25 Jun 24 – The Church: Saving Whales or Saving Souls?

[0] Welcome to the Bishop Strickland Hour here at Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[1] Bishop Strickland, thanks for joining us again to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

[2] Thank you, Terry.

[3] Thank you.

[4] I want to give some good news.

[5] I love when non -Catholics, and I think this guy's going to be a Catholic soon.

[6] Jordan Peterson calls abortion hands down the biggest cause for the death of our children.

[7] And, you know, I appreciate these people speaking up because everybody's got to speak up.

[8] this is a tragedy.

[9] It doesn't just affect Catholics.

[10] It affects everyone.

[11] So I want to publicly thank Jordan Peterson for speaking out like that.

[12] Your thoughts?

[13] Yeah, absolutely.

[14] And it reminds us that we are blessed to belong to the font of truth that is the Catholic Church.

[15] Yes.

[16] It's not our truth.

[17] It's the truth of Christ.

[18] Right.

[19] What God is revealed to us.

[20] But certainly God can reveal that to others as well.

[21] But it just should underscore what a blessing it is to be part of the church that Christ established and to have that source of truth that we always have to be humbly guided by.

[22] Amen.

[23] And you know, Bishop Strickland, years ago, when we were on the air when COVID was going on and we're talking about the jab and you said, you know, I'm not going to get something that's been tainted by abortion and, you know, I'm just not going to do it.

[24] And you had a lot of pressure on you.

[25] I mean, you held on.

[26] And I just got this article now.

[27] COVID shots have 200 times higher risk of brain clots than other jab's new report.

[28] And this is from Dr. Peter Echolick.

[29] I found out this is the case.

[30] Well, you know, I'm not surprised that there's downsize to this jab this time.

[31] So I pray for those who took the jab, who, you know, didn't see the connection with abortion because I just, I'm like you, no matter even if the Holy Father said I had to take it, I would not take it because my moral conscience as Catholic teaching is higher than any other thing in the church.

[32] I have my conscience to deal with.

[33] Also, I just wanted to mention something, I think you have something common with this whistleblower in Texas.

[34] He says, what are you talking about, Terry?

[35] Well, at Texas Hospital illegally billed Medicare for child, transgender hormones.

[36] Nurse Vanessa Salvage of Texas Children's Hospital says she saw records indicating that this was going on.

[37] And not only did she get in trouble with the hospital, but she got a visit from the FBI.

[38] So, you know, no good deed goes unpunished.

[39] So I just had to mention that because it was a Texan.

[40] And I have a great respect for my friends in Texas because they do things big.

[41] Yeah.

[42] So there you go.

[43] Now, here's another good news story.

[44] Abortions dropped nearly 80 % in South Carolina, thanks to the new heartbeat law.

[45] We just keep getting more heartbeat laws.

[46] Bishop Strickland, correct me if I'm wrong on this, but this is what I thought.

[47] Can you imagine the babies that are being born for the last year and a half, two years since Roe v. Wade went down, and they become adults.

[48] Some of them will become Catholic priests, some men will become priests, some religious, who knows?

[49] But I can see, I'm gone 30 years from now, 25 years, I won't even be here.

[50] But can you imagine God's mercy?

[51] Can you imagine a priest who dodged the bullet of abortion because of the heartbeat law?

[52] And now he's in the confessional.

[53] And some guy comes in confessing that, you know what, Father, I was involved with promoting abortion.

[54] I was this and that and I'm really sorry for that that's my confession and that priest who was born because of the heartbeat law is going to absolve him in the name of Jesus Christ I could see that happening can you?

[55] Oh I'm sure it's already happened I mean abortion's been going for too long yeah well that's what I think all right another now let's get to the gospel for today I'm sorry.

[56] I get a little carried away about the good to no files.

[57] We have the gospel, according to Matthew, chapter 7.

[58] If you could read it and give us an explanation on it, that'd be great.

[59] A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.

[60] Jesus said to his disciples, Do not give what is holy to dogs or throw your pearls before swine, lest they trample them underfoot and turn and tear you, pieces.

[61] Due to others what you would have them do to you.

[62] This is the law and the prophets.

[63] Enter through the narrow gate, for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction.

[64] And those who enter through it are many.

[65] How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life.

[66] And those who find it are few.

[67] The gospel of the Lord.

[68] Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[69] Wow, that last statement.

