1. A reminder.
Christ had warned us that we should take up His cross and follow Him. Otherwise, we won't go to heaven. Few had taken this warning seriously but as the Gospel for today tells us, we must take up His cross to be able to enter into the Catholic Church, the kingdom of God here on earth. The Gospel continues to describe the 'kingdom of God.'
2. As at the time of Noah and Lot.
The kingdom of God had always been described as a field with wheat and cockle, with the good and the bad. And the Gospel at these last Sundays approaching the Feast of Christ the King had been warning us that time is coming that the good is going to be separated from the bad. Then God would punish the bad after having set aside the good.
Thus Christ mentioned the separation of the wheat from the cockle. And in today's Gospel He mentions the need to separate the good before drowning the bad and the separation of the good from the bad before raining fire and brimstone on the bad. Then Christ mentions the fact that God had promised never to end the human race through flood but instead He will end the human race with fire. The last days scenario is worse than the fire and brimstone in Sodom and Gomorrah, for reasons the Gospel states momentarily.
3. The Church will be like at the time of Noah and at the time of Lot.
It will have good and bad members as before. But the punishment will be worse as time goes. Because to whom much is given much will be required.
As at the time of Noah, the Catholic Church will have good members as Noah and his family. And there will be
members who will be eating and drinking and marrying; these are the one who will be shut out of the Ark and will drown.
Now, there is nothing wrong in eating and drinking and marrying, St.Thomas wrote. What is wrong is the inordinate and lustful desire for eating, drinking and for sex. Since God severely punishes those who do lawful things inordinately, how much more will He severely punish those who do evil things. Of greater evil was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah.
But the sin of the bad members of the Catholic Church who are not strictly speaking Catholics, are even greater, in Sodom. The homosexuality in the IOR, the pedophilia in the rooms of the Congregation for the Faith raided by the Italian police. The perverted sexuality of appointees to the Vatican. The perverts invited by Pope Francis to his private audiences. The weirdoes whose feet Pope Francis kisses should put Sodom and Gomorrah to shame.
During Noah's time, the good could retreat to an Ark safely; which is a symbol of the Catholic Church. But in Sodom, Lot was led by angels, he led his wife to safety as the Church would lead unbelievers into the Church; but there was no Ark to go to. How come? Because the story is showing us the message of the Gospel; i.e. that the kingdom of God, personified by the Ark of Noah, is no longer an object outside the person. The kingdom of God is within you. The kingdom of God was the Ark outside of Noah, but it will be within Lot. Lot was leading his wife into the kingdom of God, but because of a sin against the kingdom, the wife was not able to enter the kingdom of God. We now see two persons; Lot, who had the kingdom of God within him and his wife, who did not have the kingdom within her due to her sin of loving worldly things.
What was the sin of Lot's wife that prevented her from entering the kingdom of God? She did not take up the cross of Christ and follow Him because she was attached to her past, to her worldly possessions, to the pleasures of the flesh. These caused her to look back thus going against the command of Christ; 'he who takes up the plough and looks back is not worthy of Me.'
Again, how come Lot had no Ark to enter in? Because from henceforth the Church will be within him.
4. The state of the Church.
As in the days of Noah, most Catholics will be lovers of food, drink and sex more than lovers of God. And, like in the days of Lot, the Pope and most cardinals and bishops in the Vatican, as exposed by Vatileaks, are Sodomites, homos, pedophiles and child molesters.
As St, Thomas added; the Church will be covered with a cloud of ignorance wherewith those obliged to teach the Words of Divine truth will not speak the truth but will, instead, speak errors and confusions. Thus the people will have no way of learning the Divine truths from the priests and bishops. Not even from Pope Francis. Since entrance into the kingdom of God is through taking up of the cross and following Christ, this suffering will discourage the lovers of pleasure from entering the Church.
Then there is the anti-Christ that is expected today and is already here who will lead an awful persecution of the Church physically and morally. This persecution will be joined by governments, perverts, sinners, pagans, Protestants, by priests, bishops and Pope Francis. The deadliest persecution will be by the Pope who will attack the Church doctrinally as is being done with 'Amores Laetitia.'
5. The atmosphere.
The Liturgy of the Mass is, in effect, teaching us that during these days, it is impossible to know and to save one's soul. But the Gospel of Saturday of the 32 Week in Ordinary Time shows us the help we need during these times; PRAYER. Unceasing prayer like the prayer of the poor widow before a bad judge. Because of the unceasing prayer of the widow, the bad judge granted the widow justice over her accusers, the devil.
6. The Catholic Church is the widow who was praying unceasingly. It was the only way the Church could survive the onslaught of the evil times of these days. And what is unceasing prayer? St. Thomas of Aquinas described it as........praying the complete Divine Office, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None,Vespers, Compline, Matins .....and having one's mind and heart concentrating on the words of the Psalms. That is not really praying every second of the day; but St. Thomas considered it, already, as praying unceasingly because some time must be spent for the other necessities of life.
With Vatican II having reduced the Divine Office of religious and priests today to less than four, instead of eight time.......the Catholic Church as the widow praying unceasingly is nowhere to be found today.
What is the negative image of the Catholic Church today? It is like the people during Noah's time; and it is like the people in Sodom and Gomorrah. What is the positive image of the Catholic Church today? It is like Noah, it is like Lot......and it is like the poor widow who was praying unceasingly.
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Friday - 32nd Week in Ordinary Time. THE CRUCIFIXION OF THE CHURCH.
1. A reminder.
Christ had warned us that we should take up His cross and follow Him. Otherwise, we won't go to heaven. Few had taken this warning seriously but as the Gospel for today tells us, we must take up His cross to be able to enter into the Catholic Church, the kingdom of God here on earth. The Gospel continues to describe the 'kingdom of God.'
2. As at the time of Noah and Lot.
The kingdom of God had always been described as a field with wheat and cockle, with the good and the bad. And the Gospel at these last Sundays approaching the Feast of Christ the King had been warning us that time is coming that the good is going to be separated from the bad. Then God would punish the bad after having set aside the good.
Thus Christ mentioned the separation of the wheat from the cockle. And in today's Gospel He mentions the need to separate the good before drowning the bad and the separation of the good from the bad before raining fire and brimstone on the bad. Then Christ mentions the fact that God had promised never to end the human race through flood but instead He will end the human race with fire. The last days scenario is worse than the fire and brimstone in Sodom and Gomorrah, for reasons the Gospel states momentarily.
3. The Church will be like at the time of Noah and at the time of Lot.
It will have good and bad members as before. But the punishment will be worse as time goes. Because to whom much is given much will be required.
As at the time of Noah, the Catholic Church will have good members as Noah and his family. And there will be
members who will be eating and drinking and marrying; these are the one who will be shut out of the Ark and will drown.
Now, there is nothing wrong in eating and drinking and marrying, St.Thomas wrote. What is wrong is the inordinate and lustful desire for eating, drinking and for sex. Since God severely punishes those who do lawful things inordinately, how much more will He severely punish those who do evil things. Of greater evil was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah.
