1. Words of Christ.
Christ said; 'Whoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. And whoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.'
'To confess Me' means to obey My commandments or to believe in what Christ said.' 'Before men' means what I believe and my obedience to the commands of Christ must be expressed before other men.
If you do so, Christ, Himself, will claim you as His follower before God the Father.
On the other hand, if you disobey the commands of Christ or do not believe in what Christ taught; and you show this to other people, then Christ will attest to God the Father that you are not His follower.
This Gospel text from St. Matthew 10:32 will be our bases for analysing the events at the Lincoln Memorial on the day of the March for Life, USA.
2. The March for Life.
God is the author of Life and Death. God gave man life to give him the occasion to merit heaven. And Death is the end of God's testing man. God decides when man dies but the manner of his death will depend on God's discretion that will benefit man's soul the most.
Death which entered the world because of sin was used by the devil to install fear in man. The fear of death will be used by the devil to destroy souls. Man is supposed to fear God, not death. But the devil tempts man to fear death instead of God. And this temptation will lead man to hell.
Though God is the author of both life and death, the devil had always used the fear of death to destroy souls. Thus to kill one's neighbour is an act authored by the devil. But whether it is accomplished or not is in the hands of God.
Life comes from the direct Will of God; while death is from the permissive Will of God. Being from the direct Will of God, the Church celebrates the March for Life, 'Thou will be done.'
3. The incident in the Lincoln Memorial.
A group of High school Catholic students from the Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky had just attended the March for Life and were waiting for their bus ride back home when they found themselves faced with a group of another group of demonstrators of indigenous tribe and a group of black Israelites.
Then all hell broke loose against the young students. All because of a picture. There was nothing wrong in the picture except that there was a man unshaven and long haired. There were joyous young boys in the background.
The hell that broke loose all came from the inside. From the evil that is inside fallen human nature. Christ said so. Nothing from the outside; but things from the inside, from the heart that comes out that is evil.
Evil was spewing out of mass media, from actors, from majors, from indigenous tribes, from pagans, Protestants, from black Jews (?) All of these were directed towards the young Catholic students. All of these were expected. After all the youth were attending the March for Life.
All the hatred for everything in the world were focused towards the young students. It is like kicking the chair out of frustration. Why the chair? Because it is there. And the young Catholic students were just there.
4. The news is now telling what really happened.
The lies still prevail but the truth is slowly coming up. It was a battle between the truth and the lies. Sinners who are the majority the world are clinging to the lies. The very few goods are being enlightened by the reveal truth.
The truth is this. The indigenous and the black Jews were throwing expletives towards the Catholic Youth, under the pretence that they were wearing 'Make America great again' hats. But really just because they were good.
And a boy, Nick Sandmann, stood composed before the adult indigenous man with a slight smile. Later on, the boy explained that he was just saying a little prayer, as all good Catholic do when they need God's help, to defuse the aggressive behaviour of the two groups spewing expletives.
5. How did the youth behaved especially the one young boy in the picture.
He obeyed the command of Christ. He confessed his Catholic Faith in the importance to maintain life. And he confessed that truth before the indigenous indian and in front of insulting Jews.
He did not defend himself with expletives or arguments. He did so with a silent prayer in his heart and a calm composure in his stance.
St. Thomas of Aquinas wrote that such an act of confessing a belief in a teaching of Christ can come from grace alone. That is not humanly possible. Not for a young boy in front of threats from aggressive adults.
6. The dismaying picture.
The Catholic administration of the Catholic school, their bishop Joseph Foys and several US bishops like Stowe, together with all the pagans, atheist, heretics, etc...joined to condemn the clearly innocent and, in fact, Catholic behaviour of the Catholic youth. How come? They disobeyed the commandment of Christ.
They had no Faith, that is why they refused to confess Christ before man. These bishops and school administration denied Christ before man. For whatever reason is unimportant; but they had no Faith, in which case they were not truly Catholic since they lacked the fourth visible signs of the true Church, 'Apostolic'. Since they did not have one sign, they would not have the other three visible signs. Dare those bishops and administrators to prove that they are Catholic and they won't be able to prove it. Bet you.
The issue is; who was on the side of Christ and who was against Christ. 'You are either for Me or against Me.' The behaviour of the two sides is clear. It is time for the last testing and the two, the youth and the bishops, have taking their stand.
Christ have also taken His stand. He who confesses Me before men, I will confess before My Father in Heaven. He who denies Me before men I will deny before My Father in Heaven.
7. St. Thomas quotes more Gospel lines to show certainty that Christ's command was well obeyed. Christ said; 'if you obey this command well, you will get more persecution. From your loved ones, from the press, from Jews, from indigenous, etc. And true enough the young boys and their families have received many threats from that time on and continues to do so up to the present time. They really confessed Christ before men very, very well. Shame on those bishops. They even became part of the persecutors.
Christ, in the Gospel of Matthew, clearly said that continuous persecution will follow those who confess Christ before men.
8. The aggressive behaviour towards the Catholic Youth.
The Catholic church had been treated that way since the beginning of her birth. That is expected; there is nothing new there. It would have been strange if they were kind to the young kids, like if Pelosi acts nicely towards Trump. That is wishing the impossible.
This is not the problem. It is expected and more is to come.
Many are defending the Covington youth because it is beginning to appear that they were right and good. And men of good will sees that. But we have presented the true theological issue in the incident; the issue is a matter of salvation and damnation. A matter of obeying Christ's command or not. A matter of confessing Christ before men or not. A choice all Catholics must take that will decide their salvation or damnation. This is no small matter
Friday, January 25, 2019
THE COVINGTON AFFAIR . The Catholic students and the Bishops.
1. Words of Christ.
Christ said; 'Whoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. And whoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.'
'To confess Me' means to obey My commandments or to believe in what Christ said.' 'Before men' means what I believe and my obedience to the commands of Christ must be expressed before other men.
If you do so, Christ, Himself, will claim you as His follower before God the Father.
On the other hand, if you disobey the commands of Christ or do not believe in what Christ taught; and you show this to other people, then Christ will attest to God the Father that you are not His follower.
This Gospel text from St. Matthew 10:32 will be our bases for analysing the events at the Lincoln Memorial on the day of the March for Life, USA.
2. The March for Life.
God is the author of Life and Death. God gave man life to give him the occasion to merit heaven. And Death is the end of God's testing man. God decides when man dies but the manner of his death will depend on God's discretion that will benefit man's soul the most.
Death which entered the world because of sin was used by the devil to install fear in man. The fear of death will be used by the devil to destroy souls. Man is supposed to fear God, not death. But the devil tempts man to fear death instead of God. And this temptation will lead man to hell.
Though God is the author of both life and death, the devil had always used the fear of death to destroy souls. Thus to kill one's neighbour is an act authored by the devil. But whether it is accomplished or not is in the hands of God.
Life comes from the direct Will of God; while death is from the permissive Will of God. Being from the direct Will of God, the Church celebrates the March for Life, 'Thou will be done.'
3. The incident in the Lincoln Memorial.
A group of High school Catholic students from the Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky had just attended the March for Life and were waiting for their bus ride back home when they found themselves faced with a group of another group of demonstrators of indigenous tribe and a group of black Israelites.
Then all hell broke loose against the young students. All because of a picture. There was nothing wrong in the picture except that there was a man unshaven and long haired. There were joyous young boys in the background.
The hell that broke loose all came from the inside. From the evil that is inside fallen human nature. Christ said so. Nothing from the outside; but things from the inside, from the heart that comes out that is evil.
