Today’s First Reading concerns St. Paul and his Early warnings about anti-Catholic schisms. He was among the very first Catholics. He was loyal to Peter and The Church that began when Jesus said “Thou art Peter, and on this rock, I build My Church.”
St. Paul knew that men who would pervert truth would soon come among them. He gives us insight into divisions and schisms in The Church, predicting that schismatics would soon be “perverting the truth to draw the disciples away”.
Very importantly, St. Paul describes the nature of schismatics. St. Paul tells us very simply and directly that those responsible for schism are “savage wolves”. We may infer that they are possessed by devouring demons trying to destroy those in The Church.
Another important description of which we must be particularly aware: These “savage wolves” are those who will be “perverting the truth” that St. Paul, loyal to St. Peter and The Early Church, was bringing into Europe.
Savage wolves still pervert the truth. The result is abortion and sin of every kind.
St. Paul is proven to be a prophet. His words: “And from your own group, men will come forward perverting the truth to draw the disciples away after them.” perfectly fit schismatics like Martin Luther and John Calvin, rebellious Catholics.
The actual quote tells us what we need to know:
“Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock
of which the Holy Spirit has appointed you overseers,
in which you tend the Church of God
that he acquired with his own Blood.
So be vigilant and remember that for three years, night and day,
I unceasingly admonished each of you with tears.
Today’s Reading from Jesus’ words is from John 17:11-19. In this reading, Jesus asks God to keep His believers in His Church, the one that began when He said “Thou art Peter, and on this rock, I build My Church.” We may note without fear of rational contradiction that Jesus does not ask God to provide mankind with The Forest of the 30,000 Ladders to Heaven.
“Holy Father, keep them in your name
that you have given me,
so that they may be one just as we are one.“