But the sin of the bad members of the Catholic Church who are not strictly speaking Catholics, are even greater, in Sodom. The homosexuality in the IOR, the pedophilia in the rooms of the Congregation for the Faith raided by the Italian police. The perverted sexuality of appointees to the Vatican. The perverts invited by Pope Francis to his private audiences. The weirdoes whose feet Pope Francis kisses should put Sodom and Gomorrah to shame.
During Noah's time, the good could retreat to an Ark safely; which is a symbol of the Catholic Church. But in Sodom, Lot was led by angels, he led his wife to safety as the Church would lead unbelievers into the Church; but there was no Ark to go to. How come? Because the story is showing us the message of the Gospel; i.e. that the kingdom of God, personified by the Ark of Noah, is no longer an object outside the person. The kingdom of God is within you. The kingdom of God was the Ark outside of Noah, but it will be within Lot. Lot was leading his wife into the kingdom of God, but because of a sin against the kingdom, the wife was not able to enter the kingdom of God. We now see two persons; Lot, who had the kingdom of God within him and his wife, who did not have the kingdom within her due to her sin of loving worldly things.
What was the sin of Lot's wife that prevented her from entering the kingdom of God? She did not take up the cross of Christ and follow Him because she was attached to her past, to her worldly possessions, to the pleasures of the flesh. These caused her to look back thus going against the command of Christ; 'he who takes up the plough and looks back is not worthy of Me.'
Again, how come Lot had no Ark to enter in? Because from henceforth the Church will be within him.
4. The state of the Church.
As in the days of Noah, most Catholics will be lovers of food, drink and sex more than lovers of God. And, like in the days of Lot, the Pope and most cardinals and bishops in the Vatican, as exposed by Vatileaks, are Sodomites, homos, pedophiles and child molesters.
As St, Thomas added; the Church will be covered with a cloud of ignorance wherewith those obliged to teach the Words of Divine truth will not speak the truth but will, instead, speak errors and confusions. Thus the people will have no way of learning the Divine truths from the priests and bishops. Not even from Pope Francis. Since entrance into the kingdom of God is through taking up of the cross and following Christ, this suffering will discourage the lovers of pleasure from entering the Church.
Then there is the anti-Christ that is expected today and is already here who will lead an awful persecution of the Church physically and morally. This persecution will be joined by governments, perverts, sinners, pagans, Protestants, by priests, bishops and Pope Francis. The deadliest persecution will be by the Pope who will attack the Church doctrinally as is being done with 'Amores Laetitia.'
5. The atmosphere.
The Liturgy of the Mass is, in effect, teaching us that during these days, it is impossible to know and to save one's soul. But the Gospel of Saturday of the 32 Week in Ordinary Time shows us the help we need during these times; PRAYER. Unceasing prayer like the prayer of the poor widow before a bad judge. Because of the unceasing prayer of the widow, the bad judge granted the widow justice over her accusers, the devil.
6. The Catholic Church is the widow who was praying unceasingly. It was the only way the Church could survive the onslaught of the evil times of these days. And what is unceasing prayer? St. Thomas of Aquinas described it as........praying the complete Divine Office, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None,Vespers, Compline, Matins .....and having one's mind and heart concentrating on the words of the Psalms. That is not really praying every second of the day; but St. Thomas considered it, already, as praying unceasingly because some time must be spent for the other necessities of life.
With Vatican II having reduced the Divine Office of religious and priests today to less than four, instead of eight time.......the Catholic Church as the widow praying unceasingly is nowhere to be found today.
What is the negative image of the Catholic Church today? It is like the people during Noah's time; and it is like the people in Sodom and Gomorrah. What is the positive image of the Catholic Church today? It is like Noah, it is like Lot......and it is like the poor widow who was praying unceasingly.
Christ had warned us that we should take up His cross and follow Him. Otherwise, we won't go to heaven. Few had taken this warning seriously but as the Gospel for today tells us, we must take up His cross to be able to enter into the Catholic Church, the kingdom of God here on earth. The Gospel continues to describe the 'kingdom of God.'
2. As at the time of Noah and Lot.
The kingdom of God had always been described as a field with wheat and cockle, with the good and the bad. And the Gospel at these last Sundays approaching the Feast of Christ the King had been warning us that time is coming that the good is going to be separated from the bad. Then God would punish the bad after having set aside the good.
Thus Christ mentioned the separation of the wheat from the cockle. And in today's Gospel He mentions the need to separate the good before drowning the bad and the separation of the good from the bad before raining fire and brimstone on the bad. Then Christ mentions the fact that God had promised never to end the human race through flood but instead He will end the human race with fire. The last days scenario is worse than the fire and brimstone in Sodom and Gomorrah, for reasons the Gospel states momentarily.
3. The Church will be like at the time of Noah and at the time of Lot.
It will have good and bad members as before. But the punishment will be worse as time goes. Because to whom much is given much will be required.
As at the time of Noah, the Catholic Church will have good members as Noah and his family. And there will be
members who will be eating and drinking and marrying; these are the one who will be shut out of the Ark and will drown.
Now, there is nothing wrong in eating and drinking and marrying, St.Thomas wrote. What is wrong is the inordinate and lustful desire for eating, drinking and for sex. Since God severely punishes those who do lawful things inordinately, how much more will He severely punish those who do evil things. Of greater evil was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah.
But the sin of the bad members of the Catholic Church who are not strictly speaking Catholics, are even greater, in Sodom. The homosexuality in the IOR, the pedophilia in the rooms of the Congregation for the Faith raided by the Italian police. The perverted sexuality of appointees to the Vatican. The perverts invited by Pope Francis to his private audiences. The weirdoes whose feet Pope Francis kisses should put Sodom and Gomorrah to shame.
During Noah's time, the good could retreat to an Ark safely; which is a symbol of the Catholic Church. But in Sodom, Lot was led by angels, he led his wife to safety as the Church would lead unbelievers into the Church; but there was no Ark to go to. How come? Because the story is showing us the message of the Gospel; i.e. that the kingdom of God, personified by the Ark of Noah, is no longer an object outside the person. The kingdom of God is within you. The kingdom of God was the Ark outside of Noah, but it will be within Lot. Lot was leading his wife into the kingdom of God, but because of a sin against the kingdom, the wife was not able to enter the kingdom of God. We now see two persons; Lot, who had the kingdom of God within him and his wife, who did not have the kingdom within her due to her sin of loving worldly things.
What was the sin of Lot's wife that prevented her from entering the kingdom of God? She did not take up the cross of Christ and follow Him because she was attached to her past, to her worldly possessions, to the pleasures of the flesh. These caused her to look back thus going against the command of Christ; 'he who takes up the plough and looks back is not worthy of Me.'
Again, how come Lot had no Ark to enter in? Because from henceforth the Church will be within him.
4. The state of the Church.
As in the days of Noah, most Catholics will be lovers of food, drink and sex more than lovers of God. And, like in the days of Lot, the Pope and most cardinals and bishops in the Vatican, as exposed by Vatileaks, are Sodomites, homos, pedophiles and child molesters.
