Same Sex Marriage and the Church, Is It Time for Change?
The Horror of the Cross
We watched Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" on Good Friday evening. We invited a few people over that night and some didn't come. They said that they couldn't watch that movie, it is too horrific or it upsets them too much. I thought these interesting comments. I totally agree with them, the movie is difficult to watch and it is upsetting. That is exactly why we must watch it!
We are a people that so easily dismiss the difficult, the challenging and the cross. The things that are difficult to do in this life are probably the very things that we should be doing and should be embracing. Yes, the Passion is messy, horrific and absolutely terrifying. But we cannot fully embrace and celebrate the resurrection unless we truly appreciate and understand the crucifixion.
Protestant "churches" don't have crucifixes, they have crosses and the way that they choose to worship embraces this sentimental notion of our salvation. Faith alone without the sacrifice. It is why so many leave the Catholic Church, they want the sentimental nice feelings without the sacrifice and commitment hat truly being a Catholic requires. It's why so many carve out their own various forms of catholicism, picking which teachings and dogmas they will choose to believe and which ones they will reject, because their wills are more important than our Heavenly Father's. The cross represents Christs total commitment to that will, he agonized over the death he would suffer, yet succumbed and totally obeyed the Father's will in every way.
That is what we are called to do as well. Obey and follow the Father's will. We are called to follow and embrace the Faith and the Church that Christ founded and left us, with all its sacrifice, difficult teachings, and crosses. We are not called to sentiment feel good celebrations with trendy music, promises of temporal prosperity and enthusiastic motivational speakers. The Catholic Church is the true Church, the One, Holy and Apostolic Church, and whoa to those who walk away for inferior, false alternatives. We are called to a life of sacrificial love, to follow in the steps of the crucified Jesus, that is the only way we can obtain what the cross yields for us, an eternity with the Risen Jesus.
About the Author
I am a 57 year old, wife and mother of two grown sons. I am Cradle Catholic and experienced a reversion to the faith several year ago that moved me to dive more deeply into an understanding of the church and it’s doctrines and dogmas. The more I read, and discover, the deeper my love of the Catholic Church and her teachings becomes.
I become the Executive Director of a very active and busy Crisis Pregnancy Center on the West side of Cincinnati in October 2021. God is so good and answers prayers even though He knows at times, we have no idea what we are asking for. I left this job a few days ago, after having my heart broken and idea of working for a Catholic institution disallusioned. I am so honored and humbled to have had the experience to serve women and the unborn in this capacity! I am also very grateful for God, allowing me to see for myself, that perhaps such a calling was not His long term plan for me. Perhapos returning to Catholic 365 is more to his liking and fits more into his plan for me. I hopefully can once again be more active with content to this wonderful website.
I live in Cincinnati, Ohio where I attended the same parochial grade school and public high school that my two boys attend. I sang in the choir for 35 years and have also been a cantor. I recently left singing in church because i found it to be a grave distraction to the awesome significance of the Liturgy. I haven't looked back, and love the Mass now more than ever! I have been a past member of the Education Commission and have devoted many hours to the well being of St. Ann Church and School (now Our Lady of Grace).
I look forwad to being back and submitting more articles and content. I love being able to share my faith and use this platform as a way to express my deep love and devotion to our Lord. We need each other, and what a wonderful way to connect with others!
