Right now, we need a little John the Baptist action.
Cardinal Dolan is explaining (and defending) his decision to host the most wicked, vile, and murderous president in U.S. History at the annual Al Smith Dinner in New York. In short, the Cardinal bases his decision on his desire to be more like Jesus, who was known to dine with some undesirables.
“In the end,” said the Cardinal, “I’m encouraged by the example of Jesus, who was blistered by his critics for dining with those some considered sinners; and by the recognition that, if I only sat down with people who agreed with me, and I with them, or with those who were saints, I’d be taking all my meals alone.”
The Cardinal’s decision, in my never-to-be-humble opinion, is a HUGE mistake – at so many different levels. It’s also a really bad analogy: Jesus didn’t provide photo-ops for Herod and only “dined” with Pilate at the point of a spear.
John the Baptist before Obama Herod.
Having said that, Cardinal Dolan, you go be like Jesus (or at least your permutation of Our Lord). I’ll be praying for you. But I’ll also be praying that a John the Baptist type will be at the dinner.
But Herod the tetrarch, when he was reproved by him for Herodias, his brother’s wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done; He added this also above all, and shut up John in prison. Luke 3:19-20
I know, I know. I should be more tolerant, more inclusive, more dialogue-ish. Cardinal, while you’re doing all that dialogue and tolerance thing (heaven forbid that you take your meals alone), remember that more can be accomplished with a kind word and a loaded gun, than a kind word alone. Just sayin’.
And if you want to see some more of Cardinal Dolan’s brand of inclusiveness, watch the video of the re-dedication of the St. Francis Xavier parish, which has distinguished itself for its “prophetic” sodomitic behavior (barf, wretch); boasts a Zen meditation group (more barfing); and, has a “prayer” posted on its website (“in response to local and national gay teen bullying: When I feel Hated Loving God, you made me who I am.”).
And if you like the barefoot, middle-aged, frilly woman dancing at the dedication of the parish, you’ll love the part where Cardinal Dolan – lookin’ all thoughtful and approving like – acknowledges the “LGBT” Catholics (around 5:30 into the video).
Sadly, about the only thing left out of the liturgy by Vatican II, appears to be barf bags.