Free-will and our choices...

Free-will is an amazing attribute of our humanity!

Just think, we can use our free-will to make the choices we want; this gives us the freedom to live the way we want, with no one telling us what to do, or when to do it.  It's all up to us.  

I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty good to me, right?

A big WRONG!

First of all, the good God that made us -- which includes our free-will -- expects us to use our free-will for the good, and to follow His dictates; His laws, including the ever-present Natural Law.

If we use our free-will to "free" ourselves from Him, then that's when we invert authority and become our own little gods.  This can negate any graces He granted us in the first place to live lives pleasing to Him.

This can lead to absolute chaos, not only in our personal lives, but also this attitude can easily overlap into our relationships with our children, neighbors, or strangers for that matter.

This new-found "freedom" is a deception. It is, rather, imposed slavery.  It separates us from the path, that narrow road, that leads to our final destiny.

If we embrace this false dichotomy for ourselves, that's one thing, but that act, by its very nature, can have deleterious effects on any children in the household.  They will absorb what they see and hear; they will be affected, and, I contend, for the negative, with the very good possibility of leading them astray, possibly forever.

This is called scandal.  And those perpetrating such scandal of the little ones entrusted to their charge, will be held accountable, whether one believes that or not, it's true.

But it's not too late to return to the fold so long as one is breathing air.

Pray for discernment and clarity.  Pray, too, for our country.

Gene DeLalla

Catholics living on the edge... and falling......

Is modernism a relatively new phenomenon, say, about 50 or 60 years old?

If you think that, think again.

It was St. Anthony of the desert, in the 4th century, who indicated that some in the (Catholic) Church, said that She must be brought up to the "spirit of the age."

The 4th century (the 300's)!

Let's step forward to the present time...

In my opinion, far too many Catholics have fallen for the "spirit of the age."   Much of this anti-Traditional attitude stems from weakness among the human element of the Church, add to that, the disastrous Second Vatican Council.  

So, what do we have today?

Many Catholics have abandoned sacred Tradition as handed down from the Apostles, and codified in the Magisterium of the Church.  Included in the Magisterium, are the perennial teachings of the Church over the last 2,000 years.

If a person describes himself/herself as a Catholic, there are certain prerequisites that must be met in order to validate that assertion.  We are not Protestants, therefore, we are, by Faith, different from our separated brethren.  That means that we Catholics have to accept certain teachings that "rub" us the wrong way, or we consider too difficult to attain.  (One of the tenets that the Church teaches -- and is reflected in Biblical exegesis -- is that God will provide the graces necessary to live according to what is required.  St. Paul tells us that we will not be tempted beyond our ability to resist -- looking from a negative perspective)).

One of the major contentions these days, among female Catholics, especially married female Catholics, is that it is up to them (and their husbands?) when and how many children they will bring into the world.

It is not up to them; never has been, never will be, no matter what modernist prelate says to "let your conscience by your guide."  This is a false teaching, and directly contradicts God's admonishment to be fruitful and multiply and subdue the earth.  Not just increase the population, but to SUBDUE the earth.  Only He knows the reason for that command, and it is a command!

In 1968, Pope Paul VI, issued Hamanae Vitae.  This papal encyclical condemned the use of "the pill," as well as other means of contraception.

It was too late.

Far too many Catholic women were so immersed in the new-age culture, that most completely disregarded this binding teaching.

The key word here is: binding.

Sadly, many priests and bishops in America ignored Rome to such a point, that there was, for all practical purposes, a silent schism.

Take this one step further; what if "the pill" failed?  What happens next?

Must I spell it out?

So, as you can see, far too many Catholics are living on the edge, if they are living the Faith at all.

Pray for conversion, and pray for our country for an end to the killing of the pre-born.

Gene DeLalla

You don't own me!

The year was 1963... I was in high school.

Later that year, Nov. 22, to be exact, our first and only Catholic president, John F. Kennedy, was assassinated while his motorcade was traversing the streets of downtown Dallas, Tx.

