Internet veterans are familiar with “Godwin’s Law.” Formally stated, the adage proposes that “As an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches.” No matter the argument, if it goes on long enough, someone will evoke the modern epitome of evil – Nazism – to condemn his opponents.
If a Catholic version of this adage were formulated, it would state, “As an online Catholic discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Pharisees approaches.” But in the Catholic world, this comparison is inevitably used against those who defend any traditional Church teaching or practice. Is this association of defenders of orthodoxy and tradition with the Pharisees fair? Or could this accusation have it exactly backwards? Perhaps it is those who have jettisoned traditional Catholic teachings and practices, and who have embraced the “traditions” of the past generation, who are the New Pharisees today.
To make a determination we should first see why it was that Jesus condemned the Pharisees so often during his public ministry. Was it simply because they followed rules and traditions? No. In essence, Our Lord denounced the Pharisees because they created barriers to God’s grace by imposing man-made traditions that kept people from that grace. This was especially egregious because the Pharisees wielded religious authority over others and thus were particularly positioned to block them from drawing closer to God and His grace. Jesus explains this clearly in Matthew 15:1-9:
Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him surely die.’ But you say, ‘If any one tells his father or his mother, What you would have gained from me is given to God, he need not honor his father.’ So, for the sake of your tradition, you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
in vain do they worship me,
teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”
The problem is not rules or traditions themselves. After all, Jesus himself said, “ I have come not to abolish [the law and the prophets] but to fulfil them” (Matthew 5:17). In addition, he told his followers, “Whoever then relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but he who does them and teaches them shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19). And St. Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, “Stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).
Although it is common in today’s antinomian world to condemn anyone who supports a tradition or rule as “Pharisaical,” this clearly was not the point of Christ’s warning. Instead, he condemned only those who support traditions that lead people away from a relationship with God, i.e., those who “make void the word of God.”
So who today is advocating man-made traditions that deny people access to God’s grace? Who teaches as doctrine the precepts of men? Imagine the following scenarios, and see if any of them seem all-too-familiar:
- A parish offers the Sacrament of Confession for only a half-hour each Saturday, at an inconvenient time, and makes no announcements promoting Reconciliation. The defense is that “no one goes anymore” and the priests are too busy.
- Requests for more traditional hymns to be sung during Mass are turned down with the response that “the songs we sing now are the songs our parishioners have always enjoyed the most.”
- Communion is advocated for the divorced and remarried, with the argument that to withhold it would be to violate the Church’s great tradition of “welcoming.”
- When an effort is made to institute a new marriage preparation program that includes substantial Church teaching, the existing volunteers resist on the grounds that the current program is “how we have always done it.”
- A priest who decides to withhold the Eucharist from a publicly same-sex couple is quickly removed and told that his actions show a “lack of pastoral sensitivity” and make the Church appear judgmental.
- A parishioner suggests to the pastor a door-to-door campaign to try to bring people into the Church, but is turned down on the grounds that “Catholics don’t do that.” Additionally he is told that “proselytization” isn’t in keeping with ecumenism.
In each case, people are being directed away from the truth found in Christ and His Church, away from healing and reconciliation, away from a lasting relationship with Christ – and the reasons given amount to no more than “that’s how we do it now.” In other words, these are our “traditions.” The New Pharisees of today downplay Catholic doctrine, minimize the importance of the Sacraments, ridicule traditional Catholic devotions, scoff at Catholic moral teachings, and diminish the uniqueness of the Catholic Church. The man-made traditions they’ve instituted over the last 40 years have become encrusted in the life of the average Catholic parish, even though, as I wrote recently, there is no evidence that any of these programs or practices actually draw people into Christ’s Church. The evidence, in fact, is overwhelming that it draws people away from Christ and his Church. In other words, “For the sake of their tradition, they have made void the word of God!”
Sadly, all too often it is exactly these New Pharisees who hold positions of authority in many Catholic parishes today. But, in keeping with Our Lord’s example, we must confront and resist their efforts. We must continue to call sin “sin” and call on people to avoid it at all costs – even sin that is now culturally acceptable – knowing that these actions can lead to the destruction of the human person and his soul. In conjunction with a renewed emphasis on sin, we must emphasize the Sacrament of Confession, so that those in need can be forgiven and reconciled to God. We must also embrace a more reverent Mass, in order to better worship God. Further, in an age of rampant sexual immorality, we must clearly explain Catholic teaching on sexuality and marriage, and urge married couples to live out the fullness of the Church’s teachings in these areas. And we must call every person to conversion to the Catholic Church, so that everyone can receive her abundant graces.
We must invite – even beg – people to return to Christ in the sacraments and the Church and to receive God’s grace, and to reject beliefs and practices that keep them from that grace. Ultimately, there is one purpose behind all these actions: to draw people into a deeper relationship with the Word of God, Jesus Christ. With this as our mission, we can hold onto the traditions that deepen that relationship, and abandon those which, in teaching as doctrine the precepts of man, lead people away from that saving relationship.
The New Pharisees fall back on the failed man-made traditions of the past generation; let us abandon these futile traditions and instead hold on to the true Catholic traditions which have stood the test of time.
Originally published on March 5, 2015.
“The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not.” It seems to me that the “New Pharisees” should resemble the “old Pharisees” and the “old Pharisees” should be represented by “good Pharisees,” such as Nicodemus and Saul. If this reader had to choose between them, I would say that the new Pharisees you describe are more like the old Sadducees than like the old Pharisees.
The more recent an ecclesiastical praxis is the more firmly it is embraced and woe betide that man who opposes it and as for that man who compares, say, what the first Pope Peter and the Apostles did (Acts) in preaching Jesus and conversion to the Messias-Deniers with what the praxis is of modern Popes and Bishops who refuse to preach Christ and conversion to the Messias-Deniers?
It were better for that man that he were not born
As a Catholic, I attempt each day to give my will to God and to live as Jesus asked us to. So many times each day I fail, as I always have. But the many years of this journey with Jesus has brought one consolation. If I accept my own weakness and have learned that I must renew my need of him daily.
It was so much easier to make others the scapegoat for my frustration and anger as my walk did not match my talk. I have accepted now that it never will. To live the truth, without compassion is to be a bully, to ungreatful for the spiritual gifts and opportunities we have been give, and our words can not be heard above the contemt and unkindness of our attitude. To have compassion to the point of rejecting our faith is also destructive and leads only .
To have the endurance to attempt to live the truth with simplicity and courage, to defend our fait when asked, and to love each and every person as our equal in importance to God is very challenging. What do we do with all the pain and anger and frustration at both ourselves and others. How do we conquer rejection and fear without becoming arrogant and unkind. I am just learing this, I amm very, very slow to do it.But when I offer it all upfor myself and others, I am able each evening to admit the stones I picked up that day, and one- by one. put them down. This is makes one vulnerable and afraid, weak and defenceles befroe Him. But then He can place His grace within .
So who today is advocating man-made traditions that deny people access to God’s grace?
