Question 1: When did St. Paul predict Protestantism?
Answer: Today’s Bible Reading from 2 Timothy 4:1-8 begins with a call to “Be Faithful” to The Catholic Teaching that began when Jesus Spoke His Church-Creating Word to His First Catholic Pope! “And I say unto you: ‘Thou art Peter, and on this rock I build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I give you the keys to The Kingdom of Heaven.'”
St. Paul was sent to tell everyone blessed to “Be Catholic!” the purpose of our life: “Beloved: I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who will judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His Kingly Power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching.” Catholics have been “patiently encouraging” all to obey The Church-Creating Word of Jesus for 2,000 years!
Then, Paul predicted the thousands of Religious Marketing Plans with this “Hidden Prophecy”!
“For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine, but following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and be diverted to myths.”
Nearly 2,000 years ago, Nicolaitans were the first named group to “stop listening to the truth” in Revelation 2:6 and 2:14-15. They are thought to have approved of eating food sacrificed to idols and sexual immorality.
Yesterday, the latest Protestant announced his New Marketing Plan by repeating their usual announcement: “Everyone who came before me was wrong!”
Catholics follow St. Paul’s advice to ignore such people. “But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry.”
Paul then foretold what he and Faithful Catholics would do: “For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the Faith.”
Then, St. Paul tells us the “Hidden Prophesy” that predicts the blessed, eternal fate of all who are blessed to “Be Catholic!” and “Stay Catholic!”:
“From now on, the crown of righteousness awaits me, which The Lord, the just Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but to all who have longed for His appearance.”
Today’s Psalm, 71:8-9, 14-17, & 22 is a “Hidden Prophecy” of what Catholics would do for 2,000 years: “I will sing of Your salvation” and pray not to be “cast off in my old age”! Those blessed to “Stay Catholic!” will “proclaim Your wondrous deeds” until the day we die!
Our “Alleluia” reminds us how we may win the war against peggalas, the tribes of demons who take form in pride, envy, greed, gluttony, anger, lust, and sloth. They attack the swollen vanities of the vain more successfully than those graced by God to be: “Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is The Kingdom of Heaven.” (Mt. 5:3)
Today’s Gospel, from Mark 12:38-44, tells us to watch out for the self-serving Profiteers of Protestantism who “devour the houses of widows” and will receive “a very severe condemnation”!
Then, Jesus shares what He saw at the Temple: “Many rich people put in large sums.” But, “A poor widow also came, and put in two small coins worth a few cents.” That is a “Hidden Prophecy” of the rewards given to Catholic priests, religious, and people who live according to Holy Vows of Poverty, Chastity, and Obedience. “She, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.”
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Today’s Simple Rhyme: “The more we give, / the more we get.”
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