Deacon Steve Holton, Fort Worth Serra Club Chaplain, offers monthly spiritual reflections here on our website and at club events to guide our lives, prayer and work as Serrans.
A founding member of Holy Family Parish since 1969, Deacon Steve was ordained to the permanent diaconate in August 2020 and has been assigned to Saint Peter the Apostle in White Settlement since then. Married to Debi Holton since 1981, the couple has two daughters and three grandchildren. Deacon Steve was appointed Chaplain of Fort Worth Serra Club by Bishop Olson in August 2023.

Silence is not always golden

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

For those of us mature (old) enough to remember a time when our spiritual leaders spoke out boldly in the public square in condemnation of actions and events that mocked our Catholic Faith, beliefs, and Sacred Tradition, those days appear to be just a memory. 

Recently in the news, a prominent governor of a northeast blue state held a mock communion ceremony, where she gave a Dorito (chip) to a kneeling internet influencer on the tongue, while having a smug look on her face, followed by laughter. To date, there has not been any public outcry or admonishment for this extremely disrespectful action. This intentional and obvious action demonstrates a pure hatred for our beliefs, which sadly is common in today’s secular society.

At the last supper, Jesus was clear “He took some bread and gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, “This is my body, which is given up for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Luke 22:19

The evil embedded in the abortion industry has taken Jesus' own words at the Last Supper to distort the authority of pregnant women allowing termination of her child in the womb, as we often hear; This is “MY BODY, MY CHOICE”! 

The sacredness of human life is abandoned over personal choice! The insanity of this culture of death is funded by the American Taxpayer to the tune of $565 million each fiscal year. Keep in mind that Planned Parenthood is the number one provider of actual abortion, and abortion drugs and is deeply involved in gender-affirming care and the mutilation of the precious lives of our young people.

When these reprehensible and despicable acts occur many Catholics/Christians will quote the “turn the other cheek” passage from Matthew 5:39 which is unfortunately misunderstood today by large numbers of Christian followers and non-Christians alike.

Scriptural scholars often point out that Jesus on specific occasions would use a common rabbinical teaching tool known as “hyperbole” to draw attention to an important point. Jesus did not intend for his followers to pluck out an eye, cut off a hand, and remove their leg. In these specific teaching opportunities, Jesus did not intend these statements to be taken in a strict, literal, and absolute sense. Jesus often used this method throughout his preaching ministry to make his point difficult for the listener to miss. For some reason, the “judge not” and “turn the other cheek” passages get an inordinate amount of airtime and are commonly misused by Christians. 

Brothers and Sisters, one of the dominant issues of this coming presidential election is the protection of life versus the culture of death. A fundamental tenet of our Catholic Faith is to respect and protect “life from the moment of conception to the moment of natural death” In an election year where both candidates are flawed, we must not be silent; we must vote for the candidate/party that will uphold this sacred tenet!

As Catholics, this teaching on life is not an option for us. 

Remember, the sacredness of life is in our hands! 

On judgement day we will be held accountable for our actions and inactions – where our silence is not golden!

God Bless you all!
Deacon Steve Holton, Chaplain
Serra Club Fort Worth