Have we no shame! Using people is immoral. Using people in the name of God is even more immoral. It's time to clean up! We are reaping what we have been sowing.
By Michele Bondi Bottesi
Today as I write this before the Blessed Sacrament, I stand between those who use people for money and Divine Justice. Those who live, love, serve, and suffer in imitation of Christ will understand what follows. Those who love and serve themselves will hate what follows, and possibly not even understand it. The wise and spiritually progressed already know these things or will learn from them. The selfish and prideful will not, for they will conclude there is nothing for them to gain. Let us pray they will realize that by learning, they will gain what is truly worth having.
We will all be held accountable for our actions on judgment day, and absolutely nothing is hidden from God. We must be sure to examine our motives regularly and ask the Lord to reveal if our business practices, fundraising tactics, and use of other people to get what we want offend Him. We must ask Him for the grace to fix anything now, while we have time to change and stop offending the Lord through our "charitable" behavior.
The following story is shared to shed some light on the subject of using people in the name of helping them, before addressing this type of behavior within the Catholic/Christian community. So many people do it; it's epidemic, it's acceptable, it's celebrated, it's encouraged, some people are being forced to do it, it's a crime against the majesty of God and against humanity, and it is wrong. We are reaping what we have been sowing, and we must change our behavior and stop using people!
The Meeting and the Shocking Disclosure
Two years ago in late spring, I was experiencing very significant and agonizing health problems. An acquaintance inquired via e-mail about my health, and I wrote back with the basics: my health problems (which remained unseen to my various medical specialists because their focus was on having me take more tests I didn't need, which made them more money) left me quite incapacitated.
This man knew that I am a single mother of three running a company for the Lord, and that I was sick. He also knew after his initial correspondence that I was getting no better.
In late May he requested that we meet. That was just before school let out for the summer and a very busy time of year for many, including me. He did not mention the reason he wanted to meet, and always hoping to find the good in people, I was hopeful that what was on his mind was a potential collaboration for the greater honor and glory of God.
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I made the man's acquaintance not long before at a local business breakfast banquet. That particular morning, I had just dropped my children off at their schools in my deplorable physical condition, and walked through the door of the beautiful banquet facility with a hopeful eye on the table with coffee.
I had every intention of pouring myself a cup and taking just a moment to collect myself.
This man, a stranger to me at the time, approached me immediately. That precious moment of peace ended as soon as it began. I actually felt accosted. We had some friends in common, and the formal introductions and networking had begun full force.
I call this behaving like a shark, and so many people, with good and bad intentions, behave like sharks.
We exchanged contact information, and I hoped that it would lead to something good for other people.
Let me stress that this individual is, to my knowledge, a well meaning person and a good man. Which is why my hopes were so high that we could join forces and accomplish something wonderful for the Lord. Certainly, the capacity for that was great, thanks be to God.
So at the time when I was contacted by this gentleman and we arranged to meet in May, my hopes were high that he had a wonderful collaboration in mind, but I had a strong suspicion that was not that case. Despite being very sick and very much in need of the time while my children were in school to accomplish some essential things before summer vacation, I agreed to meet with the gentleman anyway.
Why? The Lord wanted me to.We met one morning after I had attended Holy Mass and prayed that God's will for the man be accomplished during our meeting. It is very interesting to note that the coffee shop is located in a different town than the church, and before my acquaintance friend walked into the coffee shop, I ran into a priest that sometimes celebrates Holy Mass at the parish I belong to. It was so nice talking to him, someone who serves in imitation of Christ and didn’t regard me as invisible, or see me only to try and take from me or use me in some way. He gave instead by being kind and respecting my dignity as God’s daughter.
My acquaintance arrived, was introduced to Father before he went on his way, and then the two of us sat down at a table. He began by asking some questions pertaining to me and my family. That is so nice, I thought. How few people really make it a point to get to know others because they are too eager to use them instead.
I answered his questions during our friendly conversation, and not wanting the conversation to be all about me, asked him questions similar to the ones he had asked. He answered them politely, but did not spend much more time on the formalities.
