From the Pastor – 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 23, 2020

From the Pastor – 30 th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s readings are all about the radical love of God for His people and the radical love we are called to live out in response. The stewardship way of life is nothing more and nothing less than the practical application of loving God and neighbor in our daily lives.

Jesus sums up the message of all the prophets, as well as the purpose of all God’s laws in today's Gospel passage, from Matthew. It is a message we have likely grown up hearing — but it is so beautiful and so challenging, it bears repeating again and again. It is Christ’s response to a question about which commandment is greatest. His answer reveals both the greatest and the second greatest commandments.

He says, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind... The second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

How is the second like the first? What do the two commands have in common? Love.

Love God first and love neighbor as self. This is the heart of the stewardship way of life — simple enough for a child to understand, challenging enough to be the life’s work of every “grown-up.” © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2020.

Pastoral Pondering — The following is the conclusion to A Brief Catechism for Catholic Voters by Father Stephen Torraco, Ph.D.

8. What if none of the candidates are completely pro-life?

As Pope John Paul II explains in his encyclical, Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life), "...when it is not possible to overturn or completely abrogate a pro-abortion law, an elected official, whose absolute personal opposition to procured abortion was well known, could licitly support proposals aimed at limiting the harm done by such a law and at lessening its negative consequences at the level of general opinion and morality. This does not in fact represent an illicit cooperation with an unjust law, but rather a legitimate and proper attempt to limit its evil aspects." Logically, it follows from these words of the Pope that a voter may likewise vote for that candidate who will most likely limit the evils of abortion or any other moral evil at issue.

9. What if one leading candidate is anti-abortion except in the cases of rape or incest, another leading candidate is completely pro-abortion, and a trailing candidate, not likely to win, is completely anti-abortion. Would I be obliged to vote for the candidate not likely to win?

In such a case, the Catholic voter may clearly choose to vote for the candidate not likely to win. In addition, the Catholic voter may assess that voting for that candidate might only benefit the completely pro-abortion candidate, and, precisely for the purpose of curtailing the evil of abortion, decide to vote for the leading candidate that is anti-abortion but not perfectly so. This decision would be in keeping with the words of the Pope quoted in question 8 above.

10. What if all the candidates from whom I have to choose are pro-abortion? Do I have to abstain from voting at all? What do I do?

Obviously, one of these candidates is going to win the election. Thus, in this dilemma, you should do your best to judge which candidate would do the least moral harm. However, as explained in question 5 above, you should not place a candidate who is pro-capital punishment (and anti-abortion) in the same moral category as a candidate who is pro-abortion. Faced with such a set of candidates, there would be no moral dilemma, and the clear moral obligation would be to vote for the candidate who is pro-capital punishment, not necessarily because he is pro-capital punishment, but because he is anti-abortion.

11. Is not the Church’s stand that abortion must be illegal a bit of an exception? Does not the Church generally hold that government should restrict its legislation of morality significantly?

The Church’s teaching that abortion should be illegal is not an exception. St. Thomas Aquinas put it this way: "Wherefore human laws do not forbid all vices, from which the virtuous abstain, but only the more grievous vices, from which it is possible for the majority to abstain; and chiefly those that are to the hurt of others, without the prohibition of which human society could not be maintained: thus human law prohibits murder, theft and such like." [ emphasis added]. Abortion qualifies as a grievous vice that hurts others, and the lack of prohibition of this evil by society is something by which human society cannot be maintained. As Pope John Paul II has emphasized, the denial of the right to life, in principle, sets the stage, in principle, for the denial of all other rights.

12. What about elected officials who happen to be of the same party affiliation? Are they committing a sin by being in the same party, even if they don’t advocate pro-choice views? Are they guilty by association?

Being of the same political party as those who advocate pro-abortion is indeed a serious evil IF I belong to this political party IN ORDER TO ASSOCIATE MYSELF with that party’s advocacy of pro-abortion policies. However, it can also be true that being of such a political party has as its purpose to change the policies of the party. Of course, if this is the purpose, one would have to consider whether it is reasonable to think the political party’s policies can be changed. Assuming that it is reasonable to think so, then it would be morally justifiable to remain in that political party. Remaining in that political party cannot be instrumental in the advancing of pro-abortion policies (especially if I am busily striving to change the party’s policies) as can my VOTING for candidates or for a political party with a pro-abortion policy.

13. What about voting for a pro-abortion person for something like state treasurer, in which case the candidate would have no say on matters of life in the capacity of her duties, it just happens to be her personal position. This would not be a sin, right?

If someone were running for state treasurer and that candidate made it a point to state publicly that he was in favor of exterminating people over the age of 70, would you vote for him? The fact that the candidate has that evil in his mind tells you that there are easily other evils in his mind; and the fact that he would publicly state it is a danger signal. If personal character matters in a political candidate, and personal character involves the kind of thoughts a person harbors, then such a candidate who publicly states that he is in favor of the evil of exterminating people over the age of 70 - or children who are unborn - has also disqualified himself from receiving a Catholic’s vote. I would go further and say that such a candidate, in principle - in the light of the natural law - disqualifies himself from public office.