Whether there was one shooter, or multiple shooters as well as a conspiracy of the deep-state governmental infrastructure, is not known for sure.  Personally, I do believe the multiple shooter, conspiracy analysis, but that is a topic of discussion for another day...

Also in 1963, the U.S. was right smack in the middle of the "rock and roll" era, with many "girl groups," as well as many single girl singers.

One of those singers was Leslie Gore.

1963 was a big year for the 17-year-old, and going forward into the mid-60s, she had hit after hit.  Sadly, she is no longer with us, dying at a relatively young age.

"You don't own me," was perhaps, one of her biggest hits.

I'd like to comment on some of the words of that song, as it already shows the influence of the feminist movement infiltrating the younger generation of that time frame.  Also, keep in mind that the Second Vatican Council was in full swing, and for all practical purposes, had been taken over by the "progressives," planting those little "time bombs" that would eventually begin the downfall of Tradition, to put it mildly.  But that too, is a discussion for another day...

Back to Leslie...

Here are some of the words to that song; I'll make comments as we go along...

You don't own me

Comment: correct.  Single people are usually pretty independent.  However, if they marry, then they are no longer independent, but DEpendent -- on each other.  As it states in the Bible: the man leaves his mother and father and cleaves to his wife, and the two become one flesh... 

I'm not just one of your many toys

Comment: I can go along with that.  We men should never look upon a woman as an object of sexual satisfaction, in other words, we should not, cannot, lust.  After all, in the married state, we are complimentary to each other.  Men should always raise the woman to that lofty pedestal; to honor, protect and defend.   

And don't tell me what to do

And don't tell me what to say

Comment: in today's world, especially here in the U.S., is it still wise to hold a door open for a woman, without being accused of some type of "harassment"?   By the way, I would never tell a woman what to say or do unless what she said was blasphemous or sinful in some way, then it would be my duty to admonish her. 

Don't try to change me in any way

Comment: I would never do that, but if one is violating the Natural Law (an extension of Divine Law), or is a grave, public sinner, then, again, it is my duty to admonish her.

Don't tie me down
'Cause I'll never stay

Comment: I guess some just aren't made for the married state.  If that's the case, then perhaps the woman (or the man) should consider remaining in the single state.  But if one does marry, she is subject to her husband in all things, but sin.  And the husband must love his wife! 

I'm young and I love to be young

I'm free and I love to be free
To live my life the way that I want
To say and do whatever I please

Comment: this sure sums up the current attitude in the world today, especially in the "developed nations" doesn't it?  But those words conjure up a false notion.  No one can do and say whatever they want, or to live their life the way they want if it contradicts the Natural Law and God's Law.  After all, we are made in the image and likeness of God.  Our bodies are to be the temples of the Holy Ghost.  No one has the "right" to mutilate their  body, or to ingest drugs that contaminate the wonderful creation of the human person.  But even worse, to use another drug, for the purpose of contraception, or to terminate a developing baby in the womb through abortion.

Sadly, Leslie Gore died in 2015 of lung cancer.  She was 68 years old.  

Pray for her soul, as she was a lesbian since the age of 20...

Gene DeLalla

Want to avoid REAL global warming?

To all those Russia haters, keep it up and you'll have REAL global warming -- via NUCLEAR WAR!  Is that what you knuckleheads want?  Isn't that what this "Russia collusion" and Russia hate is all about?  Isn't that what you mean when you say that Trump -- and everyone that disagrees with your stupid mantra -- is a Russian agent?

Wake and smell the coffee, lest you convince all the other neo-con war-mongers to push that button and turn those keys, and end life on earth as we know it.  Where, in short order, the living will envy the dead.  Is that what you want?

That, my thickheaded friends, would be real GLOBAL WARMING.

I urge you to pray -- for rationality!  And pray for our country.

