“It is the truth which is assailed in any age which tests our fidelity. It is to confess we are called, not merely to profess. If I profess, with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition, every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christianity.

“Where the battle rages the loyalty of the soldier is proved; and to be steady on all the battle-field besides is mere flight and disgrace to him if he flinches at that one point. —Elizabeth R. Charles

Here subjects have been highlighted generally because some of the truths addressed have been either denied or only faintly or ambiguously affirmed. In other instances explicit errors are examined.

We are called, meanwhile, to believe God is totally in control when he permits the Church, and all persons of Good will, to be assailed by forces of malice, from without or from within. In His own appointed time and way, we are assured, He will act.

Jesus calms the storm

It must also be emphasized that we are taught that it is our task to do penance for our own sins. Penance as love and reparation shows we remain on “the Way“. Confessing the imperishable divine order of all things in the face of nihilist denial is another part of this.

2 Cor. 7:10: “For the sorrow that is according to God worketh penance, steadfast unto salvation; but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

See also, St. Francis de Sales consoling words on forgiveness and spiritual self-knowledge.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.—Matt. 1:21

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”— 1 Jn. 1;9

Cleanse and strengthen me, O Lord. For I have made little progress until now.

“. if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”— Rom. 10:9

“The truth is still the truth even if nobody believes it. A lie is still a lie even if everyone believes it!”

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