Today’s readings:
1 Maccabees 1:10-15,41-43,54-57,62-63
Psalm 119:53,61,134,150,155,158
Luke 18:35-43
The situation of modernism in the world today already happened long ago, with tragic consequences, which, for the present world, are just starting to be experienced. This was when King Antiochus imposed the humanist culture of Greece on the world, including in Israel.
They were joined by apostate Jews in suppressing the faith. “In those days there appeared in Israel transgressors of the law who seduced many, saying: ‘Let us go and make a covenant with the Gentiles all around us’” (1 Mc 1:11a). This is the equivalent today of both State and Church collaborating to suppress, or at the least to redefine, faith.
For example, states impose COVID vaccine mandates, violating personal freedom and individual consciences. Many who refuse are fired (no jab, no job). But the Church is also doing the same, even to the point of terminating the jobs of Church workers, Catholic school teachers, seminarians, and even Swiss Guards of the Pope. Thus with the Jews, “some from among the people promptly went to the king, and he authorized them to introduce the ordinances of the Gentiles.” (1 Mc 1:12). Some parishes have prohibited unvaccinated parishioners from entering and attending Mass. The Church in many places has been quick to impose the totalitarian mandates of the State.
To conform to Hellenistic pagan culture, Jews “disguised their circumcision and abandoned the holy covenant” (1 Mc 1:15a). This included surgical correction of their circumcision, the very sign of their covenant with God. “They allied themselves with the Gentiles and sold themselves to wrongdoing.” (1 Mc 15b). Just like today, Church modernists are one in mind and heart with humanist liberals, fully allied with them, with both taking on the sinful culture of the world.
Another thing in common is the assault on faith, through the move to become one people. “Then the king wrote to his whole kingdom that all should be one people, and abandon their particular customs.” (1 Mc 1:41-42a). Today our State and Church leaders speak of the universal brotherhood of man. They want a borderless world, with free movement of peoples across and into nations. But the ultimate thrust of the United Nations is one-world government, under their unelected bureaucrats of course, and fully embracing the culture of DEATH (particularly abortion and LGBT). As to top Church officials, there are moves to unite all peoples by bringing religions together, by saying that all religions lead to the divine, by downplaying the truth that there is just one authentic faith, and that is Christianity. The thrust is a one-world religion, a syncretist abomination that rejects the Lordship of Jesus, and which is in fact a guiding principle of Freemasonry. Such is a New World Order, as the Greek King Antiochus attempted in his time.
The whole world today has moved in this direction, including many within the Christian churches. “All the Gentiles conformed to the command of the king, and many Israelites delighted in his religion; they sacrificed to idols and profaned the sabbath.” (1 Mc 1:42b-43). Today the world has embraced secular humanism, with its culture and values. Most of the Protestants have already become liberal and have abandoned the authentic faith. Many Catholics have done so too, embracing the culture of DEATH. They sacrifice the unborn child to Moloch through abortion. They profane the sabbath through LGBT Pride Masses and giving Holy Communion to unrepentant pro-aborts.
There are many more parallels.
“The king erected the desolating abomination upon the altar of burnt offerings” (1 Mc 1:54b). The idol Pachamama has been brought into a Vatican cathedral. The LGBT Pride flag adorns the altars of some parishes. Pagan rituals have been performed in some parishes, with shamans going around the sacred altar chanting incantations.
“Any scrolls of the law that they found they tore up and burned.” (1 Mc 1:56). States have removed the Ten Commandments from where they prominently stood before. Many modernist pastors have mangled the word of God, reinterpreting scripture wrongly and twisting age-old truths and teachings of our Church.
“Whoever was found with a scroll of the covenant, and whoever observed the law, was condemned to death by royal decree.” (1 Mc 1:57). Today Christians are routinely persecuted by the State in so-called Christian nations. Condemning them to death has not yet happened in the West, but if totalitarian governments had their way, that is where it is going. This was what happened to the Vendees in France and the Cristeros in Mexico.
We live today in a secular-humanist culture that is totally opposed to faith, family and life. “Malicious persecutors draw near me; they are far from your law.” (Ps 119:150). But all is not hopeless. There are still many authentic Christians who are persevering in their faith. “But many in Israel were determined and resolved in their hearts not to eat anything unclean; they preferred to die rather than to be defiled with food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die.” (1 Mc 1:62-63).
Jesus tells us, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” (Lk 18:42). Many Catholics today are like the blind man, unable to see the truth of the faith, unable to discern the lies of the enemy. Modernists now look to everyone and everything except Jesus for their well-being. But it is only faith in Jesus that helps us, and makes us see what is right and just and true. With faith in God, everything else follows, including the physical and emotional healing and well-being that we all desire.
On the other hand, “salvation is far from sinners” (Ps 119:155a). Jesus did come to save sinners, and has already won salvation for us on the cross. But we must put our faith in him and obey his commands. Sinners miss out on salvation “because they do not cherish your statutes.” (Ps 119:155b). Even many Church pastors no longer adhere to the word of God, and even use the word of God to justify sin.
All the diabolical things happening in the world and in the Church, by State and by Church authorities, should stir up righteous anger in faithful Catholics. “Rage seizes me because of the wicked; they forsake your law.” (Ps 119:53). Can we just let evil reign? Can we just let them blaspheme God and violate our Church’s sacred sanctuaries? Can we just let them destroy the future of our children and grandchildren?
Rise up, holy warriors, such as the Maccabees did, in defense of the faith, looking to the future of the generations, standing for life.
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