Reflections of a late Knight
Try as I might, I cannot do everything that I would like. Indeed I am reminded of St. Paul’s comments about doing the things that I am not suppose to do and not doing the tihings that I am suppose to do. Like this blog for example. Here I set up this blog and put on a few posts and promptly get so caught up in everything else that I neglect to even check it out. So I see these nice comments by people and I have not had even the decency to acknowledge them. Mea Culpa. Mea Culpa. And thanks for the nice comments and considerate thoughts.
So now suspecting that there may be one or two folks who may read this, let me give you an update and some “reflections” that are helpful to anyone who may peruse the site.
Next week Pope Benedict XVI visits the United States and will say mass in Washington, D.C. and New York City. he will visit the White House and speak at the U.N. Everyone will use his being here in the U.S. to advance their own agenda. This may be for good or for ill, but that is the way of all flesh. Hopefully the citizens of the U.S. will be treated to fairr and balanced reporting from the major mainstream media, but I am not holding my breath. I suspect that the “liberals” within and without the Church will attempt to use anything the pope has to say to advance the elect Obama campaign and the Republicans will echo the pope’s respect for life message to draw in the pro-life Catholics.
Benedict’s pontificate has been focused on a couple of simple thoughts. simple can be profound so please do not misunderstand my words. His first encyclical Deus Caritas Est - God is Love - was a powerful reminder of “what’s it all about.” His constant refrain has been to introduce reason and logic into the various conversations circling the globe. He challenged Islam to think in terms of reason and condemned all forms of violence to propagate ones particular beliefs. This is a follow up to the themes of past popes who condemned the use of violence to advance communism, socialism, and fascism. I suspect that he will continue this approach and challenge us here in the U.S. to apply reason and logic to the various issues facing us her in the States. After all his first role is that of a priest, called to bring us the love and mercy of Jesus Christ.
We who are fortunate to be Knights have a special responsibility to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ in our daily lives and through our work. Having been given much we are called to share the good news by our example. Starting at home and with our family we must reflect the truth that God calls us to live. As men we must be examples for the next generation of young men who need role models in order to learn what is right and wrong.
We must teach them proper respect for women, the absolute necessity of respect for all human life and the importance of marriage. Let’s be candid. Much of the problems in today’s society are the result of the failure of men to exercise their proper roles in their families and in society at large. WE Knights must make a difference if we are to rebuild a culture of life.
Finally we must take our faith and apply it in the public square. We should not allow public officials to avoid their public responsibility to protect and defend all innocent human life. We should never allow candidates for public office to even think to ask for our vote if they are not pro-life. Regardless of party, no one who thinks killing babies in the womb is permissible should ever get our vote. Any candidate who wants to destroy the unique place of marriage by equating aberrant behavior with marriage does not deserve our vote.
Simply put if the candidate is pro-abortion, and against protecting marriage, he or she should not get our vote.
Till next time (and I intend it to be sooner rather than later), May Our Lord grant you His peace and mercy.
Topics: Uncategorized
Posted by John Jakubczyk at 8:28 am on Saturday, April 12, 2008
