Author Topic: Found Wanting (Read 22504 times)

JPaul · « **Reply #20 on:** May 12, 2015, 01:12:03 PM »

Matthew raises some good points here, and his description of said priest is substantially accurate, and I would agree with him.
But said priest's indiscretions as well as his zeal are, and have been focused on and mostly limited to the SSPX universe. They are relevant in that context, but not universally applicable to the whole Church.

If Bishop Fellay had not been Krahmerized and gone off the reservation, said priest would still be happily plowing the Asian fields as an onboard member of the SSPX. The Society would have kept on functioning as before, serving as a gatekeeper, in a sustained holding action for the foreseeable future, as it had for decades.
Placed within this context, this resistance so called exists mainly within that universe, and the SSPX and its spinoff, the resistance are engaged in what is a local conflagration. They are battling each other and not the revolutionary rulers of the greater Church.

Said priest, and priests, had a great opportunity to create a true counter revolutionary movement and move into the greater crisis and leave local concerns for the concerns of the whole Church. They were not interested, as it seems that they believe that fighting changes in the SSPX is the same as fighting the greater revolution of the Church. It is not

The SSPX is a victim of apostate Rome, this priest and his resistance are victims of the SSPX......and the monster remains unscathed.

Matthew · « **Reply #21 on:** May 12, 2015, 01:13:22 PM »

Quote from: wallflower

Being steady in our daily duties is heroic, especially today.

If we can't even do many small acts perfectly, and I assume it's a struggle for most of us, how can we imagine we will be victorious in one big act? If we can't withstand fatigue, pain, want, or discomfort in small ways now, how can we imagine we will withstand death? Actual death. Not the painless, glorious, slightly prideful, slightly biased and unrealistic death in one's imagination as a martyr, but to actually be murdered.

When Bp Williamson speaks of potential martyrdom, that translates in my mind as a call to continue striving for sanctification in our daily duties until the day if/when God decides otherwise.

Another thought for you --

Martyrdom? None of us has been "tested" yet, +W included.

However, it CAN be said that if you don't have the guts to oppose the Jews (for example) when you're NOT directly threatened with torture or death, how can one expect to be a martyr when you ARE threatened with death?

Martyr is the Greek work for WITNESS.

+W has faithfully and fearlessly witnessed to the truth when his life was not at stake. So far, so good. But how many can't even manage THIS MUCH?

One certainly can't do the greater if he can't do the lesser. +Williamson can do the lesser. Therefore he MIGHT be able to do the greater. How about those who cower in the face of the Jews' power and influence? They WILL NOT be able to do the greater.

They have already cried "uncle" and burnt the grain of incense to Baal, when only a minor inconvenience was threatened (losing one's comfy SSPX parish position, having to start a new independent chapel, etc.)

Think about it.

Matthew · « **Reply #22 on:** May 12, 2015, 01:18:13 PM »

Remember in the movie Braveheart? A very poignant line was when Longshanks is talking to one of his advisers, at the battle of Falkirk:

"Mornay?"
"I gave him ... ... ..."
And Lochlan?
"He turned... for much less."

I just remember thinking SO lowly of Lochlan as I heard that. Basically the man sold his birthright for a mess of pottage, more or less. He came across as very weak. You could also tell that Longshanks had disdain for him as well -- he had no respect for a man so weak.

Well, that's the situation of those who have already "given in" when the persecutions proper haven't even started yet!

If you can't suffer the inconvenience of being a Resistance priest (for example), how will you EVER suffer being burned alive, crucified, or otherwise tortured for Christ?

Matthew · « **Reply #23 on:** May 12, 2015, 01:24:00 PM »

Maybe God wants to burn off some of the dross (the bureaucracy of the SSPX) and "free" the remaining zealous, apostolic priests to do more good in the world at large.

I certainly see this spirit in some Resistance priests.

JPaul · « **Reply #24 on:** May 12, 2015, 01:41:02 PM »

Wallflower,

Quote

Being steady in our daily duties is heroic, especially today.

I do not disagree with this at all, but one must remember, they are our duty before God. They must be done, and although it is more difficult to carry out in these times executing them is a matter of fidelity and honor.

The hero is the man who fulfill these obligations as best he can, and yet rises and sacrifices to do even more for the love and glory of God.

This is the legacy that our Catholic ancestors have left us and the measure by which we should judge our successes and failures. We can be no less than they were, who were our Saints and Martyrs. That is our duty as Christ's Faithful.