Musings of a Catholic Convert

My kids are out of school now, PRE for the year is officially ended, Mystagogy has ended for the RCIA, and I have my Precatechumenate group still going strong. Why? Because we are awesome, that's why. Having a year-round RCIA is a great way to make ourselves available for ministry and to make the Church even more accessible for inquirers. Add to all that my blogs, and somewhere in there there's a family and a job. Whole lot of things going on.

And, yes, I did register to win part of the $1,000,000 prize on WWE's website. 

It's so nice to do things together as a family. I'm blessed to have a job so close to home that I can skip home to have lunch with the fam or run a quick errand for my wife. We like doing most things together as a family, even our Krogering [read: grocery shopping]. Saturday we let the kids spend some gift cards at Toys R Us. And today we will get to play Lego Indiana Jones together. My kids love Lego stuff. Am I random enough yet?

I'm just overwhelmed with the concept of family and community. In a world where many people desire that children be silent, absent, or terminated, it is a great testimony to do things together as a family.

Are you going to have any more?

Why don't you get fixed?

Why don't you get your tubes tied?

I don't see how you do it?

Sometimes these "encouragements" come from the most unexpected sources. I can't let it bother me because I know that none of these people know any better. They have been trained by the culture of death and self that children are a burden. Children get in the way of the things you want to do. Children are a novelty to be taken only in small doses or not at all. This culture hates families. It centers around "me" and not God. There is no faith, no trust, and no hope. Is there any wonder why marriages crumble? Nobody understands sacrifice. Nobody understands love.

That's where our families come in. When we show our trust in God to provide by avoiding the sin of contraception (yes, it is a sin), when we do not tuck our children away from the world, when we do things together, when we stop to pray before we eat, when we give of ourselves simply because we see a need, it is then that people turn their heads. It is then that people are cut to the quick, seeing in a glimpse their own selfishness. Why else would they make the comments? Something has pricked their heart without us uttering a single word.

God help us to trust you, not just for one hour on Sunday, but every day and in every area of our life, especially those most cherished and precious to us. Conform our wills to yours and make us selfless, giving ourselves out of true love for the sake of others. May you be honored. Help us when we fall and when we fail to see rightly your will for us. Please use us as examples of imperfect human beings being changed by your grace day by day. Holy Spirit, continue to convince the world of its sin. Don't let them sleep without considering their relationship with you. Please, God, help us to love as you love.

Everyone shoudl check out this video of Fr. Euteneuer publicly confronting Sean Hannity on his open support of contraception.

 

 Fr. Euteneuer Is Awesome!: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Note how Hannity immediately attempts to steer the argument AWAY from the issue at hand via an ad hominem attack.  He might as well have said, "well, you're argument is false because I'm calling you a stupidhead."  It would have held just as much weight.  The argument against contraception DOES NOT HOLD WATER.  People choose to sin through contraception because something is more important than self control, more important than total self-giving love, and more important than openness to God and complete trust in Him.  What's more important?  Self, that's who.

Thank God for priests who are not afraid to call sin what it is.  God, raise up more men like Father Euteneuer who will stand firm on principles of right and wrong, who will not back down in the face of public ridicule, and who will do so with charity.  I've met good priests like this.  They are out there.  Let's ask God for more, and let's ask God to strengthen those men who just need the push to regain that fire and passion for truth.  God, revive your people.  Continue to renew your Church.  Grant that we will be bold for the faith.

Blessed Mary, Ever Virgin, pray for us.  Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us.