~A Warning Against Mysticism~
- From: "Waldtraud" <richarra@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2009 10:43:03 -0500
~A Warning Against Mysticism~
Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and
worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen,
vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
In our verse we find that Mysticism was disqualifying the Colossian's daily
walk with Christ, and was robbing them of their future reward with Christ
(3:24). The false teachers probably intimidated the Colossians into
believing they would be disqualified if they didn't follow their prescribed
course. Mysticism is professing to have direct contact with God or direct
insight into truth by some special means. In our verse we find four of the
special means that were used.
The first was a voluntary or self-imposed humility, which could include
asceticism. We can accept ourselves in Christ, but this rigid self-denial
will only work toward self-occupation (vs. 23). The second was the worship
of angels. Angels are ministering spirits, but they never were to be
worshipped! This would be Demonism. It denies the union of the believer with
the Head, Christ in Glory. The third intruding into the unseen. This would
be visionary dreaming and Spiritism. This could also include Demonism. What
a wide scope this covers! The last one was being vainly puffed up by the
fleshly mind. God called it "the wisdom of this world" (1 Cor. 3:19); today
it is called "Humanism." It could include: Rationalism, Intellectualism;
Higher Criticism; Liberalism; Neo-Evangelicalism; Situation Ethics; etc. It
is the mind of the sin nature and can only produce death (Rom 8: 6).
In verse 19 Christ as the Head of the Body, is not so much an issue of
authority, as it is an issue that as the Head, He is the origin and source
of the Body's nourishment. Therefore, we are to hold fast to Him "in Whom
are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (vs 3). As the Body holds
to the Head, we may experience "the increase of God!"
<><><><><>
June 6th - Bl. Rafael Quizar Valencia
BL. RAFAEL GUIZAR VALENCIA was born on 26 April 1878 in Cotija, Michoacan,
Mexico. At the age of 16 he entered the major seminary of Zamora, his native
Diocese, and was ordained a priest on 1 June 1901. Zealously committed to
the priestly ministry, in 1905 he was appointed apostolic missionary and
spiritual director of Zamora's seminary.
In order to counteract the anti-Catholicism of the revolutionary press, Fr
Guizar founded a print shop, which published the Catholic periodical La
Nacion. Religious persecution forced him to move to Mexico City, where,
disguised as a junk dealer, he was able to care for the sick and wounded.
Sentenced to death several times, he escaped and did missionary work in the
USA and Cuba.
Consecrated Bishop of Vera Cruz in 1919, evangelization became his main
concern and he wrote a Catechism of Christian Doctrine to this end. He
rebuilt the seminary, which had long been closed because of anti-Catholic
legislation. He used to say: "A Bishop can do without a mitre, crosier and
even a cathedral, but he can never do without a seminary, because the future
of his Diocese depends on the seminary". The seminary was later confiscated
by the Government following new anti-religious legislation.
The seminary was moved to Mexico City, where it operated clandestinely for
15 years. The Bishop practised heroic charity towards the poor, giving away
his pectoral cross, ring, clothes, shoes, cassock, hat and coat to provide
for their needs, so much so that he was known as "the Bishop of the poor",
despite sufferings brought on by diabetes, phlebitis, cardiac insufficiency
and extreme obesity.
Forced into exile, he worked in the Southern United States, later going to
Cuba, Colombia and Guatemala, where he helped local Bishops organize the
spiritual life of their clergy. Through correspondence he remained in touch
with his Diocese and the underground seminary in Mexico City. On his
eventual return to Veracruz he taught catechism, preached popular missions
and aided the sick and dying. Having taken ill in Cordoba, he was brought to
Mexico City, where he died on 6 June 1938.
Saint Quote:
"May all transitory things grow vile in my eyes, O Lord, and may all that is
eternal be dear to me. May all joy be irksome to me that is without Thee,
nor may I desire anything [unnecessary for life and salvation] that is apart
from Thee."
- St. Thomas Aquinas (Doctor, 1225-74) - "Prayer of St Thomas Aquinas for
grace to lead a holy life"
Bible Quotes:
"He that loveth his life shall lose it: and he that hateth his life in this
world, keepeth it unto life eternal" - John 12:25
"... besides thee what do I desire upon earth?" - Ps 72:25
<><><><>
Veni, Creator Spiritus
One of the most widely used hymns in the Church, Veni, Creator Spiritus, is
attributed to Rabanus Maurus; (776-856). It is used at Vespers, Pentecost,
Dedication of a Church, Confirmation, and Holy Orders and whenever the Holy
Spirit is solemnly invoked. A partial indulgence is granted to the faithful
who recite it. A plenary indulgence is granted if it is recited on January
1st or on the feast of Pentecost.
Come, Holy Spirit, Creator blest,
and in our souls take up Thy rest;
come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
to fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
O comforter, to Thee we cry,
O heavenly gift of God Most High,
O fount of life and fire of love,
and sweet anointing from above.
Thou in Thy sevenfold gifts are known;
Thou, finger of God's hand we own;
Thou, promise of the Father, Thou
Who dost the tongue with power imbue.
Kindle our sense from above,
and make our hearts o'erflow with love;
with patience firm and virtue high
the weakness of our flesh supply.
Far from us drive the foe we dread,
and grant us Thy peace instead;
so shall we not, with Thee for guide,
turn from the path of life aside.
Oh, may Thy grace on us bestow
the Father and the Son to know;
and Thee, through endless times confessed,
of both the eternal Spirit blest.
Now to the Father and the Son,
Who rose from death, be glory given,
with Thou, O Holy Comforter,
henceforth by all in earth and heaven. - Amen.
.
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