I would like to tell you that I am deeply impressed,
especially by your unapolagetic traditionalism
(despite your expressed reluctance for labels, that is
one which in my view you have truly earned, and hope
you can accept as a compliment). Your usual homily
was one that sadly I have heard far too often. If the
world's masses were consistently filled with sermons
such as the others on your site, then the True Faith
would be far more widely held.
What struck me most was how fearlessly you tackled the
so-called "hard teachings" without compromise, but
especially without anger. I am sometimes shocked by
the amount of anger I can find mixed in with my faith.
It seems that the world is filled with people who
want nothing else in this world but to hate Christ.
Every sort of revilement and mockery and slander is
heaped upon Him, often for no cause at all other than
to offer the insult. I find myself identifying with
St. Peter as Judas betrayed him, desperate to whip out
my sword and start whacking off ears (the fact that
St. Peter remained always acceptable to Christ is one
that I find eternally comforting).
Thank you for your wonderful writings. You are truly
a blessed and holy man, Father.
With Love in Christ,
Paul **********
Dear Paul,
Thank you for your email - and kind words. Anger is a good emotion, but it does need to be directed. Here is a fine article on anger by Catholic philosopher Doug Doug McManaman
I too feel a lot of the anger you mention. One way of chanelling it is to join the Catholic League. If you are not already a member, check their website. Of course, while it is important to do the best we can to defend the Church from attacks, it is more important to allow her to nourish us thru sacraments and the treasures available to us in our tradition. Modern authors like Peter Kreeft are quite accessible. Older ones like Augustine take more effort, but pay a great dividend. I sense that I am speaking to you about what you are already doing.
Prayers. Remember this sinner. God bless,
Fr. Phil Bloom
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