[70] Yeah, that's what I focus on.

[71] I mean, the gospel's really got a couple of three great points.

[72] Oh, yeah.

[73] I think for this time in our history, we need to focus on that last point that Christ makes very clear.

[74] Enter through the narrow gate, where the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction.

[75] Really, Terry, that calls to mind for me. what many of the saints have seen, and especially St. Faustina, she was given a vision of, and it's so clear, it's a visual representation of exactly what Christ says in this gospel passage from Matthew.

[76] Because St. Faustina saw this vast crowd of people happy, you know, walking through the flowers.

[77] It was just beautiful.

[78] And everything looked wonderful.

[79] and then they fall off the cliff into the pit of hell in St. Faustina's vision.

[80] She saw another vision of people struggling and walking through this narrow path with brambles and rocks and falling and tripping and just struggling to crawl through this path.

[81] But then they come out at the end of that path and it opens up into the glorious, kingdom of God.

[82] That is what Jesus Christ says here.

[83] It's not something that St. Faustina imagined.

[84] It's a revelation to her to echo what Christ has already said.

[85] It's really nothing new.

[86] It's simply our Lord repeating to a great religious woman who is now a canonized saint and the one that saw the visions that we know as the vision of Christ in his divine mercy.

[87] But we need to pay attention to this.

[88] And there are too many voices in the church, powerful voices.

[89] They're just saying, oh, no, they're saying exactly the opposite, that the road to heaven is wide and either everybody gets there or the vast majority of people.

[90] It doesn't matter what church you belong to.

[91] It doesn't even matter if you really believe in Jesus.

[92] It's just God and his wonderful mercy is welcoming us all.

[93] Well, that's not what God's son said.

[94] I'm going to stay with what our Lord Jesus Christ said.

[95] Because we experience it, Terry.

[96] Yes.

[97] I mean, I think that vision of St. Faustina is really worth looking.

[98] closely at.

[99] Because it really describes what the world pretends to be the reality.

[100] This wide path of, oh, there's really no sin and you don't need to go to confession and anyone can go to communion.

[101] It doesn't matter if you are aborting children or promoting that.

[102] Promoting the greatest evils.

[103] I mean, you could go down the list of real horrible evils in the world.

[104] And people in the church in the very highest offices saying, oh, that doesn't matter.

[105] This man who's abused people can continue to be a priest.

[106] This sinner that aborts children and viciously promotes the abortion of children, they don't have to worry.

[107] They can go to communion and they are good Catholics.

[108] We need to listen to the gospel.

[109] Amen.

[110] That tells us what Jesus Christ said.

[111] And just to touch on part of this gospel, it really echoes the same message that the way of Christ is a different path, a challenging path.

[112] Amen.

[113] But at the point Jesus says, do not give what is holy to dogs or throw the pearls before swine.

[114] that is a reminder that there is a reality of the sacred and the profane.

[115] Yes.

[116] And the church uses that language, not as often now as probably as you should, but when things are set aside for sacred use, that should mean something.

[117] That includes a church building, the altar of that church, the chalices and the sacred vessels of that church.

[118] All the elements of the church are set aside as sacred.

[119] Profane is anything really that's not sacred.

[120] Right.

[121] It can't something that even comes to the point of being evil.

[122] And I think in common language these days, I mean, you think of the word profanity.

[123] Right.

[124] It's usually understood as something that is sinful and ugly.

[125] Yeah.

[126] And certainly that needs to be avoided.

[127] But I think we need to pay attention to the language that the church is used in ancient times and bring it forward.

[128] Because the same truth is something we need to all be aware of.

[129] And there's not a good enough awareness that the sacred is holy and calls us to the sacred.

[130] We have sacramentals.

[131] Not just the sacraments are the pinnacle of all that is sacred.

[132] Of course, the Eucharist, the body and blood, soul, and divinity of Christ himself.

[133] But all the sacraments bring us to sacred things.

[134] The profane things are simply of this world.

[135] They can't be evil or can't simply or carry.

[136] We're going to continue right after a quick break.

[137] And now back to the Bishop Strickland Hour.

[138] Welcome back.

[139] Bishop Strickland, your commentary on scripture.

[140] Yeah, I mean, the community.

[141] continue on that because I think it's important, especially the last verse, what you were just talking about, many think that everybody gets to, you know, we call it universal salvation.

[142] They all go to heaven.

