| FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL MODERNISM (PART 85) |
| MODERNISTS DIVIDE THE CHURCH July 15, 2024 Today’s readings: Isaiah 1:10-17 Psalm 50:8-9,16-17,21,23 Matthew 10:34-11:1 Jesus, the Prince of Peace, came not “to bring peace but the sword.” (Mt 10:34). Even family members will be divided (Mt 10:35). Now we see that even in our Church, the very family of God, we are divided. Especially between conservatives/traditionalists and liberals/modernists. Thus “one’s enemies will be those of his household.” (Mt 10:36). Modernists, especially in the hierarchy, are clamping down on Tradition, preferring to look to the spirit of the age. What does God have to say? What can be the basis for our Church moving forward on the right path? First, we need to look to the word of God and the teachings of Christ. “Listen to the instruction of our God” (Is 1:10b). But modernists are overturning age-old teachings, preferring to look to the wisdom of man. They may still speak of God’s commandments and our covenant (Ps 50:16), but God accuses them: “You hate discipline; you cast my words behind you!” (Ps 50:17). Another Bible translation says, “you detest my teaching.” Second, our Church practices have evolved from our relationship with God, from our living out of our covenant. But God disdains practices that go contrary to what God calls us to be. It is not a matter of sacrifices, offerings, festivities (Is 1:11-14). It is not about liturgies but a living relationship with God. What do modernists offer today?Priestly blessings are important, but now these are offered for same-sex couples (thus same-sex unions), which are an abomination to the Lord. Sin cannot be blessed.The Eucharist is the highest form of worship, but now there are many liturgical abuses, with LGBT Masses, shamans at the altar, priest-performers rather than celebrants, etc.Christian unity is important, but in looking to ecumenism, modernists look to an international fraternity (no, only those who do the will of God are brethren in Christ), to all being part of the communion of saints (no, those who persist in sin cannot be considered saints), to common ecumenical prayer or even an ecumenical Mass (no, because many Protestants do not believe in the Real Presence). Third, God will not listen to our prayers if our hands are full of blood (Is 1:15). We are of course all sinners, but we need to strive to be pure. What do modernists cause to happen?They are mostly quiet about abortion. They do not openly condemn pro-aborts, especially those who are prominent and influential politicians. The blood of the unborn continues to flow.They are mostly quiet about homosexuality and transgenderism. They turn a blind eye to Pride Parades, to Catholic universities being overrun by LGBTideology, to transgenders mutilating themselves. Fourth, we are called to purity of heart and mind. “Wash yourselves clean! Put away your misdeeds from before my eyes; cease doing evil” (Is 1:16). Modernists are doing evil, doing what is contrary to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. They look to the kingdom of man rather than the Kingdom of God.Modernists speak of justice, but miss out on righteousness. For example, liberals promote DEI (diversity, equity, inclusivity), but look basically to racial or gender equity. These to them are the marginalized, those who are poor, those who are oppressed by society. But God looks to the poor as the orphans and the widows (Is 1:17b). They are those who are truly in need. We are to “learn to do good. Make justice your aim: redress the wronged” (Is 1:17a).Modernists cause people to sink deeper into sin, away from the salvation of God. But the way is clear, as God says, “I will let him whose way is steadfast look upon the salvation of God.” (Ps 50:23b). It has to be God’s way, not man’s preferences. Fifth, God is always the priority, not man. Modernists look to the well-being of man, but often at the expense of the righteousness of God. To love humans, even those in our own families, more than God makes us not worthy of Jesus (Mt 10:37). Modernists look to acceptance and accompaniment of sinners, but miss out on fulfilling God’s law.In fact, it is not about making sinners comfortable (including in their sin), but of embracing the cross of Christ. As Jesus says, “whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” (Mt 10:38).Modernists look to utopia on earth, but end up getting sinners condemned to eternal fire. “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Mt 10:39). Our lives belong to God, not to ourselves. And the way forward (and upward to heaven) is to deny ourselves and modernists’ desire to form our lives on earth, but rather to live for Christ. * * * |