Evil was spewing out of mass media, from actors, from majors, from indigenous tribes, from pagans, Protestants, from black Jews (?) All of these were directed towards the young Catholic students. All of these were expected. After all the youth were attending the March for Life.
All the hatred for everything in the world were focused towards the young students. It is like kicking the chair out of frustration. Why the chair? Because it is there. And the young Catholic students were just there.
4. The news is now telling what really happened.
The lies still prevail but the truth is slowly coming up. It was a battle between the truth and the lies. Sinners who are the majority the world are clinging to the lies. The very few goods are being enlightened by the reveal truth.
The truth is this. The indigenous and the black Jews were throwing expletives towards the Catholic Youth, under the pretence that they were wearing 'Make America great again' hats. But really just because they were good.
And a boy, Nick Sandmann, stood composed before the adult indigenous man with a slight smile. Later on, the boy explained that he was just saying a little prayer, as all good Catholic do when they need God's help, to defuse the aggressive behaviour of the two groups spewing expletives.
5. How did the youth behaved especially the one young boy in the picture.
He obeyed the command of Christ. He confessed his Catholic Faith in the importance to maintain life. And he confessed that truth before the indigenous indian and in front of insulting Jews.
He did not defend himself with expletives or arguments. He did so with a silent prayer in his heart and a calm composure in his stance.
St. Thomas of Aquinas wrote that such an act of confessing a belief in a teaching of Christ can come from grace alone. That is not humanly possible. Not for a young boy in front of threats from aggressive adults.
6. The dismaying picture.
The Catholic administration of the Catholic school, their bishop Joseph Foys and several US bishops like Stowe, together with all the pagans, atheist, heretics, etc...joined to condemn the clearly innocent and, in fact, Catholic behaviour of the Catholic youth. How come? They disobeyed the commandment of Christ.
They had no Faith, that is why they refused to confess Christ before man. These bishops and school administration denied Christ before man. For whatever reason is unimportant; but they had no Faith, in which case they were not truly Catholic since they lacked the fourth visible signs of the true Church, 'Apostolic'. Since they did not have one sign, they would not have the other three visible signs. Dare those bishops and administrators to prove that they are Catholic and they won't be able to prove it. Bet you.
The issue is; who was on the side of Christ and who was against Christ. 'You are either for Me or against Me.' The behaviour of the two sides is clear. It is time for the last testing and the two, the youth and the bishops, have taking their stand.
Christ have also taken His stand. He who confesses Me before men, I will confess before My Father in Heaven. He who denies Me before men I will deny before My Father in Heaven.
7. St. Thomas quotes more Gospel lines to show certainty that Christ's command was well obeyed. Christ said; 'if you obey this command well, you will get more persecution. From your loved ones, from the press, from Jews, from indigenous, etc. And true enough the young boys and their families have received many threats from that time on and continues to do so up to the present time. They really confessed Christ before men very, very well. Shame on those bishops. They even became part of the persecutors.
Christ, in the Gospel of Matthew, clearly said that continuous persecution will follow those who confess Christ before men.
8. The aggressive behaviour towards the Catholic Youth.
The Catholic church had been treated that way since the beginning of her birth. That is expected; there is nothing new there. It would have been strange if they were kind to the young kids, like if Pelosi acts nicely towards Trump. That is wishing the impossible.
This is not the problem. It is expected and more is to come.
Many are defending the Covington youth because it is beginning to appear that they were right and good. And men of good will sees that. But we have presented the true theological issue in the incident; the issue is a matter of salvation and damnation. A matter of obeying Christ's command or not. A matter of confessing Christ before men or not. A choice all Catholics must take that will decide their salvation or damnation. This is no small matter
Christ said; 'Whoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. And whoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven.'
'To confess Me' means to obey My commandments or to believe in what Christ said.' 'Before men' means what I believe and my obedience to the commands of Christ must be expressed before other men.
If you do so, Christ, Himself, will claim you as His follower before God the Father.
On the other hand, if you disobey the commands of Christ or do not believe in what Christ taught; and you show this to other people, then Christ will attest to God the Father that you are not His follower.
This Gospel text from St. Matthew 10:32 will be our bases for analysing the events at the Lincoln Memorial on the day of the March for Life, USA.
2. The March for Life.
God is the author of Life and Death. God gave man life to give him the occasion to merit heaven. And Death is the end of God's testing man. God decides when man dies but the manner of his death will depend on God's discretion that will benefit man's soul the most.
Death which entered the world because of sin was used by the devil to install fear in man. The fear of death will be used by the devil to destroy souls. Man is supposed to fear God, not death. But the devil tempts man to fear death instead of God. And this temptation will lead man to hell.
Though God is the author of both life and death, the devil had always used the fear of death to destroy souls. Thus to kill one's neighbour is an act authored by the devil. But whether it is accomplished or not is in the hands of God.
Life comes from the direct Will of God; while death is from the permissive Will of God. Being from the direct Will of God, the Church celebrates the March for Life, 'Thou will be done.'
3. The incident in the Lincoln Memorial.
A group of High school Catholic students from the Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky had just attended the March for Life and were waiting for their bus ride back home when they found themselves faced with a group of another group of demonstrators of indigenous tribe and a group of black Israelites.
Then all hell broke loose against the young students. All because of a picture. There was nothing wrong in the picture except that there was a man unshaven and long haired. There were joyous young boys in the background.
The hell that broke loose all came from the inside. From the evil that is inside fallen human nature. Christ said so. Nothing from the outside; but things from the inside, from the heart that comes out that is evil.
Evil was spewing out of mass media, from actors, from majors, from indigenous tribes, from pagans, Protestants, from black Jews (?) All of these were directed towards the young Catholic students. All of these were expected. After all the youth were attending the March for Life.
All the hatred for everything in the world were focused towards the young students. It is like kicking the chair out of frustration. Why the chair? Because it is there. And the young Catholic students were just there.
4. The news is now telling what really happened.
The lies still prevail but the truth is slowly coming up. It was a battle between the truth and the lies. Sinners who are the majority the world are clinging to the lies. The very few goods are being enlightened by the reveal truth.
The truth is this. The indigenous and the black Jews were throwing expletives towards the Catholic Youth, under the pretence that they were wearing 'Make America great again' hats. But really just because they were good.
And a boy, Nick Sandmann, stood composed before the adult indigenous man with a slight smile. Later on, the boy explained that he was just saying a little prayer, as all good Catholic do when they need God's help, to defuse the aggressive behaviour of the two groups spewing expletives.
5. How did the youth behaved especially the one young boy in the picture.
He obeyed the command of Christ. He confessed his Catholic Faith in the importance to maintain life. And he confessed that truth before the indigenous indian and in front of insulting Jews.
He did not defend himself with expletives or arguments. He did so with a silent prayer in his heart and a calm composure in his stance.
St. Thomas of Aquinas wrote that such an act of confessing a belief in a teaching of Christ can come from grace alone. That is not humanly possible. Not for a young boy in front of threats from aggressive adults.
6. The dismaying picture.
The Catholic administration of the Catholic school, their bishop Joseph Foys and several US bishops like Stowe, together with all the pagans, atheist, heretics, etc...joined to condemn the clearly innocent and, in fact, Catholic behaviour of the Catholic youth. How come? They disobeyed the commandment of Christ.
