There there,
Catholic people of the Church of Nice. Relax. Enjoy Christmas. Reconciliation? No
worries. Eat, drink and be merry, because the Association of Catholic Priests tells
us the ‘challenging’ message of John the Baptist is that Jesus did not
come to judge.
Such is the
nonsense quoted in our parish newsletter on the 2nd Sunday of
Advent. The message of the readings is two-fold and we ignore the real
challenge of John the Baptist at our peril. We must have confidence and trust in
God, yes, but John calls us to repentance
for the forgiveness of sins – because Jesus will meet us one day as our
judge.
John 5:26, 27:
(among others): The Father … has given
him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of Man.
St Peter (2
Pet 3: 11) reminds us that God is patient. He doesn’t wish that any should perish, but that all should reach
repentance. In the Church of Nice however, the word ‘repentance’ has become
archaic. It seems we have nothing to repent.
So sit back,
people. You’re not rapists or murderers. You’re okay! But wait a minute. St
Peter adds that we be diligent that you
may be found before him unspotted and blameless. Which surely means we need
the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Big time. Frequently, and specially in Advent.
I’m so over those soothing sounds from the pulpit and Catholic media. No wonder our churches have emptied
– we’re given absolutely no reason to go there (oh sorry, we do hear that it’s
nice to say thank you to God sometimes).
Does anyone
in the Association of Catholic Priests ever read the saints, all without
exception canonised by the Church for their uncompromising response to the
challenge of John the Baptist? For example, St Francis Xavier, who says:
Ah, how many souls lose Heaven and
are cast into Hell!
And St John
Chrysostom, Father and Doctor of the Church:
I do not speak rashly, but as I feel
and think. I do not think that many priests are saved, but that those who
perish are far more numerous.
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