INTRODUCTION
As I began last week, I am continuing a discussion of Pope Francis’ latest Apostolic Exhortation, GAUDETE ET EXSULTATE, REJOICE AND BE GLAD, A Call to Holiness. Today’s blog is on Chapter Two. In this section Pope Francis takes up two very old heresies of first century Christianity that have begun to raise their ugly heads in modern times in new forms and disguises. Direct quotes from Pope Francis will have quotation marks and be italicized.
These ancient heresies that continue to pop up from time to time are Gnosticism and Pelagianism. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines Gnosticism: The thought and practice especially of various cults of late pre-Christian and early Christian centuries distinguished by the conviction that matter is evil and that emancipation comes through gnosis or “knowledge.”
The Merriam Webster dictionary defines Pelagianism as those denying original sin and its consequences. It holds that individuals have perfect freedom to do either right or wrong. I hope to demonstrate with Pope Francis in my commentary how these two insidious falsehoods may affect our faith and cause a stumble on the way to holiness.
CHAPTER TWO
TWO SUBTLE ENEMIES OF HOLINESS
COMMENTARY
CONTEMPORARY GNOSTICISM
In paragraph 37 Pope Francis reminds us, “throughout the history of the Church it has always been clear that a person’s perfection is measured not by the information or knowledge they possess, but by the depth of their charity. “Gnostics” do not understand this, because they judge others based on their ability to understand the complexity of certain doctrines”
Gnostics think that their explanations can make the entirety of the faith and the Gospel perfectly comprehensible.” Gnostics deny mysteries and faith. They tend to judge who is saved and who is out of favor with God based on knowledge only they possess. They lack any flexibility and mercy as well. Rather than working for unity and conversion for all, their practices are divisive and reject God’s universal call to holiness.
God did not come into this world that only a few so called “enlightened ones” be saved. One with Gnostic tendencies can tend to feel and act like they are superior to the masses. Reminds me of the parable of the Pharisee and Publican in the temple (Luke 19:1-9) The Pharisee thanked God he was not like the publican beating his breast and declaring to God to have mercy on him a sinner.
In paragraphs 41and 42 Pope Francis writes, “God infinitely transcends us; he is full of surprises. We are not the ones to determine when and how we will encounter him; the exact times and places of that encounter are not up to us. God is mysteriously present in the life of every person.
Even when someone’s life appears completely wrecked, even when we see it devastated by vices or addictions, God is present there. We can and must try to find the Lord in every human life. This is part of the mystery that a gnostic mentality cannot accept, since it is beyond its control and mastery.”
Pope Francis concludes, “In point of fact, what we think we know should always motivate us to respond more fully to God’s love. Indeed, “you learn so as to live: theology and holiness are inseparable” Pope Francis notes, that when St. Francis saw some of his disciples were teaching, he wrote to them, ” I am pleased that you teach sacred theology to the brothers, provided that… you do not extinguish the spirit of prayer and devotion during study of this kind”.
CONTEMPORARY PELAGIANISM
It is not intelligence that takes place of mystery and grace in the case of pelagianism but the human will is placed first. A believer in pelagianism places the human will above God’s mercy. “They have forgotten that everything “depends not on human will or its exertion, but on “God who shows mercy” (Rom 9:16)
In paragraph 49 Pope Francis writes, “Those who yield to this pelagian mindset, “ultimately trust only in their own powers and feel superior to others because they observe certain rules or remain intransigently faithful to a particular Catholic style”.
We cannot do it alone. We must depend on God’s mercy and grace. I know this is tough in a society that encourages us still to just pull ourselves up by the “boot straps.” Pope Francis writes, “Only on the basis of God’s gift, freely accepted and humbly received, can we cooperate by our own efforts in our progressive transformation.”
Pope Francis notes in paragraph 57 that some Christians will still insist on taking another path. Pope Francis says “this results in self justification by their own efforts, the worship of the human will and their own abilities. The result is a self-centered and elitist complacency, bereft of true love.”
Once we believe that everything depends on human effort as channeled by ecclesial rules and structures, we unconsciously complicate the Gospel.
St.Thomas Aquinas warned that any precepts added to the Gospel by the Church should be imposed with moderation . “lest the conduct of the faithful become burdensome”, for then our religion would become a form of servitude
To avoid this, Pope Francis warns that charity must be at the center. “Saint Paul says that what truly counts is “faith working through love” (Gal5:6). We are called to make every effort to preserve charity: “The one who loves another has fulfilled the law… for love is the fulfillment of the law” (Rom 13:8.10). The whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’” (Gal 5:14).
“May the Lord set the Church free from these new forms of gnosticism and pelagianism that weigh her down and block her progress along the path to holiness! These aberrations take various shapes, according to the temperament and character of each person. So I encourage everyone to reflect and discern before God whether they may be present in their lives.”
SUMMARY
As I reflect on the two contemporary enemies to our call to holiness in this chapter, I see them as stumbling blocks for me and maybe others in this way. If I believe knowledge is going to lead me to the promised land alone, I am going to become very smug and also tend to make judgments of others on the way.
Others, even in your own family may feel threatened if they don’t believe exactly what you do that they may be in danger of a bad end (hell). They may begin to view you as a threat and resent you. Do not forget mercy and love and God’s will that all will be saved, God knows best how to reach everyone where they are. Have faith in God. Don’t forget those nuances of God’s mercy in any preaching you do.
The idea that we can get to heaven (Pelagian) by our human will alone will drive us into scruples, discouragement, despair all fueled by our pride believing, we can do it our way. God’s friendship infinitely transcends us; we cannot buy it with our works, it is a free gift born of God’s initiative. God loved us first! Turn to God and ask Him to give us what we need to be holy.
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