As St, Thomas added; the Church will be covered with a cloud of ignorance wherewith those obliged to teach the Words of Divine truth will not speak the truth but will, instead, speak errors and confusions. Thus the people will have no way of learning the Divine truths from the priests and bishops. Not even from Pope Francis. Since entrance into the kingdom of God is through taking up of the cross and following Christ, this suffering will discourage the lovers of pleasure from entering the Church.
Then there is the anti-Christ that is expected today and is already here who will lead an awful persecution of the Church physically and morally. This persecution will be joined by governments, perverts, sinners, pagans, Protestants, by priests, bishops and Pope Francis. The deadliest persecution will be by the Pope who will attack the Church doctrinally as is being done with 'Amores Laetitia.'
5. The atmosphere.
The Liturgy of the Mass is, in effect, teaching us that during these days, it is impossible to know and to save one's soul. But the Gospel of Saturday of the 32 Week in Ordinary Time shows us the help we need during these times; PRAYER. Unceasing prayer like the prayer of the poor widow before a bad judge. Because of the unceasing prayer of the widow, the bad judge granted the widow justice over her accusers, the devil.
6. The Catholic Church is the widow who was praying unceasingly. It was the only way the Church could survive the onslaught of the evil times of these days. And what is unceasing prayer? St. Thomas of Aquinas described it as........praying the complete Divine Office, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext, None,Vespers, Compline, Matins .....and having one's mind and heart concentrating on the words of the Psalms. That is not really praying every second of the day; but St. Thomas considered it, already, as praying unceasingly because some time must be spent for the other necessities of life.
With Vatican II having reduced the Divine Office of religious and priests today to less than four, instead of eight time.......the Catholic Church as the widow praying unceasingly is nowhere to be found today.
What is the negative image of the Catholic Church today? It is like the people during Noah's time; and it is like the people in Sodom and Gomorrah. What is the positive image of the Catholic Church today? It is like Noah, it is like Lot......and it is like the poor widow who was praying unceasingly.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
The CATHOLIC CHURCH TODAY - Thursday of the 32rd Week in Ordinary Time.
1. The Liturgy.
As we approach the end of the Liturgical Year with the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King, we are, also, ending Holy Mother the Church's last lessons on the Catholic Faith. The almost ending lesson deals with the state of the Catholic Church at the end of the Liturgical Year or the description of the Catholic Church as we approach the General Judgment Day. Side by side with it is the state of the world.
2. In the catechism.
In the catechism we know what are the four visible signs of the true Church of Christ; namely, One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. And God made these signs visible, precisely, so that Catholics can know whether they are inside the Church or not. So pagan, also, can know which is the true Church and with certainty enter the true Church. The Fathers of the Church discussed these four visible signs extensively to enable everyone to know them because the very salvation of soul depends on whether one is inside the Church or not. St. Belarmine, in fact, expanded these four visible signs into 15 Marks of the Church to give us more certitude on whether we are inside or outside. In fact, St. Bellarmine described the signs that we are inside the Church and what are the signs that we are still outside the Church, giving us greater certainly of the state of our souls.
3. The true signs are primarily spiritual and only secondarily visible.
Needless to say, the spiritual signs are more dependable than the four visible signs. But the spiritual signs are reserved only for those who have the theological virtue of Faith. While the four visible signs are meant for unbelievers. The spiritual signs are exclusively for believers. That is why it is given and explained almost at the end of the Liturgical year assuming that Catholics at this time of the Liturgical year, the 32nd week in ordinary time, are very advanced in their knowledge of Catholic Doctrines.
4. The signs of the true Church for believers is spiritual.
At this time of the Liturgical Season, Holy Mother the Church gives us the spiritual signs of the true Church. And because the signs are spiritual, unbelievers cannot see them with their visible eyes. It can only be seen by the eyes of Faith. That is the reason why most people cannot find the true Catholic Church today; because they do not have Faith. But they can still recourse to the four visible signs mentioned in the Nicene Creed; visible signs meant for unbelievers because most Catholics today are unbelievers.
Christ in today's Gospel continues to describe the 'kingdom of God,' the Catholic Church. But in today's Gospel He described it 'as the kingdom of God is within you.' So it is not visible. That is why nobody can see it. The Church cannot be found today. No one can pin point it because it is not outside of man; it is within man. So only the man with the 'kingdom of God' within him can know the Church. Each man must find the kingdom of God within himself. It is either there or not there. St. Thomas described the kingdom of God as coming into the soul together with grace, with Faith and with virtues. It has to be within man if it is a grace and a theological virtue. But as virtue it has outward expressions so it can be perceived in some degree, but still with great difficulty.
So Christ warned us that the kingdom of God 'cometh not with with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! For the kingdom of God is within you.' St. Cyril adds; ' Now it is only for the benefit of each individual that He says 'for behold the kingdom of God is within you.' The Church rest with you and your own hearts to receive it. It is not outside; neither in your parish, diocese nor is it in the Vatican.
The kingdom of God within the souls of 100 people is the Faith that make up the Church.
5. The need for suffering to enter the kingdom of God.
Being made strong through suffering, souls are able to enter the kingdom of God. Christ foretells the apostles that before His coming from heaven at the end of the world, persecution will break out upon them . So terrible will the persecution, it will be worse than what Christ experienced. Even bishop, cardinals and Pope Francis will persecute the Church.
The persecution will come, also, from the anti-Christ who will be proclaimed here and there; as he will be proclaimed in Jerusalem as the head of the one world religion by Pope Francis. They will, also, persecute the Church.
6. The people will look for the Church but will not find it.
With the Kingdom of God within, it will be impossible to find the Church. People will search but will not find. They will cry out to God and beg that He, again, shows the way to the Church. But God will answer; 'I have shown it to you in Scriptures, the prophets and the Fathers. I do not have to show it to you again. Go back to these sources. If you read today's Gospel you will see that the kingdom of God is within you and not in your parish, diocese or the Vatican.'
The kingdom of God will be within you when the world rejects Christ, when the world loses its Faith, when the Vatican prints stamps of Jesus Crucified with Martin Luther on one side and Melanchton on the other side, then the Church will be nowhere except within each individual with Faith, with grace and with virtues.
As we approach the end of the Liturgical Year with the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King, we are, also, ending Holy Mother the Church's last lessons on the Catholic Faith. The almost ending lesson deals with the state of the Catholic Church at the end of the Liturgical Year or the description of the Catholic Church as we approach the General Judgment Day. Side by side with it is the state of the world.
2. In the catechism.
In the catechism we know what are the four visible signs of the true Church of Christ; namely, One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. And God made these signs visible, precisely, so that Catholics can know whether they are inside the Church or not. So pagan, also, can know which is the true Church and with certainty enter the true Church. The Fathers of the Church discussed these four visible signs extensively to enable everyone to know them because the very salvation of soul depends on whether one is inside the Church or not. St. Belarmine, in fact, expanded these four visible signs into 15 Marks of the Church to give us more certitude on whether we are inside or outside. In fact, St. Bellarmine described the signs that we are inside the Church and what are the signs that we are still outside the Church, giving us greater certainly of the state of our souls.
