So, since this is a dynamic and touchy topic I must place a disclaimer at the top: I in no way judge or condemn any person.  What I am going to say here has to do with sinful actions which we as Christians are called to admonish.  The person is and always will be a child of God, beloved.

Okay.  So CA passed a ban on gay marriage.  I am supportive of this measure.  The union of two same sex individuals is not a marriage since it fails to meet the basic requirements of a marriage; to procreate.

I was reading today on Bloomberg.com about this ban and would like to share the following excerpts from the article:

“Real people are suffering today because of the decision we made last night,'' Newsom said yesterday in an interview on local CBS affiliate Chanel 5. “I'm going to continue to fight.'' Derek Morales, a 35-year-old San Francisco resident, was so dejected that the measure had passed that he worked from home yesterday. Morales, who is gay and was raised Catholic, said he's always dreamed of having his wedding in a church some day. Now, with the vote banning gay marriage, he said that dream feels further away. “It's something I've wanted since I was little — to get married in a big Catholic cathedral,'' Morales said.  

How and when will this man’s dream ever come true?  Even if a marriage amendment was passed to allow gay unions someone please tell me how this could ever happen.  This man is so deceived that he believes one day the Catholic Church will allow him to get “married” to another man in a Catholic Church!  Does anyone else see the irony here? 

God ordained the world with certain operating procedures.  God MADE us Man and Woman.  Don’t let the world try to change what God made.  Listen even to the marital statements from the bible or in the marriage ceremony.  What GOD has joined let no man destroy.  God didn’t join two dudes. 

Why would anyone want to get unionized in a Catholic Church?  Why?  Because it’s a pretty building?  Brother Morales, I pray for you.  Honestly I do.  But my prayer is not that you get to marry another man.  My prayer is that you encounter the love that will fill your heart and sustain you in peace.

Second, read this…..

The campaign to amend the constitution drew more than $70 million to the groups involved in the issue. Apple Inc. donated $100,000 to opponents of Proposition 8. The Cupertino, California-based maker of Macintosh computers joined Google Inc. and Hollywood director Steven Spielberg in opposing the measure.

So, all of you who own and Apple computer……. No comment (I confess I covet one too, especially the really neat one at Best Buy). 

I use Gmail, which I’ll be changing soon.  As well as my usage of Picasa and any other Google based app.  I don’t continue to support organizations that blatantly attack the family. 

Steven, I’m very disappointed in you.  I don’t think ET will be phoning you anytime soon.

Lastly, there was this comment:

“The cultural acceptance of gay marriage is a long-term process,'' said Kolbert of People for the American Way.

Ms Kolbert….it will be a very long-term process because there will should never be a “cultural acceptance” of something that is soo bad for society.  But that is okay, you keep working on it.  The longer the fight for gay unions the longer we procreators have to out birth you. 

Just imagine the history books in a couple of hundred years.  Like the plant eaters and meat eaters before us we’ll be called the procreators and the cohabitates. 

All excepts from the article were italicized for identification.  The entire article can be found here: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601082&sid=a8KY5.jY3o6o&refer=canada

Maybe it is because I am head strong and confident.

Maybe it is because I am convicted and passionate.

Maybe it is because in society we get ahead by trampling, and I grew up with that image.

Or perhaps, it is simply because I am a fallen man. No matter the reason I lack enough charity and humility to handle every situation with grace, the result is consistently painful when I don’t. I often notice this phenomenon known as “bob being a jerk” in one of three places.

First, when my wife and I disagree and rather than choose to listen and love I choose to debate. This is perhaps the easiest time to recognize this phenomenon.

Second, while driving someone does something to annoy me and rather than just avoid putting my bumper into their seat, I also add words and anger to the situation. This is the second easiest time to recognize this phenomenon.

Lastly, when I learn that I have hurt someone through my words or actions without intending to do so. While the first two items are humorous rhetoric meant to engage you as a reader, this item is truly the downfall of the Body of Christ. We all, at times, forget that we belong to a community of friends. And while we are intentional or not, our words and actions all affect the whole body of Christ.

This is precisely why the Sacrament of Confession has two purposes. We are first reconciled with the Father and second, we are reconciled with the Body of Christ, whom we have also sinned against. The two are necessary to bring a person fully back into the fold. Let me give you an example.

Recently a close friend told me that some things I had said to someone came back to her through his wife. Now in and of them alone my words were not hateful, harmful, or intended to do any harm. However due to the “translation” of my words they brought pain/harm to my friend whom I care very much about. Essentially I gossiped without manifest intent.

At first I was very upset with the man and his wife for doing this. My response was ”I can’t believe they would do that. Who do they think they are?” Note the use of the word “they”. They did something wrong. They did it. They.

Friends, when something happens and our first reaction is to blame another, I call that pride. To blame another is not to take responsibility for our role and behavior in the body of Christ. So, needless to say, I have to revise that statement.

I can’t believe I did that. Who do I think I am. What kind of friend am I that I would speak words about a friend that could be used against them. What kind of Christian am I gossiping in this way.

This post is not an attempt at an apology (because writing one is like breaking up over the phone, not good enough). This is my attempt to share with you a lesson and a message.

Jesus Christ called us His friends.

Jesus Christ told us that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.

The next time you are in conversation consider how your words will affect the body of Christ. Are you building the Kingdom of God? Or are you tearing it down?

St. Joseph pray for us.