{"id":49730,"date":"2023-10-09T20:04:44","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T00:04:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/?p=49730"},"modified":"2023-10-10T11:29:28","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T15:29:28","slug":"the-obedience-of-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-obedience-of-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"The Obedience of Faith","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-49731\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Obedience-of-Faith.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"590\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Obedience-of-Faith.jpg 1123w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Obedience-of-Faith-281x300.jpg 281w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Obedience-of-Faith-958x1024.jpg 958w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Obedience-of-Faith-768x821.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">Now to Him who can strengthen you, <\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ&#8230; <\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith&#8230;\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">(Rom 16:25-26)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">&#8230;he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, <\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>even death on a cross.<\/strong> (Phil 2:8)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><b>GOD <\/b>must be shaking His head, if not laughing at His Church. For the plan unfolding since the dawn of Redemption has been for Jesus to prepare for Himself a Bride who is <em>&#8220;without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish&#8221;<\/em> (Eph. 5:27). And yet, some within the hierarchy itself<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_49730_1('footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_49730_1('footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_49730_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">cf.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-final-trial\/\"><em>The Final Trial<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_49730_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> have reached the point of inventing ways for people to remain in objective mortal sin, and yet feel &#8220;welcome&#8221; in the Church.<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_49730_1('footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_49730_1('footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_49730_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Indeed, God welcomes all to be saved. The condition for this salvation are in the words of Our Lord himself: &#8220;Repent and believe in the gospel&#8221; (Mark 1:15) <\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_49730_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> What a vastly different vision than God&#8217;s! What an immense abyss between the reality of what is prophetically unfolding at this hour \u2014 the purification of the Church \u2014 and what some bishops are proposing to the world!<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>In fact, Jesus goes even further in His (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/on-luisa-and-her-writings\/\">approved<\/a>) revelations to Servant of God Luisa Piccarreta. He says that the human will may even produce &#8220;good,&#8221; but precisely because one&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/true-sonship\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-38943\" style=\"margin: 2px 5px 2px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/seaofgracedw1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"415\" height=\"419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/seaofgracedw1-scaled.jpg 2535w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/seaofgracedw1-297x300.jpg 297w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/seaofgracedw1-1014x1024.jpg 1014w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/seaofgracedw1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/seaofgracedw1-768x776.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/seaofgracedw1-1521x1536.jpg 1521w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/seaofgracedw1-2028x2048.jpg 2028w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/seaofgracedw1-640x646.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 415px) 100vw, 415px\" \/><\/a>actions are done in the human will, they fall short of producing the fruit He wishes us to bear.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><em><strong>&#8230;<\/strong><strong>to <\/strong><strong>do<\/strong><strong> My Will <\/strong><\/em>[as opposed to &#8220;live in My will&#8221;]<em><strong> is to live with two wills in such a way that, when I give orders to follow My Will, the soul feels the weight of its own will which causes contrasts. And even though the soul faithfully carries out My Will\u2019s orders, it feels the weight of its rebellious human nature, of its passions and inclinations. How many saints, although they may have reached the heights of perfection, felt their own will waging war on them, keeping them oppressed? Whence many were forced to cry out:<\/strong><\/em><strong>\u201cWho will free me from this body of death?\u201d<\/strong><em><strong>, that is,\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><strong>\u201cfrom this will of mine, that wants to give death to the good I want to do?\u201d\u00a0<\/strong>(cf. Rom 7:24) \u2014Jesus to Luisa,\u00a0<em>The Gift of Living in the Divine Will in the Writings of Luisa Piccarreta,\u00a0<\/em>4.1.2.1.4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Jesus wants us to\u00a0<em>reign\u00a0<\/em>as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/true-sonship\/\">true sons and daughters<\/a>, and that means &#8220;living in the Divine Will.&#8221;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><em><strong>My daughter, living in My Will is the life that most closely resembles the [life of the] blessed in heaven. It is so distant from one who is simply conformed to My Will and does it, faithfully executing its orders. The distance between the two is as far as that of heaven from earth, as far as that of a son from a servant, and a king from his subject.\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>\u2014Ibid. (Kindle Locations 1739-1743), Kindle Edition<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>How foreign, then, to even propose the notion that we can linger in sin&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5>Gradualness of the Law: Misplaced Mercy<\/h5>\n<p>Without question, Jesus loves even the most hardened sinner. He came for the &#8220;sick&#8221; as announced in the Gospel<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_49730_1('footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_49730_1('footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_49730_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">cf. Mark 2:17<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_49730_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> and again, through St. Faustina:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong><em>Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet\u2026 I cannot punish even the greatest sinner if he makes an appeal to My compassion, but on the contrary, I justify him in My unfathomable and inscrutable mercy.