06 Aug 24 – How to Fight Hedonism in the Olympics

[0] Welcome to the Bishop Strickland Hour.

[1] My name is Terry Barber with Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[2] Yes, I'm wearing my school of Sheen.

[3] Bishop Sheen, I think the world of that man, so I thought I want to promote him.

[4] Bishop Strickland, I want to thank you again for sharing the gospel with our listeners a couple times a week here on Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[5] Glad to do it, Terry.

[6] I'm glad to join you.

[7] Trust me. Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration, one of the mysteries of the rosary.

[8] And we have a reading from the Gospel of Mark chapter 9, verse 2 to 10.

[9] So if you could read the gospel and give us a little catechesis, a little teaching on that, we'd appreciate it.

[10] Sure.

[11] A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

[12] Jesus took Peter James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.

[13] And he was transfigured before them.

[14] In his clothes, became dazzling white, such as no fooler on earth could blitz them.

[15] Then Elijah appeared to them, along with Moses, and they were conversing with Jesus.

[16] Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, Rabbi, it is good that we are here.

[17] Let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.

[18] He hardly knew what to say.

[19] They were so terrified.

[20] Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them.

[21] From the cloud came a voice.

[22] This is my beloved son.

[23] Listen to him.

[24] Suddenly looking around, they no longer saw anyone but Jesus alone with them.

[25] As they were coming down from the mountain, he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, except when the son of man had risen from the dead.

[26] So they They kept the matter to themselves, questioning what rising from the dead meant, the gospel of the Lord.

[27] Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[28] Well, Terry, this is really one of my favorite mysteries of the rosary and of just passages from the gospel.

[29] This image of Christ transfigured, letting Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of.

[30] of his reality.

[31] And I think it's important as we read this passage to realize what Jesus is showing them is who he's always been.

[32] And he became incarnate on this earth.

[33] The star that pointed to him in Bethlehem, just as he was born, was a star pointing to the glorious son of God present in the world.

[34] So I think that's an aspect of the transfiguration that we really need to really reflect on and embrace to be amazed and in awe of the reality that the eternal son of God is there teaching and healing and walking with his apostles all this three years of his public ministry.

[35] The Feast of the Transfiguration comes closer to the end of that ministry.

[36] And as it says, he is giving them a glimpse of the reality that he will rise from the debt, giving them the strength to be able to experience that.

[37] And it acknowledges they were terrified.

[38] And I think that's a very reasonable reaction to seeing Jesus manifesting who he actually is, the son of God that they've been walking with.

[39] That profession of St. Peter in a different passage in the gospel, you're the Christ, the son of the living God.

[40] This transfiguration really demonstrates that.

[41] And God's voice from the heavens, similar to the voice coming when Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist.

[42] This is my beloved son.

[43] Listen to him.

[44] Really, Terry, that's the message of God, the father to Peter, James, and John, and to all of us.

[45] And we need to ask ourselves, as humanity in the world today, as the church, are we listening to him?

[46] Moses and Elijah, those great prophets of old, two key figures of the Old Testament.

[47] Moses really guiding the chosen people into their freedom from slavery in Egypt, symbolically, guiding the people away from sin and death that is that we're imprisoned by, as Christ frees us from that, certainly we see Moses as a prefiguring of the work of Jesus Christ, the son of God.

[48] Moses isn't God, but he has significant.

[49] encounters with God.

[50] And so it's appropriate that Moses and Elijah, one of the great prophets, those are the two that Jesus is conversing with as the scene of the transfiguration of Christ unfolds.

[51] And I think it's also significant to look at Peter, James, and John.

[52] I love to imagine what the other nine were thinking.

[53] Where's Jesus?

[54] Where are Peter, James, and John?

[55] What's going on?

[56] How come they're there and we aren't?

[57] I can imagine because we see that human reality of the other apostles and other circumstances where once again, the mother of Peter and James, the sons of Zebedee, I mean, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, She says, hey, get the first spot for my sons in your kingdom.

[58] And Jesus says, that's not mine to give.

[59] That's for the father.

[60] And he asked them significantly, can you drink from the chalice that I will drink from?

[61] And they say, oh, yeah, yeah, we can.

