Trump, Guns, and free thought.

You know?’  The amount of ‘hate mail’ that I receive is almost too funny.  Whose side are you on?  You are nothing but a liberal loving loony tune, jacked up to look conservative.  On the other side of the coin,.. As a Trump lover, you are nothing but a rascist, homophobic gun living maniac!  Where o where can I hang my hat?  I believe that the answer is in Truth anchored in Love.   Point final, I’m a Christian, a sinner who seeks to follow Jesus Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

These days we get labeled all too easily.  For myself, I must admit that I do enjoy playing devil’s advocate.  Ideology which in and of itself has become a disease more deadly than cancer has crept into every facet of politics and religion.  In my opinion, this has become way more dangerous than Trump, Trudeau, gun laws, freedom, religion or any other hot button issue.  In short, we have lost the capacity to think for ourselves.

Case in point, years ago the priest at my Church was somewhat of a local celebrity.  A man, whom I believe was a sincere individual seeking to do the ‘good.’  While I may have disagreed vehemently with all he stood for, I never doubted where his heart was!  This man was a ‘social justice’ warrior.  A product of his time, whereby he sought to perhaps use Faith to right any perceived or actual wrongs that he saw.  To many, myself included he was true to his mission.  He helped out tons of people made an impact.  As far as his adherence was concerned, that was another story.  Nonetheless, I am mature enough to respect his opinions, although truthfully, I wish he would join a mainstream protestant denomination for the good of his own soul and others he may lead.  Then again, I will let God judge.

Recently, the mainstream media is doing intellectual backflips trying to find a smoking gun between Trump and Russia.  My opinion is simple.   Of course Russian intelligence interfered, just like every other country’s intelligence interfered.  Under Obama, the US interfered in Israel’s electoral process as well.  Don’t we remember the George HW Bush years?  How many South American governments were taken down backed by the US?  Why is this such an issue right now?  My opinion,?.. because it’s Trump.  So far nothing significant found to link anything.  (There is an awful lot of monkey business surrounding the democrats and Hillary Clinton rigging the primaries, yet the MSM seems strangely silent.)  Up next, they dug up photos of Trump with a porn actress and subsequent ‘hush’ money.  Well, honestly is anyone surprised really?  Yet, how much coverage did the uncovered photo and hush money regarding Barrack Obama and Louis Farrakhan get?..  http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/hidden-photo-of-obama-and-nation-of-islam-leader-louis-farrakhan-surfaces-after-13-years/article/2647117  . Hmmm… Years ago, Julian Assange was a hero to the ‘left’ as he exposed George W. Bush’s illegal war with Iraq,.. Now, he’s the scourge of the earth, because he is going after the ‘left?’  All valid questions…

To the right and to the left,.. Have we forgotten how to think?

To the right-wing;

Do you really need an AR-15 to hunt?  All that will be left is enough meat to make a keychain.  Why isn’t a ssberg Patriot enough?  Defense?... Fine!  A 9milimetre glock.  A semi automatic for defense?  Why not a bazooka or a tank?  I need a license to drive a car, so why are so many of you against registering your firearms? 

To the left-wing;

Is gun control or banning weapons the answer?  There is a reason, we call ‘bad guys, well ‘bad guys.’  Simply put, they won’t obey the law, and a black market will explode out of it.  The innocent will be deprived of the right to defend themselves.  Remember that Church shooting in Texas was stopped by a man with a gun.

These are two examples of complex issues plaguing today.  The reason I put these two opinions out there is simply to show that we need to listen to each other, get to know each other and finally as Christians, love each other.  We all desire the good, however sometimes our intellect may be darkened by modernist thinking, or still ego.  To those of us (I point the finger at myself) more ‘theologically’ oriented, we need to carefully listen to people with other ideas.  To see, that their heart may be in the right place, even if their intelligence isn’t.  To my friends on the left of the spectrum, learn to argue ideas, instead of knee jerk demonizing people.

To conclude, I’m working on a response to Joe Rogan’s opinion of Catholicism.  No I’m not triggered, but pray that time constraits may allow me to offer a rebuttal of certain pre conceived notions and stereotypes.  By the way, I welcome authentic discourse and rebuttals,.. I have many friends who disagree, but we do so in a climate of respect.  

