Pope Calls Seminarians, Cardinals, Faithful to 'Christian Non-Conformism'
answer the summons to shed my blood in grave matters? Do I speak of the Gospel full and entire, with joy and conviction, even to those who appear to be indifferent or hostile? Do I defend the Church when she is maligned or attacked, or when her proper liberties are threatened?"
"Do I stand fast with those around the world persecuted and even martyred for their faith, raising my voice in solidarity with them? Do I do my utmost, with the help of God's grace, to live the virtues, especially those of humility and charity? Do I fight the daily battle to make room for God, in time set aside for prayer, the sacraments and works of service to others, especially those in need? Might I invite you to ask those same questions?"
The media in the United States falsely portrays the US Administrations' effort to compel the Catholic Church to apostatize as a battle over "contraception" rather than what it truly is -- a denial of the fundamental right to Religious Freedom. The sobering words of the Successor of Peter, Pope Benedict XVI, that he spoke to the future priests and the new Cardinals, echo for all of us to hear and reflect upon as well. The culture we are called to engage is not friendly turf.
However, we need to remember it has never been. One of the oldest post New Testament writings we have is called the Letter to Diognetus. It was written to an early inquirer to the Christian faith at the beginning of the Second Century. The challenges then were not all that different. Here are but a few excerpts for our reflection:
"Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs. They do not inhabit separate cities of their own, or speak a strange dialect, or follow some outlandish way of life. Their teaching is not based upon reveries inspired by the curiosity of men. Unlike some other people, they champion no purely human doctrine. With regard to dress, food and manner of life in general, they follow the customs of whatever city they happen to be living in, whether it is Greek or foreign."
"And yet there is something extraordinary about their lives. They live in their own countries as though they were only passing through. They play their full role as citizens, but labor under all the disabilities of aliens. Any country can be their homeland, but for them their homeland, wherever it may be, is a foreign country. Like others, they marry and have children, but they do not expose them. They share their meals, but not their wives. "
"They live in the flesh, but they are not governed by the desires of the flesh. They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven. Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law. Christians love all men, but all men persecute them. Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death, but raised to life again.To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body. As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world, but cannot be identified with the world."
- - -
Pope Benedict XVI's Prayer Intentions for January 2013
General Intention: The Faith of Christians. That in this Year of Faith Christians may deepen their knowledge of the mystery of Christ and witness joyfully to the gift of faith in him.
Missionary Intention: Middle Eastern Christians. That the Christian communities of the Middle East, often discriminated against, may receive from the Holy Spirit the strength of fidelity and perseverance.
Keywords: Apostasy, Religious liberty, Cardinals, Pope Benedict XI, Christian Non-Conformism, Seminarians, Cardinal Dolan, Deacon Keith Fournier
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@ Abey: some in the Catholic Church is seen increasingly to Syncretism in faith into the ways & forms of the local beliefs, except in name, is a matter of grave concern leading to falseness, called the language of satan, to Apostasy, away from GOD.
I read an old book (by Tan publishing sometime ago) on this topic and I don't think most people are aware of a long established, outside agenda to water down the faith, very cleverly (catering to and appeasing the public as if it's "good for them") while deviating away from the true, pure teaching of Christ. When I find the book, I'll share the title. I remember passages though, one was: Beware the modernists!!
We are the one true church, our religion is truly beautiful and we know it! Let us hold fast to our Lord and providence will always guide us rightly in our endeavors in these modern times. We are in spiritual warfare now and satan is making his presence known more and more (from dark pop music, marriage/gay issues (more and more states are signing this..), putting the spotlight on only us, no other faith/religion, etc.) and everyone in our church family needs our prays DAILY. Let us STAND STRONG, not waiver and continue professing Christ's magnificent word no matter what the world does to persecute us! As long as we keep our eye on what is right and good - the devil cannot thwart us, for Christ is always with us! Our satanic world is calling all of us now to bear witness to God, stand strong and save as many souls as possible while there is still time. No other religion/faith touches on morals and virtue likes ours does and it is so desperately needed in our sad world. Satan despises this and is trying to his best to dim our beacon of light. Let us fight this battle knowing we will be redeemed in the end, for GOD IS GREAT and light ALWAYS triumphs over darkness!! Hallelujah! Many blessings to all!
To all people of new york city and all americans and around the globe....... Please go back to JESUS CHRIST the only way who can save all of us. He is now checking our heart who believe in HIM faithfully. The time is fast approaching nearer today is the to call JESUS CHRIST and we must trust in HIM with all our heart and mind with any reserve, Total personal conversion must be given to JESUS CHRIST. THANKS VERY MUCH.
I feel strengthened by the Popes words yet they are very sobering. The hostility to the Gospel in the United States and against Catholics and many other Christians is growing and is being noticed. Those who hate us are changing the laws as a precursor to arresting and then possibly killing us. Most of the media is weaving a web of charm, "entertainment" and distractions in order to distract us from noticing that through these legal changes our religious freedom is being chipped away. Turn off your TV's and go to Mass or services as much as possible. Listen to what the Bishops,priests and ministers who stand with us are saying.. Pray to be fully converted and steadfast in the truth and draw close to others in your Church and pray! Vote prolife and pro marriage.But most of all pray and if possible, fast.
This makes me want to sing the words to the title song for the movie "Courgeous".....by Casting Crowns: "The only way we'll ever stand, is on our knees with lifted hands. Lord, make us courageous!" Also in that song they go on to point out that for a long time the Christian people have been "watchers on the side lines". Love that song!
What a wonderful and inspiring meditation our good Holy Father has given us. He knows what the times ahead will be like and so he prepares us. ("...for behold the days are coming, says the Lord our God") This is the time when we must pray to be ready, and work that we might be steadfast.
May God be with this "man of God" in the fight for religious liberty in the public square against a hostile "ruler of this age....." I pray that all Americans who believe in "nature's God" will rally around the Cardinal-Elect and all who are fighting for this "cause that is just!"
The letter to Diognetus clearly reflect Spiritual Israel where the Inheritance is of GOD, but live by the law of the land where ever be it. However as Pope Benedict in the truth of the day says of the manner" Be not confined to the world of Finance & to the world of the Media" which Spiritually called "Mammon" & "The Spirit of the power of air" respectively & to this in the South East part of the world, wherein is the seat of paganism, some in the Catholic Church is seen increasingly to Syncretism in faith into the ways & forms of the local beliefs, except in name, is a matter of grave concern leading to falseness, called the language of satan, to Apostasy, away from GOD, like Israel went into. Better understood in the words of Pope Benedict To & In "The Ancient & the New Faith", the ancient faith in the God of Abraham, Issac & Jacob into the new in Christ towards the fulfillment & not to the Ancient pagan ways & forms in its avatars to wilderness in the biblical significance to "The High places that were before Jerusalem on the right hand of the mount of corruption"