[62] But even then they don't really know what they're answering to.

[63] But that's James and John and Peter here in the in this scene of the transfiguration.

[64] I can imagine the other disciples.

[65] Imagine Judas, who would ultimately betray him, may be wondering.

[66] I mean, it's just imagination, but these were real men in real human circumstances.

[67] And the gospel gives us good information that they had some of the human rivalries and the questions that any group of 12 men are likely to have.

[68] But if we look at what happens to Peter, James, and John, Peter, of course, becomes the first pope.

[69] The Petron office is established on him, the rock that Jesus has chosen to be the first pope.

[70] And of course, Peter dies crucified upside down, indicating he's not equal to Christ, but he dies in a very similar way.

[71] The scriptures tell us that St. James, the greater, was the first of the apostles to die.

[72] He was beheaded after his missionary work in Spain.

[73] And John, though he doesn't die, a martyr's death, he lives to be an old man and continues throughout his life to proclaim the gospel and writes the beautiful.

[74] gospel of John, the letters of John, and the book of Revelation.

[75] And so these three, I guess the spiritual message that I think we all need to reflect on and pay attention to for Peter, James, and John being spoken for this wonderful grace and privilege of being there when Jesus is transfigured, that grace and blessing is also a great responsibility.

[76] And as Peter James and John were being strengthened in order to keep the faith, even as Jesus died and then rose, and they struggled even there.

[77] They were strengthened, but they weren't the strongest still.

[78] Peter denies Jesus, but then ultimately clings to him and believes in his resurrection.

[79] So Peter, James, and John, I think, are great reminders to us that, as we both we've talked about before, of those who have received much, much will be expected.

[80] That is the truth of the gospel.

[81] And I think all of us need to recognize the blessings we've received, come with responsibilities, and come with a cross when we follow Jesus Christ.

[82] So we're in good company, if we feel that way sometimes, because we're faithful followers that we take up a cross, as Jesus asks us to, Peter, James and John did as well.

[83] And certainly all of the 12, they had their crosses to bear in the 11 that remained faithful bore their crosses, most of them, with dying for the name of Jesus Christ, this one who is.

[84] is transfigured.

[85] So I think this gospel passage really teaches us a lot to remember.

[86] And finally, as we're celebrating this Eucharistic revival that hopefully continues for all of us beyond the Eucharistic Congress that is over, that it's a reminder that the very same Jesus who is transfigured on that mountain, speaking to Moses and Elijah, is present with us at every mass. Really, Terry, I think that that emphasis is something we've got to continue to strengthen in each of our lives and in the life of the church, because it is the same Jesus to whom the father says, or of whom the father says, this is my beloved son.

[87] Listen to him.

[88] We all need to hear those words echoed as we go to Mass. And for me as a priest and for every ordained priest, we really need to embrace that deeply into our hearts.

[89] The very same Jesus is the we're celebrating at the Eucharistic altar.

[90] Powerful, powerful.

[91] When we come back, we'll talk a little bit about what happened in Paris, France, at the Olympics.

[92] Stay with you.

[93] And now back to the Bishop Strickland Hour.

[94] Welcome back indeed.

[95] We're going to talk, people have been talking about this Olympics ceremony that was depicting the Last Supper, you know, as a blasphemous event.

[96] And I agree with that.

[97] I want to encourage people to let our country know about how upset we are about this.

[98] You can call the U .S. Olympic Committee at 800 -775 -870.

[99] 762.

[100] I called them this week, and they promised they would call me back.

[101] Well, they didn't call me back, so I'm hoping it's because their lines are just inundated with complaints, I hope.

[102] Or you can go to the website, Foundation at usopc .org.

[103] Write your letter.

[104] We're talking about reparation.

[105] Yes, we need to do it all, but I still think we need to voice our opinions on these things.

[106] But Bishop Strickland, One of the things I saw just yesterday came out that the girl, the lesbian in the center of the blasphemous Olympic ceremony says she was portraying an Olympic Jesus.

[107] So she knew there was that connection of the Last Supper.

[108] You know, some people were saying, well, that's just your interpretation.

[109] No, that's just it.

