Line In The Sand

It is pretty basic.

It is in my mind anyway.

This revival of paganism, some call it modernism and humanism, is not of human origin. Nor is it something that came winging in out of the sky without warning.

Pope Pius X [1903-1914] warned extensively about modernism. In fact, in "Sacrorum Antistitum", given by His Holiness St. Pius X on September 1, 1910, all clergy, pastors, confessors, preachers, religious superiors, and professors in philosophical-theological seminaries were sworn to uphold, defend, and promulgate the historic Catholic faith in the face of this growing modernism.

A rose by any other name is still a rose. Paganism by any other name is still paganism. The roots of this revival in paganism are found in antiquity. Its roots are in the Garden where the First Couple fell from grace as a result of Satan’s beguiling influence.

He has been running with that victory ever since.

Satan tried to kill the Infant Son of God. [Matthew 2:13-18] He attempted to distract the Adult Son of God from his salvific mission of mercy. [Matthew 4:1-11] Satan thought he had won when he entered into Judas and used him to betray Jesus. [Luke 22:3-5]

Who are we to think that we are above his antics? We are not.

Jesus warns us of a day when false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. [Matthew 24:24]

I don’t know so much about “signs and wonders” at this point in time but it is obvious that many have traded the historic faith for modern interpretations of it that are far removed from the historic example lived by the Saints over the ages. The great tragedy is the number of Catholic people … from leaders down to laity … that have bought into the schemes of modern humanism and seek to promulgate these schemes in the environment of the Church.

Man’s efforts to “normalize” sin is part of what Pope Pius X was trying to prepare the Church to avoid.

I say to our Church leaders … “Tell me what sin is! Talk about the consequences of sin! Don’t sugar coat that which has the potential of taking me to hell for eternity! Call me to repentance, confession, and absolution in the hospital room of the Confessional! Lead me, by your example, into a life of prayerful penance where I can, as much as humanly possible, make reparation this side of the flames of Purgatory!”

Is this asking too much? I dare to think that it is not.

All of us would do well to revisit the Apocalypse and refamiliarize ourselves with the Seven Churches of Asia Minor. [Revelation Chapters 2 and 3] The Glorified Christ had some harsh warnings for most of the seven. One of the primary faults that he found with them was their willingness to allow the world and the ways of the world to infiltrate their ranks and supplant the deposit of faith entrusted to them.

The words conservative, traditional, and old-school … applied to faith and morals as defined by Sacred Scripture, Apostolic Tradition, and the Magisterium of the Catholic Church … more and more describe where I stand. I can consciously do no other. For this position I can make no apology.

The Old Deluder will not cease his tempting and deceiving until the day he is finally consigned to the eternal fire. Until then, we are behooved to keep in mind that

“We are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities,

against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness,

against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”

[Ephesians 6:12]

We cannot afford to run willy-nilly. We have to face the battle head on and do what we are told to do.

What are we told to do?

“Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” [Ephesians 6:13-18]

We cannot afford to give mere eye or lip service to the directives contained in these verses.

We must own and implement what is contained herein, knowing full well that “the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle to the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” [2 Corinthians 10:4-5]

Failure to own and implement these directives is nothing more than an act of submission to the one that seeks to enslave and destroy us. Failure to own and implement these directives is to commit spiritual suicide.

We dress in the armor we have been given.

We use the spiritual weapons that have been given to us.

We also invoke the assistance of the heavenly host.

St. Michael the Archangel,

defend us in battle.

Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.

May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,

and do thou,

O Prince of the heavenly hosts,

by the power of God,

thrust into hell Satan,

and all the evil spirits,

who prowl about the world

seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.