Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort that occurs when a person holds two or more contradictory beliefs, values, or attitudes, or when their behavior conflicts with their beliefs. This discomfort motivates people to change their beliefs, justify their actions, or avoid new information to reduce the inconsistency.
Think about that. What happens when the actions of our pope and bishops show diametrically opposed philosophies. How do you reconcile two mutually exclusive propositions? You can't! Jesus called Himself "The way, the truth and the life." Embracing truth means one has to choose. Which of two things is true, or are both untrue and is the truth elsewhere altogether.
I thought about all this while reading the latest post by Fr. Gordon MacRae who writes at Beyond These Stone Walls:
Latin Mass and Altar Rails Are Under Siege in North Carolina
Father points out a number of contradictory things going on in what, more and more appears to be, the Church of anything goes...except for what the Church taught for millennia. Sacred Tradition is so so old fashioned and out of touch with the modern world.
As I write this, I just saw a bluebird couple exploring our bluebird box. They are no doubt househunting and hopefully will move in and happily raise a brood of little bluebird chicks. I can't help but rejoice and believe the timing is God's reminder to me that all will be well. Both the little birds are in the box right now. What a delight! And isn't that a reminder that no matter how bleak things look, we must never be discouraged or worry. "God's in his heaven, All's right with the world." Browning was on to something. Nothing can overcome the Providence of God. So the question is, "What does he want from us as His disciples?"
The answer is pretty simple. KEEP THE FAITH! What does that mean when we are faced with all the antics of modernist clerics filled with hubris who try to convince us that square pegs fit into round holes. If we stay close to the Lord and study the faith, we can snap our fingers at their silly and destructive words and actions, study a real catechism and the documents of the Fathers and past faithful popes, and maintain our peace of soul.
Fr. MacRae sums it up well, but please read his full article:
In light of this it comes as no surprise that progressive bishops are pushing for divisive restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass and other traditional expressions of the faith, such as kneeling and altar rails. These efforts should come as no surprise to faithful Catholics. Embracing and promoting fidelity with respect for tradition has never been more urgent. Faithful Catholics must never accede to the desired end that progressives seek. Handing the Church over to that agenda would leave “Satan at the Last Supper” while Jesus is removed from the room.
So this Lent, I will study the Catechism of the Council of Trent and Bishop Schneider's Credo: Compendium of the Catholic Faith. But, above all, I will place my trust in Jesus and Mary and refuse to be discouraged by any bad news coming out of Rome. The holy city may be in bad hands at present, not for the first time by any means. But God will protect the true faith which we, the flock, need to preserve.
The wise priest who witnessed our marriage said the laity always bring the Church back on track. Fulton Sheen said the same thing. We have a duty to keep the faith and pass it on to our children intact no matter what. When I was fighting with bad things going on at my sons' Catholic high school I told them, "Just because someone is wearing a roman collar, it doesn't mean he's telling the truth." We must discern the spirits and be as "wise as serpents and as gentle as doves." That will be my motto this Lent. Let us all know the truth, love the truth, and speak the truth. That's what following Jesus is all about.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Our Lady of Lourdes, on this feast of your proclaiming your Immaculate Conception, pray for us
No comments:
Post a Comment