Sunday, June 12, 2016
Luke, Chapter 1, verse 65-75
65 Then fear came upon all their neighbors, and
all these matters were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard these things took them to heart,
saying, “What, then, will this child be?” For surely the hand of the Lord was
with him. 67 Then
Zechariah his father, filled with the holy Spirit, prophesied, saying: 68 “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, for he has
visited and brought redemption to his people.69 He has raised up a horn for our salvation within
the house of David his servant, 70 even as he promised through the mouth of his holy
prophets from of old:71 salvation from
our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, 72 to show mercy to our fathers and to be mindful
of his holy covenant 73 and of the oath
he swore to Abraham our father, and to grant us that,74 rescued from the hand of enemies, without fear
we might worship him75 in holiness and
righteousness before him all our days.
In today’s secular
America we also need to have freedom so we may worship Him without fear.
Amoris Lætitia[1]
The
Experiences and Challenges of Families-Some
Challenges-(50-54)
Men play an
equally decisive role in family life, particularly with regard to the
protection and support of their wives and children. Many men are conscious of
the importance of their role in the family and live their masculinity
accordingly. The absence of a father gravely affects family life and the
upbringing of children and their integration into society. This absence, which
may be physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual, deprives children of a
suitable father figure.
Secularist
ideology of gender denies the difference and reciprocity in nature of a man and
a woman and envisages a society without sexual differences. This ideology leads
to educational programs and legislative enactments that promote a personal
identity and emotional intimacy radically separated from the biological
difference between male and female. Consequently, human identity becomes the
choice of the individual, one which can also change over time. It is a source of concern that some ideologies
of this sort, which seek to respond to what are at times understandable aspirations,
manage to assert themselves as absolute and unquestionable, even dictating how
children should be raised. On the other hand, “the technological revolution in
the field of human procreation has introduced the ability to manipulate the
reproductive act, making it independent of the sexual relationship between a
man and a woman. In this way, human life and parenthood have become modular and
separable realities, subject mainly to the wishes of individuals or couples.” It is one thing to be understanding of human
weakness and the complexities of life, and another to accept ideologies that
attempt to sunder what are inseparable aspects of reality. Let us not fall into
the sin of trying to replace the Creator. We are creatures, and not omnipotent.
Creation is prior to us and must be received as a gift. At the same time, we
are called to protect what God has made.
We should not be
trapped into wasting our energy in doleful laments, but rather seek new forms
of missionary creativity. In every situation that presents itself, “the Church
is conscious of the need to offer a word of truth and hope… The great values of
marriage and the Christian family correspond to a yearning that is part and
parcel of human existence”.
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