One thing I don't like about talking about coronavirus "numbers" is that it takes away from the fact that these aren't just factors in a math problem- they're real people going through real things.
I think the reason why people(myself included on occasions) get scandalized by the vandalizing or destruction of Church property is not due to the property itself, but because it's a red flag about hate against Catholicism and sometimes to Christianity in general. We are already aware that that hate is real, but there others that they are not willing to recognize it, so pointing out at those acts are a way to make it evident. The religious persecution apparently is being systematically overlooked. Even if that doesn't happen in the US, that doesn't mean it's impossible to happen, and a way to determine that the prejudices are getting dangerous is the destruction of property (... and also, there are scopes where exists religious discrimination in the west and it has been unrecognized or diminished). I have read opinions of people diminishing the possibility of getting religious persecution against Christians in the US given that the majority of population and even politicians self identify as Christians. However, even when the danger is bigger for religious minorities, there have been precedent of persecution to Christianity in places where Christians were a majority (like the Soviet Union or even Mexico); and also that I would put into question how many of those politicians are really Christians (if most of them were really Christians then the government should behave as an entity guided by Christ, and that's not the case, so by reductio ad absurdum, most of them are just pretenders). Ok, now to the point: do the people who complain about vandalism really doesn't care about the people's suffering in the world? I think that's a bold claim. There are a lot of charity organizations supported or funded by Christians.
I completely understand where you are coming from. I am guessing you are living in the US like myself. I also feel concern/hurt when I see this vandalism. However, I think you have slightly misinterpreted what he is saying. When I listened, I was under no impression that Fr. Casey claimed that people who complain about vandalism don't care about people's suffering. What he is saying is that some have been using their voices concerning the vandalism, and yet they are silent about other evils. It doesn't mean that they don't care, but they are prioritizing one over the other. Neither should be diminished. It is possible to condemn the destruction of property and also condemn the violence of those people's oppressors. The example he used from the film suggests that the priest simply cared more about his dog than the people that were hurt; not that he didn't care at all. If I may add my own thoughts, A wise man once said "rioting is the language of the unheard". It is not good to act in this way, but sometimes when people are upset they express their anger in destructive ways without thinking about the consequences. (Similar feeling to a "temper tantrum", where your anger takes over). People who commit crimes should face the consequences, but the only way to prevent these things from continuing is to practice empathy by listening to and acknowledging the source of their pain first so that everyone can heal and find a new course of action.
As true Christians we were promised this life wouldn't be easy. Hate towards true Chrisitians is what was promised. Walking along side Christ means picking up your own cross silently.
@@jamesparson lol I wasn't replying to you. My reply went to the original post...I'm a minority, poc and immigrant, trust me I know hate and discrimination. I'm not telling anyone to be okay with their oppression, nor that Christians oppression is as bad as other people...all I'm saying that at least being a Christian and being hated on because of it is pretty great. So as Chrisitians we shouldn't complain being hated on because we are Christians. Is that make sense?
With all due respect Fr, I want to push back just a little and challenge some of your thought presented here. The way we feel about our own dog (or someone close to us) will almost always be more emotionally impactful than the feelings we have towards those who are far from us or whom we do not know. This is not only natural, but good. It's good for a number of reasons. The first is merely practical. If our empathy extended equally to every suffering regardless of knowledge or proximity, we would be sapped of emotional energy so as to become absolutely paralyzed. Try to imagine feeling how you feel about your own mother dying and extending that to every mother dying in the world. Our souls are not built here to bear the weight of that kind of sorrow, besides it being an abstraction. God knows this. Perhaps He intends to build that capacity into us as we grow in Holiness throughout eternity. But it is not even a physical possibility here. The second is for our own spiritual benefit. There is an insidious kind of pride that tends to grow (especially in modern man) that manifests itself in attempting to "make the world a better place." Often we are so obsessed with becoming "culture changers" that we forget our very hearts are what need change. Our family and small community set before us is our first and primary mission field. Who we are surrounded by is no accident. Our family, friends, and local community will always be both our mission field and the body of people who most affect us emotionally. I suppose it would have been different for the priest in the film if one of the abused were a friend or parishioner, and that is both expected and right. Though it may be a kind of virtue to care for those who are far from you, it is a kind of special vocation that will always blossom from the *taking care of those close to you first*. "Be faithful with little, and you will be faithful with much" might also read as, "be faithful to those close to you, and you will be faithful with those who are far away." If you feel a sense of shame when *not* feeling empathy towards those who you do not know, remedy this by paying close attention to the suffering of those closest to you and minister to them. In so doing you will find a world of suffering that perhaps you never noticed before, a mission field you walked by every day. Otherwise, we often neglect to bear that shame in a healthy way and it becomes transmuted into perverse forms of control (the 20th and 21st centuries are filled with such bloody examples of people wanting to make the "world a better place"). Secondly I wanted to challenge you on the way you're framing "things vs. people". Though obviously a living soul has more ontic value than a non-living object, there seems to be a tinge of *iconoclasm* in the way these ideas are presented here. Icons and the artifacts that we make and worship in and through are not just "nice to have" things, they are often the very means of salvation for a soul. Think of conversions based on beauty, the presence of an object, the *physical effects of art* etc. We are creatures, and the un-created God speaks to us through *things*. When a person makes a thing, that persons soul is manifest in the it, and nature itself reflects and speaks God to us as language. The very poor and needy whom you implore us to minister to are often quite hungry for and sated through these very kinds of *things* that God has made as balms for their soul. It's important to mourn for the loss of things not unlike we mourn the loss of people, (and rejoice in kind) because the all of Creation bears the marks of our Creator, and it is through Creation that we ascertain Him. That's all - in general I agree with the thrust of what you're saying. But lest people devalue the good in the special attachment they have to someone close to them or the goodness in a created thing, I wanted to add a few thoughts for consideration. Thanks for your videos as always.
This is awesome. As a person who defaults to empathy rather than healthy distance - I have had to learn that it’s ok to cry about my dog and not to be overwhelmed with despair for days or weeks on end because I read a sad news story. What finally clicked for me was the idea that I can help no one if I am overwhelmed with grief for them. But if I focus carefully on the needs of the people around me, balancing my empathy properly, I can actually help. I understand Father Casey’s point - but these issues have to be weighed with care. I see and acknowledge injustice. I feel empathy to the extent that I can be helpful through prayer or action and don’t need to feel guilt about what I can’t do.
People are so obsessed with being special and “making the world a better place”, their arrogance and grand, often international, perspective are ironically Balkanizing every society they touch, regardless of religion. Focusing on community, being selfish, empathetic to people right next to you rather than half way around the world and even a little nationalistic ironically prevents all of these things from spiraling out of control. Thanks for the wisdom.
I'm 32 Filipino/Indian/Singaporean living in Ireland. I've seen the worst in human behaviour, racist sentiment, selfishness and greed in my 21 months living here. I thought life was hard before and it just got worst here. I use to be angry, frustrated, resentful, complained and blame. Now I only look towards how I can use my heart, mind and spirit for the glory of God. He has answered my calls and I know now more than ever what I have to do. God bless
@@Noname-dr1jm Thanks, it is difficult, I am from Singapore originally, and it is 10 times easier back there. But I understand God knows what is good for me. Good vibrations always
I think I finally understand what you have been trying to say in several previous videos and you are right Fr.Casey. If salt is not salty, then what good is it. If we do not act like Christ, can we say we know Him and He us? Your insights are uncannily timely and sharpened to break through the stony plates around the sinner's heart. God bless you and keep you always. Through Jesus Christ, our Blessed Lord and Savior now and forever. Amen.
Agree. And Jesus said in mathew 7 v21-23. Not all who prophesy, cast out demons, and perform many miracles shall enter his kingdom. Creation in its entirety means caring for both man and beast---with us, we were made in His image, so we should react as we would like others to react to us .....the Golden rule-!!
Upset? He beat them with a whip. He was very angry, this was what outraged him the most, not even a man spitting on his face had the same effect or being crusified, he took it as an offence to god.
I don’t think that Br. Casey was saying we couldn’t feel outrage or sorrow in response to vandalism, he was just asserting that we often get more caught up in that outrage than things that are far more important.
I have been trying in some of my TH-cam comments to get rid of so-called private prisons. They offend my sense of justice and they scare me. Here's why: Private prisons do not exit to punish the guilty or reform then. They don't even exist for revenge. They exist only for the purpose of making money. In order to keep then filled nany misdemeanors have been upgraded to felonies. Where they exist the police and courts have arrest and conviction quotas to keep up the population and people more especially minority and black people are sent there and forced to work. They are paid little or nothing at all for their work. Nothing for the comisary or toward their release. Many of then shouldn't be there at all. Among free people menial jobs are being replaced by these prison laborers. I understand things for Starbucks are pur together in private prisons They also make reservations for a number of hotels The point is these people are getting around the thirteenth amends which abolished slavery except for "... those duly convicted ... " where slavery it is allowed. Fortunately many states that have used them have stopped the practice. I live in Utah where they aren't used. Back in 2000 we had around 200 in private prisons ( probably out of state. ) We no longer use them at all. All of my neighbor states use them to varying degrees. They are the worst in Montana, Hawaii and for federal prisoners. I also want the notorious Gitmo prison at Guantanamo Navel Base closed this because atrocities have been committed there.
