FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
MODERNISM
(Part 59)
OVERTURNING JESUS’ TEACHINGS – 2
February 12, 2023
Today’s readings:
Matthew 5:17-37
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus teaches about a number of things. What he taught was obviously needed to be heard during that time. But Jesus’ teachings are timeless, and so what he taught then has also much relevance to us today, especially with the assault of modernism on our Church.
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets.” (v. 17a). Church modernists today are overturning the teachings of Christ and the Church, overturning things, making what is bad good (e.g. acceptance of homosexuality), and what is good bad (e.g. making converts to the faith). Church hierarchs are suppressing Tradition—from the Traditional Latin Mass, to traditional religious orders. The Pope has said that we need to adapt to the culture. But the culture of the age is totally contradictory to the Judeo-Christian culture through the age.
“Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.” (v.19a). The German and Belgian bishops have already decreed blessings for same-sex unions, and the Pope approves of same sex civil unions. Many bishops want to give Communion to the divorced and remarried (outside of sacramental marriage). They are not only breaking, but worse, teaching the faithful to violate the commandments of God.
“Whoever divorces his wife (unless the marriage is unlawful) causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.” (v.32). Modernists are now trying to change the age-old prohibition on divorce, and on the divorced and remarried receiving Holy Communion.
Jesus took the law of Moses and raised the standards to a much higher level. Now the Church modernists are trying not only to lower the levels, but even radically changing what is acceptable and what is not. But the commandments of God are still operative. Jesus condemns those who break and teach the breaking of even the least of the commandments. How much more the crucial ones, those that have to do with morality and obedience to the very word of God?
And so Jesus says, “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” (v.20). It is unfortunate that we can no longer look to and listen to the teaching of many who are pastors and ministers in our Church, including hierarchs. It is the religious leaders themselves who are leading us astray. There is no longer the call to righteousness, but simply doing good works and social justice. We will not be able to enter heaven in this way.