They had no Faith, that is why they refused to confess Christ before man. These bishops and school administration denied Christ before man. For whatever reason is unimportant; but they had no Faith, in which case they were not truly Catholic since they lacked the fourth visible signs of the true Church, 'Apostolic'. Since they did not have one sign, they would not have the other three visible signs. Dare those bishops and administrators to prove that they are Catholic and they won't be able to prove it. Bet you.
The issue is; who was on the side of Christ and who was against Christ. 'You are either for Me or against Me.' The behaviour of the two sides is clear. It is time for the last testing and the two, the youth and the bishops, have taking their stand.
Christ have also taken His stand. He who confesses Me before men, I will confess before My Father in Heaven. He who denies Me before men I will deny before My Father in Heaven.
7. St. Thomas quotes more Gospel lines to show certainty that Christ's command was well obeyed. Christ said; 'if you obey this command well, you will get more persecution. From your loved ones, from the press, from Jews, from indigenous, etc. And true enough the young boys and their families have received many threats from that time on and continues to do so up to the present time. They really confessed Christ before men very, very well. Shame on those bishops. They even became part of the persecutors.
Christ, in the Gospel of Matthew, clearly said that continuous persecution will follow those who confess Christ before men.
8. The aggressive behaviour towards the Catholic Youth.
The Catholic church had been treated that way since the beginning of her birth. That is expected; there is nothing new there. It would have been strange if they were kind to the young kids, like if Pelosi acts nicely towards Trump. That is wishing the impossible.
This is not the problem. It is expected and more is to come.
Many are defending the Covington youth because it is beginning to appear that they were right and good. And men of good will sees that. But we have presented the true theological issue in the incident; the issue is a matter of salvation and damnation. A matter of obeying Christ's command or not. A matter of confessing Christ before men or not. A choice all Catholics must take that will decide their salvation or damnation. This is no small matter
Wednesday, December 26, 2018
The Liturgy of CHRISTMAS.
1. The Liturgy.
The feasts and seasons of the Liturgy are not celebrated in its historical context only. Christmas is not celebrated as a historical event. It is a reminder to all Catholics of an eschatological fulfilment of a mystery. This is called the eschatological dimension of the Liturgy.
2. Christmas is a continuation of Christ the King. It is a reminder on how to prepare for the General Judgment of God. With this difference; the Feast of Christ King is preparing souls for that last general judgment; while Christmas teaches the first steps in that preparation. This is clearly shown from the readings for all the Masses from the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time up to Christmas Day.
3. Christ the King tells us that the preparation for that General Judgment consists in, first, having perfect repentance. Secondly, having perfect Faith and, thirdly, having the beginnings of Charity. Christmas teaches us the first step towards that goal and this is how to have perfect Faith.
Perfect Faith is to know that Christ is God and man. All the information about Christ being man is found both in the Old and New Testament, like His human lineage from Adam to Joseph and Mary.
On the other hand, to know that Christ is God is a work of grace. This cannot be learned in the seminary or in a theological school. It cannot be learned through books and lectures. The dogma that Christ is God is an infuse knowledge that comes with the grace of God. It comes with unceasing prayer. Unless God gives us this knowledge we cannot have it.
Christ told Peter, referring to the fact that he knew Christ was the Son of God; 'no man has taught you this but My Father in heaven.' Most people do not know this. So they falsely think that just because they say Christ is God, that is what they believe. Even the devil can easily say Christ is God. In fact, he did so. So much so that Christ commanded him to be silent.
The Jews had a difficult time admitting that Christ was a man; they could only see that Christ was the son of Mary and brother of Jude. They could not believe that He was a descendant of King
David, from the side of Joseph, and Aaron the priest, from Mary's side.
All the more the Jews could not believe that Christ was God.
4. The problem of Christmas.
Because man does not believe that Christ is God who will return to earth and demand an account from every soul on this earth, whether Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, pagan, atheist, etc, we do not believe in Christmas.
But how did the shepherds and, later on, the Magi, know so well that Christ was man and God? By the grace of God that they deserve because of their humility.
5. What question is Christmas answering?
What must we do to have everlasting life according to the Liturgy. Like what Christ had been saying to the young rich man and to the apostles.
Christ had answered this question several times with the same identical answer which can be described in other words as; perfect repentance, perfect Faith and the beginnings of Charity.
6. Christmas is a lesson on perfect Faith. Christ is man and God.
On Christmas day, a man was born. Christmas emphasises the humanity of Christ. But even before the Gospel is finished, it immediately adds; His birth was by the power of the Holy Spirit. So He is, also a God. Then this belief in His humanity and Divinity begin to grow together from Christmas onwards until it reaches its perfection prelude to receiving the theological virtue of Charity.
This knowledge both of His humanity and Divinity must grow in the hearts and minds of the believer thus the birth of Christ as man and God is born again in the soul of man. Christmas is fulfilled again eschatologically in the souls of the believer.
As the knowledge of Christ as man and God grows within the soul of a person, the person must react to that Divine Presence the way the shepherds and the Magi have acted in the presence of Christ. What was their reaction? They beheld Christ as a human baby and then worshipped Him as a Divine Being. That is an act of mature Faith that saves soul.
7. Christmas is not celebrated as a historical event.
Christmas is celebrated as a fulfilment of eschatology. We are recalling how the natural knowledge of the humanity of Christ grows in the soul through natural studies.....together with the supernatural growth of the spiritual knowledge on the Divinity of Christ through the grace of God, in the soul of man as a result of a mature act of Faith. This is shown in the acts of the shepherds and the Magi together with the acts of Joseph and Mary. This is the Advent spirit, showing the beginnings of the infused theological virtue of Faith that saves, because it includes the beginnings of Charity as shown by the adoration of the shepherds and the gifts of the Magi.
The feasts and seasons of the Liturgy are not celebrated in its historical context only. Christmas is not celebrated as a historical event. It is a reminder to all Catholics of an eschatological fulfilment of a mystery. This is called the eschatological dimension of the Liturgy.
2. Christmas is a continuation of Christ the King. It is a reminder on how to prepare for the General Judgment of God. With this difference; the Feast of Christ King is preparing souls for that last general judgment; while Christmas teaches the first steps in that preparation. This is clearly shown from the readings for all the Masses from the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time up to Christmas Day.
3. Christ the King tells us that the preparation for that General Judgment consists in, first, having perfect repentance. Secondly, having perfect Faith and, thirdly, having the beginnings of Charity. Christmas teaches us the first step towards that goal and this is how to have perfect Faith.
Perfect Faith is to know that Christ is God and man. All the information about Christ being man is found both in the Old and New Testament, like His human lineage from Adam to Joseph and Mary.
On the other hand, to know that Christ is God is a work of grace. This cannot be learned in the seminary or in a theological school. It cannot be learned through books and lectures. The dogma that Christ is God is an infuse knowledge that comes with the grace of God. It comes with unceasing prayer. Unless God gives us this knowledge we cannot have it.
Christ told Peter, referring to the fact that he knew Christ was the Son of God; 'no man has taught you this but My Father in heaven.' Most people do not know this. So they falsely think that just because they say Christ is God, that is what they believe. Even the devil can easily say Christ is God. In fact, he did so. So much so that Christ commanded him to be silent.
The Jews had a difficult time admitting that Christ was a man; they could only see that Christ was the son of Mary and brother of Jude. They could not believe that He was a descendant of King
David, from the side of Joseph, and Aaron the priest, from Mary's side.
All the more the Jews could not believe that Christ was God.
4. The problem of Christmas.
Because man does not believe that Christ is God who will return to earth and demand an account from every soul on this earth, whether Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, pagan, atheist, etc, we do not believe in Christmas.
