[Greek] αἰσχύνη (aischynē), [Latin] offensio, [Latin] rubor, [Latin] confusio, [German] scham: shamefulness, what causes shame, disgrace, dishonesty; Lk.14:9, 2Cor.4:2, Heb.12:2, Jud.1:13
Unfortunately, many do not fully realize that they will have to account for their actions (an inactions) before God! This includes both laity and clergy!
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means shame, dishonor, insult, being ashamed, and disgrace.
Sophocles’ Trachiniae 66: “That since your father has been gone so long, it is disgraceful for you to not to seek him.”
Sophocles’ Trachinaie 597: “Please keep my secret! Even shameful deeds, when done in darkness, never bring disgrace.”
Euripides’ The Suppliants 164: “I am ashamed to throw myself upon the ground and clasp your knees.”
Xenophon’s Hellenica 7.3.9: “But those who are corrupted by money in violation of the right not only suffer damage, but at the same time shame.”
Old Testament: This term, meaning disgrace and shame, comes from the shame brought about by God’s divine judgment. Sources and cause of shame can come from nakedness, indecency, desire, coveting, scorn, and idols.
New Testament: This term means embarrassment, shamefulness, indecent behavior, and dishonesty. This comes from the result of saying or doing something wrong.
Scripture:
Lk.14:9: “The host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man’, and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place.” (In the parable of the invited guests and host, Jesus instructs us about humbleness. Shame is felt when one moves from the highest place to the lowest place. The humble person who moves from the lowest place to the highest is highly esteemed.)
2Cor.4:2: “Rather, we [Paul] have renounced shameful, hidden things; not acting deceitfully or falsifying the word of God, but by open declaration of the truth we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.” (Integrity, confidence in ministry are rightly praised. Paul states that dogma, doctrine, and faith must be defended and stated clearly. Truth never needs tricks, deception, innovations, misdirection, or nuance. Paul renounces the hidden things of enemies who hide, deceive, and falsify the Word)
Php.3:19: “Their end is destruction. Their god is their stomach; their glory is their shame. Their minds are occupied with earthly things.” (These are enemies of the cross. They serve (worship) their own appetites. Sinning essentially becomes as mundane (ordinary) as eating food. These people are self-seeking, self-indulgent, and self-gratifying. The enemies of God (and the Cross show their glory as their shame. They indulge in confusion.)
Heb.12:2: “For the sake of the joy that lay before Him, He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken His seat the right of the throne of God.” (Crucifixion was a punishment given to criminals and slaves. Needless to say, crucifixion is an extremely harsh form of punishment.)
[Greek] αἰσχύνομαι (aischyno): to be ashamed, to be put to shame
1Pet.4:16: “But whoever is made to suffer as a Christian should not be ashamed but glorify God because of the name.” (One should not be surprised that you may face a trial. One should rejoice to the extent that you may share in the suffering Christ. You can also rejoice in that you are blessed for that the Spirit of Glory and glory and of God rests upon you.)
1Jn.2:28: “Reman in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by Him at His coming.” (Our confidence at His judgment is based on the daily assurance of salvation. Our actions reflect our true relationship with Him.)
Jud.1:13: “They [false teachers] are like wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shameless deeds, wandering stars for whom the gloom of darkness has been reserved forever.”
- Wild waves: unstable doctrine, turbulence, doctrinal hazards, agitation, making a splash (fleeting)
- Wandering stars: temporary, briefly present, straying. lack of stability
- Gloom of darkness: cast into darkness, reserved for destruction, fading away
[Greek] καταισχύνω (kataischynō): to put to shame, to confound
Lk.13:17: “When He said this, all His adversaries were humiliated; and the whole crowd rejoiced at all the splendid deeds done by Him.” (Jesus points out the Jews’ misplaced priorities about caring and helping others (people and animals) on the sabbath. The Jews had no problem caring for the animals on the sabbath. But caring for man on the sabbath is a sabbath violation.)
1Pet.3:15-16:”Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope, but do it with gentleness and reverence, keeping your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who defame your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.” (If one should suffer because of righteousness, that is a blessing. By giving an explanation in kindness and reverence, your accusers will be put to shame. It is better to suffer for good, if that is God’s will.)
1Cor.1:27: “God chose the foolish of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak of the world to shame the strong.”
Foolish of the world: Those who reject the world’s values and focus on God’s values.
Shaming the strong: God’s wisdom is quite often inversely proportional to the world’s wisdom. God’s wisdom may appear foolish to man. The world’s wisdom may appear foolish to God.
