Why the World Opposes the Church ?
Why Big Fish ?
Our Challenge Today
Many people oppose the Catholic Church, and even
want society to be completely “free” from all its
influence.
First, there are spiritual reasons. There is a war between
good and evil.
On the natural level a distorted and lower
understanding of legitimate goods causes much
confusion.
The concepts of love, freedom, truth and its
objectivity, justice, happiness, reason, human rights
(health and gender), are often misunderstood by so
many. The Church’s role in providing the best
environment for the
advancement of science is
unknown to them.
Many people today embrace a partial good. But in
their attempt to promote it they believe that God
and His Church need to be rejected and removed from
society.
Some people want to promote “love.” However, their
distorted view of love means giving a person
whatever they want which gets reduced down to
whatever I want is the most important.
They view the Church as a force that impedes their
desires and so it needs to be eliminated. We need to
show how love and whatever partially good aspect of
love they have is compatible with the church is
teaching
Some want to promote science, but view the Church as
superstitious and its religious beliefs to be
frustrating scientific advancement.
Some want to provide protection for the poor and
health care, but they view the Church as being
opposed to health care for women, and oppressive to
those with gender dysphoria.
Some want to promote democracy and individual
freedom, but they see the Church as an obstacle to
fair governance.
Some want to stop all sexual abuse, a truly good and
noble idea, but they want to outlaw the protection
of the confessional seal to do so.
However, providing good and confidential counseling
to a person who has evil tendencies is one of the
best ways to help that person make a change when he
is approaching God in prayer.
If society outlaws the confessional seal of
confidentiality, that is not going to stop or
prevent the abuse, but make it much more likely that
the offender or potential offender does not seek
help.
Some people believe that true happiness and the
solution for guilt is be provided with a “safe zone”
such that no one can challenge them or their
beliefs, as if objective truth did not exist.
They believe it is best to eliminating from society
all those who believe in following their conscious
and all those who believe that there are
non-negotiable truths that cannot be compromised for
personal convenience.
The penalties inflicted on people of conscience are
so severe and intended to financially bankrupt them
and put them out of business. But, would society
really be better if people were honest, not because
they were following their conscience, but were only
honest when it was personally convenient and
beneficial ?
Why Big Fish ?
All fishermen know that the big fish are the good ones. You
throw the others back.
The big fish in the net symbolizes all good things come from
God, and only good things come from God. There are
no small fish in the net.
The net does not tear.
There is no inconsistency or internal contradiction between
the good and what God asks from us.
So, when Jesus asks us to carry some cross or to make some
sacrifice we should not be afraid. We can be sure
it is for our own good.
The good thing God wants to give us is better than whatever we
are called to sacrifice. All things work for the
good of those who love God. Romans 8.
Our Challenge Today
What is the meaning of sexuality, our nature,
integrity, and freedom?
Is a person truly free if he is controlled by his
own lusts ?
For what purpose are we made ?
Is material consumption and pursuing worldly desires
the greatest goal we can achieve ?
Or, are we destined or called to know, love, and be
in union with infinite Goodness, God ?
What gives true and lasting happiness ?
There
is a need for the Church to show how true
happiness and these legitimate and noble goals are
best promoted by allowing the influence of the
Church.
The net which encompasses both these noble goals,
and the true teachings of Jesus Christ does not tear
because there is no conflict or contradiction
between them. |