Stereotypes

Here's a record I did some months ago with my brother E 2 Da' L for his mixtape "Reflective Revelation" entitled "Stereotypes". E much like myself had a journey to our faith, rather than simply growing up with it as a norm.  E now teaches Theology in a Catholic High School, and is on his way towards becoming a Deacon in the Catholic Church. Still because of his and my past, we "catch a lot of heat" from many despite how much good is done and hearts that are brought to conversion through our life efforts and example.

As we all know, we live in a culture which promotes that which is contrary to the church, and as a young person living in America I too was exposed to all sorts of immorality from a young age.  I, like the vast majority of young people did not have a priest, religious, or any youth minister who was able to guide me and protect me from the evils that the world has to offer.  Not only that, but being a minority from the Bronx whose financial situation was much less than ideal, my parents where also not taught these teachings of the church either.  In fact, if you look at our communities we were raised to believe that contraception was easily acceptable... Not only that, but due to the plan of Eugenicists like Margaret Sanger, Planned Parenthoods were strategically placed in our neighborhoods to wipe us out.  Luckily after 18 I still was able to meet Jesus for who he really is, and started a process to be completely transformed living a Sacramental life for many years now.  It wasn't until I was 21 I heard from the Idente Missionaries that I was "called to be a Saint.".... How many still haven't heard this message?

In the Catechism in part 2, section 2 article 4 it states "Those who approach the sacrament of Penance obtain pardon from God's mercy for the offense committed against him, and are, at the same time, reconciled with the Church which they have wounded by their sins and which by charity, by example, and by prayer labors for their conversion."  In other words, as Catholic's we truly believe that after our sins are confessed in the Confessional at the Sacrament of Reconciliation(Penance/Confession) it is truly gone in the eyes of God.  What is sad is that many in seats of position of influence do not treat others as such.

My only passion is to reach those that otherwise would not be reached - LIKE I WAS.

I love Jesus.  And I love his Church!  My only desire is to bring people to the reality of the Incarnation in its trueness and fullness so that we all may live out our common vocation to Holiness.  My past work has only proved that, and my work from here on out will continue to prove that - No matter where I am.

I decided to post this here on the blog after seeing these images of Pope Francis praying at a Ecumenical gathering in a Lutheran Church in Sweden. Our Holy Father has been doing an amazing job at work to bring about a true Christian unity and it baffles me how I see so many "Catholics" on the internet bashing him and de-faming his character for his efforts.

My final question.... Are we really being Church?.... Can we call ourselves disciples of Christ if our disposition towards those who are different from us is not with love and open arms?

St. Thomas says "grace perfects nature" and so although the natural lifestyle of today's culture is that which is contrary to the church, we must operate in the Hope of Grace.... And stop writing people off as lost causes or preventing them from contributing to good because of their past wrongs.

- The Symbol
- All is Love