Does the culture follow the Church or does the Church follow the culture?

     The  U.S. House of Representitives late last night passed the senate version of  the universal health care bill. The vote was 219 to 212.  The bill, which will affect the entire population eventually and add trillions to the national debt was approved by a margin of  seven votes. It was not bipartisan as not one Republican voted for it.  Over the past forty years as a people we have lost our way. Our morals and our manners have  been set aside or forgotten altogether.  We won't stand up and speak out for what we individually know instinctively is the truth and the good. We  take the politically correct position hoping to just get along. We no longer recognize that the prince of this world, as Jesus called him, is still the father of lies who wants us to fail our final exam in the school of life. The culture in America has been dumbed down.

     The Catholic Church with Her Sacraments and Her doctrine is the only answer to these problems either individually or collectively as She has ever been throughout history. But She has lowered the barrier as well.  She no longer preaches about eternal life and the means of achieving it. Jesus said in one place, "Not him who says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven but only he who does the will of my Father in Heaven  shall enter the Kingdom of Heaven".  The Catholic Church must be the leaven in the battle that lies ahead. She has the tools but She must use them. In St.Paul's letter to the Ephesians 15:10-20 He speaks of, "The Christian Warfare". :Put on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood but against the Principalities and the Powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness on high. Therefore take up the armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and stand in all things perfect. Stand, therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of justice, and having your feet shod with the readiness of the gospel of peace, in all things taking up the shield of faith, with which you may be able to quench all the fiery darts of the most wicked one. And take unto you the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, that is, the word of God."

     St. Paul's word in Ephesians must be our words as we engage the culture, our culture. Health care for all may be a good but our spiritual welfare is far more urgent. The Lord said to the blind BartImeaus, "What do want me to do for you?" Bartimeaus said. "Lord. that I may see" Jesus replied "Go, your faith has healed you". Bartimeaus, no longer blind, left all he had behind and followed Jesus. (Mk 10:46)