God Is LOVE

[Nunsense]

Life Site News: How can the Church really help all those concerned: abandoned spouses, children of legitimate marriages who are hurt by the divorce of their parents, people who are struggling with homosexual tendencies or who have in a way let themselves be “trapped” into an illegitimate union? And what should our attitude be: the attitude of the faithful?

Cardinal Burke: What the Church can do, and that is the greatest act of love on the part of the Church, is to present the teaching on marriage, the teaching that comes from Christ’s very words, the teaching which has been constant in the tradition, to everyone, as a sign of hope for them. And also, to help them to recognize the sinfulness of the situation in which they find themselves, and at the same time  call them to leave that sinful situation and to find a way to live in accord with the truth. And that’s the only way the Church can help. That was my great hope for the synod: that the synod would hold up to the world the great beauty of marriage, and that beauty is the truth about marriage. I always say to people: indissolubility is not a curse, it is the great beauty of the marital relationship. This is what gives beauty to the relationship between a man and a woman, that the union is indissoluble, that it is faithful, that it is procreative. But now one almost begins to get the impression that somehow the Church is ashamed of the very beautiful treasure which we have in marriage, as God made man and woman from the beginning.

​Burke presents his content much better than Voris but I do call exception to the statement in bold (my emphasis). I don't think that this is the ONLY way the Church can help, although I do agree that it is ONE way the Church can help. But once again, presentation is very important to convey content, especially important content.

 

[Nunsense]

Pope Francis says that we need to lead by example not words.

 

 

[Nihil Obstat]

​Burke presents his content much better than Voris but I do call exception to the statement in bold (my emphasis). I don't think that this is the ONLY way the Church can help, although I do agree that it is ONE way the Church can help. But once again, presentation is very important to convey content, especially important content.

 

I think Burke's point stands as he said it, because without that call to repentence,  every effort is worthless and in vain. 

[Nunsense]

I think Burke's point stands as he said it, because without that call to repentence,  every effort is worthless and in vain. 

​Well, I like the way Pope Francis says it better. Example, not words. But that's my preference.

[Nihil Obstat]

​Well, I like the way Pope Francis says it better. Example, not words. But that's my preference.

When people say that they tend also to imply that someone using words lacks action.

[Nunsense]

When people say that they tend also to imply that someone using words lacks action.

​Well he also states that words can be meaningless because there are so many of them these days. Voris doesn't particularly seem to be an example of God's love, although he does have plenty of words. Burke is certainly not offensive in his words, like Voris (to me I mean) but he does come across as less of an example of God's love than Francis. But I accept that we all respond differently to different methods of presentation. don't get me wrong, I like Burke, I even knew him when I lived in St Louis and he was Archbishop there. But his style isn't as appealing to me as Francis' is. It's a bit like the Pope thing - some people preferred JPII, some Benedict and some Francis. Variety is God's spice of life. 

[Nihil Obstat]

But it would be extremely wrong to infer that Cardinal Burke is lacking in the ability to set an example of Christ's love simply because you do not prefer his instruction. Which, I think we should bear in mind, is his solemn obligation as a pastor of countless souls.

[Nunsense]

But it would be extremely wrong to infer that Cardinal Burke is lacking in the ability to set an example of Christ's love simply because you do not prefer his instruction. Which, I think we should bear in mind, is his solemn obligation as a pastor of countless souls.

​Well, I don't think I said or inferred that he is lacking in the ability to set an example of Church teaching. I think I was implying that his example is not one that I relate to. Once again, it comes down to presentation style. Please don't infer so much that you end up accusing me of things I haven't done or said. I think I have been pretty clear about the fact that I agree with the importance of the content, but that the presentation makes a big difference as to how someone receives that content (my meme about reading out PowerPoint slides is an example of poor presentation - no matter how good the content, it bores everyone to death). I don't want to get into specifics of presentation because it is a very personal type of preference for most people, depending a lot on their own background and previous experiences etc.

I am trying very hard not to judge you for your choices. Please don't do it to me.

 

[Nihil Obstat]

I did not say you did. Though you did say it about Michael Voris, which in my mind is presumptuous.

 

The thing is, my preference does not matter, and nor does yours. What matters is saving souls, speaking truth, and sanctifying the world. No matter how much you dislike his presentation, whatever that really means, if he is speaking the Truth, living in service to Christ, striving for righteousness, bringing Faith, Hope, and Charity into our bleak world, then he does his duty. Whether or not we like his presentation, Cardinal Burke *is* doing precisely that. I think that is undeniable.

[Nunsense]

I did not say you did. Though you did say it about Michael Voris, which in my mind is presumptuous.

 

The thing is, my preference does not matter, and nor does yours. What matters is saving souls, speaking truth, and sanctifying the world. No matter how much you dislike his presentation, whatever that really means, if he is speaking the Truth, living in service to Christ, striving for righteousness, bringing Faith, Hope, and Charity into our bleak world, then he does his duty. Whether or not we like his presentation, Cardinal Burke *is* doing precisely that. I think that is undeniable.

​Of course our preferences matter. What good is it to speak the truth to anyone if you present it in a way they can't receive it? My preference matters, so does yours, and so does that of everyone else. 

I didn't infer it of Voris either, simply that I dislike his presentation to the point that he doesn't appear to be an example to me. Perception may not be reality but it certainly has an effect on our view of reality.

As for Burke, he is doing his duty, but he could improve his presentation if he wanted everyone to hear him. But then he obviously does appeal to many, so perhaps it is impossible to expect anyone to appeal to everyone. Even Pope Francis doesn't appeal to everyone. That is why I said that God provides us with so much diversity. Benedict didn't appeal to everyone either. That's my point. 

[Nihil Obstat]

No, preferences do not matter. If Cardinal Burke speaks the Truth and does as Christ commands, and brings souls to Christ, it does not matter the tiniest bit if anyone likes him or his 'presentation'. We care about God's will for us, not human respect, and we should prefer to die hated and alone but with God's friendship rather than well liked, respected, but far from God.

'Presentation' matters only insofar as it corresponds with supernatural Charity. If (and when) likeable presentation causes us to compromise Truth, it is to be left by the wayside.

[Nunsense]

No, preferences do not matter. If Cardinal Burke speaks the Truth and does as Christ commands, and brings souls to Christ, it does not matter the tiniest bit if anyone likes him or his 'presentation'. We care about God's will for us, not human respect, and we should prefer to die hated and alone but with God's friendship rather than well liked, respected, but far from God.

'Presentation' matters only insofar as it corresponds with supernatural Charity. If (and when) likeable presentation causes us to compromise Truth, it is to be left by the wayside.

​Well I disagree but obviously there is no point in discussing it any further. dUST made a point about presentation. I feel in good company and don't mind letting it lie here. We aren't really having a discussion anyway just an endless repetition of our opinions. Peace out.