What it is at work is Moral Therapeutic Deism, which has de facto replaced Catholicism in most of these communities. And MTD almost inevitably adheres to universalism. And once you understand that, all these behaviors start to make sense.
Well stated, Athelstane.
Indeed, the MTD folks just luv, luv, luv everyone… except for traditional Catholics.
“So who today is advocating man-made traditions that deny people access to God’s grace?”
Chris ten dumb.
Very good article!
You missed my post here from 2012 http://supertradmum-etheldredasplace.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-liberalism-of-pharisees-and.html
The
Pharisaic tradition began when the Hebrews were in captivity in
Babylon. It was established in order to protect the Law from change
and/or decay while under the rule of pagans by forming practices and
observances and rules that were in line with the Torah, but were not the
Law itself. By the time of Our Blessed Lord’s Incarnate ministry on
this Earth, many had forgotten or were simply indifferent to the purpose
and original intent of their own Pharisaic tradition. Some, however,
had not, and indeed kept the Law AND the tradition and kept both in
their proper place in their heart, which is why Our Lord tells at least
one Pharisee that he is not far from the Kingdom of Heaven.
The proud Pharisees were very religious, followed all the rules, fasted twice a week, tithed, knew everything about the law and religiously participated in every prescribed ritual. The problem is that they exalted themselves above others because they followed the rules and had disdain for those who were not as “good” as them, they had no compassion for sinners who didn’t do all the things the law prescribed. Jesus did not choose any apostle from among the priests; instead he chose people from all walks of life. The only Pharisee Jesus chose was Saul of Tarsus who needed to be blinded to see the light.
Today the Church is split as it always has been. On the far left there are heretics and false teachers among both the clergy and the laity, and on the far right there are proud pharisees who confuse religiosity with holiness, failing to understand that the Catholic faith is not about winning apologetic arguments but about a transformation of heart which entails a war against self— one of uprooting, unmasking and removing anything from the heart which does not come from God. Catholics were given the treasures of sanctifying grace in overflowing measures through the Seven Sacraments— thus Catholics have no excuse. It’s not about going door-to-door proselytizing — it’s about a spiritual transformation of self which brings grace into the lives of others through the very sanctity of a human heart. The solution to our world’s problems is repeated in Marian apparitions, which is a call for conversion of heart, penance and prayer.
It may be that most people are Herodians.
The Pharisees did NOT adhere to the Rules of their Jewish Faith.
JESUS: “For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Mt 5:20.
JESUS: in reference to the scribes and Pharisees: “Practice and observe whatever they tell you, but not what they do;
for they preach, but do not practice.” Mt 23:3
The Pharisees meticulously followed rules and were experts on the law; the problem is that they had no mercy, no charity, and were hypocritical and unjust.
We see how they scorned Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. Elsewhere, in Matt. 12:1-2 Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath!”
In Mark 7: 5 the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your
disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of
eating their food with defiled hands?”
So the lesson is that religion without spiritual transformation is poisonous for the soul.
What Jesus on several occasions chastised the Pharisees for was hypocrisy. They did not practice what they preached.
Washing of hands had nothing to do with love of God or love of neighbor.
The Pharisees were looking for excuses to trap Jesus and His disciples.
If you adhere to all God’s Commandments including Love of God first, and then love of neighbor as oneself – you will be transformed to GOD’s will, not your own.
You will not want to sin if you are transformed.
It is not MERCIFUL, CHARITABLE, or PASTORAL to affirm, condone, or
approve anyone in Mortal Sin, and thus assist in sending him or her to Hell.
Again, read Luke 18:12-14 where Jesus described the Pharisee thanking God that he wasn’t like the Publican:
“God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this
tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get’“
Transformation is a lifelong process of learning to love God above all things, of dying to one’s self, and to love neighbor as self. Indeed it is not merciful, charitable or pastoral to condone sinful behavior, and to do so is sinful in itself. The Church is not about condemning anyone to hell, the Church is about saving souls; thus Catholics on earth being the Church Militant are responsible for the salvation of souls through sanctification, prayer, mortification and sacrifice.
Garbriel, I agree with this post. You left out that the Church militant are also responsible to help TEACH the Truth to others – both inside and outside of the Church.
And the Catholic Truth comes from Sacred Scripture and the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” second edition.
CCC: 81 “Sacred Scripture is the speech of God as it is put down in writing under the breath of the Holy Spirit.
And [Holy] Tradition transmits in its entirety the Word of God which has been entrusted to the apostles by Christ the Lord and the Holy Spirit.
It transmits it to the successors of the apostles so that, enlightened by the Spirit of truth, they may faithfully preserve, expound and spread it abroad by their preaching.”
“ The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which I approved … and the publication of which I today order by virtue of my Apostolic Authority, is a statement of the Church’s faith and of catholic doctrine, attested to or illumined by Sacred Scripture, the Apostolic Tradition and the Church’s Magisterium. ” – Pope John Paul II, CCC page 5.
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/ccc_toc.htm
Great posts, Mike.
Every Catholic should read the CCC and the Sacred Scriptures.
I especially like these two paragraphs from the CCC on *evangelization* (which is not to be confused with proselytizing).
“Lay people also fulfill their prophetic mission by evangelization, “that is, the proclamation of Christ by word and the testimony of life.” For lay people, “this evangelization . . . acquires a specific property and peculiar efficacy because it is accomplished in the ordinary circumstances of the world.”
“This witness of life, however, is not the sole element in the apostolate; the true apostle is on the lookout for occasions of *announcing Christ by word*, either to unbelievers . . . or to the faithful.” (CCC 905)
And this one:
“Baptism, the Eucharist, and the sacrament of Confirmation together constitute the “sacraments of Christian initiation,” whose unity must be safeguarded. It must be explained to the faithful that the reception of the sacrament of Confirmation is necessary for the completion of baptismal grace. For “by the sacrament of Confirmation, [the baptized] are more perfectly bound to the Church and are enriched with a special strength of the Holy Spirit. Hence they are, as true witnesses of Christ, *more strictly obliged to spread and defend the faith by word and deed.*” (CCC 1285)
Faith is a gift, and this gift is primarily passed on in the home, after parents baptize their children and promise to raise them in the faith. If Catholics don’t know the teachings of the Church it is either because their parents did not do a good job, or they were not living the faith in the first place. If a person claims to be Catholic and does not know the faith it is because they are spiritually slothful. In reality, the problem is that they don’t have faith in the first place, because if they did, they would take the time to learn the teachings of Christ as He teaches through His Church and to grow in the faith.
We cannot blame priests for the laity not knowing the teachings of the Church—priests are busy enough administering the sacraments to have to do a parent’s job, –or to personally have to read the catechism to someone. The priest in his homilies should exhort the faithful; the problem is that only 20% of baptized Catholics bother to attend mass in the first place.
The Church teaches loud and clear through Scripture, the Catechism, papal encyclicals, tons of documents etc. etc. —and there are plenty of resources readily available to everyone. What is needed is an authentic evangelization beginning with one’s own transformation of heart—not merely the memorizing of theological facts.