I don't think that being more emotional towards something necessarily means that you value it more. For example, I'll trade the life of my dog if it will save a human life in an instant. But I will be more emotional towards the death of my pet than a death of a stranger. Emotion doesn't necessarily equates value.
So being unemotional is the way? Apathy? Unchristian and uncatholic. When one is truly emotionally involved will one act on it. Empathy. Sympathy. Love. All are emotions.
@@voidremoved this is actually a fascinating question. Does God value a human more than an animal? Going from the bible one could say that we are created in God's image whereas an Animal is not. God has given us the potential to transcend biological existence, I.e. the confines of the survival instinct, therefore being able to truely follow God. In that case one would reason that a human no matter what always has more value to God because he can never loose this potential and God has an infinite capacity for forgiveness. If all living things have the same value because all are Gods creation why should God love the tic you remove from your dog and kill any less than your dog. Both would be loved creations of God. However, it has always seemed like hybris to me that God favours us over the rest of creation.
As your words are always so truthful. You continue to give us something to think about, to pray about and hopefully something to act upon. Thank you Father Casey.
I spent 3 years in China studying local rural Catholic communities. Members of these communities are often the poorest and the people most discriminated against in their country. Although they may not be able to put food on their tables, the walls of their own houses may be broken, and they may be arrested and tortured by the police the in next minutes, they always build and rebuild their churches beautifully, and they always respect their priests. Church buildings and statues are more than just things. They are symbols that comfort the people of good will, rich and poor alike. The poor need more than just food on their tables and walls surrounding them but also the shining cross above their heads, the church music in their ears and the fatherly priest in their parishes. We humans also need more than physical life but more importantly the spiritual life. Notre Dame in Paris and the vandalised churches, statues allover the world are not just Church properties but also facilities and pieces of art than can be equally enjoyed by the good people in those cities, especially people who are poor and discriminated against in rest of the world. So protecting churches and statues is to serve the poor.
"There's no grays, only white that's got grubby. I'm surprised you don't know that. And sin, young man, is when you treat people like things. Including yourself. That's what sin is." -Granny Weatherwax, Discworld
@@allthenewsordeath5772 Many Western atheists are. It's no surprise given how much religion permeates the cultures in this hemisphere. The idea of what a good person even is, in the West, largely based in the Old and New Testaments. With Terry Pratchett being considered by most a good person by most, it's no surprise he acts like a holy man, despite him not believing in a literal God.
@@allthenewsordeath5772 Pretty long, I reckon- the morality of God lives in so long as people believe in the morals, regardless if they believe in God Himself
I agree with the overall point being made here, but there is something to be said about property which many people write-off. Property is an extension of human life to the degree that it is necessary for human life. You may be able to survive for years without ever seeing a doctor, but you may die in a few short days without food and water. Who can say whether a beautiful cathedral or statue has drawn someone closer to God? And if it did, then that statue may be more important than something else while not necessarily being more important than *someone* else. It is a fallacy to believe that these things are mutually exclusive. This sort of limited thinking was implemented to detrimental effect during the pandemic of 2020 in which much of the world shut down their economies, because of a notion that we shouldn't "care more about property than human life"--never seemingly to fully realize that human productivity sustains life. If Jesus didn't go out into the crowds, then no person would have touched his cloak and been healed. Perhaps the real problem is living in excess and gluttony. Never restraining oneself. I do not believe that the people who donated to the repair of Notre Dame did any evil, but that could be a take-away from this video. And it requires many assumptions and judgements on the intentions of others to come to this conclusion. Take for example someone who believes the poverty in France is due to government policy of which they have absolutely no control. Then is it not better for them to donate to the repair of a symbol of great hope in light of such an understanding of the world?
Fr Casey, recently I read a very sad news in the US that an old man was killed in the coronavirus treatment room by a fellow patient just because he prayed. That happened at Antelope Valley Hospital in California. I think it is very terrible news for the US.
@@Canisius19 This isn’t left wing propaganda. The left promotes focusing just on ones self and following selfish desires. Fr. Casey is doing the opposite of that.
@@Canisius19 You are falsely accusing Fr. Casey of saying things he clearly did not say. You seem to have misinterpreted his video so I ask you to watch it again.
@@Canisius19 What exactly did he say to make you think this? Trust me I’m not coming from a place where I’m unaware of the left shoving down their ideas down our throats. Ive watched many videos where I’ve seen that type of behavior and I’m subbed to many channels who expose this behavior and I do not get that impression from Fr.Casey’s video.
I completely agree with you on this, Father. Too often people forget the value of human life. I am guilty of that myself (often when stuck in traffic), but I always try to keep it in mind, and I can't believe when people put a greater emphasis on things like plants and animals. It is crazy to me.
I've seen people vandalizing churches just because they can. People do this and record it, proud of their disrespect, btw this is this what they want: disrespect, destroy.
I cannot agree with all you have said here. As a person who in my younger heart found myself To be held and shot at gunpoint, kidnapped, my car stolen, and other personal affronts by other races. I become quite angry when told Caucasians are at fault for all types of racial and social injustices. Although I have been a victim of these actions by people of other races, I haven't retaliated and my ancestral homes never had slaves or victims of servitude. A Speker of the word of the LORD should not cast direct stones at those who as I was the victim of racism b/c I am Caucasian, and feel the pain others feel when treated wrong based on racial/ cultural difference.
This seems like an either/or argument. We can care about both. And the movie scene is manipulative and unreasonable. Of course one would have a more significant response to the slaughter of a beloved pet who had provided love and companionship for years than to an abstract number of victims. That is a human response. And it doesn't mean we don't care about the victims. Our caring just comes from a more abstract and principled position than the automatic outpouring of grief in the loss of a close friend. Caring about Notre Dame doesn't mean we don't care about the French homeless. That argument eats itself. Whatever one cares about, someone could always come along and say you ought to care more about this, or this, or that. Still, food for thought. Thank you.
It's incredibly hard to feel empathy when numbers are brought up. It's not because the numbers are unimportant- though sometimes, I admit, there may be people to ignore the numbers- but like you said, it is much harder to empathize when a situation is reduced to just numbers because it makes it abstract. For example, I already have trouble with visualization and scale, so most of the time, I can't truly understand what it means. However, that should not stop us from trying to understand each other. Like Pope Francis said, we are called to build bridges between one another. I might not understand fully what someone who experiences racial persecution, homelessness, or clergy abuse goes through, but if I at the very least listened, it will help me empathize with them better. Now more than ever, it is important that we don't close our hearts. So, if we don't understand what someone is going through, that should not stop us from trying to understand, listening to them, and caring for them.
Was it Stalin, though he probably got it earlier, who said, "A single death is a tradegy, a million is a statistic." For the US, it's only 200k people who passed away from COVID, it's bad but eh. How many of those actually pray for them and their families?
When things represent ideas they are no more things but the carriers of those ideas. If somebody breaks into your home, the shock that someone was there tends to be greater than the effect of what they took. To ignore the symbolic dimension of “things” is a dangerous idea. Furthermore, I believe in loving your neighbor. There’s a reason for the word “neighbor”. There’s a lot of suffering and work to be done in our respective vicinity, and it is most effective to start there before one impossibly tries to emotionally tackle the entire world.
So many of these “things” are distractions from Jesus of Nazareth. Thank you Father Casey for the renewal of our perspective on the Faith and its core gospel message.
Dear father Casey, thanks so much for all your videos, I do have one comment for this one: you said at 3:00 that 40% of people in paris are below poverty line, I believe you meant 14%, which I believe is the correct percentage. As for notre dame, I dont think you can think about money in that way. Notre dame cathedral is almost eternal and so is poverty. It makes sense to renovate it with as much money as needed to restore it. Out of respect of god and the people that built it long ago. Pulling people out of poverty isnt just a matter of pooring money into their communities. I would argue that the renovation puts people to work and brings with it a unity and whole economy.
When we lose the ability to be emphatic, sympathetic and concerned with what is valuable, then we truly lose our faith and our humanity. Jesus came to save us and if we follow Him, we truly save ourselves.
Things are to be used so we are well within our rights to be upset when they are "abused". They represent common ideals, worship practices and even shelters. An attack on them is easily interpreted as an attack on those same ideas, shelters and worships. We should oppose and condemn such attacks. However, just as when we talk about sin, we should hate the act itself, not those who do it. There is an inalienable image of God in all of us. It's a part of us, an integral part that serves as a sign that we are loved by God and should be loved by each other. Love is never difficult. Wrongdoings (theirs or ours) can hide the path towards a person that should be loved but if we get around to finding what path brought them or us towards wrong actions, love becomes easy because all that will be found there is just another lost person that tries to do the right thing but took some wrong turns.
We all went through a long process of hate, sadness and tears. It likely happened faster for those wearing distinctive dress (ie. Roman collar). And eventually numbness, sadly. It’s a scandal brought about by the enemy’s infiltration to the church but what seems egregious is the less than stellar actions by those in authority. I would also have left the Church but didn’t because I’m here because of the True Presence of Christ. It’s His church and I am only one little part. Tears flow but eventually we must get past the tears and find a way to console the hurt souls (not with just money but with details around what discernment process has changed to ensure this does not repeat itself). It’s about time this broke when it did but what have we done about it since? Excellent video and Thank you Father!
Destroying statues of Mary or Christ is the sin of Desecration. So you can't compare it to something like breaking a window at a store. We should absolutely be speaking out about such injustices towards God.
