Thought for the Octave of Christmas

Even-greater Debate upcoming: Pope Francis vs Jesus

"Pope Challenges Jesus To Debate On Whether All Religions Lead To God"

C'mon, you know it's gotta be from the Babylon Bee, right? The Bee is "your trusted source for Christian satire". 

Excerpt: "I heard Jesus said something bigoted about 'no one coming to the Father except through me', and ugh - that's just so exclusionary! So, I've challenged God Incarnate to a debate so I can teach Him a thing or two about how people come to God."

Serious note from Ed.: Those who don't get this are invited to read the Gospel of St. John, 14:6 - "Jesus saith to him: I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me." That's what Catholics believe.

If there had been a "corona crisis" in Jesus' time

Scraped from the Babylon Bee. A good follow-up to our first post today.

VIDEO: "Join the Catholic Church and go to hell!"

Father John Hollowell is a Roman Catholic priest, serving in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. On YouTube he has 13,000 followers, and counting. He is not yet a "rad trad" (see yesterday's post "Vatican cover-up of homosexual crimes leaves no choice for Catholics -- leave the Church or join us 'rad trads'" -- includes great video by Michael Matt) but it sounds to me he knows and keeps to the faith of our fathers (living still in spite of dungeon, fire and Francis) so will have to give Michael Matt's exhortation some serious consideration.

In this video, Fr Hollowell deconstructs and refutes three mistaken beliefs that many Protestants and other non-Catholics have about the Catholic Faith. Those who hate, or at least disagree with Catholicism quote Holy Scripture to "prove" that Catholics are wrong in their beliefs and practices. They refer, in particular, to these three passages from the Gospels. (I am using the Protestant King James Version to avoid any quibbles about the exact words.)

Matthew 23:9 - And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
John 6:54 - Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
Matthew 16:18 - And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Those are the words of Jesus, the Son of God, and those who opposed Catholicism argue that we are wrong in how we interpret them. Father Hollowell explains where the Catholic interpretation comes from and why the meaning believed by Catholics for nearly 2000 years is to be preferred.



Note: For those who were wondering... The "RCIA" to which Father refers at the beginning is the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (Ordo Initiationis Christianae Adultorum), a process developed by the Church for prospective converts who are above the age of infant baptism. Two of Walt's agents have been teachers in this programme. Getting back to today's crisis in the Church, the problem nowadays seems to be finding someone who wants to be taught!

How will Christians explain support for "gay marriage" to Jesus?

Let's start with a quick review of traditional Judeo-Christian teachings on homosexuality, as found in both the Old Testament and the New Testament of the Bible. The Good Book -- doesn't matter whether you consult the Douay-Rheims Version or the King James Version -- condemns homosexuality as clearly and plainly as it condemns murder, adultery, premarital sex, kidnapping, lying, idolatry and other grave sins. For chapter and version, see "Homosexuality condemned in the Word of God", WWW 9/7/09.

Sheikh Ahmed al Tayyab is the Grand Imam of Egypt's Al Azhar University, the world's leading institution of Sunni Islam. As a theologian, he has read the Bible as well as the Qu'ran. Speaking during a visit to Indonesia this week, he asked how Christian leaders who accept same-sex "marriage" will explain their position to Jesus Christ, should they be not to be sent to Hell without being given a chance to defend themselves.

Sheik al Tayyab didn't say that last part. I did. According to Agenzia Fides News, what the Grand Imam said was, "Unfortunately some Heads of Churches in the United States accept same-sex marriages. I wonder what is left of the Bible in those Churches. And what will they say in front of Jesus, peace be upon him."

The Muslim cleric was referring to "churches" such as the Presbyterian Church USA, which has recently changed its internal statutes in order to recognize same-sex "marriages". The world awaits the Presbyterian leaaders' response. So far all we hear is crickets.

Footnote: The self-styled Christian minister on the left in the picture, waving to the pro-LGBTQ2S crowds at Toronto's "Gay Pride Parade" a couple of years ago, is none other than the "Rev." Brent "Chicken" Hawkes, the presbyter of Metropolitan Community Church, "a vibrant, inclusive and progressive church, where all are welcome to attend." Mr. Hawkes presided over Canada's first gay wedding in 2001, four years before the Canadian government legalized "gay marriage". For this and other pro-queer activities, he received the Order of Canada.

But according to Nova Scotia police, Mr. Hawkes' doesn't just support homosexuals from the sidelines. Earlier this month he was charged with sexual assault of a male, an offence which allegedly occurred some 40 years ago. The old bugger has been charged with offences from that era’s Criminal Code: indecent assault on a male and gross indecency. He is to appear in court in Kentville NS on April 13th. Click here for details from the Toronto Star.