From the Pastor – The Ascension of the Lord

May 14, 2018

From the Pastor – The Ascension of the Lord

We often cite Jesus’ quote from today’s Gospel of Mark: “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.” This was not a suggestion from the Lord. It was quite frankly a command, and it is one which still holds for each of us. Being an evangelist, being a disciple, being a steward is not a matter of choice for those of us who are Catholic and Christian. It is something the Lord expects of us.

Often we may like to spend time debating how to do that, but that does not lessen the fact that it is something we are supposed to do. We need to acknowledge that even the original Apostles and followers of Jesus did not do that immediately. We learn that they stayed in Jerusalem for some time, and it seemed to be only when the Church and its followers were persecuted that they began to reach out and truly share the “Good News.”

Once Christians accepted that charge from the Lord, they did indeed take the Word of God to all corners of the earth. Look at the Church today. It is incredible how this Church has grown from one Man/God and a small group into what it is today. That does not, however, get us “off the hook.”

As much as we may argue about how to carry out this command from Jesus, the fact remains that our very lives need to stand as a representation of what it means to be a Christian, what it means to “love one another,” what it means to live and to work as a disciple of Christ.

Pastoral Pondering

In continuing our consideration of the 50 th anniversary of Humanae Vitae, I would like to point out the “prophetic” elements that Pope Paul foresaw. The encyclical warned of four resulting trends: a general lowering of moral standards throughout society; a rise in infidelity; a lessening of respect for women by men; and the coercive use of reproductive technologies by governments. It takes very little effort to find evidence that each of these trends have been realized.

I would now like to return to Dr. Mary Eberstadt’s recent article from First Things (April 2018). The second reality that she notes is the trend among some Protestants towards accepting the teaching of Humanae Vitae. I touched on this briefly last week but believe it merits a greater consideration since the shift in the early 20 th century in support of artificial contraception provided the backdrop of its wholesale exportation to the third world.

It is important to remember that Church teaching on contraception, including Protestant teaching, was the same across the board until 1930. In fact, much of Protestant teaching was far harsher than anything that Humanae Vitae had to say. For example, the Lambeth Conference of 1908 affirmed its opposition to artificial contraception by describing it as “demoralizing to character and hostile to national welfare.” Martin Luther in a commentary on Genesis declared contraception to be worse than incest or adultery, and John Calvin called it an “unforgivable crime.”

Nevertheless, the Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Communion of 1930 made the first exception to the prohibition thus leading to a divide on this moral teaching. Other mainline Protestant groups followed suit in the ensuing years. This has led to widespread disintegration of mainline Protestantism, especially the Anglican Communion. Moreover, the “Protestant cave-in” led to the wholesale exporting of contraception by much of western society to the third world.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, for example, donated $14.6 billion to support contraception programs in Africa. Obianuju Ekeocha, a Nigerian-born author, wrote an open letter to Melinda Gates in response to this donation. “I see this $14.6 billion buying us misery. I see it buying us unfaithful husbands. I see it buying us streets devoid of the innocent chatter of children.... I see it buying us a retirement without the tender loving care of our children” (see Obianuju Ekeocha, Target Africa: Ideological Neo-Colonialism of the Twenty-first Century ). Africa, India, and much of the third world has been targeted with such donations. More often than not, support from the first world comes with the requirement that “family planning” be included as a requirement in order for funding to be offered.

Dr. Eberstadt also notes that there is also justification for some fear that in some places contraceptive technology might be imposed by governmental authority. This has certainly been the long-standing practice in China and has also been practiced in India and Indonesia. Even in the United States, there were efforts at one-time in which some U.S. judges backed state initiatives requiring implantation of long term contraceptives on women convicted of crimes. All of this, of course, would have been unthinkable 100 years ago.

Again, Pope Paul VI was prophetic in recognizing that the widespread use of contraception would result in the erosion of a basic respect for human life, a basic respect for marriage and family, and a basic respect for human dignity. The reality in which we live today certainly bears this out, and the proof often comes from secular rather than religious sources.

