Editor’s Note: Below is my first article for a new weekly column, Come to Think of It, I write for The Southern. I’d like to publish it here on CatholicEclipsed, because I think my readers will enjoy it. So enjoy.

A few years back I bought a bow, because I felt like every man should be able to defend his home and country, and because I was afraid of firearms and thought bows more safe and less frightening—and because I wanted to be like Robin Hood. But I was quickly cured of that misconception after I fired my first volley, the sound of which scared the heck out of me. Though my name was Robin, I was no Robin Hood. I sold the bow to the pawn shop and bought a less physically demanding but more effective weapon: an AR-15. 

It is with tragic irony that the reasons given for banning assault weapons today by our political princes are the same reasons given by princes of old to command owning them. Take for instance, the English longbow. Because of its rapid rate of fire—ten arrows a minute—and effective range—about 300 yards—the longbow was the most lethal weapon during the Middle Ages. The law of the day even required every able-bodied man to train with one. The longbow laws made England powerful and instilled fear in her enemies. Now, I ask, is it not reasonable to assume that if we ban assault weapons, which are modern-day longbows, America will become weak? 

I think the gun debate revolves around a general failure to grasp the essentials of the controversy, which should not only be about self-defense but about the defense of one’s country. 

The Founding Father George Mason once said, “To disarm the people…[is] the most effectual way to enslave them.” Bans on assault weapons will not make America safer, because it is by Americans owning such weapons that makes America safe.

Another Founding Father, James Madison, said, “The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most natural defense of a free country.” The reverse is also true: A poorly equipped militia, with no training in contemporary weapons of war, is the worst way to defend a country.

I would like to ask Gov. Pritzker, and those who support this assault weapons ban, what are the weapons the unorganized militia of Illinois are supposed to wield if not assault weapons? When the Red Storm rises like a Tom Clancy Novel, and Illinois is drowned in a wave of war, what weapons will weather it?       

What does the law say? The Government Information website states concerning United States v. Miller: 

“After reciting the original provisions of the Constitution dealing with the militia, the Court observed that ‘[w]ith obvious purpose to assure the continuation and render possible the effectiveness of such forces the declaration and guarantee of the Second Amendment were made. It must be interpreted with that end in view.’ The significance of the militia, the Court continued, was that it was composed of ‘civilians primarily, soldiers on occasion.’ It was upon this force that the states could rely for defense and securing of the laws, on a force that ‘comprised all males physically capable of acting in concert for the common defense,’ who, ‘when called for service. . .were expected to appear bearing arms supplied by themselves and of the kind in common use at the time.’”

Further, The Court stated, “Miller holds that the ‘Second Amendment guarantees no right to keep and bear a firearm that does not have ‘some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well regulated militia.’” I think the law would agree with that assault weapons are a means by which to properly equip a militia for war.    

If America is invaded in twenty years, and the unorganized militia—all able-bodied men 17-45 not in the National Guard or the Naval Militia—is called forth to defend the State of Illinois, what arms will they bear? If this assault weapons ban lasts, and our sons have no modern weapons of war like assault weapons, how will they be able to defend this land?     

Since purchasing my AR-15, I have fired it precisely once—I thought a bow was scary and loud! But the political climate today is cold to put it mildly. War is not a bygone bogyman of a more barbaric age—the last century should put us in no doubt about that. Just as in Robin Hood’s time, when England suffered a century of war and was saved by the longbow, so America may suffer the same tomorrow. In that dark hour when heroes are needed to defend democracy and freedom, who will be strong enough to stand and fight and save America?

Come to think of it, perhaps it’s time to take my sons back out to the range.  

Editor’s Note: I shot the photographs and wrote this meditation for what I thought might be a photography journal column with the publication I currently work for. Unfortunately, I am paid to be a journalist and not to be an artist, which means I am supposed to be writing stories and taking photographs about artists and art as a journalist, not making my own art as an artist. I think that this post is art, if only one will allow it to move them to the aesthetic, philosophical, and theological realm of thought and feeling. And, for those inclined toward the mystical meaning of existence, perhaps this post even rises to the height of news–since, after all, the story and photographs are about interesting people.

