From the Holy Father's homily for Today:
Continuing his reflections on the end of the world, the Pope’s homily focused on the day’s reading from the Book of Revelation that describes how the angel seizes the serpent, chains it up and throws it into the abyss which is then locked and sealed. He said the serpent or devil is thrown into the abyss “so that it would no longer lead the nations astray” because it is the seducer.
“He is a liar and what’s more is the father of lies, he generates lies and is a trickster. He makes you believe that if you eat this apple you will be like a God. He sells it to you like this and you buy it and in the end he tricks you, deceives you and ruins your life. ‘But father, what can we do to avoid being deceived by the devil?’ Jesus teaches us: never converse with the devil. One does not converse with him. What did Jesus do with the devil? He chased him away, he asked his name but did not hold a dialogue with him.”
Pope Francis went on to explain how when Jesus was in the wilderness he defended himself when replying to the devil by using the Word of God and the Word of the Bible. Therefore, he said, we must never converse with this liar and trickster who seeks our ruin and who for this reason will be thrown into the abyss. - Pope FrancisI thought of having fun with this, but then thought against it.
What the Pope says however, is why I don't read exorcist's stories about conversations with the devil. We can't believe what the devil says. It goes the same for private revelations and locutions - unapproved by the Church - the devil deceives many.
He also deceives through pop-culture and entertainment ... tempting us fall in love with the glamour of evil.
. . .
To be honest, I'm very troubled by the problem of the 'Four Cardinal's' dubia as well as
Bishop Athanasius Schneider's commentary on the problem.
"To be honest, I'm very troubled by the problem of the 'Four Cardinal's' dubia as well as Bishop Athanasius Schneider's commentary on the problem."
ReplyDeleteSad ...
Anyway,
http://www.catholicculture.org/commentary/otc.cfm?id=1432
I read this piece by Dr. Mirus and to be honest, I thought and prayed about what he writes but cannot relate. I must be a bad Catholic then but God knows I am trying.
Anyway, based on what I read, I decided to turn the corner too ... I am going to mute both sides of the aisle as I just have too much to deal with, think about, pray about.
The Pope speaks wise words about never engaging with the devil in conversation. I have a memory from childhood that scared me half to death. I was maybe five and one of those popular variety shows had a dance skit. Beautiful girls dancing around telephones on pedestals. All red of course. The song they sang as they danced was, "if the devil calls hang up." I had nightmares for years! I guess it is the same message the Pope is giving us now. Private revelations abound and I am certain the denial is behind many. In my own Diocese we have one who has a large following. Remember Maria of Divine Mercy? If she was'nt diabolical I do not know who is. Our Pope is such a wise man. I am awaiting his verdict on Medjirgorie. Not that it matters much since there are so many other legitimate apparitions. Do we really need any more?
ReplyDeleteI have no problem whatsoever with the teaching of Pope Francis - I do have doubts about the tactics and anxious concern disseminated by the 4 Cardinals and the publicity they generate - in and through interviews granted and social media speculation. Something is wrong with these people - or they just may be out of touch? Not sure.
ReplyDeleteI hope you did not misunderstand my comment. When I said sad, I meant the whole thing is sad as it seems it is being blown up into some sort of Vatican drama and I don't like it.
DeleteAnyway, like I said, I am going to continue to trust our Lord Jesus as it is His Church. I am praying for and entrusting all concerned on this issue of AL.
I think the Cardinals were responding to the people as there are a lot of assumptions made about what Pope Francis means and there's a lot of confusion. Someone told me a story yesterday about a church at a crossroads up north; it's a literal crossroads, not a philosophical one, and after VII, the bishop told them they had to remove the stations of the cross and the altar rail. The church is beautiful (my friend got married there), altar rail of carrara marble. Woman telling story said her sister-in-law's grandfather made the mold for the stations of the cross. Upshot? Polish parish rebelled and wouldn't remove anything. Bishop sent people who were sent away. Can't find interior photos and was only there for a wedding so don't remember if there were altar rails. I assume there are.
Delete"I think the Cardinals were responding to the people as there are a lot of assumptions made about what Pope Francis means and there's a lot of confusion"
DeleteI understand that. I am of the opinion our Holy Father should respond to the Cardinals because his continued silence only adds to the confusion and to the speculations, assumptions, and son on and so forth ... on and on and on.
* forget the son ... I meant on. Typos are fun are they not? I know wh would agree. ^^)
DeleteI sure do agree! They, typos, continue to plague me. Especially here. My New Year resolution is to edit before publishing. My grade school nuns would have my head for sloppy writing. You, Yaya keep me laughing and correcting my many mistakes.
ReplyDeleteYou truly are a good sport, wh. Have a wonderful weekend!
DeleteVery interesting. I never thought of feverish private revelation as veiled conversation with the devil. I see your point and it's a good one to ponder. Wanting to know...getting the inside scoop...the same impulse leads to ouija (sp?) boards and false visionaries. Only difference is one has a veneer of holiness and Real Catholicism.
ReplyDeleteWe're not bound to private revelation but we're forbidden from using ouija boards since it's an attempt to speak to the dead.
DeleteFWIW, I wasn't referring to all private revelation, just the wilder stuff that claims to be "revelation."
Delete