Based off today's mass readings, Gus talks about the Catholic Church and fear. There are a lot of people out there who have a perception that the Catholic faith is fear-driven and that we're the Church of "Thou Shalt Not." Gus invites listeners to call in and talk about the balance between love and fear and whether or not they believe the ministers and leaders of the Catholic Church does a good job with that.
Later, Mark Brumley, president and CEO of Ignatius Press, calls in to talk about Cardinal Robert Sarah's new book, "Couples, Awaken Your Love."
Hi Gus, We talked earlier on the phone on my way in to work this morning. Just before we spoke you asked, “What scares you about the Catholic Church.” Here is what scares me.
Matthew 7: 13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
Matthew 19: 24-26 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
This scares the hell out of me (literally). And it should! However, being scared about this is not the issue. It is how we RESPOND.
I have heard several Catholic Bishops and Priests try to explain away this statistic (that most people will NOT go to heaven). I have also seen where people have left the Church because they perceive this message as being hateful. Then there are those who would fall into despair. Finally, there are those who will snap to attention and start being more mindful how they think, talk and act towards the Church and their fellow man (Jesus talked about these different responses in his parable about the sower in Matthew 13: 1-9, 18-23).
I believe that THIS message has been lost in today’s modern Catholic Church (at least where I live). I believe that if it this message (i.e., the FULL Gospel) where preached in our Catholic Churches today you will have people leave…..but you will also have people come! In the end you will have perhaps a smaller Church, but it will also be a more quality Church with REAL Christians…..not these people that occasionally show up, provide no financial or other support, and vote for a political party that advocates for abortion, gender dysphoria, gay marriage, etc., etc., etc. It is time to restore DISCIPLINE in the Church. We can no longer give way to what I call “Compassion Extremism”. We must return to BALANCE.
Jesus said that He would return to a more perfect Church. And that His true worshipers would worship Him in Spirit AND in Truth.
Thank you,
Scott