OH the HORROR of THIS!!

  There was a quick development of anger and horror shortly after the beginning of the Amazon Synod Mass!  For there was a display of Mother earth items, one of which a statue of a half naked pregnant woman.
 This statue "representing fertility, the Incan goddess Pachamama, Mother Earth, and “Our Lady of the Amazon,” were presented to Pope Francis at a prayer ceremony in the Vatican garden. 
  The Pope in a welcoming gesture, I am sure and one of being kind, showing the love of Jesus to others---had this statue present during a Mass later not wanting to be disrespectful to these guests perhaps.
     "OH, the uproar---Oh the HORROR of this action!!  Soon, like that shot heard around the world:  soon became an example of "HOW BAD Pope Francis IS--seen and heard or read about all over the world.   His actions were condemned by many 'true believers.'
  The greater HORROR though was for us to judge and then publicly ostracize our POPE in the public venues.   This matter should have been taken up privately ---as we are told to do with any brother if we see them in error.   To do so as it was---only harmed the very Church that folks were trying to protect.   Division in a "house"  will keep it from standing strong and "who loves that?"   You know who.
      I think we also must be reminded of this fact.  Many are the Protestant Churches who judge our Catholic Church for the MANY statues that we kneel before and say prayers to the person being honored.  THEY SEE US AS "IDOLATORS!"   Do they not?   We then would offer up our explanation of why we have statues and pictures of those we are honoring just as there are statures and pictures of our people the general public wants to honor.
    We would say--we are NOT bowing before another God!! OH no, just giving them honor.   
    Jesus last WORD on this matter.   From John Chapter 8
4 They said to him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.  (or "the Pope was caught in idolatry!")
5 Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women.* So what do you say?”  ("He must be taken out of his office!")
6  They said this to test him, so that they could have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and began to write on the ground with his finger.* (God knows all the sins of ALL!!)
7* But when they continued asking him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”  (OR our beloved Pope Francis.)
     We should always think twice before we speak or write and ask ourselves---are we speaking the Words that Jesus would speak before opening our mouth in indignation!