Jn 10:22-30 Speak Plainly

Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
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So the Jews gathered around [Jesus] and said to him, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense?  If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

Religion still matters.  No matter what people say, religion still matters. 

Half way around the world, over two hundred girls are being held by a Nigerian born Islamic group known as "Boko Haram," which means "Western education is sinful."  Just recently they released a video showing a good number of them "converting" to Islam.  I am not at all impressed.  Not too long ago, I wrote a meditation describing how easy it is to convert to Islam.  Hence, their conversion is meaningless, but remarkable in how delusional the terrorists are, especially if they actually believe these young girls meant what they repeated under duress. 

Let's pray for their safe return, back to their parents and loved ones.

Now if you think that barbarities only happen "half way around the world," then think again. Just a few days ago we read how Harvard University, one of the most prestigious universities in America, allowed a bunch of atheists to masquerade as Satanists and make a mockery of Christian - but above all Catholic - beliefs.  Today, I am pleased to announce that the so-called "Black Mass" never took place.  It was cancelled after an avalanche of protests from students, faculty, staff, religious and secular leaders, and people of just good will and commonsense. 

Drew Foust, Harvard's President, was embarrassed at the entire affair.  In fact, she publically scolded the association for even considering such a hideous event and for hiding underneath the First Amendment (and "academic freedom") to defend religious bigotry.  Imagine for a moment if the Harvard Extension School had, for educational purposes and to exercise their constitutional rights, had invited KKK members to perform a Cross burning ceremony on campus.  I wonder what the world would have thought of that?  Do these people not see their own hypocrisy?  Do they actually think the world does not see their own hypocrisy?  Have atheists and intellectuals become so naïve? 


Tell us plainly.  As mean as Satanists are, at least they are honest and direct.  Like it or not, they tell everybody the way they think and the way they see things.  Politicians and intellectuals, on the other hand, have become experts in the use of euphemisms and Orwellianisms, and they are teaching our children - the next generation - their handy trade.   I find this more repulsive than highly opinionated or outspoken people.

Academia continues to insist on the use of politically correct (PC) speech in their statements in order to hide long standing (and sometimes seething) hatreds towards others.  However, not everyone is willing to play along and Harvard was caught in their lie, this time by the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights.  

Now what makes users of PC speech so pitiful is that it forces them to walk a tightrope between lies, or fall into the depths of verbal meaninglessness. 

Satanists are not afraid to say or do whatever they want because they have nothing to lose.  They have already lost everything.  But most Americans are afraid to stand up and speak out.  In many ways, the First Amendment is dead.  Sure, you can say whatever you want, but it will be the last time you ever say it, especially if you're not part of the "what's-hip-this-year or decade or century."  If you're not in, then you're out.  You're job will be lost.  You're reputation, crucified.  You're livelihood, destroyed.

The spokesman for Satanists said something worth noting.  They said they will stage "their own Black Mass ceremony...to reaffirm their respect for the Satanic faith and to demonstrate that the most powerful response to offensive speech is to shame those who marginalize others..."

That's it!  They couldn't be any clearer: We hate those who hate you.  We take an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.  We shame those who shame you.

I love the Catholic response:  We will be having Eucharistic adoration this evening and will be praying for those who insult us. I was pleasantly surprised to hear that  Harvard President, Drew Faust, attended Eucharistic adoration.  Good for her.

I respect the Pharisees and scribes for asking Jesus to speak plainly:  "If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."  I don't respect the way they handled it:  Crucify Him!  Apparently, they weren't interested in the truth. 

I respect and love Jesus because He was clear and direct; and He was clear and direct because He had no fears.  He knows who He is and He knows who we are. 

"The Father and I are one." 

How clearer (and closer) can one get?