[143] It seems to me that that's just wishful thinking because that's not a biblical worldview.

[144] So it seems to me there's a guy by the name of Richard McCormick.

[145] I don't know if that name rings a bell, but I was reading an article from Catholic thing.

[146] And he made a point, he said in his article that McCormick said don't you realize that the Catholic Church is not in the business of saving souls anymore?

[147] Yeah, he said that Richard McBride.

[148] He said we focus now on this world.

[149] Really?

[150] Richard McBride's in the article.

[151] Well, at least he's honest.

[152] Yes, he's honest.

[153] That's not the Catholic Church I belong to.

[154] I'm not joining his so -called Catholic Church.

[155] That's not the mission of the church.

[156] I'll join some social club, but that's all it is.

[157] And again, you're right.

[158] Canon law, as you're a canon lawyer, you know the last canon says everything the church does has to be for the salvation of souls.

[159] But this is what's happened to our church where I think you're nailing it that we need to get back to the fundamentals of our biblical worldview that says, life is short, eternity is forever.

[160] Let's talk about living in the state of grace, things that you don't.

[161] hear them enough about but I just wanted to let you have more time if you need it on this scripture verse because I can go a whole hour with you on it I think but continue please yeah well I think it does need to be underscored yeah because I mean certainly we would expect that kind of false message coming from the world yeah come to Satan sure don't worry about your eternal salvation just it you know go for the gusto in this world.

[162] I mean, it's like we've said many times, you know, Frank Sinatra, I did it my way.

[163] Exactly.

[164] It's just not our faith.

[165] And those, it's interesting you mention McCormick because he was a voice from years ago.

[166] Oh, yeah, I remember.

[167] He was part of that path.

[168] And I'm sure he's just cheering and thinking it's wonderful.

[169] Oh, we're back to saying, we don't worry about the salvation of souls, and you don't need to worry about sin, and you don't need to worry about anything.

[170] I mean, so, I mean, to me, of course, we've lost too much of the world, has lost the ability to just think through something logically.

[171] But if that's the case, what do we need a church for?

[172] Exactly.

[173] There are plenty of good will organizations that do great things.

[174] You know, the Audubon Society, just go join that, join, you know, save the whales.

[175] Forget about church.

[176] And sadly, because it's just common sense, a lot of people are doing exactly that.

[177] I say, why bother to make an effort to go to Mass on Sunday?

[178] If all there's going to talk about is the environment and saving the whales and taking care of the planet and living together in harmony and ignoring any revealed truth and just letting everybody, you know, love is love and everybody just live in.

[179] We don't need a church.

[180] And sadly, with the statistics in this nation and around the world, many people are saying, yeah, we agree.

[181] We don't need a church.

[182] We're just going to go on a picnic on Sunday.

[183] We don't need to worship God because God doesn't care.

[184] He loves us and he's just going to welcome us into his heaven no matter what we do.

[185] That's not what his son said.

[186] I'll believe what Jesus said.

[187] And Jesus didn't say, this is true for a while, but it'll change.

[188] He didn't say that.

[189] He said yesterday, today, and forever.

[190] And as long as I have breath.

[191] I'm going to oppose whoever's voice is saying this drivel is the message of the church.

[192] Because like I said, we don't need a church, McCormick.

[193] If that's what the church is, we don't need it.

[194] And instead we desperately need it.

[195] Going back to what Jesus says in the gospel, it's a narrow path that gets us to salvation.

[196] In another place, we read it recently.

[197] You must be perfect to enter into heaven.

[198] We can only be perfected by turning from sin, by humbling ourselves, by making reparation for that sin, and making reparation for the sins of a world.

[199] It's just devastating to hear so -called members of the church, so -called clergy.

[200] Too many bishops would agree with them.

[201] Yeah, that's true.

[202] But they're wrong.

[203] Partinals would agree with him, but that's not the message of the church.

[204] And the good thing that I see is I've traveled around.

[205] I was just traveling this weekend.

[206] And once again, I bet more people that know that isn't the truth and are doing their best to live a life seeking that narrow path that is a path turning from sin and acknowledging that it's a way.

[207] struggle.

[208] What does Jesus say?

[209] He says, take up your cross.

[210] What do we need to take up a cross for if everybody's saved and if the work of the church is focused on this world?

[211] We don't need to take up a cross.

[212] It's denying what everything Christ said and live, died, and rose to share with us.

