Unveiling the Light

Twas the night before Christmas,
And all through the media,
Everyone was a gabbing and jumping about.
“Look at me they shout … look how I help,
Let me serve this turkey to all those about.
See my compassion that I am so quick to display,
I love to be generous … just so it is others that pay!”

Where ever the news service a camera turns on,
There we will find the perpetual con.
If the poor or the hungry or the hurting are about,
“Look at me, look at me,” they are surely to shout.

“Here have this grant and a loan over there
Have you ever seen anyone ever so fair?
What do you need, where do you place your greed?
I am sure to grant it with some program or deed.
Don’t ask all the questions from where it might come,
Be sure it will help many and only hurt some.
Yes there will be a day of reckoning you dote,
But by then I will already have had your cast vote!”

So we go about and vote ourselves all we need,
After all if from the government, is it really called greed?
Why should I have to call upon others for compassion?
This way it is my right and just another government transaction.
No virtue is needed and not the generosity of others.
By rule I will take it even if it comes from your mother.
Why should I pay for my failings and gambles?
Isn’t my right to happiness guaranteed in the preamble?

Let others depend on their neighbors and friends!
Not me for on others I will never depend.
The compassion of Christ I to others leave,
The power of Congress, that is all that I need.
And if by chance my riches this vote fails to buy.
Next time I will show them not to fail this guy.
Meanwhile the state will surely raise their tax rates,
To keep me in line for their own voting dates.

And when there are no more from whom we can confiscate,
Then to the compassionate I will turn to appropriate.
And when Jesus returns, look at me I will shout,
I called for the programs to aid the poor you came to help!
Will He thank me and praise me for all that I called for?
Or will He condemn me for the greed found in my core?
Compassion I killed with my government mandates,
Humanity I ignored as to the numbers I did gravitate.
No humanity and love to help humans did I call upon,
Instead I made programs so to ignore individual wrongs.
The human heart I never developed and mercy I never knew,
For by programs and government, of the poor I met few.
I did not eliminate them nor alleviate their plight,
But hid them I did as in the darkness of night.

Jesus Christ came to save us one at a time,
But government sees an individual as almost a crime.
It is numbers and votes and programs that deliver,
The power and control that makes the human soul whither.
Programs to keep from human suffering our lives free,
Was never a desire Jesus Christ wanted us to see.
We must face it near and dear in the life that we live
For only in this way do we learn the virtue of lives that to others give.

So on that Christmas Eve that celebrates the Virgin birth,
May you embrace this life and all upon this earth.
Look not onto others to heal the world’s ills and pains,
But embrace them yourself and from your heart do not refrain.
It is in this experience of the continuing human plight,
That we learn to seek Jesus and keep Him forever in our sight.

Have a Merry Christmas

Father Steven Foppiano

Posted by Fr Steven Foppiano at 12:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Isn’t it time that we set the elves free? Every year that jolly, bearded guy gets credit for all the gifts kids get but where do they come from? Do you ever think about the poor little elves who slave away all day throughout the year to build these toys, pack his sacks, and load up that sleigh? How many of you ever left cookies out for Santa to bring back to the elves? Sure, from time to time you might remember to leave a few carrots out for the reign deer but that is probably because you fear their membership in the Teamsters. But the poor, unrepresented elves who slave away to make the gifts the reindeer carry get nothing! Let’s free the elves! It’s their time!

Actually there are elves all around us. Recently the parish had a Christmas Carnival. Santa came, kids received gifts, balloon hats, played free games and everyone had plenty of food and fun. How many do you think stopped to think about the poor human elves, those people behind the scenes who were cooking the hot dogs, preparing the sweets, running the games, and getting Santa to his big, prestigious chair! They slave away while everybody else has fun. Go to any charity event and look behind the scenes. There you will find human elves slaving away preparing food, making programs, sending invitations, decorating, running the activities, and doing all the things that allow us to enjoy ourselves. How can we let such oppression exist? Sure, many of us feign thankfulness but I know that it’s all a ploy to keep them in their oppression.

I spoke to some of these elves to help them to see the way to freedom. “Walk away,” I said. “Why are you so busy back here when all of the fun is out there? Walk away and go enjoy yourself.” They did not listen but just stared at me with a smile on their face, as if I did not know what I was talking about. Frustrated I shouted all the louder, “Go have fun. Enjoy yourselves? This is Christmas. Why should you work so that others enjoy themselves? Where are your gifts? When is your party? When do you get yours?”