As soon as he began shifting the topic of conversation, I knew that the reason for the meeting was to obtain something from me. I recognized the behavior. I thought about telling him exactly what I thought about his not being up front before we agreed to meet and what I thought about his even asking a single mother he knew was sick to meet in the precious time left just before her children got out of school for the summer, just so he so he could serve himself, but did not.
The man had studied sales pitches and was prepared to make a sale no matter what. He was interested in investing other people’s money.
So he presented his pitch as I maintained my calm for his sake as he totally disregarded my humanity.
I told him the truth as soon as I could. I don't have any money. He was shocked.
That was absolutely inconceivable to him. How is that even possible?
Oh, it’s possible.
He did have a comeback, because he was well trained in selling/acquiring/getting his way. Again, he was nice, but since what I needed didn't matter at all to him, God didn't, either.
The man had summoned a busy and sick single mother in great need of the two hours that passed during our meeting to sell something I couldn't even buy. I laugh as I write this because it's so absurd.
Strangest of all was the revelation that one of the men running the company made enough to live in a $700,000.00 house. Is that supposed to be a GOOD thing? It's not to me. Expensive houses don't make people happy or holy. God does. + I know. I used to have one. Not having one is much better.
As I ended up telling him with a slight smile on my pleased face, if only he had asked before we met if I had any money, he and I could have spent our time much differently that beautiful morning.
His pitch continued. Would I let him invest my money when I acquired some?
I found that so funny! My reply shocked him even more. I told him that I had no intention of acquiring money. In fact, I had taken a vow of poverty. I smile in triumph while writing these words! It was quite a beautiful moment.
To him, what I had done was absolutely inconceivable. How irresponsible! How unthinkable! What about my future? What about my family's future? What terrible logic, what bad decisions!
I held my ground, overjoyed to be the instrument the Lord was using to teach this good man that true security is found in God alone, and that money isn’t everything. In fact, it's rather meaningless and the root of all evil.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:10).
Finally, he moved on to another strategy.
He commanded that I give him the names and contact information of my family and friends!
I would not do it. I absolutely refused to sell them out.
He persisted.
I told him that my friends and family don't have any money to throw around, either. I hang around holy people. (smile)
He didn’t believe me. Are there such
people living on this planet? Really?Isn't money everything? We need it, and can do so much good with it! Look how much good we are accomplishing by using money to help people after we have used and manipulated others to get it!
Do you get it?
This thinking shows very minimal spiritual progression and a great deal of pride and ignorance.
I G N O R A N C E.
The truth is, taking a vow of poverty has been more beneficial to me than winning the lottery.
It is one of the very best decisions I ever made.
JUST A FEW OF THE BENEFITS OF HAVING TAKEN A VOW OF POVERTY
* It got me out of an unholy marriage. As a stay-at-home mother no money could be taken from me, and so once it was determined more money could be acquired elsewhere, I was considered without value and discarded (Jesus made it up to me and proposed ten years later). As a result, I was no longer forced to feed the beast that destroys marriages through pride and greed.
Once there was no more money for those inside and outside of the system to take while never solving anything, which would have been easy enough to do if not blinded by pride and greed, they could no longer force me to feed the beasts within the legal system.
* It freed me from the harmful, revolving door of the medical system. The first time I told one of my team of medical specialists (every one of whom would not listen to me, really look at me, or help me as I continued to beg them for help while tragically getting sicker) that I had no money for yet another test we both determined was unnecessary for me (but would add to the bulk of his wallet), he looked at me in absolute shock. You don’t have any money? What do you mean, you don't have any money! That's inconceivable! NOW WHAT (as the dormant conscience is stimulated).
Believe it or not, doctors 1, 2, 3, 4, 5..., most people to not have the money to pay for the tests ordered "on their behalf" which often times are not necessary but do increase revenue, because in the end, let's face it, every system in this country created to help and serve people have become businesses and money has become the bottom line.
Sick people can’t work, and so they can't pay for all the unnecessary tests and pharmaceutical drugs that just mask the real problem(s) and make other people rich. It's a bizarre system fueled by pride and greed that often harms good people who are sick and in need of compassion and mercy.
