Render Unto God

Render unto God what belongs to God.

And just what belongs to God? The human person belongs to God. Indeed, man is precious in the eyes of God. How precious? So precious that God’s only-begotten Son, in eternal glory and bliss reigning over all—perfectly happy—deigned to take our flesh—our human nature—and become man, while still remaining God.

This passage means that we must respect the dignity and the natural rights of each and every human being because each was created—given existence—by God. Furthermore, human dignity and human rights come from God—not from the State. The State did not create each and every human person—God did. We must be careful. If the State gives us our rights, then the State can take them away. However, the right to life and freedom of religion [and of worship] are God-given rights. Every human person has these rights because he is given existence by God. The State has no right to take these God-given rights away from any human being.

Furthermore, when a person lives according to God’s law and practices virtue, then that person is truly free. Only when we deliberately decide to offend God by sin do we lose our freedom. Let no one deprive you of your freedom as a child of God.

Blessed John Paul II was the great defender of the dignity of the human person. I think that if he were here today, he would tell us about the personalistic norm of the Second Vatican Council, which is found in the document Lumen Gentium:

1. No human person is to be an object of use, but only a subject of love.
2. The human person realizes himself only in the sincere gift of self.

When Adam first saw Eve, he gave a great cry of joy, because finally he had found someone to whom he could give himself in love, that is, someone for whom he could sacrifice himself—to the death if need be. Adam was created to love Eve, not to dominate her. Husband and wife are to love each other, to give generously to one another, never seeking any kind of domination of either one over the other. By the sincere gift of self, each is to find fulfillment.

St. Teresa Tells Us About Our True Friend

The following is a brief excerpt from the writings of Saint Teresa of Avila:

If Christ Jesus dwells in a man as his friend and noble leader, that man can endure all things, for Christ helps and strengthens us and never abandons us. He is a true friend. … Unlike our friends in the world, He will never abandon us when we are troubled or distressed. Blessed is the one who truly loves him and always keeps him near.

Long-suffering Humility Yields A Rich Harvest

God chooses the humble and the lowly of this world and makes them strong in bearing witness to Him. -St. Paul

Callistus was a lowly slave who later became Pope and likely one of the most Christ-like individuals ever to walk the face of the earth. When Callistus lived on earth, there were some rather renowned, highly intelligent, but very proud and puritanical figures in the Church. One of these was Hippolytus. Indeed, Hippolytus had even taken it upon himself to deny absolution to all persons who had committed sins of impurity, even when their contrition was genuine and profound. However, Pope Callistus, having the mind of heart of Christ Jesus, confirmed the availability of confession and absolution even for persons guilty of the most grievous sins, who sincerely repented.

Callistus imitated the long-suffering Christ most admirably. Hippolytus was constantly making unjust accusations against Callistus. Yet Callistus still managed to see good in Hippolytus.

Callistus saw that despite all Hippolytus had said and done, and despite his bitter hostility toward Callistus personally, Hippolytus still loved Christ and the Church; Hippolytus had been honestly misled. So, Callistus—like Christ before His accusers—bore Hippolytus’ slashing attacks in silence, refusing to condemn him publicly. Yet, the patience and long-suffering of Callistus yielded a rich harvest: Eventually Hippolytus humbled himself, repented, and was reconciled with the Church and—after death—honored as a saint—the only anti-pope ever to be canonized!

(The above posting is based on Warren H. Carroll's The Founding of Christendom,pages 468-470.)

Jesus is the Light of the World

Then he said to me, "This is the Lord's message to Zerubbabel: Not by an army, nor by might, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. What are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you are but a plain. (Zech 3:10)

Once again, we see that it is not by any human devices, however grand they may seem to be--however advanced the technology, but it is only by God's grace, God's grace given to his anointed ones, that is, the baptized followers of the Anointed One, that we are able to dispel the darkness, find the way and conquer evil, thus becoming saints, God's Humble Heroes. For, Jesus is the Way, and He is the Light of the World:

Lamp-like indeed, He alone dispelled the gloom of ignorance and the darkness of evil and became the way of salvation for all men. (Quaest. 63:PG 90 667-670)

The Humble Trust in God Alone

A king is not saved by his army, nor a warrior preserved by his strength. A vain hope for safety is the horse; despite its power it cannot save. The Lord looks on those who revere Him, on those who hope for His love, to rescue their souls from death, to feed them in time of famine. -Psalm 33

There are "marvels" that man can make and use: some for good and others--alas!--for evil. Nonetheless, "at the end of the day," God is in control. At the end of life, money is useless; for, "no man can buy his own salvation, the ransom of his soul is beyond him" (David the Psalmist). I cannot save my soul; I cannot do this by myself. Only Jesus Christ, the Son of God made man, can save my soul. "Their is no salvation by any other name under heaven" (St. Peter).

The things that God creates: the human person, the angels, nature, etc., are way more beautiful than anything man can make. Anyhow, I know that I am "preaching to the choir."