3. The true signs are primarily spiritual and only secondarily visible.
Needless to say, the spiritual signs are more dependable than the four visible signs. But the spiritual signs are reserved only for those who have the theological virtue of Faith. While the four visible signs are meant for unbelievers. The spiritual signs are exclusively for believers. That is why it is given and explained almost at the end of the Liturgical year assuming that Catholics at this time of the Liturgical year, the 32nd week in ordinary time, are very advanced in their knowledge of Catholic Doctrines.
4. The signs of the true Church for believers is spiritual.
At this time of the Liturgical Season, Holy Mother the Church gives us the spiritual signs of the true Church. And because the signs are spiritual, unbelievers cannot see them with their visible eyes. It can only be seen by the eyes of Faith. That is the reason why most people cannot find the true Catholic Church today; because they do not have Faith. But they can still recourse to the four visible signs mentioned in the Nicene Creed; visible signs meant for unbelievers because most Catholics today are unbelievers.
Christ in today's Gospel continues to describe the 'kingdom of God,' the Catholic Church. But in today's Gospel He described it 'as the kingdom of God is within you.' So it is not visible. That is why nobody can see it. The Church cannot be found today. No one can pin point it because it is not outside of man; it is within man. So only the man with the 'kingdom of God' within him can know the Church. Each man must find the kingdom of God within himself. It is either there or not there. St. Thomas described the kingdom of God as coming into the soul together with grace, with Faith and with virtues. It has to be within man if it is a grace and a theological virtue. But as virtue it has outward expressions so it can be perceived in some degree, but still with great difficulty.
So Christ warned us that the kingdom of God 'cometh not with with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! For the kingdom of God is within you.' St. Cyril adds; ' Now it is only for the benefit of each individual that He says 'for behold the kingdom of God is within you.' The Church rest with you and your own hearts to receive it. It is not outside; neither in your parish, diocese nor is it in the Vatican.
The kingdom of God within the souls of 100 people is the Faith that make up the Church.
5. The need for suffering to enter the kingdom of God.
Being made strong through suffering, souls are able to enter the kingdom of God. Christ foretells the apostles that before His coming from heaven at the end of the world, persecution will break out upon them . So terrible will the persecution, it will be worse than what Christ experienced. Even bishop, cardinals and Pope Francis will persecute the Church.
The persecution will come, also, from the anti-Christ who will be proclaimed here and there; as he will be proclaimed in Jerusalem as the head of the one world religion by Pope Francis. They will, also, persecute the Church.
6. The people will look for the Church but will not find it.
With the Kingdom of God within, it will be impossible to find the Church. People will search but will not find. They will cry out to God and beg that He, again, shows the way to the Church. But God will answer; 'I have shown it to you in Scriptures, the prophets and the Fathers. I do not have to show it to you again. Go back to these sources. If you read today's Gospel you will see that the kingdom of God is within you and not in your parish, diocese or the Vatican.'
The kingdom of God will be within you when the world rejects Christ, when the world loses its Faith, when the Vatican prints stamps of Jesus Crucified with Martin Luther on one side and Melanchton on the other side, then the Church will be nowhere except within each individual with Faith, with grace and with virtues.
The CATHOLIC CHURCH TODAY - Thursday of the 32rd Week in Ordinary Time.
1. The Liturgy.
As we approach the end of the Liturgical Year with the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King, we are, also, ending Holy Mother the Church's last lessons on the Catholic Faith. The almost ending lesson deals with the state of the Catholic Church at the end of the Liturgical Year or the description of the Catholic Church as we approach the General Judgment Day. Side by side with it is the state of the world.
2. In the catechism.
In the catechism we know what are the four visible signs of the true Church of Christ; namely, One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. And God made these signs visible, precisely, so that Catholics can know whether they are inside the Church or not. So pagan, also, can know which is the true Church and with certainty enter the true Church. The Fathers of the Church discussed these four visible signs extensively to enable everyone to know them because the very salvation of soul depends on whether one is inside the Church or not. St. Belarmine, in fact, expanded these four visible signs into 15 Marks of the Church to give us more certitude on whether we are inside or outside. In fact, St. Bellarmine described the signs that we are inside the Church and what are the signs that we are still outside the Church, giving us greater certainly of the state of our souls.
3. The true signs are primarily spiritual and only secondarily visible.
Needless to say, the spiritual signs are more dependable than the four visible signs. But the spiritual signs are reserved only for those who have the theological virtue of Faith. While the four visible signs are meant for unbelievers. The spiritual signs are exclusively for believers. That is why it is given and explained almost at the end of the Liturgical year assuming that Catholics at this time of the Liturgical year, the 32nd week in ordinary time, are very advanced in their knowledge of Catholic Doctrines.
4. The signs of the true Church for believers is spiritual.
At this time of the Liturgical Season, Holy Mother the Church gives us the spiritual signs of the true Church. And because the signs are spiritual, unbelievers cannot see them with their visible eyes. It can only be seen by the eyes of Faith. That is the reason why most people cannot find the true Catholic Church today; because they do not have Faith. But they can still recourse to the four visible signs mentioned in the Nicene Creed; visible signs meant for unbelievers because most Catholics today are unbelievers.
Christ in today's Gospel continues to describe the 'kingdom of God,' the Catholic Church. But in today's Gospel He described it 'as the kingdom of God is within you.' So it is not visible. That is why nobody can see it. The Church cannot be found today. No one can pin point it because it is not outside of man; it is within man. So only the man with the 'kingdom of God' within him can know the Church. Each man must find the kingdom of God within himself. It is either there or not there. St. Thomas described the kingdom of God as coming into the soul together with grace, with Faith and with virtues. It has to be within man if it is a grace and a theological virtue. But as virtue it has outward expressions so it can be perceived in some degree, but still with great difficulty.
So Christ warned us that the kingdom of God 'cometh not with with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! For the kingdom of God is within you.' St. Cyril adds; ' Now it is only for the benefit of each individual that He says 'for behold the kingdom of God is within you.' The Church rest with you and your own hearts to receive it. It is not outside; neither in your parish, diocese nor is it in the Vatican.
The kingdom of God within the souls of 100 people is the Faith that make up the Church.
5. The need for suffering to enter the kingdom of God.
Being made strong through suffering, souls are able to enter the kingdom of God. Christ foretells the apostles that before His coming from heaven at the end of the world, persecution will break out upon them . So terrible will the persecution, it will be worse than what Christ experienced. Even bishop, cardinals and Pope Francis will persecute the Church.
The persecution will come, also, from the anti-Christ who will be proclaimed here and there; as he will be proclaimed in Jerusalem as the head of the one world religion by Pope Francis. They will, also, persecute the Church.
6. The people will look for the Church but will not find it.
With the Kingdom of God within, it will be impossible to find the Church. People will search but will not find. They will cry out to God and beg that He, again, shows the way to the Church. But God will answer; 'I have shown it to you in Scriptures, the prophets and the Fathers. I do not have to show it to you again. Go back to these sources. If you read today's Gospel you will see that the kingdom of God is within you and not in your parish, diocese or the Vatican.'
The kingdom of God will be within you when the world rejects Christ, when the world loses its Faith, when the Vatican prints stamps of Jesus Crucified with Martin Luther on one side and Melanchton on the other side, then the Church will be nowhere except within each individual with Faith, with grace and with virtues.
