FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
MODERNISM
(Part 10)
LOOKING TO THE CREATOR NOT THE CREATURE
October 12, 2021
Today’s readings:
Romans 1:16-25
Luke 11:37-41
Paul in his letter to the Romans expresses well the meaning of modernism in one verse: “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator” (Rom 1:25).
Modernism is about exchanging the truth of God for a lie. Modernists are “those who suppress the truth by their wickedness.” (Rom 1:18b). Modernists overturn the truth, and so the good becomes bad and the bad becomes good. Consider what modernists claim:
- There are not just two sexes (male and female) but many genders.
- One who says he is gay was born that way.
- Abortion is healthcare.
- Homosexual unions and marriage are acceptable.
- Homosexuality is not intrinsically disordered and is acceptable, even to be celebrated.
Modernists think they are wiser than God, and can overturn age-old Church teachings to conform to the zeitgeist. “Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. While claiming to be wise, they became fools” (Rom 1:21b-22).
Modernism is about worshiping the creature rather than the creator. It is looking to the city of man rather than the city of God. It is looking to the well-being of man while neglecting the righteousness of God.
- Just accept, welcome, accompany and embrace the sinner but do not talk of his sin because it is offensive.
- One who is rabidly pro-abortion can receive Holy Communion.
- A woman owns her own body and can abort the unborn in her womb, without apology.
- People of the same sex can get married because they love each other.
What is the result of the perversion of modernism? “Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies.” (Rom 1:24).
- Those who look to the culture of the age have engaged in immoral sexual behavior—sex between unmarried persons, pornography, same-sex relations.
- Transgenders have mutilated their healthy body parts so males can become females and vice versa.
Tragically, modernism has been abetted and even promoted by those in authority in the Church. Some prelates and hierarchs have become modern-day Pharisees. Jesus said to them, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.” (Lk 11:39). In what ways is this happening?
- Clerics preach political correctness, by which the sinner is accepted and welcomed but his sin is not corrected. The physical and emotional well-being of the sinner is looked to, but his spiritual well-being is neglected.
- There are those who promote the Church as a field hospital, there to care for the afflicted. Correct. But then, they bring those afflicted into the hospital and look to the physical comfort of the person, but neglect to treat the illness or wound.
- Some bishops give Holy Communion to public figures who are openly pro-abortion in order to cater to their spiritual need, but only succeed in making them sin further by their demeaning the sacrament.
- Some priests who preside at the Eucharist and handle the sacred body and blood of Christ are actively homosexual.
What does Jesus call them? “You fools!” (Lk 11:40a). This is because “although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God” (Rom 1:21a).
Why is there so much turmoil in the world? Why are we being swamped by a tsunami of evil? Why do we still have the pandemic? It is God’s judgment. “The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness” (Rom 1:18a).
What is the way out? It is the righteousness of God. It is looking to the truths of God and rejecting the lies of the devil. It is looking to God and not to man. How can this happen? It happens with the work of evangelization, which leads to salvation. It is proclaiming the gospel. Just like Paul, we are “not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16).
Modernism is the synthesis of all heresies. We are to reject it and focus only on the authentic gospel and truths of Jesus. We are to put our faith in him alone who leads us to righteousness. “For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The one who is righteous by faith will live.’” (Rom 1:17).