[110] The gentleman who was a choreographer is a open homosexual and he said, I did this because I wanted all people to be welcomed.

[111] Well, again, Bishop Strickland, you spoke out quickly about it.

[112] You also tweeted an article from a priest, Father Thomas G. Unendi, he's a Franciscan O .F .M. And I thought his article that you tweeted was outstanding.

[113] I mean, it was like he said it all.

[114] So if you could read the letter and then give us commentary, I think it's going to give us a lot of things to consider doing as a response to this in reparation and also speaking out for the truth on this.

[115] So if you could read this article and give commentary, I'd appreciate it.

[116] Sure, Terry.

[117] I think it is very significant.

[118] I'm glad that many bishops and others have spoken up.

[119] And we need to.

[120] Yes.

[121] As has been said, not because our feelings are hurt as Christians, but because this is blasphemous toward the Son of God and church.

[122] And, you know, I think we shouldn't miss the fact that it comes on the heels of the Eucharistic Congress that beautifully reminded us of the sacred gift of the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

[123] So let me begin this article.

[124] Many people, including Catholic bishops and numerous Christians throughout the world, have condemned the blasphemous event that took place during the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in Paris.

[125] As almost everyone now knows, there was a mocking display of the Last Supper, where Jesus was portrayed as an obese female dressed in white.

[126] She was surrounded by a gaggle of drag queen apostles, and a young girl was also, we should worry, why, included in this hypersexualized and sacrilegist depiction.

[127] Amidst all the condemnations and claims of the display's offensiveness was not, what has not been stated even by Christians is that those who planned, orchestrated, and perpetrated such a blasphemous portrayal, unless they repent, will not die happy death.

[128] At the very moment of their death, they will be about to face the very one that they blasphemously mocked and demeaned.

[129] And contrary to the sentimentalized Christianity of many today, Scripture itself tells us that he will be their judge, the holy and risen.

[130] Lord Jesus Christ.

[131] Terry, I think that those couple of paragraphs need to be highlighted because it's a reminder to all of us that it's the Lord Jesus Christ and depicted in this blasphemous hyper -sexualized.

[132] I mean, there's just nothing really positive about it.

[133] Even if it hadn't been depicting Jesus at the Last Supper, the imagery and the kind of connotations of it are debauchery right there on display at the Olympics, which are an international worldwide event that should uplift humanity and not drag us further down.

[134] So I think that this priest, and that's why I tweeted it, this priest is brave enough to say what we believe that if God, if you are blaspheming God and you don't repent of it, all of us can repent.

[135] And we have to pray that the people who did this, the people who were in this depiction, that everyone repents.

[136] But if they don't, then they face the consequences of facing the very Jesus that they have blasphemed and mocked.

[137] So let's continue reading this article.

[138] Moreover, God the Father will not allow His beloved incarnate Son Jesus Christ to be blasphemed.

[139] France, and particularly Paris, and maybe even the Olympic Games themselves, will not go unpunished.

[140] Jesus declared to his disciples, truly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men.

[141] And whatever blasphemies, they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.

[142] And for they had said, he has an unclean spirit.

[143] Although all sins can be forgiven, even blasphemy against God.

[144] Yet to blaspheme against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven.

[145] What is this blasphemy against the Spirit?

[146] And why can't it be forgiven?

[147] To blaspheme against the Holy Spirit is to deny that Jesus is the Spirit -filled Messiah.

[148] Unbelieving Jews declare that Jesus was possessed by an unclean spirit, the devil.

[149] And in so doing, they blasphemed the Holy Spirit, who dwelt within Jesus in all of his fullness.

[150] To blaspheme the Holy Spirit is to deny that Jesus is the Father's beloved incarnate Son.

[151] Again, such blasphemy, the Father will never tolerate, but eternally condemned.

[152] Now, did those who made mockery of Jesus and his apostles not know that Jesus is the Spirit -filled Messiah?

[153] The answer to this question is no. If they didn't know, what they did may be unseemly and tasteless, but they would not, because of their ignorance, be guilty of the unforgivable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

[154] However, it is precisely because they did know that Jesus is the father.

