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B
buffalo
Guest
Hard words indeed. How far will we go?
P
Pro-Life_Teen
Guest
Reminds me slightly of the Protestant evangelicals who come to my campus to tell all the students they are going to Hell…
It’s completely extreme. We are not called to be poor and to do jobs that we are not suited for so we can have more time. It could very well be ‘wasting our talents.’ Of course we should help the poor, many do, but we don’t have to become poor just so we can help them. And I dislike the sarcasm he attached to bringing food in- I’m certain the family that gets to eat a proper meal is very thankful.
Half the point of NFP is to learn to not be selfish, to think over whether one should get that new car or keep the old one and have a child instead. I think a good deal of us know better than to become greedy and prideful. On the other hand, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with wealth- the sin would be in the greed and pride.
And we cannot save souls. Only through the Holy Spirit can someone see the Light. We can point them in the right direction, but we can’t trip them into a Baptismal font.
It’s completely extreme. We are not called to be poor and to do jobs that we are not suited for so we can have more time. It could very well be ‘wasting our talents.’ Of course we should help the poor, many do, but we don’t have to become poor just so we can help them. And I dislike the sarcasm he attached to bringing food in- I’m certain the family that gets to eat a proper meal is very thankful.
Half the point of NFP is to learn to not be selfish, to think over whether one should get that new car or keep the old one and have a child instead. I think a good deal of us know better than to become greedy and prideful. On the other hand, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with wealth- the sin would be in the greed and pride.
And we cannot save souls. Only through the Holy Spirit can someone see the Light. We can point them in the right direction, but we can’t trip them into a Baptismal font.
J
jwashu
Guest
Are you saying to disagree with this? I agree with what he is saying personally, I believe it’s more important than just this one issue with ND. If our overall lifestyle was like this things would definitely be different in the Country!
Joe
Joe
B
buffalo
Guest
No - I agree with what he is saying. My question is for each of us - How far will we go?
H
HouseArrest
Guest
It won’t play for me for some reason.
L
lizaanne
Guest
D
dkoinzan
Guest
Ok, who gets vacations!!! I don’t know what that is. We do go on weekend camping trips with the kids. I gave up my teaching job to take care of my kids and then began to home school because the schools were awful. We continue to pray that our suburban continues to work long enough to save up money for a different vehicle. My clothes are nearly all second hand.
I have been wondering why my neighbors feel uncomfortable around me and come to find out it’s because I am Catholic.
I like what he says and it isn’t always easy. The biggest shocker for me was when I was given the cold shoulder by the priest after pulling my kids form the school. I won’t go into all the reasons why. I really didn’t anticipate that the priest would not stick up for someone who was trying to bring their kids up to be saints.
I have a great deal more that I could be doing for the faith. I need to schedule more time at the abortion clinic, devote more time before the blessed sacrament, clean out my house and give away more, witness more to my family instead of trying to avoid them…
Maybe we could all challenge and support one another into doing more.
I have been wondering why my neighbors feel uncomfortable around me and come to find out it’s because I am Catholic.
I like what he says and it isn’t always easy. The biggest shocker for me was when I was given the cold shoulder by the priest after pulling my kids form the school. I won’t go into all the reasons why. I really didn’t anticipate that the priest would not stick up for someone who was trying to bring their kids up to be saints.
I have a great deal more that I could be doing for the faith. I need to schedule more time at the abortion clinic, devote more time before the blessed sacrament, clean out my house and give away more, witness more to my family instead of trying to avoid them…
Maybe we could all challenge and support one another into doing more.
L
lizaanne
Guest
Please remember that you can forward that video to anyone!!! Pass it around, send it to folks in your parish, send it to anyone you think needs a poke in the arm to get them off the couch and doing something for the Faith!!
~Liza
~Liza
M
Mattapoisett64
Guest
Without disputing what he’s saying, if that “Vortex guy” wants to be taken seriously, he needs to do something about that hair.
T
takers
Guest
Could someone please post a short description of the video. I like to have a general idea of what I’m going to look at before clicking on links.
Thanks!
Thanks!
N
Nordar
Guest
Who cares what his hair looks like, I take him seriously, what he was saying was right on, I know I do not do enough. I need to take this video seriously and start to do a lot more for my Faith.
