Landscape

Still sick.

When you're sick you really get to examine your conscience.

Today's the feast day of Blessed Pierina Morosini.  She died fighting off a rapist - he crushed her face with a stone I think.  She was coming home from work.  There is something about her that reminds me of my old neighborhood.

I've been able to paint a bit.  A couple of hours a day.  I'm disappointed in the work however.

I was reading a few conservative blogs or sites.  Came across a Hilary White article discrediting the Divine Mercy devotion - incredibly, she discredits Pope John Paul II as well - and most devotions newer than 500 years?  I didn't read her that closely, but these people who studied in Rome or happen to be Steubenville grads sure seem to think they know everything.

I don't like religious people.

I wonder why I read them?  I suppose not reading them would help solve the problem.

After I stopped reading most gay Catholic blogs and articles about SSA online - it's amazing how all of the controversy, the preoccupation with that stuff vanishes.  It reminds me of Paul's admonition to the Corinthians, which I'm not sure gay people would be ready to accept or believe:

You are not constrained by us; you are constrained by your own affections.

Do not be yoked with those who are different, with unbelievers. For what partnership do righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?
What agreement has the temple of God with idols?

"Therefore, come forth from them
and be separate,” says the Lord.  - 2 Corinthians 6

Back to the Lilly Whites online.

Those people online who call themselves Catholic have no authority, despite their degrees.  If what they say contradicts the Pope and the bishops in union with him, pay no attention to them.  They are vain and seek praise from one another.

"The task of authoritatively interpreting the word of God, whether written or handed on [Scripture or Tradition], has been entrusted exclusively to the living Magisterium of the Church, whose authority is exercised in the name of Jesus Christ." - Dei Verbum # 10

They are no different than false prophets or modern locutionists who foretell the stock market and the political fates of leaders, perhaps they are worse, since they are self-directed, convinced of their superior knowledge and virtue?  They judge and look down on the ordinary person who seeks God in simplicity, confident in his merciful love.

Only God knows their souls - but it is better to stay away from their websites.

As I mentioned to a friend the other day, I think some of the people who write against the Divine Mercy devotion, or what they disdain as 'Francis mercy' may be described as Jansenists. St. Therese contended with similar opposition to her ‘little way’ within her own community. In almost every private revelation wherein our Lord speaks of his mercy, he always says this lack of trust or confidence is what wounds his heart the most. Be it to St. Margaret Mary, Sr. Benigna,, Sr. Consolata, and/or other saints to whom he revealed his merciful love.  I suspect they would even attempt to correct St. Alphonsus Liguori's teachings on the merciful love of God, or St. Francis De Sales in his Treatise On the Love of God.

Let nothing ever destroy your confidence - Do not be yoked with those who despise - or worse - despair of the mercy of God.  God's mercy and love excel all we ever knew of him, his mercy is inexhaustible, his mercy endures forever.