“Center mercy and love in our daily lives.” You nailed it, thank you. I’m a practicing Catholic, and I expect to hear about Pope Francis in the days to come, but perhaps none more accurate than yours.
[Pope Francis’s funeral is set for Saturday, and Donald Trump will attend.]
✝️ Posthumous Letter from the Late Pope Francis to Donald J. Trump
Mr. Trump,
Do not come to my funeral.
Your presence would not honor my life. It would desecrate it.
I spent my papacy preaching mercy, dignity, and the sacred worth of every human soul. You, on the other hand, turned cruelty into spectacle. I spoke of solidarity. You spoke of suspicion. I called for compassion for migrants and the poor. You caged their children and campaigned on their dehumanization.
You claimed to defend the unborn while tearing apart the families of the living. You clutched a Bible for the cameras, then used its words to baptize bigotry, punish the vulnerable, and sanctify selfishness. [Continued…] https://substack.com/@patricemersault/note/c-111140438
The institutional ‘Christians’ who still vocally and politically support Donald Trump tend to see him as literally Godsent. Many, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and her reporter boyfriend Brian Glenn, also perceive Trump’s presidency as divinely-intended punishment against liberals.
By institutional Christianity, I mean those ‘Christians’ most resistant to Christ’s fundamental teachings and practices of non-violence, genuine compassion, love and non-wealth. Christ’s nature epitomizes much of the primary component of socialism — do not hoard gratuitous wealth in the midst of great poverty. Yet, these are not practiced by a significant number of ‘Christians’, likely including many who support callous politicians standing for very little or nothing Jesus taught and represents.
They should consider that the Biblical Jesus would not have rolled his eyes and sighed: ‘Oh, well. I’m against what the politician [e.g. Donald Trump] stands for, but what can you do when you dislike even more what his political competition stands for?’
Also, too much of institutional 'Christianity' seems to insist upon creating their Creator’s nature in their own fallible and often angry, vengeful image; for example, proclaiming at publicized protests that ‘God hates’ such-and-such group of people. Such ‘Christianity’ damages, and sometimes even ruins, the beautiful message Jesus expounded.
Yes, blessings to you! I have never been Catholic, but I have always felt very warmly toward Pope Francis. Upon reading the sad news of his death this morning, I felt deeply sad. The world will miss him.
May Francis rest in the greatest peace possible. … For some of us (and I'm not speaking for the late Pope), the greatest gift life offers is that someday, preferably sooner rather than later, we get to die. Perhaps worsening matters is when suicide is simply not an option, meaning there’s little hope of receiving an early reprieve from their literal life sentence.
“Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living and, above all, those who live without love” (spirit of school headmaster Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2).
Ergo, to quote passages from a poem:
.
I awoke from another very bad dream, a reincarnation nightmare / where having thankfully died I’m still bullied towards rebirth back into human form / despite my pleas I be allowed to rest in permanent peace. // …
// Each second that passes I should not have to repeat and suffer again. / I cry out ‘give me a real purpose and it’s not enough simply to live / nor that it’s a beautiful sunny day with colorful fragrant flowers!’ //
I’m tormented hourly by my desire for both contentedness and emotional, material and creative gain / that are unattainable yet ultimately matter naught. My own mind brutalizes me like it has / a sadistic mind of its own. I must have a progressive reason for this harsh endurance! //
Could there be people who immensely suffer yet convince themselves they sincerely want to live when in fact / they don’t want to die, so greatly they fear Death’s unknown? //
No one should ever have to repeat and suffer again a single second that passes. / Nay, I will engage and embrace the dying of my blight!
to be honest, i went to school where we had Anglian assemblies[they were called] where we sung Anglian hymns/songs as part of the primary school education here back in england.....but i lost contact when it was clear the church proper was more worried about institutional matters rather than doing the work of jesus.....as for america in that regards.. pfah[throws hands up in exasperation]..but this new pope had a sense of realism to him , and was making in roads, to those like me, that felt the church was started to reconnect with people and jesus works...real Christian works.....sadly he has gone, his works remain thou, i hope the church recognises the good he did and continue it :(
Sadly, there are ‘Christians’ who truly believe that, due to his Roman Catholicism and/or relative liberalism as a pope, the deceased Francis, regardless of his good works, is not truly 'saved', and therefore his soul is destined for Hell.