Humans have been marking graves for at least the past 5000 years, beginning with the Celts and Romans. Since then this mysterious ritual has been observed in almost every culture throughout the world. From Buddhist Dharma Wheels figuring the eternal reality of the Now, to Christian Crosses signaling the Heavenly hereafter, gravestone makers help families memorialize their most precious beliefs and keep their loved ones’s memories alive. 

One such place where the dead are remembered is Howard Cemetery, which was established on the farm of Abraham Howard in 1883 with the burial of his grandson, Thomas A. Howard, which I happened to find quite by accident. 

I was out driving, letting the road and beautiful sights direct my steering wheel, when I decided to drive beyond Hurst into the country to look for a nostalgic subject—I was in a wistful frame of mind. I turned off the main road, because a sign indicated a cemetery was nearby. After about a quarter mile of gravel road, over a railroad crossing, past black cows munching hay, and coal mines all around, I pulled into a little secret and cozy cemetery nestled in the woods.   

After an appropriate crossing and a few Ave Marias said for the faithful departed over whom I was about to trod, I reverently knelt in the icy snow blanket covering the cemetery grounds and got to work. All that could be heard was the crunching of the snow beneath me and the clicking of my camera. 

What impressed me most was the tangible silence of the place. It was calming, mournful, and yet filled with what I can only call a moment filled with memory. Here were all these people beneath my feet who walked and talked over a hundred years ago and now were still and silent as the gave. And here I was remembering them with my camera. I read the names: Katie: His Wife, 1884; Peter: Lodge NO 715 K of P, 1851-1916; Esta: 1916, and so many more.

I can almost see Katie now in the kitchen: a devoted wife in a blue flower dress with a red apron, pulling corn muffins from the oven.

Or Peter, the jokester perhaps who alway knew where the best and coldest beer in town was, loyal as a hunting hound, hard but not cruel, wise in his own way, who lived a full but humble life.  

Then there’s poor little Esta. She died before ever becoming a woman. Maybe she was like Beth March in Little Women, sweet and mild, and disposed to noble suffering and resigned to a brief candle of life.        

The truth is, I don’t know who these people were, but I know that they were people just like me, with hopes and fears, joys and sorrows. Though I never knew them, I remember them all the same, and in doing so I remember that I shall join them when my brief hour here has ended and time becomes eternity.  

Terrible Signs

It is the trend today to assume that the Roman Catholic Church shall be as it ever was until the coming of Christ. There has been much discussion, and very good data to support such a doctrinal assertion. I for one tend to sympathize with those who think so, and would be inclined to believe it myself, were it not for the problem of proof.

The proofs are lacking in the supposition that there must always be Shepherds and Teachers until the end of time, and that the Church shall remain unchanged. The problem is, what calls itself the Church, and what has an appearance of being so, has been changed in its fundamentals in doctrine and discipline, while admittedly retaining the veneer of the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church. This is but surface deep, and within which there does not dwell the Holy Ghost, as is evident by the evil fruits of the Post Conciliar Sect.

Unfortunately, many have been confused by this outward appearance, coupled with the doctrinal suppositions that the Catholic Church must exist as it always has with Shepherds and Teachers until the end of time, and so, have defected by returning back to the Novus Ordo, or who have chosen never to leave.

I do not fault these individuals, because these are issues which are very confusing, and those to whom I allude I assume are pure intentioned and of good will, I have no doubt. But confusion is confusion, and error error, and so we must compare what has been said before to the present, in order to make some kind of sense of our predicament.

First, I would like to turn to Rev. Father Francis Hunolt, a renowned German preacher, who said in his sermon “On the Terrible Signs that are to Precede the Last Day of General Judgment,” the following:

Moreover, these signs shall show forth the great anger and displeasure of the Almighty at sinful men. The heavens now announce the glory of God, as the Prophet David says: “The heavens show forth the glory of God, and the firmament declareth the work of His hands.”(4) “But then,” says Barradius, “they shall declare the anger of God against the wicked.”(5) For He will cause all creatures to rise up against them; by making the stars to lose their light, He will, so to speak, shut up the windows by which any light might penetrate to the earth, that He may smite in the dark without mercy, as Isaias prophesies: “Behold, the day of the Lord shall come, a cruel day, and full of indignation, and of wrath, and fury, to lay the land desolate, and to destroy the sinners thereof out of it. For the stars of heaven and their brightness shall not display their light: the sun shall be darkened in his rising, and the moon shall not shine with her light.” 

