TRUE freedom is living each moment in the fullest reality of who you are.
And who are you? That is the aching, over-arching question that mostly eludes this present generation in a world where the elderly have misplaced the answer, the Church has fumbled it, and the media has ignored it. But here it is:
As we continue this five part series on Human Sexuality and Freedom, we now examine some of the moral questions on what is right and what is wrong. Please note, this is for mature readers…
ANSWERS TO INTIMATE QUESTIONS
SOMEONE once said, “The truth will set you free—but first it will tick you off.”
ON THE DIGNITY OF MAN AND WOMAN
THERE is a joy that we must rediscover as Christians today: the joy of seeing the face of God in the other—and this includes those who have compromised their sexuality. In our contemporary times, St. John Paul II, Blessed Mother Teresa, Servant of God Catherine de Hueck Doherty, Jean Vanier and others come to mind as individuals who found the capacity to recognize God’s image, even in the distressing disguise of poverty, brokenness, and sin. They saw, as it were, the “crucified Christ” in the other.
ON GOODNESS AND CHOICES
THERE is something else that must be said about the creation of man and woman that was determined “in the beginning.” And if we don’t understand this, if we don’t grasp this, then any discussion of morality, of right or wrong choices, of following God’s designs, risks casting the discussion of human sexuality into a sterile list of prohibitions. And this, I am certain, would only serve to deepen the divide between the Church’s beautiful and rich teachings on sexuality, and those who feel alienated by her.
ON THE ORIGINS OF SEXUALITY
There is a full-blown crisis today—a crisis in human sexuality. It follows in the wake of a generation that is almost entirely un-catechized on the truth, beauty, and goodness of our bodies and their God-designed functions. The following series of writings is a frank discussion on the subject that will cover questions regarding alternative forms of marriage, masturbation, sodomy, oral sex, etc. Because the world is discussing these issues every day on radio, television and the internet. Does the Church have nothing to say on these matters? How do we respond? Indeed, she does—she has something beautiful to say.
“The truth will set you free,” Jesus said. Perhaps this is no more true than in matters of human sexuality. This series is recommended for mature readers… First published in June, 2015.
ONE moment they were cowards, the next courageous. One moment they were doubting, the next they were certain. One moment they were hesitant, the next, they rushed headlong toward their martyrdoms. What made the difference in those Apostles that turned them into fearless men?Continue reading
FATALISM—an indifference fostered by the belief that future events are inevitable—is not a Christian disposition. Yes, Our Lord spoke of events in the future that would precede the end of the world. But if you read the first three chapters of the Book of Revelation, you’ll see that the timing of these events is conditional: they hinge on our response or lack thereof:Continue reading
“The Glitter Pope”, Getty Images
CHRISTIANS in the Western World are no stranger to mockery. But what happened this week in New York pushed new boundaries even for this generation.Continue reading
WITHOUT a doubt, the Book of Revelation is one of the most controversial in all of Sacred Scripture. On one end of the spectrum are fundamentalists who take every word literally or out of context. On the other are those who believe the book has already been fulfilled in the first century or who ascribe to the book a merely allegorical interpretation.Continue reading
WHAT should be our personal response to the elevating confusion and division surrounding Pope Francis?Continue reading
By
Mark Mallett
FR. Gabriel was a few minutes late for his Saturday morning brunch with Bill and Kevin. Marg Tomey had just returned from a pilgrimage to Lourdes and Fatima with a fist full of rosaries and holy medals that she wanted blessed after Mass. She came prepared with a pre-Vatican II book of blessings that included exorcism rites. “For good measure,” she said, winking at Fr. Gabriel, who was half the age of the weathered prayer-book.
…as the Church’s one and only indivisible magisterium, the pope and the bishops in union with him carry the gravest responsibility that no ambiguous sign or unclear teaching comes from them, confusing the faithful or lulling them into a false sense of security.
