Saturday, February 28, 2015

Male and female He created them

Facebook has announced that it is letting its United States users to choose their gender among 58 options. Some of the options are: "transgender," "cisgender," "gender fluid," "intersex," “trans female,” “trans male,” “trans person,” “gender variant,” “gender questioning,” “bigender,” “androgynous,” “pangender,” “transsexual” and "neither." Facebook promises to work with leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups to come up with new categories.
So much for common sense and the all-important phrase, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1: 27).
Recently I read a fantastic article by Bill Maguire entitled “Gay” Catholics and an Adequate Anthropology (you can find it on the web at: http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/3718/gay_catholics_and_an_adequate_anthropology.aspx). He succinctly and beautifully summarizes the Catholic world view on sexuality, gender and same-sex attraction:
“The central tenet of the traditional Catholic understanding of the human person and human sexuality is that man—male and female—is created in the image of God (imago Dei). As Creator, God made a decision that the human person should always and only exist as a man or a woman. Consequently there are not multiple genders, as LGBT gender theory asserts, but only two: male and female. Our gender (or sex) is determined by the sex of our body: a person with a male body is a man and can never be otherwise; a person with a female body is a woman and can never be otherwise. Thus, for example, when a person with a female body self-identifies as a man instead of a woman, this is not a sign that she is “transgender.” Rather, it is a sign that something has gone wrong with her psychosexual development. And the appropriate course of action for her is not to adopt a fictional gender, but to seek the healing of her psychosexual development so that she move towards accepting and embracing who she truly is: a woman. Moreover, according to the traditional Catholic teaching on sexuality there are not multiple sexualities, as LGBT gender theory asserts, but only two: male sexuality and female sexuality. Consequently, there are only two sexual orientations. The sexuality of a man is oriented towards—is designed by God for—nuptial union with a woman. The sexuality of a woman is oriented towards—is designed by God for—nuptial union with a man.”

I could not have expressed it better. 

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Pastor's Corner, February 22, 2015

Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The 4th sorrow of St. Joseph comes from Luke 2: 34: “…and a sword will pierce through your own soul.” Simeon prophesied that Our Lady would suffer in a special way because of her Son. Because Joseph truly loved Mary he would have felt the sting of this prediction. We all know what is like to suffer because others are suffering and so St. Joseph felt great compassion whenever his wife suffered.
But then came the joy. A few verse after the Simeon prophecy, St. Luke tells us that Anna spoke of the Christ child “to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2: 38). St. Joseph once again realized that his sorrow was always overshadowed by the joy of what Jesus brings us – salvation. As we see at the end of Lent, the very suffering and death of Christ – the greatest sorrow of all – is the instrument of the joy that is eternal.
Prayer: St. Joseph, by the SORROW when the Lord declared that the soul of Mary would be pierced with a sword of sorrow, and by thy JOY when holy Simeon added that the Divine Infant was to be the resurrection of many, obtain for us the grace to have compassion on the sorrows of Mary, and share in the salvation which Jesus brought to the earth.
In Christ,
Msgr. Baker

Monday, February 16, 2015

Fifty Shades of Sin

The movie "Fifty Shades of Grey" earned $81.7 million on Valentine's Day weekend.

Let me clearly state that I have not read the books or seen the movie, nor do I intend to do either. The movie contains scenes of fornication, sado-masochistic bondage, the exploitation and abuse of women, the degradation of human nature, lies, deceit, the abuse and distortion of true freedom, etc. It glorifies what mortifies God. To put it bluntly, I think it is sinful to watch the movie or read the books. 

But why have so many people - especially women - flocked to the theaters to see the movie?

Now don't get me wrong. It seems clear to me that part of the reason for the movie's popularity is the wide acceptance of pornography in our culture. People have become so desensitized to images which are an affront to holy purity, to the beauty of sexual intimacy and to the dignity of the human person, that "Fifty Shades of Grey" looks like Windows 95. 

However, is it possible that such a movie is so popular because people are longing but unable to obtain the real thing (true love and intimacy) that a counterfeit seems a great option to them?

When I lived in Rome there was a whole business carried out by illegal immigrants of selling "knock off" handbags. They had much of the designer look but were not the real thing. The purses were cheap and very popular. People wanted the real thing but couldn't get it so they settled for a distorted copy.

Many people long for attention, intimacy, selfless love and have a hard time finding it. Their hearts are made to love and be loved yet they settle for lust and being used. 

Women, ask yourselves: “Are my motives for seeing this movie pure? Does the movie present the kind of intimacy that is true, lasting and respects the dignity of the other person? Do I want my husband/boyfriend/son to be like Christian Grey? Do I agree that women should be sexually exploited even if they consent to it?” 