St. Thomas Aquinas teachings on Catholic social teaching (in allocating resources):
- Love of God
- Love of self (our own soul)
- Love of family
- Love of community
- Love of fellow citizens (nation)
- Love of strangers (immigrants)
Rubor: This is a redness of the skin. This can be associated with blushing, embarrassment, and shame.
Rubric: This is a red word or text traditionally written or printed for emphasis. Rubric originates in Medieval illuminated manuscripts from the 13th century and earlier. Red letters were used to highlight initial capitals of psalms, section heading, and names of religious significance.
Conclusion:
Rubor, rubrics, offense, offensive, shame, shameful, confusion
The Old Testament reminds us that shame can come from both one’s actions and through God’s divine judgment of one’s actions.
Jesus continually reminds us that those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Both Jesus and Paul point out that the Word (gospel message) must be clear and simple. Jesus states one must hate the sin but love the sinner. Paul states that there should be No DECEIT in the gospel. (Jesus and Paul couldn’t have stated this more simply!)
Update: Those advocating for immigrants often fail to acknowledge the proper principle of allocating your resources closest to your sphere of influence. We just do not live in a world with infinite resources. These advocates offer a distorted view of the proper allocation of resources.
More and more people are learning about the questionable “business” relationships between USAID, Catholic Charities, the Vatican, Catholic Relief Services, and USCCB.
The USSCB evidently employs 90% of its budget to immigrants and immigration. The USCCB employs only 1% to pro-life causes. Why are their priorities distorted so much?
We are finding that some of this money is being sent to LGBTQ causes, promotion of atheism, condoms, abortion, illegal immigration, and child trafficking. This money spigot is now being turned off.
In light of these events, these organizations are still trying to get donations form the people and the government. But the narrative has changed. The money will stop and layoffs are happening.
Many support gay marriage, homosexuality, gender ideology, transgenderism, puberty blockers, sex reassignment surgery, abortion, while opposing traditional Catholic (Christian) teachings.
We now live in a culture where some are easily offended and has the right to be offended. If you do not accept their thinking you may be deemed intolerant or hateful. These people, in their efforts to seek tolerance, often become intolerant to others. This is false tolerance.
In this confusing culture, it is a shame that oftentimes it becomes difficult for one to define what a woman is.
Questionable, misleading, and shameful decisions by the Catholic Church:
Faithful traditional and conservative laity and clergy continue to be marginalized and insulted by Synodalists and Modernists who arrogantly believe that the Church ecclesiology has changed into a synodal Church.
These Modernists and Synodalists continue to promote their Modernist ideology over the rights of Catholics to celebrate the Mass of their ancestors.
The Catholic Church and the media often give a pass to the unacceptable behavior of the LGBTQ community (often seen as a protected class).
Since Vatican II, homosexuality among the clergy has continued to the present. The German bishop are strangely championing this behavior. Not surprisingly, the LGBTQ outreach continues in spite of the Church’s teachings against homosexuality. Shocker!
There are too many priests who remain silent and cowardly in speaking out against harmful consequences of synodality, liturgical confusion, and heresy. Many are fearful of being cancelled, deposed, laicized, excommunicated, and losing out on potential advancement in the Church.
Many US citizens have been very alarmed that the Biden administration was more concerned about securing Ukraine’s borders than the United States’ borders
The Vatican restricts the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) while permitting Pride Masses. We can see where the Vatican’s priorities lie.
In light of the confusion of gender ideology, the Vatican has not promoted John Paul II’s Theology of the Body (understanding God’s design for the male and female body) and Courage. This is very revealing and confusing, but perhaps not surprising.
It is shameful that the Synod of Synodalities refuses to address the moral character (sexual inclinations) of priests. This probably hits too close to home to offending and upsetting LGBTQ community and existing homosexual lifestyle of some priests . Shocker!
This synodal Church is acting more like a United Nations NGO (social justice and social work) than a Church focusing on the salvation of souls.
Clergy (cardinals, bishops, and priests) are called to bring souls into heaven. Yet there remains clergy who will not say anything about sins. They will be accountable for their actions before God. This is a consequence of synodality: lived experiences taking precedence over Church teachings and the salvation of souls.
“So strong is tradition that later generations will dream of what they have never seen.” GK Chesterton
“We don’t want a church that moves with the world. We want a church that moves the world.” GK Chesterton
Next post: Shame and embarrassment (“Oh no! I just need to hide!”)