What’s in a name?
There is some confusion among people about who Jesus is.
He stops to ask His Disciples what people are saying about Him and gets several answers. Finally, Peter steps forward to boldly say that Jesus is the Messiah, the Holy One of God …and Jesus is pleased. He recognizes that Peter’s insight comes directly from God, which is important. Calling people by their right name is a good thing!
That does not always happen. There are issues in our life right now that are getting renamed, and in remarkable ways. Pope Francis will be here in late September and will speak about them.
In Philadelphia, he will address a large Catholic convention on Marriage & the Family. He will do so in the country that has just recently legalized same-sex marriage. After several million years of human evolutionary history involving marital relationships that involve one man and one woman, can any nation today rename what marriage is? What is marriage after all and who has the authority to change it? What is an annulment? What happens to citizens or even state officials who disagree? He will address those questions before a worldwide audience.
In Washington D.C. he will address a Joint Session of Congress. I am sure he will address the issue of religious freedom, which long predates our own First Amendment. More than 3,000 years ago, in Exodus 5:1, Moses tells the Egyptian Pharaoh that the Israelites must worship God freely. When Pharaoh refused, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, and escaped into what is now modern Israel.
While in Washington, The Pope will also name Padre Junipero Serra a saint. Over 250 years ago, Serra started Missions all along the California coast which created the foundations of our state. There is some controversy about his role at that time and whether he was different or not from the rest of the Spaniards. The Pope can also tell us more about what it means to be a saint, and how saints are named.
In New York, the Pope will address the United Nations, perhaps on the issue of global poverty and these questions. What is the appropriate relationship between rich and poor nations? How can poor nations become richer? What is the name of the best economic system that will make that happen?
I will write more about this very important Papal visit each week. Calling people and events by their right names is hugely important. We will soon hear how the Pope uses names. Stay tuned!
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
We must hear in church from our priests that some things are not inline with our faith doctrines. If our young people don’t hear it, who and what are they to believe? My generation was taught that marriage is defined with a man and a woman. What will the young people be taught today? If our priests and our Holy Father don’t speak for the family, I hate to even imagine what the future of my grandchildren’s children will be like. Nothing is politically correct if it endangers our faith and we must voice that and I pray the Holy Father will do that especially in our country that seems to turning away from it. Thank you Father Dave, you give me hope As I rely more and more on Jesus and God alone.
Yes, I am placing a lot of hope in the Pope’s speeches in Philadelphia, Washington, and New York. I will paying close attention!
Father Dave, thanks for revealing the expected agenda of our Holy Father Pope Francis during his visit to the United States. I want to say “Hear, hear!” to Filomena (above) regarding how important it is for there to be a “voice of the silent majority” for our children to hear.
Regarding His visit to the United Nations: it seems to me that the failure of socialism, based upon the idea of “good for all”, is that without free enterprise, no wealth is produced to care for those who have nothing. So liberal, socialistic policies are a daydream without any means of fulfillment.
Certainly selfishness on the part of those exercising free enterprise cannot support God’s kingdom any more than can socialistic do-gooders. What we need is entrepreneurs with good intentions. What we need is a Jesus society!!! (I borrowed that exclamation from Franca Dornan ).
I agree. Jesus offers a good guide to any economic system!
I’m glad to hear what the Pope’s agenda will be addressing. It will be interesting to see if he includes any remarks on the current transgender craze. In particular, I feel sorry for parents of young children today. When I was little the main worry was when/how and in what detail you discussed procreation. I can’t imagine having to delve into the topics of same sex relationships, be they LBGT, with small children. Totally confusing and you can’t shelter them from these topics, as they are all over TV and the Internet. Yet, I find it ironic that people are really divided on Padre Serra’s sainthood.
Catholics and Non-Catholics alike seem to respect this Pope and wish to hear what he has to say during this upcoming visit. Hopefully, all of us will not just hear, but also listen to his message.
I doubt that the Pope will address the whole range of LGBT issues, but will certainly address marriage and the family. Stay tuned!
Jenny sent me this and I’m so glad I could read it. We must pray for our Holy Father that the spirit will lead him in all his talks here. Thank you for this great insight!
I hope many people of all faiths, or even no faith, will tune in to his talks.
I was contimplating on Peter , one minute he answered who Jesus was and the next disagreeing with whathe was telling them about what will happen.. Sometimes I find I will realise that I know who He is but want to tell God, “Srely you don’t mean this or that”. When he does. Cute?
It was interesting that you brought up the Pope’s visit. It is amazing how everyone, even the Protestants, are guessing on what he is going to say. I have one friend who says that the Church is accepting homosexuality and by some of the comments they are taking it that way. I told him we accept and love the people but not the sin. The church is also minestering to them at the same time. We are all sinners and fall short in many ways and if we were ignored for our shortcomings there would be no one at church. Many times when they get a message from the Pope (and they do listen, cute) they don’t understand him because he is talking Catholic just like they talk a different language, Penticostal.
I am praying for an inspiration of the Holy Spirit on his talk and that it touch the lives of many believers and non-believers. lWe need the Lords help despirately in the USA.
I am praying for the same Holy Spirit to be with the Pope while he is here. It will be a very important series of talks!
Amen .. I agree
Jesus is the name, and the answer is:
“Follow Me”
Is the name of Jesus being obliterated and replaced with names that never existed?
How can a society continue to exist on false pretenses with no regard for the good
of humanity.
Let us ask the Lord to help us to choose “His Way” and confound the evildoers of the world.