FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
THE WAY FORWARD IN CHRIST
(Part 186)
THE END TIMES – 17
August 25, 2020
Today’s reading:
2 Thessalonians 2:1-16
Psalm 96:10-13
Matthew 23:23-26
I have written extensively about the end times “with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thes 2:1), that we are already in the end times. But this does not necessarily mean Jesus is returning any time soon, “that the day of the Lord is at hand.” (2 Thes 2:2b).
There are the signs as told by Jesus of the end, but there are also events that need to happen. “Let no one deceive you in any way. For unless the apostasy comes first and the lawless one is revealed, the one doomed to perdition, ….” (2 Thes 2:3). There are two things here: the apostasy and the lawless one. We do not know about the second, but the first, the apostasy, has already happened.
Many have turned away from God and from the Christian faith. Many Catholics have turned away from the one true faith and have joined sects and cults. Many others are lapsed Christians who have turned to the world and accepted its lies. “Therefore, God is sending them a deceiving power so that they may believe the lie.” (2 Thes 2:11). Today, good has become bad and bad has become good. This is all the work of the deceiver, who is the devil.
Much of the apostasy in our Church has been the fault of bishops, who are tasked to care for the flock. They have failed in this task. They have not spoken the clear truth of the gospel. They have not aggressively opposed secular humanism and modernism. In fact, they themselves have fallen into the enemy’s trap. They have become like the religious leaders of Jesus’ time, the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus said to them, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites.” (Mt 23:23a). In what ways have our religious leaders been hypocrites?
* They “have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity.” (Mt 23:23c). They have been preoccupied with matters of less importance while neglecting weightier matters. For example, they have focused on social justice issues such as immigration and climate change rather than the evil of abortion and LGBT. They have shown false mercy by means of political correctness. They have allowed infidelity to the precious Eucharist by allowing fake pro-abortion Catholics to receive Holy Communion.
* They are “blind guides, who strain out the gnat and swallow the camel.” (Mt 23:24). This is a hyperbolic way of speaking of their neglect of what is important. They rant on about social justice issues but neglect issues of morality and righteousness. They look to man’s physical and social well-being while neglecting man’s spiritual well-being. They strive for academic excellence in Catholic schools while utilizing liberal professors and enabling Gay and Lesbian Clubs.
* They “cleanse the outside of cup and dish, but inside they are full of plunder and self-indulgence.” (Mt 23:25b). There are those who live immoral lives but go on with their ministries. Clerics have ongoing homosexual relationships while consecrating the host and the cup. They celebrate Masses with LGBT flags in front of the altar.
And so we see that “the mystery of lawlessness is already at work.” (2 Thes 2:7a). What then are we to do?
First, we must know what is true so we can reject what is false, even if these latter come from Church leaders. It is Satan who causes “every wicked deceit for those who are perishing because they have not accepted the love of truth so that they may be saved.” (2 Thes 2:10). Remember that our Church has already been infiltrated, and there are many false prophets. We must know the truth, because “all who have not believed the truth but have approved wrongdoing may be condemned.” (2 Thes 2:12).
Second, we must know that God has chosen us and called us. The evil one is at work, but God is even more powerfully at work. We do not have to remain at the mercy of the enemy. The truth is that “God chose you as the firstfruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in truth.” (2 Thes 2:13b). By the grace of God we are sanctified by the Holy Spirit and have salvation in Jesus.
Third, we must remain steadfast in authentic faith. And as MFC, we must be fully aware and embracing of our vision, mission and Core Values. “Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught” (2 Thes 2:15a). We must know and live out our teachings, which are Bible-based and in conformity to the Magisterium of our Church.
Finally, we must continue to proclaim the gospel. Just as we met Christ, so we share Christ. Just as we received, so we give. “To this end he has called you through our gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thes 2:14). Thus will our Lord be glorified in our lives as well as the lives of many others. Thus we continue with our rapid, massive and worldwide evangelization, as we “declare among the nations: The Lord is king.” (Ps 96:10a).
4 Both gnat and camel are unclean creatures, forbidden to be eaten.