God bless!

Trump'ed' Up or Out?

Thinking, clear thinking,.. Is it making a comeback?  Indeed it would seem that this new technological generation which has given way to 'alternative media' is effectively silencing the status quo with regards to global perspectives.  Who's right or wrong, or still which bio-ethical hot button topic of the day will become interwoven inside an editorial narrative put forth by ideologically engineered funding that suits their goal.  The 'right' and the 'left' has become so polarizing that any person channel surfing from FOX to CNN could find themselves battling schizophrenia.

Where do I stand?  I consider myself 'right of center' on socio economic issues, and perhaps the best definition is that I'm 'A classical english liberal.' (to paraphrase Dr Jordan Peterson.) I tend to 'think' with the mind of the Church, while keeping an open perspective to the plights of those not quite in agreement.  I try to see it from their angle, before offering a debate.  The classic example of people advocating homosexual unions inside the Church based upon a false sense of 'mercy' comes to mind.  The Theological argument shows Jesus as open to all, however there is a forgetting of His command to go and 'sin no more.'  (John 8;11)  From the secular perspective, the argument of what happens between two consenting adults falls short, when using their logic, incest between consenting adults would have to be accepted as well!  Otherwise we could invent a new term, calling them 'incestophobic!' (credit to Mark Dice for that one.)

As a Canadian, I eagerly watched the American elections, and I will admit despite being 'right of center' politically, once Trump won the Republican nomination, I was scared.  Despite being 'pro life,' I worried about the media perception of a madman with his button on the nukes.  Nonetheless, once he won, I found it curious that the media CNN, NBC and ABC were almost in overdrive trying to dump him.  Celebrities, (Meryl Streep) issuing pleas to 'stop the hate,' (All the while she applauded Roman Polansky) Madonna threatening to blow up the White House, and Rosie O'Donnell were a continuity.  To be clear, I was no fan of Hilary,.. However this anti-Trump stuff was well,.. demonic!  Why was there a double standard?  I started listening to Joe Rogan's podcast,.. More people speaking about 'pizza gate,' and a deep state.  Russia, etc...

We are a year into Trump's inauguration, and while yes he still remains a blowhard, I found it interesting that the media never reported other things.  The US economy is stronger than ever.  Granted the 'left' says its not because of Trump, however it is still happening under his presidency.  The illegal immigration issue.  Well my Grandfather was in a POW camp in Petawawa during war times,.So you ain't gonna get sympathy from me.  I remember arguing that Trump was being 'unChristian,' and the rebuttal the individual gave me was the media never uses the word 'illegal.'  I countered with, but we are a country (Canada) built on the backs of immigrants along with the french and english,.. 'Dude, do you lock the doors to your house at night? was his reply... Eeesh...Then I found out that Obama pretty much did the same moratorium a few years back.

A few questions,...

The whole Russia collusion.  Did Russia interfere?  Probably.  Doesn't every country's intelligence community attempt to meddle?  Didn't the Obama administration meddle in Israel's?  Then wasn't it Clinton who sold uranium to the Russians?  Comey and Mueller,..Are they not in collusion?  Is their a fake Russian dossier ordered by John McCain?  Eeeesh,...The plot thickens,..

Up next is the METOO movement.  It seems that Hollywood is ripe with sexual abuse of women and minors.  Yet the media hasn't spent much time questioning why Bill Clinton was on Jeffrey Epstein plane to his island.  All these women coming forward,.. The left takes advantage, but even this seems to fizzle out. 

Trump's sh%^hole comments,.. or alleged comments.  Apparently its hearsay.  If he did say it, he does expose himself as an ass, no question.  However name one person who hasn't spoken like this in private?  Does this comment rank in the same league as Slick Willy's bl%&job from Monica Lewinsky along with him lying under oath?  The media at the time stated that it had nothing to do with his capacity to run the country.  Fine.  Then comments that were allegedly said don't either, right?  Even Oprah, (who recently gave an election style speech) what about her comments regarding a generation 'needing to die.'  Ouffff...

