Finding Jesus during racism
It has been evident from the beginning of his campaign that President Joe Biden is two-sided. He professes to be a Catholic and personally “believe” in the Church truths, but his actions speak something different. It is apparent that, like his father, Hunter Biden also has worldly views and a lifestyle. If one was to look beyond the headlines, then it would be clear how Sacred Scripture is played out in their lives.
In Matthew 13 we see Jesus having just finished telling the Parable of the Sower. The disciples have started getting curious and wondering why Jesus uses parables to teach. It seemed to them like it was a unique way for the Messiah to speak. They become inquisitive enough to ask Jesus why he teaches with these parables.
“The disciples approached him (Jesus) and said, ‘Why do you speak to them in parables?’ He said to them in reply, ‘Because knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given, and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.” (Matthew 13:10-14)
It may be disheartening to some when those in political power (such as the Bidens) promote that they are Catholic and believe in Christ, but their actions speak something different. It should not be discouraging or frustrating, however, because this is the simple reality of scripture being lived in front of us and the public. It is the reality Jesus tells his disciples. Jesus uses parables to explain that the seed (truth and the Gospel) will be sowed in the field (the world) but many will not bear fruit and the truth will not take hold in their lives. (Matthew 13:1-7) Jesus goes even deeper with the disciples and explains that there are those who will not live a life pleasing to the Lord, will not grow in their faith, and will not understand the certainty of the Gospel because they are looking for something else. They are prevented from seeing the truth and understanding it.
“Because knowledge of the kingdom of heaven has been granted to you, but to them it has not been granted. To anyone who has, more will be given, and he will grow rich; from anyone who has not, even what he has will be taken away. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.” (Matthew 13:10-14)
One cannot live a personal life believing the Gospel and seeking to be a disciple of Christ but reject His truth publicly on a consistent basis. Jesus tells them that they “look but do not see and hear but do not listen.” It does not matter if Joe Biden, Hunter or Jill Biden attend Mass daily. Hearing the Biblical readings in Mass does not ensure one’s salvation or faithfulness to Christ. Attending Mass daily, or weekly, and receiving the Eucharist does not guarantee one’s right standing with God. In fact, receiving it in an unworthy manner can bring eternal judgment upon you.
The news headlines about Hunter Biden may cause one to have more ammunition to fire at the family with claims they are “sinning” and they are not “Catholics”. It may cause some to ignore it all together and say they do not care about it. It should, as Christians, cause us to pray for him and his family. It should also cause us to dig into the Word of God and stand in front of a mirror. We should all remember what St. Paul tells us in Romans 3:23: “all have sinned and are deprived of the glory of God.” That includes you. That includes me.
Let us begin seeking to view news headlines to consider how we can see the truths of Sacred Scripture being played out and lived while building a list of how we can pray for others. It is our duty and responsibility to seek the salvation of souls. We may not personally ever get an opportunity to share truth with those in the public spotlight. We can, however, pray that God will bring someone in their life to plant the seed of righteousness and that it will fall on good