Not Optimusmastro, musings of Marco Ep5

A lenten pep talk,.. I'm preachin' to myself as well!  Too often all of us 'social media' Catholics forget that the essential remains Jesus!

My Own Man.

Perhaps a controversial post regarding the last US election.  We have all and are all getting a little tired of it.  It seems that so many armchair political analysts are coming out of the woodwork to give an opinion.  To be clear, I am not a political ‘expert’ nor do I aspire to be one. 

Let’s be clear.  I don’t know Donald Trump.  I have never met him, I really don’t wish to meet him, nor do I wish to have a beer with him.  I don’t nor do I enjoy his twitter feed or his persistent outburst which are crude, and classless.  That being said, I do not subscribe to the constant media bashing, Hollywood ‘holier than though’ approach of left of centre millionaire social justice warriors crying at full blown crazy level.  My question for all out there remains this.  Like most people, I  thought Trumps’ candidature was a reflection of the state of politics in the US, but then came the Wikileaks dumps.  My opinion on who was worse changed.  Who is worse, Donald Trump, the sociopath and most probable ‘character’ that he plays on TV, or George Soros, the billionaire communist funding the Hillary Clinton/Obama machine?

All this talk about Russia, takes our eyes off the ball.   Whether or not Russia interfered in US elections does not change the fact that the content was clear.  As a Catholic, there was overwhelming evidence with regard to an infiltration orchestrated by the Clinton camp to subvert the Catholic Church at Her highest levels, initiate a Catholic ‘spring’ and finally topple Her, leaving a socialist/communist machine in its wake.  That is not to say that I’m a conspiracy theorist/’truther’ who denies 911, I am though a person who like any other human being is naturally curious and hard wired for Truth. 

The whole fake news issue has been around since the beginning of time.  We as human beings, through technology have gotten better at it.  Mafia leaders, politicians to philanthropists and special interest groups have constantly tipped the ‘media’ and balance of power in order to ensure that their preferred candidate or option comes out looking good.  Sooo,.. As much as Trump and the mainstream media are screaming Trump’s links to Russia, what about alternative right media’s discovery of an elite pedophile ring with ties to heavy duty politicians advancing a globalist agenda?  We can’t deny this, and the fact that social media is discovery this, the people who run the social media sites are also trying to curtail these stories.  Think about it this way,.. Milo Yiannopoulis had to resign from Breitbart because of controversial comments regarding pedophilia.  I agree 100% with firing him or forcing him to resign.  What he said was utterly disgusting and should be punished.  My question is why did not the same mainstream media come down on George Takai, who basically advanced the same opinion?  Couldn’t be that Milo who is nationalist must be punished while Takai, who is globalist gets a free pass?  This should make us all think…

The world is changing and gone is the traditional ‘right’ vs ‘left’ dichotomy, leaving in its wake, Nationalism vs Globalism.  The example of Britain’s exit from the European Union comes to mind (Brexit.)  Perhaps all is not what it seems to be and perhaps we have been granted a time of Grace? Who knows?

What am I saying?  To paraphrase the song from the California Raisins,. ‘Heard it through the grapevine,.. ‘believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see!’ – I’ve always been an independent thinker, neither ‘right’ nor ‘left’ but instead celebrating my independent ‘thinking’ self.  I don’t know all the answers, but I will never be a sheep to ideology one way or another!  I watch CNN, ABC, CBS, FOX, CBC, CTV, and Global.  Still I will supplement my information by watching online sources such as Rebel Media, Lifesite News, Mark Dice, Alex Jones Infowars, Church Militant TV, Next News Network  Joe Rogan podcast, and Steven Crowder.  After gathering all my ‘sources’ I will form an intelligent ‘opinion’ taking into account the sourced material being referenced.  I still will never call it Truth, simply because I will never know all the facts essentially because I am still receiving them 3^rd party.  In this light,.. Pontius Pilate’s quote to Jesus comes to mind,.. ‘Quid est veritas?’ 

I won’t post links, but instead invite all those who can critically ‘think’ to do just that.  If you find yourself on the ‘left,’ you find out that although the Christian refusing to bake a cake for a gay couple is a contrived media plot, considering that Steven Crowder proved that it is much harder to get a Muslim baker to bake such a cake!  (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgWIhYAtan4)  If your on the right, you may find out that Iraq had no weapons of ‘mass destruction.’ (I believe history has already proved this point,..).  What is the desired result is that you develop an independent thinking brain.  Devoid of all influence and instead is to be informed(So that you may form) by all these news stories, sites and opinions!  (Yes I posted one link, because well,.. its funny! :P )

God bless!