Men, ask yourselves: “Does this movie help me live purity of mind and heart? Would this movie truly inspire my son or daughter? Would I want them to learn from the movie how to interact with the opposite sex? Do I think it is morally acceptable to treat women like Christian does – as sexual objects for my own selfish pleasure?” 

EWTN had a very interesting and helpful discussion on the movie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCdm3PY2D1o 
Bishop Loverde, Bishop of Arlington, wrote how the movie helps pornography go mainstream: http://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2015/02/porn-goes-mainstream 
Bishop Malone, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, wrote a letter to the Bishops of the United State about the film: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/marriage-and-family/upload/Malone-to-Bishops-Fifty-Shades-of-Grey-2-4-15.pdf

Do you family members and friends a great favor and save their souls by putting aside the desire to be "politically correct" and tell them: "Don't go to see the movie or read the books. They are ugly corruptions of the beauty of women, the goodness of human sexuality and in truth they saddened the heart of God. If you long for real intimacy, look for it in a relationship of real love."

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Pastor's Corner, February 15, 2015

Dear Parishioners and Friends,
I have been reflecting on the seven sorrows and joys of St. Joseph as a way to prepare for his feast day on March 19. I think these meditations can also help us prepare for Holy Week because Joseph’s sorrows and joys are intimately connected with the life of Christ and can help us better appreciate what He has done for us.
The third sorrow of Joseph is the circumcision of Christ. It was the first flow of blood which would ultimately pour itself out completely for our salvation. In accord with the Jewish Law and under the Old Covenant, Jesus was circumcised and thus became a part of the Chosen People. He comes to fulfill the Law and establish the New Covenant.
Joseph experiences joy at the moment of circumcision because he gives the name of Jesus to the child. It was the right of the father to impose the name upon a child that he claims as his own. The name “Jesus” means “savior” and thus when Joseph gives the name to the child he is also manifesting the mission of the child.
Prayer: St. Joseph, by the SORROW with which thy heart was pierced at the sight of the Blood which flowed from the Infant Jesus in the Circumcision, and by the JOY that inundated thy soul at thy privilege of imposing the sacred and mysterious Name of Jesus, obtain for us that the merits of this Precious Blood may be applied to our souls, and that the Divine Name of Jesus may be engraved forever in our hearts.
In Christ,
Msgr. Baker

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Pastor's Corner, February 8, 2015

Dear Parishioners and Friends,
The second sorrow of St. Joseph is the poverty of Jesus’ birth. St. Luke delicately tells us that there was “no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2: 7). The King of kings has no palace or even bed. He only has a manger. I’m sure St. Joseph would have wanted to provide something more but it was not possible.
Yet, Jesus was born and this is the source of Joseph’s joy. St. Joseph must have heard from the shepherds how the angels rejoiced saying, “Glory to God in the highest,” and he must have seen in the adoration of the Magi the recognition of the birth of the Son of God. In spite of the difficult circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth, Joseph has the consolation that God’s promise of a savior has been fulfilled.
Prayer: St. Joseph, Foster-Father of Jesus, by the bitter SORROW which thy heart experienced in seeing the Child Jesus lying in a manger, and by the JOY which thou didst feel in seeing the Wise men recognize and adore Him as their God, obtain by thy prayers that our heart, purified by thy protection, may become a living crib, where the Savior of the world may receive and bless our homage.
In Christ,
Msgr. Baker

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Pastor's Corner, February 1, 2015

Dear Parishioners and Friends,
There is a venerable tradition of celebrating the Seven Sundays of St. Joseph which begin seven Sundays before the feast of St. Joseph on March 19th. Over the next 7 Sundays I will reflect on the seven sorrow and the seven joys of St. Joseph as a way to foster greater devotion to this inspiring saint who was the earthly father of Jesus, husband to Mary and is the patron of the universal Church.
The first sorrow is the doubt of St. Joseph. In Matthew 1: 19 we are told that Joseph is unaware of how his wife Mary (being “betrothed” to someone meant legal marriage) is found with child. He wanted to “send her away quietly.” He doesn't know what God is doing and has no indication that he should be a part of it.
Then, the angel comes and dispels Joseph’s doubt (Matthew 1: 20-21). This is the first joy of St. Joseph. He hears that the child has been conceived by the Holy Spirit and that he should “not fear to take Mary your wife” into his home, dispelling the sorrow he earlier experienced. 
Prayer: St. Joseph, Chaste Spouse of the Holy Mother of God, by the SORROW with which thy heart was pierced at the thought of a cruel separation from Mary, and by the deep JOY that thou didst feel when the angel revealed to thee the ineffable mystery of the Incarnation, obtain for us from Jesus and Mary, the grace of surmounting all anxiety. Win for us from the Adorable Heart of Jesus the unspeakable peace of which He is the Eternal Source.
In Christ,

Msgr. Baker