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The Southern Cross, Page 4
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Open Wide the Doors to Christ
Thursday, November 9, 2000
By Father Michael H. Smith
T o open the door and let someone into your
home, into your life, is one thing. But what
follows thereafter shows the strength and depth
of the relationship. Not even every marriage that
begins well, ends well.
The beginning of life as a Christian is to
accept Christ as our Savior and invite him in to
minister to our hurts and meet our deepest
needs. But Jesus Christ comes not only to be our
Savior, but to become Lord of our lives. His
goal is to establish God’s rule over every aspect
of how we think, what we do and desire, who
we are at the core. Thus we will radiate his light,
and spread abroad his love and goodness—all
for the glory of our Father. The second group of
Beatitudes are keys to this happening.
Those who Hunger and Thirst for Justice:
Our society is big into eating and drinking, even
when we are not hungry. But how much does it
bother me to see someone being treated unfairly,
or when I know that something happening is
wrong? Does my own wrongdoing touch me
deeply? Many times do we not find ourselves
complacent and tolerant, mostly concerned only
about our immediate welfare. Sometimes this is
even to the point of becoming cynical, feeling:
“Nothing’s going to change, so why bother?”
How often are you really upset over what is
wrong, or seriously determined to make some
thing better?
The Merciful: reveal to us the heart of God, “a
Diocese
Father forever.” The merciful feel so deeply for
what is happening that they truly come to under
stand, to feel with another; and more, to stick
with, to bear with this person no matter what. As
Hosea says of God, “I will espouse you to me for
ever” (Hosea 2:19). The opposite are those who
are always and endlessly demanding: “Do this or
you’ve had it.” People who think capital punish
ment is the answer to many social problems have
been little touched by the divine mercy. Mercy is
more important to God than even the struggle for
justice. How long do I hang in with someone?
What causes me to give up?
The Pure in Heart: Parents gazing at their
newborn child maybe come closest to this ideal.
Selfishness is practically banished. Their atten
tion is focused completely on the good of this
precious and innocent one, so deserving of all
their love. As we receive a little child so are we
to receive God, the pearl of great price, the
treasure hidden in the field. We are called to
love God freely, from the heart, and fully, with
all that we are. We are to be single-minded and
without guile in our response to God. The oppo
site: To be anxious and preoccupied about many
things, like Martha was when Jesus came to her
home, and particularly to be always concerned
about how we are coming across to others,
always putting on a show, trying to impress. Am
I the same person when alone and with others?
When we come to seek what is right and just,
God is taking hold of our actions. When we
learn mercy, God is taking hold of our way of
relating to others. When we become pure in
heart, our heart belongs fully to our God, who
has become our love.
Father Michael H. Smith is pastor of
Holy Redeemer, McRae, and Saint Mark,
Eastman. This is the second in a series of
four articles.
601 E. Liberty St.
Savannah, GA 31401-5196
On behavior in Church
Dear Editor:
Triple kudos to William C. Scholly’s accurate
descriptions about the ignorance displayed by
the majority of church attendees. His recom
mendation for a Catholic “boot camp” (quotes
are mine) is right on target. Unfortunately it
will fall on deaf ears in the current social politi
cally correct climate: thou shaft not offend the
parishioners with the truth.
For those of us wishing to bridge the igno
rance here are some starting points.
Among Scott Hahn’s many excellent books
these two are a great launch pad:
Answers for Catholics and Answering Com
mon Objections. Also, these two books provide
keen insights into our Roman Catholic roots
and help strengthen our resolve when con
fronting a challenge to our faith: Karl Keating’s
Catholicism and Fundamentalism, and Father
Mario R Romero’s Unabridged Christianity:
Biblical Answers to Common Questions About
the Roman Catholic Faith.
Finally, I highly encourage everyone to sub
scribe to the best monthly resource for
Catholics, New Oxford Review. Call or write
NOR and they will provide information on trial
issues and subscription rates. Reach them at
(510) 526-5374 or by writing to NOR, 1069
Kains Ave., Berkeley, 94706-2260.
Mr. Scholly, likewise, I long to hear the bells
still echoing in my childhood memories.
Nick I. Quintana
Savannah
Letters
The Georgia Right to Life Convention
Dear Editor:
I had the privilege to attend the Georgia Right
to Life convention in October. The keynote
speaker was Joan Appleton. She was an abor
tion provider for five years. The stories she told
about the abortion industry were almost unbe
lievable and too horrendous to share in this
newspaper (unless you would like a follow-up
article). Ms. Appleton is now a pro-life defend
er and the director of Centurions, an outreach
ministry to former abortion workers and those
attempting to leave the abortion industry. She
asked us for help in five specific areas and I
would like to share the opportunity to help with
your readers.
1. Pray for abortion workers. Many are suf
fering from emotional and drug problems.
Many are just numb inside.
2. If you know an abortion worker who
would like to leave the job (and Joan explained
it is not as easy to do) give them Centurion’s
phone number 651-771-1500.
3. If you are in the position to hire medical
workers, consider a Centurion.
4. Continue sidewalk counseling outside
abortion facilities. That is how Joan got out of
the industry.
5. Please continue to pray for women who
have had an abortion. If your church does not
have an active outreach for the post-abortive
women, start one. It must be one that will go to
the women, because many women are not
FAX: (912) 238-2339
E-mail:
DClark5735@aol.com
strong enough emotionally to travel much out
of her own community.
If you would like additional information on
Centurions or on Georgia Right to Life, please
call me at 478-788-6386.
Donna Hunt
Warner Robins
Kudos to Rita DeLorme
Dear Editor:
Kudos to Rita H. DeLorme. Since [my wife]
Evelyn is a descendant of a long line of
O’Haras, you can imagine my enjoyment read
ing Ms. DeLorme’s article in the October 12
issue of The Southern Cross. Her grandfather,
Timothy Frances O’Hara, was one of eleven
O’Hara children.
Although I enjoy The Southern Cross, a little
more balance (news from the west) would be
appreciated.
Ray Crowley
Columbus
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