22 And he went through the cities and towns teaching, and making his journey to Jerusalem. 23 And a certain man said to him: Lord, are they few that are saved? But he said to them: 24 Strive to enter by the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, shall seek to enter, and shall not be able. 25 But when the master of the house shall be gone in, and shall shut the door, you shall begin to stand without, and knock at the door, saying: Lord, open to us. And he answering, shall say to you: I know you not, whence you are.
Luke 13: 22-25
John Lennon more popular than Jesus Christ?
I can’t imagine that.
Imagine there’s no Jesuits
It’s is if you try
No heresies flourishing around
No divisions too
Well, this is making the whole Galileo affair seem much less embarrassing.
Most everything this Pope does or says is screwed up. At a recent audience, he said that gluttony distorts God’s gift of our daily bread in the Lord’s prayer, and that really bothered me because being overweight is something with which I struggle.
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-01/pope-at-audience-continues-on-vices-and-virtues.html
With his gelatinous mass, he’s one to talk about gluttony. Look, I understand many of us have issues with obesity. I raise my hand on that one. After a year of effort at exercise and dieting, my BMI is finally in the overweight category instead of the obesity category. I also understand how age and pre-existing medical conditions affect this. I have an 80 plus year old friend very obese and with medical issues (including a severe respiratory condition and like me, diabetes and a cardiac condition). He came to the house a month ago and observed me sweating my fat a$$ on my stationary bike (i.e., morning 4 mile walk, lunchtime weight lifting, evening 15 miles on the bike). Well, he bought a recumbent stationary bike. He now does 10 miles three times per week under doctor’s supervision. It takes him forever to do the 10 miles, and he’s got oxygen backup. But he does it! Guess what! He’s losing weight! Surpise, surprise!
Therefore, I got no pity for that fat Pope and his hypocrisy. His statements about gluttony, hell, homosexuality, social justice, the environment, etc. ad nauseam are all crap. Indeed, anything further I have to say about him should be said only within confines of the hull of a submerged nuclear submarine where you guys can’t hear it.
A rational immortal human soul without heaven or hell does not exist. An immortal soul after death has nowhere to go. That would be Utopia. An immortal human soul wants the Beatific Vision of God.
“I will spend my heaven doing good upon the earth.” “I am not dying, I am entering into life.” St. Theresa, the Little Flower.
I believe John Lennon wanted heaven on earth…the Garden of Eden. All excet the Immaculate Conception lost that.
BTW John Lennon died on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Quote the Gospels, refute Francis. It’s easy.
Lucius – I’m not svelte either, but gluttony has always been held as a vice, and it’s entirely appropriate to the teaching office of the Church that the Pope talk about it. God forbid that priests only preach about vices they never struggle with. Also, despite what the Vatican News article said, the Pope never said that comment about “our daily bread” in his Audience.
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2024/documents/20240110-udienza-generale.html
Thanks for the correction, Pinky. Nevertheless, people who struggle with things like gluttony and obesity (that’s my 80 year old friend and I) are trying to do something about it. It’s not enough to condemn those given to the vice. A way out must be provided, in this case: diet, exercise, and following physician’s direction. From my perspective, this Pope doesn’t do anything but pontificate to make himself look righteous. And really, if everyone is going to heaven as this Pope apparently believes, then why not be gluttonous to heart’s content? Truthfully, I get more help with overcoming my vice for gluttony from my doctor and my wife than I ever have from any cleric: Catholic, Protestant, or Orthodox.
Be with me Jesus in these times of trouble. Amen
Excess weight isn’t the same as gluttony. If I had to give an archetype of a glutton, it’d be Frasier Crane. He’ll go to any length or expense for pleasure. That’s an inordinate attachment. A big gut isn’t a good sign, but it’s not necessarily proof of gluttony.
Weight loss is one of my New Year’s resolutions. It’s medical and physical, although in my case at least there’s some lack of willpower involved. Weight loss is also a master class in patience, so it’s an opportunity to build virtue in that regard. Best of luck in your and your friend’s effort as well
Concur, Pinky. Good luck on your New Year’s resolution. It took me a whole year to get results. But God has been merciful. Just ask Him for help. Lord Jesus, let me cycle one more mile, row one more kilometer, bench press one more repetition, and help me avoid overeating. I am diabetic with stents in multiple cardiac arteries, and I can tell you that God will answer prayer.