Seriously, if God really is as vengefully angry, even seemingly blood-thirsty, as institutional Christianity generally portrays Him to be, is anyone — including supposed ardent followers or conservative Bible believers — truly safe or really ‘saved’? One could reasonably theorize that He’d be especially peeved by those self-professed Christians He’d (likely rightfully) deem as fake or frauds.
After all, Jesus (a.k.a. God incarnate) was about non-violence, genuine compassion, love and non-wealth. His teachings and practices epitomize so much of the primary component of socialism — do not hoard gratuitous wealth in the midst of great poverty. Yet, they are not practiced by a significant number of ‘Christians’, likely including many who idolize callous politicians standing for very little or nothing Jesus taught and represents.
As for the Biblical Jesus, he would not have rolled his eyes and sighed: ‘Oh, well. I’m against everything the politician stands for, but what can you do when you dislike his competition even more?’
Meanwhile, some of the best humanitarians I, as a big fan of Christ’s unmistakable miracles and fundamental message, have met or heard about were/are atheists or agnostics who, quite ironically, would make better examples of many of Christ’s teachings/practices than too many ‘Christians’. Conversely, some of the worst human(e) beings I’ve met or heard about are the most devout believers/preachers of fundamental Biblical theology.
I continually find the “silver lining” of aspiration, inspiration, courage and encouragement from those that exemplify the practical application of these values even within the storm clouds of life.
I’m continuing, as an ever-evolving member of the human race to center love, grace, mercy and selfless service to others.
I’m so grateful and thankful for you and so many others for challenging me to strive to be my best self - prioritizing love and all that it requires of us.
He was a good man. As President Barack Obama once said during Rev. Pinckney's eulogy, that is maybe the best thing someone can say about you. Absolutely a loss. And I'm not religious either. And yes, my fears are the same...
Today in response to all the pros and cons on the Pope now that he has died. He was better than most and did nothing about critical thinking.
There will be no peace and justice on earth until humans get past mythical beliefs, based on fear of hell and hope for heaven. Myths not based on any real evidence, based on faith, which is accepting something based on no evidence, because you want to, or have been indoctrinated. Religions tell people to give up reason and just believe what the ancient book says or the current interpreter tells us to follow like sheep. The possibility of unity of humans on earth will only be realized when we think and decide with the same methodology: scientific method, based on evidence and rational thought and logic. 2 + 2 =4 in all languages and all literate people. Religion is different so many places around the world since their beliefs are derived from different myths and beliefs, none of them based on evidence, rational thought, scientific method etc. this makes a unified understanding of human development and human well being impossible, unlike our common understanding of arithmetic, gravity etc. To this time religious people in the USA have a lower acceptance of Evolution than any advanced country other than Turkey. The only reason Evolution is not more accepted by the USA religions and religions around the less educated world is it conflicts with their dogma. Evolution destroys the creation of humans as written in Genesis. If you have read Genesis you must acknowledge that there are two different and contradictory versions of God creating humans within pages of each other. We need an Enlightenment 2.0 before we destroy our ecosystem and each other.
Eddie, thanks for your comment on the Roman Pope’s passing. I know you share my concern that many of the reactionaries in our own country are, for some reason, turning to Catholicism, including JD Vance. What do you make of that?
“Center mercy and love in our daily lives.” You nailed it, thank you. I’m a practicing Catholic, and I expect to hear about Pope Francis in the days to come, but perhaps none more accurate than yours.
Grace and mercy! 💜🙏🏽
[Pope Francis’s funeral is set for Saturday, and Donald Trump will attend.]