From the Pastor

From the Pastor - Solemnity of Christ the King

By John Putnam • November 21, 2025
On this Feast of Christ the King, our readings show us that we serve the greatest of Kings, who is at the same time the humblest of Kings. Christ is the perfect model of servant leadership. And what an indescribable privilege that He has called us to be servant leaders — stewards in the work of advancing His Kingdom. In our second reading, from St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, Paul describes the great power and dignity that characterize Christ the King. “All things were created through him and for him. He is before all things and in him all things hold together.” It makes you want to stand up and cheer. That’s our King! Yet, what a contrasting description of the same King we find in our Gospel passage, from Luke. Now we see our King nailed to the Cross. Everyone from rulers to soldiers, to the criminals on either side of Christ is mocking, sneering, and reviling him. They tauntingly urge him to prove His kingship by coming down from the Cross to end his suffering with a great show of power. “if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” But He does not. Amazingly, it is in this moment of seeming-weakness and humiliation, when all appears hopeless and lost, that the full breadth of his greatness as king is displayed. Though all things were created through and for Him — Christ chooses to live entirely for others, for us! What does this mean for us as his followers and stewards of His kingdom? It is precisely that our lives are not about us. They are about Christ and others. And we will advance his kingdom to the extent that we embrace this mindset: my life is not about me; it is about serving the King of kings. © Catholic Stewardship Consultants, 2025

From the Pastor - 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

By John Putnam • November 14, 2025
As we approach the end of the liturgical year, our readings offer a sober reminder that this life is not our aim and that God’s justice will triumph in the end. Now is the time to get our priorities in order, putting God above all else as his faithful stewards. Our Lord brings home the urgency of right priorities in our Gospel passage from Luke, reminding the people around him who were looking at the temple nearby, “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.” Our Lord reminds us that all in this world is passing. We must keep our focus on eternity. Yet before the eternal bliss of heaven, we should expect to be tried and tested. “Before all this happens, however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.” Sounds scary. But if you are living a stewardship way of life, there is nothing to fear. You have a plan in place. All you need to do is stick with it. Put our Lord first in your time, with your talents, and through your use of treasure. This way of life is not easy. But Jesus promises it will lead to eternal salvation and the joy of union with Him. “You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance, you will secure your lives.” Onward, Christian stewards, the struggle is worth the joy that awaits! Pastoral Pondering On November 4th the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith released Mater Populi Fidelis, a 20-page doctrinal note which was approved by the Holy Father. The Document addresses longstanding requests for clarification on Marian titles related to Mary’s cooperation in salvation. It emphasizes Mary’s unique role as Mother of believers while safeguarding Christ’s sole mediatorship, aiming to foster authentic devotion, Catholic fidelity, and ecumenical dialogue. The Note responds to decades of proposals, including petitions for new Marian dogmas, often amplified via social media and private revelations. It draws on Scripture, Tradition (e.g., St. Augustine), and prior papal reflections, including Joseph Ratzinger's 1996 and 2002 critiques of certain titles as unclear or prone to misunderstanding. The document appreciates popular piety but cautions against expressions that could confuse the faithful or obscure Christ's centrality. It promotes "participated mediation"—Mary's supportive role in union with Christ—without equating her to the Redeemer. The document goes on to underscore “approved titles/expressions” and “discouraged titles/expressions.” Those that are encouraged include: Mother of God (Theotokos), Mother of Believers, Spiritual Mother, Mother of the Faithful People of God, and Mediatrix (in a general sense of intercession). It notes that these underscore Mary's maternal bond with Christ and the Church, directing devotion to the Son. They are biblically rooted (e.g., John 19:26-27) and foster hope, tenderness, and unity. Those titles discouraged are Co-redemptrix and Mediatrix of All Graces. It notes that these risk eclipsing Christ's unique mediation (1 Tim 2:5) and redemption; not explicitly in Scripture or early Tradition; potential for confusion or imbalance in faith, especially ecumenically. I know in my own discussions over the years; it is very easy (especially for my non-Catholic relatives) to get confused over certain Marian titles. They can certainly be explained, but as the DDF points out, those titles that require greater explanation for common understanding should be discouraged. To be sure, you can find both titles used in various Catholic resources, and the document certainly does not forbid their use. Nonetheless, it approaches the topic in a balanced and pastorally sensitive way that recognizes the importance of Marian devotion and piety while, at the same time, reminding us all of the importance supporting and encouraging doctrinal harmony.