Introducing 'Not Optimusmastro,.. musings of Marco'

A little Youtube 'show' that I started for fun, but also as an outlet and chance for 'Confessions' readers to get to know a little about me! :)

Enjoy! 

St Joseph,....................... pray for us!

Ocram, from Bizzaroland speaks!,.. (He is mad at Marco,.. in a non judgemental way though!)

My name is Ocram, and well, I don’t believe in freedom.  Soooo many times I hear Marco, (who is nothing more than a chauvinistic alpha male/mysogenist) speak about Faith, weight training, fighting and,.. I can’t believe I’m gonna say this but gun ownership!  In Canada!  When hearing stuff like this, I need to run to my safe space where I pet kittens and baby seals for an hour.  Why?  Because this ‘triggers me!’ 

What is Marco’s deal with Catholicism?  I mean I like Jesus and think He was a special teacher!  He is equal to Guru Namako Muhammed Al-jafar, or still no religion, just spirituality,.. Unless its Gaia, the goddess of ecology and feminism!  The Church is archaic and backward!  I mean how dare Jesus rise from dead any more than any other wise ‘spirit teacher?’  That is male dominated and closed minded!!!Women too should rise from the dead!!!  Sheeeesh!!!  Back to the safe space to blow bubbles! 

Why does Marco always speak about ninjitsu or judorate or whatever promoting violence to young kids?  I mean if no one knew these things, or how to fight, the world would be so much better,.. I mean imagine dialoging with that guy who wants to mug you?  You know that he is most likely a white man (and Trump supporter!)  We could sit and have tea, then he would most certainly know the error of his ways!  Gaia bless him! 

Why does Marco support ‘freedom’ which naturally leads to ownership of firearms!,.. As in GUNS!  (Wait I need to get to my safe space in order to handle some play doh, and blow some soap bubbles while petting some kittens,.. Phew!,.. K,.. Better).   Imagina a gun free zone?  We could put up a sign indicating that this zone is gun free and well,.. criminals are not welcome!  (Marco thinks this that criminals would call this zone a ‘target range’ but what does he know?!) 

I have said my piece, and now, I’m gonna sip my Mocha Late Frappacappaccinespresso,. While listening to Moby and preparing some vegan food,.. 

Gaia be blessed,.

Ocram.

Elephants and Discernment

Ohhhh the elephant in the room.  First off, I’d like to begin by saying that we are sinners.  We all need redemption and must trust in the Sacraments established by Christ through His saving Passion, Death and Resurrection to enable us to get to Heaven.  Through this journey and that journey, no doubt we have all met many great humble and holy priests, religious and lay people.  For myself?,. Well, I am and remain a work in progress with probably more issues that they could help me with,  then I could ever help them.  Why am I writing this post?  Well because like most of my posts, it falls into a category of reality and honesty.  People, God’s people ask questions,.. So perhaps we together can shed a little light on the matter?  Here goes!

Human formation, the most important part of Pastores Dabo Vobis by Pope John Paul II.  Sadly, it is my opinion that this part has either been neglected or not taken seriously.  Recently, the community in Montreal was faced with an issue of pedophilia.  Once again, the media will leap to attack the diocese, yet this time the media has gone silent in this regard, because the Diocese under a faithful Archbishop has done everything in its power to co-operate with this investigation.  The underlying issue remains, why so many ‘cases’ in the priesthood?  Perhaps, this prayerful opinion (that is all it is) can shed some light.  Guys like ‘me’ constantly would face this question; ‘You don’t look like a … ‘  or still my favorite when you tell them that you are considering the priesthood,.. ‘You serious?  Are you gay?’  Well,.. These are the questions of God’s people.