A man can know the catechism inside out and claim to be a solid Catholic, yet have un-forgiveness in his heart, impurity in his mind, un-charity on his lips, and a heart set on the things of the world, all while demanding that others convert to the Catholic faith. The difference between evangelizing and proselytizing is that evangelization is being Christ in the world; whereas proselytizing is spreading facts, not spreading Christ. Thus Jesus warned:
“”Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.” Matt. 23:15
Time and time again the Blessed Mother in apparitions from Lourdes top Fatima explained that we Catholics must repent and pray, offer sacrifice and mortification for the conversion of sinners. It is God who converts a person’s heart, so if we are to go and try to personally convert someone to Christ, we better be reflecting Christ; if not we merely are personally giving people reasons not to convert through our own bad example.
Here are two brief talks by Archbishop Sheen which I urge everyone to sit back and ponder:
TALK 1:
http://www.americancatholictruthsociety.com/sheen/43TheLawofLove.mp3
TALK 2:
http://www.americancatholictruthsociety.com/sheen/27Confirmation.mp3
It would take 10 seconds for a Priest from the pulpit to encourage Catholics to read the Bible and the “Catechism of the Catholic Church”, second edition at home.
It would take 10 minutes for a Pastor to write and make certain that Catholics are encouraged to read the Bible and CCC in the parish bulletin.
It would take 30 seconds (via email communication) for a Diocese Bishop to have his staff order those in charge of Diocese and Parish web sites to prominently encourage Catholics to read the Bible and the CCC at home on the web sites.
CCC: ” 888 BISHOPS, with PRIESTS as co-workers, have as their FIRST TASK “to preach the Gospel of God to all men,” in keeping with the Lord’s command.
They are heralds of faith, who draw new disciples to Christ; they are authentic TEACHERS of the apostolic faith endowed with the authority of Christ. ”
(caps are for your benefit)
Why are you so against many Catholics who have been poorly catechized over the past 45 years, to learn the Faith accurately and completely ?
Know one said any Bishop or Priest should personally read to anyone. Stop making things up.
The pope himself has urged Catholics to read the Scriptures and to study their faith. And maybe it’s just your parish priest or bishop who is not doing this already, but I can tell you that priests I know do exhort the faithful to study their faith. The problem is that most Catholics don’t even go to mass, so how can the priest reach them in the first place. This is where we the laity come in.
Please send us a link to your Parish web site and also Diocese web site to see how where your Pastor and Bishop encourage everyone to read both the Bible and the CCC at home.
If you are telling the truth, and if it is prominent, I will use it as a good example.
Let’s cool it down a bit, please. Insinuations of lying are beginning to cross the line into abuse.
Be careful, as now you’re sounding like a self appointed grand inquisitor. Do realize that there was, is, and always will be liars, cheaters, adulterers, fornicators, perverts, murderers, heretics, traitors, and all sorts of scoundrels among both the clergy, religious and laity on earth. This was the case starting in the first century, and even among the 12 apostles there was corruption. What’s more, Scripture warned that there will always be wolves and weeds.
Below are a couple of links to Catholic churches I attend among others in my area:
http://sma-church.org
http://www.cantius.org
And who is “us”?
Thank you for the links – very nice web sites.
But this proves my point. I could not find any encouragement for the Laity to read both a Catholic Bible and the “Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition” on the web sites provided.
This is true of most Diocese and Parish web sites in the USA.
You are right that after they know they should read the Bible and CCC at home, it is the individual’s responsibility.
However, most Catholics in the USA don’t read Catholic blogs, and don’t even know about the existence of the CCC.
Bishops and Priests have the responsibility to get the message out that Catholics must read BOTH at home. Yet in the USA and Canada and Mexico most Bishops and Priests do not.
They can encourage Catholics to read them from the pulpit,
on home pages of their Diocese and Parish web sites, and Parish bulletins.
And should make a Bible and the CCC available for sale in their Parish offices to further encourage the reading.
For others who may not know – here is a link to quotes from Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis regarding the CCC.
“What Catholics REALLY Believe SOURCE”
http://whatcatholicsreallybelieve.com/
Most Catholics do not know that in the history of the Church, there have only been two (2) OFFICIAL Catechisms of the Church.
All others have been local or regional catechisms written by others.
The first was the “CATECHISM of the COUNCIL of TRENT” (aka Roman Catechism) of 1566 AD;
and
the second is the “CATECHISM of the CATHOLIC CHURCH, second edition” (aka CCC) “revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II” of Aug 15, 1997 AD. The Holy See holds the copyright.
Mike you have a great point about the catechism, and the more one studies the faith the more one will realize the gift and responsibility of being a Catholic. I happen to go to a parish where the priest regularly reads from the catechism itself from the pulpit to explain his homilies; though I do realize that this is not the case everywhere. But the reality is that most Catholics don’t even go to mass and much less practice the faith in their daily lives, so the priest or the parish bulletin and website are not going to reach the millions who do not believe. This is more the task of the laity. Here is what the laity needs to do: http://www.americancatholictruthsociety.com/sheen/27Confirmation.mp3
You are right that the majority of those who have been baptized Catholic do not attend Mass on a regular basis. If they knew the Faith at least they would know it is a mortal sin to purposely miss Mass on Sundays and Holy days of obligation.
God bless your Priest.
We have to start catechizing All literate Catholics who do attend Mass, so they will accurately know the Faith and pass it on to others.
In the USA and Canada there are many who attend Mass on a regular basis and do not know the Faith fully or the reasons why.
Which we both agree is contained in the CCC.
”
If they knew the Faith at least they would know it is a mortal sin to
purposely miss Mass on Sundays and Holy days of obligation.”
I would say that paragraph is a good example of the falsity of Catholicism. Here we have a world of lost sinners, and this poster would add
a “mortal sin” to the load of sin already carried by the poor lost soul that “misses mass.”
Pitiful!
Mike and Gabriel, what about the illiterate and stupid? You may think it mean of me to point out that they exist but I think that it’s charitable to remember them.
People can not love what they do not know.
CCC: ” 133 The Church “forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful. . . to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures.
Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ. “
And so what are you waiting for? Evangelize! But it’s easy to complain on blogs and tell others what to do. If you truly love your neighbor and want their salvation, get up every morning and go to mass and then say the daily Rosary for the salvation of souls, and then, when God sends people your way share your experience with Christ. We are to be Christ in the world. Before we go out and try and convert our neighbor we have to first be converted; not just be trained in doctrines.
The question is what are you waiting for !
You are the one who is not encouraging readers to read a Catholic Bible and the CCC. In fact, you appear to discourage it, even if it is not your intent.
You are also falsely judgmental. You have no clue about my going to Mass during the week, and saying the daily Rosary – which I do.
Now you can apologize for your false judgment, and if necessary go to Confession.