@@BreakingInTheHabit Father, can you please clarify? Churches and altars can be desecrated, can't the same be said about statues? Why would speaking of desecrated sacred objects be comparable to idolatry?
@@dmitriyorenburg From my humble knowledge of the Holy Bible, there is nothing about "sacred statues" but sacred altars. So I understand perfectly the argument of idolatry. The altar is the place of offerings and praise to God, the statues are only representative arts of those we do not know how they really were in real life.
@@BreakingInTheHabit The DELIBERATE violation of sacred things. Sacred things are persons, places, and objects set aside publicly and by the Church’s authority for the worship of God. The violation implies that a sacred thing is desecrated precisely in its sacred character. It is a sin against the virtue of religion. This does not mean one idolized the object. Of course Catholics know that the statue isn't really the Blessed Mary but non the less represents her.
@@Kushala16 just hang up the coat and delete your comment. You obviously missed the message, veggie tales might make more sense. Or please keep looking foolish by trying to say that a statue has more worth that a human life....
More violence is just going to lead to more violence. There needs to be some peace spoken in the world. Sadly lots of the time peace is quiet voices that are not heard. Violence and negativity always spread first. We need to be more avid on spreading the message of peace and reformation, myself included.
I don’t think it’s embarrassing to cry for your dog/pet. Some people have a pet as their only friend or even as their only family member. I don’t think it’s fair to consider all pets as something “lesser” when they mean a little bit more for some people. But I still get your point, Father. It is a great point for reflection especially on the virtue of true compassion for others’ sufferings. Thank you for this! God bless! 💜✝️💜
To me this is the most important of all your videos, it is sobering to hear, a genuine wake-up and a call to arms for me to do better. This is the essence of the gospel.
There is nothing wrong with feeling more pain for a thing closer to us than for a person, as long as it is just a feeling and not an act of the will. It is in fact, I would say, a good thing that the natural constitution of a human being is such that he doesn't feel pain for every evil in the world. Because if that was the case, we would be in constant and insufferable sorrow, and life would be impossible on earth. It is the will that counts. To quote Adam Smith: “Let us suppose that the great empire of China, with all its myriads of inhabitants, was suddenly swallowed up by an earthquake, and let us consider how a man of humanity in Europe, who had no sort of connection with that part of the world, would be affected upon receiving intelligence of this dreadful calamity. He would, I imagine, first of all, express very strongly his sorrow for the misfortune of that unhappy people, he would make many melancholy reflections upon the precariousness of human life, and the vanity of all the labours of man, which could thus be annihilated in a moment. He would too, perhaps, if he was a man of speculation, enter into many reasonings concerning the effects which this disaster might produce upon the commerce of Europe, and the trade and business of the world in general. And when all this fine philosophy was over, when all these humane sentiments had been once fairly expressed, he would pursue his business or his pleasure, take his repose or his diversion, with the same ease and tranquillity, as if no such accident had happened. The most frivolous disaster which could befall himself would occasion a more real disturbance. If he was to lose his little finger to-morrow, he would not sleep to-night; but, provided he never saw them, he will snore with the most profound security over the ruin of a hundred millions of his brethren, and the destruction of that immense multitude seems plainly an object less interesting to him, than this paltry misfortune of his own. To prevent, therefore, this paltry misfortune to himself, would a man of humanity be willing to sacrifice the lives of a hundred millions of his brethren, provided he had never seen them? Human nature startles with horror at the thought, and the world, in its greatest depravity and corruption, never produced such a villain as could be capable of entertaining it. But what makes this difference? When our passive feelings are almost always so sordid and so selfish, how comes it that our active principles should often be so generous and so noble? When we are always so much more deeply affected by whatever concerns ourselves, than by whatever concerns other men; what is it which prompts the generous, upon all occasions, and the mean upon many, to sacrifice their own interests to the greater interests of others? It is not the soft power of humanity, it is not that feeble spark of benevolence which Nature has lighted up in the human heart, that is thus capable of counteracting the strongest impulses of self-love. It is a stronger power, a more forcible motive, which exerts itself upon such occasions. It is reason, principle, conscience, the inhabitant of the breast, the man within, the great judge and arbiter of our conduct.” ― Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments
Fr Casey I do agree with you that ppl are more important than statues and buildings. Jesus in real life endured insult and ultimate defilement which is far worse than spray paint on some religious icons. However, it is disrespectful and crosses a line. If we dont stand up against it that line will keep inching to worse and worse crimes. I suspect that the ppl committing this vandalism dont truly care about social justice.
An important point, well made and timely. But I can't help but think you've never had a dog. Suffering is suffering, cruelty is cruelty, love is love. It's not that the priest cared for a thing more than he cared about people. It's that he cared for the living being closest to him more than the faceless mass of mediated victims, when he should have wept for both.
Part of human psychology is that we mourn that which is close to us. People form emotional attachments to their dogs or certain places or particular people-- not to masses of people, especially people far away. Add to that that we're constantly bombarded with news stories about people dying or hurt, and we become numb, partially because so very often there's absolutely nothing we can do about it, and partially because we don't feel loss if we don't have a personal connection to a thing or person. I don't think that makes us evil. I've been a victim of sexual assault by a priest, I don't expect people to burst into tears when they hear my story, especially if they don't know me personally. Feelings quite frankly don't do squat. I don't care if a priest reading my story on a blog somewhere sheds a tear for me, I hope he walks away making a concrete change like better enforcing the safe environment rules at his parish or by bettering his own boundaries. What I hope they do is learn from my story and take steps to address that sort of abuse in their own communities, but I know they won't do that if someone doesn't show them what ACTIONS to take. And so often, no one does. They just ask you to cry and get angry with no concrete way to direct it. Case in point, people accuse pro-lifers all the time of not caring for those at the Mexican border. Yet a couple years ago, when the crisis reached a boiling point, two pro-life leaders were able to raise thousands of dollars and bring a semi truck full of supplies to a charity that helped immigrants, especially mothers and small babies and children. They were asked for a specific action rather than for an emotional response or self flagellation, and they were able to help other people in a concrete, real way. I don't think asking people to care "in general" is even the LEAST bit productive. I think asking people, and giving people the opportunity, to do specific, concrete actions is.
Also, incidentally, this is why I feel like community based action is so much stronger than 'big scale'. I can't do anything for people in Syria, but I can give something to that homeless guy on the side of the road. It sounds bad, but why should I waste my mental and emotional energy on things I can't change, help, or influence in any way? Better to focus on the things I CAN do.
As a young woman I lived in Paris for nine months. I saw then that Notre Dame is not only a beautiful church both to look at and to pray in, but a place where many people find calm and comfort just by being there. Exhausted workers after a long working day, women burdened with what they bought for their families, homeless people craving for peace and beauty, even homesick and stupid little Claudia trying to cope with some difficult situations. I am sure the mere presence of Notre Dame de Paris has saved lives and souls. Of course it is wrong to forget people over artefacts. But also it is wrong to say that artefacts which are there for the use of all people don't matter. Whether a church burns down by accident or is vandalized, it always means that something is destroyed which means a part of their home for many people.
Property rights are important. Their existence under-pins a stable and peaceful society. A problem in Africa and other parts of the world is that property titles are not properly recorded so as to allow allow people to be dispossed and unable to raise money against its value to buy things to improve their lives. Respect for property and a robust system of recording ownership is necessary for society to flourish.
I agree with what is said in the video ... but at the same time ... one of things that upset me this past summer was the idea that while all the protesters in California were tearing down statues of Junipero Serra in California in the name of Social Justice, nothing - literally nothing - was said about the homeless crisis there. I'm willing to look within and question my own priorities, my own practice of Fransican charism and Catholicism ... but I honestly believe that Social Justice as concept has to be better defined in this age. I'm sorry, but if I'm going to challenge myself, I'd like to see acts of vandalism in the name of something greater be likewise challenged in the same way.
my understanding is that tearing down statues is a strategy to liberate people from racism and that black people deserve to live in a country that doesn’t consecrate racists. i think if you look deeper into movements like BLM you will find that racism and homelessness and poverty are all entwined and those organizations are also doing some of the most important work to end homelessness
@@goodwilloutlet so they do this by alienating Catholics and Fransicans who at the time were some of the leading voices I saw imploring others to listen to their message? There are probably a great many other things they could have targeted to convey the same point. And to me they certainly didn't do a particularly good job of linking this to homelessness.
Thank you Fr. Casey for reminding me to take that extra time & part with some of my things to care for the lesser fortunate people because you never know who's life you will change.
Thanks Fr. Casey...FOR UPHOLDING WHAT TRULY MATTERS AS JESUS HAVE POINTED OUT TO US IN HIS GOSPELS.In the chaos and confusion of the world the essential dignity and value of the human person is often lost and forgotten.
Thank you for the reminder! Truly PEOPLE are what matter. You absolutely nailed it, especially during this time of social unrest when I was troubled to see the destruction happening all around our holy and religious places- the desecration of catholic sculptures. It angered me, but yes, I am forgetting the hungry, needy, poor and the people who are treated unjustly. God bless you for this powerful message.
Fr Casey. you cannot be so cavalier about that dog. Perhaps only a dog lover can understand this but my dogs are my family. I adored my mother and when she died I grieved terribly but when my dog Baron died I grieved for that dog more than I have for any other being. I love you but please don't minimize how much a human can love an animal who gives him unconditional love. Honestly Fr Casey your dismissive tone about the dog is very hurtful to me and many others I'm sure. I love you and think you are an amazing man and priest. God bless you.