But how did the shepherds and, later on, the Magi, know so well that Christ was man and God? By the grace of God that they deserve because of their humility.
5. What question is Christmas answering?
What must we do to have everlasting life according to the Liturgy. Like what Christ had been saying to the young rich man and to the apostles.
Christ had answered this question several times with the same identical answer which can be described in other words as; perfect repentance, perfect Faith and the beginnings of Charity.
6. Christmas is a lesson on perfect Faith. Christ is man and God.
On Christmas day, a man was born. Christmas emphasises the humanity of Christ. But even before the Gospel is finished, it immediately adds; His birth was by the power of the Holy Spirit. So He is, also a God. Then this belief in His humanity and Divinity begin to grow together from Christmas onwards until it reaches its perfection prelude to receiving the theological virtue of Charity.
This knowledge both of His humanity and Divinity must grow in the hearts and minds of the believer thus the birth of Christ as man and God is born again in the soul of man. Christmas is fulfilled again eschatologically in the souls of the believer.
As the knowledge of Christ as man and God grows within the soul of a person, the person must react to that Divine Presence the way the shepherds and the Magi have acted in the presence of Christ. What was their reaction? They beheld Christ as a human baby and then worshipped Him as a Divine Being. That is an act of mature Faith that saves soul.
7. Christmas is not celebrated as a historical event.
Christmas is celebrated as a fulfilment of eschatology. We are recalling how the natural knowledge of the humanity of Christ grows in the soul through natural studies.....together with the supernatural growth of the spiritual knowledge on the Divinity of Christ through the grace of God, in the soul of man as a result of a mature act of Faith. This is shown in the acts of the shepherds and the Magi together with the acts of Joseph and Mary. This is the Advent spirit, showing the beginnings of the infused theological virtue of Faith that saves, because it includes the beginnings of Charity as shown by the adoration of the shepherds and the gifts of the Magi.
The Liturgy of CHRISTMAS.
1. The Liturgy.
The feasts and seasons of the Liturgy are not celebrated in its historical context only. Christmas is not celebrated as a historical event. It is a reminder to all Catholics of an eschatological fulfilment of a mystery. This is called the eschatological dimension of the Liturgy.
2. Christmas is a continuation of Christ the King. It is a reminder on how to prepare for the General Judgment of God. With this difference; the Feast of Christ King is preparing souls for that last general judgment; while Christmas teaches the first steps in that preparation. This is clearly shown from the readings for all the Masses from the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time up to Christmas Day.
3. Christ the King tells us that the preparation for that General Judgment consists in, first, having perfect repentance. Secondly, having perfect Faith and, thirdly, having the beginnings of Charity. Christmas teaches us the first step towards that goal and this is how to have perfect Faith.
Perfect Faith is to know that Christ is God and man. All the information about Christ being man is found both in the Old and New Testament, like His human lineage from Adam to Joseph and Mary.
On the other hand, to know that Christ is God is a work of grace. This cannot be learned in the seminary or in a theological school. It cannot be learned through books and lectures. The dogma that Christ is God is an infuse knowledge that comes with the grace of God. It comes with unceasing prayer. Unless God gives us this knowledge we cannot have it.
Christ told Peter, referring to the fact that he knew Christ was the Son of God; 'no man has taught you this but My Father in heaven.' Most people do not know this. So they falsely think that just because they say Christ is God, that is what they believe. Even the devil can easily say Christ is God. In fact, he did so. So much so that Christ commanded him to be silent.
The Jews had a difficult time admitting that Christ was a man; they could only see that Christ was the son of Mary and brother of Jude. They could not believe that He was a descendant of King
David, from the side of Joseph, and Aaron the priest, from Mary's side.
All the more the Jews could not believe that Christ was God.
4. The problem of Christmas.
Because man does not believe that Christ is God who will return to earth and demand an account from every soul on this earth, whether Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, pagan, atheist, etc, we do not believe in Christmas.
But how did the shepherds and, later on, the Magi, know so well that Christ was man and God? By the grace of God that they deserve because of their humility.
5. What question is Christmas answering?
What must we do to have everlasting life according to the Liturgy. Like what Christ had been saying to the young rich man and to the apostles.
Christ had answered this question several times with the same identical answer which can be described in other words as; perfect repentance, perfect Faith and the beginnings of Charity.
6. Christmas is a lesson on perfect Faith. Christ is man and God.
On Christmas day, a man was born. Christmas emphasises the humanity of Christ. But even before the Gospel is finished, it immediately adds; His birth was by the power of the Holy Spirit. So He is, also a God. Then this belief in His humanity and Divinity begin to grow together from Christmas onwards until it reaches its perfection prelude to receiving the theological virtue of Charity.
This knowledge both of His humanity and Divinity must grow in the hearts and minds of the believer thus the birth of Christ as man and God is born again in the soul of man. Christmas is fulfilled again eschatologically in the souls of the believer.
As the knowledge of Christ as man and God grows within the soul of a person, the person must react to that Divine Presence the way the shepherds and the Magi have acted in the presence of Christ. What was their reaction? They beheld Christ as a human baby and then worshipped Him as a Divine Being. That is an act of mature Faith that saves soul.
7. Christmas is not celebrated as a historical event.
Christmas is celebrated as a fulfilment of eschatology. We are recalling how the natural knowledge of the humanity of Christ grows in the soul through natural studies.....together with the supernatural growth of the spiritual knowledge on the Divinity of Christ through the grace of God, in the soul of man as a result of a mature act of Faith. This is shown in the acts of the shepherds and the Magi together with the acts of Joseph and Mary. This is the Advent spirit, showing the beginnings of the infused theological virtue of Faith that saves, because it includes the beginnings of Charity as shown by the adoration of the shepherds and the gifts of the Magi.
The feasts and seasons of the Liturgy are not celebrated in its historical context only. Christmas is not celebrated as a historical event. It is a reminder to all Catholics of an eschatological fulfilment of a mystery. This is called the eschatological dimension of the Liturgy.
2. Christmas is a continuation of Christ the King. It is a reminder on how to prepare for the General Judgment of God. With this difference; the Feast of Christ King is preparing souls for that last general judgment; while Christmas teaches the first steps in that preparation. This is clearly shown from the readings for all the Masses from the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time up to Christmas Day.
3. Christ the King tells us that the preparation for that General Judgment consists in, first, having perfect repentance. Secondly, having perfect Faith and, thirdly, having the beginnings of Charity. Christmas teaches us the first step towards that goal and this is how to have perfect Faith.
Perfect Faith is to know that Christ is God and man. All the information about Christ being man is found both in the Old and New Testament, like His human lineage from Adam to Joseph and Mary.
On the other hand, to know that Christ is God is a work of grace. This cannot be learned in the seminary or in a theological school. It cannot be learned through books and lectures. The dogma that Christ is God is an infuse knowledge that comes with the grace of God. It comes with unceasing prayer. Unless God gives us this knowledge we cannot have it.
Christ told Peter, referring to the fact that he knew Christ was the Son of God; 'no man has taught you this but My Father in heaven.' Most people do not know this. So they falsely think that just because they say Christ is God, that is what they believe. Even the devil can easily say Christ is God. In fact, he did so. So much so that Christ commanded him to be silent.
The Jews had a difficult time admitting that Christ was a man; they could only see that Christ was the son of Mary and brother of Jude. They could not believe that He was a descendant of King
David, from the side of Joseph, and Aaron the priest, from Mary's side.
All the more the Jews could not believe that Christ was God.