[213] We've got to be strong in rejecting this false gospel that many people find attractive, but it doesn't mean they're embracing the church.

[214] It just means they're saying, oh, this is great.

[215] We don't have to worry about anything we do.

[216] Just count on the love of God.

[217] God's love is sacrificial love.

[218] Just look at a crucifix, and that reminds us always.

[219] That's why it needs to be, and the rubrics of the mass say a crucifix should be close to the alter at mass because that's the image of what we're talking about if we don't need a crucivix if what mccormick says is the reality of the church and we need to speak up we need to say no you're wrong come back to the faith or just follow your own path but don't pretend it's the catholic faith well mr strickland you're firing me up and i'm going to quote one of the saints that I've been inspired by is that St. Pope Pius the 10th.

[220] We have his 1907 document on modernism on our website from the beginning because it's a short document, but it really clarifies the problem in the church that you're talking about, modernism.

[221] And he said this about an apostasy, because I believe there is an apostasy going on.

[222] When you can't tell me that that you need to know Jesus Christ and the salvific work of Christ that we need to live in the state of grace you can't say all that then you're not on you're not on the team in other words you're not with the Christ and the Holy Father said this Pope St. Pius the 10th a great movement of apostasy I remember this is a hundred years ago over a hundred years ago is being organized in every country for the establishment of a one world shall have neither dogmas nor hierarchy nor discipline for the mind nor curb for the passions in which under the pretext of freedom you were just talking about freedom and human dignity would bring back to the world the reign of legalized cunning and force the oppression of the and of those who toil and suffer.

[223] That was Pope Pius the 10th, his statements.

[224] I think this whole movement, here it is, 2024, it's been going on for a very long time, and it just seems to me that we have to call it for what it is, Bishop Strickland.

[225] It's modernism, and we have to have this world biblical view that says sin is sin, whether it's 2024 or 21st, 44, whatever year it is, is immaterial.

[226] The truth doesn't change.

[227] Absolutely.

[228] Terry, I just started reading a book on Pope St. Pius V. Which one?

[229] Who lived in the 16th century.

[230] One of the most famous elements of, it was a brief pontificate, but he did a lot.

[231] It was right in the aftermath of the Protestant Reformation.

[232] Yes.

[233] The Battle of Lepanto.

[234] Oh, yeah.

[235] And he's the one that really promoted praying the rosary.

[236] Awesome.

[237] And he credited with the victorious Battle of Lepanto.

[238] Yes.

[239] We need, and I just started the book, but I look forward to sharing something from another strong pious pope with the name pious, Pius, the 5th.

[240] You were talking about pies the 10th.

[241] That's right.

[242] Centuries apart.

[243] But they were brothers in Jesus Christ.

[244] Amen.

[245] Those are the kind of leaders we need today.

[246] I couldn't agree more with you.

[247] And Bishop Strickon, when we come back, I'd like to talk about another thing that's going on in the church regarding the traditional Latin Mass, where we've got word that July 16th Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

[248] It's been three years since the Holy Father.

[249] The Holy See came out to repress the traditional Latin mass. And I just want to understand what's going on here for that.

[250] But also I wanted to tell our listeners, I just got a text from Real Estate for Life, our friends who sponsor this show.

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[261] And also I just want to remind everybody that all of these shows that we do are on our website, Virgin Most Powerful Radio.

[262] org where you can listen to them at Will.

[263] And I would also ask you to share this.

[264] And Bishop Strickland, you have quite a few YouTube shows that you just recently did.

[265] Can you tell our folks how they can listen to your YouTube channel, please?

[266] Yeah, just go to Bishop Joseph Strickland YouTube.

[267] And the videos are six or seven minutes long.

[268] I just recorded some for the month of the precious blood, July, and the Eucharistic Revival.

[269] Good.

[270] Talked about that.

[271] Talked about some of my favorite saints that are coming up actually next week, St. Thomas Moore, St. John.

[272] So I just like to look at the calendar, look at topics that are pertinent to what we're.

[273] we're struggling with, and just talk about it briefly.

[274] Awesome.

[275] Go to Bishop Strickland's YouTube channel and listen to those shows.

[276] We'll be back with more on the Bishop Strickland Hour on Virgin, Most Powerful Radio.

[277] Stay with us now.

[278] And now back to the Bishop Strickland Hour.

[279] Welcome back, indeed.