I agree with your premise. But maybe it´s more important to do this in local way. You cannot change anything by whining about rasism and poverty, if you don´t watch out and try to change these things in your neighborhood. I find that nowadays people very easily fall to that category of getting offended and emotionaly sucked by everything bad, that´s happening in the world. So recognize bad traits, then try to prevent them from happening where you can.
Anyone else have trouble believing others when they claim to be struggling or just having a roll your eyes outlook on it i can't stand how judgemental I find myself being all the time especially when it's over someone struggling
Our buildings are often more powerful testaments to our faith than we are and make us question the idea of love. The fire at Notre Dame in Paris brought out a lot of feeling that the Church needs. We care about the people around us, yet we die. The geography of faith includes buildings. I'm not a fan of the suburbs, but if I fell in love with someone who worked in a strip mall in an outer suburb, that strip mall might be the most beautiful place I'd ever know. Love is what matters. Miracles aren't consigned to pretty places. Yet an old church allows us to point and say: "Look at that! " People used to care.
Fr. I enjoy your videos, I am looking into becoming a Catholic. It seems when it come to the riots that both sides need to consider the teaching of Christ when it come to turning the other cheek. Let's not riot, let's pray for those who hate us. Let's not be angry with those who burn and loot let's love and forgive them.
Even if the murderer was a victim, he'd be guilty of the same selective-sympathy he accused the priest of. He was more than ready to cry for himself and his own suffering, but doesn't care one jot for the suffering he inflicts upon others.
One popular type of TH-cam video are the ''My Reaction Videos'' that people make of their own reactions to popular television series. People get upset, get angry, are sad or cry when their favorite fictional characters are killed off their beloved TV series. Real tears, real emotions are on display. Yet they often don't have the same profound reactions when real life horrific events occur. We in the West continue to mourn and remember the lost of human lives of September 11, 2001. Some 3000+ lives were lost that day; the pain and emotions can still be felt today by many. You can recall where you were and what you felt on that day. A couple of years later, on December 26, 2004 an earthquake-tsunami occurred in the Indian ocean; within the hour more than 228,000 people died ( yes, 228,000 people). Can you recall where you were and what you felt on that day ? Proximity, sense of familiarity and worth are the factors that frame our reactions, whether it be things, fictional characters in a TV series or real people far away. Let us not be indifferent ! Lets keep it real and balanced ! God Bless, JC (OFS).
So what you’re saying is, it’s wrong for me to bulldoze hippies? And what is more that I should use the bulldozer I acquired to say, clear debris from disaster areas instead of running over hippies?
@@frankrault3190 No, I just let my anger at hippies destroying statues of saints cloud my judgment, also I am now in massive debt from taking out a loan to buy a bulldozer.
@@allthenewsordeath5772 i think if the bulldozer blows up and you cry less about it than the flattened people, god will probably forgive the loan. it’s like PEMDAS
I don't feel this is a fair statement. So many times people make the comments, Why do you prioritize this issue over that. Why do you care so much about statues when so many are suffering, is the question? Why can't we care about more than one thing ? I feel that vandalism on catholic property is a direct attack on Jesus's church against my beliefs and against my religious rights. Some would say its sacrilegious .which would be an attack against God and his word. Your right and I do feel compassion for the poor and thats why millions are donated and so many try to help. We have room in our hearts to have compassion for both.
Have you seen the Quebec movie "L'âge des ténèbres" (Days of Darkness). There is a heartbreaking scene where they are selling the contents of an abandoned Catholic Church, and the buyer tells them it has no value, no artistic value, not even "sentimental value". They are just pawning and razing their traditions and their heritage, which is a sensitive subject here.
So true... May God bless this victim's souls and bring them inner healing...and also may God wash those priests and people who abuse in his precious blood and fill them with his Holy Spirit.We should be more considerate towards people and also Christian persecution every day.
I disagree with this take. A person is not guilty for his emotions. The priest in the movie was right to cry more for his dog than for other, greater, but more distant tragedies. God gives us minor yet intimate tragedies as a window into the greater suffering of the world. Similarly, it is not a sin to donate vast amounts of money to rebuild Notre Dame even while the poor suffer; Jesus says that we will always have the poor. And beautiful churches are the wealth of the community. And iconoclasm is at least as bad as so-called systemic racism. And I’m just a little bit upset right now
I'll be honest, I never really cared about the buildings. But on the news, Is it fair to ask if maybe we have only so much space for all these things? There is so much of it, and so many horrible things happening. If allow my self to read it I sink to a dark place where I can't function/parent. I cry and pray for them but I can't help but feel like there's a danger in having 24/7 access to global news... I've limited myself to just local news, so that at least I can find ways to help local or make change.
I agree 100% that people should take precedence over thing, and that this is a BIG problem in today’s world, but I must respectfully disagree with all the main examples that you brought forward. The case of Notre Dame. With 40 million, Notre Dame can be rebuild. The social security system of France costs 470 billion a year, and yet there still poverty. That 40 million would be a drop in the water to the money used to take care of the poor. This is extensively discussed with the Protestants, who say that “the Church should sell all their belongings and feed the poor”. And I believe I saw the answer in one of your videos, in the way that the Church do help the poor and the Church richness are not liquid. But I also say that, if for some case all the buildings and property is sold to feed the poor, the poor would be feed by some months, and then we are left with nothing concrete to say that God is important to us. The case of the movie The priest of the movie can take of his dog, so he got sad when it died, because he loved it. It is a thing, but he loved it. What the priest could do to help the boy in need? He could not love his dog? Or the suffering of a person he doesn’t know should negate his feeling? We should be allowed to be happy, because someone somewhere in the world is suffering? We should help the others in need, as Jesus says, but I don’t believe this should negate our happiness. Because someone somewhere is suffering, this doesn’t mean that I should not celebrate my marriage. The case of the race riots This a a complex topic with a lot to be unpacked, but it is not fair to say that this a thing that people don’t care, when is literally one of the most talked about issues in America.
I dont think crying is necessary but doing something about it. After all we can't control our feelings only our actions with the help of the Holy Spirit.
One of our houses that we lease out has a grotto of the Blessed Virgin. On one occasion We visited the property, we saw the the grotto of the Blessed Virgin vandalized with colored markers, to our horror. The renter family didn't even apologize! Saying it was a plaster statue. Born again Christians. We evicted them same day. Those idiot renters don't have respect.
This was a rather interesting video. I think it goes without saying many people have good intentions and on some level share with you that very trend of thought. Yeah it most certainly can be very easy to forget others sometimes. Those rather big numbers of people struggling you had mentioned is chiefly one of those reasons without a doubt. We see these kinds of numbers or hear of them and it seems so distant. That distance all too often makes one shrug it off. Good food for thought. Just loved your choice of scripture at the end of this video, it's nothing short of justice and Godly promise.Amen. Great video, thank you!📼👍😇
Having a great day Fr. Casey...🤔 St. Mother Teresa comes to mind...points to a man...."Take care of his needs." after the care ... then the patient dies...🙏✝️ needs met...To the least of these
This one hits the heart and home for it is so hard to feel suffering that is not close to you. Guilty as charged
Not guilty slyfox, just awake and aware. Spirit is with you, be still and know.
I know, empathy hurts
@@gazagxrlx2974 lllll
One thing I don't like about talking about coronavirus "numbers" is that it takes away from the fact that these aren't just factors in a math problem- they're real people going through real things.
I think the reason why people(myself included on occasions) get scandalized by the vandalizing or destruction of Church property is not due to the property itself, but because it's a red flag about hate against Catholicism and sometimes to Christianity in general. We are already aware that that hate is real, but there others that they are not willing to recognize it, so pointing out at those acts are a way to make it evident.
The religious persecution apparently is being systematically overlooked. Even if that doesn't happen in the US, that doesn't mean it's impossible to happen, and a way to determine that the prejudices are getting dangerous is the destruction of property (... and also, there are scopes where exists religious discrimination in the west and it has been unrecognized or diminished).
I have read opinions of people diminishing the possibility of getting religious persecution against Christians in the US given that the majority of population and even politicians self identify as Christians. However, even when the danger is bigger for religious minorities, there have been precedent of persecution to Christianity in places where Christians were a majority (like the Soviet Union or even Mexico); and also that I would put into question how many of those politicians are really Christians (if most of them were really Christians then the government should behave as an entity guided by Christ, and that's not the case, so by reductio ad absurdum, most of them are just pretenders).
Ok, now to the point: do the people who complain about vandalism really doesn't care about the people's suffering in the world? I think that's a bold claim. There are a lot of charity organizations supported or funded by Christians.
I completely understand where you are coming from. I am guessing you are living in the US like myself. I also feel concern/hurt when I see this vandalism. However, I think you have slightly misinterpreted what he is saying. When I listened, I was under no impression that Fr. Casey claimed that people who complain about vandalism don't care about people's suffering. What he is saying is that some have been using their voices concerning the vandalism, and yet they are silent about other evils. It doesn't mean that they don't care, but they are prioritizing one over the other. Neither should be diminished. It is possible to condemn the destruction of property and also condemn the violence of those people's oppressors. The example he used from the film suggests that the priest simply cared more about his dog than the people that were hurt; not that he didn't care at all.