Gene DeLalla  

Is the handwriting on the wall so obvious that we can't see it?

Just what the heck is going on?

Every single day we see and hear some of the most depraved, demonic actions of lost souls, killing not only their chance to attain the beatific vision, but also hell-bent on dragging many others along with them to the eternally darkened pit, forever.

What is this clamoring for "rights," when at the same time, depriving others of those same rights?

Why is it that we rarely hear of the other word that should always accompany rights: responsibility?

Perhaps this is why folks think that they will not be held accountable because they lack the ability to accept the responsibility of those actions, or are ignorant of the consequences of their actions.

But they are mistaken: ignorance is no excuse.  If ignorance is no excuse in civil law, then how much more will ignorance of things divine lead to condemnation?

They -- and all of us -- will answer for our words and actions, or lack thereof.  In other words, if we fail to act as we are supposed to act, or say what should be said, especially to assist others (our neighbors) on their journey, then those "acts" of omission can be just as grievous as intrinsically evil acts!

This is where good will comes into play...

Those of good will, who make mistakes, as we all do, can find the road back, but those of bad will have a tendency to continue those sometimes serious errors of judgment.  It's like a snowball rolling down hill, getting bigger and bigger, until it reaches avalanche proportions.  At that point, it is difficult to turn back and amend one's life.  Sadly, many die in their sins, and are lost.  And, no, not all are saved.

Pray for discernment of what is just, and pray for our country.

Gene DeLalla

An open letter to all "new order" Catholics (from my 2004 letter).

            This is an open letter to all new order Catholics that may be reading this letter.

            Have you had enough?  

            Have you had enough of being indoctrinated by your priests and bishops that your precious Church – of which the blood of the martyrs of past ages became the seed of the Church – is only one of many that can lead to salvation?

            Have you had enough erroneous thinking that tells you that one can still be a good Catholic and still use birth control or believe that a woman has a “right” to kill her pre-born through abortion?  

            Have you had enough of priests who offer mass and make up their own prayers instead of following Church liturgy?  

            Have you had enough of pastors that invite radical, heretical groups to spit their venom of hate of what the Church has taught for 2,000 years and push their radical agenda of women “priests,” “tolerance” of perverse lifestyles, abortion and contraception, thus confusing an already confused laity?

            Have you had enough of now believing that the precious Mass of Catholics of the last 1,950 years was wrong and had to be changed by a non-dogmatic, liberal-controlled, renegade Vatican Council – the Second Vatican Council?

            Have you had enough of attending a ceremony – which is supposed to be a Mass instituted by Christ – that is now considered by many of the laity and the very priests that perform that ceremony, to be nothing more than a commemoration of a meal and not an un-bloody sacrifice of Christ’s bloody sacrifice of Calvary?

            Have you had enough of a mass that is said in the vulgar tongue and not in the true language of the Church – Latin?  

            Have you had enough of not knowing that the DOGMATIC Council of Trent specifically condemns the use of the vulgar tongue when used, only, in the Mass?

            Have you had enough of not knowing that even the renegade Second Vatican Council said that Latin was to continue to be language of the Mass?

            Have you had enough of not knowing that the traditional Latin Mass had never been abrogated?  

            Have you had enough of receiving the Host – the Body and Blood of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ – in your filthy hands?

            Have you had enough of not knowing that only the consecrated hands of a priest can touch the sacred Host?

            Have you had enough of not kneeling in reverence and awe and respect when receiving the consecrated Host of Christ?

            Have you had enough of believing that Christ is no longer truly present on the altar – the Real Presence – but only present in the gathering of the faithful?  

            Have you had enough of Catholic priests, bishops, cardinals and, yes, even the pope apologizing to every politically correct group under the sun for true Catholic action to defend and defeat the enemies of Holy Church over the past 2,000 years?

            Have you had enough of having your children being taught in “Catholic” schools the “virtues” of tolerance, diversity, inclusiveness and acceptance of the perverse and no longer being taught absolutes – the difference between what is right and wrong?