M
monicatholic
Guest
no. really.
i put the vid on my facebook page with the warning, “So, yeah. he needs a new hairdo, but the message…!”
D
Deacon2006
Guest
I agree it is not whether I would die for Christ it is if I would live for him that counts.
PAX
PAX
G
Gaius
Guest
I’m surprised that I’m the only one who did not like this. While I agree with the general message, (Dying to the gospel etc., that the Obama issue is not that big of a deal) its reeks of sensationalism and even a slight baptist streak. Most of his short quips are horrible, vague, and contradictory.
My problems with his philosophy:
“You aren’t holy even.” Judgmental and a major turnoff, especially with his tone. Assumes that the majority of internet users watching his show do nothing with their faith.
He makes fun of dropping off canned goods for the needy. I know for some that donating this food is an actual burden.
“It[dying to the gospel] means being Christ and not acting like Christ.” Or you could do both.
“We actually give each other rewards and banquets or this or that. Well, stop it. That’s crazy. That’s what heaven is for.” What’s wrong with celebrating our time on earth or receiving what is just for our work? Did not Jesus dine at weddings and drink with sinners?
Some suggestions he gives for living out your faith better-
“give up your job for Christ and cut your income by half”
-speaking from a male’s point of view why would I give up my job for the sake of cutting my income by half? If I give up my job for Christ to work in a similar job that pays less, there will be a reason for it.
“give up your house and downsize”
-again see above
“get a second loan on your house and use the money to support efforts at saving souls”
-or you could keep your high paying job in this economy donate the some of the extra to saving souls (extremely vague) and avoid a high risk financial investment.
“how about that car you like, would you trade it in for a less desirable but still dependable set of four wheels”
-why? who gains from me losing money by trading in my better car in for a lesser one? the used car dealer
“how about canceling that vacation that you so richly deserve”
-even priest are forced to go on vacations. we need rest from our lives.
“would you not by one shred of clothing for yourself for the next two years?”
-HAHA. I run my shoes to death in less than 6 months and my socks to shorter in that time.
“never go see another movie”
-though the average modern movie is horrible, why give up on it when there are a few gems still in the ore?
“would you give up your promising career plans to pursue a less consuming job so you could spend 30 hours a week in service to the poor instead of saving for your retirement?”
-I do not know many 10 hour a week jobs that people can live off, much less save for retirement. If someone is called to 30 hours a week with the poor, join the Francisians already.
“would you spend one night a week this year talking seriously about the faith”
-or how about time with family?
“will you commit to studying and learning the faith that people will walk away when they see you coming”
-if you are scaring people away b/c you are an arrogant Catholic who continues to be self-righteous you are doing something wrong.
“it isn’t real faith until it cost you everything, and it doesn’t mean anything until you haven’t anything left to give”
-taking his statement literally,so we don’t have faith until we die?
“it’s always organized around our priorities not God’s.”
-assumption that people who are watching have horrible spiritual lives. again judging.
“this is why satan is scoring touchdowns because we keep whining about the scoreboards but won’t get into the game.”
-usually, holiness attracts people. Not inspiring them to go on rampaging murdering sprees.
Even though some of the things the man said was not necessarily wrong, I still did not feel an attraction to doing any of those things. Rather than being driven on by guilt that I am a horrible Catholic for not doing any of those things, I much rather be led by a love for God.
Doing these things will not bear fruit in our lives if we do not have a love for Christ. We first need to be a resevoir for Christ, before his love spills over in us to others.
Holiness is based on a relationship with God that include a fervent prayer life, the sacraments, and living out our vocation. If we try to do something that we are not called to do by God, it will not bring us happiness. Some are called to give generously in the form of monetary gifts to the poor; some are called to give generously in the form of time, etc. I know that we are called to give up our lives for Christ and that certain measures like prayer and fasting are required to have a holy relationship with God. But extreme poverty is not for everyone; there are rich and royal saints (who were called to use their money wisely)!
My problems with his philosophy:
“You aren’t holy even.” Judgmental and a major turnoff, especially with his tone. Assumes that the majority of internet users watching his show do nothing with their faith.
He makes fun of dropping off canned goods for the needy. I know for some that donating this food is an actual burden.