Elsewhere, Father Hunolt wrote,

All that could encourage a pious Christian and console him in such tribulation shall then be removed; for this cruel beast in his daring pride shall set himself up as the true God and claim to be adored and to have churches built in his honor. “And the king shall do according to his will,” says the Prophet Daniel; “and he shall be lifted up, and shall magnify him self against every god.” (9) All the temples consecrated to Our Lord shall be pulled down and desecrated, the sacred images destroyed, spiritual books burned, all preachers and priests made away with, and the use of the holy sacraments and the celebration of Mass utterly abolished: “And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall defile the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the continual sacrifice: and they shall place there the abomination unto desolation.”(10) Such are the words of the Prophet Daniel. Thus for about four years, the duration of the reign of Antichrist, the public celebration of the holy Sacrifice shall be nowhere tolerated in the whole world; not a single crucifix shall there be that one might comfort himself in his sorrows by looking at it.

What is very curious about these statements, is that Father Hunolt does not sound like he is placing before the reader some bold new theory which had never been heard before. On the contrary, Father Hunolt was well-known in his day for his orthodox and inspired sermons. He simply states the following facts of eschatology (study of the End Times):

1. No spiritual consolation during the tribulation.
2. All consecrated churches and alters shall be destroyed, as well as sacred images, books.
3. All priests done away with.
4. Use of holy sacraments and the Mass abolished.
5. Continual sacrifice shall be taken away.
6. During Antichrist’s reign, public celebration of holy Sacrifice shall not be tolerated.
7. Not even crucifixes shall be seen to comfort.

Thus we see a startlingly similar picture emerging from this summary of what must be a perennially held interpretation of the prophecies of the End Times found in the Bible. What is very peculiar to point out is that, though some may be a wee bit exaggerative (like number 1 and 7), almost all of these points of prophecy coincide, not with Sedevacantists, not with Novus Ordoites, not with Recognize and Resisters, but with Home Alone Catholics. But what in particular concerns me in this post is the point about the cessation of the sacrifice, which Traditionalists and those of the Novus Ordo, as well, reject or believe has not come to pass–as if not now, then when!

I shall let these quotes from Hunolt just sit there for your meditation. Imagine you were sitting in the pew of some German church a few hundred years ago, and heard Father Hunolt speak these things, and thinking what it might be like to have no priests and no Mass and no church. Not so hard to imagine, is it?

Next, I would like to take a quote from a letter Saint Augustine wrote to Bishop Hesychius, entitled “The End of the World,” which Saint Augustine liked so much he decided to republish as a chapter in his City of God.

For the Church is the sun and the moon and the stars, to which it was said, Beautiful as the moon, chosen as the sun (Sg 6:9)…For, when the sun is darkened, and the moon does not give its light, and the stars fall from heaven and the powers of the heavens are thrown into confusion (Mt 24:29; Mk 13:24-25), as this passage is expressed by the other two evangelists, the Church will not be seen. At that time, when the wicked persecutors rage beyond all limit and without any fear, as if the happiness of the world were smiling upon them, they say, Peace and security (1 Thes 5:3), stars will fall from the heavens, and the powers of the heavens will be thrown into confusion, because many who seemed to be resplendent with grace will yield to the persecutors and fall, and some very firm believers will be thrown into confusion, (Ep. 199.39).

Here Saint Augustine says that “the Church will not be seen.” The sun, moon, and stars are the Church. Hence, “And immediately after the tribulation of those days, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven shall be moved…” could equally be read as “…the Church shall be darkened and the the Church shall not give her light, and the Church shall fall from heaven…”

Those who insist that there must always be Shepherds and Teachers until the Second Coming and Final Judgment, must reconcile these teachings of eminent preachers and teachers in the Church who say otherwise. Those who are confused about these issues must not be led astray, they must not “yield to the persecutors and fall.” Those who would return to the Novus Ordo–or never leave–are the ones who yield to the persecutors of the real Church, the body of unshaken believers who have held the Faith whole and inviolable.

We who keep the Faith must pray for perseverance and not be tempted to believe that He is to be found in the closets or Tabernacles of the Novus Ordo, or anywhere else. Christ is to be sought today in prayer in the spirit, since His sacramental presence has been taken away as a punishment for our sins. Pray the Rosary everyday if you can, and ask our Lady to make your will strong, that you may keep the Faith of our Fathers and not yield to the Antichrist.