[155] there's incarnate, spirit -filled son that they mocked him.

[156] And so blasphemed the Holy Spirit.

[157] Contempt was the whole point of their blasphemous betrayal.

[158] I think that is significant also, Terry.

[159] We need to acknowledge that this was intentional.

[160] Even the stuff that's come out since trying to act as if it wasn't.

[161] But as you pointed out, some of those in this depiction said themselves, oh yes, we knew we were depicting Jesus.

[162] And so we have to pray for them.

[163] But I think we need to kind of relearn as Christians.

[164] Other people of other faiths do a better job of defending the sacred.

[165] That doesn't mean attacking.

[166] We should never attack anyone.

[167] But it does mean standing for the truth and recognizing, like we've said many times before, Terry, real love is to call people to the truth to allow those who depicted this scene and who laughed at it and were entertained by it to just go on without being called to repentance that isn't love, that isn't even respect.

[168] They supposedly want everyone to feel welcome, but what they're doing is welcoming everyone to the damnation of hell that this priest speaks up.

[169] We're called to do the opposite.

[170] Jesus came to save us from sin and death.

[171] And so we are obligated to proclaim him.

[172] So let's continue reading.

[173] Thus, the entire event was demonic.

[174] The devil desires nothing more than for Jesus to be blasphemed.

[175] for Jesus, through his saving death and glorious resurrection, destroyed Satan's kingdom.

[176] Satan clearly knows who Jesus is and what he is about.

[177] Ah, what have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

[178] Have you come to destroy us?

[179] I know who you are, the Holy One of God.

[180] Jesus of Nazareth, the Holy One of God, destroyed Satan's dominion of sin and death.

[181] To this day, Satan and his demonic thugs, demons, and human beings alike, continue to seek revenge, and they do so by fermenting blasphemy against him.

[182] This demonic provocation was fully on display in Paris at the Olympic ceremony, a demonic liturgical rite.

[183] Was it then by happenstance that the blasphemous display was the portrayal of the Last Supper?

[184] No, Satan not only wanted to blaspheme Jesus, but he also desired to blaspheme the Eucharist.

[185] The Eucharist is the making present of Jesus, one saving sacrifice, a sacrifice which vanquished sin and death.

[186] In the Eucharist, the faithful received the risen body and risen blood of Jesus, and so come into living communion with him.

[187] The mass is the ultimate and exactment of Satan's kingdom being ever destroyed and the definitive expression of God's kingdom being ever made present for all times.

[188] The mass as sacramentally signifies Satan's demise in Jesus' triumph.

[189] It is an ever -present visible outrage to Satan and an insult that he cannot endure.

[190] he is helpless.

[191] I think here it's worth noting again that this is just a week after the Eucharistic Congress that beautifully highlighted the reverence and awe that we should always carry before the blessed sacrament as we encounter the Lord in the Eucharist.

[192] Continuing the article on Montmart, the place where St. Dennis was beheaded, the patron saint of Paris, Paris, only a few miles from where the Parisian blasphemy was committed, stands the Basilica of Sacra Cure, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

[193] It was completed in 1914.

[194] The sad irony is that what was built for the purpose of making worthy amends for the sins of France and Paris and to obtain mercy and forgiveness from the sacred heart of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[195] In the Basilica, there's perpetual adoration of the Holy Eucharist.

[196] If there ever was a time when before the blessed sacrament, reparation needs to be made to the sacred heart of Jesus, this is such a time.

[197] Jesus' heart was pierced out of love for all.

[198] From his heart flows an abundance of mercy and forgiveness.

[199] All Christians need to call upon Jesus as the sacred heart to gas out all demons from parrots and the election.

[200] Olympics.

[201] All Christian groups pray that Jesus would fill everyone, especially the athletes, with the love of His Holy Spirit.

[202] Well, stay with us, family.

[203] We'll be right back after a quick break.

[204] And now back to the Bishop Strickland Hour.

[205] Welcome back, indeed, to the Bishop Strickland Hour.

[206] Bishop Strickman, you just read a beautiful letter regarding the blasphemies that took place.

[207] at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.