“It[dying to the gospel] means being Christ and not acting like Christ.” Or you could do both.
“We actually give each other rewards and banquets or this or that. Well, stop it. That’s crazy. That’s what heaven is for.” What’s wrong with celebrating our time on earth or receiving what is just for our work? Did not Jesus dine at weddings and drink with sinners?
Some suggestions he gives for living out your faith better-
“give up your job for Christ and cut your income by half”
-speaking from a male’s point of view why would I give up my job for the sake of cutting my income by half? If I give up my job for Christ to work in a similar job that pays less, there will be a reason for it.
“give up your house and downsize”
-again see above
“get a second loan on your house and use the money to support efforts at saving souls”
-or you could keep your high paying job in this economy donate the some of the extra to saving souls (extremely vague) and avoid a high risk financial investment.
“how about that car you like, would you trade it in for a less desirable but still dependable set of four wheels”
-why? who gains from me losing money by trading in my better car in for a lesser one? the used car dealer
“how about canceling that vacation that you so richly deserve”
-even priest are forced to go on vacations. we need rest from our lives.
“would you not by one shred of clothing for yourself for the next two years?”
-HAHA. I run my shoes to death in less than 6 months and my socks to shorter in that time.
“never go see another movie”
-though the average modern movie is horrible, why give up on it when there are a few gems still in the ore?
“would you give up your promising career plans to pursue a less consuming job so you could spend 30 hours a week in service to the poor instead of saving for your retirement?”
-I do not know many 10 hour a week jobs that people can live off, much less save for retirement. If someone is called to 30 hours a week with the poor, join the Francisians already.
“would you spend one night a week this year talking seriously about the faith”
-or how about time with family?
“will you commit to studying and learning the faith that people will walk away when they see you coming”
-if you are scaring people away b/c you are an arrogant Catholic who continues to be self-righteous you are doing something wrong.
“it isn’t real faith until it cost you everything, and it doesn’t mean anything until you haven’t anything left to give”
-taking his statement literally,so we don’t have faith until we die?
“it’s always organized around our priorities not God’s.”
-assumption that people who are watching have horrible spiritual lives. again judging.
“this is why satan is scoring touchdowns because we keep whining about the scoreboards but won’t get into the game.”
- I’m guessing this comment is directed toward a limited audience who are not actually do anything in the world.
-usually, holiness attracts people. Not inspiring them to go on rampaging murdering sprees.
Even though some of the things the man said was not necessarily wrong, I still did not feel an attraction to doing any of those things. Rather than being driven on by guilt that I am a horrible Catholic for not doing any of those things, I much rather be led by a love for God.
Doing these things will not bear fruit in our lives if we do not have a love for Christ. We first need to be a resevoir for Christ, before his love spills over in us to others.
Holiness is based on a relationship with God that include a fervent prayer life, the sacraments, and living out our vocation. If we try to do something that we are not called to do by God, it will not bring us happiness. Some are called to give generously in the form of monetary gifts to the poor; some are called to give generously in the form of time, etc. I know that we are called to give up our lives for Christ and that certain measures like prayer and fasting are required to have a holy relationship with God. But extreme poverty is not for everyone; there are rich and royal saints (who were called to use their money wisely)!
S
Spirithound
Guest
Everything is geared towards a particular audience. Just to take your first point, I actually think that’s a valid assumption. Perhaps not for the users of this website, but we’re a skewed population.
S
Simon_X
Guest
Let’s get Radical! Great message, at least it’s a start…Peace…
R
Rob_s_Wife
Guest
No you are not alone. I felt the same way. Most of his suggestions had absolutley nothing to do with being holy and wouldn’t make a person any more holy or even help others that much. (like getting rid of the car or getting a loan)
If many people did what he suggests is neccessary for holiness they’d end up with hungry kids and homeless and in debt!
yes indeed. I sure can’t deny that one!
We have a duty to obey God and live our vocations as best we can for Him. Not all of us are called to live like Mother Theresa or a francican monk.
And those little things he derides so out of hand like giving canned good to the foodbank are just as needed and holy as major things. In fact, it is often the littlest of mundane things done every day that bring us and others closer to God.
We could all do to be more Catholic and better Catholics.
I just didn’t get anything from his rant that encouraged that in any constructive manner.
- Status