They just smiled and told me that they were having fun. “We do this because we want to they lied.” I know they lied because they were working while others were playing. Can anyone stand to see others with something we don’t have ourselves? I challenged them but they just laughed among themselves. “This is fun for us. We like doing this so others can enjoy themselves. We enjoy the work, we enjoy each others company and we feel good that we can bring joy to others.” I could not believe what I was hearing. Here I was ready to help them go free and they were unwilling to see their own desperate situation. Well, surely others would see the light.

I went to the Food ministry where a large group of men, women and even children slaved away packing groceries to give to needy families. “Run I shouted. Nobody is guarding you. Go and enjoy yourselves. You get nothing for this. I am setting you free! Go and grab what you can for yourself!”

They too simply chuckled among themselves as they continued their work. “This is a work of love,” they claimed. “We do this because we want to. We like this work because it allows us to help others. Look! Strangers have brought in food and donated money so that others could have a meal this week. Still others have made it possible to give out a feast for Christmas to over 150 families. Our work makes that possible! We want to be here. We enjoy our work, enjoy the company and love helping others.”

Now I was frustrated. All these elves slaving away were so brain washed that they did not recognize their own oppression. After all, doesn’t society tell us to put number one first! Isn’t everyone on the take and looking to take advantage of others? The only thing that matters is to win! ‘The person, who dies with the most toys wins,’ is the slogan. These slaves did not even seem to be interested in more toys. They continue with their work happy and peaceful, thinking they were doing some good. They don’t even know they are oppressed. They don’t understand what freedom is!

I walked around in a terrible mood, having failed at my quest to free these behind the scenes slaves. Oh the oppression! I remembered the happy folks at the carnival, the laughter and good cheer. I remembered the looks of thanks and peace on the face of the folks who watched the elves carry their groceries to their car. I remembered the warmth of the gathering of people at the hot lunch that, incredibly, was open to all and made no demands for payment. They even served them at the table! How could these elves not see the happiness their work caused and not want to be on the other side? When would they have their party, get their free lunch or have others give them things to make their lives easier? How dare they be happy and at peace when they miss so many opportunities to grab for themselves!

I have not given up my quest. My experience has only made me all the madder and more determined. What will the world be like if more people become enslaved like this? Imagine whole communities looking out for each other and helping each other? Imagine a world where people looked out for others before they looked out for their own interests? This cannot happen! We must grab all we can now before it’s too late. Before … before … well before the game ends! What do they think they are doing? Having fun? Enjoying their generosity? Who do they think they are fooling? Who taught them such foolishness? What do they think Christmas is all about? I know better. I am going to show them they can’t get away from this! They need to get what they can while they can!

Many seem to know the One who began all of this foolishness but I can’t seem to find him. They say they know Him but I can’t see Him no matter where I look. I have not given up though! I have my tickets for the North Pole. Maybe He lives with the jolly guy. Anyway, I just can’t wait to talk to those real elves that slave away to make a bunch of kids they don’t know happy. Santa brings all of this joy to the kids of the world but what do they get? And those reindeer … I hear they work without a contract and put in long hours during the holidays? Haven’t they heard about overtime? Where are their personal days? I bet you they know they are slaves and want to be free. Who is their teamster rep?

Then I am going to find that Easter Bunny. He needs a whole new marketing plan. What is this stuff about finding new life represented by the finding of a stupid colored egg? Who thought that one up? New life! Isn’t this one enough? I wonder who decorates those eggs. Who packs his bags? When I get back from the North Pole I am going to find the hole this guy lives in and find his oppressed workers.

Then there is this stupid tooth fairy …

I. B. Grinch

Posted by Fr Steven Foppiano at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Sometimes you wonder how things can go so wrong but recently we had a blaring example of how sometimes, things can go our way. I am speaking here about the defeat of Hugo Chavez’s agenda to claim the right to power for life and a variety of other social reforms he tried to push through. It seems that Hugo has pushed even his own people too far. It is nice when, for once, someone receives a well deserved Bronx cheer. This arrogant little man thought he had the world wrapped around his finger tips and for the most part it has bent to his demands. How nice it is that those closest to him were the first to declare that the emperor has no clothes.

It is one of those times when I can be proud of my own Church and other Christians who stood up to and continue to challenge this man’s ego driven drive for power. It seems also that those he thought most enamored with his style have turned against him as even left leaning students now see the danger this man is to his country, the region and to the world. As I said, sometimes things go right. Unfortunately Russia’s Putin has caused Democracy to take a turn for the worse in Russia but at least that tiger has had much of its bite removed.