All Catholics should know their faith, and reading Scripture and knowing the catechism is part of one’s life of faith. Shame on Catholics who don’t take the time to know their faith. If they are so plugged into the world that they spend more tim watching television than learning their faith then it’s their own fault. Often the only way God can reach these people is if a calamity happens to them. What’s worse is that to those to whom much is given much more will be required; and there’s nothing worse than a lukewarm Christian.
As far as going to mass and saying the Rosary, that too is all meaningless if it doesn’t translate into a transformation of heart; hence the example of the pharisees who did a lot of religious things but didn’t love their neighbor and were all too ready to be offended.
Now then; I am not judging you. You seem zealous for the faith, which is a good thing. And it is our duty to encourage, admonish and teach those who are lost and confused. But becoming Catholic is not the end goal; the goal is to be transformed into Christ through the sacraments of the Catholic Church. We don’t need more Catholics, what we need are more saints following in the footsteps of Christ. It is saintliness which becomes a tool in the hand of God and a means for conversion of others.
There are over a billion Catholics in the world today– one would think that this world would be glowing with faith hope and charity with so many Christlike people. Unfortunately the opposite is the case, and thus we live in a crumbling, demonically driven society.
We agree. But most Catholics have never been told to read both a Catholic Bible, and the (official) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition” at home.
Not from the pulpit, not from prominent locations on Diocese and Parish web sites, or Parish bulletins.
Many do not even know about the existence of the CCC – even here in the USA and Canada.
And of course it is you who decide when the translation has been done.
That itself is a very pharisaical statement.
You are in effect saying that sometimes prayers are useless.
Again: Going to mass and saying the Rosary is all meaningless if it doesn’t translate into a transformation of heart. Obviously only God knows the heart. And prayers are indeed useless if they are not sincere; as Jesus quoted Isaiah: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Elsewhere Jesus warns: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”-Matt. 7:21
And there goes judgmental Gabriel (just lke Pope Francis) determining that these “rosary counters” have not had a transformation of the heart.
Furthermore, you are saying that some prayers are useless.
Don’t be silly. Pope Francis was simply making a point, which if people were humble enough would take it to heart. If you want to tell somebody that you will say 500 rosaries for them well, fine. But why not just say the Rosary for them without telling them how many you are counting? Cannot catholics be humble enough to heed the Holy Father’s exhortations?
Maybe you are not aware of the many ultra conservative sects who happen to claim that all popes since Pius XII are false prophets and anti-popes, and live a catholicism that is centered on private devotions rather than on Christ and on a transformation of heart through the sacraments.
I happen to now two people who are siblings who say the Rosary every day and go to daily mass and are not even on speaking terms with each other. It is Sacred Scripture which warns:
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”.
And Jesus Himself warns:
“if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.” -Mark 11:26
The Rosary is something that should be prayed every day, and devotions practiced piously. These are all very good things to do. But the pope made an excellent point. Becoming Catholic is not the goal. Becoming Christ-like through the fountains of grace which are found in the Catholic Faith is the ultimate goal.
And in the process of making such point was in fact being judgmental just as you were.
And that is just one instance of the judgmentalism that is so evident.
And perhaps you can tell me what is wrong with telling them how many rosaries are being said for him? Are you saying that one person praying is the same as 500? Are you saying that praying ones for a person is the same as praying 500 times for that person?
Was that the issue we were discussing?
Conservatism is beside the point. The point is the Pope was being judgmental and so were you. But no doubt you find comfort in being so much better than the rosary counter. I bless you O Lord for not being a rosary counter or something along those lines.
Understand the difference between judging a person’s actions and judging a person. The pope was not judging the people who reported to him that they said 3,525 rosaries for him; he was judging the idea of counting them. You seem to be judging the pope rather than what he said. And what makes things worse is that you are misrepresenting what the pope did and consequently besmirching him personally. Here is a translation of what the pope said in Italian about the matter:
“An anecdote, just to illustrate this, it is not to laugh at it, I took it with respect, but it concerns me, when I was elected I received a letter from one of these groups, and they said: “Your holiness, we offer this spiritual treasure: 3,525 rosaries”. Why don’t they say ‘we pray for you, we ask..’, but this thing of counting…”
So the Vicar of Christ does bring up a good point worth pondering. Why announce the exact number of rosaries said? Yes, we’ll meaning, but what is the point of stating the exact number. Do you count the rosaries that you say and announce it to others? If so, why? Here is what Jesus said:
1“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. . . when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets . . . But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Spiritual bouquets — wherein the number of rosaries, Masses, holy hours, etc. that people pledge to perform for a person are counted up so that they can be presented as a commitment and spiritual gift — are a time-honored custom in the Church.
For the pope to say this thing (that you quoted) shows either his ignorance or his disdain (or both) for this venerable practice.
Why would this be of concern to any sincere Catholic?
I’m not sure that counting rosaries is a time honored custom in the Church; it may be a custom among some Catholics. But it is important to understand the context of the Holy Father’s comments. Pope Francis was speaking about two concerns he saw as “currents”of Pelagianism and Gnosticism in the Church.
Pope Francis stated:
“I share with you two concerns. One is the Pelagian current that there is in the Church at this moment. . . . There are some restorationist groups. I know some, it fell upon me to receive them in Buenos Aires. And one feels as if one goes back 60 years! Before the Council… The second [concern] is for a Gnostic current. Those Pantheisms… Both are elite currents, but this one is of a more educated elite… I heard of a superior general that prompted the sisters of her congregation to not pray in the morning, but to spiritually bathe in the cosmos, things like that… They concern me because they ignore the incarnation. And the Son of God became our flesh, the Word was made flesh, and in Latin America we have flesh abundantly; what happens to the poor, their pains, this is our flesh…”
There is no doubt that there are many groups of people in the Church who see themselves as super-duper catholics who frown upon, condemn and bitterly hold in disdain anything that has to do with the Second Vatican Council. In fact, some are so catholic that they have elected their own popes, simply look up “Pope Pius XIII” or the demonic “Palmarian Catholic Church”in Spain. Frightening stuff. On the other extreme there are those who are lost in New Ageism of self-realization and personal wellness to the detriment of faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to Church teaching.
As for counting rosaries, what is the real point of counting them? If everyone simply said the daily Rosary, there would be hundreds of thousands of Rosaries being prayed every day.
Thus the pope is neither ignorant nor disdainful, as you suggest, but rather a wise shepherd who is concerned about the flock wandering left or right. The flock must be centered on Jesus Christ. A helpful thing to remember are the “Five Flags”under which all Catholics should march. One cannot be an authentic Catholics without the five flags entrusted to all Catholics:
#1. The Primacy of the Word of God, which holds a place above all devotions, above all books and all Church documents.
#2. We can have devotions to saints, but above all devotions Jesus Christ must be at center of our life.
#3. We must have an encounter with God, and experience of knowing that God is our Father, and regardless of what happens in our life Father, whatever may come, nothing will separate us from the love of God.
