A a speech a couple of weeks ago, Pope Leo warns against certain forms of missionary and ministry activity and in doing so sets up a helpful criteria for spiritual discernment.
The Spirit always convicts of sin in order to lead us to Christ. We all despise moralism, but as Augustine said, conversion always begins with fear of God -- it is, after all, the beginning of Wisdom. The saints have always embraced the righteousness of God's judgement and our guilt, and the need for continual penance. Such awareness leads us more deeply to the forgiveness and presence of Christ, especially in the sacraments.
Christ did not die because we are good enough but have psychological doubts. Christ took on the sins of the world, even ours. "This is a saying worthy of full acceptance: Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the greatest." The more we receive the wondrous grace of God given to us in Jesus Christ, the more we receive the reality of the depths of our sin and unworthiness.
There is a meaningful nuance you are bringing to this conversation. The conviction that the Spirit brings, that may come as contrition, must be a sorrow that leads to repentance and conversion—and therefore to liberation, charity, and joy. It must be a moving sorrow, that moves our hearts to God and toward gratitude for His love, not a paralytic sorrow that that leads to shame and despair. Our guilt should lead us to Christ and therefore to freedom from our bondage to sin, freedom for abundant life in Him who has loved us even in our sin. Our fear should be not a fear of a tyrannical despot, but a reverent deference to the authority of a benevolent Father. The former leads to paralysis and despair, the latter to freedom and life.
Thank you for your reception of my concern -- and stating it better than I did. Liberal
Protestantism and commercial evangelicalism love 'relationship' without penance and end up with a parody of a 'faith' that refuses a move into sanctity.
I would add confusion to the list. I have heard priests seem to question the validity of Christ's miracles, and professors yeach that Jesus did not actually rise from the dead. This sows confusion among the faithful.
The Spirit always convicts of sin in order to lead us to Christ. We all despise moralism, but as Augustine said, conversion always begins with fear of God -- it is, after all, the beginning of Wisdom. The saints have always embraced the righteousness of God's judgement and our guilt, and the need for continual penance. Such awareness leads us more deeply to the forgiveness and presence of Christ, especially in the sacraments.
Christ did not die because we are good enough but have psychological doubts. Christ took on the sins of the world, even ours. "This is a saying worthy of full acceptance: Christ came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the greatest." The more we receive the wondrous grace of God given to us in Jesus Christ, the more we receive the reality of the depths of our sin and unworthiness.
There is a meaningful nuance you are bringing to this conversation. The conviction that the Spirit brings, that may come as contrition, must be a sorrow that leads to repentance and conversion—and therefore to liberation, charity, and joy. It must be a moving sorrow, that moves our hearts to God and toward gratitude for His love, not a paralytic sorrow that that leads to shame and despair. Our guilt should lead us to Christ and therefore to freedom from our bondage to sin, freedom for abundant life in Him who has loved us even in our sin. Our fear should be not a fear of a tyrannical despot, but a reverent deference to the authority of a benevolent Father. The former leads to paralysis and despair, the latter to freedom and life.
Thank you for the nuance. I wrote a followup to hopefully help clarify:
https://www.catholicthirdspace.com/p/holy-conviction
Amen! I have only ever found the joy of the resurrection after taking up the cross. Can anyone dare say otherwise?
Thank you for your reception of my concern -- and stating it better than I did. Liberal
Protestantism and commercial evangelicalism love 'relationship' without penance and end up with a parody of a 'faith' that refuses a move into sanctity.
Paul, great article. Full of your wisdom, clarity and “obedience” to the Pope.
That group always concerned me.
I would add confusion to the list. I have heard priests seem to question the validity of Christ's miracles, and professors yeach that Jesus did not actually rise from the dead. This sows confusion among the faithful.