Episode 3016: Seeking Truth in the Midst of Trial - Morning Episode

Nightly Zoom Coordinates for Rosary:
Meeting ID: 865 8978 0399
Passcode: Wjjv4960!
Speak Lord for your Servant is Listening

Book Recommendation of the Day
Pascendi Dominici Gregis: Pope St. Pius X

The definitive condemnation of modernism, which St. Pius X called “the synthesis of all heresies.”

I heard a very good summary of the Traditional Catholic Groups produced by the young man did a very good job at just explaining who they are without adding his editorial comments. I will provide a separate episode on this since I find it extremely valuable and also where I saw some very good Catholics go off the rail by not providing my simple advice. If you want to be a practicing Catholic simply do what the church did prior to Vatican II (1963) and practice the faith of our ancestors.
Attend the mass and receive the sacraments from Priests that were properly ordained and do not get into any splinter groups but simply practice as we did prior to Vatican II. If anyone says to you that you are schematic for not following Vatican II simply ask them this one question. Is the current church following Vatican II or have they created a new church. See if you stay with the traditions of the faith you can never go wrong. This is coming from a guy who began his traditional conversion with an order that had it right due to its founder (archbishop of the Traditional Church) but who noticed even with them they started to act as if they were the Church. Remember always as a Catholic you must follow apostolic succession no matter how bad the successors are because Christ will straighten out the mess and not us or otherwise we are no better than Martin Luther. We have no authority and therefore can not usurp what Christ had mandated. Remember that some of the great saints had to deal with bad prelates and they simply remained with the faith and traditions that were of the Church. Then pray pray pray.
"Seeking Truth in the Midst of Trial: Lessons from Lent"
Welcome to today’s episode of Tradition and Truth, where we journey through the Fourth Week of Lent in the sacred liturgical calendar of the Roman Mass Missal of 1962, as published by Angelus Press.
Today is Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent, a day of penance, reflection, and deep contemplation as we draw ever closer to the events of Passiontide. The readings for today call us to faithfulness to God, the power of intercessory prayer, and the courage to stand firm in the truth, even when it is inconvenient or unpopular.
We will read from Sacred Scripture, reflect on the theme of the day, and explore the historical feast days commemorated in the traditional liturgical calendar. We will conclude with a prayer, offering our hearts in reparation for our sins and those of the whole world.
Epistle Reading: Exodus 32:7-14
"And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Go, get thee down from the mountain: thy people, whom thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt, have sinned. They have quickly strayed from the way which thou hast shown them, and they have made to themselves a molten calf, and have adored it, and, sacrificing victims to it, have said: These are thy gods, O Israel, that have brought thee out of the land of Egypt."
"And again the Lord said to Moses: I see that this people is stiff-necked. Let Me alone, that My wrath may be kindled against them, and that I may destroy them, and I will make of thee a great nation."
"But Moses besought the Lord his God, saying: Why, O Lord, is Thy indignation enkindled against Thy people, whom Thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt, with great power, and with a mighty hand?"
"Let not the Egyptians say, I beseech Thee: He brought them out maliciously to kill them in the mountains, and to destroy them from the earth. Let Thy anger cease, and be appeased upon the wickedness of Thy people."
"Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Thy servants, to whom Thou sworest by Thine own self, saying: I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven; and this whole land that I have spoken of I will give to your seed, and you shall possess it forever. And the Lord repented of the evil which He had threatened to do to His people."
Reflection on the Epistle
This passage from Exodus gives us an image of God’s justice and mercy in perfect harmony. The Israelites had just been delivered from Egypt, witnessed miraculous signs, and yet, within a short time, they turned their backs on the one true God. They fashioned for themselves an idol, revealing the fickleness of the human heart.
How often do we do the same? We may not bow before a golden calf, but we create idols in other ways money, comfort, technology, or even our own opinions that contradict Church teaching.
Yet, Moses intercedes, pleading for mercy. He reminds God of His promises, not because God forgets, but because prayer changes hearts. Intercessory prayer is powerful, and this passage calls us to pray for others, especially for those who have fallen away from the faith.
Gospel Reading: John 7:14-31
"Now about the midst of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. And the Jews wondered, saying: How doth this man know letters, having never learned?"
"Jesus answered them, and said: My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me. If any man will do the will of Him, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself."
"He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory; but he that seeketh the glory of Him that sent him, he is true, and there is no injustice in him."
"Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why seek you to kill Me?"
"The people answered, and said: Thou hast a devil; who seeketh to kill Thee?"
"Jesus answered, and said to them: One work I have done; and you all wonder. Therefore, Moses gave you circumcision; and on the sabbath-day you circumcise a man. If a man receives circumcision on the sabbath-day, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry at Me because I have healed the whole man on the sabbath-day?"
"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge just judgment."
"Some therefore of Jerusalem said: Is not this He whom they seek to kill? And behold, He speaketh openly, and they say nothing to Him. Have the rulers known for a truth that this is the Christ?"
"But we know this man, whence He is: but when the Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence He is."
"Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching, and saying: You both know Me, and you know whence I am: and I am not come of Myself, but He that sent Me, is true, whom you know not. I know Him, because I am from Him, and He hath sent Me."
Reflection on the Gospel
Here, we see two responses to Christ: faith and rejection.
The Jews marvel at Christ’s wisdom, yet many refuse to believe. They are so blinded by preconceived ideas of what the Messiah should be that they fail to recognize Him.
How often do we do the same? Do we resist truth because it does not fit our expectations?
Christ reminds us: “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge just judgment.” True judgment is not superficial; it seeks truth.
During this Lenten season, let us examine our hearts. Are we open to the truth of Christ and His Church, even when it challenges us?
Conclusion and Closing Prayer
Let us take a moment to reflect:
• Are there idols in our life that take precedence over God?
• Do we pray fervently for others like Moses?
• Do we seek the glory of God, or our own recognition?
• Are we willing to accept the truth even when it is difficult?
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, grant us the grace to remain faithful to You, avoiding all false idols. Open our hearts to the teachings of Christ, that we may embrace the truth fully and without fear. Strengthen us this Lent to seek Your will above all things. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Thank you for joining us today. May God bless you abundantly, and may Our Lady keep you close to her Immaculate Heart.
Until next time, stay faithful, stay strong, and keep the traditions of Holy Mother Church alive.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.