What qualifies me to write a sermon? Actually nothing, at least in the formal sense.  I have no seminary or theology training and the religion classes I had in Catholic school consisted of the history of the travels of Saint Paul. Not the meaning or content of his numerous epistles, no. His travels. However, one should not allow a lack of formal training to undermine a significant amount of motivation and life experience. 

Having said that, I am a traditional-minded Catholic who tries to know his faith, and I am a successful salesman by trade who understands the value of presenting ideas in a meaningful and convincing manner. In addition, any salesperson worth their salt will tell you that often it isn't what one says, but how one says it that wins the day. 

I am very concerned with the crisis of faith in the mainstream Catholic Church, the "novus ordo," if you will, and that is where I find the motivation to write. 

You will like what I write or you won't, but you will get something out of it either way.

Thank you for checking it out. 

The Big Game

Growing up in Saint Paul, Minnesota I was raised to be a Vikings football fan. The game on Sunday was always a big event, and everything else got put on hold for the opening kickoff. As a kid I was always content with watching the game on TV at home but on one occasion I had the special treat of going to the game at the stadium.

I still remember all of the energy of the fans, the noise, the smell of spilled beer, and the stunning visual of a sea of purple jerseys. The purple jerseys showed loyalty, purpose, and unity. This notwithstanding the fact that there was one guy sitting in the same section with a Green Bay Packers jersey definitely not cheering for the Vikings. It seems there always has to be one in every crowd, doesn’t it? Sadly, that day it was the guy in Packers jersey cheering at the end of the game.
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It’s to be expected, even in the games I watch today, to see an ocean of team jerseys in the stands, their proud and committed wearers cheering on their team. It is considered appropriate attire for such an event and I expect those who attend a game without a team jersey find themselves wishing that they had one.

As years went by I found myself participating in other important events too. When I stood up for a friend at a wedding, I found myself wearing a tuxedo. When I went to a job interview, I wore a suit. When I was working a sales territory, I wore business casual. When I worked in retail, I wore the required uniform. When I had the sad obligation to attend a funeral, I wore a dark suit.

This list of things I have been a part of and had to dress for are not by any means exclusive to me. Nearly everyone in the world could make similar observations with variations based on their culture. What’s important to realize, however, is we do these things to fit in, to be seen and esteemed by our fellow man. There are occasions when maybe how we look is not as important and one need only take a stroll through a Wal-Mart on a busy day to know that is true.

We give a lot of thought to how we look at work, on a job interview, going to a formal event, a party, etc. This is expected, and we should, both for self respect and because it is part of our culture. So having said all of that, let me ask you this: When is the last time you gave a similar amount of thought to how you dress for Mass?

Doesn’t it make sense to dress in such a way to show respect for the house of God? Shouldn’t there be a difference between how one dresses for Mass and the way one dresses to go to Wal-Mart or the way one dresses to mow the lawn?

Consider that people come to Mass to worship and to pray, and the church should be a place in which they can do that without distraction. By dressing appropriately for Mass, we show not only respect for God but also respect for each other by minimizing distraction and edifying each other. To state it simply, shorts, sweatpants, jerseys, and tight and revealing clothing are not appropriate and present a distraction to others at Mass. Catholics just a few generations back understood these things without question. Maybe a good way to look at it is this: If you would wear it to a job interview or a business meeting, it would likely be appropriate for Mass. Consider too that how we behave in church, what we do in church, is a direct manifestation of what we believe. Practice is based on faith. How one presents oneself in church will also, to a measurable degree, manifest their faith and demonstrate what they believe.

So please, I’m asking you all respectfully, show respect to God, and show respect to each other so that we may help the church along in its primary mission, the salvation of souls. As to the salvation of the Vikings football season, well, that’s going to take more than a sea of purple jerseys.

image credit: Minnesota Vikings football team

I Heard The Question Posed The Other Day...

I heard the question posed the other day : “If Jesus were to return to earth today, which religion would He identify with? Which political party? Which country?"  It’s a question that could generate a lively discussion, to be sure, but it is moot. The very idea of Who and What Jesus is has been very diluted and convoluted and distorted by a number of things in recent decades. Among these are Hollywood, televangelists, many different flavors of Christianity, and a continually evolving and shape-shifting Catholic Church, at least that large portion of it that is most visible.

Jesus has been reinvented and remade in the countless images and likenesses of those who would have Him be that which is according to their needs.  The Jesus imagined by the world today, even by those who should know better, is pro-gay, pro-adultery, and pro-pedophile, and basically if it feels good, do it and don’t worry about it. The new Jesus loves all religions and is effeminate and weak.

So the right question isn’t what Jesus would gravitate to upon His hypothetical present day return, but rather who among us would accept Him? Not the reimagined Jesus, but the real one, King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

There are numerous passages that give an idea of Jesus’ true identity in scripture, but the most telling one I think is in the gospels of Mark and Matthew, wherein Jesus is confronted by the Pharisees and is asked whether it is legal to pay taxes. From this came Jesus well known response, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”  But in trying to deceive Jesus, the Pharisees first said an often overlooked thing of great importance.  They said, “Master, we know that thou art a true speaker, and teachest the way of God in truth, and neither carest Thou for any man, for Thou dost not regard the person of men.” Matthew 22 verse 16. Douay-Rheims

The Pharisees spoke true in this manner, although their intent in the use of this truth was malicious and deceitful.  This passage is very significant in light of modern times because virtually every religion and country does the exact opposite and regards the person of men at the expense of truth, justice, and morality.  The tip of the spear of this issue, and where most of the blame lies is the mainstream Catholic church. Once a solid bastion and loud voice for morality and justice (real justice, not the often-spoken-of “social justice” the Marxists in the church speak of today), the church has become mute and has implicitly, if not openly, endorsed those things that it is charged with resisting, such as gay marriage, transgenderism, child molestation, and abortion.  Once the Catholic Church abandoned its position of influence in the world on these and other moral issues, every other entity followed along.

Jesus never said, “Everything is ok; do what you want.” He never said “brothers and sisters” or spoke in inclusive language to make people feel good. He never meant for us to be completely comfortable, and while walking this earth, He sowed discomfort both among his enemies and His followers as an example and lesson for all of us. Jesus was not politically correct in any sense of the word, and this example too is of great value. Jesus also always spoke the truth, regardless of it being shameful, uncomfortable, inconvenient, or difficult. A good example of this is when many of His followers left when He said that in order to be saved you must eat of My flesh, and He made no effort to rephrase or further explain this concept.

Rome, are you listening? Local bishops, can you hear this? Laypeople around the world, can you understand this?

If in the hypothetical scenario that opened this article you accept Jesus exactly as Who and What He is, then it goes hand in hand with being serious about saving your soul. The means to do this and the grace to hold fast to it are found in true Catholicism and apostolic tradition, much of which has been lost since Vatican II.  Seek the Catholic Church that represents and worships Jesus Christ as He commanded and as He truly is. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of comfort, because that is how the world wants you to be, and it won’t enable you to accept Christ or, worse, for Him to accept you when your hour comes.
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And on that point there is no question.