Perhaps we should look around at other things that have gone our way. Iraq continues to be a problem but it has certainly turned around from being a lost cause to one that we may actually be on the way to resolving. Our economy continues to absorb body blows, be they terrorist attacks or the housing crisis, but continues to grow steadily and has an ability to create jobs that is the envy of the world. Oil prices seem to be catching up with reality and have topped out. Maybe now we see the reality of our continuing dependence on oil for the near and much of the long term. Even with conservation a growing economy will call for large oil supplies.

While we are on the subject of energy; it is not, “just conservation stupid” but exploration for oil and probably the development of nuclear power as well. Everyone is drilling for oil and establishing the means of power supply, except the United States which has grown to have a full 60% of its needs imported. We won’t drill off our shores, but other countries will drill just outside our territory. What is being helped by our forgoing this opportunity so others can take it up? For a country that worries so much about world stability, we sure do put ourselves out on a limb to depend on the most instable nations to keep our economy going.

By the way, after the initial hoopla, have you noticed the lack of information about the oil spill off San Francisco? As in most cases, these things cause everyone to run in circles for awhile proclaiming the end of all things as we know them, but with a little patience we usually find that the damage is far more limited and temporary than feared. When we had the tanker spill oil off Alaska some years ago, later studies found that our efforts to clean up paled against the efficiency of Mother Nature. Wave action, sun, and the vastness of the ocean took care of most of the problem.

This is not to say that we don’t need to be concerned and careful but sometimes we need to look past our fears at the reality of the situation. Things are not as bad as many seem to continuously declare and, in fact, we are living in a wonderfully stable time of peace and economic growth. Are the wars? Yes, there usually are, but we are also living in one of the most peaceful times of history, a time when we are making real strides against poverty, despite our own sometimes misguided efforts. Let’s keep our heads, trust a little that God did not make us as stupid and destructive as some may think, and make some real progress in this world. We sometimes seem to do this despite self destructive tendencies. What could we do if we had a positive attitude?

Father Steven Foppiano

Posted by Fr Steven Foppiano at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It seems that Mitt Romney will soon have a news conference to explain his Mormon faith to the nation. I will be interested in what he has to say because of the interest I have in The Church of Latter Day Saints and their incongruities with Christianity. Mormons active in their faith seem to live exemplatory lives that reflect good Christian morals and are to be applauded, but most Mormons don’t fully understand their faith and its belief incongruities with Christian doctrine. On the exterior it seems just fine but the deeper you go into their faith it becomes more evident that some central tenants of Mormonism are in direct opposition to Christian belief regarding Jesus Christ and the early Church. The typical Mormon is likely not fully aware of these conflicts and I wonder to what extent is Romney's understanding. None-the-less, I will absolutly not be basing my vote next November on the religion or Christian denomination which he or any particular candidate say they practice.

Religion is too easily manipulated to depend on what a person says they believe or on what they say motivates them. Pundits are quick to blame many of history's conflicts and problems on religion but an intellectual and serious study usually reveals many other causes with those in power using religion to their own means or as justification for what are otherwise dispictable actions. As a concerned electorate, we need to base our decisions not on what a person says they believe and not on the name of their denomination or religion. Instead we need to base our decisions on our own faith and beliefs, and then compare these to the actions and policies of those who hope to gain our votes. These speak far stronger than words.

I will not vote for anyone because they are Christian or Catholic, nor will I vote against someone because they are not. Instead I will look at their track record, their stated promises, and the likelihood that these promises will be kept. Then I will base my vote on how these fit into my own beliefs and political viewpoints. I cannot divorce myself from my religion because it is the center of who I am, but I will not vote based on someone saying their belief system is similar to mine. What do their actions and policies reveal? In a very close call I may choose someone who states beliefs similar to mine over someone who does not, but it will certainly not be a primary or even major factor. Now I will admit that I may have a real hard time not supporting the one candidate with an Italian heritage, but, paisono or not, in the end even this would be a minor consideration.

Many are comparing Mitt Romney’s upcoming news conference to John F. Kennedy’s speech about his being Catholic. That too was a red herring issue for those who had a hard time looking beyond their own prejudice. As his wife Jacquelyn said, 'I don’t know why everyone is so worried about Jack being Catholic … he’s such a poor one.' She had it right and the decision to vote or not vote for him should have been based on his actions and policies, not on a religion he professed but seldom practiced. Basing our vote on hard evidence and supportable policies will keep us from voting for someone who works against our own beliefs. Let’s keep open minds and look at the issues involved. There is far too much at stake to base our future on someone’s professed membership. What do we find revealed in their past actions and current supportable stands? Now these are important factors!

Father Steven Foppiano

Posted by Fr Steven Foppiano at 06:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)