[280] Bishop Strickland, I have to say that that last couple segments of the gospel, and we just, it just seems like we're really asking everyone to just step up their game with their relationship with Christ and share the gospel in season and out.

[281] And even when things are tough, which they are right now, I mean, the world is going to hell in a handbasket.

[282] Check this out.

[283] We've spent $680 billion on the war in the Ukraine.

[284] That's over a half a trillion dollars the last time I looked, but that's a lot of money for me to comprehend.

[285] and you know just think if the gospel was proclaimed well and we were doing our duty in my opinion a lot of these wars like this wouldn't take place because we would have the gospel in front of us and look at the money that would be saved just on giving more humanitarian aid to helping people live their faith and right now that we're at the brink of world war three and you know not just in the church is raising havoc, but everywhere in the world.

[286] And then here we are, and I'm just going to give you my take, and then here we are lay people myself, and we get a report that the Vatican's planning to enforce a final ban on the traditional Latin Mass, likely on July 16th, because that'll be the third year anniversary that the first document said you got three years to implement this and phase it out.

[287] And I'm thinking to myself as a layman.

[288] This is where the growth of the church is taking place, especially in France and America.

[289] I see, I've gone to these masses.

[290] Okay, I don't go there every Sunday.

[291] I have my Anglican Ordinariate Mass and I go.

[292] But when I go, they're packed.

[293] The churches are packed with kids, families, and the people are thriving.

[294] So it just seems like it makes no sense for me as a layman.

[295] I'm not in management.

[296] I'm in sales.

[297] But to stop a mass that's legitimate from centuries back as a sacred thing, like Benedict the 16th said, you know, it's, it can't call it bad, but it was holy.

[298] So I just wanted to understand your take.

[299] I think you've only said the mass a couple times in the extraordinary form.

[300] But what's your take on all this?

[301] Well, probably I've celebrated the traditional Latin mass probably 10 times in the past four years.

[302] I'm still learning.

[303] I'm definitely more.

[304] comfortable in the novice ordo.

[305] But frankly, Terry, the more the Vatican pushes against this, and this is a lot of people, I mean, certainly Pope Francis is the Pope.

[306] Yes.

[307] He has the authority.

[308] Of course.

[309] And he clearly backs this or he could easily just say, no, we're not going to do this.

[310] He is the Pope.

[311] And we need to, you know, acknowledge that he's supporting these efforts, but there are many others that are pushing it very hard.

[312] And frankly, Jerry, I guess the simplest way I can share my response, the harder they push against it, the more I'm going to support it and encourage those who embrace it to know that they're embracing a beautiful liturgy that is ancient.

[313] Like you said, most of the saints that we know were lived with this liturgy, the one that they were inspired by.

[314] As I know I've shared before, there's a great book that I read daily that is just a page or two about different saints talking about the Eucharist and the real presence.

[315] Right.

[316] I mean, just again, just using logic.

[317] Yeah.

[318] If we are really, if the well, we've already been told and it all fits together.

[319] McCormick would agree, oh yeah, we need to shut down the Latin Mass because we're not about the supernatural.

[320] Right.

[321] We're not about the salvation of souls.

[322] We're not about the wonder of the Eucharist in its reality that bread and wine become the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, many of these prelates that are pushing this don't even believe, really, the mass is just a community gathering.

[323] And that is simply not the truth.

[324] Saints through the ages have died for the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

[325] As he said, this is my body, this is my blood.

[326] We can't be strong enough in standing for the very, I mean, Vatican II says the source and summit of our Catholic faith is the Eucharist.

[327] Amen.

[328] Dismantling one of the most ancient and clearly most sacred expressions is really attacking the body of Christ.

[329] I agree.

[330] I mean, I'll say that.

[331] It's attacking the body of Christ.

[332] We are the mystical body of Christ.

[333] And I know the people that are drawn to the Latin Mass. I was just visiting people this weekend.

[334] And a young man said that his life.

[335] was transformed when he started serving for a priest.

[336] He didn't even know the Latin Mass. Wow.

[337] But the priest asked him, will you help me?

[338] That it transformed his life.

[339] Awesome.

[340] That doesn't mean that the, what's called the novice orgo, the mass that was developed after the Second Vatican Council.

[341] Right.

[342] And I declare that the mass that we celebrate was not established by the documents of the Second Vatican Council.

[343] It came later.

