I wonder if we all think we are experts in the Law - better than the rest of sinful humanity? I wonder if we think we deserve praise for our good works and fidelity - when in fact, at best, we have only done our duty? And perhaps, not all that well. I think we may all be Pharisees, seeking praise from men and places of honor at dinners and award ceremonies - or just a jump in stats on one's website.
So many people feel insulted by the Holy Father?
I wonder why? If they came from my background, they maybe wouldn't feel so put down. If they knew the scripture, "If a good man reproves me it is kindness" maybe they would have a deeper, spiritual experience of what the Holy Father says. I don't know - I'm just as much a Pharisee for even writing about this stuff. I've been steeped in sin since birth, like the man born blind - I can't presume to teach or advise, much less correct others. I dare not even criticize any longer, lest I sin even more.
I was a little surprised today by comments and articles on Catholic sites, more and more people seem to feel insulted by the Pope. It's not so surprising I guess - nevertheless it is so strange to read - coming as it does from teachers and doctors ... of the faith.
Calling names without naming names.
The following are a summation of the Pope's comments on the Synod - explaining what the Synod was supposed to be about:
It was about bearing witness to everyone that, for the Church, the Gospel continues to be a vital source of eternal newness, against all those who would “indoctrinate” it in dead stones to be hurled at others.
It was also about laying bare closed hearts, which frequently hide even behind the Church’s teachings or good intentions, in order to sit in the chair of Moses and judge, sometimes with superiority and superficiality, difficult cases and wounded families….
It was about trying to open up broader horizons, rising above conspiracy theories and blinkered viewpoints, so as to defend and spread the freedom of the children of God, and to transmit the beauty of Christian Newness, at times encrusted in a language which is archaic or simply incomprehensible. - Dr. Mirius
Dr. Jeffery Mirius wrote that the Pope's tendency of 'calling names without naming names' is his least likable characteristic. Nothing wrong with saying that, nor is there anything wrong with not liking the Pope or pointing out personality traits one doesn't like in him. Dr. Mirius obviously likes the Pope, but he expresses something other Catholics have used to berate the Pope with, even denouncing and mocking just about everything else he says and does because of it. For instance, almost from the beginning of his papacy, bloggers have collected and cataloged Francis' 'insults' - into his 'little book of insults'. Mirius isn't doing that, of course - but many are. One priest mocking the pope as 'a baby throwing his toys out of his pram'.
I don't know. I don't get it.
It seems as if everyone is now making a living online hurling insults at one another - blaming this one and that one for all the troubles in the world and the Church - and turning on the Holy Father - something they predicted liberals would do. (There are those outside the Church who have no love for the pope and have said as much - but when Catholics use the term liberal - they mean other Catholics. It is a political term - the Church is not a political institution - it is the Mystical Body of Christ. They overlook the supernatural dimension when they speak that way.)
Maybe they don't need a pope? Maybe they can be sedevacantists or protestants?
No one listens to popes anyway. Just when they say things they want to hear, or when they confer honors and honorary titles. (Unless of course they canonize this or that person whom they don't like.) Benedict XV was ignored when he offered his peace plan - WWI followed. Paul VI was ignored for Humanae Vitae. JPII and Benedict XVI were conveniently ignored on various teachings and by alternate groups ... while Vatican II has been largely ignored by traditionalists.
In conclusion.
I don't know why I wrote this. Dr. Mirius' essay is fine - other complainers and whiners - they're fine too. These poor Catholics in the United States seem to be so bullied and abused... If they came from my background - I think they might interpret things another way.
I'm sure I'm wrong, however. Steeped in sin and perversion since birth - blind, deaf and dumb. Please pray for me. Thanks.
"To attain the ideal life of the soul, I believe we must live on the supernatural level." - Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity
"You talking to me?"
ReplyDeleteThanks for talking to me with another solid post to reflect on. ^^
Here's something else to chew on lest we get "too comfortable" in our cozy computer chair:
From Mark Mallet ~ October 21st, 2015
"WHILE many Catholics are caving in to a certain panic as the Synod on the Family in Rome continues to swirl in controversy, I pray that others will see something else: God is revealing our sickness through it all. He is revealing to His Church our pride, our presumption, our rebellion, and perhaps above all, our lack of faith"
I'm in that group ... not panic but in sin. Let's keep praying for each other Terry and company.
A great post Terry. Yes there has been horrible bovine excrement written on the blogs since the Synod Ended. The worst of which makes me question if the person has dipped into sedevacantism, is to blame ALL the Vatican II popes for this hellish situation, even mocking who is supposed to be a trad hero for "freeing" the Latin Mass, Benedict XVI, because the blogger describes his abdicating of the Papal Thorne as fleeing from the wolves in cowardice. Wow talk about no hobour among thieves.
ReplyDeleteNo Terry you are not a hypocrite. These addled, spiritually barren, Pharisees and Judas Catholics, who think they are holier than thou with their false orthodoxy and their obsession with the Latin Mass in most cases, are the real problem.
I hear what you are saying. And yet, for those of us who have tried to follow Church doctrine and teaching, which as you know has not always been easy, and trusting in the wisdom of it, to suddenly hear these words about being Pharasaical and dead in following the letter of the law, it just makes me think: have I been a chump for doing what the Church teaches? Should I have just been following the "spirit of the law" instead? That would have been a hell of a lot easier.
DeleteThe Holy Father speaks to all of us, not just those who consider themselves traditionalist. All are called to reflect and to pray. No one group is above the other ... that sounds too divisive to me btw.
DeleteAs Catholic Christians, are we not united by the one faith, one baptism, one Father of all? Why do some believe themselves to be more special, more Catholic than their brother/sister? Hurling dead stones applies to everyone if we think we're better than "the Catholic
in the next pew" and "I gotta let him/her know about it."
Been there, done that and no thanks to it all.
Julian, you know that Benedict's abdication was to strengthen the Church with his prayers
Deletethomas tucker, I read that phariseeical stuff as pertaining to those who talk a good game about what a faithful Catholic they are but their actions contradict that. Or going to Mass not out of love of Mass and fidelity to God and His Church but because they're supposed to go to Mass. Not people who are genuinely trying to do what He wants.
Yaya, there will always be those who don't believe the chastisement applies to them.
I think it all boils down to the sheep being without shepherds. Remember what Christ said about what happens when there is no shepherd? The sheep scatter. We have been without real shepherds for several generations. The faith has not been taught and often what is taught is downright evil, like the sex ed that was put into Catholic schools and CCD programs. The people followed Jesus because he "spoke with authority." Is that what are hearing from the Vatican and from our chanceries?
ReplyDeleteGod help us!