Malchus, Religulous, and Idols!

In this past week I was able to accomplish everything I needed to do, except for one trivial thing. Writing a paper, finishing the psych evaluation, and begin reading for our Moral Theology course part deux.

Now on the topic of Malchus. Malchus is the slave that St. Peter cut his ear with a sword in the garden of Gethsemane. So what is the significance of Malchus? Well this week my son and I had a verbal exchange on the Catholic faith. Deep down inside he is a believer but doesn't practice. When the conversation got a little heated I kind of pulled out my sword and cut off his ear, not literally of course. A day later it dawned on me what I had just done and I couldn't help but think of this occurring in Scripture. I was also thinking about how our Holy Father is calling us to be respectful of those of other faiths and those who don't practice or believe. I reflected on what I had done and asked my son to forgive me for the way I treated him. I was thinking about how if we cut off the ears of those we are trying to reach, how in the world are they ever going to hear "The Good News".

My son then asked me to check out the movie Religulous. Yeah, the one with the comedian who is sharing his view that the Bible and Jesus are all stories packed together to fit nicely. In the spirit of keeping an open mind I took the challenge. Number one, I didn't like the movie for obvious reasons. I thought in the spirit of Malchus I would just pray for this man and for all who are still searching. Second, I told my son I watched it and he thanked me for keeping an open mind. I told him next I need for him to do something for me. I haven't completely figured out what I will share with him. I thought I would leave it up to the Spirit to move me.

Idols! We all remember those Old Testament people who just couldn't get enough of the golden calves, etc. Those days are over right? Wrong! Again our Holy Father had something wonderful to say about this............

 

 

"We have to empty ourselves of the many small or great idols that we have in which we take refuge, on which we often seek to base our security. They are idols that are sometimes well hidden; they can be ambition, a taste for success, placing ourselves at the center, the tendency to dominate others, the claim to be the sole masters of our lives, some sins to which we are bound, and many others.

 

This evening I would like a question to resound in the heart of each one of you, and I would like you to answer it honestly: Have I considered which idol lies hidden in my life that prevents me from worshipping the Lord?" 

Pope Francis.

 

 

So there it is folks, one week gone by and on Monday evening we begin our final course for year three!

 

God Bless you all!

 

 

Bonjour et Adieu mes Amis,

 

Mitch