Stephen K. Ray's Blog, page 19
November 16, 2024
New Papal Preacher – Really!
POPE FRANCIS APPOINTS CONTROVERSIAL PREACHER
(CatholicVote) “Vatican analyst Luisella Scrosati has raised concerns over Pope Francis’ appointment of Capuchin Friar Roberto Pasolini as the new Preacher of the Papal Household.
“Fr. Pasolini has suggested that certain Biblical relationships — such as those between Jonathan and David or the Roman centurion and his servant — could be interpreted as homosexual.” On CatholicVote here: READ
The previous papal preacher was Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa who was appointed by Pope John Paul II. He retires, deservedly so, at 90 years of age this year.
He was the papal preacher for about 44 years. Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis respectively confirmed his position, and Pope Francis gave him the red hat in 2020. As he retires, I wonder what he thinks of the new preacher’s position on sexuality and characters in the Bible.
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November 7, 2024
Questions I Answered on Catholic Answers Live: “Debunking Biblical Myths”
Always great to join Cy Kellett and the Catholic Answers Live crew to discuss things important for our lives, the Church and the World.
Today we dealt with “myths of the Bible” — things that people think are in the Bible, but are really not. For example, when Jesus said “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get to heaven” was he referring to a gate in the walls of Jerusalem? Many think so, but we debunk this myth and many more.
https://catholicconvert.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ca241104a.mp3You can also read my article “Six Biblical Myths Debunked” published in Catholic Answers Magazine HERE.
Questions Covered:
Questions addressed in the intro: Did shepherds break the legs of wandering lambs? Is the “the eye of a needle” a gate? Is there significance to the “folded napkin” in the tomb of Christ? Does winter preclude shepherds from being in the fields on December 25? and more…17:33 – Should we take every word that Jesus said literally? Ex. Pluck your eye out if it causes you to sin.30:26 – What are your thoughts on a priest who claimed that feeding the 5 thousand was not literal?35:46 – What are your thoughts on Jonah?38:38 – I heard that the sponge they used to give Jesus wine on the cross was a sponge the Romans used to clean up after using the restroom. Is that true?45:40 – You guys are wrong about the eye of the needle — it was a gate.49:58 – Is the miracle of Jesus raising a man from the dead a prefigurement of his death?52:30 – Saul/Paul was given a new name at his conversion.53:12 – They used to swaddle lambs so it wouldn’t get blemished.The post Questions I Answered on Catholic Answers Live: “Debunking Biblical Myths” appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.
November 6, 2024
A Favorite Pilgrimage Priest’s Personal Invite to Join us for Divine Mercy Sunday with the Sisters IN POLAND!
The post A Favorite Pilgrimage Priest’s Personal Invite to Join us for Divine Mercy Sunday with the Sisters IN POLAND! appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.
“Trump Wins: Let the Work Begin”
I don’t agree with Eric Sammons at Crisis Magazine about everything, but I couldn’t agree with him more in his article “Trump Wins: Let the Work Begin.”
I think he summarizes the situation perfectly, especially for us Catholics and all Christians of goodwill. I suggest you read this short article which I have provided below.
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In spite of facing the most unhinged and vicious opposition from a plethora of powerful figures in government, media, academia, and other influential institutions in this country, Donald Trump has been elected to a second term as President of the United States.
From the moment he declared his initial run for the presidency in 2015, Trump has endured more attacks than any other candidate in memory. These attacks range from lies about his connections to Russia to literal attacks in the form of two assassination attempts, including one that left him bloodied on the ground (before he famously got back up and urged his followers to “Fight! Fight! Fight!”). The past eight years have been a steady drumbeat of accusations against him as being every form of evil, including “literally Hitler.”
But here’s a sobering thought: all those attacks will look like child’s play compared to what’s coming. Don’t for a minute think that Trump’s overwhelming victory—which proved that the American people decisively rejected the lies about him—will slow down his enemies. In fact, it will likely embolden them.
I predict that defeat will lead Trump’s opponents completely over the edge (if they haven’t already fallen over it). Every single day of a second Trump term will be filled with demented politicians and talking heads accusing Trump of the most vile evils. Every single governmental act by Trump will be compared to a Nazi pogrom. This is going to be ugly.
Fortunately, Republicans also won the Senate and will likely retain the House. This will at least allow Trump to enact some of his agenda (assuming the Republicans don’t fold in the face of opposition, as they have too often in the past). Hopefully congressional Republicans will finally realize that the attempts to demonize Trump by the Left are a failed project and they can be ignored without fear of losing the next election. You can only cry “Hitler!” so many times before people tune you out.
What I find most fascinating about the Trump victory, though, is the coalition he brought together to make it happen. This has been the most significant political realignment I’ve seen in my lifetime, even more so than the Reagan Democrats of the 1980’s. Trump’s win in 2024 does not look at all like his victory in 2016. While he retained his passionate base, his most prominent supporters this election cycle wanted nothing to do with him back in 2016. And I would argue we have Covid to thank for that.Trump’s win in 2024 does not look at all like his victory in 2016.Tweet This
To be clear, Trump was bad on Covid when he was President. And he’s never apologized for that, or even suggested that he was anything but “the greatest” when it came to his response to the pandemic. Yet the people who were the best at recognizing and opposing the tyranny that grew out of Covid all coalesced around Trump: RFK, Jr., Elon Musk, Tucker Carlson, Tulsi Gabbard, J.D. Vance, and Vivek Ramaswamy.
