The further implication of what we talked about last week regarding the diminishing of the Sacrifice is that the faithful in some parishes, in being given the "Body of Christ" at that part which is
normally Communion time, are made to respond "I am"", rather than "Amen."
Those priests, who advocate that this is merely unleavened bread and a
symbol of unity with Christ and with each other, stand in opposition to the
meek and humble Jesus by elbowing their way into a stance that is in direct
opposition to what the Church teaches and what the Church wants. The
faithful, being unaware of what is taking place, are put into the position
of simply making a spiritual communion, for without a valid consecration
this is all that is left. What of the unconsecrated host/s in the tabernacle?
How could this have happened and how is it that it had not been nipped in
the bud? I don't know, but I feel that it is part of the work of our
Lady's adversary in trying to fragment the Church by moving even some of
its leaders away from bending to authority and, by working through some
form of democratic process, strive to establish what would be looked upon
as the "American Catholic Church." It is an attempt to establish
independence from Rome, from the Vicar of Christ. Pride, now, as in the
garden of Eden, is bringing attention to the "self" within this "me"
generation in which we are living, and blinding those who have slipped out
of faith into the state of a hardened heart.
Out of fear and/or out of a sense of respect for the priesthood and for
their bishop, the faithful who are being deceived feel incapable of doing
anything. When those of courage come forward to correct the abuses, their
complaints are quickly brushed aside by such remarks as, "We have to follow
Vatican II." In short, almost nothing is being done. I can assure you,
despite the problems of Vatican II, Church doctrine and traditions have not
been changed; the Sacraments have not been changed. The Mass is still the
unbloody sacrifice of the re-enactment of Calvary. Yet, because the
faithful have been confused, thousands wander about aimlessly with a sense
of futility.
Satan's smoke screen is so insidiously camouflaged that even some of the
bishops are unaware of what is going on in some of their parishes. There
are bishops who, not being obedient to the Holy Father, cannot hope to
receive obedience from their own priests. The bishops, as chosen
shepherds, bear the responsibility before God.
There is a desperate need in our day for many to take the journey from
pride to humility, from being self-assertive to bending by way of a
liberating obedience. There needs to be a plunge in faith back to a life
of the Gospel, making one's way to the meek and humble Jesus. Then, and
only then, can He touch one's heart. Then, and only then, can one absorb
His words in Matthew 11:29, "Learn from Me for I am Meek and Humble of Heart."