No matter what, God is still at the wheel.
Scandal is dangerous because it makes us sheep skittish.
It arouses strong negative emotions which can overwhelm us and lead to disappointment and even despair.
It might even make us think that our carefully nurtured Faith might be false.
Scandal is always the devil’s child, from inception to completion.
The simple remedy to scandal is to firmly re-affirm the most basic Truth:
GOD IS IN CHARGE.
Catholicism Pure & Simple 
Who’s that silly Cardinal who ‘liked’ this comment? That aside, I love the picture accompanying it, because Patrick O’Brian, a naval historian/novelist par excellence, is very special to me, and I read one of his books every year, and have done since the 1980s. His personal life is a matter of conjecture that I’m not qualified to comment on.
LikeLike
I glad you mentioned us as “sheep,” Burrissimo, because, as you know, sheep have no free will.
Yet it is all right to use them as a metaphor, for human folly, but it is not all right to use my dogs, for example.
What kind of logic is that?
Of course, the sheep parable is that we – brainless, bleating, vast, flock of numbskulls are looked after and loved by the good shepherd – who finds us when we have strayed – and returns us to the baaa-ing, imbecile, mob where we belong.
And then, when he’s good and ready, he shears off all our fleeces and sells them to be made into nice warm socks, and then leads us to the slaughterhouse where we are made into tasty lamb chops and mutton pies.
…Or has Toad got it all wrong again?
LikeLike
A mere 4 thumbs down – but not a word – so far – repudiating Toad.
Perhaps he’s right, here?
No. Impossible.
LikeLike
Dear Toad,
The metaphor of the shepherd protecting his flock is vivid and beautiful. Of course God’s relationship with man does not correspond perfectly to a shepherds relationship with his sheep. — But the image of diligent care is what counts. The metaphor is valuable despite its limitations. We all know that God sees men as ends in themselves whereas the shepherd ultimately sees his sheep as a means
But as to those silent ‘down voters’ — if you don’t like what Toad says, say why you disagree!! It’s a comments thread, if you have nothing to say, say nothing.
Please moderators, consider getting rid of the thumbs?
LikeLike
“Please moderators, consider getting rid of the thumbs?”
I think I understand Tom Fisher’s angnst. I never use the ‘thumbs down’ option, but the ‘thumbs up’ option is important and valuable – and there’s no point in having one without the other. I even give the Toad ‘thumbs up’ now and then. The ‘thumbs up’ encourages coments, no doubt about it.
LikeLike
Upon reflection I think J.H. may be right.
I have down-voted my earlier comment 😉
LikeLike
Thank you Tom (and JH) Thumbs up to both!
LikeLike