[344] That's right.

[345] There are many things that in history that need to be looked at.

[346] Pope Benedict XVIth really tried to do that and pulled back on some of the secularization of the mass that happened with the novice order.

[347] But the critical reality for me is bread and wine, because, come the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ, the king of the universe, our Lord and Savior at any valid mass, whether it's Novus Ordo, whether it's the Maronite right, whether it's whatever, there are many different rights of the church.

[348] And I've seen, you know, online already.

[349] Yes.

[350] With news, I guess it's pretty well -based.

[351] It's not just a rumor.

[352] No. Then on July 16th, they're going to once again, you know, raise the attack against the body of Christ even more forcefully.

[353] And I've seen people already asking, well, I hope they don't go after the Maronite rights or some of the other rights.

[354] But, you know, if they go after the traditional Latin Mass, which they want, clearly, someone to eliminate it, that, to me, is wrong.

[355] And I can't support it.

[356] I won't support it.

[357] And I will continue to support those who are drawn.

[358] There are too many conversion stories.

[359] Yeah.

[360] And it's, I mean, if it was some kind of mockery of the body.

[361] of Christ, absolutely not.

[362] We can't allow it.

[363] But the Latin Mass is one of the most sacred forms the church has.

[364] Yes.

[365] The Novus Ordo has been abused and become a mockery of the body of Christ.

[366] And you see too much evidence of that still using the Novus Ordo.

[367] You don't see those kind of mockery liturgies with the Latin Mass because it's very strict.

[368] There are no options.

[369] And it's very clear the formula that you follow.

[370] You've mentioned the ordinariate mass. It's basically that same formula in old English.

[371] I mean, it's translated, but all the other elements are there.

[372] Yeah.

[373] And it is beautiful.

[374] I celebrated that once.

[375] Wow.

[376] Just because I had the opportunity.

[377] But we need the sacred.

[378] Yes, we do.

[379] To me, Terry, that is the bottom line.

[380] Yeah.

[381] We're living in a, we talked earlier about the difference between profane and sacred.

[382] There's too much of the profane in our world.

[383] We need the sacred.

[384] We need Jesus Christ, his body and blood, soul, and of energy.

[385] We need the reality of all the sacraments.

[386] We need all the sanctity, all the supernatural grace, the sanctifying grace that's available to us.

[387] And eliminating or trying to, it's not going to work.

[388] And they can call those who hang on to the Latin Mass, and they already are saying, oh, they're schismatic.

[389] No, I've said before, and I will continue to say, What is schismatic is trying to rid the church of this sacred right of the Latin Mass. That is simply the truth.

[390] That is schismatic.

[391] And it's tragic that the leadership of the church, some in highest offices, are the ones pushing this schismatic move.

[392] But that's what has to be called schismatic.

[393] And the people know it.

[394] Even people, we both talk to people that are not.

[395] that involved in or that attracted to the Latin Mass. But I wager that as it already happened three years ago, if this does come to fruition and it does come out whenever it comes out, people will oppose it, even people that aren't deeply dedicated to the Latin Mass. They will oppose it because it's wrong and it should be opposed.

[396] and we just, it's devastating that the Vatican continues to push this attack on the body of Christ.

[397] Well, said, I want to recommend Benedict XVI's book, The Spirit of the Liturgy.

[398] Father Joe Fesio was a student of Benedict the 16th when he did his scholastic work.

[399] And he said, all the books that we've published on Pope Benedict, that's the best book he's done.

[400] And what it does is it explains the liturgy, and he makes it common.

[401] He says, whenever you hear people clap at the end of the Mass, you'll know that they got it wrong.

[402] I love that comment.

[403] That's one of the comments in that book that really stuck with me. So get the book.

[404] Absolutely.

[405] That's a great little test.

[406] If people are applauding, then they're on the wrong path.

[407] Amen.

[408] And that doesn't mean we reject them or.

[409] But we call them back The truth of the liturgy Amen Wow, what a show We're listening to Bishop Strickland Teach us about loving Jesus in the Mass Stay with us We'll be back with more And now back to the Bishop Strickland Hour Welcome back I hold this crucifix up For a reason This is who we worship Jesus Christ Bishop Strickland with your office As a successor of the apostle I respect your office, okay?

[410] But if a bishop, people in the church have responsibilities don't hold to those responsibilities of confirming me in my faith, I have to reject it because I love Jesus Christ more than you, Bishop Strickland, or a cardinal, even a pope.