✝️ Posthumous Letter from the Late Pope Francis to Donald J. Trump
Mr. Trump,
Do not come to my funeral.
Your presence would not honor my life. It would desecrate it.
I spent my papacy preaching mercy, dignity, and the sacred worth of every human soul. You, on the other hand, turned cruelty into spectacle. I spoke of solidarity. You spoke of suspicion. I called for compassion for migrants and the poor. You caged their children and campaigned on their dehumanization.
You claimed to defend the unborn while tearing apart the families of the living. You clutched a Bible for the cameras, then used its words to baptize bigotry, punish the vulnerable, and sanctify selfishness. [Continued…] https://substack.com/@patricemersault/note/c-111140438
The institutional ‘Christians’ who still vocally and politically support Donald Trump tend to see him as literally Godsent. Many, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and her reporter boyfriend Brian Glenn, also perceive Trump’s presidency as divinely-intended punishment against liberals.
By institutional Christianity, I mean those ‘Christians’ most resistant to Christ’s fundamental teachings and practices of non-violence, genuine compassion, love and non-wealth. Christ’s nature epitomizes much of the primary component of socialism — do not hoard gratuitous wealth in the midst of great poverty. Yet, these are not practiced by a significant number of ‘Christians’, likely including many who support callous politicians standing for very little or nothing Jesus taught and represents.
They should consider that the Biblical Jesus would not have rolled his eyes and sighed: ‘Oh, well. I’m against what the politician [e.g. Donald Trump] stands for, but what can you do when you dislike even more what his political competition stands for?’
Also, too much of institutional 'Christianity' seems to insist upon creating their Creator’s nature in their own fallible and often angry, vengeful image; for example, proclaiming at publicized protests that ‘God hates’ such-and-such group of people. Such ‘Christianity’ damages, and sometimes even ruins, the beautiful message Jesus expounded.
Well put, Frank. They’ve swapped the gospel for grievance and made Jesus a mascot for their politics. What they preach isn’t Christ—it’s control.
Yes, blessings to you! I have never been Catholic, but I have always felt very warmly toward Pope Francis. Upon reading the sad news of his death this morning, I felt deeply sad. The world will miss him.
May Francis rest in the greatest peace possible. … For some of us (and I'm not speaking for the late Pope), the greatest gift life offers is that someday, preferably sooner rather than later, we get to die. Perhaps worsening matters is when suicide is simply not an option, meaning there’s little hope of receiving an early reprieve from their literal life sentence.
“Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living and, above all, those who live without love” (spirit of school headmaster Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2).
Ergo, to quote passages from a poem:
.
I awoke from another very bad dream, a reincarnation nightmare / where having thankfully died I’m still bullied towards rebirth back into human form / despite my pleas I be allowed to rest in permanent peace. // …
// Each second that passes I should not have to repeat and suffer again. / I cry out ‘give me a real purpose and it’s not enough simply to live / nor that it’s a beautiful sunny day with colorful fragrant flowers!’ //
I’m tormented hourly by my desire for both contentedness and emotional, material and creative gain / that are unattainable yet ultimately matter naught. My own mind brutalizes me like it has / a sadistic mind of its own. I must have a progressive reason for this harsh endurance! //
Could there be people who immensely suffer yet convince themselves they sincerely want to live when in fact / they don’t want to die, so greatly they fear Death’s unknown? //
No one should ever have to repeat and suffer again a single second that passes. / Nay, I will engage and embrace the dying of my blight!
to be honest, i went to school where we had Anglian assemblies[they were called] where we sung Anglian hymns/songs as part of the primary school education here back in england.....but i lost contact when it was clear the church proper was more worried about institutional matters rather than doing the work of jesus.....as for america in that regards.. pfah[throws hands up in exasperation]..but this new pope had a sense of realism to him , and was making in roads, to those like me, that felt the church was started to reconnect with people and jesus works...real Christian works.....sadly he has gone, his works remain thou, i hope the church recognises the good he did and continue it :(
Safe travels, Professor Glaude. Blessings to you and your family. 🙏🏽
Sadly, there are ‘Christians’ who truly believe that, due to his Roman Catholicism and/or relative liberalism as a pope, the deceased Francis, regardless of his good works, is not truly 'saved', and therefore his soul is destined for Hell.
