Defending Life in Texas

A large gathering of Catholics presented themselves in Texas to pray for the protection of human dignity. They congregated in the spirit of prayer, armed with no signs, t-shirts, or chants. They merely came to pray for an end to the “culture of death” and the unfortunate destruction of life at all levels. Their story is one that could teach all of us a good lesson.

We currently reside in a time where publicity is everything. News can travel faster and faster with the invention of newer and better technology. However, this technological age can sometimes lead us to forget what is truly important. We must always remember that we can not bring an end to atrocities by human strength alone. We must always toil in the spirit of God and supplement our labor with periods of prayer, our most powerful tool in the fight against those who seek to destroy human life. In this regard, we could all stand to learn something from the 800 Catholics who gathered in Texas. Like them, we should always labor in the spirit of prayer.

This even also serves as a reminder to everyone of the importance of human dignity and life. This is an issue that many seem to have forgotten recently. Americans elected a man to presidential office who believes that people should choose who gets to live and who gets to die. We must remember that this is not a “woman’s choice” as many, lead astray by faulty logic and propaganda, have been lead to assert. It is not the choice of a woman, nor a man, nor a child, nor a parent, nor a government. Within every single person lives Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. So I pose this question to everyone who is in favor of abortion: could you look Jesus Christ, your Savior, in the eyes and tell him that it is your choice to kill him so that you may not suffer? I could not.

The issue of capital punishment is also an important issue which is sometimes disregarded. Those who are criminals may indeed have committed the crime which they have been accused. Perhaps they did not. However, all of this talk of guilty or not guilty is irrelevant. I am reminded very clearly of a scene from the play, A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorraine Hansberry. In the scene, Beneatha tells Mama, her mother, that there is nothing left to love in her brother, Walter. Mama responds: “There is always something left to love.” The same is true of capital punishment. Irrespective of how corrupt the character of the accused has become, he was still made in the image of God. This is an image which grands indelible dignity, a dignity which no human has the permission to revoke.

In closing, I wish to implore that everyone toil and pray for the end of the destruction of life and human dignity. Only through our constant efforts and prayers can we ever hope to put an end to the destruction of life which some erroneously believe to be a “matter of choice.”

The Increase in Hunger

Food pantries everywhere are going to be in for a rough winter with today’s economic crisis sapping funds from everyone. The worst is truly yet to come and people of all social classes will be faced with the harsh realities of increasing expenses. Realities that will be taxing for charitable organizations everywhere as they strive to fulfill the needs of the hungry. Although modern times will be challenging, they should also serve as a time of fortification in the love and salvation that is to be found in Jesus Christ.

It is truly unfortunate that the greed of some results in the suffering of many. It has repeatedly been asserted by all great men that world hunger should be a non-issue. The poor should have no fears of going hungry or losing their homes. When we have more than enough to provide for everyone, we must wonder why so few starve. This is a question which is answered by a brief glimpse at the greed which permeates society, a greed which increases prices during a time when jobs are being lost and wages are being lowered. Those who were previously living from paycheck to paycheck now find themselves in deeper turmoil as the global economy is reduced to shambles and news of difficulty is to be learned of in every newspaper and on everyone television station. It is indeed a trying time, especially when we are on the verge of winter. But trying times also have the potential to be times of great benevolence, and we must all strive to fulfill God’s call during this difficult time.

As many of our neighbors are suffering great challenges, we are called to help them in any way that we can. One of the best ways for individuals to help is through charitable activities. Those who have some extra money or food can assist by donating to local food pantries or shelters. Those who do not have extra to give can help by simply working at a homeless shelter or food pantry in their spare time. Even if one can only afford to donate a few hours per week, it would be greatly helpful. We are all members of the same human community and we must always strive, especially during times of great difficulty, to treat each other as we would like to be treated.

Moral Values and the Monetary Crisis

European bishops recently asserted that that “a distorted hierarchy of values” are one of the leading causes behind the global financial crisis. Read the full article here

The article certainly seems to be true, although few who have profited would be willing to admit it. It indeed appears that at the heart of financial breakdowns is greed. A greed to have far more than one needs, an unwillingness to allot some of this wealth to one’s neighbor, and an economic infrastructure which thrives on the acquisition of wealth through the impoverishment of others.

Now, I do not wish for my statements to be taken out of context. There is nothing wrong with having some money and nice possessions. However, it seems that our sense of “want” and “need” has been very perverted. We want a new television, we need food. We don’t need a new television. It is a desire. There is nothing wrong with having and satisfying these desires, assuming that we do so in a morally acceptable way. However, we must remember that it is only a desire, not a need. We can not allow others to suffer because of our desire. If our neighbor can not afford food and we do not offer him money because we want a new TV, then we have a problem. We must align our priorities so that we are not overcome by earthly wishes and all of our energies are devoted to fulfilling them. This strong sense of entitlement is at the root of our global financial crisis. Like a young boy who works hard because he wants a new bike, we would also be better off if we did not feel entitled. If you want a new TV, then work for it until you have the money. Don’t buy it on credit and plan to pay it off. You will appreciate your acquisition all the more because it was bought with your hard work. You have earned it.

There is something wrong when we must step on others to acquire earthly wealth. Those who are truly successful are those who have earned their wealth, not acquired it through dishonest methods. These men are those who are actually respected, not feared, by their subordinates. They treat fellow humans, from the lowest of the low to the highest of the high, with equal respect and devotion. In the long run, they retain their wealth because they have garnered loyal employees and friends, not men who cling to them out of fear and desperation.

We are also faced with the problem that, many times, the procurement of material wealth involves the forfeit of spiritual wealth. Far from being divorced, material wealth and spiritual wealth should be in harmony. We should use our material wealth to enhance our spiritual wealth. Time should always be devoted to prayer and reflection, performing charitable acts, and participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A man of true wealth should never have to say that “I do not have time to attend Mass.” If this is true, they have allowed their pursuit of material possessions to dominate their lives. This is a very dangerous thing to do.

The global financial crisis was a preventable incident. One can quibble about matters such as government interference, but the situation is far more simple. It comes down to how we, as a human race, treat each other. Government interference matters little if the men in government and business are corrupt and refuse to protect the dignity and well-being of their fellow humans because they are far too entangled in their own pursuit of what they call “wealth.” Perhaps if we, as a single and unified human people, worked to protect the basic and inalienable rights granted to each and every person, we would find that every aspect of our lives, from economic to political, would be more orderly and just.

Welcome to the New and Improved Hazardous Words Blog!

To those who still visit this blog: I am sorry that I have not posted faithfully. To any new visitors: welcome! Welcome to the new and improved Hazardous Words Blog. After starting this blog over 2 years ago and posting infrequently on it, I would like to actually dedicate time to it. I am hoping to post far more frequently, but my posts will be more concise commentaries on news articles and the like. I am hoping to pull a lot of information from the Catholic News Service and comment often on it. I am also hoping to pull information from any major news networks and give my opinion of current events. Hopefully, with the help of my readers, I can actually get this off the ground!