As we approach the end of the Liturgical Year with the celebration of the Feast of Christ the King, we are, also, ending Holy Mother the Church's last lessons on the Catholic Faith. The almost ending lesson deals with the state of the Catholic Church at the end of the Liturgical Year or the description of the Catholic Church as we approach the General Judgment Day. Side by side with it is the state of the world.
2. In the catechism.
In the catechism we know what are the four visible signs of the true Church of Christ; namely, One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. And God made these signs visible, precisely, so that Catholics can know whether they are inside the Church or not. So pagan, also, can know which is the true Church and with certainty enter the true Church. The Fathers of the Church discussed these four visible signs extensively to enable everyone to know them because the very salvation of soul depends on whether one is inside the Church or not. St. Belarmine, in fact, expanded these four visible signs into 15 Marks of the Church to give us more certitude on whether we are inside or outside. In fact, St. Bellarmine described the signs that we are inside the Church and what are the signs that we are still outside the Church, giving us greater certainly of the state of our souls.
3. The true signs are primarily spiritual and only secondarily visible.
Needless to say, the spiritual signs are more dependable than the four visible signs. But the spiritual signs are reserved only for those who have the theological virtue of Faith. While the four visible signs are meant for unbelievers. The spiritual signs are exclusively for believers. That is why it is given and explained almost at the end of the Liturgical year assuming that Catholics at this time of the Liturgical year, the 32nd week in ordinary time, are very advanced in their knowledge of Catholic Doctrines.
4. The signs of the true Church for believers is spiritual.
At this time of the Liturgical Season, Holy Mother the Church gives us the spiritual signs of the true Church. And because the signs are spiritual, unbelievers cannot see them with their visible eyes. It can only be seen by the eyes of Faith. That is the reason why most people cannot find the true Catholic Church today; because they do not have Faith. But they can still recourse to the four visible signs mentioned in the Nicene Creed; visible signs meant for unbelievers because most Catholics today are unbelievers.
Christ in today's Gospel continues to describe the 'kingdom of God,' the Catholic Church. But in today's Gospel He described it 'as the kingdom of God is within you.' So it is not visible. That is why nobody can see it. The Church cannot be found today. No one can pin point it because it is not outside of man; it is within man. So only the man with the 'kingdom of God' within him can know the Church. Each man must find the kingdom of God within himself. It is either there or not there. St. Thomas described the kingdom of God as coming into the soul together with grace, with Faith and with virtues. It has to be within man if it is a grace and a theological virtue. But as virtue it has outward expressions so it can be perceived in some degree, but still with great difficulty.
So Christ warned us that the kingdom of God 'cometh not with with observation. Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! For the kingdom of God is within you.' St. Cyril adds; ' Now it is only for the benefit of each individual that He says 'for behold the kingdom of God is within you.' The Church rest with you and your own hearts to receive it. It is not outside; neither in your parish, diocese nor is it in the Vatican.
The kingdom of God within the souls of 100 people is the Faith that make up the Church.
5. The need for suffering to enter the kingdom of God.
Being made strong through suffering, souls are able to enter the kingdom of God. Christ foretells the apostles that before His coming from heaven at the end of the world, persecution will break out upon them . So terrible will the persecution, it will be worse than what Christ experienced. Even bishop, cardinals and Pope Francis will persecute the Church.
The persecution will come, also, from the anti-Christ who will be proclaimed here and there; as he will be proclaimed in Jerusalem as the head of the one world religion by Pope Francis. They will, also, persecute the Church.
6. The people will look for the Church but will not find it.
With the Kingdom of God within, it will be impossible to find the Church. People will search but will not find. They will cry out to God and beg that He, again, shows the way to the Church. But God will answer; 'I have shown it to you in Scriptures, the prophets and the Fathers. I do not have to show it to you again. Go back to these sources. If you read today's Gospel you will see that the kingdom of God is within you and not in your parish, diocese or the Vatican.'
The kingdom of God will be within you when the world rejects Christ, when the world loses its Faith, when the Vatican prints stamps of Jesus Crucified with Martin Luther on one side and Melanchton on the other side, then the Church will be nowhere except within each individual with Faith, with grace and with virtues.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
32nd SUNDAY in Ordinary Time - the five foolish and five wise virgins.
1. The parable of the 'reign of God.'
For several Sundays and several weekdays, the Masses had dealt with the 'reign of God.' These are parables on the Catholic Church describing her in a way no one can miss her. The Gospels had been describing many aspects of the Catholic Church; but strangely enough, the Gospels had been emphasizing the existence of a very large bunch of bad priests today. Does it include Pope Francis?
2. The 10 bridesmaids are all member of the Catholic Church. Just as in the former parables, the inside members of the Catholic Church were described as cockles and wheat where both bad and good souls exist side by side. Mindful of the coming separation that had been shown before hand, the Gospel again describes the fact that the Church has 10 virgins within her.
Five were inside but not really members of the Church. As St. John wrote ' they came from us but where not of us.' And the other five were truly inside members of the Church. Five were foolish and the other five were wise.
3. The wise virgins.
The wise virgins were described as having lighted lamps and with extra oil for their lamps. What is the lighted lamp? They are minds enlightened by the knowledge of the commands of Christ. And what is the extra oil? The extra oil is good works or the commands of Christ put into practice. The lighted lamp is Faith; the extra oil is Charity.
The lighted lamp shows that there was some oil in the lamp that kept it alight. This is Faith enlivened by some degree of Charity. The extra oil shows the abundance of Charity shown in the form of good works.
5. The foolish virgins.
The foolish virgins are Christians who have lighted lamps; i.e. Faith with some degree of Charity. Charity or good works is what keeps the lamps lighted.
6. The arrival of the groom was delayed.
All began to nod and fall asleep. After the birth of Christ, He was already awaited and expected for His Second coming for the Eternal marriage with the Church. As of now He is a little delayed and the Church has probably gone asleep. At midnight someone shouted 'the groom is here.' The Fathers of the Church feel that the end of the world will occur at mid night and on Sunday.
The virgins woke up and got their torches ready. Because of the delay, must of the oil for the lamps were consumed. Since the wise virgins had extra oil, i.e. good works, they could keep their lamps lighted. Their Faith continued to be enlivened with Charity, both of which is necessary for salvation.
The foolish virgins had no extra oil, so they could not keep their Faith enlivened with Charity. Without Charity their Faith was a dead Faith, St. Augustine wrote. And this cannot save them
7. The foolish virgins went to the wise virgins.
The foolish virgins went to the wise virgins and asked for oil; but the wise virgins said; ' there may not be enough for you and us.' The wise virgins refused to give the foolish virgins some oil. Now, that sounds selfish for souls meant to go to heaven. No. They could not give because Charity is non-transferable. Someone's Charity cannot be given to enliven someone else's Faith. Only your Charity can enliven your own Faith. Your Faith must be enlivened with Charity before you die. That is what it means when your torches run out of oil. Your Faith ran out of Good works.