4. The problem of Christmas.
Because man does not believe that Christ is God who will return to earth and demand an account from every soul on this earth, whether Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, pagan, atheist, etc, we do not believe in Christmas.
But how did the shepherds and, later on, the Magi, know so well that Christ was man and God? By the grace of God that they deserve because of their humility.
5. What question is Christmas answering?
What must we do to have everlasting life according to the Liturgy. Like what Christ had been saying to the young rich man and to the apostles.
Christ had answered this question several times with the same identical answer which can be described in other words as; perfect repentance, perfect Faith and the beginnings of Charity.
6. Christmas is a lesson on perfect Faith. Christ is man and God.
On Christmas day, a man was born. Christmas emphasises the humanity of Christ. But even before the Gospel is finished, it immediately adds; His birth was by the power of the Holy Spirit. So He is, also a God. Then this belief in His humanity and Divinity begin to grow together from Christmas onwards until it reaches its perfection prelude to receiving the theological virtue of Charity.
This knowledge both of His humanity and Divinity must grow in the hearts and minds of the believer thus the birth of Christ as man and God is born again in the soul of man. Christmas is fulfilled again eschatologically in the souls of the believer.
As the knowledge of Christ as man and God grows within the soul of a person, the person must react to that Divine Presence the way the shepherds and the Magi have acted in the presence of Christ. What was their reaction? They beheld Christ as a human baby and then worshipped Him as a Divine Being. That is an act of mature Faith that saves soul.
7. Christmas is not celebrated as a historical event.
Christmas is celebrated as a fulfilment of eschatology. We are recalling how the natural knowledge of the humanity of Christ grows in the soul through natural studies.....together with the supernatural growth of the spiritual knowledge on the Divinity of Christ through the grace of God, in the soul of man as a result of a mature act of Faith. This is shown in the acts of the shepherds and the Magi together with the acts of Joseph and Mary. This is the Advent spirit, showing the beginnings of the infused theological virtue of Faith that saves, because it includes the beginnings of Charity as shown by the adoration of the shepherds and the gifts of the Magi.
Sunday, November 18, 2018
WEDNESDAY of the 32nd Weekday of the Year. SODOM AND GOMORRAH.
1. The Liturgy.
The Liturgy is approaching the Feast of Christ the King. This Feast reminds us of the General Judgment after which God will destroy the world by fire.
Before this General Judgment, those worthy to go to heaven will meet Christ in the air. Those deserving of damnation will remain. Thus the Gospel states; 'two will be in bed, one will be taken, the other will remain.' This shows the division that will occur before the General Judgment.
The Sundays before Christ the King describes an era when God will give mankind its last great test for all to see if man will be in God's side or on the side of the devil, the world and the flesh.
2. This era is described as 'the day of great distress' described during the Feast of All Saints day. To enhance this test God will give the devil extra powers to tempt men.
Catholics are exhorted by the Liturgy to prepare for this day that he may receive a favorable judgment from God. His interest is not on the 'end times' or on the last judgment but in being prepared to be judged favourably. It is for this reason, that since the beginning of Christendom the Catholics were interested in waiting for this day described as 'the second coming of Christ.' And Catholics repeat this desire at every Mass in the 'Our Father', ' in the hope of His Second Coming.'
3. The Masses just before the Feast of Christ the King give the signs that 'this day of distress' is 'at the door.' That is how close it is. Many have the impression that no one can know the day except the Father in heaven. Really? The Son and the angels do not know tjjt time? They forgot to state that the Father shows believers, not the exact day, but when it is so close that 'it is by the door,' as the Gospel states.
4. Todays Mass gives two signs that 'the day of distress is by the 'door.' The Gospel enumerates the deluge at the time of Noah and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah at the time of Lot. So what are the two signs? St. Thomas of Aquinas describes the sins during the time of Noah and the sins at the time of Lot.
During the time of Noah, the people were committing all kinds of sins. As St. James wrote, when one commits a sin, he commits all sins. So the people at the time of Noah were committing all kinds of sins but the predominant sin, as St. Thomas like to say it, was violence.
During the time of Lot, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were committing, also, all kinds of sins. But their predominant sin was Sodomy.
5. Today, the most prevalent sins are violence and Sodomy. Violence. We have abortion, murders, wars, terrorism, genocide, kidnappings, euthanasia, etc. And what is the sin that is hugging the headlines at this very moment? Sodomy. The world today has become exactly like the world at the time of Noah and the time of Lot. What else are we waiting for? Well, what do we do not to fall victim to this state of affairs and be saved?
Noah built an Ark and those destined to be saved entered the Ark. What did Lot do? He took his family, leaving behind all things and left Sodom and Gomorrah and went where God directed him to go.
6. The necessity of leaving the world, 'fuga mundo.'
The first Christians had been doing it as a preparation for this day. This way of life became the monastic movement; a way of life for laymen who were seriously seeking to enter the Catholic Church.
All the more it must be lived today because we are is this 'day of great distress.' Why must we leave the world filled with the sins of violence and sodomy? To free oneself from these sins, the Saturday Gospel for the 32nd weekday in Ordinary time, states that we must pray unceasingly. It is impossible to do this in the world where violence and sodomy rule. This life of unceasing prayer is only possible in a monastic environment as practiced in the primitive way. No modern monastic order is living this way of life anymore.
One has to return to the primitive observance of monasticism. The time Noah's family stayed afloat in the Ark is a type of the monastic life. And so was the life of Lot after leaving Sodom and Gomorrah; he went to live in the mountain in a cave. Today, living in a world of violence and sodomy among the hierarchy, we need to do likewise to be able to work out the salvation of our souls.
The Liturgy is approaching the Feast of Christ the King. This Feast reminds us of the General Judgment after which God will destroy the world by fire.
Before this General Judgment, those worthy to go to heaven will meet Christ in the air. Those deserving of damnation will remain. Thus the Gospel states; 'two will be in bed, one will be taken, the other will remain.' This shows the division that will occur before the General Judgment.
The Sundays before Christ the King describes an era when God will give mankind its last great test for all to see if man will be in God's side or on the side of the devil, the world and the flesh.
2. This era is described as 'the day of great distress' described during the Feast of All Saints day. To enhance this test God will give the devil extra powers to tempt men.
Catholics are exhorted by the Liturgy to prepare for this day that he may receive a favorable judgment from God. His interest is not on the 'end times' or on the last judgment but in being prepared to be judged favourably. It is for this reason, that since the beginning of Christendom the Catholics were interested in waiting for this day described as 'the second coming of Christ.' And Catholics repeat this desire at every Mass in the 'Our Father', ' in the hope of His Second Coming.'
3. The Masses just before the Feast of Christ the King give the signs that 'this day of distress' is 'at the door.' That is how close it is. Many have the impression that no one can know the day except the Father in heaven. Really? The Son and the angels do not know tjjt time? They forgot to state that the Father shows believers, not the exact day, but when it is so close that 'it is by the door,' as the Gospel states.
4. Todays Mass gives two signs that 'the day of distress is by the 'door.' The Gospel enumerates the deluge at the time of Noah and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah at the time of Lot. So what are the two signs? St. Thomas of Aquinas describes the sins during the time of Noah and the sins at the time of Lot.
During the time of Noah, the people were committing all kinds of sins. As St. James wrote, when one commits a sin, he commits all sins. So the people at the time of Noah were committing all kinds of sins but the predominant sin, as St. Thomas like to say it, was violence.
