Tuesday, June 12, 2007

A peace that is ever at war.....

I have said it so many times before, but I'll say it again: In our saccharin society, there are very many individuals (and sadly many Catholics among them) who accuse those of us who defend the Magisterial teaching of the Church as being "negative" or of engaging in negativity. But this childish attitude, which is the result of a sham spirituality, is not the Catholic attitude.

It was Pope John XXIII, beloved Pontiff of happy memory, a true man of peace, who said that:

"...as long as we are journeying in exile over this earth, our peace and happiness will be imperfect. For such peace is not completely untroubled and serene; it is active, not calm and motionless. In short, this is a peace that is ever at war. It wars with every sort of error, including that which falsely wears the face of truth; it struggles against the enticements of vice, against those enemies of the soul, of whatever description, who can weaken, blemish, or destroy our innocence or Catholic faith. This peace combats hatred, fraud, and discord, which can impair and cripple our faith." (Encyclical Letter Ad Petri Cathedram, No. 93).

Was this great Pontiff being "negative" when he insisted that an authentic peace is "ever at war" with every sort of error, including "that which falsely wears the face of truth"?

I would suggest a prayerful read of this Encyclical Letter, especially Nos. 11, 15, 93, 95, 130, 131.

Mature Catholics will find the Encyclical edifying. Immature Catholics infected by the zeitgeist will find it challenging and perhaps even impossible to digest. But then, solid food is for adults and milk is for children.

Paul.

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