‘Words of Doctrine are Silent, Miracles Removed’
Novus Ordo Watch has posted a commentary on the prophetic words of St Gregory the Great.
Novus Ordo Watch has posted a commentary on the prophetic words of St Gregory the Great.
Iniquity is not going to abound, nor is the charity of many going to grow cold, without something in particular making that happen.
To this end,
provides a relevant text from Pope St Gregory the Great about the Church towards the end of the world, before the Antichrist:[S]igns of power are withdrawn from Holy Church. For prophecy is hidden, the grace of healings is taken away, the power of longer abstinence is weakened, the words of doctrine are silent, the prodigies of miracles are removed. And though the heavenly dispensation does not entirely withdraw them, yet it does not manifest them openly and in manifold ways as in former times…
For when Holy Church appears as if she were more abject, on the withdrawal of signs of power, both the reward of the good increases, who reverence her for the hope of heavenly things, and not on account of present signs…
For the riches of miracles are first withdrawn from the faithful, and then that ancient enemy displays himself against them with visible prodigies, in order that as he boasts himself on his wonders, he may be overthrown more mightily and more honourably by the faithful without wonders.
The question is, is it the chicken or egg? Are these external evidences withdrawn because of sin, or does sin abound because of their withdrawal?
The answer, of course, is both. At St Augustine writes, commenting on St Paul's Epistle to the Romans, one very grievous punishment for sin is being allowed to continue sinning.
Regardless, Novus Ordo Watch’s commentary demonstrates that St Gregory's text very aptly describes the state of the world since the 1960s.
Read the rest of St Gregory's text, and the commentary, over at Novus Ordo Watch.
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