If I may add my own thoughts, A wise man once said "rioting is the language of the unheard". It is not good to act in this way, but sometimes when people are upset they express their anger in destructive ways without thinking about the consequences. (Similar feeling to a "temper tantrum", where your anger takes over). People who commit crimes should face the consequences, but the only way to prevent these things from continuing is to practice empathy by listening to and acknowledging the source of their pain first so that everyone can heal and find a new course of action.
As true Christians we were promised this life wouldn't be easy. Hate towards true Chrisitians is what was promised. Walking along side Christ means picking up your own cross silently.
@@jamesparson lol I wasn't replying to you. My reply went to the original post...I'm a minority, poc and immigrant, trust me I know hate and discrimination. I'm not telling anyone to be okay with their oppression, nor that Christians oppression is as bad as other people...all I'm saying that at least being a Christian and being hated on because of it is pretty great. So as Chrisitians we shouldn't complain being hated on because we are Christians. Is that make sense?
With all due respect Fr, I want to push back just a little and challenge some of your thought presented here.
The way we feel about our own dog (or someone close to us) will almost always be more emotionally impactful than the feelings we have towards those who are far from us or whom we do not know. This is not only natural, but good. It's good for a number of reasons.
The first is merely practical. If our empathy extended equally to every suffering regardless of knowledge or proximity, we would be sapped of emotional energy so as to become absolutely paralyzed. Try to imagine feeling how you feel about your own mother dying and extending that to every mother dying in the world. Our souls are not built here to bear the weight of that kind of sorrow, besides it being an abstraction. God knows this. Perhaps He intends to build that capacity into us as we grow in Holiness throughout eternity. But it is not even a physical possibility here.
The second is for our own spiritual benefit. There is an insidious kind of pride that tends to grow (especially in modern man) that manifests itself in attempting to "make the world a better place." Often we are so obsessed with becoming "culture changers" that we forget our very hearts are what need change. Our family and small community set before us is our first and primary mission field. Who we are surrounded by is no accident. Our family, friends, and local community will always be both our mission field and the body of people who most affect us emotionally. I suppose it would have been different for the priest in the film if one of the abused were a friend or parishioner, and that is both expected and right. Though it may be a kind of virtue to care for those who are far from you, it is a kind of special vocation that will always blossom from the *taking care of those close to you first*. "Be faithful with little, and you will be faithful with much" might also read as, "be faithful to those close to you, and you will be faithful with those who are far away." If you feel a sense of shame when *not* feeling empathy towards those who you do not know, remedy this by paying close attention to the suffering of those closest to you and minister to them. In so doing you will find a world of suffering that perhaps you never noticed before, a mission field you walked by every day. Otherwise, we often neglect to bear that shame in a healthy way and it becomes transmuted into perverse forms of control (the 20th and 21st centuries are filled with such bloody examples of people wanting to make the "world a better place").
Secondly I wanted to challenge you on the way you're framing "things vs. people". Though obviously a living soul has more ontic value than a non-living object, there seems to be a tinge of *iconoclasm* in the way these ideas are presented here. Icons and the artifacts that we make and worship in and through are not just "nice to have" things, they are often the very means of salvation for a soul. Think of conversions based on beauty, the presence of an object, the *physical effects of art* etc. We are creatures, and the un-created God speaks to us through *things*. When a person makes a thing, that persons soul is manifest in the it, and nature itself reflects and speaks God to us as language. The very poor and needy whom you implore us to minister to are often quite hungry for and sated through these very kinds of *things* that God has made as balms for their soul. It's important to mourn for the loss of things not unlike we mourn the loss of people, (and rejoice in kind) because the all of Creation bears the marks of our Creator, and it is through Creation that we ascertain Him.
That's all - in general I agree with the thrust of what you're saying. But lest people devalue the good in the special attachment they have to someone close to them or the goodness in a created thing, I wanted to add a few thoughts for consideration. Thanks for your videos as always.
Well and charitably said!
Very well put.
This is awesome. As a person who defaults to empathy rather than healthy distance - I have had to learn that it’s ok to cry about my dog and not to be overwhelmed with despair for days or weeks on end because I read a sad news story. What finally clicked for me was the idea that I can help no one if I am overwhelmed with grief for them. But if I focus carefully on the needs of the people around me, balancing my empathy properly, I can actually help.
I understand Father Casey’s point - but these issues have to be weighed with care. I see and acknowledge injustice. I feel empathy to the extent that I can be helpful through prayer or action and don’t need to feel guilt about what I can’t do.
Very well said, you make points in which I very much find my own believes in this topic. Screenshots were taken ^^
People are so obsessed with being special and “making the world a better place”, their arrogance and grand, often international, perspective are ironically Balkanizing every society they touch, regardless of religion. Focusing on community, being selfish, empathetic to people right next to you rather than half way around the world and even a little nationalistic ironically prevents all of these things from spiraling out of control. Thanks for the wisdom.
I'm 32 Filipino/Indian/Singaporean living in Ireland. I've seen the worst in human behaviour, racist sentiment, selfishness and greed in my 21 months living here. I thought life was hard before and it just got worst here. I use to be angry, frustrated, resentful, complained and blame. Now I only look towards how I can use my heart, mind and spirit for the glory of God. He has answered my calls and I know now more than ever what I have to do.
God bless
@NJ wow...😯 u migrate to Ireland u my friend are awesome👏👏👏
@@Noname-dr1jm Thanks, it is difficult, I am from Singapore originally, and it is 10 times easier back there. But I understand God knows what is good for me.
Good vibrations always
@@luckyleo88 why Ireland my friend?
@@Noname-dr1jm Well, my wife is Irish and she wanted to go back to Ireland, so I guess this is what you sacrifice for the name of marriage and love.
@@luckyleo88 😭 u the man my friend.
I think I finally understand what you have been trying to say in several previous videos and you are right Fr.Casey. If salt is not salty, then what good is it. If we do not act like Christ, can we say we know Him and He us? Your insights are uncannily timely and sharpened to break through the stony plates around the sinner's heart.
God bless you and keep you always. Through Jesus Christ, our Blessed Lord and Savior now and forever. Amen.
Agree. And Jesus said in mathew 7 v21-23. Not all who prophesy, cast out demons, and perform many miracles shall enter his kingdom. Creation in its entirety means caring for both man and beast---with us, we were made in His image, so we should react as we would like others to react to us .....the Golden rule-!!
Hard hitting, but gently given - thank you for the food for thought/prayer, Fr. Casey
Amen Amen Amen, excellent reflection Padre Casey, thank you for your words. Many blessings to you
Yet another deep spiritual dive for me, to care less about things and care more about people:God's own self. Deep and challenging thought. Thank you.
Wasn't Jesus pretty upset when His found his Father's house was being turned into a den of thieves"?
Upset? He beat them with a whip. He was very angry, this was what outraged him the most, not even a man spitting on his face had the same effect or being crusified, he took it as an offence to god.
The thieves literally put up shop in the part of the Temple meant for foreigners - in other words their corruption was pushing *people* away from God.
I don’t think that Br. Casey was saying we couldn’t feel outrage or sorrow in response to vandalism, he was just asserting that we often get more caught up in that outrage than things that are far more important.
I have been trying in some of my TH-cam comments to get rid of so-called private prisons. They offend my sense of justice and they scare me.
Here's why:
Private prisons do not exit to punish the guilty or reform then. They don't even exist for revenge. They exist only for the purpose of making money.
In order to keep then filled nany misdemeanors have been upgraded to felonies.
Where they exist the police and courts have arrest and conviction quotas to keep up the population and people more especially minority and black people are sent there and forced to work.
They are paid little or nothing at all for their work. Nothing for the comisary or toward their release. Many of then shouldn't be there at all.
Among free people menial jobs are being replaced by these prison laborers. I understand things for Starbucks are pur together in private prisons They also make reservations for a number of hotels
The point is these people are getting around the thirteenth amends which abolished slavery except for "... those duly convicted ... " where slavery it is allowed.
Fortunately many states that have used them have stopped the practice. I live in Utah where they aren't used. Back in 2000 we had around 200 in private prisons ( probably out of state. ) We no longer use them at all. All of my neighbor states use them to varying degrees.
They are the worst in Montana, Hawaii and for federal prisoners.
I also want the notorious Gitmo prison at Guantanamo Navel Base closed this because atrocities have been committed there.
I don't think that being more emotional towards something necessarily means that you value it more.
For example, I'll trade the life of my dog if it will save a human life in an instant. But I will be more emotional towards the death of my pet than a death of a stranger.
Emotion doesn't necessarily equates value.
Good point
If someone I love dies, I'll cry but I don't expect you to cry.
So being unemotional is the way? Apathy? Unchristian and uncatholic. When one is truly emotionally involved will one act on it. Empathy. Sympathy. Love. All are emotions.
@@voidremoved probably need more information. How is it that the only way to save the puppy is by killing that bad person? The example is very vague.
@@voidremoved this is actually a fascinating question. Does God value a human more than an animal? Going from the bible one could say that we are created in God's image whereas an Animal is not. God has given us the potential to transcend biological existence, I.e. the confines of the survival instinct, therefore being able to truely follow God. In that case one would reason that a human no matter what always has more value to God because he can never loose this potential and God has an infinite capacity for forgiveness.
If all living things have the same value because all are Gods creation why should God love the tic you remove from your dog and kill any less than your dog. Both would be loved creations of God.
However, it has always seemed like hybris to me that God favours us over the rest of creation.
As your words are always so truthful. You continue to give us something to think about, to pray about and hopefully something to act upon. Thank you Father Casey.
