Take It On Faith

 

July 20, 2026

 

I only heard about the schism in the Catholic Church recently. Apparently, there’s a sect that is acting contrary to church law, and, after decades of church leaders trying to get the members back into the fold, Pope Leo XIV excommunicated the bishops, the priests, and various members on July 2^nd of this year.

 

As a result, the sacraments of Confession and Marriage that the priests and bishops perform from now on are invalid. Since no previous pope said that the clergy COULDN’T perform the sacraments, everything should be hunky-dory for people who had those sacraments administered up to now.

 

But, since the Vatican didn’t explicitly say so, some people are in a tizz-wozz about whether they’re legally married or forgiven.

 

Religion is all about Faith. Yes, there are rituals performed by clergy, but if the couple married in good faith (and have a civil license as required by law), they should be good. And yes, their children are legitimate. (My opinion, not canonical law)

 

I wish people would use Faith as a way to improve lives instead of complicate them.

 

More Timely Music

 

July 20,2026

 

While I enjoy my radio Bible study, the pastor and I don’t always agree. So I was tickled the other morning, when he’d been annoying me, to switch to music after the broadcast and immediately hear John Denver’s song “Late Night Radio”, with my favorite line,

 

“The Lord is still my Shepherd, but that preacher’s gotta go.”

 

 

 

He Stole Religiously

 

June 29, 2026

 

A man who is in jail for lying, stealing, cheating and other miscellaneous offenses wants his religious needs to be met, specifically dietary needs and prayer practices.

 

Impressive that he’s so devout. But if he’s following the Word of God that closely, can he tell us where his religion allows the lying, stealing, and cheating that landed him in jail in the first place?

 

If he’s played that fast and loose with so many rules of religious behavior, perhaps we shouldn’t be required to accommodate his selective following of the others.

 

In other words, he didn’t land in jail by being devout; so he can live with the hand he dealt himself.