“went off leaving him half dead”
The parable talks about a man who was robbed, beaten, and left half dead. This represents humanity. There are various sins that have caused us to be left dying on the side of the street. Sin, in any case, causes us to be left dying on the side of the street. Sin seperates us from God and from man. One sin in particular that has left us dying is the abuses of our sexuality. The Natural Law has been bent and broken to fit the norms of the culture rather than adhere to the order and holy will of God. One sin in particular is homosexual activity and the glorification of the gay culture.
This lesson will focus on the basics of homosexuality. If you wish to learn more about so-called gay marriage and overall sexuality, chastity, and attacks against chastity, please go to these lessons and packets:
Search: Gay Marriage?
Search: Chastity: The Gift of Self
What is homosexuality? “Homosexuality refers to relations between men or between women who experience an exclusive or predominant sexual attraction toward persons of the same sex. It has taken a great variety of forms through the centuries and in different cultures…. Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.’ …Under no circumstances can they be approved.”[i] To help explain what the Catechism is saying, anyone who engages in homosexual acts is committing a grave sin that is an intrinsic evil. Catholics who identify themselves as homosexuals and do not act on these tendencies are not in sin. They are actually living out the faith very well by overcoming temptation just like everyone else is called to.
We must remember and teach the following:
1.We cannot treat homosexual and heterosexual attractions equally, they are not the same.
“To treat sexual orientation in this manner is not in accordance with the moral teaching of our Catholic Faith. Because not only does our faith, following the natural law, teach us that ‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered and can in no case be approved of,’ (Persona Humana, no. 8), it also teaches us that same-sex orientation ‘…is a more or less strong tendency ordered toward an intrinsic moral evil, and thus the inclination itself must be seen as an objective disorder’ (Pastoral Care Of Homosexual Persons, the CDF, No. 3). Clearly, the Church here teaches that this tendency, same-sex or homosexual orientation is neither neutral nor good, but an inclination to an objective evil. The reason for this clarification is then stated: “Lest they (all the faithful and all persons of good will) be led to believe that the living out of this orientation in homosexual activity is a morally acceptable option. It is not” (PCHP, the CDF, no. 3). Therefore, according Catholic teaching, same-sex orientation is not normal, it is not neutral, it is not good…”[ii]
2. Homosexual inclination or orientation is objectively disordered and ordered toward an objective evil.
3. Homosexual actions are intrinsically disordered and can in no case be approved of.
4. We must help homosexuals to carry their Cross and in the midst of a disordered orientation to achieve perfection and holiness. We are to show charity, not hatred or persecution. “Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.”[iii]
Why is it considered a “disordered”? It is disordered in accordance with the Natural Law. “They are contrary to the natural from genuine affective and sexual complementarity.”[iv] The Natural Law identifies one male and one female because of the sexual complementarity of the sex organs to be able to reproduce. More than that, the qualities of masculinity and femininity that differ between the sexes complete one another, their marriage, and their family. The Church is not saying that the person is evil, what the Church is saying is that the inclination is disordered, and if the inclination is acted upon it is a moral evil.
How can you prove that homosexuality is not natural? If homosexuality was in accordance with Natural Law, then we would be able to apply it to everyone in nature and it would fit. With this logic, say that hypothetically every human person that is born this day is a homosexual. Is this natural? No, because within 100 years the entire species would become extinct. This applies not just to human beings, but with every species on the planet. Biologically we are created to love and to be in a community – family. However, this can become disordered due to sin, and what is obvious and natural can lead to unnatural things.
What if someone is born with same sex attraction? First, there is no scientific proof that people are born gay. The debate still rages on and the Church say, “Its psychological genesis remains largely unexplained.”[v] There have been many breakthroughs proving though that homosexuality is not genetic, but predominately due to culture and behavioral upbringing. “Pastoral psychologists have also connected homosexuality with disoriented relations between child and parents, and with imbalanced sense of guilt, exorbitant malice, and inner depression.”[vi] Secondly, Even if we do not know why people have same-sex attractions, it does not permit the acts of a gay lifestyle. For example, if someone is born with a biological tendency to be an alcoholic, that person should not be given a pass to get drunk all the time. They must practice temperance and self-control.
Where in Scripture does it speak against homosexuality? The first example is in the book of Genesis when Lot tries to keep some of the men safe from other men who came to have sex with them in Sodom and Gomorrah.[vii] Here are some others:
“…Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Therefore, God handed them over to degrading passions. Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity.”[viii]
“Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor sodomites (those who engage in homosexuality) nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.”[ix]
In speaking about the law, Saint Paul writes that the law is for those who are lawless like, “the unchaste, sodomites (those who engage in homosexuality), kidnapers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is opposed to sound teaching.”[x]
Finally, Jesus says, “But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother [and be joined to his wife], and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, no human being must separate.”[xi] Jesus was speaking about divorce in these verses, however it still applies to homosexuality or any other attack against sex, love, and marriage. In the beginning it was meant for one man and one woman to become one flesh. A man and man or woman and woman cannot become “one flesh”.