My point in all of this is that I enjoy playing 'devil's advocate' especially in the face of a force-fed global narrative.  Trying to read, reread and balance everything from all sources.  A year ago, the news of the Christian bakery refusing to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple made headlines,.. So Steven Crowder decided to go into muslim bakeries asking for a wedding cake for a gay couple,.. Well he also got refused.  Its the Christians however who are the new targets! 

For my fellow Catholics,.. I leave you with this video of Trump,.. watch for yourself, then decide.

Credit to FOX news

**To the liberals who think I'm now a conservative,. just remember that I too was against the Iraq invasion and thought Julian Assange did right by exposing a false war,.. The difference is that I still think he is doing right by exposing another false narrative.**


God bless!

 

2 Years and Time to Close a Chapter.

It was two years ago,. I remember looking at the clock, my breath short, my heart racing, what the hell is going on?  (My first thought..),. Is this a heart attack?,.. (My second..)..Why can’t I think or breathe?  Why am I feeling like this,.. Why are my older parents helping me off the floor?  At that moment, I knew I needed some time, I needed to think and to re-assess.  I asked for some time, and they granted me all the time I needed.  (Take that for what it’s worth.)   January 4^th, 2016, .. The day that God reminded me that I’m human. 

Fast forward to now.  I recently met with the rector of the seminary, although not officially,.. He mentioned that I looked more ‘at peace.’  Perhaps?,. I work in the funeral industry, and I work as a Jiu Jitsu instructor,.. My question remains,.. What the hell happened?  The answer I guess is simple.  God wanted to get my attention, and His subtle attempts were being ignored, so He got a little more intense shall we say?,.

While two years removed from official formation, and having finished the intellectual component, I have no ill will toward my time discerning priesthood.  I still practice my Faith and perhaps have a more developed prayer life because of that time spent.  Priesthood is not a ‘dead issue’ but it is an issue of discernment, one that an individual with a bit of ‘traction’ needs to undertake with a similar formation team.  My sin remains my EGO.,. IT IS HUGE!  Perhaps this is why God took such drastic measures?  I will admit that most people will attain Heaven through the mercy of God ahead of me.  Why?,.. PRIDE!!!!  The Mother of all sins. 

While I may criticize the formation team, I can never criticize their zeal for what they believe to be ‘bare minimum’ with regards to Spirituality.  Jesus invites us to follow Him as in the Gospels, but sometimes we forget that the ‘follower’ and the followee’ are flawed and sinful human beings.  The seminary is not perfect, but as it stands and after much prayer, it is not an environment for men like me.  The excuse of ‘you don’t understand the Quebecois’ must eventually give way to common sense.  As was explained to me, I did well in Parish and my secret?,. An active prayer life!  Mass, Marian devotion and of course ‘morning prayer!’  

As I have said, and believe,.. I am not a ‘Traditionalist.’  In fact, I detest the term, as it denotes an ideological bent so to speak.  I am, however, ‘Traditional,’ if that is how you would like to describe me.  I remain a man convinced that God is calling,.. to what?  Not so sure anymore.  I guess that is normal?  I can never apologize for being ‘Alpha’ as you described me,.. I was raised by awesome parents in a traditional home, I can’t change that.  I’m heterosexual, and women will always remain a temptation for me, whether I discern Marriage or even a Consecrated lay state.  I speak as a man, and thus am able to draw parallels with those young fathers in the community, because I viewed Priesthood as just that, spiritual fatherhood.  I’m sanguine in my temperament, and can’t change that but can attempt to control it. 

As I bookend this post, I reflect upon going forward.  I remain a sinner, and in desperate need of Jesus’s redemptive Sacrifice.  At the same time, perhaps my writing can help others who are ‘like me’ and don’t feel welcome in the ranks.  I will say this,.. My name is Marco and I was never a bully, and I also was never bullied,.. until I entered formation. 

To conclude 2018 is all about smiling.  I will use my God given talents to continue to empower people in Jiu Jitsu, to smile and always accompany by the Grace of God, families searching for a sense of coherence at the death of a loved one!  Here is to positive vibes!!!!! 

God bless!

