Finding the Words

I have been mulling over the many recent events, trying to figure out what to say. I am baffled at how the world has come out to attack the Catholic Church. Though, when I think about it more, how can I really be surprised?

The Church has unwaveringly stood solid on the foundation of her teachings. Now, things like this HHS mandate are coming at her, and she does not back down. Eyes are beginning to open and see how strong she really is, even under tremendous pressure.

I have never been anything but Catholic my whole life. So, it is sometimes difficult for me to see where others are coming from when looking at these types of situations. I feel blessed to have my own "life reference book" -- otherwise known as the Catchechism of the Catholic Church. If I have any question about my faith, some answer can be found... and I don't stop there. I do not recommend living your life blindly accepting what is presented before you. I do my research to understand WHY my Church teaches what it does. The more I investigate, the more sense it makes. I used to be a "Catholic lite" where I would only look at the surface and only accept what I understood without finding any reason to search deeper for Truth.

Now, we are amidst quite possibly one of the most important election years to date. So many things are happening and I'm finding that we are being robbed of our freedoms... ever so slowly. The more government that steps in, the less say we have as citizens.

I have to say, I really am not a fan of politics. I get annoyed with all the fake politicians and people who are in it for the wrong reasons. But, when my freedoms are being threatened, I'll suck it up and do something about it. I am not going to mention any names right now, but I do wish to ask that if you are reading this... PLEASE think about what it would mean to vote for whomever you are giving your vote. Would that person impose more government or less? What would America look like after years of his or her policies?

We need more people who are willing to REALLY research candidates and not just accept what the media tell us. I think it is very important for everyone to vote. However, whatever you do, don't take my word for it - do your own research and really think about the impact you are making with your vote.

Freedom

Ronald Reagan is one of my favorite presidents. He speaks an excellent point on the topic of freedom:

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

As does the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI:

"True freedom blossoms when we turn away from the burden of sin, which clouds our perceptions and weakens our resolve, and find the source of our ultimate happiness in him who is infinite love, infinite freedom, infinite life."

It seems that much of our nation has forgotten what it means to have what we call freedom. Freedom is more than the ability to "do whatever you want." It is the ability to exercise the capacity to freely choose good. The Holy Father could not have spoken truer words. Sin is binding. The devil uses sin to cloud our minds and negatively influence our decisions.

You are never truly free until you detach yourself from the burden of sin. Think about it. If you think you are free but are unable to say no, is that freedom? This extends far beyond just sin. Are we free in America? Will it soon be illegal to not have healthcare? Is it illegal to take out student loans with anyone but the government?

Our freedom in America is slowly dying. I plan to help stop that from continuing. I love my country and on the day of its birth, I pledge to do whatever I can to preserve what this country was built on. I pledge to bring back the constitution and the principles our founding fathers believed in.

AND

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

And furthermore, I would like to share with you the end of the Declaration of Independence -- the document that was signed by 56 people 234 years ago:

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

We should all take the time to read over the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States on this day of our country's birth. We need to be reminded of what the flag stands for, what so many people have fought to defend and for what so many lives have been lost.

On this day, I am happy to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave. I am PROUD to be an AMERICAN.

The meaning of "Yes"

Did my 'yes' mean anything?

When you can't say 'no,' what does 'yes' mean? What value does it hold?

So many times in my life I have found myself in situations where I couldn't resist and just had to say yes. It was possible to say no, but I chose not to. However, in the same breath, there were times that - because of potential hurt to another person - I could not say no. Does this mean I had no choice?

This idea goes far beyond what one would think.

Every time I hear the question, "If you can't say no, what does your yes mean?" I think of Theology of the Body - when Christopher West poses the question in reference to the inability of the general populace to say no to sex.

However... as I have just said - this question goes far beyond Theology of the Body. This question could be applied to many occurrences in everyday life.

This question has made me consider many of the "decisions" I have made in the past. How can they be decisions if there were no options? A decision is defined as an inference of a selection of choices...

This is about all I have for tonight... er... this morning... ha.