#4. We must live within our community, with the mentality of dialoguing, conversing, supporting, helping one another, knowing the people you encounter, and maturing within your community–not separated in one’s own selfish self-sanctification.
#5. All Catholics must be missionaries, having the spirit of the mission, with our face toward the mission of sharing the riches of grace and truth which God has bestowed on us for the good of all.
One must not confuse religiosity with being holy. The pharisees were very religious, they meticulously followed all the 600+ rules of Mosaic Law, fasted twice a week, etc. yet they were far from holy. In fact, Jesus said they were like “whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.”.
In other words, one can fill his or her life with all sorts of devotions and religious activities, but if there’s un-forgiveness in their heart, hatred toward neighbor, and a lack of Christ-like mercy towards sinners, then all of those religious activities are in vain.
Archbishop Fulton J Sheen addressed some of these issues in the two brief talks below. They take a few seconds to start. Here they are:
http://www.americancatholictruthsociety.com/sheen/27Confirmation.mp3
http://www.americancatholictruthsociety.com/sheen/43TheLawofLove.mp3
In fact, some are so catholic that they have elected their own popes, simply look up “Pope Pius XIII” or the demonic “Palmarian Catholic Church”in Spain.
Conclavists (like the Palmarians) are really much more a European thing than an American one; and in any event, account for a tiny number of traditionalists, fewer than even sedevacantists. In short, it’s not much of a phenomenon in traditionalism.
Counting rosaries was a common phenomenon in the Church before the 60’s. I’m sure it was done with sound motives and not so sound motives. But the act itself is not deserving of opprobrium. If motives are the issue, discuss those instead.
I definitely understand the distinction. You were judging the persons. The label rosary counters is a judgment of the person – ridiculing their piety and presuming to know that such piety has not born fruit.
And yes I am judging the Pope for being judgmental.
As for being careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others, the Pope should take heed of that too. Ostentatious humility is not appealing.
Hmm..You are telling people not to judge, yet you judge the pope as being judgmental? Now we all know what that make you. But let’s be honest. The pope was simply voicing a valid concern regarding groups on both the right and the left. I would suggest you research what he really said in context, instead of relying on bloggers to tell you how to feel.. But let me ask you this. What is the real point of counting rosaries?
Where in my post did I say that one should not judge.
In fact, it is the Pope and you who keep parading yourselves as non-judgmental and in the next sentence berates the rosary counters. Utterly hypocritical.
What is the point of counting the rosaries? Nothing. All these people who were saying that they gathered so much support for the Rosary for the Pope that it amounted to so many.
It is the Pope who completely lost it.
If someone had told me that I have 250 people praying for me twice a day, I would have been incredibly humbled and grateful and I certainly would not have told them off.
Understand that it was Jesus who said “Judge not, lest ye be judged”. But you also need to understand the difference between judging a person and judging someone’s actions. Hate the sin not the sinner. You accuse the pope of judging the intentions of the rosary counters. He was just asking WHY COUNT THE ROSARIES? As for judging a person, there are those who seem to hate this pope and the hatred is reflected in their mockery and disdain. It is ultra-conservative groups, who label Pope Francis as “antipope”, “apostate” and “heretic.”
But you are not judging the action. There was nothing wrong with praying so many rosaries for someone. You and the Pope were judging the persons. The judgment came in the form of “you keep praying but you still live a such and such life. You just told me yourself of how you passed judgment on siblings who pray the rosary but don’t speak to each other. You basically said that their rosary is null and void because they don’t speak to each other.
Sorry Gabriel but you are one hypocrite and you keep defending your hypocrisy.
Give it up. The pope never judged the rosary counters, he simply questioned the idea of counting rosaries. As for the two siblings to go to daily mass and pray the daily rosary who don’t forgive one another, it was Jesus who warned said: “If you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions.” –Thus the point being that being very religious is pointless if it doesn’t translate into conversion of heart. That’s why Jesus said:
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Being religious without a conversion of heart leads to a big debt to pay in purgatory. That’s why Jesus warned:
“In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”
Yes, there is something seriously wrong with this Pope!
There is something horribly wrong with
a religion (Christendom) that mutilates the saving blood, the sacrifice on the cross, the resurrection from the dead of the Lord Jesus Christ and turns it into a perverse ,counterfeit sham!
He was presented with a spiritual bouquet and he peed on it and then went out of his way to mock those who gave him the gift.
He is a world-class jerk
You insult the Holy Father as a “world-class jerk”. Such insolence is condemned in Scripture. As for the pope’s comment on counting Rosaries, it was a good teaching lesson for those who are humble enough reflect what his point was. I would not continue to slander the pope if I were you.
That is not what IANS meant as the spokesman, IANS, has recently noted.
IANS spokesman, IANS says: JERK is an acronym meaning Jesuit Eeagerly Rreceiving the Koran so try not to be so quick to criticise what you can’t understand for The Pope’s sons and daughters are beyond our command and your papolatry is rapidly again so get out of the way if (something something something) for the times they are a changing.
Now, if IANS were you, your commentary would be much more fun to read.
“But why not just say the Rosary for them without telling them how many you are counting?”
Then why put birthday candles on the cake? It’s just a freak’in cake, let’s just be done with it.
The number shows devotion. The number shows determination!
The disciples prayed for NINE DAYS for the coming of the Holy Spirit. They didn’t give up! There is something seriously wrong with this Pope!
If someone told me they have been praying for me for 3 years (5 decades everyday/for 3 years = 1,095 rosaries), I would say: “I love you!” And not criticize them!
What a weird Pope with no thought process!
Regarding the counting of the Rosaries, he said it in this context:
“I share with you two concerns. One is the Pelagian current that there is in the Church at this moment. . . . There are some restorationist groups. I know some, it fell upon me to receive them in Buenos Aires. And one feels as if one goes back 60 years! Before the Council… The second [concern] is for a Gnostic current. Those Pantheisms… Both are elite currents, but this one is of a more educated elite… I heard of a superior general that prompted the sisters of her congregation to not pray in the morning, but to spiritually bathe in the cosmos, things like that… They concern me because they ignore the incarnation. And the Son of God became our flesh, the Word was made flesh, and in Latin America we have flesh abundantly; what happens to the poor, their pains, this is our flesh…”
You are in dire need of spiritual health! Even if the doctrine you espouse were correct, your slant on it would make it false.
Part of the problem is it seems that we no longer need conversion nor does our neighbor. We don’t sin, we only make “bad choices” and our neighbor doesn’t sin either and not only that supposedly since Vatican II, we are told that we have no need to convince people of other faiths that they might find the fullness of truth in the Catholic faith. That is why I like to listen to the youtube videos of Marino Restrepo and others that had lead sinful lives. They are cannot be Pharisees because they have been deep in sin themselves but they have zeal to bring others to the Gospel and conversion and yet are very demanding. Every time I hear one of these types of lectures I am at the same time convicted but encouraged. Too many modernists do not inspire and they certainly do not convict. It is like going to a Mass of people that are self satisfied , want to congratulate each other, and are so community focused that they cannot see the awesomeness of the Lord and His Utter Holiness. Church of Nice is a bore!
