little big horn
"This horn had eyes like a man, and a mouth that spoke arrogantly." —Daniel 7:8
In Daniel's vision, the horn that sprang from the fourth beast was the Seleucid kingdom (Dn 7:8). The big mouth of the little horn was King Antiochus Epiphanes. This man was so arrogant (see Dn 7:11) that, after a reign of mass murder, terror, and torture (see 1 Mc 1:54-63), he remarked about what a nice guy he was (1 Mc 6:12).
King Antiochus would feel at home with us today, for arrogance is rampant in our society. It is not unusual for a minister or priest to flippantly contradict the Bible and thousands of years of Spirit-filled people to justify artificial contraception, homosexual activity, or abortion. Professors, seminarians, and amateur theologians think nothing of ignoring the Pope's teachings and dismissing him as a chauvinistic, authoritarian relic. Too many Catholics turn up their noses at Jesus in Holy Communion. They don't have time to receive the body and blood of Jesus, except maybe on Sundays. Jesus doesn't fit into their weekday schedule. Are we mocking God? (see Gal 6:7)
The Lord's judgment on our arrogance is: "All you can do is make arrogant and pretentious claims. All such boasting is reprehensible" (Jas 4:16). "The haughty eyes of man will be lowered, the arrogance of men will be abased, and the Lord alone will be exalted, on that day. For the Lord of hosts will have His day against all that is proud and arrogant, all that is high, and it will be brought low" (Is 2:11-12). "God 'is stern with the arrogant but to the humble He shows kindness' " (1 Pt 5:5; Prv 3:34). Repent of arrogance and submit to God's word, His Church, and the pope.
Prayer: Father, may I shut my big mouth.
Promise: "The heavens and the earth will pass away, but My words will not pass." —Lk 21:33
Praise: Once Paula got into reading the pope's teachings, she began to really understand her faith.
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 3, 2009
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