Abbey-Roads2

How deep the darkness.

St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises covers this topic in detailed steps, yet the subject remains something many people are always, always, easily deceived about.  St. Ignatius’ instruction for the Discernment of Spirits is not the first of its kind however, from the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel and ever since, the Christian has been advised and instructed to “test the spirits” as St. Paul says.  

“Deceiving even the elect - if that were possible.” - Matthew 24: 24 

Of course as our Lord promised, “nothing is hidden that will not come to light” (Luke 8: 17); therefore we can find consolation in knowing what is true will always remain, while no matter how convincing error seems to be presented, it will be confounded.  What is our assurance in this?  We need to cling to Holy Church as our Mother.  She is there to feed us, to train us, and to lead us to salvation.  We need to keep ourselves - to the best of our efforts - in the state of grace, by daily prayer, good reading, frequent confession, Mass and communion, and so on.  In addition, despite the mockery and derision one may receive for following Church teaching, we must be convinced that only in this can a soul be absolutely certain the Holy Spirit is guiding the soul.  This certitude is similar to the absolute certainty one’s sins are forgiven in the sacrament of penance.  One can always hope ones sins are forgiven outside of the sacrament, but only the certitude that they have been fully remitted is given in the actual reception of the sacrament.

“If someone preaches another gospel, be he an angel of light…” - Galatians 1:8

Father Zuhlsdorf  posted on the recent non-denominational ordination of a woman who, along with at least 31 others, have deliberately misrepresented themselves as Roman Catholic priests.  (Read his post - his commentary reveals how farcical the entire matter is.)  Although it would appear their deception is clear and deliberate, the press and other dissident catholics have embraced these women as participants, if not leaders, in their agenda to undermine the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church regarding faith and morals.

Peace and justice - not. 

Obviously there is nothing subtle or hidden as to the agenda of the so-called woman priest movement, however, when one investigates the organizations and movements these women are associated with, or at least supported by, one can be fairly certain these dissident groups are not guided by a good spirit.  Therefore, one may be inclined to laugh at and deride these deluded women who pretend to be priests;  But more importantly, people need to realize they are in fact connected to, supported by, or at least tolerated by so-called “mainstream” Catholic individuals and groups - who like to insist they are ”faithful dissenters”.

Living for dissent.

The photo I used is of the most recent priest-claimant; Janice Sevre-Duszynska, whom Fr. Z featured on his blog.  Her MO sounds familiar, if one did not know her name, one might guess she had been a sister of St. Joseph, or a member of one of the Minneapolis based peace and justice-gay rights groups or parishes.  Such people seem to live for dissent and self-promotion.

“How delightful is the holy light of faith, by which we know, with unequalled certitude, not only the history of the beginning of creatures, and their true use, but even that of the eternal birth of the great and sovereign divine Word, for whom and by whom all has been made.” - St. Francis de Sales 

I know!!!

I’ll be offline for awhile… perhaps just the morning, or the whole day, then again, maybe two days - I dunno.

St. Ignatius on humility.

“The first kind of humility is this:  This is the kind that is necessary for my eternal salvation, and consists in subjecting and humbling myself so that I can obey the law of God…”

Ignatius briefly explains this as being a determination to avoid mortal sin - to keep the commandments of God, and by extension, the Church. This is critical, because the foundation of humility rests upon this fundamental support.  We cannot live in sin and be humble, because sin is rebellion against God.  Even if we try to say we have no sin, as many do today, it is a false humility.  Societal examples can be seen in those who have accommodated their conscience to living in certain sinful conditions.  For instance; divorced and remarried persons who approach Communion, contracepting couples, sexually active homosexuals, and so on.

“The second kind of humility: The second is more perfect than the first.  I have it if I find myself at a point where I do not desire, nor even prefer, to be rich rather than poor, to seek fame rather than disgrace…provided it is the same for the service of God and the good of my soul…”

Ignatius continues his instruction with the attitude the soul must have of avoiding even deliberate venial sin, no matter the cost, even one’s life.  Most ordinary folks cannot get through a day without venial sin, at least involuntary venial sin.  I know I commit venial sin each day - I understand that during my daily examen - midday and at night.

Sometimes I think many of us can take venial sin for granted.  We know it is easily forgiven, and we are not obligated to confess venial sins.  That is a dangerous attitude however, since habitual venial sins weaken the soul and may incline one to commit mortal sin.  A lax attitude towards venial sin is a serious failure in our love for God, whom every sin offends.  Deliberate venial sins and imperfection are often the cause of acedia or sloth in the spiritual life, leading to persistent lukewarmness and indifference.

“The third kind of humility: This is the more perfect humility.  It is present when - given the first and second kinds are included, and supposing equal praise and glory of the divine majesty - in order to imitate Christ our Lord and to be actually more like him, I want to choose poverty with Christ poor rather than wealth, ignominy with Christ rather than fame, and I desire more to be thought a fool and an idiot for Christ, who first was considered such, rather than to be thought wise and prudent in this world.”

I have no comment on this last degree of humility.

July 31 is the feast of St. Ignatius Loyola.