Words from the pit

Satan is a liar, but he is no fool.  His lies always have to be believable.  He lies by using words in a way that they can be misunderstood.  When you use vague words, words with multiple meanings, you leave your listener open to the lies of Satan.  

One such confusion of meaning arises from the use of "tradition".  Of course, traditions change. The tradition of Monday being wash-day was carried for centuries, until the advent of the Washing Machine, making washing far less than a day's worth of work.  This vague, general term "tradition" can mean all types of traditions.  So, when we hear prelates speaking about tradition "changing", "developing", and "reflecting the modern world", our minds automatically give assent. We have been snared in the confusion which Satan seeks.  

But we are not carrying on the habits, customs or traditions 19th Century America or of any particular region or culture.  Those can certainly change.  We aren't even carrying on the traditions of Catholic people.  We are called to carry on the "Apostolic Tradition".  The Apostolic Tradition consists of the customs, principles and practices used by the 11 Apostles and St. Paul to live the instructions they were given by Christ.  The Apostolic Tradition was closed when the last Apostle died.  There can be no more development of or change to Apostolic Tradition. 

Substitute "Apostolic Tradition" in any of the pronouncements we have head recently and clarity will ensue.  Cardinal Wilton Gregory (may God have mercy on his soul) said recently, "Tradition dies slowly and a bloody death."  Needless to say, that was not the case with Monday as Wash-day.  That tradition changed fairly rapidly and involved perhaps a bit of sweat to earn enough to pay for the applicance but no blood.  Did he mean to say, "Apostolic Tradition dies slowly and bloody death?"  If so, he has missed the mark in two ways.  There are many who have indeed shed their blood rather than surrender the Apostolic Tradition and it is Apostolic Tradition which will outlast Cardinal Gregory and withstand even the gates of Hell.  

It is useful to apply that same practice to other vague words:

• "Faith.": There are many "faith traditions" but only one "Apostolic Faith" which stands above all others.    

• "Church": There are many churches.  There are Protestant churches. There is a Conciliar church, a church of the new Advent and even an emerging Synodal church, but there is only one "Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church" which includes none of these. 

• "Magisterium": "Magister" simply means "teacher" in Latin and "Magisterium" is the collection of things taught.  The magisterium of history adds something new with each passing year and archeology can even change what is taught about the past.  The Apostolic Magisterium, by contrast, is the collection of things which the Apostles taught.  That is what the One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church is responsible for preserving and passing on.  Any personal teaching of this pope or that may be amusing or annoying but if not Apostolic, it is of no importance.  

Each of us must listen carefully for those broad and ambiguous words.  It is the exactness in which truth lies.  That exactness can upend the conclusions based on broad and ambiguous words.  Never trust anyone who uses broad and ambiguous words.  If they lack the wit to speak clearly, you would be witless to listen to them.  If they chose to be vague and ambiguous, they are playing you for a fool.