October 9, 2024
Today’s reading: Galatians 2:1-2,7-14
Jesus had called Peter, whom he had just appointed as head of the Church (thus the first Pope), Satan. Now it is Paul’s turn to rebuke Peter. “And when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he clearly was wrong.” (v.11). Most Catholics today are loathe to criticize the Pope. But at times it is the right thing to do, for the good of the Church. This episode is instructive.
Hierarchs, including the Pope, can be wrong. Perhaps not intentionally. Perhaps without malice. But still wrong. They certainly can be opposed and their errors pointed out.
The person in error might be nice, loving, caring, and so on, and criticizing or rebuking someone does not mean he is not a nice person. It just means he may be in error. And the loving thing to do, for the good of the person and the Church, is to correct him.
It is about speaking God’s truth. Paul “saw that they were not on the right road in line with the truth of the gospel” (v.14a). We must always stand for the truth, especially God’s truths. No matter how high up the person who perverts the truth. In fact, the higher up, since the influence is more far- reaching, the more that person in error must be corrected.
It is interesting that Peter used to eat with the Gentiles but then drew back when he was criticized by some Jewish Christians (v.12a). He became “afraid of the circumcised.” (v.12b).
Modernists look to the approval of man and in doing so negate the righteousness of God. They look to the zeitgeist, the culture of the age, and end up downgrading Tradition and age-old Church teachings.
They, if they still know the truth, in effect are afraid of man (and being called bigots, homophobes, misogynists, etc.) but no longer the wrath of God.
Now when those in highest authority speak, even in error, most Catholics would believe and follow them. They are respected and their influence and authority is recognized. So here the Jews and “even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.” (v.13). Thus the modernists’ error is easily passed on and accepted. Thus most hierarchs are affected, with those opposed remaining silent, but others becoming apologists, affirming the errors. Thus the Church is weakened.
Note that Paul corrected Cephas/Peter “in front of all” (v.14b). Some would say, do your correction privately; try not to tarnish the hierarch’s image; do not cause scandal among the faithful. That of course can be done, but when it comes to modernist errors against the truth, affecting so many people down the line, it is the faithful that need to be informed and taught.
Paul had gone to Jerusalem as he “presented to them the gospel that I preach to the Gentiles” (v.2a). We must preach the truth of the gospel. This includes refuting error, even if, or rather especially if, it comes from the top.
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