Pope Leo XIII exhorted Catholics to defend their faith amidst the pluralism of conflicting modern opinions. In his Encyclical Letter Sapientiae Christianae, our beloved Holy Father of happy memory cited the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas that all believers should defend the faith when it is endangered (S.t., 2-2, q.3, a.2, ad 2) and added:
"To recoil before an enemy, or to keep silence when from all sides such clamors are raised against truth, is the part of a man either devoid of character or who entertains doubt as to the truth of what he professes to believe. In both cases such mode of behaving is base and is insulting to God, and both are incompatible with the salvation of mankind." (Leo XIII, Sapientiae Christianae, AAS 22 (1889-90) 390, PE, 111.14).
Canon Law makes it very clear that the laity always share in the responsibility of spreading the Gospel by virtue of their Christian initiation and sometimes share in the clergy's apostolic responsibility because they are called on to do so:
"In virtue of their baptism and confirmation lay members of the Christian faithful are witnesses to the Gospel message by word and by example of a Christian life; they can also be called upon to cooperate with the Bishop and presbyters in the exercise of the ministry of the word." (CIC, c. 759).
As the darkness of apostasy spreads throughout our sin-soaked society and the light becomes more and more difficult to see, it is critical for all authentic Catholics, all those who really believe what they profess and don't just pay lip service to the Gospel, to be salt and light. Jesus has commanded us, "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
Shall we respond in the affirmative to the call of the Lord Jesus? Shall we rise and be on our way to do battle with the forces of Antichrist?
Let's say yes to Jesus. And with the assistance of Our Lady, and placing ourselves under her mantle, we will win the world for Christ.
Powerful post! We have to witness to our broken society. We can't be content with remaining silent as many of our priests do when faced with so many challenges to the Gospel. Just because some of them are "mute dogs" (as Our Blessed Mother has said) this doesn't mean we have to cower before the world and those who oppose the Church and her teaching.
ReplyDeleteI keep thinking of what Jesus said in regard to the Pharisees: Do as they say, not as they do.
We can't wait for these tepid clerics to call us to prayer, penance and evangelization. We are being called by Our Blessed Mother.
I second your call Paul. Now is the time to enter the battle and to evangelize a world gone astray with our witness and our example.
Michelle, our marian prayer group is really getting involved. You can't wait for most priests here in Central Mass. They are not very supportive generally speaking. Let's pray that too will change. Maybe then instead of closing parishes we could start building some.
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