            Have you had enough…?

            We – traditional minded Catholics -- are Bible-believing; dogma-believing; pope-recognizing Catholics who participate in true ecumenism – that means doing our best to bring those outside the ark of salvation into the barque of St. Peter, lest they be lost in the flood!

Gene DeLalla

  

             

Americanism and abortion (from my 2003 article).

Pope Leo XIII did not have abortion in mind when he condemned Americanism as a heresy and a threat to the Catholic Faith. It is ironic that if he were still alive, he would see one of the most gruesome aspects of "Americanism" that has been perpetrated upon this nation since 1973 when the United States Supreme Court said, from that point in time, that a woman had a right to kill her pre-born child - legally - through some of the most ingenious and heinous methods imaginable. This "right" to kill a pre-born child, the advocates say, is somehow guaranteed by the very same Constitution that forbids it!

In the preamble to the founding document, we read: "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

A more perfect Union?  How can there be a more perfect Union when we are allowed to kill off those who will make up the future Union?

Justice? What Justice is there in killing the pre-born for economic or social stigma or for any reason for that matter?

Domestic Tranquility? What has abortion wrought to the very parents who kill their offspring?

Provide for the common defense? With the killing of the pre-born, who will be left to protect an aging population from threat - real or imagined?

Promote the general Welfare? There will be no "welfare" to promote if no one is left…

And secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our POSTERITY? If we are allowed to kill those who make up the future - our posterity - there will be no one to enjoy the "blessings of liberty."

Let us now look at the Declaration of Independence and see what it says regarding government: "…But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." Does anyone not think that the killing of 60-plus-million pre-born children since 1973, many more times than the holocaust of World War II, is an abuse and a diabolical mark of absolute despotism? Should not the law enforcement and military help the citizen to overthrow this killing machine and establish a new and a more benevolent, God-fearing form of government? Why is this not being done?

The oft-quoted section of the Declaration of Independence nullifies the actions of the Supreme Court of 1973, it reads: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among them are LIFE, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Notice that the first of the unalienable (inalienable) rights is LIFE. Without life, there can be no other rights! The right to life has been trampled upon by a Supreme Court that is out of control. This once august body established as a system to determine whether a law passed by the state legislatures or Congress meets the criteria of Constitutionality, has, since the 1930's, taken on a life of its own - not to interpret the law, but to MAKE them! Is it any wonder why it would create the "constitutional" guarantee: the "right to choose"?

 At the beginning of this discourse, I mentioned that Pope Leo XIII condemned Americanism as a heresy and a threat to the Catholic Faith. In his encyclical: Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae, promulgated on January 22, 1899, he specifically cautioned and called into question, the then prevailing attitude of the American bishops regarding their relationships with members of other "faiths" and their willingness not to promote what is true Catholic doctrine or to water-down that doctrine in an effort to "go along to get along" - my phraseology, not the Pope's.   It must be admitted that by all accounts – as history has so proven – the American Church prelates all but ignored Leo’s admonishments regarding Americanism.   The consequences of this disobedience have been titanic.   For if the bishops and archbishops from the nineteenth, to our present century had followed Pope Leo XIII’s – and then Pope Pius X’s – stern warnings and condemnations, and had lived up to their obligations of guiding the flock to Christ, regardless of the consequences, the heinous scourge of abortion would have never occurred.   Logically, numerous other maladies would not have gotten a foothold nor hold such prominence as they do today: e.g., immorality, rampant homosexuality, divorce, etc.

Now that we have selfishly considered ourselves in this matter, what of the pre-born?

What is their fate when they are killed?

 Are we not supposed to know, love, and serve God in this life in order to be happy with Him in the next?

 How can the children who are killed in the womb fulfill this basic tenet of our existence?

 The answer to these questions is grimly simple: they are forever denied the Face of their Creator.   “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”

Gene DeLalla