What is someone to do if they have homosexual tendencies? They are called to practice chastity just like every other person. “Homosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.”[xii]Those who have homosexual tendencies have a unique cross to carry that can be extremely difficult at times, but it is one they must carry in order to reach heaven. We all have our own temptations and sins that we are not proud of. The Church is here to strengthen us, help us to not sin anymore, and most importantly to lead us to heaven.
What if someone does not want to change? That is their choice and their free will. Just as if an adulterer does not want to change and continues to cheat on their spouse, there is nothing that can stop them from changing their actions. The Church does not force us to change. She warns us when we are not following God’s law and wishes for us to repent. The Church worries for all souls. She wishes to draw everyone in, bring them to their fullest potential, and eventually be with Christ forever. Persistence in sin is a sin against the Holy Spirit. To stay in habitual sin is a grave offense against God. We see that sins in our society such as adultery, fornication, greed, and homosexuality are both glorified and endorsed. We must warn those that are in habitual sin
What if the majority of people are okay with homosexuality? Truth is not determined by what people think is acceptable. At one point, slavery was considered acceptable in many countries. In America, most thought that “separate but equal” was acceptable. Today there are many people who think that abortion is acceptable. Thankfully over time these ideas have changed. Even if the vast majority of people think that a gay lifestyle is acceptable, that does not make it Truth or acceptable to God. Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton Sheen once said, “Moral principles do not depend on a majority vote. Wrong is wrong, even if everybody is wrong. Right is right, even if nobody is right.” “…But their increase in certain affluent cultures has led some people to wonder if, perhaps, they are all that sinful. What can be so wrong about ‘relieving emotional pressure’ or, in the case of homosexuals, about two men or two women ‘being in love’? Writers who defend the practices generally follow the expedient of reducing the morality of human acts to the intention. How a person enjoys sexual pleasure is unimportant; what matters is the reason why. …The Church has consistently proscribed homosexuality and masturbation as objectively contrary to the will of God. At the same time, she recognizes that the subjective responsibility of the persons involved is greatly affected by the culture in which they live. As a society’s attitudes change toward sexual activity outside of marriage, it becomes increasingly difficult for men and women to maintain their Christian convictions and accept the Church’s teaching.”[xiii]
What if there are a lot of homosexuals in the world? Whether there is one or one billion, it does not matter. They are called by Christ to live a chaste life. It is the same as if there were just one or one billion adulterers, prostitutes, polygamists, or fornicators.
Does the Catholic Church hate people with same sex attraction? The Catholic Church does not hate people with same-sex attractions. The Church hates no one. We hate sin, not the sinners. The Church understands the awkward and difficult journey of one who has homosexual attractions. In fact, in the Catechism, the Church teaches that all are to give absolute respect, dignity, and charity to those who are homosexual. “…They must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided. These persons are called to fulfill God’s will in their lives and, if they are Christians, to unite to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross the difficulties they may encounter from their condition.”[xiv] This does not mean that we accept the lifestyle and sexual choices that one makes in homosexual acts. Likewise, we do not accept and approve of those who are heterosexual and have sex before marriage or spouses committing adultery. We are to be loving and understanding of peoples struggles and be there to help however we can.
VIDEO – Check Out Courage
VIDEO – COURAGE
In the videos, a gentleman speaks about how the apostolate Courage is helping him with his same-sex attraction and his addiction to pornography. He shares some insights about Courage and also how coming back to the Church has really helped him let go of things in his past life. If there is a Catholic who is reading this (or if you know someone) that is struggling with same-sex attraction and is looking for a group of men who can help with this struggle while still being an amazing practicing Catholic, check out their website: www.couragerc.net
VIDEO – “Yes to You"
As Catholics, we should show truth, clarity, and charity when speaking about these things. We must help people understand that if someone has a homosexual tendency it does not define their sole identity. We say no to the sins that people commit, but we say yes to the soul. We still want and need every living soul to help build God’s Kingdom. We must do this by picking up our crosses and practicing chastity.
[i] CCC 2357
[ii] Msgr. E. James Hart; From the Pastor’s Desk – Concerning my recent decision
[iii] CCC 2359
[iv] CCC 2357
[v] CCC 2357
[vi] Hardon, The Catholic Catechsim pg. 354-355
[vii] Gen. 19:1-29
[viii] Romans 1:24-27
[ix] 1 Cor. 6:9
[x] 1 Tim 1:10
[xi] Mark 10:6-10
[xii] CCC 2359
[xiii] Hardon, Catholic Catechism, pg. 354
[xiv] CCC 2358