On Judas Iscariot and Matthias/ Counterbalance

[contemplative]

From a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave at today’s general audience, dedicated to present the figures of Judas Iscariot and Matthias. …

On concluding, we wish to recall also he who, after Easter, was chosen to replace the traitor. In the Church of Jerusalem, two were put forward to the community and then lots were cast for their names: “Joseph called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias” (Acts 1:23).

Precisely the latter was chosen, and in this way “he was enrolled with the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:26). We do not know anything more about him, with the exception that he was a witness of Jesus’ public life (cf. Acts 1: 21-22), being faithful to him to the end. To the greatness of his fidelity was added later the divine call to take Judas’ place, as though compensating his betrayal.

We draw a final lesson from here: Although there is no lack of unworthy and traitorous Christians in the Church, it is up to us to counterbalance the evil they do with our limpid testimony of Jesus Christ our lord and savior.

All those who are still troubled by recent disturbances in the Church can find strength and hope in this message. I dare say our limpid testimony can do more than counterbalance.

 

[NotWorthy]

All those who are still troubled by recent disturbances in the Church can find strength and hope in this message. I dare say our limpid testimony can do more than counterbalance.

Good point, Contemplative!!! And remember, the best “limpid” testimony we can give is by living the life in testimony of His goodness!!!

 

[Joysong]

How timely the Pope’s message! I have been struggling this week, along with many others, * and this was at the root of my post on the “cockle and the wheat.”

What I have observed is that they will fight to the death to spread the errors of their convictions, and the “counterbalance” arguments fall on deaf ears. It seems we need to do more than just give “limpid testimony.” Do words alone suffice to convert another from error? Yet we must speak them.

I’m beginning to see that when the “limpid testimony” is spoken and men still persist in error, we take the attitude of Christ who let them go when many could not accept His teaching on the “Bread of Life.” Jn. 6

Contemplative:

Benedict XVI:

We draw a final lesson from here: Although there is no lack of unworthy and traitorous Christians in the Church, it is up to us to counterbalance the evil they do with our limpid testimony of Jesus Christ our lord and savior.

Contemplative:

All those who are still troubled by recent disturbances in the Church can find strength and hope in this message. I dare say our limpid testimony can do more than counterbalance.

 

[Joysong]

I stumbled upon some excellent advice and comforting words from Father Corapi here:

I’ll tell you something, I used to contest with these people. I used to debate with them. I used to engage in apologetics with them. I don’t do it anymore and I’m going to tell you something. For the most part, I am more qualified to do it than you are, than most of you. I’ve got a doctorate, I’ve got five degrees in Theology and Philosophy. I know the material, but I don’t do it because it is an exercise in futility and I don’t want to drive myself ‘nuts,’ in plain English, and it doesn’t work. Now, if I have to defend the faith, I’ll do that, but I do not engage in debates with people, especially with people who have lost the faith. There’s an axiom in metaphysics, ‘Things are received in the mode of the receiver.’ I say this over and over again. You get what you’re ready to get, you receive what you’re ready to receive."

 

[contemplative]

Joysong,
I could hear Fr. Corapis’ voice as I read that passage!
Thanks for sharing.
Contemplative