Harvey Weinstein is getting his due. The fat cat movie mogul immersed in money, power, and degradation ofhis self and others is facing the ugly consequences of his ugly life. A just ending to the story
of a villain. Rejoice! But most rejoice for the wrong reasons–comeuppance.
For Catholics, the fact that Harvey delighted
in a hateful persecution of the Church through nine
of his films, offers an especially satisfying moment—Ha! That will teach him!
in a hateful persecution of the Church through nine
of his films, offers an especially satisfying moment—Ha! That will teach him!
That was my original thought. Then this morning at
Mass, another thought intruded: Harvey
is a child of God, lost and forsaken. God wills that he should repent and live.
Mass, another thought intruded: Harvey
is a child of God, lost and forsaken. God wills that he should repent and live.
Harvey had not even been on my mind and to be
honest, I did not welcome the thought. When I reflected on it later, however, some other thoughts came to
mind.
honest, I did not welcome the thought. When I reflected on it later, however, some other thoughts came to
mind.
·
Harvey lived a life that has earned
him the right to burn in hell. Should he end up in hell, it would be the devil
that would rejoice, not God.
Harvey lived a life that has earned
him the right to burn in hell. Should he end up in hell, it would be the devil
that would rejoice, not God.
·
In a way Harvey did not intend, he blessed faithful
Catholics: “Blessed are those who are
persecuted for righteousness, theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 5:10).
In a way Harvey did not intend, he blessed faithful
Catholics: “Blessed are those who are
persecuted for righteousness, theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” (Matthew 5:10).
·
Harvey offers us the opportunity
to be blessed again. Praying for a lost soul is pleasing to God who will also
bless us because he cannot be outdone in generosity. Jesus told us to love our enemies
and to do unto others, as we would have them do unto us. He also told us: “…for the measure you give will be the measure back to you,” (Luke
6: 38). Praying for Harvey will come back to us.
Harvey offers us the opportunity
to be blessed again. Praying for a lost soul is pleasing to God who will also
bless us because he cannot be outdone in generosity. Jesus told us to love our enemies
and to do unto others, as we would have them do unto us. He also told us: “…for the measure you give will be the measure back to you,” (Luke
6: 38). Praying for Harvey will come back to us.
Harvey may not feel thankful right now, but
being exposed in this way is a blessing for him. His fall from pride brings humiliation,
which opens the door to humility. Nothing hidden will remain so forever: “For
there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that
will not be known or brought out into the open,” (Luke 8:17). Harvey’s
delusion of grandeur has now been torn from him. Better now when there is time to
repent.
being exposed in this way is a blessing for him. His fall from pride brings humiliation,
which opens the door to humility. Nothing hidden will remain so forever: “For
there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that
will not be known or brought out into the open,” (Luke 8:17). Harvey’s
delusion of grandeur has now been torn from him. Better now when there is time to
repent.
As Catholics, rather than delight in the
scandal, we are called to pray for Harvey if we want to follow what it truly
means to be a Christian.
scandal, we are called to pray for Harvey if we want to follow what it truly
means to be a Christian.
Honestly, this was not my plan for today—to pray and write about Harvey. I could not have felt less connected to him. But the truth of our faith intruded upon my day. I am glad his abuse has been revealed and I hope everyone like him gets found out. He took advantage of his victims and some even left the industry thinking it would be the only way to preserve their self-respect. Still, I lit a candle for Harvey,
offered up my Holy Communion and will pray for him. My inclination is to reserve such precious
things for the ones whom I love and for the intentions near and dear to my heart. Yet, we know that God cannot be outdone in generosity, so let’s pray for Harvey and others like
him, so that souls will be snatched away from the evil one and God will be
glorified.
offered up my Holy Communion and will pray for him. My inclination is to reserve such precious
things for the ones whom I love and for the intentions near and dear to my heart. Yet, we know that God cannot be outdone in generosity, so let’s pray for Harvey and others like
him, so that souls will be snatched away from the evil one and God will be
glorified.
~~~~~~~~~~
For more inspiration check out Patti’s latest book: Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith & Get to Heaven. Other books include: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families and the best-selling Amazing Grace Series.
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