Thursday, August 1, 2013

The Catholic Defender: Stand Firm

Today, it seems that there are many attacks upon the faithful Catholic coming from about every angle you can imagine.

The economy is a huge issue that brings on anxiety. We place our faith in the providence of God, that He is in control.

Still, we have many challenges, some might think of as "tests".

Others might see these obstacles as trials and tribulations.

One thing is for sure, economic pressure can cause problems in a marriage.That in itself can cause anxiety.

Another source of attack come from those who push a Secular Humanist philosophy. Our public school system today is tossing out Christian references such as Christmas and Easter. The teaching of immorality in public schools is alarming.

You can't give a Tylenol without parents permission, yet a teenager can get an abortion without informing the parents.

Our Government is trying to force Catholic Hospitals and schools to offer abortion services and enforce that all medical professionals know how to do abortions.

The Obama Care policy would do away with the Hyde Amendment which provides shelter for those who oppose abortion to not have to participate in this deadly procedure.

The Government is also wanting to challenge Catholic teaching on homosexuality taking away any support to Catholic organizations that provide support for communities unless they recognize abortion and homosexual rights.

This is a serious attack on our freedom of Religion from the Government. Another serious infringement of the Government is their denial of Christians basic rights and freedoms.

They want to take Christ out of public life.

Public Schools allow Islam to be taught in many regions of the United States, yet, if you lead a prayer at a football game, they will come after you.

The Media through the movies and music glorify the sexual freedom won as a result of the sexual revolution in the 1960's.

The promotion of homosexuality, the free sex mentality without responsibility has resulted in many divorces and broken families.

Very rarely do we see a movie that presents the Church in a positive way. Every now and then we see one and we need to support those efforts.

Much of the music has been very promiscuous for a long time. All this has an effect on our culture. If you want to know how stable and strong a society is, look at the music. That is a truth.

Another source of attack come from other religious denominations who are typically anti-Catholic.

These believe the Catholic church to be the "Whore of Babylon" and they believe the Pope is the "anti-Christ".

I have spoken before several groups today and most know family members or friends who have abandoned the Catholic Faith for one of these groups.

Some of the problems we face stem from the fact that many are not properly catechized or taught the Catholic Faith.

Many may have Masters degrees on work, but they have about a third grade education when it comes to their faith.

In recent years it has begun to improve as we have many Protestant Ministers who have converted to the Catholic Faith. But we have a long way to go.

This is why deepertruth is so important because our Mission Statement is to know our faith, love our faith and spread our faith.

To bring home the prodigals, to reach out to the lost.

Jesus invites us to take out the boat into deep waters so we can cast our nets to discover the richness of our Holy Catholic Faith (Luke 5:4).

Many of you can identify with what I have been saying, maybe you have other issues you can add. The question is what do we do about it.

1 Corinthians 16:13 says, "Be on your guard, STAND FIRM in the FAITH, be courageous, be strong. Your every act should be done with love".

Galatians 5:1 says, "For freedom Christ set us free; so STAND FIRM and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery".

Philippians 1:27 states, "Only, conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear news of you, that you are STANDING FIRM in one spirit, with one mind struggling together for the faith of the gospel, not intimidated in any way by your opponents".

Philippians 4:1 says, "Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way STAND FIRM in the Lord, beloved".

1 Thessalonians 3:8-9 says, "For we now live, if you STAND FIRM in the Lord. What thanksgiving, then can we render to God for you, for all the joy we feel on your account before our God"?

One of my favorite verses, 2 Thessalonians 2:15 states, "Therefore, brothers, STAND FIRM and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or a letter of ours".

Hebrews 4:14 says "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast (STAND FIRM) to our confession".

Some might see this next example as a current example, Revelation 2:13 states, "I know that you live where Satan's throne is, and yet you hold fast (STAND FIRM) to my name and have not denied your faith in me, not even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was martyred among you, where Satan lives".

There are so many examples that we are to stand firm or hold fast to our faith, even when it is not popular to do so.

There is always hope, 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "and if my people, upon whom my name has been pronounced, humble themselves and pray, and seek my presence and turn from their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven and pardon their sins and revive their land".

That is what America needs, to bring back the culture of life and family.

An environment that respects Christian outreach and living. We are called to STAND FIRM in the Faith, to be strong and courageous.

To not be placed into bondage, one and united against the sin of our day.

To be strong in defense of our Holy Catholic Faith.

Let us put on the whole Armour of God and be ready to STAND FIRM in the Lord.



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