The devil has done a fantastic job convincing the well intended as well as the selfish that they are doing good, when in fact they are actually serving him and committing crimes against humanity.
By having no money, I was no longer in the position to feed the beast that is consuming the medical profession, and the rest of us right along with it.
* Taking a vow of poverty liberated me from the shameful pursuit of bankers who descend upon good people the minute the customer steps in the door, so they can reach for their wallets.
Once, I did some banking at the drive thru, and as I finished up my transaction and retrieved my material from the plastic tube, the teller shouted past several people in their vehicles in other lanes and asked if she could invest my money. What poor manners, but why have good manners; she was not interested in serving me, she was interested in acquiring money. I shouted back in front of everyone, “As you can see, I don’t have any money!” What is odd is that the woman had access to my information and could see there was nothing to invest. But she was blinded by the vision that focuses on self.
What a great personal victory it was to have no money with which to feed the banking system beast.
* Having taken a vow of poverty lets people know that I am interested in them and not their money.
Thus, nothing is acquired from them that can be used to feed the beast that has caused us to treat other people like absolute garbage.
The devil has so many Catholic individuals, families, companies, charities, non-profits, and churches in a tight, choking grip, having successfully manipulated them into thinking that if they hit everyone up for money under the guise of serving humanity, they are accomplishing great good. This is NOT fraternal charity. It is using people for one's own purposes. It's selfish, and it's not holy!
Want to run a charity? Fund it yourself. It's not possible? Spend less. Focus on truly serving people and less on money, stop using people, and the Lord will provide what you need (not necessarily what you want).
* Taking a vow of poverty has helped me run a Catholic publishing company founded by our Lord so all can be accomplished for humanity according to His grandest designs, not mine. Joseph Karl Publishing asks for nothing and exists to serve in imitation of Christ, and proves that it is possible to serve people without asking for money.
You would be hard-pressed to find a Catholic website that doesn't have a donate button front and center. Some of them have several. Where is this most apparent? On sites that focus on themselves and not on God and others. Let's replace all those donate buttons with buttons that say, "Can I help you?"
Far too few people are interested in serving in imitation of Christ and Blessed Mother. It's harder, because it is sacrificial.
The Catholic world has embraced so much deception it is absolutely shocking how stupid so many people have become.
Catholics, don't tolerate this wicked behavior. Don't reward it, and don't fund it. Educate the guilty, if they will listen. If nothing else, plant a seed of sanctity in your refusal to be used.
The solicitations come in torrents in so many various ways, any way the devil can get at us. By phone, e-mail, mail, and social media, every single day. You're not left in peace at home or in church. There is soliciting right on our doorsteps. Some people connect on social media for the sole purpose of asking other people/companies for money. Most stores also have collection containers. Many churches and some parishioners are constantly asking people for money for everything under the sun.
The Lord is very, very offended by this behavior and He wants us to stop it.
It is very, very rare to find a place that does not request even more from those who are already giving or paying. These ruthless marketers don't care what you have given them already; there's no gratitude because you only exist as a means to achieve their goals. You are EXPECTED to give again and again and again (and be grateful to them for their "service" to humanity) until their wills are satisfied for that particular round. Then comes the very next fundraiser. Nothing is ever about your needs. It's all about them, and following every campaign the glaring truth is exposed: they are never, ever satisfied.
The devil convinces all these self-serving people that others exist only to meet their needs, and that everyone should be giving them money! Interesting how so many people asking for money while ignoring the needs of others actually refuse any offers to help that DON'T involve money. Tell them "No" (how dare you) and off they go, on to their next victims.
Having taken a vow of poverty, is not possible to feed the fundraising beast choking so many charities and businesses. Their reckless behavior frustrates their causes as they make grand claims of helping people and accomplishing so much for the Lord. These people will never be satisfied, or fruitful, because they are working for the wrong side, often unawares. They are in great need of our prayers.
Truly, in this country we are reaping what we have been sowing.