Editor’s Note

I am excited to share with you a scholarly write-up on a very important subject, the so-called necessity of having Shepherds and Teachers until the end of time. Everything in theology revolves around words, and here Mr. B.E. Strauss does an adroit job at bringing out what is important in the words many bloggers of the Traditionalist ilk have bantered back and forth without neat considerations taken. He bases his sound reasoning on Holy Scripture, Sacred Councils, and eminent Fathers and Doctors of the Catholic Church. This is an issue affecting Home Alone Catholics and Sedevacantists, as well as Traditionalists, one of which, Mr. Eric Hoyle, has felt so strongly about that he has returned to the Novus Ordo, because he believes there must be Shepherds and Teachers until the Second Coming. Mr. Strauss is offering an alternative interpretation to the Vatican Council language of the same, albeit, not his own interpretation, but rather one rooted in actual teachers in the Church. Read the Appendix. That is where the gold is.

If this topic interests you, I recommend going over to Galaxy Forum, and discussing it there. Leave your comments as well, and be sure to thank Mr. Strauss for his contributions to the CE Log!

Even to the Consummation of the Age

By B. E. Strauss

Pastor stultus, et imperitus, haud dubium quin Antichristus sit; qui in consummatione mundi dicitur esse venturus. Without any doubt, the foolish and unskilled shepherd is Antichrist, who is said to come at the consummation of the world.

St. Jerome, On Zechariah

The idea that the Church shall have a pope, bishops, seminars, etc. until the literal last day of the world, until the Lord returns, is widespread and plays a significant role in debates between Catholics about consequences to be drawn in the face of the Great Apostasy that has become visible since the robber council of the 1960s. Looking at original Latin documents and writings of the Magisterium, the Fathers, Doctors and Saints, and the Vulgate as well as other editions of Holy Scripture, a different picture comes to the fore. As a matter of fact, the Vatican Council solemnly teaches that the Lord promised shepherds and teachers until the consummation of the age which, according to Catholic commentary, begins with the revelation of Antichrist who is announced to reign before the return of the Lord. Hence, apostolic succession seems to have come to an end already, and we deal with shepherds of vengeance:

Zech 11:15-16 And the Lord said to me: Take to thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd. For behold I will raise up a shepherd in the land, who shall not visit what is forsaken, nor seek what is scattered, nor heal what is broken, nor nourish that which standeth, and he shall eat the flesh of the fat ones, and break their hoofs.

1: The Consummation of the Age

The term consummatio saeculi is St. Jerome’s translation of the Greek term syntéleia tou aionos, which appears exclusively in the Gospel of Matthew. Holy Scripture is full of other terms for the same events, which are announced over and over again. Some of these terms are dies novissimi (latter days), dies ultionis (days of vengeance), dies visitationis (days of visitation), and tempus tribulationis (time of tribulation). Whether day or days or time or times, all these terms describe the time of the reign of Antichrist, which is to happen in the second half of the last of seventy weeks of the prophecy of Daniel:

Dan 9:24 Seventy weeks are shortened upon thy people, and upon thy holy city, that transgression may be finished, and sin may have an end, and iniquity may be abolished; and everlasting justice may be brought; and vision and prophecy may be fulfilled; and the saint of saints may be anointed.

St. Jerome quotes a series of commentaries of other Fathers on the seventy weeks in his commentary On Daniel. The first sixty-nine weeks are before the first coming of the Lord, where each prophetic week lasts 7 years. The last week is split into two halves. So far, there is wide consensus. Understandably, with respect to the rest there is less agreement. Prophecy generally is not fully understood until after things happen. It seems that the first half of the last week signifies the bimillennial time of the Church up to Antichrist, the second half the time of the reign of Antichrist.

The Apostle Paul uses the related term consummatio saeculorum, i.e. consummation of the ages.

Hebr 9:26  For then he ought to have suffered often from the beginning of the world: but now once at the end of ages [consummatio saeculorum], he hath appeared for the destruction of sin, by the sacrifice of himself.

The consummation of the ages denotes the last of all ages of the world, the age of the Church. This last age consummates the ages that came before, and it is itself consummated by the consummatio saeculi, by the consummation of the (last) age.