14. Is it a mortal sin to vote for a pro-abortion candidate?

Except in the case in which a voter is faced with all pro-abortion candidates (in which case, as explained in question 8 above, he or she strives to determine which of them would cause the less damage in this regard), a candidate that is pro-abortion disqualifies himself from receiving a Catholic’s vote. This is because being pro-abortion cannot simply be placed alongside the candidate's other positions on Medicare and unemployment, for example; and this is because abortion is intrinsically evil and cannot be morally justified for any reason or set of circumstances. To vote for such a candidate even with the knowledge that the candidate is pro-abortion is to become an accomplice in the moral evil of abortion. If the voter also knows this, then the voter sins mortally.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • September 5, 2025
Today’s readings make very clear the demands that will be made of those wanting to be called disciples of Christ. We must be prepared to give our all to Him. But in the end, the life of discipleship — the stewardship way of life — is the only life that can truly satisfy. In the Gospel passage from Luke, Christ says, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Our Lord is speaking here not of emotions but rather of priorities. He must come first in all aspects of our lives. Period. He goes on. “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” In other words, it’s all or nothing. Compromise is simply not possible. Christ wants us to give all of ourselves, all aspects of our individual lives, our family life, our parish over to Him and to the pursuit of His kingdom. And just when we think our Lord might soften His message to make it a little more palatable, He goes further! “Anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.” Why is our Lord being so demanding? Only because He knows us so well and loves us so much. He knows that if we do not live by putting Him first before all else, we will easily be swallowed up by the earthly cares that weigh us down — our material things, our status, and our egos. He knows these things cannot satisfy us. He knows this because He is our Maker, and He made us for more. We are made to be His disciples, to seek after Him and His Kingdom. Embracing stewardship as a way of life allows us to count the cost and then run after Him with all our might. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering Over the last several years, I have noticed, and statistics seem to bear this out, that suicides and attempted suicides have been on the rise, especially among young people. The 18-30 demographic seems to be especially susceptible. I’m sure the roots of that type of despair start much younger, but funerals that I have celebrated or know about are always very heavy, spiritually. I have been speaking with my leadership team about ways that we, as a parish, could address this issue and be proactive in providing outreach and support. I thought it would be helpful to provide an outline of the Church’s teaching on the topic and encourage us all to think of ways that we can be a help in slowing the tide. Hope in Christ: A Catholic Reflection on Suicide The Gift of Life The Church proclaims that every human life is sacred and created in love by God. “God alone is the Lord of life from its beginning until its end” (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2258). Suicide is a grave matter, because it rejects the gift of life entrusted to us (CCC 2280–2281). Yet the Church also teaches that grave psychological suffering, fear, or illness can lessen a person’s responsibility. For this reason, we do not despair of the salvation of those who have taken their own lives but entrust them with hope to the mercy of God (CCC 2282–2283). Why Young Adults Are at Risk Many young people today face loneliness, anxiety, and the pressure to be “perfect.” Pope Francis, in Christus Vivit, reminds the Church that young adults need to know they are not alone: “The Church must be a place of compassion, where they are listened to and accompanied with respect” (CV 242–247). Suicide often grows out of a crisis of meaning, when life feels empty or burdensome. The Gospel answers with a promise: each life has a God-given purpose that no failure or suffering can erase. Our Christian Response Compassion and Mercy. The Church rejects judgment and instead offers prayer, accompaniment, and hope for those who have died and for their families. A Community of Belonging. Gaudium et Spes teaches that we only find ourselves through sincere gift of self (GS 24). Our parishes must be places where every young person knows they belong. Seeking Help Is Holy. The Catechism calls care for health a moral duty (CCC 2288). Turning to counseling, medical support, or trusted mentors is a way of honoring God’s gift of life. The Cross Brings Meaning. Saint John Paul II wrote that our suffering, united with Christ’s Passion, can become a source of redemption (Salvifici Doloris 18–19). No suffering is meaningless in Christ. A Word of Hope As followers of Jesus, we must say clearly: if you are struggling, you are not alone. Your life is not a mistake. God loves you. The Church loves you. Reach out — to a friend, to your priest, to a counselor. Asking for help is an act of courage and faith. Prayer God of mercy, embrace all who struggle with despair, especially our young people. Fill their hearts with the light of Your love. Receive into Your peace those who have died, console their families, and make our parish a home of hope, healing, and belonging. Amen. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. 📞 In the U.S., dial 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