Taking a vow of poverty is way, way better than winning the lottery, and it didn't cost any money to accomplish.
Something the devil has fooled a great many good people into believing is that if they have money they will be able to accomplish EVEN MORE good. This is a great deception. Jesus and Blessed Mother never believed this, nor did they base their service to the Lord and others upon that tragic philosophy.
Take note all God accomplished through them and through their vows of poverty.
Truly, the best thing we can offer people is God's love. And we can't offer His love when our focus is on ourselves/our agendas and other people's wallets.
Pro-Life Movement, Catholic companies, charities, non-profits, and individuals addicted to serving yourselves while abusing people through fundraising, take note: I HAVE NO MONEY. PLEASE LEAVE ME ALONE. And I have no desire to reward and reinforce your offensive behavior. As for me and my house, we serve the Lord.
It's like an idiotic war. The well intended learn about one another and solicit each another. It's like a boxing match. Sometimes, even worse, all the asking is one sided. It's as if you don't even exist at all (except to write a check). Using other people for money; does that ring a horrid bell? That's exactly what the abortion industry does. This way of thinking promotes the pro-abortion culture.
Human life is sacred and must be treated with dignity.
To all the companies that shamelessly ask individuals and companies for money, I wonder, Don't you realize these people are not doing that to you? How can you keep taking from others, without ever even offering to give in return? The only people they see are themselves. This behavior is very narcissistic, not charitable.
* One last benefit of having taken a vow of poverty: hopefully it makes me nothing like the arrogant, ignorant, and abusive people who constantly deceive us as they reach for our wallets time after time after time after time while claiming that they do so much to help people.
Before the Lord had me remove my children from the "Catholic" school they were attending we had to suffer through many, many fundraisers. It was sickening. The biggest one was mandatory. Every family had to sell at least $500.00 worth of fruit each year, or opt out of selling and pay a few hundred dollars extra. In other words, if you were unwilling to have others foot the fundraising bill, you were penalized. We always bought the fruit ourselves and gave it away to our dear neighbors for Christmas. They were so happy we didn't demand that they pay for something that was not their financial responsibility, and instead gave the beautiful fruit to them as gifts. Twice, my dear mother gave us a few hundred dollars to help cover the bill without asking for anything in return. Now THAT'S profoundly Catholic behavior.
This modern philosophy of getting others to pay for whatever we decide we want is so acceptable, and so wrong.
We live in the time of the greatest assault against the dignity of the human person in the history of mankind. And we are doing the damage in the name of good.
H O W I G N O R A N T.
Yesterday, on the Feast of St. Valentine, I was sent an e-mail solicitation from a major pro-life organization. This is the type of love being offered by the pro-life community. No wonder abortion is still legal. Their behavior is fueling it.
Just as contraception opens the door to an abortion mentality because artificial contraception can cause the death of a new life, the marketing and fund raising behavior of people, most specifically among professed Catholics, is no different. It fuels the culture of death. Both destroy the human dignity of created persons, and one is no better than the other.
I wrote back and asked to be taken off the list; we can't afford to be on it. Of course, the e-mail from this international pro-life organization came back to me unsent because this charity is not interested in having a relationship with us; all it wants is our money.
Ironically, my name ended up on their list because a similar internationally known Catholic pro-life organization whose soliciting is also very manipulative, extremely aggressive, and intrusive gave this other organization my information so it could solicit me, too. Thanks! How very unlike Christ. How very anti-Catholic. How anti-life. How demonic.
This behavior was conceived from the mind of Lucifer himself.
The Lord will not bless such efforts, the devil will. We must never commit evil with the intention that good will come of it. We must not abuse some people so we can help others.
This Lent, please pray that every system that exists to help people stops using and abusing them and serves them instead. How many people, how many CATHOLICS, are completely blind to this reckless behavior.