<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014Jesus to St. Faustina,\u00a0<em>Divine Mercy in My Soul<\/em>, Diary, n. 1486, 699, 1146<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>But nowhere in the Scriptures does Jesus ever suggest that we may continue in our sin because we are weak. The Good News is not so much that you are loved but that, because of Love, you can be restored! And this divine transaction begins through baptism, or for the post-baptismal Christian, through Confession:<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright  wp-image-36585\" style=\"margin: 1px 2px 1px 2px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/confessionabb.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"389\" height=\"253\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/confessionabb.jpg 604w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/confessionabb-300x195.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 389px) 100vw, 389px\" \/><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong><em>Were a soul like a decaying corpse so that from a human standpoint, there would be no [hope of] restoration and everything would already be lost, it is not so with God. The miracle of Divine Mercy restores that soul in full. Oh, how miserable are those who do not take advantage of the miracle of God\u2019s mercy!<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0\u2014<em>Divine Mercy in My Soul,\u00a0<\/em>Diary, n. 1448<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>This is why the present sophistry \u2014 that one may <em>gradually <\/em>repent of sin \u2014 is such a powerful lie. It takes the mercy of Christ, poured out for us in order to re-establish the sinner in <em>grace<\/em>, and twists it, rather, to re-establish the sinner in his <em>ego. <\/em>St. John Paul II exposed this still-lingering heresy known as &#8220;gradualness of the law&#8221;, saying that one&#8230;<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>&#8230;cannot, however, look on the law as merely an ideal to be achieved in the future: they must consider it as a command of Christ the Lord to overcome difficulties with constancy. And so what is known as &#8216;the law of gradualness&#8217; or step-by-step advance <\/strong><strong>cannot be identified with &#8216;gradualness of the law,&#8217; as if there were different degrees or forms of precept in God&#8217;s law for different individuals and situations.<\/strong> \u2014<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/content\/john-paul-ii\/en\/apost_exhortations\/documents\/hf_jp-ii_exh_19811122_familiaris-consortio.html\">Familiaris Consortio<\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>n. 34<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>In other words, even though growing in holiness is a process, the decision to break with sin <em>today<\/em> is always an imperative.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">Oh, that today you would hear his voice: \u2018Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion.\u2019 (Heb 3:15)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">Let your \u2018Yes\u2019 mean \u2018Yes,\u2019 and your \u2018No\u2019 mean \u2018No.\u2019 Anything more is from the evil one. (Matt 5:37)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>In the handbook for confessors, it states:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>The pastoral &#8220;law of gradualness&#8221;, not to be confused with the &#8220;gradualness of the law&#8221;, which would tend to diminish the demands it places on us, consists of requiring a <em>decisive break<\/em>\u00a0with sin together with a\u00a0<em>progressive path\u00a0<\/em>towards total union with the will of God and with his loving demands.<\/strong>\u00a0 \u2014<em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/roman_curia\/pontifical_councils\/family\/documents\/rc_pc_family_doc_12021997_vademecum_en.html\">Vademecum for Confessors<\/a>,<\/em> 3:9, Pontifical Council for the Family, 1997<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Even for the one who knows he is incredibly weak and may even fall again, he is yet called to approach the &#8220;fount of mercy&#8221; time and again, drawing grace, in order to conquer sin and <em>grow<\/em> in holiness<em>. <\/em>How many times? As Pope Francis said so beautifully at the beginning of his pontificate:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;\"><strong>The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: \u201cLord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace\u201d. How good it feels to come back to Him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Christ, who told us to forgive one another \u201cseventy times seven\u201d (<i>Mt\u00a0<\/i>18:22) has given us his example: He has forgiven us seventy times seven. <\/strong>\u2014<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/content\/francesco\/en\/apost_exhortations\/documents\/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html\"><em>Evangelii Gaudium<\/em><\/a>, n. 3<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5>The Present Confusion<\/h5>\n<p>And yet, the above heresy continues to grow in certain quarters.<\/p>\n<p>Five cardinals asked Pope Francis recently to clarify if &#8220;the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/world\/pope-same-sex-blessings-1.6984540\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft  wp-image-49732\" style=\"margin: 2px 5px 2px 5px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-5.43.19-PM.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"384\" height=\"410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-5.43.19-PM.jpg 1668w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-5.43.19-PM-281x300.jpg 281w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-5.43.19-PM-960x1024.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-5.43.19-PM-768x820.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Screenshot-2023-10-09-at-5.43.19-PM-1439x1536.jpg 1439w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px\" \/><\/a>widespread practice of blessing same-sex unions is in accordance with Revelation and the Magisterium (CCC 2357).&#8221;<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_49730_1('footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_4');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_49730_1('footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_4');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[4]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_49730_1_4\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/october-warning\/\"><em>October Warning<\/em><\/a><\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_49730_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script> The answer, however, has only created further division in the Body of Christ as headlines across the world blared: &#8220;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/world\/pope-same-sex-blessings-1.6984540\">Blessings for same-sex unions possible in Catholicism<\/a><\/strong>\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>In response to the cardinals <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaticannews.va\/en\/pope\/news\/2023-10\/pope-francis-responds-to-dubia-of-five-cardinals.html\"><em>dubia<\/em><\/a>, Francis wrote:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>&#8230;the reality we call marriage has a unique essential constitution that requires an exclusive name, not applicable to other realities. For this reason, the Church avoids any type of rite or sacramental that might contradict this conviction and suggest that something that is not marriage is recognized as marriage.