Actually, the Pharisee did get it right. He did observe the rules. That was not the problem. He did not go home at rights with God because :
1) He developed capolitis (my term , that is inflammation of the head)
2) He thought himself better than someone else.
3) He no longer saw himself as a sinner.
If he had simply thanked God for making him faithful to the law, it would have been a different story.
The lesson in that story is the same lesson that Our Lord tried to teach Israel until they killed Him. The Pharisee was a rotten sinful man and thought he wasn’t because of what he did. The
tax collector happened to know he was a sinner (as everyone is.)
Amen!
Gabriel, you are correct that there are heretics on the far right and far left. (And some of this is due to lousy catechesis over the past 45 years on the part of many but not all Cardinals, Bishops, & Priests.)
This is why it is so important for all literate Catholic laity to read Sacred Scripture (Catholic Bible) and the Doctrine of the Faith (Catechism of the Catholic Church, second edition). So that they may know the TRUTH.
On average, Catholics are not being taught fully.
If all Bishops and Priests were to REQUIRE all Seminaries to use both Sacred Scripture and the CCC as texts, and encourage all literate Catholics to read both Sacred Scripture and the CCC at home – there would be no need for a ‘Synod on the Family’. People would know and understand the “why” of their Faith.
This certainly does NOT exclude PRAYER and the SACRAMENTS and PENANCE which are significantly taught and strongly encouraged in the CCC.
HOSEA 4:6 ” My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;
because you have rejected knowledge,
I reject you from being a priest to me.
And since you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.”
It is the responsibility of individual Catholics to learn their faith. The Church has Bibles, catechisms, websites, books, videos, pamphlets, audio recordings, etc. If Catholics don’t know their faith it’s their own fault–thus the warning from Jesus that to those to whom much is given much much more will, be required (Luke 12:48). On top of that, Catholics have the fountains of sanctifying grace available in overflowing measures through the Sacraments. It’s not merely about knowing correct doctrine, it’s about a conversion of heart. The Pharisees knew doctrine, rules and Mosaic Law; but they were hypocrites because they saw their righteousness as something to be proud of, and their pride blinded them Here’s hoe Jesus described two men:
“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’“But
the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified
before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:12-14
Yes it is the responsibility of Catholics to know their Faith. Unfortunately many are not even taught this by some Diocese Bishops and some Parish Priests.
Many are not encouraged to read the Bible at home.
All catechisms are not equal, all are not complete, all are not accurate. Many are not encouraged to read the “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (CCC) at home.
Many Catholics do not even own a CCC or a Catholic Bible.
When was the last time you heard this from the pulpit ?
CCC: 2653 ” The Church forcefully and specially exhorts all the Christian faithful . . . to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ’ (Phil 3:8) by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. . . . Let them remember, however, that prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that a dialogue takes place between God and man. For we speak to him when we pray; we listen to him when we read the divine oracles. ”
For Quotes from Popes John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis regarding the ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’ – on the internet go to:
“What Catholics REALLY Believe SOURCE”
http://whatcatholicsreallybelieve.com/
(Note the CCC was promulgated as part of the Apostolic Constitution in 1997. In the USA it has a dark green cover. On the cover it also states:
“second edition” “revised in accordance with the official Latin text promulgated by Pope John Paul II”.
The copyright is held by the “Holy See”. )
Interestingly, it is exactly the main error (the one that stands out even to me) in ccc that they seem to have lined up for attack next – just war and more broadly, the difference between States’ obligations and individuals’.
Precisely! Jesus’ condemnation of Pharisees are for their hypocrisy and not for their fidelity.
Luke 18:9-14 explains:
“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
This being precisely point 3 in my other reply to you.
If the Pharisee had instead simply said: God I thank you for helping me keep your laws, it would have been different.
He was thanking God. The Pharisee in Luke 18-9-14 said: ” ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people”
Precisely. For “being not like other people”. If he had instead said I thank you for helping me to obey your laws and left it at that, I doubt that Jesus would found that hypocritical.
As I pointed out, he was too confident of his own righteousness and the unrighteousness of the publican.
I wonder, was the Pharisee a bit presumptuous? Was he a bit prideful? Was he self-righteous? Oh. He was just like everyone else. A sinner.
Gabriel,
The Pharisee that you write of is “thanking God” in an understanding of pure, self-indulgent, and malignant vanity, as he speaks of himself in contradistinction to whom he refers to as, “…other people”, incurring from an immanent understanding, disdain for the other. This is a perfectly inverted free will assent from the One Who Is Love, as it does not offer sacrificial love for the other, rather this assent of the will mocks the other. The Pharisee is lost on an island of self-loathing righteousness, at once willing the other’s misery as he only knows this for himself.
How can we know this? The Pharisee thanks God not for precisely whom “he is”, rather he “thanks” God for who he believes he “is not”. He therefore thanks God for “non-being” as it relates to himself, as he is perfectly lost in his self deprecating, malignant, self love. Do you thank someone you love for what they “haven’t” given you or do you thank them for the token of their love for you, that they indeed have given you? I pray you see the difference. How truly derogatory and spiteful, to tell someone that you claim to love, “thank you”, for something they indeed have not either given you nor done for you. What kind of message does that send? It implodes logically under its own weight as we don’t thank anyone, in truth, for what is known metaphysically as “non-being”, that which simply does not exist, as Almighty God has not Willed it into existence.
Human persons thank the ones they claim to love (as Christ Jesus commands of us to love the other as He Loves us) for those sacrificial offerings that they have received from them, whatever those offerings maybe but with certitude, we simply DO NOT thank anyone for what they have not done for us nor for what they have not given us. In caritas.
Good morning, Gabriel,
The object is spoken to in the first sentence of Holy Scripture that you cite, “own righteousness”. To secure one’s “own righteousness” is to, in an ipso facto understanding, divorce one’s self from the Righteousness that is Real, only that which is commanded of us by Almighty God. The Pharisees practiced self-righteousness which is an inversion of the Mosaic Law. In reality, no different from that inversion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that the diabolically disordered Modernist of today preaches and at once seethes while understanding the Truth of the Gospel. In caritas.
Cite
Thank you, Edward. The verb tense of the noun, citation, of course. It has now been edited. It is difficult for me to remain focused on spelling/proper use, of words, while typing the ideas as they are flowing.
That there are modernists in the Church is very true; but don’t be fooled into thinking that there aren’t any pharisees. Unfortunately they abound too..
