Running From Wrath

THE NOW WORD ON MASS READINGS
for Wednesday, October 14th, 2015
Opt. Memorial St. Callistus I

Liturgical texts here

IN some ways, it is politically incorrect in many quarters of the Church today to speak about “the wrath of God.” Instead, we are told, we should give people hope, speak about God’s love, His mercy, etc. And all this is true. As Christians, our message is not called the “bad news”, but “good news.” And the Good News is this: that no matter the evil a soul has done, if they make an appeal to God’s mercy, they will find forgiveness, healing, and even intimate friendship with their Creator. I find this so wonderful, so exciting, that it is an absolute privilege to preach for Jesus Christ.

But the Scriptures are equally clear that there is also bad news—bad news for those who reject the Good News and remain obstinate in sin. Through Jesus Christ, the restoration of the world has begun. But if souls choose to reject God’s plan, then they will remain, by choice, outside of this restoration. They will remain within the destruction and death that man himself has brought into the world through sin. This is what is called God’s justice or “wrath.” As Our Lord himself testified:

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him. (John 3:36)

This wrath is reserved for essentially two categories of people. The first is those who have received the Gospel of love, and yet live persistently contrary to it. In a word, hypocrites.

Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance? (First reading)

You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others. (Today’s Gospel)

The second category of people for whom God’s wrath is reserved are those who live according to the flesh, rejecting until the end “what can be known about God [which] is evident to them.” ^[1]cf. Rom 1:19 

By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God, who will repay everyone according to his works: eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works, but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness. (First reading)

St. Paul minces no words here: “wrath and fury”, he says. “Would a loving God be furious?” some ask. But my question is, “Would a loving God turn a blind eye to the unrepented crimes done against His creation, most especially children, especially when these crimes have the potential to annihilate the world?”

No one can say that God has not done everything possible to save us from ourselves. The Cross is the constant sign that “God so loved the world.” ^[2]cf. John 3:16 We are loved. God is a loving Father, slow to anger and rich in mercy. But understand that those who rebel against His love are not passive; their actions have a profound affect upon not only themselves but others, and very often creation itself. As the book of Wisdom says,

By the envy of the devil, death came into the world: and they follow him that are of his side. (Wis 2:24-25; Douay-Rheims)

If you are not on God’s side, then you know who you’re working for, and the fruits of Satan’s opposition are not negligible. We are, brothers and sisters, on the brink of a Third World War ^[3]cf. marketwatch.com and zerhedge.com (see The Hour of the Sword).

Hence, I have published some very stark, difficult, almost incomprehensible warnings this week. And there are more to come. But even these are not God’s justice so much as man simply reaping what he has sown. I take absolutely no joy in writing these things. And yet, it is not my place to censor the voice of the prophets, but rather, to discern them with you and the Magisterium. 

Surely the Lord God does nothing, without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets… I have said all this to you to keep you from falling away… (Amos 3:7; John 16:1)

In fact, I felt the Lord warn me at the very beginning of this writing apostolate that I had no business being politically correct with my mission. 

If, however, the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the sword attacks and takes someone’s life, his life will be taken for his own sin, but I will hold the watchman responsible for his blood. (Ezekiel 33:6)

And so, I am responsible for what I’ve written; you’re responsible for what you’ve read. I know some of you forward my writings to family members who refuse to read them. Let it be. No one can outrun God, let alone keep running from His wrath. 

Yes, affliction and distress will come upon everyone who does evil, Jew first and then Greek. (First reading)

So continue to be the face of love and hope—of the Good News—but also truth. I met a man in Louisiana recently who has spent the last six months warning one person each day that they need to go to confession and get ready for what is coming. He shared with me some of the extraordinary conversions that were happening as a result. 

Yes, I think that is precisely the balance: to neither deny that the Great Storm is here and coming, and the painful dimensions it is bringing, nor to focus only on the lightning and thunder. Rather, to point others toward the “ark” that will carry them through it. ^[4]cf. An Ark Shall Lead Them

Only in God is my soul at rest; from him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed at all. Only in God be at rest, my soul, for from him comes my hope. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be disturbed. Trust in him at all times, O my people! Pour out your hearts before him; God is our refuge! (Today’s Psalm)

A song I wrote when I desperately needed
to be delivered from myself…

RELATED READING

The Wrath of God 

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