Why I Love Religion, and Love Jesus: Catholic to The Core

So I thought this would be good to post on the blog in regards to the "Why I Love Jesus, But Hate Religion" video that has become the buzz of YouTube over the last month. This video was done by a novice of St. John Bosco's order. So it is truly a great video that is done in the same style as the original.

It is so easy to be able to just give up the religion thing and say we love Jesus because when we do that it makes life easier. If we simply say we love Jesus, but hate religion we have no sacraments that Mother Church. On top of that we do not have to live to a moral code either if you think about it. Religions all across the world have some form of moral ethical code/rules that each follower must strive for. So be sure to past this video on to people that you know if you find people wanting to side with I Love Jesus, But Hate Religion. I have included the lyrics to this guys poem he wrote in the video. ENJOY!

Lyrics to Poem:

So what if told you Jesus came to love with his heart?
Didn't come to end religion, man of the law from the start,
As it's written he did not come to abolish, but to fulfill
The law and the prophets, as was his Father's will.

None of us perfect all sinners together,
But Christ and Religion you can't really sever.
We need some help in the Church that I believe,
But don't speak to the people half truths to deceive.
Many people and children listen to every word that you say,
So use wisely your authority, and don't lead them astray.

We are the Church of the blind but we pray for that vision;
I pray that we stay with Christ and St. Peter and create no division.
A church without religion is a house that's divided;
Integratin' truth and doctrine will keeps us united.

By creating this dialogue, I respect what you're doin';
Just make sure it's for God what it is that you're brewin'.
Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's and what's God's straight to Him,
Arise pick up your mat he came to forgive us our sin.

Now lets step out of this fog,
and take from your eye that blinding log;
Now you judgin' religious like we're all the same people,
All fools who head towards the same steeple.

You call us to be genuine, and that's all good and so true,
Stay in Christ's Church we need passionate men like you
Who strive not only to talk the talk, but really walk the walk,
Love in our hearts written with blood and not chalk.

Yes, I got my Heavenly Father, and His Spirit, my guide,
I got Christ the Word who speaks deep inside.
And at the cross of my God and my Savior I too kneel,
But it's also prophets, Angels, and Saints that I feel.
They feel so close, and I can call them my family,
Cause at the cross he gave us his own Mother Mary.

And then He said it is finished...and yes, it was sincere,
But not to abolish religion, and condemn a people so dear,
Instead he showed the effulgence of God's human face,
Offering Salvation to the whole mortal race.

We build our churches as dwellings for our God and our King,
Where we gather in faith, give praise, are nourished, and sing.
Inspired by the art, the beauty of Salvation's story,
Sent out to the poor to proclaim God's glory.

We're not here to save the world, Jesus makes all things new,
He is the new Adam, the crucified King of the Jews.
He died and was buried, but then he arose,
I know he's alive, and it's me that he chose.

I too boast of my weakness, take courage 'n' don't fear,
I pray for humility and the strength to persevere,
I too was a lost sheep drugs liquor and all that,
I was the one laying paralyzed on that mat.

Jesus lifted me up and gave me a new look,
His hand I then took and turned to that sacred book.

I too love Jesus but stand on his foundation,
He gave us the Church, the Sabbath, and all of Creation.
You say that Jesus and religion are on opposite sides of the line
But he gave Peter the keys to start something Divine.

We're now the Body of Christ and I'm proud and stand tall,
Yes I recognize that on the cross Christ gave it all.
Some are self-righteous but many act with compassion and love,
I'm giving my life for this religion that you speak of.

God gave us a vocation, mine's a priest with Don Bosco,
Christ gave us all mission, so together lets go.
And don't be a slave to the rules, let them set you free,
Thank God for the Church or I wouldn't know how to be me.

Come meet my religious friends who are living with Christ,
Who know that with life giving love comes great sacrifice.
You speak well and now I pray for you always,
But you continue your journey, don't get lost in the haze.

CHURCH now I speak to you, I beg and I plead
We recognize in our common baptism, we have been freed,
Let us rejoice as one in the love, and Spirit He gave us,
Let us cherish Tradition and His law that he made for us,
Let us walk in the light of Christ Jesus, our friend,
Yes, not as slaves, but as friends, Amen...Amen!

The Last Things

Over the next weeks at our Monday Nights we will be having a four week theme on "The Final Four: Last Things." We will be talking about the final four options of the soul. These consist of death/judgement, hell, purgatory, and heaven. It is going to be amazingly sweet discussions with various speakers from the area. Fr. Brent Maher will be talking tonight on Death & Judgement so come on out and make sure you make it to Monday Night Gtown over the next few weeks. You know the time 7-9pm. BE THERE!

Abbey Youth Fest Commercial

Hey Everyone,

So I have totally neglected the blog over the past month, but I am gearing up to get back on into the swing of things now that the holidays and March is over. So here is a commercial for our upcoming Abbey Youth Fest trip. It would be awesome if you could make it. It's open to all 7th-12th grade students. Cost is $35 for one amazing day. This includes: shirt, food, and transportation. Let me know if you want to go.

Matt

The Season of Advent

I want to first apologize for taking so long for not posting the past 2 weeks, things have been chaotic around the office with the start of Advent.

I am sure that everyone is starting to acquainted with the New Roman Missal and all the lovely word changes. I find it so soothing to the soul in the power of what a few words can do to the liturgy. I have made my share of mistakes already with "and also with you" and will most likely have a few more mess ups. Something about it being programed and saying it all my life makes it so hard to do. I can have the words in front of my face and still find it challenging.

Anyways onto the lovely season of Advent. As you may know we are already almost halfway through Advent. The video above I think does a great job of showing us as Catholics of what Advent is about.  The one thing though that I feel like needs to be added to the video is to show the importance of the sacrament of Confession to the season of Advent.  This is such a wonderful time when you look at the Gospel readings to see the grace/forgiveness of the Lord.  Be sure to use this time to prepare yourself so that you can better receive the Lord in the gift of His birth into the world.   

Here is a really cool Advent calendar that you can use daily to help yourself prepare this season for the coming of the Lord.  You should totally check it out.  

Thankgiving Basket Build

So this upcoming Monday, November, 21 from 8-12pm the high school youth group will be helping the St. Vincent de Paul ministry build and deliver Thanksgiving Day Baskets to people in need in the St. George community. These Thanksgiving Day Baskets lets people have one of the meals that we so many times take for granted every year. We will be meeting at the St. Joseph Hall on St. George's campus. This is a great way to give back to the St. George please come out and support this event i you are in town over Thanksgiving Day break.

New Roman Missal, Coming To A Church Near You!

New Roman Missal for High School Teens - Word for Word by Life Teen from Life Teen on Vimeo.

So if you missed the youth group we had a while back about the New Roman Missal that we will be using. Here are some great resources by the USCCB (United States Catholic Conference of Bishops) of why it is happenings and what changes are being made click on here to learn more

Salvation History Bible Saga

Salvation History Bible Saga - 2011 Life Teen Training Convention from Life Teen on Vimeo.

This video I feel shows the power of the senses of sight and sound. It is quite a way to see the the entire story of Salvation of the Bible through words and music. Through seeing this video it really helped me see the Bible story in new light with a modern twist. Let me know what you think!