—Gerhard Ludwig Cardinal Müller, former prefect of the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; First Things, April 20th, 2018
THE Pope can be confusing, his words ambiguous, his thoughts incomplete. There are many rumours, suspicions, and accusations that the current Pontiff is trying to change Catholic teaching. So, for the record, here is Pope Francis…Continue reading
A comprehensive response to many questions directed my way regarding the turbulent pontificate of Pope Francis. I apologize that this is a bit lengthier than usual. But thankfully, it is answering several readers’ questions….
FROM a reader:
I pray for conversion and for the intentions of Pope Francis everyday. I am one who initially fell in love with the Holy Father when he was first elected, but over the years of his Pontificate, he has confused me and made me very concerned that his liberal Jesuit spirituality was almost goose-stepping with the left-leaning world view and liberal times. I am a Secular Franciscan so my profession binds me to obedience to him. But I must admit that he scares me… How do we know he is not an anti-pope? Is the media twisting his words? Are we to blindly follow and pray for him all the more? This is what I have been doing, but my heart is conflicted.
Love for the Roman Pontiff must be in us a delightful passion, for in him we see Christ. If we deal with the Lord in prayer, we will go forward with a clear gaze that will permit us to perceive the action of the Holy Spirit, even in the face of events we do not understand or which produce sighs or sorrow.
—St. José Escriva, In Love with the Church, n. 13
AS Catholics, our duty is not to look for perfection in our bishops, but to listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd in theirs.
Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow, for that would be of no advantage to you. (Hebrews 13:17)
WHY are you sad? Is it because you have blown it again? Is it because you have many faults? Is it because you don’t meet “the standard”?Continue reading
Never Forsaken by Abraham Hunter
It had already grown dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
(John 6:17)
THERE can be no denying that darkness has folded over our world and strange clouds swirl above the Church. And in this present night, many Christians are wondering, “How long, Lord? How long before the dawn?” Continue reading
BEFORE Easter, I published two writings addressed particularly to men: On Becoming a Real Man and The Hunted. There are hundreds of other writings here to help men and women to become authentic lights in the world. It is especially crucial that men start to become men again in this hour…Continue reading
In 2008, I sensed the Lord begin to speak about “China.” That culminated in this writing from 2011. As I read the headlines today, it seems timely to republish it tonight. It also seems to me that many of the “chess” pieces that I’ve been writing about for years are now moving into place. While the purpose of this apostolate is mainly helping readers to keep their feet on the ground, our Lord also said to “watch and pray.” And so, we continue to prayerfully watch…
The following was first published in 2011.
POPE Benedict warned before Christmas that the “eclipse of reason” in the West was putting “the very future of the world” at stake. He alluded to the collapse of the Roman Empire, drawing a parallel between it and our times (see On the Eve).
All the while, there is another power rising in our time: Communist China. While it does not presently bare the same teeth that the Soviet Union did, there is much to be concerned about the ascent of this soaring superpower.
AFTER publishing The Shaking of the Church on Holy Thursday, it was only hours later that a spiritual earthquake, centered in Rome, shook all of Christendom. As chunks of plaster reportedly rained down from the ceiling of St. Peter’s Basilica, headlines across the world rattled with Pope Francis allegedly having said: “Hell Does Not Exist.”Continue reading
Many forces have tried, and still do, to destroy the Church,
from without as well as within,
but they themselves are destroyed and the Church
remains alive and fruitful…Continue reading
FOR two weeks after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, a warning continually rose in my heart that the Church was now entering into “dangerous days” and a time of “great confusion.” [1]Cf. How Do You Hide a Tree Those words greatly impacted how I would approach this writing apostolate, knowing that it would be necessary to prepare you, my readers, for the Storm winds that were coming.Continue reading
Footnotes
| ↑1 | Cf. How Do You Hide a Tree |
|---|
HE would never walk into a peep show. He would never pick through the racy section of the magazine rack. He would never rent an x-rated video.
