Refused Communion

 

I mostly create posts that reflect faith and family issues but what I heard on the news stirred me.

On May 20, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Corileone made an astonishing announcement. He pronounced that House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, should be manned from taking the sacrament of Communion. Many people may think that is no big deal but if you are a “practicing” Catholic it IS a big deal. (Or least it should.)

Though I am not a Catholic and do not hold to Catholic doctrine, I have to admire Corileone's courage to uphold the church's beliefs. The basis of his action is that Pelosi is totally going against the church's stance against abortion. Pelosi is trying to legalize abortion on demand and force taxpayers to pay for the killing of unborn babies in abortions, she claims to be a devout Catholic.

Not all priests believe the Archbishop's was justified even though the Catholic church has for centuries held abortion was a sin. (Canon 915) Pelosi, in defiance of the Archbishop, received communion at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown this past Sunday. Apparently, the priest at this church didn't think it was a big deal to serve her either.

Many celebrities and politicians have publicly stated that it was not Corileone's place to ban her from Communion. Like it is just a manner of personal opinion. But it IS his responsibility to uphold the church's doctrine.

While I disagree with much the Catholic church teaches, I have to admire this man's courage in the face of opposition.

It Is The Law

In 1687, Sir Isaac Newton published his three laws of motion. The third law is paraphrased into the modern form we know today: "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." That principle applies to the spiritual world as well.

If you push in the spiritual realm, you are going to get pushed back. 2 Timothy 3:12, 1Peter 4:12 This world system is under the control of Satan 1 John 5:19 and when we spread the Gospel in his realm, we can expect strong resistance. Jesus told His original Disciples that they would be resisted, just as He was. Unless has prepared the heart of your listener to receive the Word, don't be discouraged if there is "push back."

It's a law in physical and spiritual world.

Me? A Warrior?

 "...He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle." Psalm 144:1

As a child, I would often get together with my buddies and play war. I never gave it much thought until recently. Playing the part of a soldier just seemed so right, so natural. But why? We live in an age where boys are discouraged playing with toy guns because 'culture' says it will make boys too aggressive. But to my knowledge none of us grew up to be mass murderers or violent criminals!

As I read Psalm144:1, the thought came to me that God has placed in a every boy the very spirit of a warrior. Let me explain; a boy playing in the yard picks up a stick and it suddenly becomes a rifle. He throws a pine cone and it becomes a hand grenade. God has a designed boys to grow up to be men. Men who possess a warrior spirit. God never intended boys (or men) to become bullies. Men are not to be male chauvinists.

But we ARE to be defenders of the defenseless. We Are to help the helpless. Proverbs 31:8-9 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice."

I guess that is why some (not all) action movies are so appealing. We love it when someone in the crowd steps out and defends someone you is being bullied. We cheer when the "under-dog" finally has a champion. Often, it is someone who does not appear to be a 'warrior.' They look so meek and mild but a true warrior is not be underestimated. Often, they do not see themselves as a 'warrior.' Judges 6:15

The biggest difference is that as Christ-followers we do not rely on our own strength. Christ is our ultimate source of strength. Isaiah 41:10