I spent 3 years in China studying local rural Catholic communities. Members of these communities are often the poorest and the people most discriminated against in their country. Although they may not be able to put food on their tables, the walls of their own houses may be broken, and they may be arrested and tortured by the police the in next minutes, they always build and rebuild their churches beautifully, and they always respect their priests. Church buildings and statues are more than just things. They are symbols that comfort the people of good will, rich and poor alike. The poor need more than just food on their tables and walls surrounding them but also the shining cross above their heads, the church music in their ears and the fatherly priest in their parishes. We humans also need more than physical life but more importantly the spiritual life. Notre Dame in Paris and the vandalised churches, statues allover the world are not just Church properties but also facilities and pieces of art than can be equally enjoyed by the good people in those cities, especially people who are poor and discriminated against in rest of the world. So protecting churches and statues is to serve the poor.
"There's no grays, only white that's got grubby. I'm surprised you don't know that. And sin, young man, is when you treat people like things. Including yourself. That's what sin is."
-Granny Weatherwax, Discworld
Terry Pratchett was in my opinion a remarkably Christian atheist.
@@allthenewsordeath5772 Many Western atheists are. It's no surprise given how much religion permeates the cultures in this hemisphere. The idea of what a good person even is, in the West, largely based in the Old and New Testaments. With Terry Pratchett being considered by most a good person by most, it's no surprise he acts like a holy man, despite him not believing in a literal God.
One of my favourite writers and one of my favourite characters! And that is the best definition of sin I have ever seen!
@@cobaltcrusader9841
Agreed, the question I often ponder though is how much longer can the flowers live absent the soil.
@@allthenewsordeath5772 Pretty long, I reckon- the morality of God lives in so long as people believe in the morals, regardless if they believe in God Himself
I agree with the overall point being made here, but there is something to be said about property which many people write-off. Property is an extension of human life to the degree that it is necessary for human life. You may be able to survive for years without ever seeing a doctor, but you may die in a few short days without food and water.
Who can say whether a beautiful cathedral or statue has drawn someone closer to God? And if it did, then that statue may be more important than something else while not necessarily being more important than *someone* else. It is a fallacy to believe that these things are mutually exclusive.
This sort of limited thinking was implemented to detrimental effect during the pandemic of 2020 in which much of the world shut down their economies, because of a notion that we shouldn't "care more about property than human life"--never seemingly to fully realize that human productivity sustains life. If Jesus didn't go out into the crowds, then no person would have touched his cloak and been healed.
Perhaps the real problem is living in excess and gluttony. Never restraining oneself. I do not believe that the people who donated to the repair of Notre Dame did any evil, but that could be a take-away from this video. And it requires many assumptions and judgements on the intentions of others to come to this conclusion. Take for example someone who believes the poverty in France is due to government policy of which they have absolutely no control. Then is it not better for them to donate to the repair of a symbol of great hope in light of such an understanding of the world?
Preach! This was nourishing to me. Thank you for sharing Fr. Casey!
Fr Casey, recently I read a very sad news in the US that an old man was killed in the coronavirus treatment room by a fellow patient just because he prayed. That happened at Antelope Valley Hospital in California.
I think it is very terrible news for the US.
I never cease to be impressed and humbled by the wisdom of this young man.
@@Canisius19 This isn’t left wing propaganda. The left promotes focusing just on ones self and following selfish desires. Fr. Casey is doing the opposite of that.
@@Canisius19 You are falsely accusing Fr. Casey of saying things he clearly did not say. You seem to have misinterpreted his video so I ask you to watch it again.
@@Canisius19 What exactly did he say to make you think this? Trust me I’m not coming from a place where I’m unaware of the left shoving down their ideas down our throats. Ive watched many videos where I’ve seen that type of behavior and I’m subbed to many channels who expose this behavior and I do not get that impression from Fr.Casey’s video.
Let us Care for one another...
Thank you Kiran. Straight and to the point. Bright Blessings to us all!
@@alicereneefannell9744 I am a seminarian and please do pray....
I completely agree with you on this, Father. Too often people forget the value of human life. I am guilty of that myself (often when stuck in traffic), but I always try to keep it in mind, and I can't believe when people put a greater emphasis on things like plants and animals. It is crazy to me.
wow ...well done, Father ....you're best video ...God bless you
I've seen people vandalizing churches just because they can. People do this and record it, proud of their disrespect, btw this is this what they want: disrespect, destroy.
Some people just like destroying things. There's some innate part of people that is satisfied with seeing destruction.
I cannot agree with all you have said here. As a person who in my younger heart found myself To be held and shot at gunpoint, kidnapped, my car stolen, and other personal affronts by other races. I become quite angry when told Caucasians are at fault for all types of racial and social injustices. Although I have been a victim of these actions by people of other races, I haven't retaliated and my ancestral homes never had slaves or victims of servitude. A Speker of the word of the LORD should not cast direct stones at those who as I was the victim of racism b/c I am Caucasian, and feel the pain others feel when treated wrong based on racial/ cultural difference.
5:48 Wow, hearing that verse is even more beautiful, while talking about properties and pets...
This seems like an either/or argument. We can care about both. And the movie scene is manipulative and unreasonable. Of course one would have a more significant response to the slaughter of a beloved pet who had provided love and companionship for years than to an abstract number of victims. That is a human response. And it doesn't mean we don't care about the victims. Our caring just comes from a more abstract and principled position than the automatic outpouring of grief in the loss of a close friend. Caring about Notre Dame doesn't mean we don't care about the French homeless. That argument eats itself. Whatever one cares about, someone could always come along and say you ought to care more about this, or this, or that. Still, food for thought. Thank you.
It's incredibly hard to feel empathy when numbers are brought up. It's not because the numbers are unimportant- though sometimes, I admit, there may be people to ignore the numbers- but like you said, it is much harder to empathize when a situation is reduced to just numbers because it makes it abstract. For example, I already have trouble with visualization and scale, so most of the time, I can't truly understand what it means.
However, that should not stop us from trying to understand each other. Like Pope Francis said, we are called to build bridges between one another. I might not understand fully what someone who experiences racial persecution, homelessness, or clergy abuse goes through, but if I at the very least listened, it will help me empathize with them better. Now more than ever, it is important that we don't close our hearts. So, if we don't understand what someone is going through, that should not stop us from trying to understand, listening to them, and caring for them.
Was it Stalin, though he probably got it earlier, who said, "A single death is a tradegy, a million is a statistic."
For the US, it's only 200k people who passed away from COVID, it's bad but eh.
How many of those actually pray for them and their families?
When things represent ideas they are no more things but the carriers of those ideas. If somebody breaks into your home, the shock that someone was there tends to be greater than the effect of what they took. To ignore the symbolic dimension of “things” is a dangerous idea. Furthermore, I believe in loving your neighbor. There’s a reason for the word “neighbor”. There’s a lot of suffering and work to be done in our respective vicinity, and it is most effective to start there before one impossibly tries to emotionally tackle the entire world.
Father, you speak like a true Franciscan, beautiful!
So many of these “things” are distractions from Jesus of Nazareth. Thank you Father Casey for the renewal of our perspective on the Faith and its core gospel message.
Thank you for the Wakeup Call, I needed it. May God bless you always.
Dear father Casey, thanks so much for all your videos, I do have one comment for this one: you said at 3:00 that 40% of people in paris are below poverty line, I believe you meant 14%, which I believe is the correct percentage. As for notre dame, I dont think you can think about money in that way. Notre dame cathedral is almost eternal and so is poverty. It makes sense to renovate it with as much money as needed to restore it. Out of respect of god and the people that built it long ago. Pulling people out of poverty isnt just a matter of pooring money into their communities. I would argue that the renovation puts people to work and brings with it a unity and whole economy.
When we lose the ability to be emphatic, sympathetic and concerned with what is valuable, then we truly lose our faith and our humanity. Jesus came to save us and if we follow Him, we truly save ourselves.
Things are to be used so we are well within our rights to be upset when they are "abused". They represent common ideals, worship practices and even shelters. An attack on them is easily interpreted as an attack on those same ideas, shelters and worships. We should oppose and condemn such attacks. However, just as when we talk about sin, we should hate the act itself, not those who do it. There is an inalienable image of God in all of us. It's a part of us, an integral part that serves as a sign that we are loved by God and should be loved by each other. Love is never difficult. Wrongdoings (theirs or ours) can hide the path towards a person that should be loved but if we get around to finding what path brought them or us towards wrong actions, love becomes easy because all that will be found there is just another lost person that tries to do the right thing but took some wrong turns.
We all went through a long process of hate, sadness and tears. It likely happened faster for those wearing distinctive dress (ie. Roman collar). And eventually numbness, sadly. It’s a scandal brought about by the enemy’s infiltration to the church but what seems egregious is the less than stellar actions by those in authority. I would also have left the Church but didn’t because I’m here because of the True Presence of Christ. It’s His church and I am only one little part. Tears flow but eventually we must get past the tears and find a way to console the hurt souls (not with just money but with details around what discernment process has changed to ensure this does not repeat itself). It’s about time this broke when it did but what have we done about it since?
Excellent video and Thank you Father!
Destroying statues of Mary or Christ is the sin of Desecration. So you can't compare it to something like breaking a window at a store. We should absolutely be speaking out about such injustices towards God.
If you equate destroying a statue with desecration, you might be slipping into idolatry.