Proving the point of this article, many Fathers and Doctors of the Church equate the consummation of the age and the time of Antichrist:

St. John of Damascus, An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book IV It should be known that the Antichrist is bound to come. Every one, therefore, who confesses not that the Son of God came in the flesh and is perfect God and became perfect man, after being God, is Antichrist (1 John 2:22). But in a peculiar and special sense he who comes at the consummation of the age is called Antichrist. newadvent.org

Several (screen) pages of further quotes which show that many Fathers and Doctors equate the time of Antichrist and the consummation of the age can be found in the appendix below.

2: The Gospel of Matthew

The term consummatio saeculi appears six times in the Gospel of Matthew. The first three mentions occur in the context of the parable of the cockle of the field:

Mt 13:39 And the enemy that sowed them, is the devil. But the harvest is the end of the world [consummatio saeculi]. And the reapers are the angels.

Mt 13:40 Even as cockle therefore is gathered up, and burnt with fire: so shall it be at the end of the world [consummatio saeculi].

Mt 13:49 So shall it be at the end of the world [consummatio saeculi]. The angels shall go out, and shall separate the wicked from among the just.

The quotes are from the Rheims New Testament of A.D. 1582 revised by Bishop Challoner A.D. 1749-1752 Consummatio saeculi is translated as end of the world each time. The next two mentions occur in the Olivet Apocalypse:

Mt 24:3 And when he was sitting on mount Olivet, the disciples came to him privately, saying: Tell us when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the consummation of the world [consummatio saeculi]?

Mt 24:14-15 And this gospel of the kingdom, shall be preached in the whole world, for a testimony to all nations, and then shall the consummation come [consummatio]. When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him understand.

Mt 24:14-15 has just consummatio but refers to consummatio saeculi in 24:3. The last mention occurs in the last verse of the last chapter of the Gospel of Matthew:

Mt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world [consummatio saeculi].

In translations the original Latin term consummatio saeculi is most frequently rendered as end of the world. Consummation of the world is less frequent, and consummation of the age is comparatively rare. This is also the case for translations of original Latin versions of Catholic commentaries and other writings including magisterial documents quoting the above verses. Also, the situation is similar with respect to translations to Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and probably more languages. The Latin Fathers use finis saeculi, finis mundi, and consummatio mundi beside consummatio saeculi, only if they don’t directly quote one of the listed Verses of the Gospel of Matthew.

3: The Indefectibility of the Church

Ecclesia a perfectione sua fulget in decore justitiae usque ad tempus Antichristi. By her perfection the Church sparkles in the adornment of justice up to the time of Antichrist.

Scivias Hildegardis, Visio undecima

The indefectibility of the Church has been a topic treated by theologians for centuries. A.D. 1870 the Vatican Council supplied them additional definitive teaching on the topic. Particularly, the existence of shepherds and teachers even to the consummation of the age was emphasized. As far as I am aware, theologians don’t seem to care much about what exactly consummation of the age means. E.g. Ludwig Ott writes

Grundriß der Katholischen Dogmatik.  Der Fortbestand der hierarchischen Gewalten folgt notwendigerweise aus der von Christus gewollten Indefektibilität der Kirche. Die den Aposteln gegebene Verheißung seines Beistandes ,,bis ans Ende der Welt” (Mt 28,20) setzt voraus, daß das apostolische Amt in den Nachfolgern fortbesteht.

The continuance of the hierarchical authorities follows necessarily from the indefectibility of the Church, willed by Christ. The promise of his aid, given to the Apostles, until the end of the world” (Mt 28:20) presupposes that the apostolic office continues in their successors.

Such statements can be read as if the hierarchy of the Church had to be up and running until the moment of the second coming of the Lord. On the other hand, Bl. Hildegard of Bingen has a different perspective (see quote above).

4: The Vatican Council

Both dogmatic constitutions of the Vatican Council, Dei Filius (April 1870) and Pastor aeternus (July 1870), begin with a reference to Mt 28:20 behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the age. The dogmatic constitution on the Church of Christ emphasizes the will of the Lord …

Pastor aeternus, Vatican Council: The eternal shepherd and guardian of our souls … willed that … in his church there should be shepherds and teachers even to the consummation of the age.

… while the dogmatic constitution on the Catholic faith calls it a promise:

Dei filius, Vatican Council: The Son of God, redeemer of the human race, our lord Jesus Christ, promised, when about to return to his heavenly Father, that he would be with this church militant upon earth all days even to the consummation of the age.