8. Good works.
Good works is Charity. It is an act of love of God and love of neighbor and must be defined as 'loving God and neighbor as God loved Himself and us. ' It is not mere human, emotional love. The list of good works is found in Scriptures and St. Benedict has a long list of it in his Chapter 'On the Instruments of good works.' The UN had made its own list of seemingly good works which are not evangelical so it is not Charity and cannot save.
9. Pope Francis and most of his bishops and priest.
Basing it on the definition of a wise and foolish virgin, Pope
Francis and many of his bishops and priests seems not to be wise virgins because they do not have extra oil; they do not have lighted lamps. And they do not even have unlighted lamps.
For several Sundays and several weekdays, the Masses had dealt with the 'reign of God.' These are parables on the Catholic Church describing her in a way no one can miss her. The Gospels had been describing many aspects of the Catholic Church; but strangely enough, the Gospels had been emphasizing the existence of a very large bunch of bad priests today. Does it include Pope Francis?
2. The 10 bridesmaids are all member of the Catholic Church. Just as in the former parables, the inside members of the Catholic Church were described as cockles and wheat where both bad and good souls exist side by side. Mindful of the coming separation that had been shown before hand, the Gospel again describes the fact that the Church has 10 virgins within her.
Five were inside but not really members of the Church. As St. John wrote ' they came from us but where not of us.' And the other five were truly inside members of the Church. Five were foolish and the other five were wise.
3. The wise virgins.
The wise virgins were described as having lighted lamps and with extra oil for their lamps. What is the lighted lamp? They are minds enlightened by the knowledge of the commands of Christ. And what is the extra oil? The extra oil is good works or the commands of Christ put into practice. The lighted lamp is Faith; the extra oil is Charity.
The lighted lamp shows that there was some oil in the lamp that kept it alight. This is Faith enlivened by some degree of Charity. The extra oil shows the abundance of Charity shown in the form of good works.
5. The foolish virgins.
The foolish virgins are Christians who have lighted lamps; i.e. Faith with some degree of Charity. Charity or good works is what keeps the lamps lighted.
6. The arrival of the groom was delayed.
All began to nod and fall asleep. After the birth of Christ, He was already awaited and expected for His Second coming for the Eternal marriage with the Church. As of now He is a little delayed and the Church has probably gone asleep. At midnight someone shouted 'the groom is here.' The Fathers of the Church feel that the end of the world will occur at mid night and on Sunday.
The virgins woke up and got their torches ready. Because of the delay, must of the oil for the lamps were consumed. Since the wise virgins had extra oil, i.e. good works, they could keep their lamps lighted. Their Faith continued to be enlivened with Charity, both of which is necessary for salvation.
The foolish virgins had no extra oil, so they could not keep their Faith enlivened with Charity. Without Charity their Faith was a dead Faith, St. Augustine wrote. And this cannot save them
7. The foolish virgins went to the wise virgins.
The foolish virgins went to the wise virgins and asked for oil; but the wise virgins said; ' there may not be enough for you and us.' The wise virgins refused to give the foolish virgins some oil. Now, that sounds selfish for souls meant to go to heaven. No. They could not give because Charity is non-transferable. Someone's Charity cannot be given to enliven someone else's Faith. Only your Charity can enliven your own Faith. Your Faith must be enlivened with Charity before you die. That is what it means when your torches run out of oil. Your Faith ran out of Good works.
8. Good works.
Good works is Charity. It is an act of love of God and love of neighbor and must be defined as 'loving God and neighbor as God loved Himself and us. ' It is not mere human, emotional love. The list of good works is found in Scriptures and St. Benedict has a long list of it in his Chapter 'On the Instruments of good works.' The UN had made its own list of seemingly good works which are not evangelical so it is not Charity and cannot save.
9. Pope Francis and most of his bishops and priest.
Basing it on the definition of a wise and foolish virgin, Pope
Francis and many of his bishops and priests seems not to be wise virgins because they do not have extra oil; they do not have lighted lamps. And they do not even have unlighted lamps.
32nd SUNDAY in Ordinary Time - the five foolish and five wise virgins.
1. The parable of the 'reign of God.'
For several Sundays and several weekdays, the Masses had dealt with the 'reign of God.' These are parables on the Catholic Church describing her in a way no one can miss her. The Gospels had been describing many aspects of the Catholic Church; but strangely enough, the Gospels had been emphasizing the existence of a very large bunch of bad priests today. Does it include Pope Francis?
2. The 10 bridesmaids are all member of the Catholic Church. Just as in the former parables, the inside members of the Catholic Church were described as cockles and wheat where both bad and good souls exist side by side. Mindful of the coming separation that had been shown before hand, the Gospel again describes the fact that the Church has 10 virgins within her.
Five were inside but not really members of the Church. As St. John wrote ' they came from us but where not of us.' And the other five were truly inside members of the Church. Five were foolish and the other five were wise.
3. The wise virgins.
The wise virgins were described as having lighted lamps and with extra oil for their lamps. What is the lighted lamp? They are minds enlightened by the knowledge of the commands of Christ. And what is the extra oil? The extra oil is good works or the commands of Christ put into practice. The lighted lamp is Faith; the extra oil is Charity.
The lighted lamp shows that there was some oil in the lamp that kept it alight. This is Faith enlivened by some degree of Charity. The extra oil shows the abundance of Charity shown in the form of good works.
5. The foolish virgins.
The foolish virgins are Christians who have lighted lamps; i.e. Faith with some degree of Charity. Charity or good works is what keeps the lamps lighted.
6. The arrival of the groom was delayed.
All began to nod and fall asleep. After the birth of Christ, He was already awaited and expected for His Second coming for the Eternal marriage with the Church. As of now He is a little delayed and the Church has probably gone asleep. At midnight someone shouted 'the groom is here.' The Fathers of the Church feel that the end of the world will occur at mid night and on Sunday.
The virgins woke up and got their torches ready. Because of the delay, must of the oil for the lamps were consumed. Since the wise virgins had extra oil, i.e. good works, they could keep their lamps lighted. Their Faith continued to be enlivened with Charity, both of which is necessary for salvation.
The foolish virgins had no extra oil, so they could not keep their Faith enlivened with Charity. Without Charity their Faith was a dead Faith, St. Augustine wrote. And this cannot save them
7. The foolish virgins went to the wise virgins.
The foolish virgins went to the wise virgins and asked for oil; but the wise virgins said; ' there may not be enough for you and us.' The wise virgins refused to give the foolish virgins some oil. Now, that sounds selfish for souls meant to go to heaven. No. They could not give because Charity is non-transferable. Someone's Charity cannot be given to enliven someone else's Faith. Only your Charity can enliven your own Faith. Your Faith must be enlivened with Charity before you die. That is what it means when your torches run out of oil. Your Faith ran out of Good works.
8. Good works.
Good works is Charity. It is an act of love of God and love of neighbor and must be defined as 'loving God and neighbor as God loved Himself and us. ' It is not mere human, emotional love. The list of good works is found in Scriptures and St. Benedict has a long list of it in his Chapter 'On the Instruments of good works.' The UN had made its own list of seemingly good works which are not evangelical so it is not Charity and cannot save.
