Gus talks about many of the Thanksgiving restrictions now in place in several states and asks listeners to call in and talk about how they feel about them and whether or not their plans have changed.
Later, Gus talks about a message he got from a listener named Barry in KC following yesterday's discussion on lukewarm-ness (see below for full message). He writes how it's hard to get on fire whose leaders don't stand up for Church teaching in an age where it's constantly under attack by politicians, etc. With all this, Gus asks listeners is the Church less attractive or more attractive today?
And, Bob Dunning calls in to talk about this week's best games and COVID cancellations.
Message to Gus:
Gus,
I think the real lukewarmness is in the Church itself. It doesn’t stand up for its own teachings anymore. It bends with the popular winds now in society.
This was never more clear than the weeks leading up to the election when Church leaders contorted themselves to apparently downplay the abortion issue, even to the point of saying it is “equally important” as positions on climate change or immigration. (I don’t believe there is an equivalent to the slaughter of the unborn and hearing that comparison made in a homily was truly heartbreaking for me.) Also, refusing to comment on the Pope’s apparent same sex union support is another example.
I would venture a guess that a large number of Catholics are not truly aware of what the Church teachings actually are because so many of them now are likely to make people uncomfortable that they are seldom mentioned in passing.
The killing of George Floyd was dealt with in my parish by posting links to people condemning all white people as racist or beneficiaries of “white privilege” as a way to combat racism rather than teaching judge not lest ye be judged.
I could go on and on but in my opinion, more confusion than clarity is offered when the Church shows a lack of willingness to stand up for its teaching. It’s hard to be on fire for that.
Respectfully
Barry in KC