City of God

The Church stands at a crossroads, the intersection of the way to the city of man & the way to the City of God. Perhaps it is always so, but some events focus it more clearly. The Gospel of today’s Mass could not be there by accident:

“If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first. If you belong to the world, the world would love its own; but because you do not belong to the world, and I have chosen you out of the world, the world hates you. John 15:18-19

I discovered all sorts of resonance in the Rosary today:

Credo - What I believe influences my thoughts, changes my view, drives my actions. What I believe determines what I live for. Belief is ultimately not a subjective reponse, but a Truth, an overriding fact that cannot & will not be denied. There is really only one belief. There is only one Creed. This is because there is only one God. And he has spoken to us.

Pater noster… sanctificetur nomen tuum – God’s name revealed in Jesus; Jesus name covered up at Georgetown by Obama. God’s name prayed outside abortuaries all across the world. Adveniat regnum tuum – the kingdom comes with violence; a priest’s consecrated hands tied behind his back as he is forcibly carried off. Fiat voluntas tua – bishops speaking the Truth with conviction, doing God’s will - surely not without a massive backlash. Dimitte nobis debita nostra – for when we choose to not seek, not to know, not do your will: when acts of violence are committed against those made & those being made in your image; when we sin by compromise our beliefs for the glory of the city of man over that of the City of God. Sed libera nos a Malo -Today, he prowls….

Ave Maria… benedicta tu in mulieribus – women are God’s chosen bearers of life into the world; blessed are they who choose to accept this glorious burden. Benedictus fructus ventris tui Iesus – the Lord resting in the waters of creation in the womb of the Blessed Mother, a silent sanctuary, waiting to draw the first “pneuma,” the first breath of life. Ora pro nobis – Queen Mother, we beg you to present our petition to the King, for he will not refuse you. Nunc – the battle is engaged. Et in hora mortis nostrae – Everyone dies. And everyone lives - forever. We are immortal. Only those who the Lord knows will be welcome in the Kingdom. He said he would know us by our works. May the moment of death for many be a moment of repentance, conversion, & acceptance; a moment of knowing.

O My Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of Hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those most in need of thy mercy.