We must pray for those who attack the Church...

...and the Holy Father; we must pray for those who reject the truth, virtues, the natural moral law and choose, instead, to cling to lies, darkness, vice, immorality, disobediece, or whatever happens to satisfy their 'desires.'

And we should pray for ourselves, as well, that we might be receptive to the graces God provides for us so that our will might be conformed to His will, that we resist the desires for rebellion and sin, that we grow in fidelity to and love of Him and the Church He provided for all. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by the rejection of both our arrogant pride and our willful practice of disobedience.

To many, this word - obedience - is anathema. It is viewed as a hindrance to one's 'freedom' when, in fact, we gain true freedom by being obedient. It is precisely the example of obedience which Jesus gives us, so that we might also, in love and humility, take up the cross and follow Him.

When considering the numerous dissenting and false opinions and positions, both here and in the world, it might seem justified to lash out, at times, at those whose views are so opposed to the Church and to the good, especially when those people claim to be Christians, and in particular, Catholics. Sometimes I forget the advice of Fr John Corapi, which is most helpful during those times when the voices of dissent seem to be the only voices which can be heard:

"There is no such thing as being a good Catholic and being disobedient to the Holy Father. There is no such thing as being a good Catholic and being a dissident when it comes to faith and morals. There is no such thing as dissent from authentic and authoritative Church teaching. No such thing. Those who do that separate themselves from Christ and His body. They become dead members of the body of Christ.

"You should avoid such people like the plague and you should keep your children from such people as though keeping them from the worst contagion, because contact with such people can poison their minds, poison their souls and kill them morally and spiritually, and you don't want to be responsible for that. That is not lack of charity, that is not lack of pastoral concern. That IS charity, that IS being pastoral and that IS being merciful. It is not merciful to turn our children over to those that can poison their hearts and minds. That is not charitable, merciful, nor pastoral.

"Pray for people that attack the Church, the Holy Father, the Magisterium. Pray for them, love them indeed, but don't listen to them and don't put yourselves nor your children in a position where they or you can be influenced." [excerpt from the talk, "Messages for Homeschoolers"]

The loud, obnoxious and poisonous voices of dissent should be refuted - and they should be ignored so that we are not negatively influenced by them. But, more importantly, when we encouter those pitiable souls, we should always say a pray for their conversion and a prayer that we might be an example of Christ's charity and fidelity. I pray that our Lord will grant me the grace to reach that seemingly impossible pinnacle.