You know they did not nail Jesus to the Cross for keeping quiet. They did not cut the head of John the Baptist for putting up with things. No they killed them for speaking out. Keeping quiet and swallowing things is never going to cause you trouble, no, its opening your mouth and speaking out that will bring the wrath of hell down on your head.. witness Bishop Strickland.
I also asked the Abbott one time why he admitted a young man to the monastery who was a homosexual. The Abbot went into a real fury. Who was I to say someone was a homosexual ? Detraction. Judgemental. Ect Ect I then told him that the reason I knew he was homo was because he told me himself, that he did not keep it secret. The Abbot collapsed like a burst balloon. I then asked him why he has never asked the guy the obvious question, the guy was a total queen, you could tell in one second he was queer. The Abbot was never angry at him but he was furious at me, another case of where keeping quiet and not engaging in what some would call detraction would have been the safer path. You know in my experience keeping it zipped will not lead to you being crucified, but telling it like it is most certainly will.
Thank you for sharing this. It sheds a lot of light on this matter for me. I was struggling to see a clear way through it. As I read parts of scripture, the Catechism and Canon Law it became clearer to me. But your experience sent it all home in a real way. This story is very analogous to the current state of the Church. It's not about personal intentions, it's about doing what's just for everyone. When we face resistance in doing this it needs to be talked about.
Yes. It is not about yourself, it is about other people. It is simply not charitable to keep quiet when other people are being hurt. If you choose to suffer when only you yourself are being hurt, if the Holy Spirit leads you to this, that is fine. But in the case of the Church where millions are being hurt you have not only a duty to speak out but you must scream out at the very top of your voice. ..and don't be shy about it. Scream,scream,scream.
By the way I have not spoken out about a tenth of an amount about what concerns me about about Leo and the folks in the Vatican at the present time. I have very,very,very dark thoughts indeed about them all but it it only fear of detraction and extreme charity forbids me from expressing them at this present time. I worry in case I am not outspoken enough . I have the very, very, very darkest, darkest suspicions.
I believe the Church has been infiltrated to the point that only a Pius X will be willing to use an axe. In the meanwhile, the hearts of too many Catholics are lukewarm. The urgency to reach out to them with the Gospel is something I can participate in. Pointing out the masonic infiltration to such will not rouse them. Only Jesus...
I think it is very hard not to have these kinds of suspicions, at least it is for me. I hope for the best and do my best to send love to the church authorities. But it becomes entirely obvious that they don't have our best interests at heart because they are on the exact same side as the globalists for every issue. What charitable conclusion can a person come to? The odds of being on the same side of every issue the globalists have is astronomically low. Not just that, but then they are gas lighting us with these synods. I could go on, but we all know what I am talking about. This is all disingenuous, and for what purpose would they be disingenuous? I cannot think of one good reason.
You have hit the proverbial nail on the head with this assessment. Amen, hallelujah. PS I prayed for your foot just awhile ago on the rosary from Lourdes on EWTN. May you experience some healing graces from Our Lady!
Saying that the Church is in terrible shape is nothing new. I also want to say that I’m personally too busy with my own journey of self-improvement in humility and brotherly love, so I have enough on my plate just holding my own candle. We still have holy priests and churches where respectful worship of the Lord takes place, and we must take advantage of that blessing. I don’t know if all of this will blow up soon and the apocalypse will begin. What I am sure of is that I will soon stand before the divine tribunal, and that will be the end of the world for me. Every day counts toward progress, and there’s not much time for distractions spent judging others, because it’s a sterile exercise. The noise of the world prevents us from hearing our inner voice. We quickly lose our spiritual connection, and our dialog with the Lord gives way to human entanglements. Having a holy pope doesn’t make me holy, and my obedience to the hierarchy is total, except when I’m forced to accept sin. I will never do that, God willing. Judgment is individual.
Sigh. But I wonder about encouraging people to enter a Church that is increasingly becoming a False Church, An Ape of the Church, a Church that only exists as a small Remnant. Its a bit like welcoming people into a home that is not there. Or again like handing people a Flight Ticket to a plane that has been hijacked and will take them to Hell. Increasingly in the Church I feel like stranger in a strange land. Alone and unwelcome. It reminds me of what Jesus said of Jerusalem , that their ancestors stoned the Prophets. Rome has become like that. I am very conscious that if I went to Rome and they knew my heart they would be intensely hostile to me. That they would regard me as their worst nightmare. I have not left the True Church, I never ever will. But I am very,very aware that this False Church has long, long since left me.
The Spiritual Path is not about, 'Self improvement', a kind of DIY project. It is about openess to grace. The Chinese Missionary prayer is true, 'Lord let me change the whole World beginning with myself'. But it only starts there. Its ending is to help others, including helping others to see the Truth.
