COVID-19 Lockdown, Day 216

 Well, I am back at the monastery for the weekend. Enjoying it very much. Doing some thinking and reflecting, as well as getting questions answered. Whilst meditating, I realized that, in my anger about how I was treated regarding my grandmother, I dishonored my father. It does not matter that he dishonored me and hurt me very much. When I reflected on the Ten Commandments, I realized that my obligation to honor my father is greater than his to honor me. By my comments, I have sinned, and I am sorry.

So, just as I thought things were getting better pandemic-wise, this week happened. In Illinois, between Wednesday and Thursday, the rate of COVID-19 cases increased by 54%. The mayor of Chicago, Lori Lightfoot, placed a curfew on restaurants, bars, and nonessential businesses. I keep hoping that things will at least get better for Thanksgiving. If I must cancel Thanksgiving Dinner, I will be very unhappy. Many of us will certainly struggle to find something to be grateful for this year, but we still have some blessings, and we must not forget that. We must think positively and live in hope. A vaccine will come soon; we just need to hang in there. For those who want to compare things to spring, just remember that we did not have certain treatments in the spring, nor did we have campaigns to make sure people people wear masks. There is no shortage of hand sanitizer, either. No matter what the naysayers may tell you, we have learned much from spring, and we are using that knowledge daily. We will be fine.

In other news, I guess the Catholic Pope felt that Christians and Catholics were not divided enough. Now, he is stating his support for same-sex civil unions, regardless of the Catholic teachings on homosexuality. If he wants to be popular, cool, or "with it," he should have joined the clergy. As the Pope, he is bound by the vows he took when he became a priest--to uphold, and not contradict, the teachings of the Church--including Scripture and the Canons. Even though this was not an official decree but a documentary, the most traditional Catholics believe that he is the representative of Christ on earth. Hence, it doesn't matter if the microphone is religious or secular; his recorded words have salt. True, he said civil unions, and not marriage, but civil unions for alternative families is not a discussion for a man of God. Sure, most of his cardinals, and hundreds of millions of Catholics, feel betrayed, while gay couples who say they are Catholic feel as if marriage is just around the corner. Because of his diarrhea of the mouth, whether he retracts or not, people will be hurt. This one mistake might prove to be his undoing. Here is a statement of one of many bishops, denouncing Francis' statement: https://www.gloriadei.io/same-sex-civil-unions-and-the-catholic-faith/ Indeed, he is going to likely create a lethal schism to the Roman Catholic Church from his words. But then, as he said a few years ago, he does not care if he creates a schism. Does that sound like a spiritual leader to you? 

There are some who may ask, "Why is this your business what our Pope does if you are not a Catholic?" The fact is, whether we like it or not, as he is a leader of a Christian church accounting for more that half of Christianity, with 1.2 billion followers, he is the main de facto leader of Christian churches. For nonbelievers who follow Christians, they follow the Pope the most. That is why any pope much remember that the teacher is judged at a higher standard than the student. When does he address oppressed Christians in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, as well as the microaggressions against Christians in the West? 

--Signing off.