"But the Greatest of These is Charity"

Charity seems to be in short supply these days inside the Church. I stumbled upon the blog of a professor at an orthodox Catholic college whose statements about those who defend sacred tradition shocked me. He targeted specific people, called the SSPX a "cult" all of whose members and lay faithful are excommunicated and in schism. And then he went on by condemning to hell all those who question the magisterium. All I can say is I'm glad He's not God although he seems to be usurping God's role as King and judge.

Frankly I was appalled. I've seen some of his work in the past and never would have guessed he could sink to the level of name calling, rash judgment, and lack of charity exhibited in his rants against the SSPX and other "Trads." 

The devil is surely at work when he gets the members of the family at each other's throats. Because we are all members of the family of God, particularly the Catholic flock. I would not treat a Protestant, an atheist, or a pagan the way this man let loose on those who just want to practice the faith the way the Church did for over 1500 years!

But I'll return to and focus on the issue of charity. In the four years I've been going to the SSPX chapel, I have never heard the priests attack anyone personally or even collectively as a group. Yes, they criticize some of the actions taking place in the Church and some of the documents being released that contradict doctrine. What serious Catholic wouldn't be upset at some of the things going on under the banner of synodality? 

We are called to judge the fruits of others by Christ Himself. That's why we have a "seat of judgment." But we need to exercise our judgments with charity. 

Our SSPX priests continually urge us to practice charity toward those in the community who oppose our presence sometimes with anger and hostility. Fr. Carlisle, our former pastor, chided and warned us at one point after someone left SSPX literature at a local parish. He told us not to recruit. If anyone asked about the chapel answer their questions kindly, but leave everything to God's providence. My approach is the same one used by the apostles, "Come and see."

Our priests speak continually about God's Providence -- think about it. All that's happening right this minute is according to God's Providence, even the attacks on those who simply want to keep the faith. What exactly is Divine Providence? Here's how Catholic Answers describes it:

Providence in general, or foresight, is a function of the virtue of prudence, and may be defined as the practical reason, adapting means to an end. As applied to God, Providence is God Himself considered in that act by which in His wisdom He so orders all events within the universe that the end for which it was created may be realized. That end is that all creatures should manifest the glory of God, and in particular that man should glorify Him, recognizing in nature the work of His hand, serving Him in obedience and love, and thereby attaining to the full development of his nature and to eternal happiness in God. The universe is a system of real beings created by God and directed by Him to this supreme end, the concurrence of God being necessary for all natural operations, whether of things animate or inanimate, and still more so for operations of the supernatural order. God preserves the universe in being; He acts in and with every creature in each and all its activities. In spite of sin, which is due to the willful perversion of human liberty, acting with the concurrence, but contrary to the purpose and intention of God and in spite of evil which is the consequence of sin, He directs all, even evil and sin itself, to the final end for which the universe was created. 

One of the saddest things about the crisis in the Church is the continual backbiting, sniping, and condemnation -- Catholics against Catholics. And what Catholics? Those who accept the doctrines of the Church and love her attacking others who are, in reality, friends and allies. 

How can this professor say "Trads" are evil? He has written critically about many of the same issues that concern us. In view of his recent actions, would I want him teaching my grandchildren? No -- they don't more examples of rage and vitriol. There are enough of those in our modern culture, more than enough! Perhaps he's never heard of the adage that you catch more flies with a teaspoon of honey than with a barrel of vinegar. Love attracts; it doesn't attack. 

Let us all pray to be more loving toward one another. Charity, as I said at the beginning is sorely lacking in the Church today. I for one, want to practice it at all times. May God give me the grace to do it through the intercession of my mother Mary.