The GPS in Religion

JMJ. It seems that the common GPS device is proliferating with astounding speed. I can certainly understand why, too. I got one not long ago and have only used it three times but it was well worth the purchase price for just the first jaunt. Far more useful, to me, than a cell phone (which I always view with trepidation whenever I use it.)

When I stopped to think of it (actually as I sat down to write this,) I realised that the Catholic Church is exactly like a GPS. "How," you say? I'm glad you asked! What is the ultimate aim of any religion? Basically, it's to get us to heaven. How successful we are depends on the directions our religion gives us and how well we are at following those directions.

Now, if the GPS is programmed correctly, and we follow its directions without fail, we will get to our desired destination. The problem is that so many religions contain less than the fulness of truth given us by the Catholic Church. If you follow flawed directions flawlessly, you may get where you wanted to go but "you take your chances," as it were.

A case in point. A local writer for the "Cleveland Plain Dealer" goes horribly astray every time she talks about the Church. She is, to be most charitable, what one would call a cafeteria Catholic. She wrote ecstatically a few months ago that she had finally discovered the "real" Catholic Church--the one that is all sweetness and light, had dropped many out-dated dogmas, notably purgatory, and generally fits in with her liberal idea of what God should have proclaimed if He had only consulted Ms. B.

She cited Luke 23:39-43. It's the scene on Calvary and the interaction of Christ with the two thieves crucified with Him. Look it up for yourself but I'll paraphrase. Now bear in mind that since Jesus is God and God loves all His creations equally, Jesus loves both the Good and Bad thieves. That's a given. (I don't know how He does it but He even loves me!)

The Bad Thief rails at Christ (whom he hopes can save them both) and says "Get us out of here!" The Good Thief defends our Lord saying that they are both guilty and deserve their punishment but that He is blameless and does not deserve crucifixion. Then he turns to Christs and asks to be remembered when He comes into His kingdom. Christ tells only one that he will be going to heaven with Him. Guess which one? Right. The one who confessed and asked for absolution and pardon. The other did not but God loves them both and sorrows when one must be condemned.

What happened is this. Ms. B. read into that passage what she wanted to believe and decided that she had discovered a new Catholicism tolerates anything and which doesn't need purgatory anymore. She actually proved the wrong thing. This passage shows the need for confession, absolution, forgiveness, and in no way voids purgatory. Let's look at my assertion in more detail.

The Good Thief acknowledges that he is a sinner and deserves whatever punishment is meted out to him. He knows that Christ can forgive him. He then asks for Jesus' forgiveness. In response, Jesus tells him that he is forgiven and that he will go to heaven when he dies. The Good Thief's suffering on the cross is his penance and purgatory all rolled into one. In addition, the Catholic Church has always taught that a martyr (one who dies defending the Faith) will automatically avoid purgatory because of having defended the Faith with his life.

Let this be a lesson--to all of us. Do not try to re-program a GPS that has already been perfectly programmed. Not only may you not get where you want to go, you may have a lot of other poor folks following you!

Friends

JMJ. My dear friend, Bonnie, chided me just recently for not having up-dated this site lately. Since April to be more precise. She had a point and in my own defense I've gotta say that I'd been planning to do so for a couple of weeks. I figured there was no hurry, though, since I'd had precious evidence that anyone's read what I've labouriously written. She answered this comment saying, "I go there all the time but I quit because there was nothing new." Did you ever leave a comment, sez I? "Well..."

Well, indeed. This one's for Bonnie and anyone else lurking out there, too, wondering where in heaven's name I've been. With Bonnie in mind I've been thinking about all the friends our Lord has given me in the course of my wastrel life. First, of course, were my family--starting with a loving mother and father who gave me so much love and support, my brothers and sisters who have propped me up when the going has been tough. (the twins, Lori and Beth, out of a clear blue sky just recently drove all the way down here from Huron, Ohio to bring lunch to my wife whose mother had died a couple weeks ago.) Family doesn't get any better than the one I have. I'm sorry but I'm real partial to mine.

Next, thirty-six years ago I was graced with a loving and only too-understanding wife who has stood by me so staunchly ever since for which I cherish her more and more each day. God knows why. And then there is that rare circle of faithful, obedient Catholics I've met ever since I came into the Church. I won't mention any name but Bonnie's because to do so might leave out someone really important and they are all so important to me. Lord knows there have even been a handful of Protestants! Horrors.

Yes, I have been truly blest and for all of them I say from a full heart, "Deo gratias!"