9. Pope Francis and most of his bishops and priest.
Basing it on the definition of a wise and foolish virgin, Pope
Francis and many of his bishops and priests seems not to be wise virgins because they do not have extra oil; they do not have lighted lamps. And they do not even have unlighted lamps.
For several Sundays and several weekdays, the Masses had dealt with the 'reign of God.' These are parables on the Catholic Church describing her in a way no one can miss her. The Gospels had been describing many aspects of the Catholic Church; but strangely enough, the Gospels had been emphasizing the existence of a very large bunch of bad priests today. Does it include Pope Francis?
2. The 10 bridesmaids are all member of the Catholic Church. Just as in the former parables, the inside members of the Catholic Church were described as cockles and wheat where both bad and good souls exist side by side. Mindful of the coming separation that had been shown before hand, the Gospel again describes the fact that the Church has 10 virgins within her.
Five were inside but not really members of the Church. As St. John wrote ' they came from us but where not of us.' And the other five were truly inside members of the Church. Five were foolish and the other five were wise.
3. The wise virgins.
The wise virgins were described as having lighted lamps and with extra oil for their lamps. What is the lighted lamp? They are minds enlightened by the knowledge of the commands of Christ. And what is the extra oil? The extra oil is good works or the commands of Christ put into practice. The lighted lamp is Faith; the extra oil is Charity.
The lighted lamp shows that there was some oil in the lamp that kept it alight. This is Faith enlivened by some degree of Charity. The extra oil shows the abundance of Charity shown in the form of good works.
5. The foolish virgins.
The foolish virgins are Christians who have lighted lamps; i.e. Faith with some degree of Charity. Charity or good works is what keeps the lamps lighted.
6. The arrival of the groom was delayed.
All began to nod and fall asleep. After the birth of Christ, He was already awaited and expected for His Second coming for the Eternal marriage with the Church. As of now He is a little delayed and the Church has probably gone asleep. At midnight someone shouted 'the groom is here.' The Fathers of the Church feel that the end of the world will occur at mid night and on Sunday.
The virgins woke up and got their torches ready. Because of the delay, must of the oil for the lamps were consumed. Since the wise virgins had extra oil, i.e. good works, they could keep their lamps lighted. Their Faith continued to be enlivened with Charity, both of which is necessary for salvation.
The foolish virgins had no extra oil, so they could not keep their Faith enlivened with Charity. Without Charity their Faith was a dead Faith, St. Augustine wrote. And this cannot save them
7. The foolish virgins went to the wise virgins.
The foolish virgins went to the wise virgins and asked for oil; but the wise virgins said; ' there may not be enough for you and us.' The wise virgins refused to give the foolish virgins some oil. Now, that sounds selfish for souls meant to go to heaven. No. They could not give because Charity is non-transferable. Someone's Charity cannot be given to enliven someone else's Faith. Only your Charity can enliven your own Faith. Your Faith must be enlivened with Charity before you die. That is what it means when your torches run out of oil. Your Faith ran out of Good works.
8. Good works.
Good works is Charity. It is an act of love of God and love of neighbor and must be defined as 'loving God and neighbor as God loved Himself and us. ' It is not mere human, emotional love. The list of good works is found in Scriptures and St. Benedict has a long list of it in his Chapter 'On the Instruments of good works.' The UN had made its own list of seemingly good works which are not evangelical so it is not Charity and cannot save.
9. Pope Francis and most of his bishops and priest.
Basing it on the definition of a wise and foolish virgin, Pope
Francis and many of his bishops and priests seems not to be wise virgins because they do not have extra oil; they do not have lighted lamps. And they do not even have unlighted lamps.
Sunday, November 12, 2017
THE CHURCH is a house of prayer.
1. The Church.
These past Sundays and weekday Masses had been describing the 'kingdom of God' in parables. 'The kingdom of God' is the Catholic Church while it is here on earth. And these last Masses in Ordinary Time, prelude to the Feast of Christ the King the last Sunday in Ordinary Time, had been describing the state of the priests of the Catholic Church during these last days. The picture is not pretty. Up to now, not a single Gospel had spoken well of the Catholic bishops and priests.
Good Friday had been the prophecy describing these end times.
2. Bishops and priests who do not pray.
Man is physical and spiritual. God takes this into consideration and demands that we worship Him in body and soul. And Christ clarifies this lesson while teaching both the crowd and His disciples. Keep in mind that Christ gives easy lessons to the crowd while giving the deeper, more important lessons to His disciples.
Prayer is one of the most important teachings of Christ. He teaches its physical aspects and its spiritual aspects. The latter is more important than the former.
The physical aspects of prayer are the position of the hands in prayer, where to pray, what to wear, how loud must your voice be, what words to use, etc. These are the visible aspects of prayer.
Then there is the spiritual aspects, like what is in your mind while praying and what is in your heart; since spiritually, prayer is the raising of your mind and heart to God and it is important to note the state of your mind and heart while praying.
3. Old Testament rules on prayer.
In the Old Testament, most of the lessons on prayer are on the externals or physical aspects of prayer; like where to pray, what to offer in prayer, what to wear while praying, the posture in praying, etc. In the New Testament, the lessons on prayer are on the spiritual and internal aspects of prayer; like what are your thinking and desiring while praying.
4. The external aspects of prayer.
Scriptures have many external aspects of prayer. Even in the New Testament it is taught that it is important to pray in community, in solitude and in silence. The reason why there are so many external rules on prayer is to prevent idolatry which can easily occur during prayer. When a person uses too much of his five senses while praying, he easily falls into idolatry; this is the reason why idolatry is so common. It is inherent in human nature because of our external senses.
The old Catholic Churches were usually built with high windows and thick walls to minimize sensual stimuli. The high window closed with stain glass is to prevent our senses from being distracted with outside, worldly thoughts. And the stain glass is to foster spiritual thoughts. In order words, old churches were built to prevent the senses from seeing the world outside so the mind and free will can concentrate on heavenly thoughts. This is not followed in modern church constructions so the minds of men are filled with worldly thoughts.
The senses are easily distracted with worldly things in church; because the senses see the trees, the birds, the sun, and other men....then man tend to worship these things ending in idolatry.
5. Christ in the temple.
In the Gospel where Christ drove out the sellers in the temple HE was showing that from henceforward, all external and physical aspects of prayer must be minimized and all concentration must be in the spiritual aspects of prayer. Because today man tends to pray for money, man tends to worship money and become idolaters of money. So Christ drives away all sellers of cows, oxen, goats, sheep, doves, and overturned all tables scattering the coins, etc.
This is an enumeration of all the things that fill the mind and hearts of men that prevents them from praying properly. The Gospel is pointing out that specially the bishops and priests today are of the kind that their minds and hearts are filled with worldly, mundane things rather than heavenly things. The Gospel is a condemnation of the state of the priesthood today. And it includes Pope Francis. Because the mind and heart are filled with the garbage of worldly concern, this garbage had become the god; the world is once more guilty of idolatry.
6. Present concern.
What are the concerns of Pope Francis and most of the Bishops and priests? Perverted sex in the sins of adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, same sex marriage. Pope Francis, many bishops and Catholic schools are practically adoring these idolatrous sins.