This passage is frequently brought up to point out traditionalist Catholics who practice traditional devotions and attend Mass according to the 1962 Missal and label them as being more focused on religiosity than holiness, as though Catholics who simply want to show their love for God through adherence to the externals of their faith are in some way wrong. Inevitably I see posts throughout the internet where the new epithet “rad-trad” is used to condemn these superficial, rosary counting Catholics as pharisaical or Catholic fundamentalists (the new “f” word) or Westboro Catholics. Sometimes these statements are from priests. I see no difference in this behavior than in the proud Pharisee who stood there and said, “God I thank thee that I am not like these!” “God I thank thee that I am not like these rad-trad, Catholic fundamentalists who are white washed sepulchres with their rosary counting and announcing spiritual bouquets for people.” It’s disgusting that it has come to this. The real judgment here is the questioning of the good will of a group of people who simply want to love God and be faithful to His commandments.
From healthy asceticism to narcissistic “therapy”
Good evening, Brian,
Yes, it is clear that those baptized Catholics who find “solace” (in grand contradistinction from knowing the Peace of Christ Jesus) in the fully Protestant/Freemasonic Novus Ordo Missae (NOM) have indeed fallen into the Luciferian conundrum of that liturgical function which is overwhelmingly emotive from its immanence. In its best offering by a faithful priest, the NOM resembles the Tridentine Mass. In the NOM, the properly ordered intellective function of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, to be found immanently flowing from within the Tridentine Rite, is completely lost in the emotive distractions that were contrived by Anabale Bugnini, as a perfect double entendre’, a so called “Trojan Horse”, which would “evolve” (aka: degenerate) over time.
The Tridentine Mass appeals precisely to the intellect, as our Blessed Lord first offered It, with its Gregorian chant (pure melody), rich incense, beautiful visuals found in the precise ritual movements of the sacrificial priest, and of course the pinnacle of visual beauty once found in the architecture of the Catholic Church and all Her traditional sacramental fixtures and statuary, which we today lament, as we bear witness to the ongoing devolution occurring consequent to the Protestant take down of the most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, as the bloodless revisiting of Calvary, as Christ is being Crucified.
God, as pure Intellect and Will, freely gave the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to His miserable human creatures, as we are created in His Divine likeness and image, first to appeal to the intellect, with the sensate realities of that Holy Mass resting in the subordinate position to the intellective realities. Otherwise said, first we “know” the Holy Mass and then subordinately, we “sense” It, visually, audibly, and from an olfactory input.
The NOM is specifically human in its origin and as thus utterly inseparable from its purely ideological roots. The root of the NOM tree is evil as it is contrived by man, in his mind, one Anabale Bugnini, 2 other “Catholics”, and 6 Protestants. In that understanding, it is fully inorganic and it was fully imposed upon the Sensus Fidelium under the apostolic authority of Paul VI. The Mass of the Ages and Saints, the Tridentine Rite, is organic with its Apostolic movement over the centuries, originating from Jesus the Christ, Son of the Living God. NOM is the mass of the religion of man, whose “high priest” is now resting in the Chair of Saint Peter, as the Vicar of Christ, in this godless world, whose prince is Lucifer. All one has to do is taste and see the fruit of the NOM tree. It is indeed poison. In caritas.
well, it’s the rad-trads who seem to have nothing but disdain, bitterness and nastiness toward JPII and Pope Francis. I happen to love the Latin mass and attend it often and the Rosary is a powerful weapon against the forces of evil; but the reality remains that there are many “toxic trads” who have confused religiosity with holiness. The extreme traditionalist groups have even appointed their own popes. It’s crazy.
well, it’s the rad-trads who seem to have nothing but disdain, bitterness and nastiness toward JPII and Pope Francis.
Perhaps. But then the present Holy Father appears reluctant to take the back seat to anyone in conveying disdain, bitterness and nastiness:
“Fomenter of coprophagia!”
“Specialist of the Logos!”
“Rosary counter!”
“Functionary!”
“Self-absorbed, Promethean neo-Pelagian!”
“Restorationist!”
“Ideological Christians!”
“Pelagian!”
“Mr and Mrs Whiner!”
“Triumphalist!”
“Rigid Christians!”
“Modern gnostics!”
“Liquid Christian!”
“Superficial Christians!”
“Slaves of superficiality!”
“Museum mummy!”
“Renaissance prince!”
“Airport Bishop!”
“Leprous courtier!”
“Idealogue!”
“Long-faced, mournful funeral Christian!”
“Gnostic!”
“Careerist Bishop!”
“Sourpuss!”
“Authoritarian!”
“Elitist!”
“Querulous and disillusioned pessimist!”
“Sad Christian!”
“Pickled pepper-faced Christian!”
“Children! Afraid to dance! To cry! Afraid of everything!”
“Asker for certainty in all things!”
“Christians allergic to preaching!”
“Closed, sad, trapped Christian who is not a free Christian!”
“Pagan Christian!”
“Little monster!”
“Defeated Christian!”
“Creed-reciting, parrot Christian!”
“Watered-down faith, weak-hoped Christian!”
“Inquisitorial beater!”
“Seminarians who grit their teeth and wait to finish, follow rules and smile [who] reveal the hypocrisy of clericalism – one of the worst evils!”
“Abstract ideologue!”
“Fundamentalist!”
“Smarmy, idolator priest!”
“Worshiper of the god Narcissus!”
“Vain, butterfly-priest!”
“Priest-wheeler dealer!”
“Priest-tycoon!”
“Religious who have a heart as sour as vinegar!”
“Promoter of the poison of immanence!”
“Those closed in the formality of a prayer that is cold, stingy [who]
might end up as Michal, in the sterility of her formality.”
“Older people nostalgic for structures and customs which are no longer life-giving in today’s world!”
“Young people addicted to fashion!”
“Pastry-Shop Christians!”
“Luscious cakes, sweet dainties. Delectable, but not real Christians!”
“Existential tourist!”
Anesthetised Christian!
“Christian hypocrites only interested in their formalities!”
“They disguise themselves, they disguise themselves as good people: they make themselves up like little holy cards, looking up at heaven as they pray, making sure they are seen—they believe they are more righteous than others, they despise others!”
A more complete list, with all relevant links, here.
The funny thing is that Pope Francis is more a Pelagian than any Traditionalist. A Pelagian held, roughly, that man could be saved by his own efforts, without the need for God’s Grace. I see that as rather close to the human-centred Novus Ordo.
Paul wrote that true circumcision is that of the heart; but many err in thinking they have a part in a work that is completely and totally done by Christ and His crosswork/resurrection.
It all starts at the top…with the head Pharisee…
Thank you for this article.
” The New Pharisees of today downplay Catholic doctrine, minimize the importance of the Sacraments, ridicule traditional Catholic devotions, scoff at Catholic moral teachings, and diminish the uniqueness of the Catholic Church. ”
All Catholics need to read at home – Sacred Scripture, and the ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’ (second edition, promulgated as part of the Apostolic Constitution”, 1997, dark green cover in the USA, aka CCC) –
so they will know the Truth, and teach the Truth.
Hosea 4:6
” My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;
because you have rejected knowledge,
I reject you from being a priest to me.
And since you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.”
JESUS: “Woe to you lawyers! for you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.” Lk 11:52.
