Third of Seven Prayers for Marriage: Honoring a Champion
'In order for God's image to shine radiantly in him, man must first receive the purification whereby the divine Sculptor frees him from that dross that conceals the authentic figure of his being.' Pope Emeritus Benedict
I miss him already. Pope Emeritus Benedict was for this new Catholic my first pope, a genuine father whose advocacy for purity and marriage lit my path as the world descended into deep darkness.
Obama is the CEO of this delusion. The President now insists that the US Supreme Court strike down Prop. 8—the decision of CA citizens to uphold the proper definition of marriage. He asserts that the whole nation should be subject to 'what he and his administration believe about marriage.'
Believe indeed. Obamas' delusional beliefs make him the first US President to celebrate the desecration of God's image in 'gay marriage.' Big-money America rallied right behind Obama; 100 of our biggest companies just filed similar briefs with the Supreme Court, urging the nine justices to redefine marriage for the country.
A near frenzy for 'gay marriage' is palpable in our land, as if its truth is a foregone conclusion. France and Britain vie with the USA to make national 'gay marriage' decisions. The west descends into a moral winter.
A couple months back, cast down by this delusion while the church capitulated in the name of 'grace,' I picked up a copy of Pope Benedict's Christmas message. In his last most important speech to the world, he reiterated the key truth that human beings possess a nature granted them by God—humanity as male and female—and thus any effort to alter that truth in a gay or transgender identity, or in a 'gay marriage,' destroys at core 'the essence of the human creation.'
Benedict grasped the fundamental truth that we are not our own, and that something as profound and sacred as gender and sexual identity cannot be 'recreated' by the creature in an image that seems right to him or her. Whether we like it or not, whether we are Christian or not, we must answer to God for what we do with our body. Benedict spoke the truth in love. He foresaw the clamoring for 'gay rights' as a false demand for justice that imperils the true natures of those enslaved by such demands.
Unloving? Not at all. As the leader of the largest expression of Christ's body on earth, Benedict took 'love' and rightfully elevated it to something splendid and stern. His first encyclical as pope was entitled 'God is Love.' Here he joins eros, or sexual love, with sacrificial love (agape). He points out beautifully that Jesus' sacrificial love makes holy our passions, and motivates us to build others up, rather than use them for our own desires and needs. He summoned both singles and marrieds to their truest, most fruitful potential.
Following his call to love well, we can leave a legacy of dignity for those we influence. He championed that dignity based on the will of Father and the mission of Mother Church. Our now Emeritus Pope taught us how to burn bright as sexual beings, made in the divine image. May we honor his leadership by standing firm for marriage and purity in this icy hour.
'Father, we thank you for Pope Emeritus Benedict. We are grateful for his leadership and ask that we might convey that gratitude actively in our prayers and actions on behalf of marriage. We pray for each one made in Your image. Like Benedict, we champion the dignity of all; we ask that You would move on the hearts of decision-makers around the world who are posed to define what it means to be human. We pray in particular for our Supreme Court, especially Justices Kennedy and Breyer whose votes are most in question. We pray that these Supreme Court justices would rule with justice and discernment to protect marriage. We ask for God's blessing upon each one and upon their families.'