Seriously, if God really is as vengefully angry, even seemingly blood-thirsty, as institutional Christianity generally portrays Him to be, is anyone — including supposed ardent followers or conservative Bible believers — truly safe or really ‘saved’? One could reasonably theorize that He’d be especially peeved by those self-professed Christians He’d (likely rightfully) deem as fake or frauds.
After all, Jesus (a.k.a. God incarnate) was about non-violence, genuine compassion, love and non-wealth. His teachings and practices epitomize so much of the primary component of socialism — do not hoard gratuitous wealth in the midst of great poverty. Yet, they are not practiced by a significant number of ‘Christians’, likely including many who idolize callous politicians standing for very little or nothing Jesus taught and represents.
As for the Biblical Jesus, he would not have rolled his eyes and sighed: ‘Oh, well. I’m against everything the politician stands for, but what can you do when you dislike his competition even more?’
Meanwhile, some of the best humanitarians I, as a big fan of Christ’s unmistakable miracles and fundamental message, have met or heard about were/are atheists or agnostics who, quite ironically, would make better examples of many of Christ’s teachings/practices than too many ‘Christians’. Conversely, some of the worst human(e) beings I’ve met or heard about are the most devout believers/preachers of fundamental Biblical theology.
I continually find the “silver lining” of aspiration, inspiration, courage and encouragement from those that exemplify the practical application of these values even within the storm clouds of life.
I’m continuing, as an ever-evolving member of the human race to center love, grace, mercy and selfless service to others.
I’m so grateful and thankful for you and so many others for challenging me to strive to be my best self - prioritizing love and all that it requires of us.
One Love!
Take care of your self. Check your blood pressure and try to monitor at least daily.
Well said Eddie. The Pope did what we all should do. He tried to make this a better World.
He was a good man. As President Barack Obama once said during Rev. Pinckney's eulogy, that is maybe the best thing someone can say about you. Absolutely a loss. And I'm not religious either. And yes, my fears are the same...
Thank you for sharing. Be safe.
Today in response to all the pros and cons on the Pope now that he has died. He was better than most and did nothing about critical thinking.
There will be no peace and justice on earth until humans get past mythical beliefs, based on fear of hell and hope for heaven. Myths not based on any real evidence, based on faith, which is accepting something based on no evidence, because you want to, or have been indoctrinated. Religions tell people to give up reason and just believe what the ancient book says or the current interpreter tells us to follow like sheep. The possibility of unity of humans on earth will only be realized when we think and decide with the same methodology: scientific method, based on evidence and rational thought and logic. 2 + 2 =4 in all languages and all literate people. Religion is different so many places around the world since their beliefs are derived from different myths and beliefs, none of them based on evidence, rational thought, scientific method etc. this makes a unified understanding of human development and human well being impossible, unlike our common understanding of arithmetic, gravity etc. To this time religious people in the USA have a lower acceptance of Evolution than any advanced country other than Turkey. The only reason Evolution is not more accepted by the USA religions and religions around the less educated world is it conflicts with their dogma. Evolution destroys the creation of humans as written in Genesis. If you have read Genesis you must acknowledge that there are two different and contradictory versions of God creating humans within pages of each other. We need an Enlightenment 2.0 before we destroy our ecosystem and each other.
Thank you so much. Safe travels☮️
I’m Jewish but always admired this pope and his message. Centering mercy- May it prevail
Eddie, thanks for your comment on the Roman Pope’s passing. I know you share my concern that many of the reactionaries in our own country are, for some reason, turning to Catholicism, including JD Vance. What do you make of that?