So anyway. Fr. Ray has two very good posts on the Medjugorje evangelicalrevival serial. The comments on the post are also very good. I almost got fooled into believing in this one.
I don't necessarily think the seers are consciously lying, or are seeing diabolic manifestations; but people's capacity for self-delusion is powerful. Especially if it gains them attention and a "fan club". Certainly the devil can exploit this; he is the ultimate opportunist. I liked this part of the post you linked to, "What is devil's interest in it? ... An over-emphasis on charismatic gifts and personal revelation. A distortion of the image of God." I am grateful that as Catholics we are not obliged to accept any private revelations or visions, even the "approved" ones.
If the Church says it's legit then fine, I will support it. However, I am very suspicious of the "seers."
With Fatima and Lourdes the seers entered religious life or died young (or both.) If I remember correctly 1 or 2 of the Med. "seers" are divorced and none have entered religious life or died young. If I saw the BVM, truly saw her, I know my life would be changed in a radical way. I don't "see" that with the Med. "seers."
Is there some good fruit coming out of Med? Yes. But there is good fruit coming out of my round, kneelerless, guitar Mass church too. Remember...even the evil one can quote scripture.
Oh boy...this is a 'hot potato'; my "bottom line" on this is that there is a problem of disobedience of some of the seers with the local bishop (and of even lying); the scandal of several of the priests intimately involved; and the way some of them (the seers) live on "millionare road" in M. today. Call me callous, but whatever (or whoever) they are seeing, it ain't the BVM... I agree with Angela M: the lives of the seers must be in line with their experience: the children of Fatima and Bernadette are not like the M. "celebrities'.
Larry - I'm not sure about Garabandal - I want to believe in it and I tend to be much more open to it, but I don't know. I visited there and was impressed - but nothing more. There are aspects of the events that trouble me.
Angela - even people who have received extraordinary graces, visions, or locutions have been known to fall back into sin. These things are not a guarantee of holiness.
....personally the image of our Blessed Mother that is usually associated with this apparition is one I do not like and it is hard for me to look at it, compared to all the other depictions of the Virgin Mary from other apparitions. I do not know who painted it or the history behind it, but it is non-inspiring for me. .... plus she does have feet ....
Please comment with charity and avoid ad hominem attacks. I exercise the right to delete comments I find inappropriate. If you use your real name there is a better chance your comment will stay put.
I don't necessarily think the seers are consciously lying, or are seeing diabolic manifestations; but people's capacity for self-delusion is powerful. Especially if it gains them attention and a "fan club". Certainly the devil can exploit this; he is the ultimate opportunist. I liked this part of the post you linked to, "What is devil's interest in it? ... An over-emphasis on charismatic gifts and personal revelation. A distortion of the image of God."
ReplyDeleteI am grateful that as Catholics we are not obliged to accept any private revelations or visions, even the "approved" ones.
If the Church says it's legit then fine, I will support it. However, I am very suspicious of the "seers."
ReplyDeleteWith Fatima and Lourdes the seers entered religious life or died young (or both.) If I remember correctly 1 or 2 of the Med. "seers" are divorced and none have entered religious life or died young. If I saw the BVM, truly saw her, I know my life would be changed in a radical way. I don't "see" that with the Med. "seers."
Is there some good fruit coming out of Med? Yes. But there is good fruit coming out of my round, kneelerless, guitar Mass church too. Remember...even the evil one can quote scripture.
Terry - what's your opinion on Garabandal?
ReplyDeleteOh boy...this is a 'hot potato';
ReplyDeletemy "bottom line" on this is that there is a problem of disobedience of some of the seers with the local bishop (and of even lying); the scandal of several of the priests intimately involved; and the way some of them (the seers) live on "millionare road" in M. today.
Call me callous, but whatever (or whoever) they are seeing, it ain't the BVM... I agree with Angela M:
the lives of the seers must be in line with their experience: the children of Fatima and Bernadette are not like the M. "celebrities'.
Correction...it appears none of the seers were divorced. My apologies.
ReplyDeleteLarry - I'm not sure about Garabandal - I want to believe in it and I tend to be much more open to it, but I don't know. I visited there and was impressed - but nothing more. There are aspects of the events that trouble me.
ReplyDeleteAngela - even people who have received extraordinary graces, visions, or locutions have been known to fall back into sin. These things are not a guarantee of holiness.
....personally the image of our Blessed Mother that is usually associated with this apparition is one I do not like and it is hard for me to look at it, compared to all the other depictions of the Virgin Mary from other apparitions. I do not know who painted it or the history behind it, but it is non-inspiring for me. .... plus she does have feet ....
ReplyDeleteooops ..."she DOES NOT have feet..."
ReplyDeleteAnd a pink dress.
ReplyDelete