How can the world “see” and “hear” if WE as Catholics are not clear?……Jesus was always clear…..What does that imply about how WE should be?

Today at Holy Mass he hear in the Gospel of St Matthew something very important…..”Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more is from the Evil One”…Jesus was ALWAYS crystal clear…There was no ambiguity in him…..You ALWAYS knew where Jesus stood…This is how we as Catholics need to be…This is ALWAYS how the Catholic Church MUST be…..The world should ALWAYS know where you stand…..Why?….When there is confusion…When there is ambiguity - People do one of two things…They use the ambiguity to rationalize personal agendas and sinful practices using the ambiguity as an excuse to “get away with it”…..Second, for those who are not formed in their Catholic faith, ambiguity affirms behaviors that need to change and it leads our people further into a life away from God….Once again - Jesus was ALWAYS clear…How can the Catholic Church be a light to the world if the world does not know where the Church stands?…..How can our people in the pews thrive if they are not taught clearly?…..How can our children be formed if they do not even know what it means to be Catholic and live in the state of grace?……People only know what they know - That means if our people are not formed in their faith - That is on us!…..Jesus tells us very clearly (once again) about how he feels about watering down the Catholic faith……“I know your works; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth”

“Incline my heart, O God, to your decrees; and favor me with your law”

There is nothing “pastoral” about not telling people the fullness of the Truth….To properly “accompany” people we must love them EXACTLY as they are, however people MUST know EXACTLY how you and the Church stands….And then you love them anyway….Giving a good example and offering authentic friendship - Partnered with a good example given consistently day in and day out, year in and year out - Then the Holy Spirit will “work on” the hearts of those you are “accompanying”….That is the proper definition of ecumenicalism and that is also the proper way to “accompany” those who have strayed from their Catholic faith…..Not telling someone the fullness of the Truth is not merciful…Nor does it help them….”Lowering the bar” NEVER helped anyone in ANYTHING!…..You give the example and love those who reject your example regardless of their rejection!…In time God will work in their hearts through your example…….For decades the Catholic Church in America has taken an approach that frankly has not worked….That does not mean there was a malicious intent in the approach the Church has taken…But the facts are the facts…The Churches are now empty - The “Spirit of Vatican 2” has failed miserably!….Its time to focus less upon the Church “relating” to the world on "the world’s terms" and focus once again on the transcendental nature of God, found in the Mass and the Sacraments…Once we recognize and embrace the sacred ourselves, then and only then will we impart what is sacred to the world….Our world THIRSTS for the transcendental - Whether the world realizes it or not……We must stop “feeding people” a watered down version of what it means to be Catholic…..Give them the “good stuff” and watch how they respond!

“He pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.”

Today we are reminded at Holy Mass…..”Let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes,' and your 'No' mean 'No”…That means be clear!….As Catholics we are called to be the light of the world….Jesus also tell us…..”A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father”…..How can the world “see” and “hear” if WE as Catholics are not clear?……Jesus was always clear…What does that imply about how WE should be?