So, I've been working out this post in my head for the past several days now. And I thought that since I had a quiet night, it might finally be time to sit down and write it out. Back when this video first came out (2012--whaa??) a liberal Catholic friend of mine started sharing this online. I'll admit I've listened to it quite a bit...not because I like the message, but I like the music. After all, who didn't like "Call Me Maybe" (at least, when it first came out)?
If you haven't seen the video yet, I encourage you to take a look at it. I promise it's short, and while the message is heresy, at least you'll enjoy the music while I get to my point.
Did you watch it? Okay, so now, let's address a few of the more interesting points here. Within the first 30 seconds, we see two big problems. First, our singer tells us not to listen to St. Paul (who was a very influential voice in the early Church and onward), and that she was excommunicated. Then, around the one-minute mark, the song says that other churches are trying to get her to join, but that she's Catholic and wants to be ordained.
If you didn't catch that, let me break it down. First of all, despite what she's saying, she is not Catholic. After all, Catholics listen to the teaching of the Church, and she just told us about 30 seconds before to not listen to St. Paul and that she is excommunicated. These two things show that there is a huge disconnect. Excommunication is meant as a mercy, to call your attention in a very direct way to the fact that you are living in sin. So, if you are excommunicated, for example, for trying to be a female priest, then it looks like the Church is trying to tell you something. Hmm...I wonder what it is?
Also, the line about how the Pope...the leader of the Catholic Church, apostolic successor to Peter, etc...is in her way. So, you consider yourself a Catholic and want to be a part of this Church...but you don't recognize the authority of the Pope?? Um, that's like saying I want to become a citizen of another country, but I do not accept the authority of their president/monarch/prime minister, etc. It doesn't make sense, and honestly, it won't fly.
So, here's what I'm getting at, brothers and sisters. This is heresy presented in a fun way. The song, as I mentioned, is catchy, the women all seem really nice, and despite some of their comments, make it seem like they really just want what is best for everyone. Pure intentions and all that. But, that's not really what's going on here.
See, the devil employs tricks like this to keep us fooled. He's not going to pop up and say, "Here's a great idea! Support something morally wrong and lose your soul!" No one would fall for that. Instead, he candy-coats it. Makes it look fun. It's like the evil queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. She doesn't come in her true form, hiding nothing. She doesn't try to kill Snow outright without resorting to tricks. "Here, eat this handful of fertilizer" or "Here's a little bottle with a skull and crossbones on it--drink up!" Instead, she presents Snow with a delicious apple that looks tempting but is meant to kill her. So, the devil uses flashy ways to make something seem innocent or fun and then uses it to trap us.
This song is just another example of that. It's a shiny red apple that suggests that nothing could possibly go wrong. Don't fall for it. Heresy is never as delicious as it looks.
So, here's what I'm getting at, brothers and sisters. This is heresy presented in a fun way. The song, as I mentioned, is catchy, the women all seem really nice, and despite some of their comments, make it seem like they really just want what is best for everyone. Pure intentions and all that. But, that's not really what's going on here.
See, the devil employs tricks like this to keep us fooled. He's not going to pop up and say, "Here's a great idea! Support something morally wrong and lose your soul!" No one would fall for that. Instead, he candy-coats it. Makes it look fun. It's like the evil queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. She doesn't come in her true form, hiding nothing. She doesn't try to kill Snow outright without resorting to tricks. "Here, eat this handful of fertilizer" or "Here's a little bottle with a skull and crossbones on it--drink up!" Instead, she presents Snow with a delicious apple that looks tempting but is meant to kill her. So, the devil uses flashy ways to make something seem innocent or fun and then uses it to trap us.
This song is just another example of that. It's a shiny red apple that suggests that nothing could possibly go wrong. Don't fall for it. Heresy is never as delicious as it looks.
