A HOLY VISIT??

This past week America was filled with excitement because Pope Benedict XVI came for a six day visit. America seemed in need of a “holy” visit, was the mindset of many. Faithful Catholics made their pilgrimage to New York in order to catch a glimpse of the Pope. Many of those that made the trip and attended Sunday’s Mass at Yankee Stadium were young Catholics from all over the country.

A group of 65 high school students from Northridge Prep School in the Chicago suburbs could not find lodging upon arriving in New York, so they ended up sleeping on the floor of a parish hall in Manhattan. One of the young boys stated that “sleeping on the hard concrete floor” wasn’t that bad, and that he wasn’t complaining. It was a sacrifice he was willing to endure.

Another youth, a 16 year old young lady from Queens New York, was also there with her school group. She, on the other hand, is sort of walking the fence between liberal and conservative. She agrees with the church teaching against abortion, but cannot accept its stand against homosexuality. It’s not hard to see why, since her sister happens to be a lesbian. Her parents are upset over this and she feels caught in the middle. Nevertheless, she tries to live out her faith by volunteering at nursing homes, making paperclip angels for residents and giving them someone to talk to. Some of her classmates believe in the totality of Catholic teaching. But she said most are like her: trying to square their faith with their life experiences. "We are asked basically to follow Jesus and do what he did, and I understand that," she said "But it's hard nowadays. We try to do the best we can."

For all these faithful masses that have sacrificed time and effort into coming together to be a part of a historic event such as this, it cannot all be in vain, can it? I mean, watching the news on TV and seeing these people being interviewed, many of them with only a couple of hours of sleep, was inspiring. They must at least deserve or have earned some “feathers” on their “angel wings”. The sincerity and the genuine joy they were experiencing is something to be commended! Surely the Holy Father would put in a “good word” before God and made sure that these faithful servants would be guaranteed a free pass into the kingdom, and perhaps reserved seats for them in the “Celestial Hall” of Heaven. I guess doing “the best we can” should be a good enough reason for God to say; “OK, you guys did the best you could and so I have no choice but to let you into heaven”. I regret to say that that is not the case.

No one can guarantee our entrance into heaven, but God’s Son, Jesus Christ himself! Pope Benedict XVI cannot do or say anything to get anyone into heaven. He cannot even get himself in if he doesn’t put his trust in Christ for his own salvation! But wait, you say, isn’t the Pope the holiest man around? Shouldn’t he be able to get himself in? Look at all the wonderful things he stands for, the hope that he gives to many, his effort of building “bridges of friendship” among the many religions and ethnic groups. It is a message of peace and hope! He wants everyone to get along! Stop the fighting, stop the hunger, stop the inhumanities and stop the atrocities! Isn’t that what we all want? Isn’t that what being religious is all about?

Probably, if you simply want to be religious, the answer is yes. The question should be whether religion is the vehicle to heaven and eternal life. And that answer is a resounding NO!! It amazes me that many of our so called Christian leaders are echoing the same words as Pope Benedict XVI. Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church, is heading an initiative called The P.E.A.C.E. Plan. PEACE stands for Promote reconciliation, Equip servant leaders, Assist the poor, Care for the sick, Educate the next generation. I don’t see anything about leading people to Christ because they need salvation because we have all “fallen short of the glory of God”. Pastor Warren’s plan is to “involve every Christian and every church in every nation in the task of serving people in the areas of the greatest global needs” (emphasis mine). The “greatest global need”....isn’t that salvation??!! The greatest “sickness” that plagues our planet is SIN! Apparently Pastor Warren, and others that share the same vision, don’t think so.

I have an initiative plan for Pastor Warren, the Pope and all the other religious leaders! It’s called G.P.S.! It simply means Go Preach Salvation! Letting others know that JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY and that He, and only He, can come into our hearts and rule! That is the Holy visit that America needs! A permanent visit from the Most High!

May God have mercy on us all!!


4/24/2008
James