In both cases, the original Latin of the Vulgate usque ad consummationem saeculi (Mt 28:20) is used, which means up to the consummation of the age.

The sacrosanct Council neither explains what exactly the consummation of the age is, nor does it say anything about shepherds and teachers during the consummation. But there is not only no reason to expect true shepherds and teachers during the consummation of the age. On the contrary, biblical prophecy, as expounded by the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, announces false shepherds and teachers as well as Antichrist, sent by the Lord, sitting in the holy place, slaughtering, selling, and devouring the sheep.

I’ll leave the reader with the quotes in the now following appendix.

Appendix

A. Fathers and Doctors equating the consummation or the end of the age or the world and the reign of Antichrist

A.1  Ps. Hippolytus

De consummatione mundi is a discourse on the consummation of the world which is said to be a 7th century adaption of De Antichristo of St. Hippolytus of Rome. The consummation is presented as a time of seduction followed by the second coming of the Lord.

De consummation mundi, Section 2 For I shall unfold to you today a narration full of horror and fear, to wit, the account of the consummation, and in particular, of the seduction of the whole world by the enemy and devil; and after these things, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Quoting two prophets, Isaiah and Osea, the author identifies their descriptions with the raging of Antichrist during the consummation.

De consummation mundi, Section 4 And what else is this burning wind from the east (Osea 13:15), than the Antichrist that is to destroy and dry up the veins of the waters and the fruits of the trees in his times, because men set their hearts on his works? For which reason he shall indeed destroy them, and they shall serve him in his pollution.

The terms day of the consummation, times of the consummation, time of the consummation, and last day of the consummation are used synonymously. In that time, false Christs will arise. E.g.:

De consummation mundi, Section 9 Wherefore also in the last day of the consummation, it must needs be that false Christs will arise again.

newadvent.org

A.2  St. Cyprian of Carthage

St. Cyprian of Carthage is considered the pre-eminent Latin writer of Western Christianity until Jerome and Augustine.

Testimonia adversus Iudaeos Apud Esaiam: Et erunt vobis hi omnes sermones sicut sermones libri qui signatus est: quem si dederis homini scienti litteras ad legendum, dicet: Nonpossum legere, Signatus est enim. Sed in illa die audient surdi sermones libri ; et qui in tenebris et qui in nebula sunt, oculi caecorum videbunt (Isa. XXIX, 11, 18). Item apud Hieremiam: In novissimo dierum cognoscetis ea (Hier. XXIII, 20). Item apud Danielem: Muni sermones et signa librum usque ad tempus consummationis, quoad discant multi, et impleatur agnitio ; quoniam cum fiet dispersio, cognoscent omnia haec (Dan. XII, 4, 7) .

Comparing Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel, Cyprian equates that day (Is 29:18), the latter days (Jer 23:20), and the time of the consummation (Dan 12:4). In that time, not the wicked but learned people will understood prophecy: the deaf shall hear the words of the book (Is 29:18), in the latter days you shall understand his counsel (Jer 23:20), the learned shall understand (Dan 12:10). (Note that Cyprian is ignorant of the Vulgate, where Dan 12:4 reads usque ad tempus statutum (even to the time appointed) while Cyprian quotes usque ad tempus consummationis (even to the time of the consummation).

mlat.uzh.ch

A.3  Ps. Chrysostom

The Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum is an uncomplete early commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Up to the 16th century the author was thought to be St. John Chrysostom. The Opus is extensively quoted by St. Thomas Aquinas in the Catena Aurea.

The consummation of the world is presented as the time of tribulation, when the Church will be destroyed like Jerusalem has been destroyed A.D. 70.

Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum, Hom. XLIX Sicut illi tale facinus commiserunt, quale numquam commissum est, nec est committendum: sic et super illos talis sententia venit, qualis numquam venit, nec veniet. Haec aptius est de consummatione mundi suscipere, cujus figura fuit tribulatio illa. Tunc vere talis erit tribulatio, qualis numquam fuit.

