Lazarus Vs Rich Man = Catholics In Pews Vs Progressives In Chanceries

Today's Gospel was the parable of the rich man and Lazarus.  I'd be willing to bet that many parishes heard "social gospel" pabulum from the pulpits and even invocations to "end poverty".  Leaving alone the fact that the cry to "end poverty" actually lies in contradiction to Jesus' own words, let's look at some groups of people who might fall into the "rich man" or "Lazarus" categories: folks who fall off the radars in too many pulpits across the country.

We also remembered the victims of recent shootings.  The Baltimore shootings happened within 60 miles of me so that's relatively close to home.  However, I'd bet that yesterday in any five abortuaries in Maryland, at least an equal number of babies were wantonly slaughtered in their mothers' wombs.  I submit that they are a group who would most definitely fit into the Lazarus group.  How about their mothers?  Into which group might they belong?  It depends.  I see too many cases where the mother is being dragged (often literally) into the mill by her parents, male companion, etc.  In that case she too is Lazarus and these others are the rich man.  The abortionists clearly fit into the "rich man" category, quite literally.  I've been to their houses before to pray Stations of the Cross in front of them.  They all live in the Potomac area, where every dwelling is a veritable mansion. Theirs' however, are more like impregnable fortresses.

But let's look at poverty for a moment.  What's the biggest indicator that a child will find him/herself in poverty as they attain adulthood?  If they grow up in a broken home, their chances of ending up poor are greatly increased, no matter the social strata in which they grew up.  What influence leads to most broken homes?  Contraception.  When Paul VI wrote Humanae Vitae back in 1968, he predicted that if contraception became widely accepted, a whole host of social evils would ensue as a consequence.  Every single one of his predictions is coming to pass as we draw our breaths!

Now how much do we hear of these diabolical attacks on marriage, family life, abortion, contraception etc do we hear from the pulpit?  In the Archdiocese of Washington, way too little, particularly contraception.  Homosexuality is another topic that is particularly taboo in the ADW.  I know of at least two priests who preached on these topics over the years; both were punished.  Here we have a clear case of the rich man (some "powers that be" in the chancery) denying truth to the Lazarus-people in their pews.

Below the jump break I'll post two videos - one by Venerable Fulton Sheen - telling the truth about contraceptives and their immense sinfulness.  Only when our priests speak this forth from the pulpits will there be revival in the Church and in our Western civilization.

Contraception And Gosnell

Bishop James Conley of Lincoln Nebraska reminded us all that the atrocities committed by Gosnell and all abortionists are a logical consequence of the contraception mentality - one that allows the sexual act to be severed from God's plan for marriage and family life.  He points out that one reason the media has been ignoring the Gosnell situation (until very recently) is that they themselves are mental and spiritual slaves of the anti-life climate that infects so much of modern (or more accurately, post-modern) society today.

He is spot-on correct.  Until we attack the culture of death at its roots and eradicate it, we'll continue to see "houses of horror" emerge everywhere.

Venerable Sheen On Contraception

This is a talk given by the Venerable Archbishop Sheen on the evils of contraception.  If the banner behind him is any indication, this was recorded in 1953.  That was twenty-three years after the Anglican's lamentable Lambeth Conference, when they let the camel's nose under their tent.  This talk occurred before Griswald v Connecticut.   Click here if you can't see embedded video.

A Homily Against Contraception Today!

Today at the 11:15 Mass at St John Neumann Church in Gaithersburg, Fr LaHood preached against the evils of contraception and for the teaching of Humanae Vitae.  This homily was occasioned by the upcoming 44th anniversary of the issuance of the encyclical by Pope Paul VI (July 25th, Wednesday).  Read that encyclical and then listen to the homily now.

As you read Humanae Vitae, you might think it was written just last year instead of 44 years ago, as most of the horrible consequences of contraception's embrace have been realized all too vividly.  There is no doubt that the embrace of the anti-life mentality inherent in contraception's use has unleashed many plagues on humanity.  Some who are reading this are no doubt snickering at the thought.  In fact, I saw a few fellow Mass attendees roll their eyes as Father was preaching.  There are none so blind as they who will not see, and such are dissenters from the clear teaching of the Church.

Of course as we consider these thoughts, that makes all the more evident why the $5.3 million grant given to CARE by the Catholic Relief Services is beyond reprehensible.  At any rate, I hope that this homily is the start of a much-needed trend in our Churches today.

How About A "Fortnight Of Truth"?

That's a very good question asked in today's episode of the Vortex.  This follows nicely on yesterday's post (immediately preceding this one).  The link mentioned by Voris is at the bottom of yesterday's post (along with the links to the two key papal encyclicals).  Click here if you can't see embedded video.