[208] It seems to me, if I had some action items, that every Catholic, I think, this is my take, and I want to hear yours, that we should be making reparation to the sacred heart, obviously, that each of us can do that individually, meaning that it could be adoration of the blessed sacrament.

[209] I've been to the sacri -cur in Paris, where they have perpetual adoration for the last 180 years.

[210] It's a beautiful church.

[211] I was very moved by the people, and I've heard many stories by Archbishop Sheen talking about that church.

[212] And I'm just asking you, Bishop Strickland, for your advice for our listeners, because we're a long ways away from Paris, France.

[213] But, again, our reaction is like a blank check.

[214] Can we also help Holy Mother the Church make restitution for these sacrilegious by offering up little sacrifices?

[215] is like, I don't have lunch today, okay?

[216] It's coming, but I'm hungry.

[217] Well, I can say, hey, Terry, you knucklehead, offer that little inconvenience.

[218] You're falling asleep.

[219] No, I mean, get some food, but still, offer that little thing up for, right, for the church.

[220] What your thoughts on that, Bishop Strickland?

[221] Well, Terry, we certainly need to develop that idea.

[222] It's part of our Catholic faith to make reparation and atonement for our own sins and the sins of others.

[223] And certainly the sin of blasphemy toward the Lord, toward his Eucharistic presence, as the priest, Father Weinen brought out in that article, Sacchar Cure is right there, the sacred, dedicated to the sacred heart.

[224] And I think we definitely need to look for all the ways we can.

[225] pray rosary, make a small sacrifice yourself.

[226] One thing, because it is so closely connected to the sacred heart, and to the sacred heart is an image of Christ that is very important to me, and we need to encourage others to really reverence the sacred heart of Jesus in our homes and in our lives the way Catholics, since the time of St. Margaret Mary Alico have reverence to Sacred Heart.

[227] The Jesuit order for a long time really was dedicated to propagating devotion to the Sacred Heart.

[228] They really at least officially don't do that anymore, but we need to recognize how important it's the heart of Christ.

[229] It's the heart of the same Jesus that is on our Eucharistic altars.

[230] And so one recommendation I would make is it's easy to find, but look up enthronement of the sacred heart of Jesus in your home.

[231] Exactly those words.

[232] You can go online and search for that, and it will give you beautiful prayers where you can, you can.

[233] certainly have a priest come and do it, but you can also the father of a family can enthrone the sacred heart in their home.

[234] And I would urge families to do that.

[235] Recently, I've done that in homes in the area of Tyler because people have heard me encourage them to enthrone the sacred heart.

[236] And when we do that, of course, the Immaculate Heart of Mary is always there as she was close to the heart of her son for the nine months he was in her womb, she remains close to the heart of her son.

[237] She remains close to the heart of the son of God as the greatest intercessor for his church.

[238] So I would encourage people if they say, we want to do something in regard to really making reparation.

[239] I would say the enthronement of the sacred heart, or maybe renew that and throw them.

[240] And she said, oh, yeah, we did that years ago.

[241] Renew it.

[242] Revisit those prayers and remember the importance of that.

[243] I guess I would add, Terry, that it all ties together to the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ as he walked this earth for 33 years, his Eucharistic presence, that what I believe we need to emphasize.

[244] And really, out of life, and desiring that everyone that was there in that blasphemous depiction at the Olympics, to really pray specifically for those individuals to come to know the Sacred Heart of Christ.

[245] I really believe that is the greatest reparation that Christ, that Father, Son, and Spirit that God would desire of us is to draw souls away from sin, away from blasphemy, away from treating Jesus Christ as if he's just another story from an ancient time that we can ignore if we want or make fun of and blaspheme if we choose.

[246] Let us work to truly evangelize the world again and help.

[247] Even those depicting this blasphemous scene, help those individuals.

[248] They're all children of God.

[249] Amen.

[250] God reject them, but he calls them to repentance and to recognize the sacrifice of his son.

[251] So we need to pray and we need to do everything we can to bring hearts to the sacred heart of Christ.

[252] And beautifully, as we're talking about this, we just read the gospel today of the Transfiguration, where God says, this is my beloved son.

[253] Listen to him.