For just as they committed such a crime as has never been committed nor ever will be again, so also such a sentence came on them as never has come nor ever will. But it is more fitting to understand this about the consummation of the world, which was prefigured by that tribulation. Then there will truly be a tribulation as never was.

google: ”quale numquam commissum est”

Opus Imperfectum in Matthaeum, Hom. XLVIII  In consummatione enim gentis Judaeae Jerusalem destructa est, quae tamen videbatur esse Jerusalem, non autem vera erat. In consummatione autem mundi Ecclesia aut desolata, aut desolanda est: adhuc tamen illa quae videbatur Ecclesia, non autem quae vera erat, aut est.

For at the consummation of the Jewish nation Jerusalem was destroyed, which still was perceived to be Jerusalem but really was not. At the consummation of the world the church will either be desolate or to be made desolate: That is, that which is perceived to be the church, not that which truely was and is the church.

google: ”autem mundi Ecclesia aut desolata”

A.4  St. Jerome

St. Jerome, one of the four Great Latin Church Fathers, frequently identifies the consummation of the age with the time of the reign of Antichrist.

Commentaria in Zachariam.  Pastor stultus, et imperitus, haud dubium quin Antichristus sit; qui in consummatione mundi dicitur esse venturus.

Without any doubt, the foolish and unskilled shepherd is Antichrist, who is said to come at the consummation of the world.

mlat.uzh.ch

This comment of Jerome is reiterated by

• Rupert of Deutz, Commentaria in duodecim prophetas minores mlat.uzh.ch
• Haymo Halberstatensis, Enarratio in duodecim prophetas minores mlat.uzh.ch

Another example:

Commentaria in Isaiam. In consummatione mundi, quando orbis redactus fuerit in solitudinem et obtenebratus sol in ortu suo et luna splendorem suum non dederit, tanta fient ab Antichristo signa atque portenta, ut iniquitate crescente, refrigescat caritas multorum, ad decipiendos etiam si fieri potest electos Dei.

In the consummation of the world, when  …  the sun will be darkened …, so many signs and wonders will be made by Antichrist …

The abomination of desolation of Mt 24:15 is identified as Antichrist in the Church.

Commentaria in Matthaeum, 24:15  “Cum ergo videritis abominationem desolationis, quae dicta est a Daniele propheta, stantem in loco sancto, qui legit, intelligat.”  … Potest autemsimpliciter aut de Antichristo accipi … stare in loco sancto, hoc est, in Ecclesia.

“When therefore you shall see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place: he that readeth let him understand.” … This also can simply be understood of Antichrist … standing in the holy place, that is in the Church.

mlat.uzh.ch

During the consummation of the age we should beware that our Faith and our love of the Lord won’t grow cold.

Commentaria in Matthaeum, 24:20 Si autem de consummatione mundi intelligitur, hoc praecipit, ut non refrigescat fides nostra et in Christum charitas …

But if understood of the consummation of the world, beware that our faith and our love of Christ won’t grow cold …

mlat.uzh.ch

This comment by Jerome is reiterated by

• Venerable Bede. intratext.com
• Rabanus Maurus intratext.com
• St. Thomas Aquinas clerus.org

A.5  St. Augustine

St. Augustine, one of the four Great Latin Church Fathers, identifies the end of the age and the time of Antichrist.

De civitate Dei, Liber XXI, Caput XXVI Erit etiam in fine saeculi tribulatio tempore Antichristi, qualis nunquam antea fuit.

Moreover, in the end of the age there shall be tribulation during the time of Antichrist, such as has never before been.

mlat.uzh.ch

A.6  Venerable Bede

The end of the age is the time when Antichrist will reign.

Explanatio Apocalypsis, Liber tertius, Caput XVII Antichristus qui in fine saeculi regnaturus est, …

Antichrist, who is to reign in the end of the age, …

mlat.uzh.ch

A.7  St. John of Damascus

St. John of Damascus says that Antichrist comes at the consummation of the age.

An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book IV It should be known that the Antichrist is bound to come. Every one, therefore, who confesses not that the Son of God came in the flesh and is perfect God and became perfect man, after being God, is Antichrist (1 John 2:22). But in a peculiar and special sense he who comes at the consummation of the age is called Antichrist.

newadvent.org

A.8  Charlemagne

Carolus Magnus, Holy Roman Emperor, says that Antichrist will arrive at the very end of the age (finem saeculi extremi):

De imaginibus, Liber Primus, Caput XX Adventum vero Antichristi, finem saeculi extremi, discrimen iudicii et aeternam bonorum gloriam, poenamque reproborum, concordi utrumque Testamentum veritate profatur.