I actually said this exact same thing about Pharisees nearly a year ago I even tried to create a wikipedia page for laughs with this new version of Godwin ‘ s law but they deleted it. Lol
It is Christ, Himself, Who acts in the Holy Mass, from beginning to end! It is only in the TLM that Christ is permitted to act as He wishes and has prescribed through His Holy Bride (Catholic Church). Even, with a sinful priest, in the TLM, Christ has bound Himself t act…this is POWERFUL! Before, Vatican ll…teaching became less and less and God’s people began embracing the “American Dream” instead of Christ and the Cross Christ fashioned for them. Vatican ll is a result of…not the cause. The answer, and it is taking place quietly (the kingdom of God is NOT of this world) within the restoration of the TLM. The TLM teaches, sanctifies and obeys Holy Mother Church! We have come full circle. This time we need for the Mass to be taught. The NO Mass lacks much and is made up of largely “man made traditions”. Jesus is NOT bound to act accordingly. Because of Christ’s boundless Mercy, the words of Consecration is still saving souls in the NO. BUT…tragically the treasury of the Catholic Church is NOT opened up for the NO Mass. We MUST get back to worshipping, first and foremost as GOD REQUIRES! Once a soul is educated, even in the tiniest way, on the TLM…and upon receiving Christ with docility and humility, saints will be made! If the TLM and the scriptures/devotions throughout every day of the year are faithfully taught and at the same time the TLM is done as ORDERED, by the CHURCH, through all of history…Christ will be freed up to bestow the treasury of the Church on all humble/willing souls! I am full of sorrow when I survey all that is withheld in the NO, even the reverently said ones! .
I need to mention, thank Goodness, due to being corrected that the eastern liturgies are also faithful to God centered ancient liturgy! Please don’t make the mistake of thinking otherwise. Sorry for not mentioning such an important fact/understanding!
The most damaging to the Catholic faith and to one’s soul is the 50+ year man-made Novus Ordo “Mass”-the Pharisee’s of our age’s new ordering of man towards man and away from God. Their half-century tradition is an abomination and a sacrilege of the highest order.
I put the word Mass in parenthesis because if one has studied the history prior to its implementation, the reasons given for the changes in it, (and the new theology it teaches), the background of the goings-on before, during, and after Vatican II and those with the most influence, as well as read any of the numerous critiques of it by those such as Cardinal Ottavani and Beca and many others after it was implemented, as well as theologians and priests, there is no other conclusion than that it is not Catholic and is a theological and liturgical reflection of Modernism. Neither Crammer or Luther could ever have imagined the hierarchy in the Catholic Church would be those who ended up destroying the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass but that is, and has been, the reality for 50+ years.
Should be “approaches 1”.
I would suggest that the most obvious example of the New Pharisees has not been emphasized enough: they support divorce and remarriage in opposition to the teaching of Christ just as the old ones did in Matt 5 and 19. We are still awaiting the Pharisee-in-Chief’s pontification on this matter which is supposed to be in preparation now.
May his reign be short.
Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.
Can’t advocate what you don’t know let alone believe. The opium of ecumenism is useless dialogue which dulls the soul not to mention numbing the brain.
The Church’s job is to help us get to heaven by upholding and promulgating the teachings of Jesus and the doctrines of Catholic Church. Following Vatican II a new theology emerged that is counterproductive to the methods and intentions of Christ. It is high time Pope Francis and the Bishops got us back on the narrow road to heaven. Of course, the problem is that they just don’t believe any of it any more. Let us pray that in 2016 they will receive a wake-up call that will help restore their faith–and ours.
The Latin Mass is superior to the novus ordo in every way. In the modern “church” we get images of monkeys on the walls of St Peters Basilica.
*the probability…approaches ONE.*
It makes no sense without the “one.”
So obvious, now that you’ve stated it! Good article.
The main new Pharisees are the modernist clergy today, since they too wield religious power and lead people away from salvation. I think of the guy in a white zucchetto who says conversion is not necessary, and aided and abetted by cardinals like Koch and the C9. Yes, there are the laity versions thereof also, especially the papolators defending everything by Francis as if it is infallible Gospel. but of course the guilty would accuse the faithful of such since we are merciless old rigid neo-palagians and the Pharisees were rigid too. Every time that happens to me I think of it as a compliment.
Eric–I just wonder how we (the laity) are supposed to bring this off: convincing our Protestant Catholics to return to being Catholic Catholics. The Pope, most Bishops and most priests seem to like our easy going Protestant Catholic approach to religion. Can we just imagine what they would say and do to Christ if He were to come back for an inspection? If they could kill Him again they certainly would. We need divine intervention if any positive change for the better is to occur. Let us pray that it takes place soon.
“Godwin’s Law” is really unhelpful when you’re trying to fight the Unborn Holocaust. Everyone always says “now, now be an adult and don’t invoke the Nazis”. When I ask them how the Nazis mass murdering Jews was different than Secularists mass murdering unborn babies (if anything the latter is worse), they have absolutely nothing to say or they bring out the old “it’s just a lump of cells” thing, which of course require them to deny all logic and science.
The topic seems to have been Pharisees and the new Pharisaism which is fine except I was looking for a tie in to Godwin’s Law. If the object was to avoid any mention or comparison with Hitler, well he wasn’t mentioned.
And Godwin’s law is a justifiable reaction to those who see a Hitler comparison behind any activity they happen to oppose. This seeing everything in terms of Hitlerism and Nazism is definitely way overdone. HOWEVER, there are some legitimate references to the dangers Hitler and Nazism represent. I just saw and old TV video showing the history of Naziism i Germany and watched the Germans cheering Hitler when he had begun to restore Germany. They were suffused with patriotic fervor to see Germany reasserting itself. They waved flags and many wore the ridiculous Nazi insignia. They were on the road to destruction and they were blinded by their desire to see Germany a great power again. Then I see some Americans at some rally all screaming in unison over and over while waving flags “USA, USA, USA …..” and it sends shivers up my back, Or I notice all our Congressmen and women now wearing little American flag pins on their suits and dresses, something I never noticed those in Congress sporting even during the trials of WWII. I guess it wasn’t necessary then, they didn’t have to point out they we’re for America.
Yes the 40 yr tradition trumps the 2000 yr tradition because…this generation is the most enlightened EVAH.
Point of order, “… 2000 yr “T”radiation…”
You guys are just a bunch of evil Nazi’s.
It’s because…
I couldnt resist! Who am I to break the law of Godwin. Thanks Steve for this awsome blog!
😉
The writer describes the Pharisees of Jesus time on earth [bad] then the current “new” Pharisees [bad] and then touts or wants to create
another crowd that sounds like Pharisees on steroids.
P.S. The writer is described as “former Evangelical.” These can be strange birds in their thinking IMO.
Catholics are worse than the pharisees AND the sadducees from Christ’s day.
Catholics would’ve killed Christ, as they killed and tortured millions of God’s servants and saints.
Catholics hate the Word of God and disregard ALL of it that doesn’t support their pagan polytheistic idolatry. They are all liars.