During the time of Lot, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were committing, also, all kinds of sins. But their predominant sin was Sodomy.
5. Today, the most prevalent sins are violence and Sodomy. Violence. We have abortion, murders, wars, terrorism, genocide, kidnappings, euthanasia, etc. And what is the sin that is hugging the headlines at this very moment? Sodomy. The world today has become exactly like the world at the time of Noah and the time of Lot. What else are we waiting for? Well, what do we do not to fall victim to this state of affairs and be saved?
Noah built an Ark and those destined to be saved entered the Ark. What did Lot do? He took his family, leaving behind all things and left Sodom and Gomorrah and went where God directed him to go.
6. The necessity of leaving the world, 'fuga mundo.'
The first Christians had been doing it as a preparation for this day. This way of life became the monastic movement; a way of life for laymen who were seriously seeking to enter the Catholic Church.
All the more it must be lived today because we are is this 'day of great distress.' Why must we leave the world filled with the sins of violence and sodomy? To free oneself from these sins, the Saturday Gospel for the 32nd weekday in Ordinary time, states that we must pray unceasingly. It is impossible to do this in the world where violence and sodomy rule. This life of unceasing prayer is only possible in a monastic environment as practiced in the primitive way. No modern monastic order is living this way of life anymore.
One has to return to the primitive observance of monasticism. The time Noah's family stayed afloat in the Ark is a type of the monastic life. And so was the life of Lot after leaving Sodom and Gomorrah; he went to live in the mountain in a cave. Today, living in a world of violence and sodomy among the hierarchy, we need to do likewise to be able to work out the salvation of our souls.
WEDNESDAY of the 32nd Weekday of the Year. SODOM AND GOMORRAH.
1. The Liturgy.
The Liturgy is approaching the Feast of Christ the King. This Feast reminds us of the General Judgment after which God will destroy the world by fire.
Before this General Judgment, those worthy to go to heaven will meet Christ in the air. Those deserving of damnation will remain. Thus the Gospel states; 'two will be in bed, one will be taken, the other will remain.' This shows the division that will occur before the General Judgment.
The Sundays before Christ the King describes an era when God will give mankind its last great test for all to see if man will be in God's side or on the side of the devil, the world and the flesh.
2. This era is described as 'the day of great distress' described during the Feast of All Saints day. To enhance this test God will give the devil extra powers to tempt men.
Catholics are exhorted by the Liturgy to prepare for this day that he may receive a favorable judgment from God. His interest is not on the 'end times' or on the last judgment but in being prepared to be judged favourably. It is for this reason, that since the beginning of Christendom the Catholics were interested in waiting for this day described as 'the second coming of Christ.' And Catholics repeat this desire at every Mass in the 'Our Father', ' in the hope of His Second Coming.'
3. The Masses just before the Feast of Christ the King give the signs that 'this day of distress' is 'at the door.' That is how close it is. Many have the impression that no one can know the day except the Father in heaven. Really? The Son and the angels do not know tjjt time? They forgot to state that the Father shows believers, not the exact day, but when it is so close that 'it is by the door,' as the Gospel states.
4. Todays Mass gives two signs that 'the day of distress is by the 'door.' The Gospel enumerates the deluge at the time of Noah and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah at the time of Lot. So what are the two signs? St. Thomas of Aquinas describes the sins during the time of Noah and the sins at the time of Lot.
During the time of Noah, the people were committing all kinds of sins. As St. James wrote, when one commits a sin, he commits all sins. So the people at the time of Noah were committing all kinds of sins but the predominant sin, as St. Thomas like to say it, was violence.
During the time of Lot, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were committing, also, all kinds of sins. But their predominant sin was Sodomy.
5. Today, the most prevalent sins are violence and Sodomy. Violence. We have abortion, murders, wars, terrorism, genocide, kidnappings, euthanasia, etc. And what is the sin that is hugging the headlines at this very moment? Sodomy. The world today has become exactly like the world at the time of Noah and the time of Lot. What else are we waiting for? Well, what do we do not to fall victim to this state of affairs and be saved?
Noah built an Ark and those destined to be saved entered the Ark. What did Lot do? He took his family, leaving behind all things and left Sodom and Gomorrah and went where God directed him to go.
6. The necessity of leaving the world, 'fuga mundo.'
The first Christians had been doing it as a preparation for this day. This way of life became the monastic movement; a way of life for laymen who were seriously seeking to enter the Catholic Church.
All the more it must be lived today because we are is this 'day of great distress.' Why must we leave the world filled with the sins of violence and sodomy? To free oneself from these sins, the Saturday Gospel for the 32nd weekday in Ordinary time, states that we must pray unceasingly. It is impossible to do this in the world where violence and sodomy rule. This life of unceasing prayer is only possible in a monastic environment as practiced in the primitive way. No modern monastic order is living this way of life anymore.
One has to return to the primitive observance of monasticism. The time Noah's family stayed afloat in the Ark is a type of the monastic life. And so was the life of Lot after leaving Sodom and Gomorrah; he went to live in the mountain in a cave. Today, living in a world of violence and sodomy among the hierarchy, we need to do likewise to be able to work out the salvation of our souls.
The Liturgy is approaching the Feast of Christ the King. This Feast reminds us of the General Judgment after which God will destroy the world by fire.
Before this General Judgment, those worthy to go to heaven will meet Christ in the air. Those deserving of damnation will remain. Thus the Gospel states; 'two will be in bed, one will be taken, the other will remain.' This shows the division that will occur before the General Judgment.
The Sundays before Christ the King describes an era when God will give mankind its last great test for all to see if man will be in God's side or on the side of the devil, the world and the flesh.
2. This era is described as 'the day of great distress' described during the Feast of All Saints day. To enhance this test God will give the devil extra powers to tempt men.
Catholics are exhorted by the Liturgy to prepare for this day that he may receive a favorable judgment from God. His interest is not on the 'end times' or on the last judgment but in being prepared to be judged favourably. It is for this reason, that since the beginning of Christendom the Catholics were interested in waiting for this day described as 'the second coming of Christ.' And Catholics repeat this desire at every Mass in the 'Our Father', ' in the hope of His Second Coming.'
3. The Masses just before the Feast of Christ the King give the signs that 'this day of distress' is 'at the door.' That is how close it is. Many have the impression that no one can know the day except the Father in heaven. Really? The Son and the angels do not know tjjt time? They forgot to state that the Father shows believers, not the exact day, but when it is so close that 'it is by the door,' as the Gospel states.
4. Todays Mass gives two signs that 'the day of distress is by the 'door.' The Gospel enumerates the deluge at the time of Noah and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah at the time of Lot. So what are the two signs? St. Thomas of Aquinas describes the sins during the time of Noah and the sins at the time of Lot.
During the time of Noah, the people were committing all kinds of sins. As St. James wrote, when one commits a sin, he commits all sins. So the people at the time of Noah were committing all kinds of sins but the predominant sin, as St. Thomas like to say it, was violence.
During the time of Lot, the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were committing, also, all kinds of sins. But their predominant sin was Sodomy.
5. Today, the most prevalent sins are violence and Sodomy. Violence. We have abortion, murders, wars, terrorism, genocide, kidnappings, euthanasia, etc. And what is the sin that is hugging the headlines at this very moment? Sodomy. The world today has become exactly like the world at the time of Noah and the time of Lot. What else are we waiting for? Well, what do we do not to fall victim to this state of affairs and be saved?
Noah built an Ark and those destined to be saved entered the Ark. What did Lot do? He took his family, leaving behind all things and left Sodom and Gomorrah and went where God directed him to go.
