Christ Is in Our Midst, My Dear Readers!
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers (Phil. 3:2), teaches the Apostle Paul. In rebuking the false teachers who, under the guise of Christianity, tried to impose the observance of Old Testament rituals, the Apostle Paul also warns all of us that wicked men will act evilly within the Church in every age.
The “dogs” are those who, under the pretext of piety and zeal for God, tear apart the Church and lead people away from Christ. They are those who tear, bite, and destroy what belongs to God. Such “dogs” have no love in their hearts—neither for God nor for man. They forget the words of the Apostle: But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another (Gal. 5:15).
Today we see how these “dogs” rend the Body of Christ. Under the guise of fighting the enemies of the people, they destroy faith, seize temples, and divide what God has united. The devil rejoices most when the Church is persecuted by those who consider themselves her defenders. He is especially pleased when, under the banner of “the Name of God”—Who is Love—hatred and malice are sown.
But “dogs” not only know how to bite—they also wag their tails and fawn before those who can “throw a piece of meat into their dish.” These are the people who, for the sake of gain, comfort, and peace, are ready to do whatever their master commands. They will serve one group today, another tomorrow, and a third the day after. Their chief concern is to retain their position and comfort. For the sake of praise, they are willing to justify lies, approve of sin, and excuse sacrilege. Such people, in the words of the Apostle, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly (cf. Rom. 16:18).
Yet both those who bark and those who crawl are equally far from God. The first destroy the Body of Christ from without; the second do the same from within. A true Christian is not one who loudly proclaims his faith, but one who lives in harmony with the truth and love of the Gospel—one who blesses when he is cursed, who prays for his enemies, and does not wish evil to his offenders; who does not sell his faith for thirty pieces of silver or a mess of pottage; who would rather be cast out with Christ than live in plenty without Him; who is capable of loving even traitors and those very “dogs” of whom the Apostle Paul speaks.
Not every zeal is pleasing to God, nor is every obedience holy. Even if an angel from heaven were to come down and lead you into a “new church” where there is no love or repentance, but only pride and vanity—do not follow him. Beware of those who teach you to remain silent out of fear or to compromise for gain. In every age there have been those who, pretending to serve God, in truth served only themselves. Do not listen to such soul-destroyers—they will not lead you to salvation.
Today we must answer a question: Who are we? Are we the children of God or members of the pack of dogs that tear the Church apart? Do we serve the Truth or men? Do we love Christ—or our own warm place under the sun? Do we fear God—or the opinion of man? Our only measure and standard of truth must be the Gospel Truth and Divine Love.
Fidelity to Christ, to the Queen of Heaven, and to our Mother, the Church—and striving to resemble the saints and righteous ones—this is all we truly need in this earthly life. Remember that the Church stands not by human strength, but by the Blood of the Lamb of God. No “dogs” can destroy it. And if each of us remains faithful to Christ, no turmoil will divide us, and no darkness will quench in our hearts the light of the Gospel.
May the Lord strengthen us with the Spirit of Truth and Courage, that we may not be slaves of this world lying in wickedness, but faithful sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.