<\/strong> \u2014October 2, 2023; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaticannews.va\/en\/pope\/news\/2023-10\/pope-francis-responds-to-dubia-of-five-cardinals.html\">vaticannews.va<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>But then comes the &#8220;however&#8221;:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><strong><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">However, in our relationships with people, we must not lose the pastoral charity, which should permeate all our decisions and attitudes&#8230; Therefore, pastoral prudence must adequately discern whether there are forms of blessing, requested by one or more persons, that do not convey a mistaken concept of marriage. For when a blessing is requested, it is expressing a plea to God for help, a supplication to live better, a trust in a Father who can help us live better.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-49771 aligncenter\" style=\"margin: 1px 2px 1px 2px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pope-unions.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"589\" height=\"353\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pope-unions.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pope-unions-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pope-unions-1024x614.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/pope-unions-768x461.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 589px) 100vw, 589px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In the context of the question \u2014 whether &#8220;blessing same-sex unions&#8221; is permissible \u2014 it is clear the cardinals were not asking whether individuals can simply ask for a blessing. Of course they can; and the Church has been blessing sinners like you and me since the beginning. But his response appears to imply that there may be a way to give a blessing to these <em>unions<\/em>, without calling it marriage \u2014 and even suggests that this decision should be made,\u00a0not by bishops&#8217; conferences, but by priests themselves.<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_49730_1('footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_5');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_49730_1('footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_5');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[5]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_49730_1_5\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">See (2g), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaticannews.va\/en\/pope\/news\/2023-10\/pope-francis-responds-to-dubia-of-five-cardinals.html\">vaticannews.v<\/a>a. Hence, the cardinals asked for ruther clarification <em>again <\/em>recently, but no reply has been forthcoming<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_49730_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top right', relative: true, offset: [10, 10], });<\/script>\u00a0 Otherwise, why not simply repeat what the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith already clearly stated?<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><strong>\u2026it is not licit to impart a blessing on relationships, or partnerships, even stable, that involve sexual activity outside of marriage (i.e., outside the indissoluble union of a man and a woman open in itself to the transmission of life), as is the case of the unions between persons of the same sex. The presence in such relationships of positive elements, which are in themselves to be valued and appreciated, cannot justify these relationships and render them legitimate objects of an ecclesial blessing, since the positive elements exist within the context of a union not ordered to the Creator\u2019s plan.<\/strong> \u2014 &#8220;<em>Responsum<\/em> of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to a <em>dubium<\/em> regarding the blessing of the unions of persons of the same sex&#8221;, March 15, 2021; <a href=\"https:\/\/press.vatican.va\/content\/salastampa\/en\/bollettino\/pubblico\/2021\/03\/15\/210315b.html#:~:text=The%20declaration%20of%20the%20unlawfulness,as%20the%20Church%20understands%20them.\">press.vatican.va<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Put simply, the Church cannot bless sin. Therefore, whether it is heterosexual or &#8220;homosexual&#8221; couples engaged in &#8220;sexual activity outside of marriage,&#8221; they are called to make a definitive break with sin in order to enter or re-enter into union with Christ and His Church.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, &#8220;You shall be holy, for I am holy.&#8221; (1 Peter 1:13-16)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>No doubt, depending upon how complex their relationship and involvement is, this may require a difficult decision. And this is where the sacraments, prayer, and pastoral compassion and sensitivity are indispensable.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>The negative way to view all of this is a mere command to conform to rules. But Jesus, rather, extends it as an invitation to be His Bride and enter into His divine life.<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">If you love me, you will keep my commandments&#8230; I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. (John 14:15, 15:11)<\/span><\/p>\n<p>St. Paul calls this conformity to God&#8217;s Word the &#8220;obedience of faith,&#8221; which is the first step toward growing in that holiness that will indeed define the Church in the next era&#8230;\u00a0<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left; padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith&#8230; (Rome 1:5)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\">&#8230;his bride has made herself ready. She was allowed to wear a bright, clean linen garment. (Rev 19:7-8)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h5>Related Reading<\/h5>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/simple-obedience\/\">Simple Obedience<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'trebuchet ms', geneva, sans-serif;\"><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/church-on-a-precipice-part-ii\/\">The Church On a Precipe &#8211; Part II<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">\u00a0<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Support Mark&#8217;s full-time ministry:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/donations\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/07\/Donateovalbtnonbeige.gif\" alt=\"\" width=\"112\" height=\"48\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-final-confrontation-the-book\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-12567\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/TheFinalConfrontationBook-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"244\u201d height=\u201c324\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/TheFinalConfrontationBook-1.png 400w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/TheFinalConfrontationBook-1-226x300.png 226w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">with <em>Nihil Obstat<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;\">To journey with Mark in\u00a0<strong><em>The <\/em><\/strong><em><strong>Now Word<\/strong><\/em>,<em><br \/>\n<\/em>click on the banner below to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/subscribe\/\">subscribe<\/a>. <br \/>\nYour email will not be shared with anyone.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/subscribe\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-25916\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"469\" height=\"153\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner.jpeg 850w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner-300x98.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/now-word-banner-768x250.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif;\">Now on Telegram. Click:<\/p>\n<p><\/span><\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/thenowword\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-46727\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram-.