[411] It's Jesus Christ who we have to please.

[412] All right, I'm sorry, but that came to my mind after hearing you.

[413] At the break, I'm thinking, of course, it's not you, Bishop Strickland.

[414] it's Jesus Christ who we worship.

[415] Okay, before, this is the last segment for this show, but tomorrow I got a couple more questions to ask you on this topic, but I like having the format of teaching people the fundamentals of the faith.

[416] And if you're brand new to the show, we take a catechism and we break it down and we just teach what hopefully everybody already knows.

[417] But, you know, I read the catechism every day on the Terry and Jesse show.

[418] We take two paragraphs every single day and go over those paragraphs.

[419] Why?

[420] Because people need to It's a lifetime occupation.

[421] I'm 67 years old and I'm still studying my Catholic Catechism, Bishop Strickland.

[422] Why?

[423] Because it helps me know Jesus Christ better.

[424] So let's get to the section 15 of the catechism called The Way of Christ put out by the St. Philip Institute in Tyler, Texas.

[425] And we're on Chapter 15, which is on confession.

[426] and you know we go through question and answer just like the baltimore catechism i learned that way and i think i learned really better that way i like question and answer so number the question nine is where we left off last week which was what are the effects of reconciliation so what are the effects of confession reconciliation forgives sin it restores grace to the soul it reconciles sinners with jesus and his church, it also gives the grace to help someone amend their life and preserve them from falling into sin.

[427] Wow, in a short paragraph, those are some big benefits for going to confession.

[428] Your thoughts?

[429] Well, I think it is a sacrament that needs to, we need a revival of the sacrament of confession, just like for the Eucharist.

[430] I think they go hand in hand.

[431] And especially, in a world and even with too many in the church not paying attention to sin we both of us know story after story of people that we've talked to and in some ways we're both sinners amen I can testify that my life is better oh yeah as I continue and it's a lifelong journey it's a lifelong effort but the more I grow in in turning from sin the the better my life is the more peaceful the more joyful the more fulfilling where what to me that gives a little taste of what our destiny is if we will be faithful and are able to you know even though some say we're not about the salvation of souls really that's all we're about.

[432] Our lives are short and eternity is long.

[433] So the more we can turn from sin, I guess the point I'm trying to make, Terry, it makes this life better.

[434] I mean, like the gospel we read at the beginning of today's session, one of the things that we didn't get a chance to really talk about was that Jesus said, do unto others what you would have them do to you.

[435] Yes.

[436] And when we live that way, when we live in a sanctified way, look at your own life.

[437] I mean, yeah, I mean, that would have an effect on wars and all the troubles of the world.

[438] Yep.

[439] But just look at your own life.

[440] I think we all see that.

[441] When we get it right, when we treat others respectful, when we challenge others, when they're on the wrong path.

[442] And I think we need to emphasize that that's part of the built -in to that admonition from Christ, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

[443] Part of what I want, and we both said it, correct us.

[444] when we're not embracing the truth.

[445] If we're embracing something false, correct us.

[446] That is part of doing unto others the way you would have them do unto you.

[447] Some people may not want to be corrected, but I want to be corrected.

[448] I want to purify my life and more and more move away from anything that's false, any temptation that ultimately doesn't bring fulfillment and happiness.

[449] And I can say that the ways that I've grown turning from sin, I mean, I can honestly look at some things that were tempting to me maybe 30 years ago that by the grace of God I've grown away from, they're not even attractive anymore.

[450] world.

[451] And I can look back and say, why was that ever something that I had to struggle with?

[452] Because when you see the light, when you see the truth, things that you can get caught up in.

[453] And thankfully, you know, a lot of things of the world were never attractive to me. But sin is giving in to the attractions, the temptations of the world, whatever form they take.

[454] But the more we can turn from sin and live the way Christ calls us to.

[455] So I guess my point is, Terry, it's not just a future happiness.

[456] Ultimately, we will only be fully happy, fully fulfilled, fully filled with God's life and grace in heaven, in the salvation that we seek.

[457] But we can get a taste of it in this world.

[458] And if all of us are moving closer to tasting a little more of the kingdom, even in this journey, our world will improve in very powerful ways.

[459] But the more we ignore that, the more we were talking about universalism, I was, oh, don't worry about what you do.

