Duck Dynasty Brings Back Phil Robertson

. . . sort of

In a statement released about the incident A&E stated that "we operate with a strong sense of integrity and deep commitment to these principals."  Yet they had gone on a kneejerk impulsive attack against Phil Robertson immediately following an interview knowing full well what kind of good man he really is and knowing full well the context of what he was saying in the interview.  A&E knew full well that Phil wasn't speaking hatefully, yet fired away at him anyway.  That is not integrity.  So what they describe as their "integrity" and their "principals" [sic] is just their intolerant shallow kneejerk scrambling to the feet of the zeitgeist asking if it was in any way insulted by this insolent Christian.  What "principles" is A&E committed to?  The radical left wing agenda?  They state that "We at A+E Networks expressed our disappointment with his statements in the article, and reiterate that they are not views we hold."  So what "views" do they hold?  Are they staunch supporters of gay marriage?  What "principles" do they believe?  Why must they even claim to believe in anything?  Are they a religious organization?  An organization that is entirely dependent on its world views on American domestic politics?  An organization that feels like it must believe a certain way in order for it to succeed?  They add in their statement that "We will also use this moment to launch a national public service campaign (PSA) promoting unity, tolerance and acceptance".  Why?  Why must they feel compelled to use their entertaining industry to take sides on a social agenda?  They aren't a Church or a political party, but they think they are.

Apparently A&E is an organization that feels it must cling to a belief system and to an agenda instead of just presenting us a show.  Besides, aren't reality shows supposed to show a new take on life?  Reality shows provide their audiences a view outside of the norm.  They are a look into the lives of different people, who interact and see the world in a different light in order for the audience to gain a new perspective.  If Phil Robertson and his family had just tried to be like everybody else, carrying along all the same views as the rest of the country, they would have never caught the attention of A&E in the first place.  For A&E to stab Phil Robertson in the back in an impulsive manner because they believe Phil betrayed their social agenda, and then bring him back when it became apparent that their show would fail, is nothing more than despicable.

St. John Vianney Sermon for Christmas

In the book Sermons of the Cure of Ars first printed in 1901 and reproduced by The Neumann Press, who is now under the publishing authority of TAN Books (see more HERE), we have the Patron Saint of Parish Priests giving us the following words:

"Beloved brethren assembled in the name of Jesus Christ:

. . . the angels' message on the plains . . . did not come from the palaces of earthly kings, or from the halls of pleasure, or from the markets of the earth; it came from heaven, bringing with it heavenly flowers, heavenly blessings, and heavenly graces.

. . . It is announced, not to one or the other, but to the beggar and the king, the child and the old man, the poor and rich.  The angels announced to the shepherds that it should be made known to all people, in the east and the west, in the north and the south; it shall ring forth and make joyful through all the ages; it shall never cease, not even when the world shall keep its vigil, and the book of humanity will be closed, and then it will ring on in eternity: a Saviour is born to you, who is Christ the Lord.

. . . God with us . . . is the meaning of the joyful message of the angel . . . in His humanity, in His childhood, in His poverty.

. . . In His humanity . . . the second Person of the Trinity had taken a human nature, a human body, and a human soul, the same as we have.  He has become one of us.  He is like us in all things, with the exception of sin, says the Apostle.  That is the first step of the mercy of God, which we devoutly adore, in the crib at Bethlehem.

. . . In His childhood . . . the Son of God took another merciful step when He appeared upon earth as a child . . . the Son of God might have appeared upon earth as a grown man.  But He did not do this.  He abased Himself, and lay in the crib as a helpless infant.  The heathens have represented Jupiter with lightning in his eyes, falcons at his feet, flaming swords in his hands; no hand free to bless.  Our divine Saviour wished to appear very differently.  Not a threatening, mighty figure; not armed with lightning.  No, He appeared as a child full of love, full of tenderness, full of joy.  The child looks at every one; at the sight of the child, all fear vanishes.  All may approach a child without fear, the high and the low, the learned and the unlearned, rich and poor.  How near has God come unto us!

. . . In His poverty . . . He is nearer to us . . . the Saviour wanted to be nearer to the poor man; that is why He appeared upon this earth in the utmost poverty.  The poor have a special right to the love and the association of the incarnate Son of God . . . No mother can provide a poorer bed for her child than that provided for the Son of God upon earth in the crib.  Now, through Him, the Son of God, poverty is no longer despicable, no longer shameful, no longer mean; through Him is poverty ennobled, exalted, and sanctified.

. . . His name shall be called Emmanuel, God with us, with us in His humanity, in His childhood, in His poverty . . . Then we will beseech Him to renew and strengthen in us the spirit of self-renunciation, the simplicity of our hearts, the love of poverty, so that the divine Infant will make us His own, and be and remain with us through all eternity, our Emmanuel, God with us.  Amen!"

This sermon and sermons for every Sunday and Feast Day throughout the liturgical calendar can be found in the Neumann Press book Sermons of the Cure of Ars.

St. Mary's Academy & College

Hopefully this group will become regularized soon and they can bolster the ranks.