But he’s addicted to internet porn…
My Joseph, by Tianna (Mallett) Williams
SOLEMNITY OF ST. JOSEPH
SPOUSE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
AS a young father, I read a chilling account many years ago that I’ve never forgotten:Continue reading
A fresh blanket of snow. The quiet munching of the herd. A cat on a hay bale. It’s the perfect Sunday morning as I lead our milk cow into the barn.Continue reading
Anthony Mullen (1956 – 2018)
The late National Coordinator
for the International Movement of the Flame of Love
of the Immaculate Heart of Mary
“HOW can you help me spread the message of Our Lady?”
Those were among the first words Anthony (“Tony”) Mullen spoke to me over some eight years ago. I thought his question was a little bold since I’d never heard of the Hungarian seer Elizabeth Kindelmann. Moreover, I frequently received requests to promote a certain devotion, or some particular apparition. But unless the Holy Spirit put it on my heart, I wouldn’t write about it.Continue reading
“Lock ’em in and burn it down.”
—protesters at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, against a transgender debate
with Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, March 6th, 2018; washingtontimes.com
Barbarians at the gate… It was absolutely surreal…
The mob neglected to bring torches and pitchforks,
but the sentiment was there: “Lock them in and burn it down”…
— Jordan B Peterson (@jordanbpeterson), Twitter posts, March 6, 2018
When you speak all these words to them,
they will not listen to you either;
when you call to them, they will not answer you…
This is the nation that does not listen
to the voice of the Lord, its God,
or take correction.
Faithfulness has disappeared;
the word itself is banished from their speech.
(Today’s first Mass reading; Jeremiah 7:27-28)
THREE years ago, I wrote of a new “sign of the times” emerging (see The Growing Mob). Like a wave reaching the shore that grows and grows until it becomes a huge tsunami, so too, there is a growing mob mentality toward the Church and freedom of speech. The zeitgeist has shifted; there are a swelling boldness and intolerance sweeping through the courts, flooding the media, and spilling out onto the streets. Yes, the time is right to silence the Church—especially as the sexual sins of priests continue to emerge, and the hierarchy becomes increasingly divided on pastoral issues.Continue reading
THERE are five simple steps toward full reconciliation with God, our Father. But before I examine them, we need to first address another problem: our distorted image of His fatherhood.Continue reading
I thought I was a Christian, till He revealed myself to me
I protested and cried, “Lord, it cannot be.”
“Be not afraid, My child, it is necessary to see,
that to be My disciple, the truth must set you free.”Continue reading
It’s one thing to talk to Jesus. It’s another thing when Jesus talks to you. That’s called mental illness, if I’m not correct, hearing voices… —Joyce Behar, The View; foxnews.com
THAT was television host Joyce Behar’s conclusion to the assertion by a former White House staffer that U.S. Vice President Mike Pence claims that “Jesus tells him to say things.” Continue reading
The Mallett Clan, 2018
Nicole, Denise with husband Nick, Tianna with husband Michael and our grand baby Clara, Moi with my bride Lea and our son Brad, Gregory with Kevin, Levi, and Ryan
WE want to thank those who responded to our appeal for donations for this full-time writing apostolate. About 3% of our readership has contributed, which will help us to cover the salary of our staff. But, of course, we need to raise funds for other ministry expenses and our own bread and butter. If you are able to support this work as part of your Lenten almsgiving, just click the Donate button at the bottom.Continue reading
WE do not see because we have eyes. We see because there is light. Where there is no light, the eyes sees nothing, even when fully open.Continue reading
Mark’s testimony concludes with Part V today. To read Parts I-IV, click on My Testimony.
NOT only did the Lord want me to unequivocally know the value of one soul, but also how much I was going to need to trust in Him. For my ministry was about to be called in a direction I did not anticipate, though He had already “forwarned” me years before that music is a doorway to evangelize… to the Now Word. Continue reading
Mark and Lea in concert with their children, 2006
Mark’s testimony continues… You can read Parts I – III here: My Testimony.
