3 Things and
Today is the 21st day of the 21st year of the 21st century.
Facebook and just like that the fb post was gone . . . I find it interesting that people on fb create a post that they know will be controversial, then they don't want to hear other people's views. They seem only to want their "friends" to tell them how smart they are and agree with their viewpoint. When tempers start to rise they don't turn off the comments, but delete the entire post. Poof! Like it never existed. They eliminate everyone's thoughts, voice, and contribution to the discussion. They eliminate that moment when we can all learn from one another. They eliminate that moment when unity can begin. Then they whine that people are disrespectful and, oftentimes, threaten to delete people from their "friends" list. Honest dialogue gone. Another lost opportunity.
Go figure . . .
Religion It seems like our newly elected president, President Joe Biden, isn't quite "Catholic" enough for many "Republican" Catholics. It's a shame. President Biden and his family have had their share of tragedies and the President's faith has helped him through the tough times. President Biden really does go to church. He's not out for a cheap photo op with an entourage in tow marching pedestrian cleared streets to stand in front of St. John's Church to prove how holy he is. Instead he has accepted the sacraments, raised his children in the Catholic church, and tries to live his faith. (Side note: He actually carries his dead son's rosary beads in his pocket and they offer him some comfort.)
The United States was founded on the principle of a separation of church and state. That was one of the most generous gifts that our founding fathers have given us. We can worship to the god of our choice and in the way we chose. Or . . . we can choose not to worship at all. It's our choice. It's not the government who will map out our souls. The presidency is secular. That's a good thing.
President Biden is the president of all Americans. not just the Roman Catholics. It seems that many conservative Roman Catholics feel that President Biden isn't up to the job.
One reason some "Republican" Catholics don't like him is because he is pro-choice. They also think that you cannot be a Catholic and a Democrat. They believe that Trump actually won the election. They are of the opinion that Biden is in cahoots with China. They have confidence in conspiracy theories about "The Deep State". They think that fact-checking is censorship. They judge us all. They follow militant clerics such as Archbishop Viganò, who wants the Pope to resign, and renegade Fr. James Altman, a social media phenomenon, who is a naysayer on climate change and thinks that COVID-19 is a man-made conspiracy. He asserts that the democratic platform "is against everything the Catholic Church teaches". He tells his followers that they must "Repent of your support of that party and that platform, or face the fires of hell.” (https://www.startribune.com/two-renegade-priests-one-calls-covid-sham-one-says-dems-face-hell/572411762/) I know . . . right? There must be a very big difference between "Republican Catholics" and "classic Catholics".
"Classic Jesus" is all about love and helping others. He understands that people are not perfect and He doesn't really expect them to be. He always speaks the truth. He is compassionate. He forgives.
President Biden is in good company because "Republican Catholics" don't like Pope Francis either and are praying for his conversion to Catholicism.
Art
Le Goûter sur la terrasse à Sainte-Maxime, 1914 by Henri Lebasque (detail)