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"55\" height=\"56\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram-.png 500w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram--300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Telegram--150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 55px) 100vw, 55px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Follow Mark and the daily &#8220;signs of the times&#8221; on MeWe:<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 12pt; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mewe.com\/group\/6001b664d73c61322e27a39c\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-44298\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"242\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-300x124.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-1024x424.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-768x318.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-1536x636.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/Signs-Banner22-640x265.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\nFollow Mark\u2019s writings here:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mewe.com\/p\/thenowword\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-48548\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"584\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update.jpg 1880w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-300x101.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-1024x345.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-768x259.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/MeWe-Pages-Banner-Update-1536x518.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"center\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;\">Listen on the following:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/thenoword.buzzsprout.com\"><br \/>\n<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/thenoword.buzzsprout.com\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/buzzsprout3-cutout.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"165\" height=\"43\" \/><\/a>\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-now-word\/id1519573192?uo=4\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/apple-podcasts2-cutout.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"162\" height=\"42\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/6sXnpNwaMtd5ja4MyA1YgX\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-43899\" src=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"164\" height=\"42\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts.png 740w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts-300x77.png 300w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts-640x163.png 640w, https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/spotifyPodcasts-720x189.png 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 164px) 100vw, 164px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"\" data-block=\"true\" data-editor=\"f6hij\" data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\">\n<div class=\"_1mf _1mj\" data-offset-key=\"7ormq-0-0\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><p><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_49730_1();\"><h5>Footnotes<\/h5><\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_49730_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_49730_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/p><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_49730_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\"><h5>Footnotes<\/h5><\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_49730_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_1');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">cf.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-final-trial\/\"><em>The Final Trial<\/em><\/a><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_49730_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_2');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Indeed, God welcomes all to be saved. The condition for this salvation are in the words of Our Lord himself: &#8220;Repent and believe in the gospel&#8221; (Mark 1:15) <\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_49730_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_3');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">cf. Mark 2:17<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_49730_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_4');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>4<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">cf. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/october-warning\/\"><em>October Warning<\/em><\/a><\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_49730_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_49730_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_49730_1_5');\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_plugin_link\" ><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>5<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">See (2g), <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vaticannews.va\/en\/pope\/news\/2023-10\/pope-francis-responds-to-dubia-of-five-cardinals.html\">vaticannews.v<\/a>a. Hence, the cardinals asked for ruther clarification <em>again <\/em>recently, but no reply has been forthcoming<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function footnote_expand_reference_container_49730_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_49730_1').show(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_49730_1').text('\u2212'); } function footnote_collapse_reference_container_49730_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_49730_1').hide(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_49730_1').text('+'); } function footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_49730_1() { if (jQuery('#footnote_references_container_49730_1').is(':hidden')) { footnote_expand_reference_container_49730_1(); } else { footnote_collapse_reference_container_49730_1(); } } function footnote_moveToReference_49730_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_49730_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } } function footnote_moveToAnchor_49730_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_49730_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } }<\/script>","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp; Now to Him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ&#8230; to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith&#8230;\u00a0 (Rom 16:25-26) &#8230;he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. (Phil 2:8) &nbsp; GOD must be shaking His head, if not laughing [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false,"gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"html"}]},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,41],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-daily-journal","category-faith-and-morals"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Obedience of Faith - The Now Word<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.markmallett.com\/blog\/the-obedience-of-faith\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Obedience of Faith - The Now Word\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"&nbsp; Now to Him who can strengthen you, according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ&#8230; to all nations to bring about the obedience of faith&#8230;\u00a0 (Rom 16:25-26) &#8230;he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 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