[254] Let's listen to the voice of God the Father who speaks from the clouds in that scene in the gospel.

[255] Let's believe it really happened.

[256] Not just a story that you can take or leave, but that God has spoken in creation to all of us created in his image and likeness.

[257] More and more we see that people need to over, over, their eyes and pay attention to the presence of God before, as that priest says boldly, but truly, before damnation comes for us individually and for our world, God will not be mocked.

[258] And the mockery is at high pitch in our time.

[259] We need to make reparation.

[260] We need to repent of sin ourselves personally and to do our best to honor God.

[261] God and to rejoice that he and his son are with us in the Eucharist, in all the sacraments, in the word of God, in the teachings of our faith, in so many ways that God is with us.

[262] And really, Terry, what that will do, these people supposedly say, oh, we just want everyone to feel welcome.

[263] The best way to accomplish that is to honor God.

[264] Amen.

[265] We are as those created in the image and likeness of God.

[266] So this is a moment for people to pay attention and to wake up and to turn from sin and any hint of blasphemy in their lives, not to say, oh, I can't be forgiven.

[267] God will forgive.

[268] As long as it's not a sin against the Holy Spirit, as the priest says in that article.

[269] as I understand it, a sin against the Holy Spirit is to deny that God is God and to deny God's power.

[270] If you're doing that by the reality of that, you're locking, it's got God.

[271] It's you, by your choice, locking out God's mercy because you're not believing he's even there.

[272] And you're mocking the whole image of God.

[273] So we need to pray for those.

[274] who maybe have sinned against the Holy Spirit that they may recognize.

[275] And the way to move away from that is to come to believe and to embrace that belief.

[276] And if they do believe, they will repent and go to confession.

[277] That's what we all need to remember.

[278] Amen.

[279] Beautifully stated, Bishop Strickland.

[280] Before we take a break, I'd like to give a plug for your YouTube channel.

[281] I don't know where you're at with new uploads.

[282] but how can people listen to your YouTube channel?

[283] Well, thanks, Terry.

[284] Yeah, just go to YouTube and type in Bishop Strickland and you'll go to my YouTube channel.

[285] And I just recorded several different episodes, one of them talking about this blasphemy at the Olympics, not so much emphasizing the blasphemy, but what I've tried to do in this video was emphasize, the good, the true, and the beautiful, the sacred.

[286] We need the sacred in our lives.

[287] And hopefully this is an opportunity.

[288] Many people have ugliness in their lives.

[289] They're caught up in sin, but we can all choose to turn from that and embrace all that is good and true and beautiful.

[290] That is Jesus Christ, God's Son incarnate.

[291] So these six or seven minute videos on my YouTube channel or just opportunities.

[292] I talk about Carlo Acutus, who will be canonized sometime in the coming year.

[293] And we need these uplifting messages.

[294] We need the hope.

[295] I talked also about the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a reminder that all of us are called the glory.

[296] But it's not in this world.

[297] It's in life with God in eternity.

[298] Amen.

[299] Well said, just go to Bishop Strickland on your YouTube channel and enjoy those.

[300] Also, I wanted to say that this particular segment was sponsored by real estate for life.

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[308] When we come back from the break, I'd like to take some time of the catechism on matrimony.

[309] We continue that teaching.

[310] But also, I wanted to bring up something that I found fascinating.

[311] And I hope Holy Mother the Church heeds this, because they actually put out a oh we got three minutes good the no i got 20 seconds okay when we come back we're going to talk about a situation where the church put out a feed to say what do you think of senedality give us your opinion you like it you don't like it and i think there's some surprises not for me but i think certain people in the vatican are surprised at this result they would be right back welcome back indeed mrs strickland i don't i smile sometimes all the time i'm happy but when i saw this article about the vatican getting a negative response on an online poll on senedality i could have told them that i'm sure that would be the case because most people do not want to see a church run by popular vote we just don't we just don't never seen that before.

[312] So here's what happened.

[313] They put it up and they took it down quickly because over 80 -some percent of the people said that they don't like senatorality and very few people said they did.

[314] And so it didn't really affirm what they have hoping for.