6. The necessity of leaving the world, 'fuga mundo.'
The first Christians had been doing it as a preparation for this day. This way of life became the monastic movement; a way of life for laymen who were seriously seeking to enter the Catholic Church.
All the more it must be lived today because we are is this 'day of great distress.' Why must we leave the world filled with the sins of violence and sodomy? To free oneself from these sins, the Saturday Gospel for the 32nd weekday in Ordinary time, states that we must pray unceasingly. It is impossible to do this in the world where violence and sodomy rule. This life of unceasing prayer is only possible in a monastic environment as practiced in the primitive way. No modern monastic order is living this way of life anymore.
One has to return to the primitive observance of monasticism. The time Noah's family stayed afloat in the Ark is a type of the monastic life. And so was the life of Lot after leaving Sodom and Gomorrah; he went to live in the mountain in a cave. Today, living in a world of violence and sodomy among the hierarchy, we need to do likewise to be able to work out the salvation of our souls.
Thursday, October 18, 2018
CANONIZATIONS.
1. Declaring a person is in heaven.
To believe that a person is in heaven is an act of Faith. Faith is an act of believing what cannot seen. There is no empirical proof to show that a soul is in heaven. So clearly to believe that a soul is in heaven is a pure act of Faith. Thus it must follow the rules of Faith; meaning to say, that the basis of belief must be the fact that the person has obeyed the commands of Christ necessary to go to heaven. Thus a canonisation is a declaration that a soul is in heaven, can be a model for all Catholics and can intercede for men before the throne of God.
Since the process is lengthy, let us consider a down to earth procedure based on the essence of canonisation. Anybody can use this that he may be aided in making an act of Faith.
Canonisation is not a popularity contest wherein human judges can decide who is in heaven. It is not a political process used to gain votes. It is not a gimmick used to be popular. It is an act of
Faith. Making such an act increases our Faith and increases our chances of going to heaven ourselves.
2. FIRST. Going to heaven according to Christ and the Fathers.
Only One knows the way to heaven because He came from there through the incarnation and returned back there with His Ascension. And He proved it.
He came down to earth precisely to teach us how to go to heaven. And His teachings are found in Divine Revelation and interpreted by the Fathers of the Church.
These teachings are taught to the faithful in the Liturgy of the Mass spread over three years, divided in three Cycles, A, B and C. These teachings found in Divine Revelation show the general way to heaven but the specifics can only be found in the Fathers of the Church. The Catholic Church had always taught that the sources of knowledge on how to go to heaven are Scriptures and the Fathers of the Church.
The teachings on how to go to heaven is clearly found in detail in Scriptures and the Fathers of the Church. For Catholics, there is no other source of knowledge on how to go to heaven. All Catholics should know this because they cannot go to heaven unless they, themselves, follow this path. The people in the Vatican should know this, also, because they are supposed to guide the Catholics to heaven.
If the Vatican is ignorant of Divine Revelations and if the Catholics do not know this way to heaven taught in the Liturgy, then we have a very big problem. This is the first thing all Catholics should know in the process of canonisation.
3. The way to heaven in simplified and in summary form.
The way to heaven that is explained by Divine Revelation and interpreted by the Fathers can be summarised this way; perfect life of repentance, perfect act of Faith, Hope and the beginnings of Charity. Anyone who does these will surely be in heaven and can be canonised or declared a saint by the Church.
4. SECONDLY. Anybody who follow the way to heaven described above will surely be in heaven after he dies. Thus he can be declared a saint. Now the question is this; knowing the way to heaven as taught by Christ in Divine Revelation, did this candidate fulfill all the requirements Christ had taught? This can be an arduous task. It is here where a thorough study is done in the life of the candidate. It must be very clear that he had obeyed all the commands of Christ required to go to heaven as found in Divine Revelation and explained by the Fathers. To do this many witnesses are summoned to give testimonies because many requirements must be fulfilled to see that the candidate's life conformed completely to the requirements given by Christ to go to heaven. Not only must the candidate possess the above four virtues. He must show that he practiced them in a heroic degree.
5. Act of Faith based on personal knowledge.
As an individual, can I know that a candidate is surely a saint in heaven? Yes. If I know both; first, the way to go to heaven as taught by Christ and secondly, if I thoroughly know the life of the candidate. Thirdly, I should see that the two coincide. The candidate is surely in heaven and is a saint. The early Christians did it this way.
My Act of Faith will be based on that fact that the life of the candidate conforms to the teaching of Christ on how to go to heaven. So the basis of my Faith is the fact that Christ said, if you do this you will be in heaven.
My faith is not based on my personal research or study. It is based on the result of my study that taught me that Christ said that if you obey His commandments you will go to heaven; and I believed what He said. This is an act of Faith in Christ.
6. An example in the case of Pope Paul VI.
This is a difficult case because there are so many complains about him that he is described as the patron saint of apostates.
I know the way to heaven from the Sacred Liturgy and from Ascetical theology. I, also, have a few books on the life of Pope Paul VI. And I see that his life conforms to what I learned from the Liturgy and from Ascetical theology. So basing it from my own personal knowledge I believe that Pope Paul VI is a saint in heaven.
Because my belief is based on my own personal knowledge, my believing that he is a saint in heaven is not an Act of Faith. It is pure human knowledge. But if I say that my belief is based on the fact that I see that his life conforms with the teachings of Christ, then my belief that Pope Paul VI is a saint in heaven, is an Act of Faith. I can safely pray to him to intercede for me to God.
7. Act of Faith based on Vatican pronouncements.
Not everybody can do what I did above. Few know the way to heaven as found in Divine Revelation, the Fathers and Ascetical theology. Many bishops and priest do not know these. They have not learned this, either, from the Liturgy of the Mass or from the Fathers of the Church since this is not taught in the seminary nor in theological schools, like Bologna. But the Church should know this and use this as the criterion in judging whether a candidate deserves to be canonised.
Unfortunately, the Vatican Office shows it does not know the way to heaven, since they intentionally did not use this criterion in the process of canonisation. Neither had Pope Francis explained to the Church the way to heaven since his installation up to the present. Neither was this used to judge the worthiness of the candidates for canonisation.
They changed the rules for judgment the worthiness of candidates. It is no longer based on the way to heaven taught by Christ and explained by the Fathers.
And the Vatican had not studied the lives of the candidates thoroughly. So there are no documents comparing the life of the candidates to the way to heaven described by Christ. This comparative study is essential to the canonisation process. This comparative study is so exhaustive in the case of former saints, like Joan of Arc and Therese of Lisieux. None was done in all the candidates canonised by Pope Francis. So nobody can be certain in making the necessary Act of Faith in believing that those saints are in heaven. Pope Francis' declaration is just like news item saying that Mickey Mouse is in Disneyland. You don't need an Act of faith to believe that. To believe that a person is a saint in heaven needs an Act of Faith. But it is impossible to believe Pope Francis because the elements of Faith are lacking in the present Vatican process of canonisation.
So the canonisation celebration at the Vatican was not canonising anybody. It was just a political victory celebration for some candidates.
8. Model for all Catholics who want to go to heaven.
The old process mentioned above is the model for all Catholics who want to go to heaven. All they had to do was follow the way to heaven Christ taught in Divine Revelation and explained by the Fathers; and which is laid down in proper order in the Liturgy of the Mass. And the lives of the saints, like St. Therese, is presented as an example of how an ordinary young girl practiced what Christ taught. Thus she was worthy to be canonised as an example for all Catholics.