Five years ago every single one of these people, with the exception of Tucker Carlson, were opposed—sometimes vehemently—to Trump. Now they are his biggest backers. They don’t have a lot in common with each other, either. Yet now they all see Donald Trump as the best hope to restrain the creeping totalitarianism in our country. They support free speech; they oppose the forever wars; they oppose government programs making our children chronically ill. Most importantly, unlike the Woke Left, they don’t hate you and me.
To be clear, this new political realignment is a cause for concern for conservative Catholics, for it has put social issues like abortion and homosexual “marriage” on the back-burner. This is where our work comes in. We must convince the Trump Administration that true prosperity cannot come to our nation if we continue to slaughter the unborn and discard the sacredness of marriage. But the good thing about the Trump Administration is that, unlike the Woke Left, they will at least give us a hearing. Now we have to work to make that hearing count and truly make America great again.
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November 4, 2024
Michigan Catholic Voters Guide – I marked it up a bit…
The bishops of Michigan did a good job putting out a Voters Guide for Catholics in Michigan. I hope a lot of people read, study and follow their recommendations. I highly commend the bishops and the Michigan Catholics for putting this document out for Catholics, other Christians, and people of goodwill.
However, I marked it up a bit to:
Emphasize the really good pointsTo make some weak points strongerTo point out two matters I think were a mistake or could have been worded betterOf course, these are my opinions and not everyone may agree. But with the momentous election upon us it is important to vote correctly. Me and my family voted for Trump without any hesitation. We also voted for Republican Senators and House members and for conservative pro-life judges.
The alternative is too horrendous to even contemplate. Click here or on the image to see the whole voters guide.
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November 2, 2024
My Advice: How to Win People for Christ and his Church
People often write and ask for information on how to evangelize their friends, neighbors or co-workers. “How do I answer their questions?”
The assumption is often a request for the “silver bullet” that wins every argument. Sorry, but their ain’t no “silver bullet”.
Here was my response to an honest truck driver who meets people and gets in conversations about the Lord and his Church.
Dear Friend:
God bless you for your efforts and desire to serve the Kingdom and bring people to Our Lord and his Church. You are correct, there is no silver bullet, nor one answer that fits all situations.
I jokingly but honestly say God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. We should spend more time listening to the other person than talking in most cases. The key is love. If the person knows we really love them and care for them, enough to listen and invest in their lives, they will be open to our opinions and arguments. It seems to me you have already mastered this with your friend.
This is what we did with those 200 people. Many came over ready to fight and argue. We let them vent and talk. It not only gave them a sense of being heard, but also gave us time to analyze them and discover their real issues so we could address them — many times issues that the person didn’t even realize.
It is important to find out what issue is their main concern, theologically speaking. It is important to stick with one topic and not let them say, “Yeah, but what about Purgatory?” You say, “Let’s stick with the topic at hand until we get to the end of that discussion.”
Yes, and homework is the only route that makes you an apologist or evangelist. Practice and don’t worry about answering wrongly or not knowing what to say. No shame in saying, “That is a good question! Let me look into that and get back to you.” People respect that.
There is an embarrassment of riches for us today. When I converted 30 years ago resources like books, audio, podcasts, etc. were not readily available. God bless your efforts.
By the way, my talks are probably a good source. Not trying to sell stuff but since you drive a truck you have time to listen. I now have 33 of my most popular talks on a flash drive with USB and USB C which plugs into anything.
It includes my talk Evangelism 101 and Apologetics 101.
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October 27, 2024
What it Inflation? It is not rising prices which is only a symptom – 5-minute video
What Is Inflation? This is an excellent 5-minute explanation that few Americans understand.
They think it is rising prices which is not inflation but only a symptom. Very good video!
https://www.prageru.com/video/what-is-inflation
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October 25, 2024
Life is Short – it flies by in a blink
Now that I am 70 years old, this rings so true. I still think of myself as 25, but I am not. It all rushed by in a blink. Life is short, eternity is long. Prepare well – and soon!
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“Debunking Six Biblical Myths” – My Interview with Fr. Robert McTeigue SJ
This week I had a delightful interview with Fr. Robert McTeigue SJ “Debunking 6 Biblical Myths”, plus we added a 7th about the multiplication of loaves and fish. Hope you enjoy it. My interview starts at 2:00 minutes into the recording.
http://sites.libsyn.com/286598/six-biblical-myths-debunked-steve-ray-102224
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October 21, 2024
Today is the Feast Day of Pope St. JP II – Two videos of Steve Ray on Fox News at his funeral
I had been a Catholic about 10 years, and Fox News contacted me to discuss the life and death of the great Pope John Paul II. Kind of fun for me to watch/listen to these again. I wanted to get the news out about his great life, but also how I discovered the beauty of the Catholic Faith.
Each one is about 4 minutes.
The post Today is the Feast Day of Pope St. JP II – Two videos of Steve Ray on Fox News at his funeral appeared first on Defenders of the Catholic Faith.
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