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While family is important, the Catechism states, “The first vocation of the Christian is to follow Jesus.” This means that parents should support Christ’s call for their children. Fr. Mike explains that when we deny Jesus or his teachings for the sake of our families, we are making an idol of the family. We also learn the duties of civil authorities. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2232-2237.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/GA7bWqW0EjM?si=cuj9eAMzhs0QCkc2
The family is the foundational element of society. Fr. Mike explains how families initiate us into societal life and act as the foundation of freedom and community. Because of its indispensable importance, we learn that civil authorities are responsible for supporting and honoring the family. Familial relationships also enlighten those found in society; we see our neighbor not as an anonymous individual but as “someone.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 2207-2213.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/LDgpR-Hcev8?si=qj3wvPobWuIOCZbC
The Catechism shows us that, in order for any good in society to last and flourish, legitimate authority must be instituted and respected by all. Furthermore, it is our duty as those under authority to obey those invested with authority. Fr. Mike acknowledges that most of us resist authority, but he bolsters the Catechism’s claim that legitimate authority in society is good and necessary. “Anarchy doesn’t work.” Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1897-1904.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/NlhdB7i5jCs?si=tDaXdFYSZ4ZGgYUh
Before we can see outward changes for the good in society, there must be inward conversion in the hearts of its members, so says the Catechism. Fr. Mike highlights the fact that societies are made up of people with both body and soul—and the soul is often overlooked. Because we are broken, there is a “permanent need” for our conversion, and any society that fails to take this into account is doomed to do violence to human dignity. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1886-1896.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/mOpAqc8qXIw?si=-Gdc0uFuCLfgzyhO
Man is made for communion. God created man in his triune image, making us naturally social and communal beings. We learn that various societies weave us together: the family, the state, our professions, and recreational activities, among others. Fr. Mike explains how the Church promotes the principle of subsidiarity to protect the goodness of the various levels of society as each level pursues the common good. Today’s readings are Catechism paragraphs 1877-1885.
Click on link: https://youtu.be/rgJw5LXbddA?si=gkYn2n4B1gntrVsI
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2021
“We often think that evil comes mainly from the outside: from other people’s conduct, from those who think badly of us, from society. How often we blame others, society, the world, for everything that happens to us! It is always the fault of “others”: it is the fault of people, of those who govern, of misfortune, and so on… And we spend time assigning blame; but spending time blaming others is wasting time. We become angry, bitter and keep God away from our heart… One cannot be truly religious in complaining: complaining poisons, it leads you to anger, to resentment and to sadness, that of the heart, which closes the door to God.”
Pope Francis
