It is being reported that Sarah Palin is concerned about the Pope’s sphere of influence. She seems to echo the fears I have heard from many that all of his talk about serving one’s neighbor, feeding the hungry, and living humbly in solidarity with poor reflects too much contact with the mainstream media:

Former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin has said Pope Francis has “taken her aback” with his liberal interpretation of Christianity and has expressed fears he may be being influenced by the mainstream media. via Sarah Palin fears ‘liberal’ Pope Francis being influenced by the ‘sneering media’ – News – The Independent.

I don’t consume a whole lot of mainstream media myself, but if being influenced by them makes someone look and talk like Francis, I’m going to go out and buy a satellite dish tonight.

I wish it was that easy… but I’m afraid the message of Francis doesn’t find it’s genesis on MSNBC or CNN. It actually come from a more dangerous source. Francis seems to be taking his cues from the writings of four radicals that go by the names of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. These revolutionary rapscallions claim that radical generosity, care for ones neighbor, solidarity with the outcast and humility and self-sacrificing humility are actually ways that we participate in human life looks like as God intends it.

Here are just a few choice excerpts from each of their revolutionary writing:

If you have two coats, give one to the poor. If you have food, share it with those who are hungry. (Luke 3:11)

Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ “They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me (Matthew 24: 41-45)

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Mark 10:21)

Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don’t have life in yourselves. (John 6:53)

I offer just a few examples… but their works are FULL of this crap. Every page is calling for a radial vision of love and discipleship that would make a liberal blush. Compared to Matthew Mark Luke and John, MSNBC and CNN are practically bastions of laissez faire economic propaganda. What’s worse is that the Pope himself is a member of a secret society called “Catholics” that have dedicated their lives to following the teachings of these books.

For those who fear the Pope is being influenced by the “main stream media” or by the “liberal agenda”, I hate to break it to you, but it’s much worse than you think. I think we can expect to see more and more of this, in fact the word on the street is that Pope Francis is just one of millions of these “Catholics” that have made it their goal to live out the teachings of these books and invite others to do the same, and I have a confession to make… I’m proud to be one of them.