But those canonised by Pope Francis were not proven to have followed the way Christ taught. So why should we believe that they are in heaven? Some of them have even gone against the very teachings of Christ. Shouldn't they be somewhere else?
Of course, we should all celebrate when a soul is canonised. This is a declaration that they are where all of us would want to go. But are they really there? The answer is of paramount importance and we cannot leave the answer to unreliable sources. We must go back to the dependable sources, Divine Revelation and the Fathers of the Church. Which sadly, the Vatican bureaucracy is not following.
To believe that a person is in heaven is an act of Faith. Faith is an act of believing what cannot seen. There is no empirical proof to show that a soul is in heaven. So clearly to believe that a soul is in heaven is a pure act of Faith. Thus it must follow the rules of Faith; meaning to say, that the basis of belief must be the fact that the person has obeyed the commands of Christ necessary to go to heaven. Thus a canonisation is a declaration that a soul is in heaven, can be a model for all Catholics and can intercede for men before the throne of God.
Since the process is lengthy, let us consider a down to earth procedure based on the essence of canonisation. Anybody can use this that he may be aided in making an act of Faith.
Canonisation is not a popularity contest wherein human judges can decide who is in heaven. It is not a political process used to gain votes. It is not a gimmick used to be popular. It is an act of
Faith. Making such an act increases our Faith and increases our chances of going to heaven ourselves.
2. FIRST. Going to heaven according to Christ and the Fathers.
Only One knows the way to heaven because He came from there through the incarnation and returned back there with His Ascension. And He proved it.
He came down to earth precisely to teach us how to go to heaven. And His teachings are found in Divine Revelation and interpreted by the Fathers of the Church.
These teachings are taught to the faithful in the Liturgy of the Mass spread over three years, divided in three Cycles, A, B and C. These teachings found in Divine Revelation show the general way to heaven but the specifics can only be found in the Fathers of the Church. The Catholic Church had always taught that the sources of knowledge on how to go to heaven are Scriptures and the Fathers of the Church.
The teachings on how to go to heaven is clearly found in detail in Scriptures and the Fathers of the Church. For Catholics, there is no other source of knowledge on how to go to heaven. All Catholics should know this because they cannot go to heaven unless they, themselves, follow this path. The people in the Vatican should know this, also, because they are supposed to guide the Catholics to heaven.
If the Vatican is ignorant of Divine Revelations and if the Catholics do not know this way to heaven taught in the Liturgy, then we have a very big problem. This is the first thing all Catholics should know in the process of canonisation.
3. The way to heaven in simplified and in summary form.
The way to heaven that is explained by Divine Revelation and interpreted by the Fathers can be summarised this way; perfect life of repentance, perfect act of Faith, Hope and the beginnings of Charity. Anyone who does these will surely be in heaven and can be canonised or declared a saint by the Church.
4. SECONDLY. Anybody who follow the way to heaven described above will surely be in heaven after he dies. Thus he can be declared a saint. Now the question is this; knowing the way to heaven as taught by Christ in Divine Revelation, did this candidate fulfill all the requirements Christ had taught? This can be an arduous task. It is here where a thorough study is done in the life of the candidate. It must be very clear that he had obeyed all the commands of Christ required to go to heaven as found in Divine Revelation and explained by the Fathers. To do this many witnesses are summoned to give testimonies because many requirements must be fulfilled to see that the candidate's life conformed completely to the requirements given by Christ to go to heaven. Not only must the candidate possess the above four virtues. He must show that he practiced them in a heroic degree.
5. Act of Faith based on personal knowledge.
As an individual, can I know that a candidate is surely a saint in heaven? Yes. If I know both; first, the way to go to heaven as taught by Christ and secondly, if I thoroughly know the life of the candidate. Thirdly, I should see that the two coincide. The candidate is surely in heaven and is a saint. The early Christians did it this way.
My Act of Faith will be based on that fact that the life of the candidate conforms to the teaching of Christ on how to go to heaven. So the basis of my Faith is the fact that Christ said, if you do this you will be in heaven.
My faith is not based on my personal research or study. It is based on the result of my study that taught me that Christ said that if you obey His commandments you will go to heaven; and I believed what He said. This is an act of Faith in Christ.
6. An example in the case of Pope Paul VI.
This is a difficult case because there are so many complains about him that he is described as the patron saint of apostates.
I know the way to heaven from the Sacred Liturgy and from Ascetical theology. I, also, have a few books on the life of Pope Paul VI. And I see that his life conforms to what I learned from the Liturgy and from Ascetical theology. So basing it from my own personal knowledge I believe that Pope Paul VI is a saint in heaven.
Because my belief is based on my own personal knowledge, my believing that he is a saint in heaven is not an Act of Faith. It is pure human knowledge. But if I say that my belief is based on the fact that I see that his life conforms with the teachings of Christ, then my belief that Pope Paul VI is a saint in heaven, is an Act of Faith. I can safely pray to him to intercede for me to God.
7. Act of Faith based on Vatican pronouncements.
Not everybody can do what I did above. Few know the way to heaven as found in Divine Revelation, the Fathers and Ascetical theology. Many bishops and priest do not know these. They have not learned this, either, from the Liturgy of the Mass or from the Fathers of the Church since this is not taught in the seminary nor in theological schools, like Bologna. But the Church should know this and use this as the criterion in judging whether a candidate deserves to be canonised.
Unfortunately, the Vatican Office shows it does not know the way to heaven, since they intentionally did not use this criterion in the process of canonisation. Neither had Pope Francis explained to the Church the way to heaven since his installation up to the present. Neither was this used to judge the worthiness of the candidates for canonisation.
They changed the rules for judgment the worthiness of candidates. It is no longer based on the way to heaven taught by Christ and explained by the Fathers.
And the Vatican had not studied the lives of the candidates thoroughly. So there are no documents comparing the life of the candidates to the way to heaven described by Christ. This comparative study is essential to the canonisation process. This comparative study is so exhaustive in the case of former saints, like Joan of Arc and Therese of Lisieux. None was done in all the candidates canonised by Pope Francis. So nobody can be certain in making the necessary Act of Faith in believing that those saints are in heaven. Pope Francis' declaration is just like news item saying that Mickey Mouse is in Disneyland. You don't need an Act of faith to believe that. To believe that a person is a saint in heaven needs an Act of Faith. But it is impossible to believe Pope Francis because the elements of Faith are lacking in the present Vatican process of canonisation.
So the canonisation celebration at the Vatican was not canonising anybody. It was just a political victory celebration for some candidates.
8. Model for all Catholics who want to go to heaven.
The old process mentioned above is the model for all Catholics who want to go to heaven. All they had to do was follow the way to heaven Christ taught in Divine Revelation and explained by the Fathers; and which is laid down in proper order in the Liturgy of the Mass. And the lives of the saints, like St. Therese, is presented as an example of how an ordinary young girl practiced what Christ taught. Thus she was worthy to be canonised as an example for all Catholics.
But those canonised by Pope Francis were not proven to have followed the way Christ taught. So why should we believe that they are in heaven? Some of them have even gone against the very teachings of Christ. Shouldn't they be somewhere else?
Of course, we should all celebrate when a soul is canonised. This is a declaration that they are where all of us would want to go. But are they really there? The answer is of paramount importance and we cannot leave the answer to unreliable sources. We must go back to the dependable sources, Divine Revelation and the Fathers of the Church. Which sadly, the Vatican bureaucracy is not following.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)