[315] And I'm just saying, I'm glad they did it actually because it really shows me that most of us aren't buying into this idea of a senator of church that says, let's just talk about things and let's have your opinion and, you know, forget about what I can see as revealed truth in the Bible.

[316] So when you saw the article on this, because I know you did, what was your response?

[317] Well, really, Terry, like you said, I think it was probably good for this truth to be exposed.

[318] And ironically, what occurs to me is that here they are promoting a democratized church where we just vote in, in and out what's true and what's going to guide us, instead of listening, like we heard in the gospel, this is my beloved son, listen to him.

[319] Yeah.

[320] Instead of listening to Christ, instead of listening to God, let's all vote and make up our own decision about what we want.

[321] Ironically, in that setting, listen to the people.

[322] Listen to the people.

[323] If you listen to this survey, shut down synodality.

[324] I mean, that's the irony to me is here they are asking in this survey, the opinion of the people.

[325] The opinion of the people is we don't want that.

[326] Exactly.

[327] Let's go back to what Jesus Christ has told us, to the church that is formed.

[328] It's not perfect, but it is holy because God has formed it as the mystical body of his son.

[329] as his son's bride, we're called each of us to purify it to the degree that my sin makes the church less pure than it should be.

[330] All of us need to humbly acknowledge.

[331] We contribute that.

[332] We're all sinners, but we can all repent and seek greater holiness for the church that is holy because Christ will never abandon his bride, the church.

[333] So I don't believe that the Vatican will listen to this.

[334] Instead, they'll just probably treat it like a bad PR move and just try to ignore it.

[335] Instead of saying, hmm, maybe we should move away from this Senate on synodality because so many people don't want it.

[336] Let's go back to the orthodox teaching of the church.

[337] Let's go back to the deposit of faith.

[338] Let's go back to the traditional understanding of scripture.

[339] But I won't hold my breath.

[340] But that's really what should happen.

[341] And again, out of great love for everyone involved and love for the church, let's simply go back to the Mount of Transfiguration and listen to Jesus.

[342] Well, I don't mean to get you in trouble, Bishop Strickley.

[343] You're already in trouble, but you don't have to answer this question.

[344] When I saw this survey, it reminded me of the survey the Vatican said about the extraordinary form of the mass, that all the bishops of the world were sent a form.

[345] Do you find it offensive in your diocese?

[346] Are you for it against it?

[347] and I read from a reliable source that many of the bishops didn't even answer, like only 25 % of the entire bishopry even thought it was worthwhile to even respond as an issue.

[348] But many of them were like, you know, I don't have anything against it.

[349] My question is, were you a bishop when that was sent out?

[350] I was.

[351] Did you read about it?

[352] I did, and I remember, I mean, I was very, in favor of the traditional Latin Mass. I'm in favor, as I've said, Terry, I'm in favor of any mass where Jesus Christ comes to the altar in the consecrated bread and wine.

[353] Amen.

[354] And so, yes, I'm in favor of it.

[355] And, you know, so the reality that we face is, Too many in the church are not in favor of the Jesus that the church proclaims, that scripture talks about, that our teachings talk about, the understanding of Jesus Christ that the Catholic Church proclaims.

[356] Ironically and sadly, many Catholics and many Catholics in leadership positions don't like that Jesus Christ.

[357] And they want it changed.

[358] They want a revolution.

[359] They want to change the church.

[360] Christ has told us that the church will prevail against the gates of the gates of hell will not prevail against his church.

[361] And we trust in that.

[362] We trust that the church is of divine origin.

[363] human beings are very much a part of the church.

[364] It's for us.

[365] God doesn't need a church.

[366] We need a church in order to know God more deeply.

[367] That's the purpose of the church.

[368] The outcome of knowing God more deeply through the Catholic Church is, as we've talked about many times, the salvation of our souls.

[369] That's why the church was established to allow each of us, individually to embrace the gift of salvation that Jesus Christ offers us, but we have to embrace it.

[370] Amen.

[371] We have to change our lives, just like Jesus said.

[372] And there, sadly, I mean, again, Christ tells us, judge not lest ye be judged.

[373] So we don't.

[374] It's not our job to judge anyone.