Everything you say makes sense, and I understand your pain. I also feel the stares and silences of many people (some very close to me) when I confess my faith and religion. Sometimes I feel secondhand embarrassment at the example some bishops or cardinals are setting for the whole world. Nevertheless, Jesus Christ is my treasure, and there is nothing outside of Him. At the same time, I have many flaws that I’m trying to overcome with God’s help. The Lord has delivered me from great vices, for my sins were mortal. I was full of vices. I am still on the path that leads to holiness, but I have a long way to go and I struggle to overcome every obstacle (with God’s help). I am guided solely by this prayer. I am a beggar. Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from Christ’s side, wash me. Passion of Christ, comfort me. O good Jesus, hear me! Within your wounds, hide me. Do not let me stray from you. From the evil enemy, defend me. At the hour of my death, call me. And bid me come to you, that with your saints I may praise you for ever and ever. Amen
Some time ago joined a parish programme of faith renewal. I only went to give support to the priest who was full on promoting it and I thought he would put people off instead of gathering them. It turned out it got a full attendance. We would watch short clips of a video and then sit around in small groups and discuss some questions presented. Most of the parishioners attending were older than I, and I don't consider myself young anymore. There was no opening or closing prayer or prayer at any time. I was really gobsmacked at how little knowledge and faith seemed to be in the groups. It struck me that it was a fruit of the lack of catechetics for at least two generations. I really struggled to say anything that could have any impact on them. It was like they knew the penny catechism by heart and had skipped years of spiritual growth and were now discussing and ok with the synod and women priests etc. The priest still mentions the program and says how it helped many to find their faith. I wonder did I miss something ... But then again, only for the grace of God there go I.
What was the name of the faith renewal program? There are programs that have a Protestant basis in use in many Churches these days,(Alpha, for eg.) sigh...
Well be very grateful to God that at least you yourself are not half blind. But of course if you love something you will be watching and reading and listening to things about it. Or it was golf, cooking, camping or what ever. It is a thousand times more true if we love God and the things of God. Places like utube have a billion wonderful Videos. The only things I suppose is there are so many false teachers. But the likes of EWTN is brilliant.
Thank you, HH. I have a fellow male parishioner who is a member of a Monday evening Bible Study group I'm leading (currently at my home), who harangues me: "No weight on your right foot!" Since my injury, Geralyn is obviously very determined for me to follow suit. I believe I have been 95% compliant. At least I've chosen only to go to Holy Mass once/wk., and even then I do not process up the aisle nor assist at the altar. I remain seated by the ambo and only stand to proclaim the Gospel and receive Holy Communion. Geralyn also wheelchairs me in! Now, that's what I call a "sacrifice" on my part! Next week, I'll return to my podiatrist who will take a one month-later x-ray. I'll be able to visualize how much new bone growth has started to fill in the fracture. Jesus, I trust in You!
I’m sorry that this has been such a tough situation for you. You are doing very well in your compliance. Please let us know how it goes with the xray. Prayers continue. I remember that Geralyn is a nurse.
I feel for your predicament and I fear and pray that my response to it may be sufficient in the sight of God. For those whom I love who seem to be far away from the Church or any spiritual path, but who might have some new found curiosity at my own resurgence in the love of God, I honestly would have to say that it would be easier to attract them into the synodal Church - or the False Church as you say, than into the Church of the Cross, that of John The Baptist - repent and believe in the Gospel. That is because they are already on board with many of the globalist ideals (WEF, UN, climate you name it, etc). And that is s big problem for me, a problem of evangelization. How does one entice another to the Cross. Are you willing to offer yourselves to God and to bear all the sufferings He wills to send you, as an act of reparation for the sins by which He is offended, and of supplication for the conversion of sinners? (Our Lady of Fatima's question to the Shepherd Children - and to us) Great tragedy and pain open one up to accept the Church of the Cross. But I do not want that for my loved ones. But I suppose ones own sufferings and prayers may work the required miracles of conversion, which we might not live to see. I do feel like this whole issue of the thread is like walking a tightrope. But I think Pax Prima nailed it with Canon 212, i.e., that when it pertains to the good of the Church, we can and maybe are obliged to make our views known to the Shepherds of the Church. I would do it with respect, out of love: "Holy Father, I a mere lay person come before you in humility and respect with serious questions pertaining to the good of the Church. Jesus said that whoever would be great among you must be servant of all. I humbly ask you to take note of my concerns in the spirit of a servant, although it is I who am your servant ... to clarify for me how I can be wrong in these matters." Interestingly, Malachy Martin said not to hold ones breath waiting for an answer to any such letter written. He said the Church thrives on such letters and its Beaurocracy ignores them, as it only responds to things which threaten its Power. But perhaps that is too cynical. I have so far refrained from giving my view on the Senator Durbin / Cardinal Cupich issue and Pope Leo's response, which I do think shows very clear signs of confused thinking which leads into error. I say that in all humility. I think Ezekial chapters 2 and 3 are good chapters to read on this topic. It relates to a major Prophet. The Lord told Ezekial not to be afraid or alarmed at the looks the obstinate people of Israel would give him when he spoke the words of the scroll which the Lord would give him. But which of us are Prophets of this era? I certainly am not.
