inmytsinelas:

fathershane:

So riatumbles asked what I think about the video that’s getting all the attention over the last few days.

Basically I think it’s a shame that all that amazing talent spent so much time at the service of a message that’s so self-contradictory.

From the first line: “Jesus came to abolish religion.” If that’s true, then why didn’t he say so? Why did he take so many Old Testament religious traditions (the Passover, sacrifice, the priesthood, ablutions, even the books of the Bible themselves) and then give us new versions (fulfillment) of them? Why did he say things like this?

I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished (Matthew 5:18).

Or this?

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it (Matthew 16:17-18).

Anyway. Also, if religion is “just following some rules,” and if a quote from Romans 4 is the best way to end the video, perhaps we could profit from reading Romans, chapters 12-14. It’s all rules. For example.

Perhaps the shortest answer is this, though:

I’m about to leave to go hear confessions at a conversion retreat. I fully expect to be “in the box” for 5-6 hours at least. I fully expect to see people reconciled to God for the first time in years or decades, and I fully expect to see plenty of tears of joy. A flood of God’s grace. I’ll be back late tonight, but up early tomorrow to celebrate 3 Masses and give the Eucharist to hundreds of people who have been waiting for this moment of divine intimacy all week. I’m hoping to preach up a storm about our personal relationship with Jesus with the Holy Spirit’s help, and I want to see people’s eyes go wide.

So… whose side am I on? Jefferson Bethke’s, or religion’s? Beats me. Sounds like one of us is a little confused.

can Fr. Shane be official Chaplain to all of tumblr? please?

^^^^^ i second that motion!!! YOU HAVE ACTIVATED THE FATHER SHANE CARD! YOUR ARGUMENT IS NOW RENDERED INVALID! XD