Nature, ecology, global warming fill the minds and hearts rather than spiritual thoughts. So they end up worshipping the world. The Mass had been practically reduced into a sensual event entertaining the senses. Bishops and priest are more concerned on how their physical churches look like rather than how the kingdom of God look like before the eyes of God. The Vatican Church had become the largest idol worshipper and the most popular god is money.
7. The Pharisees in the temple.
It is said that the Jewish people followed the external and physical aspect of prayer by offering sacrifices in the temple; like they were offering bulls, oxen, sheep, doves, etc. But travelers could not bring these offering all the way from their homes to the temple. So the Pharisees put up stores for travelers. The stores were in the temple and they sold what was needed for the offerings, bulls, oxen, sheep.......and probably even cold soft drinks.
The pilgrims, then, offered these animals. The Pharisees offered the prescribed offerings and then resold the offering to other pilgrims thus making a lot of income for selling the same merchandize repeatedly. Can you imagine the amount of income that can generate. It is just like the Vatican Bank, IOR, money laundering or accepting Mafia money. Or it is like Francis Pope granting private audiences to the likes of Di Carpio for fat checks on Global warming or even fatter checks for flooding Europe with immigrants. And this is without mentioning when the Vatican transforms the Mass into a pure robotic Mass with compliments from the Benedictine Liturgist from Sant'Anselmo at the Aventine.
8. My house is a house of prayer.
The Gospel describes the Catholic Church as the 'kingdom of God.' And this 'kingdom of God' must be a house of prayer. This means that every individual human being in this Church must use all his minds in thinking of God and heavenly things and use all his heart in desiring to love God......all the time. This is the description of the Catholic Church......it is a house of prayer where all the minds and all the hearts of its members are raised to God. It is definitely not the description of Pope Francis and most of his bishops.
Christ must be somewhere around the Vatican and most dioceses and parishes with a whip............
These past Sundays and weekday Masses had been describing the 'kingdom of God' in parables. 'The kingdom of God' is the Catholic Church while it is here on earth. And these last Masses in Ordinary Time, prelude to the Feast of Christ the King the last Sunday in Ordinary Time, had been describing the state of the priests of the Catholic Church during these last days. The picture is not pretty. Up to now, not a single Gospel had spoken well of the Catholic bishops and priests.
Good Friday had been the prophecy describing these end times.
2. Bishops and priests who do not pray.
Man is physical and spiritual. God takes this into consideration and demands that we worship Him in body and soul. And Christ clarifies this lesson while teaching both the crowd and His disciples. Keep in mind that Christ gives easy lessons to the crowd while giving the deeper, more important lessons to His disciples.
Prayer is one of the most important teachings of Christ. He teaches its physical aspects and its spiritual aspects. The latter is more important than the former.
The physical aspects of prayer are the position of the hands in prayer, where to pray, what to wear, how loud must your voice be, what words to use, etc. These are the visible aspects of prayer.
Then there is the spiritual aspects, like what is in your mind while praying and what is in your heart; since spiritually, prayer is the raising of your mind and heart to God and it is important to note the state of your mind and heart while praying.
3. Old Testament rules on prayer.
In the Old Testament, most of the lessons on prayer are on the externals or physical aspects of prayer; like where to pray, what to offer in prayer, what to wear while praying, the posture in praying, etc. In the New Testament, the lessons on prayer are on the spiritual and internal aspects of prayer; like what are your thinking and desiring while praying.
4. The external aspects of prayer.
Scriptures have many external aspects of prayer. Even in the New Testament it is taught that it is important to pray in community, in solitude and in silence. The reason why there are so many external rules on prayer is to prevent idolatry which can easily occur during prayer. When a person uses too much of his five senses while praying, he easily falls into idolatry; this is the reason why idolatry is so common. It is inherent in human nature because of our external senses.
The old Catholic Churches were usually built with high windows and thick walls to minimize sensual stimuli. The high window closed with stain glass is to prevent our senses from being distracted with outside, worldly thoughts. And the stain glass is to foster spiritual thoughts. In order words, old churches were built to prevent the senses from seeing the world outside so the mind and free will can concentrate on heavenly thoughts. This is not followed in modern church constructions so the minds of men are filled with worldly thoughts.
The senses are easily distracted with worldly things in church; because the senses see the trees, the birds, the sun, and other men....then man tend to worship these things ending in idolatry.
5. Christ in the temple.
In the Gospel where Christ drove out the sellers in the temple HE was showing that from henceforward, all external and physical aspects of prayer must be minimized and all concentration must be in the spiritual aspects of prayer. Because today man tends to pray for money, man tends to worship money and become idolaters of money. So Christ drives away all sellers of cows, oxen, goats, sheep, doves, and overturned all tables scattering the coins, etc.
This is an enumeration of all the things that fill the mind and hearts of men that prevents them from praying properly. The Gospel is pointing out that specially the bishops and priests today are of the kind that their minds and hearts are filled with worldly, mundane things rather than heavenly things. The Gospel is a condemnation of the state of the priesthood today. And it includes Pope Francis. Because the mind and heart are filled with the garbage of worldly concern, this garbage had become the god; the world is once more guilty of idolatry.
6. Present concern.
What are the concerns of Pope Francis and most of the Bishops and priests? Perverted sex in the sins of adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism, same sex marriage. Pope Francis, many bishops and Catholic schools are practically adoring these idolatrous sins.
Nature, ecology, global warming fill the minds and hearts rather than spiritual thoughts. So they end up worshipping the world. The Mass had been practically reduced into a sensual event entertaining the senses. Bishops and priest are more concerned on how their physical churches look like rather than how the kingdom of God look like before the eyes of God. The Vatican Church had become the largest idol worshipper and the most popular god is money.
7. The Pharisees in the temple.
It is said that the Jewish people followed the external and physical aspect of prayer by offering sacrifices in the temple; like they were offering bulls, oxen, sheep, doves, etc. But travelers could not bring these offering all the way from their homes to the temple. So the Pharisees put up stores for travelers. The stores were in the temple and they sold what was needed for the offerings, bulls, oxen, sheep.......and probably even cold soft drinks.
The pilgrims, then, offered these animals. The Pharisees offered the prescribed offerings and then resold the offering to other pilgrims thus making a lot of income for selling the same merchandize repeatedly. Can you imagine the amount of income that can generate. It is just like the Vatican Bank, IOR, money laundering or accepting Mafia money. Or it is like Francis Pope granting private audiences to the likes of Di Carpio for fat checks on Global warming or even fatter checks for flooding Europe with immigrants. And this is without mentioning when the Vatican transforms the Mass into a pure robotic Mass with compliments from the Benedictine Liturgist from Sant'Anselmo at the Aventine.
8. My house is a house of prayer.
The Gospel describes the Catholic Church as the 'kingdom of God.' And this 'kingdom of God' must be a house of prayer. This means that every individual human being in this Church must use all his minds in thinking of God and heavenly things and use all his heart in desiring to love God......all the time. This is the description of the Catholic Church......it is a house of prayer where all the minds and all the hearts of its members are raised to God. It is definitely not the description of Pope Francis and most of his bishops.
Christ must be somewhere around the Vatican and most dioceses and parishes with a whip............
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