What I was able to understand from Prevost is that he believes each style of pontificate serves as an institutional expression of God's will in the Church. I came to this conclusion from a video of him speaking about the Holy Spirit, in which he says that John Paul II, Benedict, and Francis were exactly what the Church needed at the time of their respective pontificates. In other words, don't expect an ecumenical council or a papal ex cathedra definition to know what God wants for the Church in the current era, because each pontificate offers its own response.
We live in interesting and biblical times. A few thoughts on the role of prophecy. What is the role of prophecy in the Body of Christ? With regard to prophecy it is considered as a legitimate gift of the Holy Spirit as is the gift of miracles given to build up the body of Christ and for the common good of all believers. We see these special gifts manifested in the lives of saints such as Padre Pio and many others gifted with such charisms. St Paul also advises us not to despise prophecy but to discern the spirits (it is the Church that discerns Marian apparitions). 2003 – "Grace is first and foremost the gift of the Spirit who justifies and sanctifies us. But grace also includes the gifts that the Spirit grants us to associate us with his work, to enable us to collaborate in the salvation of others and in the growth of the Body of Christ, the Church. There are sacramental graces, gifts proper to the different sacraments. There are furthermore special graces, also called charisms after the Greek term used by St. Paul and meaning ‘favor,’ ‘gratuitous gift,’ ‘benefit.’ [53] Whatever their character – sometimes it is extraordinary, such as the gift of miracles or of tongues – charisms are oriented toward sanctifying grace and are intended for the common good of the Church. They are at the service of charity which builds up the Church. [54]" 2004 – "Among the special graces ought to be mentioned the graces of state that accompany the exercise of the responsibilities of the Christian life and of the ministries within the Church. Having gifts that differ according to the grace give to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; he who teaches, in his teaching; he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who contributes, in liberality; he who gives aid, with zeal; he who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. {55] " We are fortunate to live in this particular time of history when God has sent his mother as the prophetess of these end of times to warn us, admonish us, advise uto and teach us to navigate the stormy seas we find ourselves in both in the church and in the world. The mantra (often used) that Fatima or other approved Marian apparitions is merely a private revelation does great disservice to the role of our Lady. The Fatima miracle was a public miracle witnessed by an estimated 100000 people including many atheists, scoffers and unbelievers. Many were converted on the spot. The secular newspapers of the day carried headlines of the miracle. So it was not private in any way. We are clearly living through parts of the book of revelation; the lady clothed with the sun has graced the earth. That the Church has failed to follow the simple instruction of our Lady of Fatima is the reason why we are in such a mess in the church and in the world. Heaven has outlined and given us the rescue plan but successive Popes have failed spectacularly to discern the voice of the mother. We are told that eventually Russia will be consecrated at a late hour perhaps amidst the rubble and ruins of Rome. We will have learnt the hard way not to despise prophecy. It is time for the Church to find a different category for approved private revelation? Perhaps the term approved prophetic revelation would be a more appropriate phrase? (In my opinion the 'modern' apparitions of our lady are mystically contained in the Holy Scriptures - such as Revelation 12 - it is not new revelation but a revelation of something already in the Word of God but highlighted to us by the Holy Spirit in a prophetic way to help us at a particular period in history).
I believe there is a mystical dimension in the Church that is fundamental to its life and development, and that it surfaces at critical, significant, or redefining moments for the Church. Paul’s ministry began through a mystical experience; he was not part of the original group of the twelve apostles, yet he became the driving force behind the Church’s separation from its ceremonial Jewish roots—to the point of rebuking Peter when he refused to sit at the table with those who were not circumcised. The apparitions at Fátima were a kind of “spiritual damage control” in response to the great division that arose in the Church after the Second Vatican Council. In a certain way, the mystical enters into action while awaiting validation from the principle of authority contained in apostolic succession. Although Fátima is a private revelation—and therefore does not carry dogmatic authority—we have no excuse for failing to pay closer attention to its central message, especially considering that the apparitions were approved by the Church, a public miracle was witnessed by 70,000 people, and part of the message of the third secret has been unfolding in recent years.
Other people have said and I think this is true that the big mistake people make at the moment is to look at things in too human and worldly wise a way rather than mystical/supernatural. So , for instance treating the Church as a kind of political or state organisation rather than it being the Bride of Christ. A good example of this was how the third secret of Fatima and her requests. Also I think there is an inclination to circle the wagons to protect themselves.
