July 25, 2008 Blog

What is one to think about Miley? God Sent?

If you haven't heard of Miley Cyrus (15) and all she has been through this past year, then my only thought wold be that you have been in perpetual Eucharistic Adoration for the last year (which is actually not a bad thing to do).  She has gone from being on the top of almost every parent and tweens list of recommended TV shows to being scratched off that list by many parents, and yet still loved by her faithful tween fans.  Her recent press on the less than modest pictures circulating on the Internet (including the Vanity Fair fiascal) have many parents thinking what to do as their daughters keep wanting more Miley.  What is one to think?  Is Miley quickly becoming another "True Disney (Hollywood) Story" of young innocent girls who embrace the big bad corrupt spirit of Hollywood, and the inevitable crash and burn destiny?  What is one to think?  Well, how about this?  - God bless Miley Cyrus!

Ms. Cyrus could be God sent!  I think she has the potential to be a very special "sign of contradiction" in a world that has been changed in some shape or form by mega pop stars such as Madonna or Brittney Spears.  But we must keep in mind, God did not send Miley as He did the Blessed Virgin Mary - The Immaculate Conception, as we Catholics say.  We must keep in mind that she is human and like most "middle-aged teens" she has much to experience and find out about herself, not to mention the battle with the raging hormones.  Yet the public seems to expect her to be perfect in all the choices she makes.  Even us adults who are mature can't do that.  Think of your teen life and imagine if all those decisions were displayed in the global press?  Would there be perfection?



Some may say, "But Father, because she is choosing to be a celebrity, she will be scrutinized and she will be held to a higher standard because of the influence she can have."  This is true.  And this is even more reason why I think Miley might be a very special sending from God - if she continues to cooperate with grace.  Why?  I sense she is a leader, she recognizes that calling, and also realizes the great responsibility that goes with it (read this story).  A great leader is not one who doesn't make mistakes, but one who takes responsibility for them and makes the necessary adjustments to carry on, rather than lash out against the moral order (as one pop artists did - tearing up pictures of the Pope on SNL) or bowing to the gods of pleasure.  Miley has recognized the wrong choices she has made.  She has the wisdom to understand, more than most of the "mature" celebrity lights out there, the consequences of her actions, and is taking responsibility for them.  Folks, this is what we priests call moral COURAGE - standing up for truth even when it means calling oneself out for failing to live up to it.  Even some of our own within the Catholic Church have failed to take this courageous stand when recognizing the wrongs they have done.  The future will yet show if she is making the necessary adjustments.  Hence, even more so why I say, GOD BLESS MILEY CYRUS!

What to think of Miley?  Think of her in your prayers.  She needs our prayers to courageously stay the course she has set out on, a role of the much needed "virtuous" role model in the field of entertainment which influences the lifestyles of so many of our young.  Before one is quick to condemn Miley, stand back and realize what she is standing up for - respect and love for her parents, "purity" in love before marriage (saving sexual intimacy for her husband in marriage), and not being afraid to say on the Barbara Walters show (Oscars Night) that the source of her strength and happiness is her Christian faith.  Many would not venture to give such a witness because they would be afraid to be held accountable - "Don't want to be a hypocrite."  But one will be a hypocrite either for God or for one's own personal pleasure.  True Love takes those chances to be a "fool for God."  But many are and will continue to try and corrupt and dirty her image as time goes on.  And the devil himself is not sitting down taking it lightly as this young talented teen takes on the entertainment world (his playground) with virtue.  What pop singer is more powerful than Miley Cyrus right now?  New Ethos prays that she will stay there and continue to climb if indeed its in the name of God.  She needs your prayers too, because this potentially God sent starlet stands at the front line of the spiritual battle between good and evil within our culture, and within her very soul, and this 15 year old has chosen to be there and face it.  Would you?  Would I?

What to think of Miley?  God bless her, now and always, Amen!  And may Miley continue to respond to God's direction in how to lead the youth of today.