Bishop Jaime Soto at the Prayer Breakfast

Bishop Jaime Soto at the Prayer Breakfast

2010 O.C. County Catholic Prayer Breakfast, Thurs. Oct. 7th, Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, Crowne Plaza Resort, Garden Grove, CA, Keynote Speaker, Topic, “Freedom and Sacrifice in a Good Society”

Irregular Notes: Mexico: 200 years from Spain: Later the European influence of the French Revolution and the Enlightenment on Mexico. This was different from our own. We have the 1st Amendment. It does not limit exercise of religion in public life. For us it was a matter of habit not law.

The question of either we become secular or a theocracy: Today, this is because or our failure to see ourselves clearly. Recall when Pope Benedict XVI came to America a couple of years ago. We are grounded in the noble principles of our history. Religious beliefs were a constant force. For example, against slavery and in the Civil Rights Movement:

Refer to Judge Walker’s decision on Prop. 8: He creates a supposed separation between reason and religion. He pushes religion away from public discourse. Let’s refer to Lincoln: As God gives us the right to seek the right…

Today we have the ongoing struggle: abortion: stem-cell research: the push for assisted-suicide: to push the reason of religious intrusion as extremists. Is all of this only about religion? The moral and religious views as basis: The broader debate goes much deeper…

Note the exercise of freedom attracts people to our country. Today religion is painted as threat to freedom. This has intimidated many Catholics. Respect of equal rights of others. There is an element of truth in the above.

If it is common sense to live and let live: But it becomes the denominator of the lowest level of living. Also the notion of love: Each has the right to live (Love) in any way he chooses. How did we get there?

The individual exists before society: What happened to the we that made me? {This is the crux.} It has become a challenge. Everyone is an adversary for my piece of the pie. We have thrived in an environment of liberty. We have not shied away from public discourse. Our own voice gets empowered via the idea of liberty.

True freedom is always at the service of truth. Look at John Paul II’s whole life! We seek and love the truth and the truth {for Dominicans VERITAS} makes us free. Ref. Pope Benedict XVI’s “Caritas et Veritate.” Love desires the truth. Truth serves Charity… Giving oneself really to one another. Charity is in the service of the truth. My freedom is really for others, not about me. The place where charity and love prevails.

The ritual of the Mass: Before He was given up for death – a death He accepted readily: The Centurion, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” The table of the Cross: Take and Eat: Engage America: There is a common good and the willingness to sacrifice for the common good.

Freedom of worship and association: These have fostered the common good: Historically the Church: 1727, 1845- St. Vincent de Paul, By 1800 – 800, Catholic Charities -100 years old: 1,600 – serves 9 million people, 615 hospitals, Catholic Refugees Services: 100 million people in 5 continents: This does not include elementary, high school and universities established: Freedom exercised for the common good, not good for itself. Freedom must serve both charity and truth… Free when we rest in the Lord:

George H. Kubeck, In pursuit of the truth, www.cinopsbegone.com – Sat., Oct. 9th, 2010