Reading deeply into the Bishop of Rome's speech yesterday together with Barona, it became clear, that we are being set up for something. Yesterday, he returned to consistent themes of name-calling and setting up those who believe in Catholic doctrine and truth and ritual as Pelagians. Louie Verrecchio has written with clarity and gets right to the heart of the matter in his post, Francis reveals content of upcoming Apostolic Exhortation.
Never before in our lifetime and maybe not in history have we seen a pope create an environment of havoc, distress and confusion such as we have now.
If we consider for a moment some of the words of the great hymn to the Holy Spirit, Veni Creator Spiritus or the Sequence Veni, Sancte Spiritus, we see what the Holy Spirit brings. coolness in heat, warmth in chill, solace in grief, sweet relief. He is "sweet unction and true love" a "living spring." The Holy Spirit brings wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.
Nowhere does He bring strife, confusion, distress or heresy. He cannot at the same time do one and the other - He cannot oppose the Law of Noncontradiction. Just as Our Lord said, that "Satan cannot cast out Satan" the Holy Spirit cannot contradict, the Holy Spirit.
Today, at his audience, the Bishop of Rome said this:
![Pope Francis - AFP]()
Never before in our lifetime and maybe not in history have we seen a pope create an environment of havoc, distress and confusion such as we have now.
If we consider for a moment some of the words of the great hymn to the Holy Spirit, Veni Creator Spiritus or the Sequence Veni, Sancte Spiritus, we see what the Holy Spirit brings. coolness in heat, warmth in chill, solace in grief, sweet relief. He is "sweet unction and true love" a "living spring." The Holy Spirit brings wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety and fear of the Lord.
Nowhere does He bring strife, confusion, distress or heresy. He cannot at the same time do one and the other - He cannot oppose the Law of Noncontradiction. Just as Our Lord said, that "Satan cannot cast out Satan" the Holy Spirit cannot contradict, the Holy Spirit.
Today, at his audience, the Bishop of Rome said this:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the family, today we consider the importance of togetherness. Sitting at table for the family dinner, sharing our meal and the experiences of our day, is a fundamental image of togetherness and solidarity. Because Jesus gave us the Eucharist as a meal, there is a close relationship between families and the Mass. The togetherness we experience in our families is meant, in the family of the Church, to extend to all as a sign of God’s universal love. In this way the Eucharist becomes a school of inclusion, in which we learn to be attentive to the needs of everyone. Sadly, the family meal, this great symbol of togetherness, is disappearing in some societies. Food itself, the very sign of our sharing with other, is wantonly wasted in some places, while our brothers and sisters go hungry in others. The Eucharist reminds us that our bread is meant to be shared with all. May our families, and the entire Church, be signs of togetherness and solidarity for the good of the whole human family, especially during the coming Jubilee of Mercy.
It is there for all to see. Something is coming on the matter of reception of Holy Communion.
Yet, to now; he has done nothing. He has changed no doctrine. He has changed no practice, though he is telling us something. He is telling us what he wants to do. Whether he does it or not remains to be seen.
There is no sense getting too worked up about "what if" unless and until it becomes reality. Keep your cool. Pray and take courage.
Remember, Our Blessed Lord said that the "Gates of Hell will not prevail." He did not say that Hell will not attack the Church in an all out effort to destroy Her.
If the worst comes, there will be true Shepherds who will emerge and speak with clarity.