Let's say we lived in a city -- let's call it "New Jerusalem." It's a beautiful city which has been built up over 2000 years. We love our city and are devoted to it to the point that we would sacrifice our lives for it.
But at this particular point of history, the city is besieged on all sides. It has suffered other sieges over the course of its long history, but this is perhaps the most dangerous situation yet. Enemies attack it relentlessly from without. Even worse, it is known that there are numerous traitors who are undermining it from within. The city has suffered devastating casualties with the loss of tens of thousands of officers and millions of citizens.
Do we serve our city by ignoring the problems? Is it true loyalty to pretend that nothing is wrong? Will we save our city from destruction by happy talk divorced from reality?
Let's say that the citizens of the city believe that God has promised that the city will never be entirely destroyed. Do we fail for that reason to combat the enemies, both external and internal. Do we have any less obligation to fight to the death? Or is God's promise perhaps contingent on OUR faithfulness?
The citizens of "New Jerusalem" may delight in their city, but they are called to be "militant," and they fail in their duty if they shirk the necessary tasks when times are at their bleakest.
But at this particular point of history, the city is besieged on all sides. It has suffered other sieges over the course of its long history, but this is perhaps the most dangerous situation yet.
<> Which generation hasn't said that?<>
Enemies attack it relentlessly from without.
<> Nothing new under the sun<>
Even worse, it is known that there are numerous traitors who are undermining it from within.
<> There have always been both wheat and tares<>
The city has suffered devastating casualties with the loss of tens of thousands of officers and millions of citizens.
<> Desertion is never defensible<>
Do we serve our city by ignoring the problems?
<> They aren't being ignored just because one doesn't throw down the spiritual arms of prayer and obedience and join the deseretion.<>
Is it true loyalty to pretend that nothing is wrong?
<> No faithful Catholic in Frepperville is ignorant nor do they pretend nothing is wrong. Conversely, no faithful Catholic willl fail to acknowledge the good they see about them<>
Will we save our city from destruction by happy talk divorced from reality?
<> We will not "save" the city. That is not in our control and thinking it is in our control to save is the first step to wrong actions. General Lefebvre was a traitor, not a hero. There is no statute of him in the New Jerusalem<>
Let's say that the citizens of the city believe that God has promised that the city will never be entirely destroyed.
<> Tautology<>
Do we fail for that reason to combat the enemies, both external and internal.
<> Defeat first the enemy within ourselves<>
Do we have any less obligation to fight to the death?
<> Spiritual physician, heal thyself<>
Or is God's promise perhaps contingent on OUR faithfulness?
<> Faithfulness and obedience and maintaining the Bonds of Unity, Worship and Authority are a fulltime job for the Church militant. That, and turning a deaf ear to the recruitment campaigns of the traitor Generals<>
The citizens of "New Jerusalem" may delight in their city, but they are called to be "militant," and they fail in their duty if they shirk the necessary tasks when times are at their bleakest.
<> Pray, Pay, Obey...and don't act above your paygrade<>