Thanksgiving is to be praying to God and “with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged.”

Earlier this week, the Associated Press and other publications ran with the shocking headline “Pope Endorses Same-Sex Civil Unions” that is derived from this supposed quote: “What we have to have is a civil union law; that way they are legally covered.” If this was a real quote from Pope Francis, then there would probably be a lot of problems. However, it was not.

This year’s speaker is Dr. Tony Evans, a famous Christian pastor and speaker whose message can be found in print, on the radio, and on television. Originally from Baltimore, Evans lives in Dallas where he serves both as senior pastor to the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship and as the chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Mavericks.

It is possible that the candidate merely criticized the use of the words “killing,” “innocent,” and “massive scale.” No one can deny that the number is massive, and how could anyone ever declare a baby as anything but innocent.

Of Columbus in particular, old lies are the most pertinent today. In all actuality, Christopher Columbus was a faithful Catholic explorer who discovered important trade routes, made it to mainland Central America, and helped settle current United States soil in Puerto Rico. He never had slaves, never killed anyone, never raped anyone, and never committed genocide.

The threats and danger the Apostles faced are not greater or lesser than those we face today, because immorality and sin are a constant with humans. Trying to politicize and justify any type of violence and destruction is to turn from God, because only He is right and anything that turns from him is wrong.

Peter explains, in Acts 2:3-39, that the people must, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”

Unfortunately, today’s world is beset by fear, the contradiction of faith, and panic, the contradiction of hope. As panic spreads, people attack anyone who shows a hint of optimism as if optimism is harmful. In truth, panic causes the greatest harm..

But we, as caretakers of children, are called not only to protect them due to their age but also to aid everyone in spreading the word of Christ. If we fail to guide them to virtue, then we too share in their sin.