I think everyone here is a big believer in Fatima and all of the approved Marian apparitions. I think the point that was being made earlier was that we shouldn't use private revelation in general as fodder for constantly attacking our Church. The reality is that there has also been a great slew of unapproved apparitions, (many of them spurred on by Satan, in addition to the few that are probably true) that has corrupted the general understanding among Catholics interested in prophecy of what is going on in the Church and the world. Talk of refuges for good people, evil coming down from the very top (the pope himself), constant fear and accusations and "get ready, bad things are coming!" without clear warnings on how to turn from sin and pray to avert punishment and save souls....these mix in with the true apparitions and get people in a state of constant looking for sensationalism. It's exciting to keep thinking world war III is about to start, or our pope is literally the devil in disguise. Sure, we don't truly want those things, but yet we spend a great deal of energy thinking about it and talking about it and biting our nails over it. And we want to be the first to recognize it so we can warn everybody and be proud of how our heads aren't in the sand like all those poor witless people out there living their lives with no impending sense of doom. The reality is that many of us are closer to our own death and trembling before the immediate individual judgment than we are to world collapse, and it probably would do our souls a lot more good to be focused only on how to love God with our every breath and save as many souls each day as we can.
I'm only 39, but who's to say I won't get cancer or into a serious accident tomorrow? I wouldn't mind going to meet Jesus soon. Sometimes I long for it. But I do hope to finish raising my children.
I try very hard not to worry about the future, although not very successfully, because worry is what I do best. But, there are only two times that matter, I keep trying to tell myself. The first is the present, the only time upon which we can exert our will. The second is Eternity, when God will exert His Will (of course, one should worry about that, never forgetting to have Hope in His Mercy). For the rest, the past is gone and there is nothing we can change about it; the other is the future about which the very great majority (including those who, in their power and wealth, think they can dictate it) are entirely ignorant.
The "naturalist school of interpretation" generally refers to approaches to understanding the Bible that prioritize a naturalistic worldview, often emphasizing historical-critical methods and downplaying or rejecting supernatural explanations. This perspective contrasts with traditional theological interpretations that accept the possibility of divine intervention and supernatural events described in the Bible. Here's a more detailed breakdown: Core Beliefs: Naturalism: This philosophy asserts that only natural laws and forces operate in the universe, excluding supernatural beings or interventions. Key Characteristics: Focus on Historical Context: Naturalist interpretations prioritize understanding the historical and cultural background of the biblical texts, seeking to uncover the human authors' intentions and the events they describe. Examples and Applications: Historical-Critical Studies: Scholars using these methods might analyze the historical context of the Exodus story, exploring potential natural explanations for the parting of the Red Sea. In essence, the naturalist school of interpretation emphasizes a worldview where the natural world is the only reality, and this perspective shapes how they approach the Bible, seeking natural explanations for events and downplaying or rejecting supernatural elements. Historical-Critical Methods: These methods analyze the Bible's texts using historical, literary, and linguistic analysis, often seeking to understand the historical context and original meaning of the text. Rejection of Supernatural Explanations: Naturalist interpretations tend to explain events described in the Bible through natural causes and historical processes, rather than attributing them to miracles or divine actions. Emphasis on Literal Meaning: While not always exclusive, naturalistic approaches tend to emphasize the literal or historical meaning of the text, rather than allegorical or spiritual interpretations. Skepticism towards Miracles: Naturalists may be skeptical of miraculous events described in the Bible, seeking natural explanations or dismissing them as symbolic or legendary. Potential for Conflict with Traditional Theology: The naturalist approach can lead to conflicts with traditional theological interpretations that emphasize the divine authorship and supernatural aspects of the Bible. Rejection of Prophecy as Foretelling: Some naturalists might interpret prophecies as reflections of the social and political climate of the time, rather than divine predictions of the future. Emphasis on Human Authorship: Naturalistic interpretations often highlight the human authors of the Bible, their cultural influences, and their literary styles. https://schoolofmary.org/the-interpretation-of-sacred-scripture-in-the-church/ b) The lack of a hermeneutic of faith with regard to Scripture entails more than a simple absence; in its place there inevitably enters another hermeneutic, a positivistic and secularized hermeneutic ultimately based on the conviction that the Divine does not intervene in human history. According to this hermeneutic, whenever a divine element seems present, it has to be explained in some other way, reducing everything to the human element. This leads to interpretations that deny the historicity of the divine elements.[111] Verbum Domini Pope Benedict xvi
Worth watching John Henry with Fr Murr discussing who Pope Leo is surrounding himself and especially leaving Card Parolin in place. The message is kinda we will be going in the same direction. Fr Murr who has such such a joyful disposition seemed very despondent. I don't know. Hope for the best but...
I think that Fr. Murr either was or is part of the Vatican intelligence services. The same with Fr. Malachi Martin. So their voices are important. I personally think our hope is being used against us currently. We get a tid bit like a confirmation that Marriage is between a man and woman, as it always has been. So we don't gripe too much, but the status quo for a one world church is continuing.