Priestly celibacy and chastity are always tricky issues.  I can only speak for myself.  I have had relationships, a few.  When I used to work out of a gym, I was much closer to Charlie Sheen than I could ever have been to Jesus.  Still, prayer (along with corporal mortification such as fasting) enabled Grace to abide in me enough to resist.  Let me be perfectly clear,.. Left to my own devices, I am sinful and there are lots of beautiful women.  My character is seductive, charming and I have never had a problem ‘articulating.’  All this adds up to a dangerous combination.  Still, perhaps Jesus can use these charisms for ‘good’ for His glory and not my own?  That being said, Prayer, along with a good exercise routine enables me to ‘expel’ energy.  Energy that a healthy man of my age would possess and need to expel.  Does this mean I don’t miss women?  To paraphrase Stone Cold Steve Austin,.. ‘Ohhh hell no!’  There are days when mother nature tag teams with concupiscence and will stretch me to my limit!  Those days,. I can either pray (the Rosary especially) or I can fall.   Our Lord chooses the Cross for us, we don’t choose it for ourselves.   My issue would be no different to that of a married man being faithful to one woman, when our fallen nature clearly has our compass pointing elsewhere, despite it having nothing to do with Love!  (To my married buddies, this is not license to have an adventure, read and reread what I said!,.. You are pretty much no different than a celibate if your living it properly!)  That means ‘prudence’ must be exercised!  The woman at work, that her beautiful eyes are the second thing you notice?  The one that looks like she converved herself in butter to fit into that dress?   Maybe its not such a good idea to meet up with her alone at her place,.. If you smell what the Rock is cookin,.. ? 

This ‘interior’ life means a constant focus on the Cross.  Christ and Christ crucified, which one is seeking to emulate.  The notion of discerning a reality FAR greater than yourself is consistently present.  Quiet time contemplating Jesus and knowing that He may choose you to work through.  In plain speak, you will be a victim like Jesus, and you will also in a certain sense be co-responsible for the salvation of those under your care.  To be a little more clear, you will go to hell before your people will because you will have to account for why they may be lost.  ‘Remember that with great power, comes great responsibility!’  (Uncle Ben to Peter Parker).  This prayer life is your gasoline and sustenance.  (BTW,.. If you don’t know who Uncle Ben or Peter Parker is, and you need to google it, then YOU need a serious course in pastoral reality reflecting people under the age of 50!)  Holy Mass and the Divine Office become vital.

The next step of the interior life of prayer, is a relationship with Mary.  Should God call you to Holy Orders, you have no woman in your life, as in no wife.  You most likely will have no children.  You need a feminine to relate to.  Mary becomes a recourse to celibacy and chastity.  From this prayer life, we grow our virtues, and let God to transform us.  The minute we think we got ‘under control’ He will let us slip up and fall! 

The second issue, again, in my opinion is that the seminary could be construed as the ‘safe space’ for all the awkward dudes trying to hide from the world.  Either they were/are completely introspective, homosexual, perhaps they couldn’t hold either a job or a girl?,. Who knows but they may have seen the seminary as a great hiding place,.. Well your issues will come back up to bite you in the ass if you don’t deal with them.  Its that simple!  The ‘asterix’ with regards to this issue, is that often times the clergy can be made up of such people, people who don’t function and thus they will weed out the regular guys discerning or simply seeking to live out God’s Call to Holiness.   On the other hand though, is that Jesus’s disciples were all made up of regular ‘f#@k ups!’  Read or pray the Gospels!,.. Peter, (Our first Pope) remains a very **ahem** regular dude shall we say?

The stakes have changed.  Gone are the days when seminaries accepted the kid right out of high school, formed and taught him.  The guys arriving these days are guys with experience.  Men who have been with women and have held jobs.  Some of them are even fathers.   Perhaps this needs to be taken into account?  The awkward guys, if your vocation is real, trust in God but don’t play a game.  To the gay guys, pray about what you are doing, this isn’t your personal club med. (Although sadly in many areas of the Church it has become one).   Most people, have a hard time calling ‘pedophilia’ the majority of the crimes, simply because the OVERWHELMING majority of the victims are post pubescent boys.  Please pray and think about what you guys are doing.  Myself?  I could never become a chaplain at strip club with women dancing.  Human nature is weak, and I would fall.  Use and apply the same principles.  To the gay dudes,.. You guys,.. I love you but you are called to the same celibacy and chastity as the rest of us!  Please respect that.  

To conclude, as I reflect prayerfully upon these issues, the key to the vocation of any Christian is to love.  To love all of God’s children, as if they were are own.  The priest, like a good spiritual dad must be ready to wipe away tears, to admonish, to protect, to counsel, to discern all the while offering the Sacrifice of the Son to the Father.  For myself, constantly discerning,.. I remain a ‘work in progress…’

Our Lady of Fatima,  ………………………………..ora pro nobis!