Politics and Religion

I made a point to stay away from sharing political commentary during the Lenten seasons. This year I had decided to go through Eastertide with this decision. But I can’t wait until after Pentecost to share my thoughts on what is happening as regards my faith, not just as a Catholic, but as an advocate for social justice.

I find it abhorrent how so many are more than willing to defile the Bible teaching by twisting God’s message to fit their immoral actions. I also find it ludicrous that someone who has only been a baptized Catholic for 7 years or less has the audacity to lecture a Pope on the moral theology of war.

“This “right to self-defense” or “right to bear arms” is not left to the interpretation of any individual nation or ruler. We can think of Aesop’s fable of the Wolf and the Lamb and see how evil men can pretend to be threatened to excuse their own violent plans. Strict conditions are recognized among nations under which military defense may be considered legitimate. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, this is called the “just war doctrine”.” (Read more here: What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church teach about War?

How is it that we have allowed ourselves to be led astray from the true message of the Gospel of Jesus? When did we put aside discernment when making decisions that affect not just ourselves but others as well to take the comments of others because they align with what we think? Why, oh why did we push aside God’s wisdom to guide us?

My personal belief is that many of us have become lazy. Intentionally or not, we have accepted that what we read on the internet (or even in some written articles/commentaries) that what is written is true without question.

I was one of those who often accepted what I read in articles. Then about 15 or more years ago, I realized that a shift was happening in the articles appearing in several publications. One of those shifts was that headlines became more dramatic, more misleading. This was done to increase reader viewership. Now, I do understand why this was happening. Print publications were losing readers. Publishers need to do something to increase their revenue. Unfortunately, it has not been a really positive move.

Christians are still in Eastertide, waiting for the celebration of the ascension of Jesus to the Father in Heaven.

I believe it would benefit all who are followers of the Way, the way of Christ, to take a step back and reflect what Jesus’ message was and is. Not what some individual (uneducated) interpret a passage to fit their personal view. Often these are individuals without qualifications.

Let’s return to the Church, to parish bible studies, if necessary, to those who spent years studying and learning theology to help us understand what the bible passages mean for us today.

Millie Padilla

FSJ Admin