Mark Mallett: Manipulator?

Several days ago Mark Mallett, who claims to receive special revelations from Heaven, asserted that those who are concerned about Pope Francis and his words and actions or who ask difficult questions are motivated by a demonic spirit of suspicion.  See here.

Mr. Mallett was so upset that some Catholics have concerns that he made the claim that if Francis were an anti-Pope, it would mean the Gates of Hell had prevailed against the Church.  I refuted that asinine claim by noting that the Church has had more than 30 anti-popes.

Now Mr. Mallett has written: "Tonight, the words came to me.... "Even if an anti-pope were to someday take the seat of Peter, I would not fear or be anxious, because my Lord is still building the house."

(And Francis is not.)"

Recognizing that his first attempt at manipulation failed, now Mr. Mallett is saying that even if Francis were an anti-pope, it would not be a matter for concern.  Wait a minute, I thought it meant the Gates of Hell had prevailed?

These voices Mr. Mallett is hearing, are they from Heaven or are they merely the result of an active imagination and a super-sized ego?

When cornered, claim to hear voices which indicate you are right.

How convenient!

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree: Homage to Obama but not Jesus

CNS News reports that "The 63-foot Sierra White Fir lighted at the U.S. Capitol Grounds on Dec. 6 as the official 2011 Capitol Christmas Tree includes a prominently displayed ornament paying homage to President Barack Obama, but includes no ornament readily visible to a person standing near the tree's base that uses the word “Christmas,” or includes an image of the Nativity, or bears the name or image of Jesus Christ. (See here).

I am reminded of what Pope Benedict XVI had to say at the General Audience of December 20, 2006: "The Advent liturgy also exhorts us to be sober and watchful in order not to let ourselves be burdened by sin and excessively worldly concerns. Indeed, it is by watching and praying that we will be able to recognize and accept the splendour of Christ's birth. St. Maximus of Turin, a Bishop of the fourth and fifth centuries, said in one of his homilies: "The time warns us that the Birth of Christ the Lord is at hand. The world with its own apprehensions speaks of something imminent that will renew it, and desires with impatient expectation that the splendour of a brighter sun may illumine its darkness.... This expectation of creation also persuades us to wait for Christ, the new Sun, to rise" (cf. Hom. 61a, 1-3). Creation itself, therefore, leads us to discover and recognize the One who must come.


But the question is: is the humanity of our time still waiting for a Saviour? One has the feeling that many consider God as foreign to their own interests. Apparently, they do not need him. They live as though he did not exist and, worse still, as though he were an "obstacle" to remove in order to fulfil themselves.."

Is this our attitude?  Do we consider Jesus as an obstacle to our own interests?  Do we pay lip service to Jesus while living as if we don't need Him?  Father James Sullivan writes, "How I should love Your Name, my Jesus!  And what personal love and devotion I should feel for You!  Yet I am cold.  Your presence in the Eucharist doesn't move me; Your reflection in others I overlook.  I pass so much of the day without any recollection of Your presence, Your nearness or Your goodness all around me.  And I act on natural likes and dislikes when every affection of my heart should be loyally and lovingly dedicated to the King Who is my Saviour." (My Meditation on the Gospel, p. 28).

This Advent Season, are we waiting for Christ, the new Sun, to rise in our hearts?  Or are we constrained by ego and selfish desires?