The world will see again the consistency of faith of the Catholic faithful as they adhere to the fidelity of faith and its practice. The world will see that we are not a political system of the world’s values, but rather the Kingdom of God united with the saints in heaven in worship of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Out of the coerced ash heap of Naziism and its horror was preserved a pure soul who embraced a vocation in service of our Lord, never knowing that it would lead to this. What a witness of God's powerthrough turmoil.

This selection is not one of personal preferences, but as the preservation of the presence of the ministry of Jesus Christ in the world. Jesus, the only begotten Son of the Father continues His work as the Holy Spirit is upon us just as Jesus promised, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”

This is the time for media shame. It is the media who has projected the nuanced political terms of liberal and conservative on members of the church. They will now be exposed. For through this papacy, as in all, the truth will be conserved and the love of Christ liberally extended as in every age. God will bless our new pope with all the tools, and more, as he did with John Paul the Great. We are not merely “conservative” or “Liberal” We are Catholic. Truth cannot be changed. Yet the disposition of souls can be changed through the liberal forgiveness of God and our witness of truth to the world. Long live the new Holy Father.

It is at times like these that were called to separate ourselves from the world and its influence. How often do we hear the suggestion to “Challenge our faith?” That an mean many things. Does this mean to challenge the beliefs of our religion? Or, does it mean to challenge our ability to understand our religion?

A small child will tug at a mother’s skirt and ask “Why Mommy....why?” The child is asking in earnest, wanting more information to understand with real interest. Then when that same child reaches adolescence, that child will ask boldly “Why?” However, the question will be a challenge to meet a personal agenda. It would have nothing to do with earnestly gaining information. If and when that same child reaches adulthood, the question will once again be asked in earnest, “Why?”

In times like these, we can witness both the adolescent “agenda” attitude as well as the earnest “inquiry” attitude in the secular world, particularly in the media. Almost immediately we have heard such challenges. It is unfortunate that when we hear “Why no artificial birth control?” or “Why no condoms in Africa where there is AIDS?” that the one who is asking will never really want to know.  There are those who want to actually change the tenets of our faith, thinking that truth is some kind of democratic decision of choice concerning what in actuality the Holy Spirit has revealed to the Authority that Jesus established. And now we see a public that “thinks” that the choice of a pope falls under the same. They believe that the Vicar of Christ represents the people, when in fact, he represents the protection of the treasury of faith in Jesus Christ as revealed by the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Father cannot, but virtue of his office, change doctrine or dogma. He can, however, adjust administration or governance to a degree according to practical or catechetical need, so long as it does not compromise doctrine or dogma. Yet, the media would have us believe otherwise.

There are even theologians who would make such challenges. They often forget that theology is the study of God. It is not a challenge to God. One could be a Hindu theologian and not be Hindu. Likewise, we have experienced Catholic theologians who have forgotten their faith, who have lost sight of the revelation of God through the instrument of the Church. They often lean upon their own understanding. I must admit that I have actually done this until one day in prayer when it was revealed that I was pitting my 38 years (at that time) against over 2000 years of study by the best minds in the world. At that point, I had to examine my “faith” rather than my “theology.” I had to examine my presumption and arrogance against research to actually understand what was truthful instead of what was convenient or “made sense to me.” I then realized that most who criticize the revelation of the Holy Spirit were not even researching the work done by the Apostles and their successors to understanding the will of God.

Jesus said, "Upon this rock (of faith) I will build my Church. He did not say "I will build "the Church of the people!" How often do we here Jesus' words betrayed? the Church is tht of Jesus Christ. We follow Him. He is our Lord, King, and God. He conformed his life to ours and we crucified Him. Now He calls us to conform our lives to His! We do not vote on whatis taught to us. We hear, learn, and follow.

So, rather than challenging the faith, we are now challenged by th creed we profess and our own integrity in professing it. In particular, "Do you beleive  in One, Holy, Catholic, and 'Apostolic' Church? f you do, don't merely be a "theologian." Be a person of faith. Be Catholic. For it wa not a mere vote that gave us a new pope. It was by the Holy Spirit.
 
 

Long Live the Holy Father.