The actual arrival of Antichrist, at the very end of the age, the judgment separating, the eternal glory of the good and the punishment of the reprobate, is truely spelled out in bothtestaments concordantly.

mlat.uzh.ch

A.9  Remigius of Auxerre

Remigius of Auxerre, commenting on Gen 15:14, says that during the end of the age Antichrist will rage.

Gen 15:12 And when the sun was setting, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a great and darksome horror seized upon him.

Commentarius in Genesim, 15:12  Solis occubitus finem saeculi significat, quando per Antichristum tenebrosus horror, id est persecutio vel perturbatio futura est.

The setting of the sun signifies the end of the age, when due to Antichrist there shall be gloomy trembling, that is persecution or confusion.

mlat.uzh.ch

A.10  Anselm of Laon and Schola

Anselm of Laon is the founder of a school of scholars who produced the Glossa ordinaria, an interlinear and marginal gloss. The Schola says that Antichrist rages in the consummation of the age.

Glossa ordina, Liber Iudith, CAPUT II.  VERS. 17. – “Descendit in campos.” Damascus potus sanguinis interpretatur, in qua principes gentium exprimuntur, who thirst for the bloodof the faithful: qui sitiunt sanguinem fidelium: maxime in tempore messis, id est, in consummatione saeculi debacchante per latitudinem orbis furore Antichristi.

“Went down into the plains.” Damascus is understood to be a drinking of blood, in which the princes of the Gentiles are pictured, who thirst for the blood of the faithful: above all in the time of the harvest, that is, in the consummation of the age when the madness of Antichrist is raging all over the world.

mlat.uzh.ch

Morning fog settles on Crab Orchard Lake

A nice chap left a few comments over on Galaxy Forum, which I encourage you to check out if you have not already. Eugene wrote about when the world would end, and I commend him for thinking on such things, because it is a holy practice. We must consider our end and the world’s, because it is in contemplating our death that we draw closer to holiness. At the same time, though, there must be a healthy balance between living and preparing for the future, even if it never comes. All life is filled with uncertainty, and we who keep the faith oftentimes find it easy to dwell upon the end a little too much, because we so desire the Second Coming of Christ to set things right that are so terribly wrong in world.

I know for me and my family, this was a spiritual habit of mind which, thankfully did not prevent us from planing for a future. We are still planning, and even more now that I have decided to work again–or, as I joke with Laura, for the first time. Still, as the above photograph indicates, it isn’t really work to go out into beautiful places in the world and take poetic pictures of lake fog, or sit down and talk with interesting people, and write stories on what I recall. That is just fun.

I come to you today, not with any planned idea on what to write about, which I apologize for. I want to produce great content for you all, but I lack certain inspiration to determine what that content might be. Perhaps there is a problem which faces you, a nagging question which unsettles your sleep, which you cannot seem to resolve. Maybe if you shared your questions, I could offer my services to help you come up with answers.

I suppose I am a little dry because, like many of you, I am fairly settled in my convictions about what Catholicism is–and what it is not! I know there are those out there who think there must always be shepherds until the end of the world, because, as the argument goes, God so wills it. I have already written on this idea before, but, needless to say, I do not begin my inquiring into the truth of reality from theory but rather from fact, and from fact deduce a theory. But whether there are bishops hiding in plain sight or in the bushes somewhere, this much is clear: the Novus Ordo headed by Francis is not the Catholic Church, and any supposition to the contrary is confounding bald fact with erroneous theory.

Like many of you, I am looking up into the sky, awaiting the consummation and the Son of Man on the clouds of Heaven. When that is, no one knows save the Father. Every day, at least for me and my family, is an attempt to live a normal life while struggling with the elephantine reality that we live during the ending of the world, the final act of creation, the Apocalypse. That is heavy. If you are having a hard time adjusting to the the reality and living a quasi-normal existence, don’t feel alone. You are not. Though we do not frequent messaging forums with any regularity and numbers, we Home Alone Catholics are numerous and struggle with the same heavy burden of the spirit.

Well, I feel like I have rambled enough during this post. I will try to produce some content in the coming weeks, once I get adjusted to my new hobby–journalism and photography–which I actually get paid for. It is crazy. And if you have any nagging questions or concerns, please, share them in the comments. I look forward to your emails and comments. They encourage and inspire me!