[460] God's love will forgive you and embrace you in his mercy, and everyone will be saved that leaves us in a in this world it leaves us broken and hurting each other and continuing to be selfish and self -centered and ultimately that isn't what fulfills us i mean i know with your own children and your grandchildren now on a daily basis you're helping them to learn it's not all about you.

[461] Exactly.

[462] And a world that says, go for it.

[463] It's all about you.

[464] That doesn't bring happiness in this life or the next.

[465] Amen.

[466] We got time for one more question, and it's a really good practical question.

[467] How often should I go to confession?

[468] Well, Catholics are required to go to the sacrament of confession at least once a year or after committing immortal sin.

[469] It is encouraged for us to go to confession at least once a month, even if we have not committed mortal sin.

[470] Many people go as often as every week so they can receive the graces of the sacrament.

[471] Boy, do I have much to say.

[472] But Bishop, I want to hear what you have to say about how often people should go to confession.

[473] Well, the church is pretty lenient in making it that the law says you only have to go once a year or if you've committed a mortal sin.

[474] But if we're really seeking to live the way of Christ, I mean, I think we'd all agree that we need confession much more often than once a year if we're serious about following Christ.

[475] Because hopefully we don't commit mortal sins, but we commit enough sins that weaken us and that are conflict.

[476] to God's law that we need to confess.

[477] I think once a month is a good basic admonition, I would say, because we do a lot of things once a month.

[478] And a monthly cycle 12 times a year to go to confession, that certainly isn't excessive.

[479] It's really not a big problem in our time.

[480] Right.

[481] But there is a reality of scrupulosity.

[482] And if someone's saying they need to go to confession in the morning and in the afternoon, they're probably being scrupulous.

[483] I don't know of anybody that says that.

[484] But even daily, I mean, some of the saints went to confession daily because they were seeking a level of sanctity that no one is, expected to seek.

[485] And for the average person, if you're going to confession every day, that you may be, you know, leaning towards scrupulosity.

[486] Like I said, I don't think it's a big problem in our world.

[487] But I would say once a month, basically what I try to do is every two weeks.

[488] Yeah, that's me. People go once a week.

[489] But any variation, I would say if you're serious about, your spiritual journey.

[490] Consider at least once a month.

[491] And there may be times that you want to go more often than that, but at least once a month.

[492] Really, Terry, a month would feel like a very long time for me. Oh, me too.

[493] Me too.

[494] But you know what?

[495] You just gave the advice of two modern day saints.

[496] Saint Padre Pio was asked that question.

[497] He said once a month and St. John Paul to the Great.

[498] I call him the Great.

[499] He was asked that.

[500] question and he said once a month.

[501] So now Bishop Strickland, you said once a month.

[502] And so here's the point.

[503] If people haven't gone to confession, and most people, let's be honest that we talk to you.

[504] I mean, I talked to a lot of people.

[505] Many of them have been, it's been years since they went to confession.

[506] And some of them tell me, the reason is nobody really encouraged me to go.

[507] In other words, I don't hear it on the Sunday Mass. The homily, the eight -minute homily, or, you know, the Holy Father's asking you to give.

[508] And so they don't go.

[509] So that's why I always joke in a show.

[510] I'll say something like this, Bishop Strickland.

[511] If you're just waiting to be asked to go to confession and you're waiting for someone to ask, that's me. Go ahead now.

[512] I'm asking you to go.

[513] And I guarantee you the benefits are out of this world.

[514] I hear the music for today's show.

[515] So Bishop Strickland, if we could ask for your blessing, we sure would appreciate that.

[516] Almighty God, we ask your blessing for all participating in Virgin Most Powerful Radio, that we may continue to grow in grace turning from sin, that we may know that the path is narrow, but that your mercy is abundant.

[517] If only we will humble ourselves and seek that narrow path, you're always there to help us what may feel impossible in our weakness.

[518] God is always in the light of your son, with the intercession of the saints and the Immaculate Virgin Mary.

[519] And we ask this, in the name of the Father and of the God, and the Holy Spirit.

[520] Amen.

[521] Thank you so much, Bishop Strickland.

[522] Go to our website, Virgin, Most Powerful Radio.

[523] Check out all the other shows that we have to offer.

[524] And I want to thank everyone who supports us here and spreading the good news of Jesus Christ and his bride, the church.

[525] We'll see you again tomorrow, same time, same station.