, I would like to point out that yes, some things did change. That is not the purpose of this series. The purpose of this series is to correct those who constantly insist that “Vatican 2 did away with that”.

I have found that many traditionalists have not read the documents. This is not a statement saying that all traditionalists have not read the documents. Just an opinionated statement in which many have not read them. I for one have not read the documents.

Since many traditionalists haven’t read the documents, we generally have a difficult time refuting some of the claims, having not read the documents or even portions of them. Well, go read them, and start implementing these documents the way they were meant to.

The Sermon on the Mount Carl Bloch, 1890

First and foremost, let’s look at Sacrosanctum Concillium (Constitution of the Sacred Liturgy) on what it has to say on preaching the faith (emphasis mine):

9. The sacred liturgy does not exhaust the entire activity of the Church. Before men can come to the liturgy they must be called to faith and to conversion: “How then are they to call upon him in whom they have not yet believed? But how are they to believe him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear if no one preaches? And how are men to preach unless they be sent?” (Rom. 10:14-15).

Therefore the Church announces the good tidings of salvation to those who do not believe, so that all men may know the true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent, and may be converted from their ways, doing penance. To believers also the Church must ever preach faith and penance, she must prepare them for the sacraments, teach them to observe all that Christ has commanded, and invite them to all the works of charity, piety, and the apostolate. For all these works make it clear that Christ’s faithful, though not of this world, are to be the light of the world and to glorify the Father before men.

Notice what that says? The Church is to announce the good tidings of salvation that Jesus Christ has given us through His sacrifice. And in announcing that, those who are not Catholic can convert and repent of their past sins by doing penance and joining the Church. Those of us who are Catholic must be preached to about faith and penance as well, as we still must atone for our past transgressions. The Church must prepare us to receive the Sacraments, as well as to teach us ALL THAT CHRIST HAS COMMANDED.

How many times have you been ridiculed for teaching what Jesus taught? I know I have often. You may have even been told that the Second Vatican Council did away with it. Its not important anymore. Well, in case you have noticed, it is still just as important and needed today as it was through out the entirety of the Church. This was most definitely a continuation of what the Church has always taught, what Christ has taught.

But wait, what does this have to do with the Liturgy? Because the Liturgy in which we celebrate the Mass is the foundation of our faith. In knowing the true God and Jesus Christ, we witness Him in the Eucharist, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We convert away from our old selves, and turn our gaze upon our mighty and ever lasting God.

In the Mass, during the homily, Father teaches us how to live our lives according to that of what God wants. Ultimately, the Liturgy is where we meet Christ, and in Christ, He changes us. When we receive Him in the Eucharist during Communion, we are in Him, and He is in us. It is a perfect communion where Heaven and Earth collide. We are one with Him.

the eucharist

Professing our faith has every bit to do with the Liturgy, because in our Liturgy, we demonstrate what we believe. Through reverence, we show those that would observe us, that we truly believe that Christ is present in the Eucharist, that God is present in our Churches, and the Holy Ghost is there.

Where the Catholic Church is, there you will find God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, the Holy Ghost, Our Mother Mary and all the angels and saints. Where the Catholic Church is, there is home.

Jeff June 19, 2014 Leave A Comment Permalink

Muslims Will Pray IN the Vatican

From the site Al Arabiya:

For the first time in history, Islamic prayers and readings from the Quran will be heard at the Vatican on Sunday, in a move by Pope Francis to usher in peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Francis issued the invitation to Israeli President Shimon Peres and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas during his visit last week to Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian Authority.

Abbas, Peres, and Francis will be joined by Jewish, Christian and Islamic religious leaders, a statement released by Peres’s spokesperson said, according to the Times of Israel.

Holy See officials on Friday said the evening prayers would be a “pause in politics” and had no political aim other than to rekindle the desire for Israeli-Palestinian peace at the political and popular level, according to the Associated Press.

Reading this saddens me greatly. Pope Francis is the Vicar of Christ. He is Peter. Pope St. Peter was martyred upside down in Rome by spreading and evangelizing the One True Faith. He was martyred for defending that only worship of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son and the Holy Ghost the Paraclete was the only true path, the only path that God cares about. All others will lead to Hell.

Yes, I know that Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI had their Assisi gatherings. From my point of view, that was a “I will pray with you over there”. In regards to this, this is a “Let’s pray in my house”.

Jesus Christ hung out with tax collectors and prostitutes, but he did not condone them in their faith, nor their sin. I hope and pray that this is an evangelization opportunity and Pope Francis talks about the need to accept Jesus Christ and convert into the Catholic Church. I am not going to hold my breath though.

Comments on the Supposed "Split" Within The Church

We have never, and I would venture to say will ever see Muslims invite Christians into their Mosques to pray. Likewise, we will not see Jews invite Christians into their Temples to pray. If we are following the True Religion, then why do we invite these false worshipers in to pray?

The world will only experience peace when they follow Jesus Christ and His Church. Following false religions or creeds will not lead to happiness. Only Christ can lead to everlasting life and happiness.

Jeff June 6, 2014 5 Comments Permalink

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