I had to apologize to a few of my close friends earlier for losing my temper and making some uncharitable comments in response to their decisions to post the HRC's logo this week on their Facebook profiles in support of redefining Marriage
I explained that my disapproval was NOT
about politics. I DO respect their variety of political views and of course
the rights of everyone to express those views however they choose.
My own calling and mission the last two years has included affirming and encouraging healing for wounded men and women and leading them to the Lord (regardless of orientation). I host four ongoing groups of men in my living room. One of
the groups is not related to homosexuality and the other three are for guys in different stages of recovery from homosexuality. I spend an hour or two
every night on the phone with guys from all over and about 5 or 6 hours every
Sunday. I get really tired sometimes of having to talk about that subject. It has
been WORTH it though to be able to play a small part in seeing others heal.
If you have Catholic friends on Facebook, you may have seen this image posted on Thursday after Pope Benedict XVI retired and the Office of St. Peter, the Apostle became Vacant (Sede Vacate). The most unique part of this emblem is the Umbrella which symbolizes the temporary vacancy. The Keys are part of all Papal emblems.
For now though, I'd like to talk about the Christ's beautiful gift of the "Keys" and what these represent for our faith. When something is first mentioned in the Bible, the
meaning of it remains the same throughout the rest of the
Bible. The "Keys" are a beautiful demonstration of this:
"In that day I will call my servant Eli′akim the son of Hilki′ah, and I will clothe him with your robe and will commit your authority to his hand; I will place on his shoulder the KEY to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I will drive him like a peg into a firm place" - Isaiah 22:21-23
"And I tell you, you are Peter[Kepha], and on this rock[Kepha] I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I will give you the KEYS of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” - Matthew 16:18-19
"Who has the KEY of David, who opens and no one shall shut, who shuts and no one opens." - Revelation 3:7
