Michael Matt asks some good questions that are probably in back of many of our minds these days - What was achieved by the papal visit to the US (and trips like this)? Are souls being saved? Are fewer Catholics aborting their babies and contracepting than before? Are there any spiritual benefits to these trips, or are the perks akin to those of any world-famous celebrity or head of state visiting our country? How are non-Catholic perceptions of Christ, the Gospel, and the Church affected by such a visit? Do they understand more clearly what they must do to be saved from the fires of hell? Or are they simply confirmed in their worldly prejudices? What is the take-away for the gay community, for example, after watching the celebrated gay TV reporter, Mo Rocca, read the epistle at the Pope's Mass at Madison Square Garden?
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
"Have we been infiltrated?"
[Disclaimer: Rules 7-9]
Michael Matt asks some good questions that are probably in back of many of our minds these days - What was achieved by the papal visit to the US (and trips like this)? Are souls being saved? Are fewer Catholics aborting their babies and contracepting than before? Are there any spiritual benefits to these trips, or are the perks akin to those of any world-famous celebrity or head of state visiting our country? How are non-Catholic perceptions of Christ, the Gospel, and the Church affected by such a visit? Do they understand more clearly what they must do to be saved from the fires of hell? Or are they simply confirmed in their worldly prejudices? What is the take-away for the gay community, for example, after watching the celebrated gay TV reporter, Mo Rocca, read the epistle at the Pope's Mass at Madison Square Garden?
Michael Matt asks some good questions that are probably in back of many of our minds these days - What was achieved by the papal visit to the US (and trips like this)? Are souls being saved? Are fewer Catholics aborting their babies and contracepting than before? Are there any spiritual benefits to these trips, or are the perks akin to those of any world-famous celebrity or head of state visiting our country? How are non-Catholic perceptions of Christ, the Gospel, and the Church affected by such a visit? Do they understand more clearly what they must do to be saved from the fires of hell? Or are they simply confirmed in their worldly prejudices? What is the take-away for the gay community, for example, after watching the celebrated gay TV reporter, Mo Rocca, read the epistle at the Pope's Mass at Madison Square Garden?
Labels:
Confusion,
Media,
Pope Francis,
Signs of the times,
State of the Church,
Vatican
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3 comments:
"What is the take-away for the gay community, for example, after watching the celebrated gay TV reporter, Mo Rocca, read the epistle at the Pope's Mass at Madison Square Garden?"
Actually just as telling to me was the lower-key inclusion of Mark Wahlberg, yes, that Catholic convert Mark Wahlberg, based on nothing more than celebrity of a rather dubious nature. See his post-conversion humdingers "Ted 2," or even better, "Pain & Gain" for an example of the sort of messaging for which the hierarchy now gives its select door prizes. Meanwhile a Kim Davis is essentially set-up for passive-aggressive shaming or whatever the heck that stop-gap unfolding mess was supposed to be. It all makes JPIIs audience with Bono look like a graceful throwback to the late 50s.
And yes, I know, 'stay out of the engine room...' but how are we supposed to do that when they keep sponsoring these Vaudevillian engine room live re-enactments "coming to a city near you!"?
All papal rock tours are entreaties by throngs of the "faithful" to the putative leader of the Catholic Church not to forgive them their sins, but to embrace their sins as virtues: "All lip service I will give thee if falling down you will adore me."
So the rock star gives them a little leg and a little blessing, enters the great silver bird, ascends into the sky, and leaves the throngs to their devices.
That's not the way Christ did it, but what did Christ know about governance in a modern secular setting?
Reminds me of the punk bands of the eighties. They would hurl abuse at their audiences, and not all of it was verbal.
There is more integrity in that than in what popes do on these tours.
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