Attending Get-Together for Homosexual Couple

[anon10271182]

Someone was holier than Jesus?

 

[ShowersofRoses]

Thanks, but I understand the context just fine.

I’m not a proponent of only associating with other Christians and shunning the society of non-Christians or anyone who is a sinner.

I think we’re meant to be a light in the world.

It takes discernment and wisdom, certainly. Not every person can be a close friend, because they would lead you into sin. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t be a good friend and example to many people who are different than you.

 

[SeriousQuestion]

Then why did you distort it in a way that it wasn’t meant to be used?
The light of the world argument seems to be all talk.

I understand the importance of charity but it looks like it is hardly implemented.

 

[ShowersofRoses]

Someone was holier than Jesus?

Of course not. I don’t understand how this relates to what I said.

I’m just glad that Jesus reaches out to seek and save those who are lost, and doesn’t shun my society for being a sinner in need of a Savior.

I’m glad He provided us an example of loving compassion by dining with the prostitutes and sinners. We should all try to follow His example more often. I think they were all quite clear that He wasn’t condoning their behavior when He ate with them.

 

[thelibrarian]

You did not actually attend the wedding. If this is not a recreation of the wedding and this is a get together with your family and other local friends - a BBQ, or whatever, then I see no trouble with it. If you do not attend, then that is your choice and it is definitely not a bad choice either - but use the choice to not attend for your own conscience and do not use it to try to make a scene or lecture for the parents. Just be matter of fact “i like Bob and Steve - i would go to a birthday party for them but i don’t feel right celebrating their marriage if that is what this party is. I have made plans to doX instead”. And if you don’t live with your folks, you can simply state that you have conflicting plans and have a discussion of your views later.

I have a relative that came out as gay and i struggle deeply with it, so I understand your dilemma. I would continue to attend their birthday parties or whatever, but if you skipped it i would not blame you.

Jesus ate with sinners did he not?

And either the sinner became transformed and held true to “go and sin no more” or Jesus and the Apostles kicked the dust off their sandals and went to the next town. He did not partcipate in the reveling of their sin.

 

[Prodigal_Son]

And either the sinner became transformed and held true to “go and sin no more” or Jesus and the Apostles kicked the dust off their sandals and went to the next town.

This strikes me as a misreading of scripture. You are conflating WELCOMING the apostle with TURNING FROM one’s sinful life. One can do one without yet doing the other.

 

[SeriousQuestion]

I guess the most charitable thing to do is to earnestly desire their salvation and offer many prayers and offerings for that intention.

 

[Thorolfr]

I would not go to a celebration of two men sodomizing each other.

I’m sure that they’re not celebrating what they do in bed. Are straight couples who have informal marriage receptions doing this to celebrate sex? The celebration is about a lot more than just sex. And anyone who says things like “a celebration of two men sodomizing each other” is just trying to be intentionally obnoxious.

 

[SeriousQuestion]

intentionally obnoxious.

This goes both ways.

 

[ShowersofRoses]

Then why did you distort it in a way that it wasn’t meant to be used?

I didn’t try to twist anything. God clearly sent us out to preach the Good News to everyone. I would think this applies even more to those who need the Gospel the most.

The light of the world argument seems to be all talk.

I understand the importance of charity but it looks like it is hardly implemented.

I’m sorry you feel that way. Another good example of why we should work harder at showing love and charity in all our daily interactions with the people around us. It’s terribly sad when Christians are seen as so rude and uncharitable that no one is attracted to Jesus by their behavior.

And yes, praying for peoples’ conversions is what we should be doing anyway.

 

[Eddie18]

I can’t seem to find the book I am referring to, but I recall it was on the subject of idleness. An example, though, so you get the point I was making, is this quote from “The Catechism Explained” where it explains idleness is the source of every evil habit (sodomy is an evil habit). If I find the book later I will post the quote, but I think you will get the point when you read below:

The Catechism Explained (1899), page 507:
2. Idleness leads to all kinds of vice; it brings misery in this life and eternal damnation in the life to come. Idleness hath taught much evil (Ecclus. xxxiii. 29) ; it is in fact the source of every evil habit. Man is like the earth: if a field be not sown with good seed, a crop of weeds spring up and grow apace; so if man has no useful occupation, his natural activity turns to all manner of mischief. Iron rusts when it is not used; water when stagnant becomes foul; and man, corrupted by idleness, becomes the abode of evil passions, and falls into manifold temptations. The busy man is assailed by one demon, the unemployed by a hundred. Idleness ruins the young, for it destroys all that is good in them. The man who does nothing all day long is like the trunk of a tree, without foliage and without fruit. Idleness brings misery in this life. Holy Scripture says of the slothful : “Want shall come upon thee and poverty”; (Prov. vi. 11). St. John Chrysostom declares idleness to be the parent of poverty and the root of despair. It also brings a man to eternal damnation. Idleness is in itself a sin…"

 

[anon10271182]

If others want to dine with prostitutes, etc. that’s their choice. What do I care? Perhaps they’re holier than I am and can more readily engage in such activity without it causing them scandal or it being a near occasion of sin for them. All I stated is what I feel is best for me–to seek the company of those who are farther on the path toward sanctification than me. That is the consistent counsel of Thomas a Kempis, and I believe it.
Not that I seek out the company of others much at all. I’m fine living a semi-eremetical life.

 

[SeriousQuestion]

It would help if Runman responded so I can know if I have been helpful or not.

 

[TheLittleLady]

The Catechism Explained (1899)

This is a book of commentary and opinion, it is not doctrine nor official teaching of the Church.

Also, it says nothing about “sodomy”.

 

[Dlee]

But if someone is a public sinner (or otherwise widely known to be a sinner), then as a Catholic I don’t want to be seen with them for fear that someone might believe I approve, or commit the same sins.

Jesus said this, too - NOT!

 

[SeriousQuestion]

Did Jesus say the opposite?

 

[Dlee]

Did Jesus say the opposite?

He did the opposite.

 

[ShowersofRoses]

I don’t disagree that idleness leads to evil of all kinds…but I think it’s simplistic to say that idleness can lead a straight person, like myself, into the sins of homosexuality. That just doesn’t happen normally.

Now perhaps if the person was already in the habit of giving way into sins against chastity, was keeping bad company, was engaging in other immoral habits, or experienced trauma or abuse, well who knows what might happen.

There but for the grace of God go I…

 

[Theo2]

Yeah, and I don’t think any of those were celebrations of sodomy.

Certainly you do not think sodomy is the worst sin? Sins of the flesh are considered lesser sins than sins of the intellect. Having an unforgiving heart is very serious.

 

[ShowersofRoses]

Fair enough.