"John the Baptist went about the Jordan preaching a baptism of repentance."
Today the Traditional Catholic Church celebrates the Holy Mass of, Fourth Sunday Of Advent. Only with an intense desire for the coming of Jesus Christ can we begin to merit His spiritual gifts. The traditional Catholic Liturgy reminds us, during these last four weeks, of the time during which the world was without Jesus. This Mediator we now await, and since we can only go to God through Him, we implore Him to hasten His coming. Today's Mass lesson for traditional Catholics is: Lesson from, EPISTLE: 1 Corinthians, 4, 1-5. Brethren: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and the dispensers of the mysteries of God. Here now it is required among the dispensers, that a man be found faithful. But to me it is a very small thing to be judged by you, or by man's day, but neither do I judge my own self. For I am not conscious to myself of anything: yet I am not hereby justified: but He that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge not before the time, until the Lord come: Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise from God.
Explanation: 👈️
How should priests be regarded by the faithful?
The Church wishes to inspire us with respect and veneration towards priests, who are ministers of Christ, dispensers of the mysteries of God, and advocates of religion. The Scripture says, “Let the priests that rule well be esteemed worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine" (I Tim. V. 17).
Why is this epistle read today?
The Church wishes, by pointing to the second advent of Christ, to remind the faithful to avoid judging their neighbors, but to judge themselves, and to cleanse their hearts for the reception of Jesus as our Saviour, that they may not have to shrink from Him when He comes as Judge.
Can priests administer the holy sacraments as they please?
No, for, as the stewards of Jesus Christ, they must observe His will, which is that they should administer the sacraments for the glory of God and the salvation of the faithful. They are not permitted to "give that which is holy unto dogs" (Matt. viii. 6), and cannot, therefore, give absolution, or any sacrament, to those who are unfit, lest they thereby condemn themselves.
Why should they esteem it a small matter to be judged by men?
Because men generally judge by appearances, and not by reality. St. Paul says: “If I pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ” (Gal. 1. 10). But not only priests, the faithful also, must seek to please God more than men. How foolish are they who follow all silly and scandalous fashions in dress, gesture, and manners; who neglect the holy exercises of religion, and ask constantly, “What will the world say?" but never, “What will my God and Saviour say?" if I do this or that.
Why does St. Paul say, “But neither do I judge my own self”?
Because he could not know how God would judge him, “For man knoweth not whether he be worthy of love or hatred" (Eccles. IX. 1); therefore he adds, “I am not conscious to myself of anything, yet am I not hereby justified, but He that judgeth me is the Lord.” We should, therefore, examine ourselves thoroughly whether we are in sin; but if we find nothing in us which displeases God we are not on that account at liberty to think ourselves better than others, for before the mirror of our self-esteem we look quite different to what we are in truth before God, who cannot be bribed. Oh, how many, who now think themselves innocent and holy, shall appear at the day of judgment stripped of their disguises, and the most secret workings of their hearts revealed by God to their eternal disgrace! This should determine us not to judge before the time, either ourselves or any one else, of whose hearts we must know even less than of our own. “Let us therefore work out our salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. II. 12).
Aspiration: O Lord, enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight no man living shall be justified (Ps. cxlii. 2).
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Did Jesus make known to all souls?😯️ Did He say many are called, few are chosen?🤔️
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