[375] Thankfully, I don't want to judge anyone else, but we do have to make judgment.

[376] about what is true and what is being faithful to Jesus Christ.

[377] We're obligated to do that.

[378] And so in doing so, we highlight what isn't true.

[379] And if people in the church in whatever position, if people in the church are proclaiming a message that's contrary to the truth, we need to call it out.

[380] Amen.

[381] Not with attacks, not with hatred, but to remember, the greatest love is to call people away from the false messages that prevail in the world in so many ways.

[382] They will not ultimately prevail, but they may prevail in our time, and that will be desperately sad and tragic for the members of humanity who are swept away.

[383] in this false message and changing and distorting the church away from what Jesus Christ has established it to be.

[384] Wow.

[385] Wow.

[386] What an answer.

[387] You know what, Father, Bishop Strickland, I constantly look at you being just fundamental.

[388] You go right back to the fundamentals of our faith every time, and I think that's important.

[389] We have the question of the day regarding holy matrimony at the end of this show, we're reading from the catechism of the St. Philip Institute that was in your diocese when you were there.

[390] I assume they're still having this done.

[391] And it's a question and answer catechism.

[392] That's kind of like.

[393] And this is important because we're covering what holy matrimony is about the two becoming one.

[394] But I think question number eight is very important to all of us, whether you're married or not.

[395] And the question is, is everyone called to the life of chastity?

[396] In other words, a married couple, single person?

[397] What's that?

[398] Here's what the answer says.

[399] All Christians single, married, or celibate, like yourself, are called by God to live the virtue of chastity.

[400] Chastity gives us the ability to control our sexual passions and desires.

[401] The virtue of chastity is lived differently in different states of life.

[402] Single and celibate individuals are to remain chaste by refraining from sexual relations and lustful thoughts.

[403] Married people engage in chase marital relations only with their own spouse.

[404] Some actions are directly opposed to the virtue of chastity and are always morally wrong, including adultery, masturbation, fornication, pornography, prostitution, rape, and homosexual acts.

[405] Now, Bishop Strickland, these are all named in the Bible, too, that these are acts that are contrary to the gospel.

[406] I think many people would be shocked to hear that because we live in such a hedonistic culture, where I call it the unholy Trinity, me, myself, and I. Your thoughts about chastity for all?

[407] Well, it's a very critical call of God for humanity that we need to revisit and finally pay attention to.

[408] And this time, we are living in some of the most unchaste times of human history.

[409] It recalls the early years of the Roman Empire, or not really the early years, it was when the Roman Empire, it was when the Roman Empire was starting to cold.

[410] lapse.

[411] But it was at the time of Christ, it was already moving in that direction because there was much of a disregard for chastity.

[412] And I think that probably the best way for people understand what the church really teaches regarding chastity is to remember that married men and women are called to chastity as well.

[413] Amen.

[414] If we understand that having sexual relations as a married couple is chaste.

[415] It can be unchaste, even in that context, if they are treating each other as objects or doing things that are inappropriate and moral.

[416] I mean, you can't immorally love your wife or your husband.

[417] It has to be according to the dictates of living chastly.

[418] But I think it really will hopefully encourage people to really think more about what it means to be chased to recognize that a merry man is called to Jastity, just as I am, like you said, as a celibate man or a single man, wherever we find ourselves, man or woman, we're called to chastity.

[419] And hopefully that inspires people to think about what are we really saying chastity is?

[420] It's not saying, oh, sex is bad, but putting sex in its proper place.

[421] Amen.

[422] How about a blessing for our radio audience, Bishop Strickland?

[423] Almighty God, we ask your blessing for all who are listening to Virgin Most Powerful Radio and for all who helped to make these shows if possible.

[424] We ask this, in the name of the Father, the Son, of the Holy Spirit.

[425] Amen.

[426] Amen.

[427] When we come back tomorrow, we've got a special show.

[428] Bishop Strickland came out with another letter.

[429] Oh yes.

[430] We're going to do that for tomorrow's show.

[431] Stay with us.

[432] Tomorrow, same time, same station.

[433] May God richly bless you and your family.

[434] God.