HOST and producer of my own television show; an executive office, company vehicle, and great co-workers. It was the perfect job.Continue reading
Mark Mallett
MARK is coming to the Toronto, Canada this weekend to speak at a Catholic Women’s Conference, and a Special Evening for Mothers & Daughters. Details below…
The following is a continuation of Mark’s testimony. To read Parts I and II, go to “My Testimony”.
WHEN it comes to Christian community, a fatal mistake is to think that it can be heaven on earth all the time. The reality is that, until we reach our eternal abode, human nature in all its weakness and vulnerabilities demands a love without end, a continual dying to oneself for the other. Without that, the enemy finds room to sow the seeds of division. Whether it is the community of marriage, family, or followers of Christ, the Cross must always be the heart of its life. Otherwise, community will eventually collapse under the weight and dysfunction of self-love.Continue reading
Leading a youth retreat in Alberta, Canada
This is a continuation of Mark’s testimony. You can read Part I here: “Stay, and Be Light”.
AT the same time that the Lord was setting my heart on fire again for His Church, another man was calling us youth into a “new evangelization.” Pope John Paul II made this a central theme of his pontificate, boldly stating that a “re-evangelization” of once Christian nations was now necessary. “Whole countries and nations where religion and the Christian life were formerly flourishing,” he said, were now, “lived ‘as if God did not exist’.”[1]Christifideles Laici, n. 34; vatican.vaContinue reading
Footnotes
| ↑1 | Christifideles Laici, n. 34; vatican.va |
|---|
This week, I want to share my testimony with readers, beginning with my calling into ministry…
THE homilies were dry. The music was dreadful. And the congregation was distant and disconnected. Whenever I left Mass from my parish some 25 years ago, I often felt more isolated and cold than when I came in. Moreover, in my early twenties then, I saw that my generation was completely gone. My wife and I were one of the few couples that still went to Mass.Continue reading
Mark and Lea Mallett
TO be honest, I really don’t have any plans. No, really. My plans many years ago were to record my music, travel around singing, and continue to make albums until my voice croaked. But here I am, sitting in a chair, writing to people all over the world because my spiritual director told me to “go where the people are.” And here you are. Not that this is a total surprise to me, though. When I began my music ministry over a quarter century ago, the Lord gave me a word: “Music is a doorway to evangelize.” The music was never meant to be “the thing”, but a doorway.Continue reading
The Breezy Point Madonna, Mark Lennihan/Associated Press
“NOTHING good ever happens after midnight,” my wife says. After nearly 27 years of marriage, this maxim has proven itself true: don’t try to sort out your difficulties when you should be sleeping.Continue reading
Peace Be Still, by Arnold Friberg
FROM time to time, I receive letters like these:
Please pray for me. I am so weak and my sins of the flesh, especially alcohol, strangle me.
You could simply replace alcohol with “pornography”, “lust”, “anger” or a number of other things. The fact is that many Christians today feel swamped by the desires of the flesh, and helpless to change.Continue reading
The Church, which comprises the elect,
is fittingly styled daybreak or dawn…
It will be fully day for her when she shines
with the perfect brilliance of interior light.
—St. Gregory the Great, Pope; Liturgy of the Hours, Vol III, p. 308 (see also The Smoldering Candle and Wedding Preparations to understand the coming corporate mystical union, which will be preceded by a “dark night of the soul” for the Church.)
BEFORE Christmas, I asked the question: Is the Eastern Gate Opening? That is, are we beginning to see signs of the ultimate fulfillment of the Triumph of the Immaculate Heart coming in to view? If so, what signs should we see? I would recommend reading that exciting writing if you have not yet.Continue reading
Peace is not merely the absence of war…
Peace is “the tranquillity of order.”
—Catechism of the Catholic Church, n. 2304
EVEN now, even as time spins faster and faster and the pace of life demands more; even now as tensions between spouses and families increase; even now as cordial dialogue between individuals disintegrates and nations careen toward war… even now we can find true peace. Continue reading
