Kempis on: The Joy of a Good Conscience (The Vatican vs. the Deposit of Faith - Behold the apple.)

 1 Timothy 1:19

Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.

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Somewhere in the Vatican an apple has been offered. The promise, by accepting the apple, is to allow the October synod to be as God is. That is, to undermine nearly 2,000 years of Christ’s Deposit of Faith. I never thought I’d see such boldness by the leaders of the Church. We are witnessing a repeat of the events in the Garden of Eden. 

We, my faithful friends, are in turbulent times. At a time where the world has gone mad, it appears Holy Mother Church is being attacked from within. When the Vatican is more focused on polygamy (allowing communion to divorced couples), blessings of same-sex unions and other sinful ways, while disregarding 1,990 years of Christ’s teachings, it creates the adversity we are now in.

The Deposit of Faith is the truth of God's Revelation as expressed in Sacred Scripture, which is the inspired and written Word of God, and Sacred Tradition, which is the Word of God as taught and transmitted through the teaching authority of the Church (The Magisterium). 

With what is happening, we as faithful Roman Catholics, need to take the position Adam should have taken with Eve. We must stand for Mother Church - the Bride Christ. We must do so with good consciences.

When reading St. Pauls letters to Timothy, this is precisely what he is warning Timothy about.

1 Timothy 1:5-11

The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith. But some people have missed this whole point. They have turned away from these things and spend their time in meaningless discussions. They want to be known as teachers of the law of Moses, but they don’t know what they are talking about, even though they speak so confidently. We know that the law is good when used correctly. For the law was not intended for people who do what is right. It is for people who are lawless and rebellious, who are ungodly and sinful, who consider nothing sacred and defile what is holy, who kill their father or mother or commit other murders. The law is for people who are sexually immoral, or who practice homosexuality, or are slave traders, liars, promise breakers, or who do anything else that contradicts the wholesome teaching that comes from the glorious Good News entrusted to me by our blessed God. (my emphasis)

As I always do, I consult the notes I’ve taken by re-reading “Imitation of Christ” by Thomas Kempis. This particular chapter was a short one, but it defines very well what is required for a good conscience, as well as the benefit of such.

Kempis:

The glory of a good man is the testimony of a good conscience. Keep your conscience good and you will always enjoy happiness, for a good conscience can bear a great deal and can bring joy even in the midst of adversity.

Sinners never experience true interior joy or peace, for "there is no peace to the wicked," says the Lord. He who minds neither praise nor blame possesses great peace of heart and, if his conscience is good, he will easily be contented and at peace.

If you consider well what you are within, you will not care what men say about you. They look to appearances but God looks to the heart. They consider the deed but God weighs the motive.

To walk with God interiorly, to be free from any external affection--this is the state of the inward man. (my emphasis)

The last sentence, to be free from any external affection, works for me. There are many relationships that I have disconnected myself from because I want to be with our Lord in heaven. Two quotes from saints come to mind:

"God does not fit in an occupied heart."

–St. John of the Cross

"Do not seek to be regarded as somebody, don't compare yourself to others in anything. Leave the world, mount the cross, discard all earthly things, shake the dust from off your feet."

–St. Barsanuphius

Revisiting Kempis’ quote above, God knows what’s in our hearts. He knows where our allegiance starts and ends. If I find that disconnecting from the Vatican leads to a good conscience and pure heart, and as much as it would pain me, it’s a decision I must make. I pray it doesn’t come to that. 

I have already begun meditating on the next two posts: Loving Jesus Above All Things and The Intimate Friendship of Jesus. It is then I intend to leave the topic of the synod behind and focus on my relationship with Jesus. Stay tuned my friends.

God Bless you