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“NINETY and FIVE”
By
Gregory V. Boulware
Bertram Lee Wolf wrote of Martin Luther’s distain and excommunication of established avarice, greed, corruption, and spiritual laxity of the sixteenth-century Catholic Church; particularly his criticism for the sale of indulgencies, and pardons for temporal punishments due for sin. “When John Tetzel, a cleric who defended the sale of indulgences, visited Saxony in 1517, Luther protested by nailing his ninety-five theses to the door of the castle church. The theses were widely debated and led to Luther’s excommunication in 1521; they are usually regarded as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.” What’s happening to us in 2012 – 13 and beyond? Currently, we are in a quandary of despair, disregard, disorganization, disorientation, disassociation, separation, the haves and the have-nots, and the desire to leave things as they are; while babies are killed in their classrooms and cribs and the gun-totters say put a gun in every classroom.
Punishments and inquisitions were dealt severely and in many cases without regard for mercy or clemency. The castle dungeon is described for one poor soul in the text, “Pendulum of Hades.”
The Pope does excellently when he grants remission to the souls in purgatory on account of intercessions made on their behalf, and not by the power of the keys – which he cannot exercise for them.
Wolf’s continued report stated there is no divine authority for preaching that the soul flies out of purgatory immediately after the money clinks in the bottom of the coffer’s chest. It is certainly possible that when the money clinks in the bottom of the chest avarice and greed increase; but when the church offers intercession, all depends on the will of God. Who knows whether all souls in purgatory wish to be redeemed in view of what has been said of St. Severinus and St. Paschal? The two saints have both refused to have their periods of penance in Purgatory shortened. No one is sure of the reality of his own contrition, much less of receiving plenary and/or complete forgiveness.
One who is bona fide and buys indulgence is as rare as a bona fide penitent man, which is very rare indeed. All those who believe themselves certain of their own salvation by means of letters of indulgence, will be eternally damned, together with their teachers. We should be most carefully on our guard against those who say that the papal indulgences are an inestimable divine gift, and that a man is reconciled to God by them. For the grace conveyed by these indulgences relates simply to the penalties of sacramental “satisfactions” decreed merely by man.
It is not in accordance with Christian doctrine to preach and teach those who buy off souls, or purchase confessional licenses, have no need to repent of their own sins. The so-called “fiscal cliff” could qualify as coffer-lust in light of what the people have demanded and ignored by ones who have been placed or manipulated in form or fashion to the pinnacles of national recognized power.
Any true Christian whatsoever, living or dead, participates in all the benefits of Christ and the Church; and this participation is granted to him by God without letter of indulgence. Yet the Pope’s remission and dispensation are in no way to be despised, for, as already said, they proclaim the divine remission. It is very difficult, even for the most learned theologians, to extol to the people the great bounty contained in the indulgences, while, at the same time, praising contrition as a virtue. A truly contrite sinner seeks out, and loves to pay the penalties of his or her sins; whereas the very multitude of indulgences dulls men’s consciences, and tends to make them hate the penalties. Papal indulgences should only be preached with caution, lest people gain a wrong understanding, and think that they are preferable to other good works: those of love.
Christians (of every faith) should be taught that the pope does not at all intend that the purchase of indulgences should be understood as at all comparable with works of mercy. Christians should be taught that one who gives to the poor, or lends to the needy, does a better action than if he purchases indulgences; because, by works of love, love grows and a man becomes a better man; whereas, by indulgences, he does not become a better man, but only escapes certain penalties.
Christians (of every faith) should be taught that he who sees a needy person, but passes him or her by although he gives money for indulgences, gains no benefit from the pope’s pardon, but only incurs the wrath of God.
Christians (of every faith) should be taught that, unless they have more than they need, they are bound to retain what is necessary for the upkeep of their home, and should in no way squander it on indulgences.
Christians (of every faith) should be taught that they purchase indulgences voluntarily, and are not under obligation to do so.
Christians (of every faith) should be taught that, in granting indulgences, the pope has more need, and more desire, for devout prayer on his own behalf than for ready money.
Christians (of every faith) should be taught that the pope’s indulgences are useful only if one does not rely on them, but the most harmful in one loses the fear of God through them.
Christians (of every faith) should be taught that, if the pope knew the exactions of the indulgence-preachers, he would rather, the church of St. Peter were reduced to ashes than be built with the skin, flesh, and bones of his sheep.
The text “Amongst Us” alludes to the probable possibility of powerful Archangels and other Cherubs walking amongst us. One never knows to whom it is they are speaking…
Til Next Time…
References:
Anthology of An Essayist, Hallow, and Spirit of the Soul and The Death of Morals
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http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_gnr_fkmr0?r... Literature of the Western World Vol. I – The Ancient World Through the Renaissance
Brian Wilkie and James Hurt from Bertram Lee Woolf’s translation of Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses
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Posted By: Gregory V. Boulware, Esq.
Tuesday, January 1st 2013 at 6:13PM
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