Proud to be Catholic

Proud To Be Catholic

As Catholics, if we choose we can participate in the celebration of mass on a daily basis where we honor and thank the Heavenly Father throughout mass, offer our lives to the Father as well as thank Him for creating this beautiful universe we live in and for giving us His only Son, Jesus, in reparation for our sins.  When we receive the Holy Eucharist, we believe it is the precious body and blood of Jesus, one of the greatest gifts given to us by Jesus, God the Son. 

While honoring the Heavenly Father we Catholics thank him for the gift of our Blessed Mother, who gave birth to Jesus without remorse or worry about her reputation, which is still soiled by unbelievers. She truly sets an example of someone living life for the sole purpose of pleasing God the Father and doing His will, not by force or out of fear but by agreeing to do so out of love and reverence.

I believe as Catholics we honor and thank Jesus who sacrificed His life, also out of love for the Father and for all of us.  He overcame death, which enables each of us to share in the promise of eternal life with Him and His family if we so choose.  Lastly, we honor the Holy Spirit who fortifies our talents with gifts of grace needed to do God's work on earth.

During mass, we acknowledge God's Angels and Saints, who live their lives agreeing to do God's will with love and devotion. They are always interceding to God with and for us and/or extending helping hands whenever we ask God to send one of His helpers our way, which for most of us can be quite often.

I like to believe that we Catholics make Jesus happy when he sees how we honor his Father and Mother, when he sees us hold onto His example of appointing Popes to lead, teach and guide us. All countries and religions have leaders so I find it difficult to understand why so many constantly protest against our leaders. All of us are trying to continue the Father's work on earth so why don't some people respect the rights of Catholics and hopefully Catholics will respect the rights of others, as long as the common ground is to overcome evil with goodness and have the love of God triumph. Some of us are so busy fighting each other over minor issues that we are enabling forces standing for evil to become more victorious than those of us who are trying to stand for goodness.

As for the issue wherein men and woman choose to dedicate their lives to God as priests and nuns, why should anyone else tell them their choice is wrong, especially in this day and age when everything else is allowed and/or overlooked.  There is good and bad in every profession, so please realize that the bad priests are just like bad teachers, lawyers, cops, doctors, etc. and not judge a whole profession by the people who disgrace it.

I like to believe it makes Jesus proud to see us honor His Heavenly Father and Blessed Mother. Some Catholics believe one of the reasons we are looked down upon is because we honor Jesus' mother Mary as we do. This is another issue that makes no sense to me, because, how many people would not want their mothers to be respected and honored and what would they do to someone who doesn’t respect her.

I wish I could speak for all Catholics, but can only speak for myself. I would like to say Father, I believe most Catholics thank you for the gift of Mary the mother of your son, for your son Jesus and especially the sacrifice all of you made for us. I am sure you suffered as much as Mary and Jesus did and still do, especially when people still dishonor all of you.  I sometimes wonder what would have happened If only the crowd had been as merciful as you were with Abraham. I hope they did not disappoint you and change the history of the world.  At the same time Father, so many people are still disappointing you.  They continue to disbelieve in your son, or for that matter many don't even believe in You.  They desecrate Mary, the mother of your son, as well as desecrate your son and all that your family stands for, i.e. goodness, honesty, responsibility, caring about the poor, sick, elderly and unborn.

Sometimes I wonder if we thank you enough for your sacrifice. I hope we do not anger you by being cowards, who are afraid to profess our love, faith, trust and thankfulness in and for you, as your angels, saints and apostles do. We thank them for the examples they set, knowing they are always ready to intercede for and with us, whether on earth or in heaven, always eager to do your bidding. Father, I hope, someday the whole world will have as much love for our Blessed Mother as I believe you and Jesus do and will truly know, respect and love all of you with all their hearts and souls.