Yes, this is another post on how the “dogma should live loudly from within you.” But first, I want to tell you about our new podcast, In the Apostles’ Doctrine with Matthew Pope. Acts 2:42 says, “They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in the fellowship, and sharing in the fellowship meals and the prayers.” Matthew Pope’s blog Even Unto the End of the World comes alive in his new podcast In the Apostles’ Doctrine. He talks about his storys, articles, and poetry that he has written and it is all produced by EPIC Radio. Be sure to check it out and subscribe where you listen to you podcasts.
Happy independence day everyone! Today is the day we celebrate the beautiful country that we live in and such a huge pride for. And we should give praise and thanksgiving to almighty God for the religious liberties that we have here in this country.
Even though we are allowed to worship God in what ways we see fit, the realtivism in our society has tried to push it away so that we only worship, think about, and talk about God and our savior Jesus the Christ in our homes, in private, away from everyone else.
During Catholic Answers Live, an apolgetics program that airs on EWTN Radio, there is ad for a book by Matt Nelson called Just Whatever: How to Help the Spiritually Indifferent Find Beliefs that Really Matter. In the ad, it mentions that people used to get annoyed by people that talked about their faith because it challenged their own strong beliefs. Now, people don’t have strong beliefs and just don’t care. Unfortunately this is the world we live in.
It’s interesting to see how some individuals can be so realtivistic on somethings and not on others. Certain politicians will talk about how some people can have certain beliefs because of their race, sex, or sexual orientation, but other people cannot share those beliefs.
The beauty of this country is our diversity. Now, I understand we come from a flawed past. We’ve had slavery, presidential assassinations, and participated in uncessary wars. But people seem to forget about the abuse that Catholics have suffered and continue to suffer in this country. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that Catholics could hold office in the State of North Carolina. The idea of a Catholic president was radical in the sixties when JFK was elected. And today, Democrat senators attack Catholics for their beliefs in the judicial system.
So what should we do? Retaliation is not the approriate option. Instead, we must follow the message of Jesus the Christ. We must love. We must forgive those who scoff at us, ignore us, and attack us. It is extremely difficult to do, but following Jesus isn’t easy. We know that.
So on this celebration of our independence, let us pray that devisions in our country end, and that people will come to believe in the mercy and message of Jesus the Christ. Let us also pray to the patroness of the Americas, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, PRAY FOR US.
Don’t be realitivistic, don’t be afraid to share the Gospel, and don’t be afraid to be spat on.
May the dogma of the church always live loudly from within you,
Matthew
EPIC Radio 