From the Pastor - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • August 29, 2025
Today’s readings remind us of a chief virtue that characterizes the Christian steward: humility. This is a virtue that is widely thought of as a form of self-abasement. That understanding, however, is off the mark. Humility is simply the awareness of who (and Whose) we truly are. On one hand, we are children of the Most High God who loved us into existence and who, by virtue of our Baptism, have the Holy Trinity dwelling within us. On the other hand, we are children who are completely dependent on God for our existence and for every breath we take. Our Lord speaks of true humility in our Gospel passage from Luke, telling the parable of the guests invited to a wedding banquet and instructing us not to seek a place of honor at the banquet table, lest a more distinguished guest arrives and we are asked to move to a lower place. Jesus has much more in mind here than an etiquette lesson. He is reminding us that all glory belongs to God. The visual image He offers in having to slink down to a lower seat at the table points out how silly we are when we forget to give God the credit for our blessings and talents. On the other hand, when we live in humility — recognizing that all we have is a gift from God and using those gifts to serve Him and others — then God “exalts” us by filling us with even more of Himself and His grace. Jesus goes on to encourage us to serve and share our blessings with people facing circumstances that would make it impossible for them to offer us any worldly advantage or prestige — “the poor, the crippled, the lame.” Our attitude and how we serve and share should be centered on true humility — recognizing that we are all “little” ones in the eyes of God. We are all His children; brothers and sisters invited to our Father’s heavenly banquet. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025 Pastoral Pondering  In the last couple of weeks, I have heard various news stories regarding a push to legalize marijuana nationally. I thought, in light of that, it might be helpful to review Catholic teaching. In Catholic thought, the morality of marijuana use is evaluated through the lens of natural law, Church teaching, and principles of human dignity, reason, and stewardship of the body. While the Catholic Church does not have an explicit, definitive teaching on recreational marijuana use, its moral framework provides guidance based on related principles, particularly from the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) and papal statements. Key Principles: Respect for Human Dignity and the Body : The Church teaches that the human body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and must be cared for responsibly. Actions that impair the body or mind without sufficient reason are considered morally problematic (CCC 2288-2291). Use of Substances and Reason : The Catechism addresses the use of drugs, stating: “The use of drugs inflicts very grave damage on human health and life. Their use, except on strictly therapeutic grounds, is a grave offense” (CCC 2291). This suggests that recreational use of substances like marijuana, which can impair reason, judgment, and health, is generally viewed as morally wrong unless justified by medical necessity. Moderation and Prudence : Catholic moral theology emphasizes the virtue of temperance, which governs the use of pleasurable things. Any substance use that leads to loss of self-control or addiction is contrary to this virtue. Intention and Context : The morality of an act depends on its object, intention, and circumstances (CCC 1750-1756). Using marijuana for medical purposes, under professional guidance and with legal approval, may be permissible if it alleviates serious suffering and does not lead to abuse. Recreational use, however, is often seen as problematic because it typically seeks intoxication or escape, which can undermine human flourishing. Obedience to Just Laws : Catholics are called to respect legitimate civil authority (CCC 2238-2243). If marijuana use is illegal in a given jurisdiction, using it recreationally would generally be considered sinful, as it violates just laws meant to protect the common good. Where marijuana is legal, the moral question shifts to its effects on health, reason, and responsibility. Application to Marijuana: Medical Use : If marijuana is prescribed by a competent medical authority for a serious condition (e.g., chronic pain, epilepsy), its use could be morally permissible, provided it is used responsibly and does not lead to dependency or impairment that harms one’s duties to God, self, or others. Recreational Use : Recreational marijuana use is generally viewed as morally problematic in Catholic thought, especially if it impairs reason, leads to addiction, or harms physical or mental health. The Church’s emphasis on sobriety and the proper use of human faculties suggests that using marijuana to achieve intoxication or euphoria is contrary to human dignity. Cultural and Social Considerations : Some Catholic theologians note that moderate use in a legal, controlled context (e.g., akin to moderate alcohol consumption) might not always constitute a grave sin, depending on the circumstances. However, the potential for abuse, addiction, and harm to self or others makes recreational use a serious moral concern. Papal and Magisterial Guidance: Pope Francis has spoken against the legalization of recreational drugs, including marijuana, stating in 2014: “Drug addiction is an evil, and with evil there can be no yielding or compromise.” He emphasized the harm of drugs to individuals and society, particularly youth. The Catechism’s broad condemnation of non-therapeutic drug use (CCC 2291) is often interpreted to include recreational marijuana, though it does not explicitly name it. Practical Considerations: Discernment : Catholics are encouraged to discern their intentions and the effects of marijuana use. If it leads to escapism, neglect of responsibilities, or harm to relationships, it would be considered sinful. Addiction Risk : Marijuana’s potential for dependency raises concerns, as addiction undermines freedom and responsibility. Social Justice : The Church also considers the societal impact, such as the exploitation in the drug trade or the normalization of substance use in ways that harm vulnerable populations. Conclusion: In Catholic moral theology, marijuana use is permissible only for legitimate medical purposes under strict conditions. Recreational use is generally considered immoral due to its potential to impair reason, harm health, and violate the virtue of temperance. Catholics are called to exercise prudence, respect civil laws, and prioritize their responsibilities to God and others. For specific guidance, consultation with a priest or moral theologian is recommended, as individual circumstances can influence moral judgments.