There is no substitute to the intellect for Sanctifying Grace

When reading things on Facebook, I am left speechless by the gullibility of Catholics.

I really enjoy satire and admit I've read a few satirical pieces on clown masses that I thought were real. Mainly because there were so many clowns ordained at St. John's Seminary here in Boston in the 70s and 80s, we've actually experienced the Liturgical antics described in satire!

But some of the stuff about poor Pope Francis passed around as real...oiy!

A reader sent me this article giving people hints on how to detect sarcasm.

For instance:

Keep an eye out for hyperbole, or exaggerated phrasing. Writers often overstate an opinion to reveal its logical or ethical flaws.

Surviving eleven years of blogging at TTC, I doubt readers here need instructions on that one.

And this one:

Think about the personality and typical writing style of the writer in question. If he or she normally writes dry, boring prose, a statement you think is sarcastic might actually be sincere. On the other hand, when reading crafty writers like Mark Twain or Oscar Wilde who are known for their wit, keep a constant vigil for outlandish or peculiar statements.

Reading the outlandish and peculiar things coming out of Chanceries and the Holy See these days, faithful Catholics are having a perfectly wonderful time. But this isn't it. Wit is a survival tool.

I get why some people aren't holding their breath refreshing their browser every few hours to see the next blunder we have to address in the public square. But if you know you're not keeping up with it and reading numerous sites to get to the bottom and full context of what he actually said, when you come across a story, wouldn't you google it to find out if what you're reading is accurate?

I read a post yesterday that was posted as an emergency and said a nuclear reactor was in meltdown - right this minute -- and to get indoors and cover your windows and vents if you live on the West Coast.

It's really getting nutty.

I'm holding onto my sanity with the Sacraments with the vigor of an obsessed addict.