June 6, 2024Today’s readings:2 Timothy 2:8-15Psalm 25:4-5,8-10,14Mark 12:28-34
About the greatest commandments to love God and neighbor, it is at times said that it is one commandment, with two parts. But it is really two commandments, and the first is about loving God with our all (Mk 12:28-30). This is first and foremost. Then a second stems from it, which is loving neighbor (Mk 12:31a). If we love God, we should love our neighbor. Modernists emphasize the second aspect, oftentimes at the expense of the first. They insist on accompaniment and acceptance of sinners, but without confronting them with their sin, because it is offensive and hurtful. They do not want to offend humans, but end up offending God.
Now consider that the second commandment is to love our neighbor, as we love ourselves. We want to be in Christ, to be saved, and to make it to heaven. We should want the same for others. Is it loving ourselves if:
We do not want to be told of our sin, so that we can make corrections in our life?
We enjoy people being nice and good to us, but allowing us to continue to wallow in sin, thus offering false mercy?
We seek a priestly blessing for our sinful condition, such as a same-sex relationship, thus being affirmed in our sin?
What is the purpose of living the two greatest commandments? It is so that we “are not far from the kingdom of God.” (Mk 12:34). In fact, what is the purpose of the gospel? It is for us to learn about Jesus and his teachings. “Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David, such is my gospel” (2 Tm 2:8). And what is the gospel’s ultimate aim? It is salvation and making it to heaven. It is “for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory.” (2 Tm 2:10).
Now all this is threatened by the false teachings of modernists. They twist and misinterpret words and truths of the gospel. Familiar words mean different things to them. For example:
Salvation. At times they are more concerned about saving the planet and polar bears than people.
Evangelization. Good news to them is being nice to others, doing good, not being offensive. Well and good. But evangelization is about saving souls, and many times it necessitates “not being nice,” as Jesus himself called the hypocritical Pharisees all sorts of names.
Fraternity. To them all peoples are one big family, but this is deceptive, as Jesus himself says those who are family to him are those who do the will of God.
Universal. The Church is Catholic, and is open to accepting all, especially sinners. But for admission into the Church, there has to be repentance and faith in Jesus. Modernists skip this part, accepting all sinners without having to repent. In fact, they claim that all, including unrepentant sinners and atheists, are part of the communion of saints.
Modernists are warned. “Remind people of these things and charge them before God to stop disputing about words.” (2 Tm 2:14a). They harm themselves, but worse, in the case of modernist pastors, they harm others. “This serves no useful purpose since it harms those who listen.” (2 Tm 2:14b). It is crucial to stick to the truth of the gospel, without any deviation whatsoever, so that people who hear can act to become acceptable to God. “Be eager to present yourselves as acceptable to God, a workman who causes no disgrace, imparting the word of truth without deviation.” (2 Tm 2:15).
For salvation, it is God who teaches and guides us. Pastors and teachers are instruments, but they must ensure that what they teach is what God teaches. This is the way to salvation. For our part, we must pray and discern if teachings are not in conformity with God’s word, and reject them, especially that of modernists. “Make known to me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me by your fidelity and teach me, for you are God my savior, for you I wait all the day long.” (Ps 25:4-5). Modernists offer false mercy and untruth. Both, rather than showing compassion and love for neighbor, lead to damnation. They bring people to the wrong path, not the Lord’s. “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth” (Ps 25:10a). These paths God makes known to us, if only we will live our lives in Him. God’s paths are for “those who honor his covenant and decrees.”(Ps 25:10b).
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