It may not be appropriate talking about wartime stuff during the Christmas season. Yes, I said “Christ”mas for all misguided who are easily offended. Oh, as a sidenote did you know that the feeling of being offended was one of the precursors to the downfall of Sodom and Gomorrah?? I’ll leave that for another time. I’d like to express a few thoughts regarding a recent invitation from my very good friend Father Vern of St. Mary’s Catholic Church to their Christmas social.
Odd names are popular for new babies these days. If you’d like to name him or her Phalanx, well, that would indeed be out of the ordinary. A phalanx is a wartime formation of men. They produce a formidable force by obtaining common step with each other. They have a common purpose and skilled tactics. Moving forward, together in strength becomes their creed. With different likes and dislike along with family environments they come together in strategic cadence for their survival and the protection of their nation. This is the crux of my thought.
For several years our friendship has deepened. Fond sentiments between the Catholics and Latter-day Saints (Mormons) have warmed not only here in the outbacks of Iowa, but also in Salt Lake City and around the world. Catholics and Mormons have come together in common causes whether it be in defense of traditional marriage and family, or in response to crisis and in the succoring the poor and the needy. Truly a miracle this is in our modern, tumultuous prideful times.
Invitation to Catholic Mardi Gras
As I’ve preached many times, this is key in healing this world and conquering the head of Satan, the father of contention, and even his modern minions referred to as ISIS or ISIL. It is, to rent the walls of personal pride in earnest desire to become a new creature in Christ. This essential physical and spiritual act of faith and hope is manifest in the often painful outreach across the aisles (and pews as it may be) in love and as one as a global children of our Father in Heaven. It is good will! It is not the hateful “Allah is greater!” but rather “let’s walk together and come unto Christ with full clear conscience as we ultimately prostrate ourselves on bended knee. It is, to realize the full reality of the nature of faith, hope and charity and to qualify as co-heirs with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:16-17).
Good Friday at St. Mary's
My wife and I have been invited to several Catholic functions over the years and I admit that through humility I’ve come to recognize them as another family. Yes, one can have multiple families such as blood, church (even more than one as is proven in our case) and even community and nation. I am very grateful, my wife included, to be greeted each time and welcomed by our Catholic neighbors. They are family oriented as we Latter-day saints are. Equally they cherish family and faithfulness. I’ve noticed their social functions are well organized. Truly, much can be learned from one another.
Parish Hall Dedication
We are slowly becoming as a phalanx of Spartans against what seems to be incredible odds of the Persians. The battle of today is as the Battle of Thermopylae with only 300 Spartans. Yet, because we understand the doctrine of common faith and cause in numbers we know we’ll succeed in crushing the serpent’s head. Jesus Christ taught this doctrine as he healed the man with palsy. In one small verse it curiously states that he saw (perceived) “their” faith in the room and proceeded to address and heal the man (Mark 2:5). Yes, He is the Master with power to heal. Yet, curious it should mention “their” faith in the room…
Fasting Among Catholics and Mormons
May we continue to be one this Christmas and at all times of the year. May we lift and uplift one another and come unto Christ.
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