Venting and Reflecting

Dude, what happened?,.. This phrase all too common.  My life altered on Jan 4^th, 2016.  I suffered a nervous breakdown and requested some time.  Well, all the time in the world was accorded me and I in turn returned to a world, a scary world that I didn’t recognize.  The year precedent, I was in an awesome parish, vibrant, and fully convinced of my ‘call’ to priesthood.(in certain respects, I remain as such),. Fate perhaps, decided another path.  You see, I remain a sinner.  Arrogant, narcissistic, emotionally impulsive and perhaps unstable.  Perhaps I’m too self-centered, another vice that I need to work on.  One thing that is my strength however,.. I am no pu$$,.. err,. Let’s say ‘pushover.’ I was raised a certain way, in a traditional home where my father was my father, not my buddy.  He kicked my ass when I deserved it, and mentored and taught me in all things...  You get my point? 😉

The Church, Holy Mother Church, Her arms symbolic in St Peter’s square, seem to symbolize accompanying everyone.  Both on the ‘right’ and ‘left’ of the spectrum.  I considered myself neither, and strangely was convinced that even Jesus would find political terminology in His Church a little absurd.  I made and owned my decision, to the point where I still remember that the woman I was dating picked me up from ‘signing up’ and we went to eat Chinese food at a local place.  I made a tough choice.  I trusted God, it hurt.  Well,. It seems that even though I had a good report from Parish, my grades were good, I collapsed.  I’m 40, not married, no kids and with elderly parents. I’m in ‘panic’ mode.  Perhaps it was the forced fed ‘Pastoral’ theology Quebecois nonsense? (notice how I didn’t capitalize it?),. I tend to think so. 

I am an integrated man, and my call to chastity remained rooted in a prayer life no doubt, but also a proper physical regimen.  In other words, I would ‘beat’ my body into submission through rigorous training along with avoiding any sugar ‘estrogen building’ foods.  There are tons of beautiful women in Parishes, and the man discerning celibacy must be aware of these dangers.,.. Now I’m gonna address the elephant in the room.  Has the priesthood become the bastion or safe haven for all the men seeking to escape the world?  The ones who were harassed in high school, couldn’t get a girl and couldn’t hold down a job?  Or I dare say were homosexual men?  I went there! (Let’s put our cards on the table,. When the so-called pedo scandals reveal that 90 % of the abuse was committed by men seeking post pubescent boys,.it’s a homo issue at its core!)   I wonder,..  

Now forced to recommence dating, to negotiate a world that I had left, to do so with priesthood on my heart,.. to not have clear answers… Its all tough.  I continue to work in a pastoral dimension, perhaps this is what God is asking of me?,. I teach and train people in Jiu Jitsu, (They in turn become my children,..).. Where am I going?  On God knows and time will tell… In the meantime, this message is to all the men who thought they were bullied by men who ‘look’ like me… I’m sorry high school was rough, and although I was never bullied, I was never a bully either.  Perhaps to you, I was an ‘invader’ in your world.  All I wanted to do was follow God’s Will for my life.  As for the ‘pastoral’ theology, the reason men like me don’t excel at this, is simply because we don’t ‘think’ like women.  Men, whether they be priests or fathers, are called to a Spiritual fatherhood of heroic virtue, not of candy cane or Hallmark card emotionalism.  I’m sorry I’m being rough with you, but for men who were bullied, know that it was you who became the ‘bullies’ for men like me.  My crimes, not being into ‘singing’ and ‘painting’ and whatever else.  I wanted to lay down my life completely for Christ, but I clearly was not part of your clique.  Please do not say that I’m a clericalist, or  Have you cleaned feces from a homeless person?  Have you hugged a former or current prison inmate struggling with depression?  You don’t know me, and perhaps because I don’t give off the ‘Pink Unicorn Social Justice ‘Jesus’ you want, you decided to squash me.  I wish you no ill will or harm, but I pray and hope that you will leave us alone, not undertake marketing endeavours or otherwise spend diocesan money without addressing again, the giant elephant in the room… The FSSP and other Traditional communities are growing, the mainstream Church is aging,.. Is it not time to face reality?  

I feel better having gotten this off my chest!

God bless. 

Marco,  **former** seminarian.