Perspectives of a Wanderer

With the rise in fuel prices, the overemphasis on materialism that this Relativistic society covet has come back to haunt many people. Those who drive those oversized SUV’s are now having to make a decision on whether to trade their status symbols in for something more practical, go without other “necessities” like Starbucks, or even both. Even if they trade in their monster SUV, hey are finding that they are not getting the trade in value they would of gotten a few years back and the smaller, fuel efficient cars are in short supply right now.

I have never subscribed to the “bigger is better” mentality that many have fallen prey to. Yes, I have cut back, but not as other have. I now combine trips, and I do not got to stores just to go to stores. I even have started to walk to work which for me is actually faster than driving. This also saves me money in gas by not providing a temptation to go out to lunch instead of eating at the cafe in the building I am in.

One thing I have seen being in the automotive related industry is that many of the car companies are thinking of importing and/or even building some of their European models here in the United State. I have looked at some of those cars on-line and I can see the possibility many of what is called the “City Cars” being very practical here. I am hoping that some of the do make it here and, if they do, I may be trading in my 2001 Hyundai Elantra (just over 127K miles) sooner than later.

In going through the readings for this Sunday, it was not the Gospel that stood out for me but the First Reading:

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” And Solomon said, “Thou hast shown great and steadfast love to thy servant David my father, because he walked before thee in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart toward thee; and thou hast kept for him this great and steadfast love, and hast given him a son to sit on his throne this day. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people whom thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered or counted for multitude. Give thy servant therefore an understanding mind to govern thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this thy great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, “Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. (1 Kings 3: 5-13 RSV)

In this I see, that when praying for ourselves, we need to be careful what we pray for. It should not be prideful and for wealth as those who follow the “prosperity Gospel” do. We should be humble and ask to God guide us in doing what is right even if it means we suffer in the choice. Riches and comfort in this life is usually a hindrance to the riches of the next life.

From this Sunday’s Gospel:

Another parable he put before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then has it weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No; lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” Mt 24: 24-30 (RSV)

and

Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world, and the good seed means the sons of the kingdom; the weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are gathered and burned with fire, so will it be at the close of the age. The Son of man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and throw them into the furnace of fire; there men will weep and gnash their teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.”Mt. 13: 36-43 RSV

We see the weeds all around us these days. They are the secular society that is shoving their perversions down our throats. It is not just co-existing but is choking the good seed. Yes, at judgment, the weeds will be separated. In the mean time, we need to do something to keep the weeds at bay. How? Many ways.

First is not to participate in the perversions. No, I am not talking about separating up from society. I am talking about being judicious in where we do and not spend our time and money. Example: Just in the past week or so, there has been reports of a certain fast food chain signing onto the “gay agenda”. Instead of eating there, we should them know (be civilized about it) that we will not be eating there and will be finding other places to eat.

A second way would be the equivalent of “genetic manipulation” of the weeds. That is, through evangelization through words and actions, attempt to convert them and draw them away from the perversions of today’s society.

What Kind of Soil are You?

Consider the first part of this Sunday’s Gospel:

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat there; and the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they had not much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched; and since they had no root they withered away. Other seeds fell upon thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. (Mt. 13: 1-8 RSV)

In this parable, Jesus describes four types of people and their reaction when they hear the Word of God. The first three soils (people) can be considered most of today’s society:

When any one hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in his heart; this is what was sown along the path. (Mt. 13: 19 RSV)

This person can be considered the one who completely rejects the Word of God. They have no place in their heart for God and, in fact, place themselves above God. The Relativist, Atheist, and Pagan are examples.

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. (Mt. 13: 20-21 RSV)

Unfortunately, many fall into this category. This is the “lukewarm” believer. Either through poor catechesis or a week will, they will place their own survival above defending the Faith and Church. Yes, they may regularly attend Mass, but little if any more than this. This can also be the one who only attends on special days (i.e. Christmas and Easter).

As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the delight in riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. (Mt. 13: 22 RSV)

This is the Materialist. Greed has consumed them. All the care about is instant gratification. This one can be considered dangerous since they will use God and the Church if it is to their advantage.

As for what was sown on good soil, this is he who hears the word and understands it; he indeed bears fruit, and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” (Mt. 13: 23 RSV)

This is the one we strive for and, even then, there is a vast difference. This is the true believer, the one who will defend their Faith and the Church and, if necessary, go to their death it.

Which soil are you? Many hope we are the last, but unfortunately, we are one of the other three. We need to dedicate ourselves to achieving as much fruit as we can.

Take the following two headlines from the Catholic League’s web site:

• Florida Student Abuses Eucharist
• Minnesota Prof Pledges To Desecrate Eucharist

Both of these reports of desecration and threat of desecration have occurred in the past two weeks, but these are not the only affronts to Catholic Christianity. You cannot go more than a couple of days without reports someone maligning Christianity.

If this were any other group, there would be an uproar at the minimum, or riots as we have seen by Muslims for the least infraction. Yet, we are expected just sit and take it.

Well no more, I am getting sick and tired of being expected to be a doormat or a dhimmi. It is high time that we fight back. No, not with violence.  That would be wrong and lower ourselves to their level. We need to fight back with other means like boycotts when it comes to the secular opponents and evangelization for all opponents. It is time for the crusade to begin.

Two portions of the readings from Mass today got me thinking, why do we continually reject Christ.

From the Gospel:

²⁸ Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mt 11: 28-30 RSV)

From the 2nd reading:

¹² So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh– ¹³ for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live. (Rm 8:12-13 RSV)

Society today has not only rejected Christ for the most part, it has become openly hostile towards the Lord. This is evident by the perversion running rampant and is praised and promoted by the Secular Relativists who think they are actually in charge. They do not realize that, by rejecting Christ, they are choosing death and, if we do not do anything, they will die and drag many innocent souls with them.

A crusade is needed and the sooner it happens, the better chance there will be of reversing this trend.