Taking A Stand

When we look at history we see that The Holy Roman Empire did not implode because its leaders were morally correct and upright, it imploded as one leader outdid the other in decadent and immoral behaviour.

When there is no moral compass and God is ignored the consequences are a 'godless' society where anarchy, immorality, cruelty and decadence are deemed acceptable. While anything holy is outlawed, as lawlessness runs rampant, and the upright sleep.

Who can stop these outrages?

YOU!

But, rather than take a stand we look to our Governments. The same Governments which legalised abortion and in some countries euthanasia, where embryonic stem cell research is ongoing and same sex marriages are on the agenda. Why do we do this? Because it is easier to simply either go along with the crowds or stay silent rather than taking a stand.

We are drifting in an ocean of mediocrity.

Do we raise our voices when we see racial and religious bigotry? Or do we stay silent so as not to cause a scene? Many years ago I walked into a Lutheran shop and picked up a Jack Chit pamphlet which wrote that the Catholic Church was a cult. As I read I became more and more incensed and asked the owner of the religious shop how she could allow such hatred to stay on the shelf? I then told her that if she did not remove such hate filled dribble I would boycott her shop. The shop owner assumed I was Catholic and was shocked to find I was actually a Lutheran, but she removed the offensive 'literature.'

I also remember attending a forum where a Baptist Minister was giving a talk about Spritual Warfare. I had been told that this Minister was 'on fire with the Holy Spirit,' he was on fire alright but it had nothing to do with holiness. His entire speech was an attack on the Catholic Church, he stated that Jesus actually disowned his mother by citing this Biblical passage, ..(Someone told him, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, asking to speak with you.") But he said in reply to the one who told him, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" (Matthew 12:47-48). I could stand it no longer and stood and challenged the Minister's opinion and asked him if God can break His own Commandments? For if Jesus were to disown his own mother He was in effect breaking the Fifth Commandment, 'Honour your father and mother.' I then asked the Minister to inform me where in the Bible does Mary promote herself, where does she ask that people worship her? This Minister also assumed that I was a Catholic, No! Back then I was a Lutheran, but I wasn't going to sit and listen to hate silently.

Why are we silent when our brothers and sisters are being defamed?

Throughout the world Christians of various denominations are being persecuted, in countries such as China, Indonesia, Iran, Algeria etc. And all these Christians can hope for is a bullet, because a bullet is preferable than having to face years of torture and imprisonment as the world forgets them.

These courageous Christians do not fear God's Truth. They fear silence.

We raise our voices in protest as the price of oil rises and stay silent when Martyrs die every day for the beliefs we hold dear.

When we take a safer path we dishonour all the Martyrs and Saints who went before us and were prepared to die for the Truths we hold Sacred. When we compromise our Christian Principles and the Truths of the Catholic Church, then how are you different from the athiest?

When you say on one hand I believe in God and yet fail to speak up for your beliefs what does that make you? As St. Thomas Aquinas said, "Hold firmly that our faith is identical with that of the ancients. Deny this, and you dissolve the unity of the Church."

When the virtuous fail to speak up the innocent die.

Freedom is too choose to love God and follow His Commandments through the Teachings of the Catholic Church.We also have the freedom not to obey God or the Church. But in both choices we bear the consquences of our free choices.

As Pope Benedict XVI said he is more concerned for those who "are easily tempted to conform themselves to the spirit of this age.' There is also the prevailing thought that religion is a 'personal matter' which should not be imposed upon others yet once again our Pope states it differently, "Any tendency to treat religion as a private matter must be resisted..Only when their faith permeates every aspect of their lives do Christians become truly open to the transforming power of the Gospel."

Are we Christian Warriors or Wimps?

"Peace is not the product of terror or fear.

Peace is not the silence of cemeteries.

Peace is not the silent revolt of violent repression.

Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution

of all to the good of all.

Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity.

It is right and it is duty."

These are the words of Archbishop Oscar Romero who was assassinated for speaking the Truth, he would be alive today if he had stayed silent.

Archbishop Oscar Romero understood as did our Saints God's Truth is worth dying for. It is compromise that kills the soul.

It is apathy that kills our faith not hatred.

In the end you find yourself and who you are, through adversity, so dont run from it, face it and find your mettle. Be an Overcomer without turning into a victim. Be strong without turning into a bully. Be courageous with the understanding that God has given you the inner strength to overcome life's battles and hardships. Be a failure, while knowing that you can do better. And understand your biggest enemy is within yourself and that is the greatest one you have to overcome.

If speaking up means you stand alone, then stand alone. How many Disciples stood beneath the Cross?

Written by Marie