My Friend's Question:
I have always struggled with this: Death. Assuming one were to go to heaven upon their death and in so few words, this is our goal, why aren't more of us happy and ready to die? Life on earth is filled with so much ... not good things, especially compared to how we might imagine heaven, one should be ready to get this life over with as soon as possible. Does that make sense? It seems that there is too much emphasis put on the earthly life by all, "Christians" and non Christians alike. Say you were in a hospital in a life threatening situation, and the doctors managed to save your life, most people would say thank you to them, but really shouldn't we be almost upset that we didn't die? I know there are different views on "plans" such as we're here for how long we're supposed to be and what have you, but I was just wondering about your take on this.

My Response:
You know, I'm a minority in this but I don't see heaven as the goal. I think we are slightly out of focus when we look towards eternal destination as the end goal. Sure, we desire it and look forward to it, but Jesus taught that his kingdom has all ready come (Matthew 4:17, Mark 1:25) and that we should seek that kingdom (Matthew 6:33, Luke 12:31). We ought to be consumed by that kingdom by being one with our Father (John 17) and living in love (Ephesians 5:1-2, 1John 2:10, 4:7-21) by obeying His commands (John 14:15, 21, 15:10, 1John 2:3, 3:24, 5:3).

Paul touched on this in one of his letters (kind of). He wrote:  "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." (Philippians 1:21-26).

So first of all, feel good to struggle with the same things as the Biblical authors. Second of all, the answer is this: You will die. But right now you live, and you live in a broken world that needs the kingdom of heaven. If you are a part of that kingdom, it is better to live and bless the world by uniting it, person by person, with the kingdom so that this world will be brighter, so those people will live in love, and so that the kingdom will be more full when it is all that exists. To simply die for the sake of living in glory would be selfish but to live in a broken world, struggling to be light in darkness, that is love. Dying for others is love, and sometimes that process looks like playing out the rest of our mortal lives.

Jesus' teachings all apply to right now. Jesus wanted us concerned with today (Matthew 6:34) and with the things of this world that are, as you said, "not good" (such as poverty, the lives of our enemies, the widows and orphans, and making peace). We are also to be concerned with the kingdom and eternity of course but we can not lose our focus on today. For sure, life is struggle and heaven is glory but what is glory without struggle and how can we enter the kingdom when we seek our own wants?

There is a song titled Gravity I like by a guy named Shawn McDonald. In it he sings "This place is not my home. It's got nothing for me. It only fills me with emptiness and tears in my eyes." This world hurts me and I long to be in paradise like the thief on the cross beside Jesus but I realize there is work and love to be done here. Even God came down in human form to endure earthly life and death; How can I think I should not do the same? Not out of guilt, but out of a joy to share the kingdom. The struggle is there (for all of us). I think it is good that it is there because it gives reason for hope and to look towards heaven. When we focus on heaven we chase it and we bring it to earth.

What would you say to my friends question?

My friend directed me to an article posted by The Washington Post last week.

The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn't change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.

Under the bill, headed for a D.C. Council vote next month, religious organizations would not be required to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings. But they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.

Fearful that they could be forced, among other things, to extend employee benefits to same-sex married couples, church officials said they would have no choice but to abandon their contracts with the city.

To read the rest of the article click here (it's worth reading).

Of course this small sect does not speak for the entire catholic church just as Westboro Baptist does not speak for all protestants but non-the-less we see a group of people aiming to follow Jesus here who are saying they will stop helping people in their district if the state doesn't give them what they want.

Is this the best response to the situation for the Church?
Is this dispute really worth the threat?

Ladies and gentlemen, this video may have been a joke, but let's be honest about this; nobody wants poop on them. Poop is a fantastic self-defense resource. If you are willing to carry around poop in some form that allows you to access it in a time of need (hopefully without causing your bag or clothing to smell) then you'd be in good shape.

Fact #1: People hate poop.
Fact #2: Poop is gross because it smells bad and feels weird (not that I would know).
Fact #3: It is difficult to rape or assault people when you have poop on your face, hands, or clothing.
Fact #4: Nobody wants to rape or touch someone who smears poop on themselves (it is hard to distinguish who is more deranged and no rapist wants to work through that in their mind).

Think about it. Poop is a good tool for nonviolent self-defense. The only question remaining: Are you willing to pack that kind of heat?


Nonviolence is great because adhering to it forces one to be creative in preparing for conflict resolution and it challenges one to be sacrificial and dedicated to the discipline. If you're not willing to carry poop over pepper-spray then you aren't fit to be nonviolent. Though, there's always the option of carrying neither lol.