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| St. John Fisher: Guardian against the "Three Wolves" |
Today, as we continue in ever greater lock downs, interdicts being imposed on the public celebration of Holy Mass, the surrender of the Sacred Rites to the State, the shuttering of churches, the near banishment of the Sacraments, the dissolution of the economic and social order by wayward politicians and public health officials, we should ask ourselves: what is the Catholic Church doing in the midst of this ruin? What are Her Pastors doing? Are they following the example of St. John Fisher or that of Thomas Cramner? To whom do they profess their loyalty to: God or Man?
From St. Thomas Aquinas' Commentary on the Gospel of St. John:
For the good shepherd, who loves his flock, lays down his life for it, i.e., he exposes himself to dangers that affect his bodily life. But the evil shepherd, because he has no love for the flock, flees when he sees the wolf.
Thus he says, he sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees. Here, the wolf is understood in three ways. First, for the devil as tempting: "What fellowship has a wolf with a lamb? No more has a sinner with a godly man" (Si 13:17).
Secondly, it stands for the heretic who destroys: "beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matt 7:15); "I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock" (Acts 20:29).
Thirdly, it stands for the raging tyrant: "Her princes in the midst of her are like wolves" (Ez 22:27).
Therefore, the good shepherd must guard the flock against these three wolves, so that when he sees the wolf, i.e., the devil tempting, the deceiving heretic and the raging tyrant, he can oppose him.
Against those who do not, we read, "You have not gone up into the breaches, or built up a wall for the house of Israel" (Ez 13:5). Accordingly, we read of the evil shepherd that he leaves the sheep and flees: "Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock" (Zech 11:17). As if to say: You are not a shepherd, but only appear to be one: "Even her hired soldiers in her midst are like fatted calves; yea, they have turned and fled together, they do not stand" (Jer 46:21).
5 comments:
All I can say is that I am praying every day for those who are denied the Sacraments and for those who are isolated, neglected, lonely, or abused. I can attend daily Mass and have a daily opportunity for confession because my pastor does not live in fear. No masks, etc. either. And--NO sickness either. All that shuttering of the churches is demonic! It is not about your physical health and certainly is meant to be against your spiritual health.
New levels of depravity from the diocese of Hamilton:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/diocese-backs-move-to-fly-gay-pride-flags-at-catholic-schools?utm_source=editor_picks&utm_campaign=standard
A post on Anonymous' content is available at Everyday for Life, Canada:
https://everydayforlifecanada.blogspot.com/2021/04/diocese-of-hamilton-supports-flying.html
One can always find a way to serve, church or not. Filling ones spiritual cup in the absence of church is a door opened by the lord. Check your anger and walk thru it.
Anonymous 16:43. Indeed the door has been opened by Our Lord. As I constantly write on this "God writes straight with crooked lines", and "He has used the virus to reveal the true state of the Church in the West", to expose the true nature of the vast majority of - particularly - prelates - but not only: they are joined by vast throngs of priests and laity who likewise do not see the absolute 'essentialness" of the public worship of God.
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