Don't look too closely ...

I read that someplace.

I think the Queen Mother said it about looking too closely at monarchy, that if you do, all the mystery disappears.  That's what is happening these days, as we examine one another too closely, we see all the faults, all the inconsistencies, and so on.  John of the Cross warned about that as well: Never take a man for your example - however holy he may be - for the devil will show you his faults.  

I came across an article suggesting the crisis in the Church is a crisis of mystical theology, I kind of agree.  It's also a problem of ascetical theology.  If a person read and followed some of the guidance John of the Cross offers in his advice to beginners and his precautions to religious, I doubt they would be so busy looking for the speck in each other's eye, much less see themselves as judges and qualified to condemn one another.

I did a quick scan of some news aggregates and blogs and noted that some people seem to be distancing themselves from Ann Barnhardt and her 'crazy train' claiming Francis is an anti-pope.  That's a good sign.  Although scanning some of her long-time supporters, I noted they still cling to their Grand Inquisition propaganda and work outing Church leaders.

That is not the faith.

Though it is not my business, I have to wonder how many of these folks can practice their faith?  Do they pray?  Examine their conscience?  If they constantly judge by appearance, or by excerpts from a letter or article, or a pull-quote from an interview, how can they judge?

I often think of what our Lord said in the Gospel: How can you believe when you seek approval from one another?  I have written about this stuff so often, it never gets old for me.  It's always a reminder to me to avoid the trap of looking too closely.  The devil - the accuser - only shows what is wicked.  He only seeks to discredit.  He inspires false zeal, and in the process plunges the soul into darkness, depression and acedia.  He hates devotion.

I have nothing to add any longer.  Not much left to say that hasn't been said already.

"What the devil can't do himself he does by using other people. He takes up his position on the tongues and in the hearts of his servants and before their mind's eye. He makes them see what doesn't exist. So they conceive within their hearts all sorts of evil thoughts and resentments regarding their neighbors - often regarding those they most love." - S. Catherine of Siena

Take warning from the example of Lot's wife who, because she was disturbed at the destruction of Sodom, turned back to look at it. God punished her for this, and she was 'turned into a pillar of salt' (Genesis 19.26). This teaches you that it is the will of God, even if you were living among devils, you should so live as not to turn back in thought to consider what they are doing, but forget them utterly. You are to keep your soul wholly to God, and not to suffer the thought of this or that to disturb you. - John of the Cross