@@BreakingInTheHabit Father, can you please clarify? Churches and altars can be desecrated, can't the same be said about statues? Why would speaking of desecrated sacred objects be comparable to idolatry?
@@dmitriyorenburg From my humble knowledge of the Holy Bible, there is nothing about "sacred statues" but sacred altars.
So I understand perfectly the argument of idolatry.
The altar is the place of offerings and praise to God, the statues are only representative arts of those we do not know how they really were in real life.
@@BreakingInTheHabit The DELIBERATE violation of sacred things. Sacred things are persons, places, and objects set aside publicly and by the Church’s authority for the worship of God. The violation implies that a sacred thing is desecrated precisely in its sacred character. It is a sin against the virtue of religion. This does not mean one idolized the object. Of course Catholics know that the statue isn't really the Blessed Mary but non the less represents her.
@@Kushala16 just hang up the coat and delete your comment. You obviously missed the message, veggie tales might make more sense. Or please keep looking foolish by trying to say that a statue has more worth that a human life....
I am going to be honest.............. I almost cried...... Amazing Job
More violence is just going to lead to more violence. There needs to be some peace spoken in the world. Sadly lots of the time peace is quiet voices that are not heard. Violence and negativity always spread first. We need to be more avid on spreading the message of peace and reformation, myself included.
I don’t think it’s embarrassing to cry for your dog/pet. Some people have a pet as their only friend or even as their only family member. I don’t think it’s fair to consider all pets as something “lesser” when they mean a little bit more for some people. But I still get your point, Father. It is a great point for reflection especially on the virtue of true compassion for others’ sufferings. Thank you for this! God bless! 💜✝️💜
"Insensitivity is the secret plague of the human heart that leads to inaction and the continued suffering of everyone."
- Me
To me this is the most important of all your videos, it is sobering to hear, a genuine wake-up and a call to arms for me to do better. This is the essence of the gospel.
There is nothing wrong with feeling more pain for a thing closer to us than for a person, as long as it is just a feeling and not an act of the will. It is in fact, I would say, a good thing that the natural constitution of a human being is such that he doesn't feel pain for every evil in the world. Because if that was the case, we would be in constant and insufferable sorrow, and life would be impossible on earth. It is the will that counts. To quote Adam Smith:
“Let us suppose that the great empire of China, with all its myriads of inhabitants, was suddenly swallowed up by an earthquake, and let us consider how a man of humanity in Europe, who had no sort of connection with that part of the world, would be affected upon receiving intelligence of this dreadful calamity. He would, I imagine, first of all, express very strongly his sorrow for the misfortune of that unhappy people, he would make many melancholy reflections upon the precariousness of human life, and the vanity of all the labours of man, which could thus be annihilated in a moment. He would too, perhaps, if he was a man of speculation, enter into many reasonings concerning the effects which this disaster might produce upon the commerce of Europe, and the trade and business of the world in general. And when all this fine philosophy was over, when all these humane sentiments had been once fairly expressed, he would pursue his business or his pleasure, take his repose or his diversion, with the same ease and tranquillity, as if no such accident had happened. The most frivolous disaster which could befall himself would occasion a more real disturbance. If he was to lose his little finger to-morrow, he would not sleep to-night; but, provided he never saw them, he will snore with the most profound security over the ruin of a hundred millions of his brethren, and the destruction of that immense multitude seems plainly an object less interesting to him, than this paltry misfortune of his own. To prevent, therefore, this paltry misfortune to himself, would a man of humanity be willing to sacrifice the lives of a hundred millions of his brethren, provided he had never seen them? Human nature startles with horror at the thought, and the world, in its greatest depravity and corruption, never produced such a villain as could be capable of entertaining it. But what makes this difference? When our passive feelings are almost always so sordid and so selfish, how comes it that our active principles should often be so generous and so noble? When we are always so much more deeply affected by whatever concerns ourselves, than by whatever concerns other men; what is it which prompts the generous, upon all occasions, and the mean upon many, to sacrifice their own interests to the greater interests of others? It is not the soft power of humanity, it is not that feeble spark of benevolence which Nature has lighted up in the human heart, that is thus capable of counteracting the strongest impulses of self-love. It is a stronger power, a more forcible motive, which exerts itself upon such occasions. It is reason, principle, conscience, the inhabitant of the breast, the man within, the great judge and arbiter of our conduct.”
― Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments
Fr Casey I do agree with you that ppl are more important than statues and buildings. Jesus in real life endured insult and ultimate defilement which is far worse than spray paint on some religious icons. However, it is disrespectful and crosses a line. If we dont stand up against it that line will keep inching to worse and worse crimes. I suspect that the ppl committing this vandalism dont truly care about social justice.
Everybody gangsta until a monk spits some truth and you realize you ain’t any better.
An important point, well made and timely. But I can't help but think you've never had a dog. Suffering is suffering, cruelty is cruelty, love is love. It's not that the priest cared for a thing more than he cared about people. It's that he cared for the living being closest to him more than the faceless mass of mediated victims, when he should have wept for both.
Part of human psychology is that we mourn that which is close to us. People form emotional attachments to their dogs or certain places or particular people-- not to masses of people, especially people far away. Add to that that we're constantly bombarded with news stories about people dying or hurt, and we become numb, partially because so very often there's absolutely nothing we can do about it, and partially because we don't feel loss if we don't have a personal connection to a thing or person.
I don't think that makes us evil. I've been a victim of sexual assault by a priest, I don't expect people to burst into tears when they hear my story, especially if they don't know me personally. Feelings quite frankly don't do squat. I don't care if a priest reading my story on a blog somewhere sheds a tear for me, I hope he walks away making a concrete change like better enforcing the safe environment rules at his parish or by bettering his own boundaries. What I hope they do is learn from my story and take steps to address that sort of abuse in their own communities, but I know they won't do that if someone doesn't show them what ACTIONS to take. And so often, no one does. They just ask you to cry and get angry with no concrete way to direct it.
Case in point, people accuse pro-lifers all the time of not caring for those at the Mexican border. Yet a couple years ago, when the crisis reached a boiling point, two pro-life leaders were able to raise thousands of dollars and bring a semi truck full of supplies to a charity that helped immigrants, especially mothers and small babies and children. They were asked for a specific action rather than for an emotional response or self flagellation, and they were able to help other people in a concrete, real way.
I don't think asking people to care "in general" is even the LEAST bit productive. I think asking people, and giving people the opportunity, to do specific, concrete actions is.
Also, incidentally, this is why I feel like community based action is so much stronger than 'big scale'. I can't do anything for people in Syria, but I can give something to that homeless guy on the side of the road. It sounds bad, but why should I waste my mental and emotional energy on things I can't change, help, or influence in any way? Better to focus on the things I CAN do.
As a young woman I lived in Paris for nine months. I saw then that Notre Dame is not only a beautiful church both to look at and to pray in, but a place where many people find calm and comfort just by being there. Exhausted workers after a long working day, women burdened with what they bought for their families, homeless people craving for peace and beauty, even homesick and stupid little Claudia trying to cope with some difficult situations. I am sure the mere presence of Notre Dame de Paris has saved lives and souls.
Of course it is wrong to forget people over artefacts. But also it is wrong to say that artefacts which are there for the use of all people don't matter. Whether a church burns down by accident or is vandalized, it always means that something is destroyed which means a part of their home for many people.
Property rights are important. Their existence under-pins a stable and peaceful society. A problem in Africa and other parts of the world is that property titles are not properly recorded so as to allow allow people to be dispossed and unable to raise money against its value to buy things to improve their lives. Respect for property and a robust system of recording ownership is necessary for society to flourish.
I agree with what is said in the video ... but at the same time ... one of things that upset me this past summer was the idea that while all the protesters in California were tearing down statues of Junipero Serra in California in the name of Social Justice, nothing - literally nothing - was said about the homeless crisis there.
I'm willing to look within and question my own priorities, my own practice of Fransican charism and Catholicism ... but I honestly believe that Social Justice as concept has to be better defined in this age. I'm sorry, but if I'm going to challenge myself, I'd like to see acts of vandalism in the name of something greater be likewise challenged in the same way.
my understanding is that tearing down statues is a strategy to liberate people from racism and that black people deserve to live in a country that doesn’t consecrate racists. i think if you look deeper into movements like BLM you will find that racism and homelessness and poverty are all entwined and those organizations are also doing some of the most important work to end homelessness
@@goodwilloutlet so they do this by alienating Catholics and Fransicans who at the time were some of the leading voices I saw imploring others to listen
to their message?
There are probably a great many other things they could have targeted to convey the same point.
And to me they certainly didn't do a particularly good job of linking this to homelessness.
Thank you Fr. Casey for reminding me to take that extra time & part with some of my things to care for the lesser fortunate people because you never know who's life you will change.
God bless you Fr. Casey!
Thanks Fr. Casey...FOR UPHOLDING WHAT TRULY MATTERS AS JESUS HAVE POINTED OUT TO US IN HIS GOSPELS.In the chaos and confusion of the world the essential dignity and value of the human person is often lost and forgotten.
I wish I could hit thumbs up an extra time because this video deserves it !
Thank you for the reminder! Truly PEOPLE are what matter. You absolutely nailed it, especially during this time of social unrest when I was troubled to see the destruction happening all around our holy and religious places- the desecration of catholic sculptures. It angered me, but yes, I am forgetting the hungry, needy, poor and the people who are treated unjustly. God bless you for this powerful message.