God have mercy on us all. How much wiser and more Christ-like we are when we focus on the Economy of Salvation and Divine Providence, and less on raising money. + + +
Money is NOT a weapon of mass salvation
The Worst Story of All
Once, around the time I agreed to meet with the gentleman in the first story, I was accosted by a Catholic woman the second I stepped out of a church following Holy Mass one weekday morning. Right there in the vestibule (if anyone exited the church they would have hit us with the doors), the woman once again asked me to give her money, this time because some nuns she knows wanted to learn Italian before their trip to Italy. As mentioned above, I was very sick, had literally dragged my physical self to church on willpower alone, am a single parent, and am also doing work for the Lord. This woman demands and demands and demands. Her causes never end.
I had no more money that month, have no retirement fund, no bank accounts, no investments, no life insurance policy. I have no fancy and expensive cell phone data plan, because that money had been placed in the church collection plate each month. That woman was accosting me yet again for more money (never caring for me as a person, not once, not ever) to fund Italian lessons for nuns traveling to Italy. Have them make due with English. This is not a necessity. It's a luxury.
How can so many ignorant people keep asking good people they could otherwise care less about to fund their luxuries? No shame. No intelligence, either. The woman doing the asking has a new car (I don't), a fancy phone (I don't), and is constantly promoting the next expensive pilgrimage she is going on. Have three thousand extra dollars, per person, to go? Most people don't.
Lady, cancel your phone's data plan for a month and fund the nuns yourself. Skip just one of your fancy trips that are leading you no closer to Christ and fund all your vulgar exploits yourself. I'm not asking you to pay my bills for me.
I am still horrified thinking about the demons surrounding her. The devils have her, and so many others who behave just like her, in a choke hold and are using their very own willing hands to spiritually strangle them. People like this are incredibly selfish, spiritually blind, and in moral jeopardy. They need our immediate prayers!
The Most Wonderful News
The good news is we are seeing a new generation of Catholic servants summoned by God who are PROFOUNDLY Catholic and are SERVING, not asking, taking, demanding, manipulating, focusing on their cause exclusively, and/or using other people. They strive to remain hidden in Christ, even when asked by the Lord to be in the public eye. They are very powerful role models of virtue who are willing to be crucified with Christ for the benefit of humanity.
The even better news is that in every parish there are faithful, humble souls (professed religious and lay people) who have tremendous Catholic Courage and integrity, and through their heroic efforts and obedience, which remain invisible to those who serve themselves, God pours out massive amounts of grace upon the human race as it absolutely guts itself. These holy souls are manifestations of the Devotion to the Holy Face of our Lord, because others see Jesus in them. It is because of their cooperation with Jesus and Blessed Mother that mankind's deserved chastisements have been lessened, and precious, immortal and sinful souls experience changes of heart. Often they are the ones who have the least money, ask for nothing, and always give instead. They are the ones worth emulating, and they are the ones God uses to work miracles for the benefit of humanity. Truly, their spiritual wealth is the resource the Church should be tapping into, and the Church must start caring for, and stop abusing, these beautiful people. +
Crucified with Christ
Let me tell you there will be a high price to pay for writing this; the devil loves this marketing and fundraising and using of people because it is prideful and self-serving, deceptive, drives people out of the Catholic Church like crazy and away from the Sacraments (shudder), and it blocks God from acting through us on His terms.
However, I would much rather have the devil come after me now, and see us all eventually as occupants of heaven later, than disobey God by remaining silent while the devil continues to have his way with so many prideful and ignorant people.
Is it God who is at work in you?
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Let me assure you that none of us is above reproach. There were many
things I used to consider acceptable, some of them even more recently,
until the Lord revealed how greatly they offend Him. I claim to be no better than anyone else, and in fact am more ignorant and in constant need of the Lord's instruction and mercy.The Lord does not want us to remain guilty. He wants us to recognize our faults, apologize, accept His mercy, cooperate with grace and make things right, and remain forgiven!
"A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (John 13:34).
Servant of God, Father John A. Hardon, S.J., please pray for us. We need you, now more than ever.
To access Father Hardon's vast print, video, and MP3 archives of PROFOUNDLY CATHOLIC material that will help you grow in sanctity by leaps and bounds, visit: http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/archives.htm