Father Casey you are so on point. Thank you very much for this clear reminder of priorities.
Fr Casey. you cannot be so cavalier about that dog. Perhaps only a dog lover can understand this but my dogs are my family. I adored my mother and when she died I grieved terribly but when my dog Baron died I grieved for that dog more than I have for any other being. I love you but please don't minimize how much a human can love an animal who gives him unconditional love. Honestly Fr Casey your dismissive tone about the dog is very hurtful to me and many others I'm sure. I love you and think you are an amazing man and priest. God bless you.
We must pray for a better understanding of our true priorities. Something just happened to me and this just gave me the answer.
I agree with your premise. But maybe it´s more important to do this in local way. You cannot change anything by whining about rasism and poverty, if you don´t watch out and try to change these things in your neighborhood. I find that nowadays people very easily fall to that category of getting offended and emotionaly sucked by everything bad, that´s happening in the world. So recognize bad traits, then try to prevent them from happening where you can.
Thank you for your words of wisdom!!! I need to rethink my priorities.
Anyone else have trouble believing others when they claim to be struggling or just having a roll your eyes outlook on it i can't stand how judgemental I find myself being all the time especially when it's over someone struggling
Our buildings are often more powerful testaments to our faith than we are and make us question the idea of love. The fire at Notre Dame in Paris brought out a lot of feeling that the Church needs. We care about the people around us, yet we die. The geography of faith includes buildings. I'm not a fan of the suburbs, but if I fell in love with someone who worked in a strip mall in an outer suburb, that strip mall might be the most beautiful place I'd ever know. Love is what matters. Miracles aren't consigned to pretty places. Yet an old church allows us to point and say: "Look at that! " People used to care.
Whoa! Pretty good - hard to hear, but pretty good.
When religion and false wolf leaderships and evil vows of obedience become more important than God and Godliness.
This is one of your best videos yet. Excellent work!
Well said Father about material things vs human life amen and AMEN.
Good point about notre dame!
Fr. I enjoy your videos, I am looking into becoming a Catholic. It seems when it come to the riots that both sides need to consider the teaching of Christ when it come to turning the other cheek. Let's not riot, let's pray for those who hate us. Let's not be angry with those who burn and loot let's love and forgive them.
The murderer probably was not molested, he probably used that as an excuse. He wanted to kill a soft target.
Even if the murderer was a victim, he'd be guilty of the same selective-sympathy he accused the priest of. He was more than ready to cry for himself and his own suffering, but doesn't care one jot for the suffering he inflicts upon others.
Now THAT IS A POWERFUL MESSAGE!!!
One popular type of TH-cam video are the ''My Reaction Videos'' that people make of their own reactions to popular television series. People get upset, get angry, are sad or cry when their favorite fictional characters are killed off their beloved TV series. Real tears, real emotions are on display. Yet they often don't have the same profound reactions when real life horrific events occur. We in the West continue to mourn and remember the lost of human lives of September 11, 2001. Some 3000+ lives were lost that day; the pain and emotions can still be felt today by many. You can recall where you were and what you felt on that day. A couple of years later, on December 26, 2004 an earthquake-tsunami occurred in the Indian ocean; within the hour more than 228,000 people died ( yes, 228,000 people). Can you recall where you were and what you felt on that day ? Proximity, sense of familiarity and worth are the factors that frame our reactions, whether it be things, fictional characters in a TV series or real people far away. Let us not be indifferent ! Lets keep it real and balanced ! God Bless, JC (OFS).
So what you’re saying is, it’s wrong for me to bulldoze hippies?
And what is more that I should use the bulldozer I acquired to say, clear debris from disaster areas instead of running over hippies?
Did you swap topics or so?
@@frankrault3190
No, I just let my anger at hippies destroying statues of saints cloud my judgment, also I am now in massive debt from taking out a loan to buy a bulldozer.
@@frankrault3190 omg you funny
@@allthenewsordeath5772 i think if the bulldozer blows up and you cry less about it than the flattened people, god will probably forgive the loan. it’s like PEMDAS
Typo in title, than not then- people.
Great message though as always
God bless you,
I came here to do this. Thank you for beating me to it. I'll see myself out :)
@@dalmacapn there is charity in correction, bless you for the intention
@@tylerwhaley4872 God bless you
This one hits me very hard.
I should be more care about people and their feelings more than anything else.
One of your best so far
father when you say "BANG" i felt it
Thank you. This is a message everyone needs to hear.
I don't feel this is a fair statement. So many times people make the comments, Why do you prioritize this issue over that. Why do you care so much about statues when so many are suffering, is the question? Why can't we care about more than one thing ? I feel that vandalism on catholic property is a direct attack on Jesus's church against my beliefs and against my religious rights. Some would say its sacrilegious .which would be an attack against God and his word. Your right and I do feel compassion for the poor and thats why millions are donated and so many try to help. We have room in our hearts to have compassion for both.
Have you seen the Quebec movie "L'âge des ténèbres" (Days of Darkness). There is a heartbreaking scene where they are selling the contents of an abandoned Catholic Church, and the buyer tells them it has no value, no artistic value, not even "sentimental value". They are just pawning and razing their traditions and their heritage, which is a sensitive subject here.
So true... May God bless this victim's souls and bring them inner healing...and also may God wash those priests and people who abuse in his precious blood and fill them with his Holy Spirit.We should be more considerate towards people and also Christian persecution every day.
Amen, Father Casey.
Thx you Father Casey
Absolutely beautiful Father.
I disagree with this take. A person is not guilty for his emotions. The priest in the movie was right to cry more for his dog than for other, greater, but more distant tragedies. God gives us minor yet intimate tragedies as a window into the greater suffering of the world.
Similarly, it is not a sin to donate vast amounts of money to rebuild Notre Dame even while the poor suffer; Jesus says that we will always have the poor. And beautiful churches are the wealth of the community. And iconoclasm is at least as bad as so-called systemic racism. And I’m just a little bit upset right now
I'll be honest, I never really cared about the buildings. But on the news, Is it fair to ask if maybe we have only so much space for all these things? There is so much of it, and so many horrible things happening. If allow my self to read it I sink to a dark place where I can't function/parent. I cry and pray for them but I can't help but feel like there's a danger in having 24/7 access to global news... I've limited myself to just local news, so that at least I can find ways to help local or make change.
Jesus Christ valued human lives not buildings. He was homeless.
We ought to build faith in self not in structure. Dear father no evil spirit can do anything to church... AMEN.
Love your videos, praise be to God!
I agree 100% that people should take precedence over thing, and that this is a BIG problem in today’s world, but I must respectfully disagree with all the main examples that you brought forward.
The case of Notre Dame.
With 40 million, Notre Dame can be rebuild. The social security system of France costs 470 billion a year, and yet there still poverty. That 40 million would be a drop in the water to the money used to take care of the poor.
This is extensively discussed with the Protestants, who say that “the Church should sell all their belongings and feed the poor”. And I believe I saw the answer in one of your videos, in the way that the Church do help the poor and the Church richness are not liquid.
But I also say that, if for some case all the buildings and property is sold to feed the poor, the poor would be feed by some months, and then we are left with nothing concrete to say that God is important to us.
The case of the movie
The priest of the movie can take of his dog, so he got sad when it died, because he loved it. It is a thing, but he loved it.
What the priest could do to help the boy in need? He could not love his dog? Or the suffering of a person he doesn’t know should negate his feeling?
We should be allowed to be happy, because someone somewhere in the world is suffering? We should help the others in need, as Jesus says, but I don’t believe this should negate our happiness. Because someone somewhere is suffering, this doesn’t mean that I should not celebrate my marriage.
The case of the race riots
This a a complex topic with a lot to be unpacked, but it is not fair to say that this a thing that people don’t care, when is literally one of the most talked about issues in America.
How do you balance caring for people's material needs and spiritual needs?
What is the right place of welfare?
I dont think crying is necessary but doing something about it. After all we can't control our feelings only our actions with the help of the Holy Spirit.
One of our houses that we lease out has a grotto of the Blessed Virgin. On one occasion We visited the property, we saw the the grotto of the Blessed Virgin vandalized with colored markers, to our horror. The renter family didn't even apologize! Saying it was a plaster statue. Born again Christians. We evicted them same day. Those idiot renters don't have respect.
People got angry when casualty counts during Vietnam were broadcasted nightly on national news. Where has that sentiment gone.
Very thoughtful....thank you
This was such a moving video. Thank you so much for what you do!
Excellent reflection. Thank you father.
FRANCISCAN DELIVERY at its finest my friends! Preach Father Casey, preach!
Cristal clear, this is the Gospel message: man is the real object of God’s Love, and salvation...
This was a rather interesting video. I think it goes without saying many people have good intentions and on some level share with you that very trend of thought. Yeah it most certainly can be very easy to forget others sometimes. Those rather big numbers of people struggling you had mentioned is chiefly one of those reasons without a doubt. We see these kinds of numbers or hear of them and it seems so distant. That distance all too often makes one shrug it off. Good food for thought. Just loved your choice of scripture at the end of this video, it's nothing short of justice and Godly promise.Amen. Great video, thank you!📼👍😇
You are rigth , but a dog is not a thing
Having a great day Fr. Casey...🤔 St. Mother Teresa comes to mind...points to a man...."Take care of his needs." after the care ... then the patient dies...🙏✝️ needs met...To the least of these
Eye opening. Thank you!