01-26-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
January 26, 2023
As many of you know, I am an expert when it comes to exploring the proverbial rabbit holes. Yes, I can go down the old rabbit hole quicker than just about anyone. Recently, I was reading some old church history in search of something specific, but along the way, I ran across a decree issued by Pope Benedict XII in 1334. I have included the opening of that decree below, and even if you don’t make it all the way through it, note that it is just a single sentence.


By this Constitution which is to remain in force for ever, we, with apostolic authority, define the following: According to the general disposition of God, the souls of all the saints who departed from this world before the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and also of the holy apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins and other faithful who died after receiving the holy baptism of Christ, provided they were not in need of any purification when they died, or will not be in need of any when they die in the future, or else, if they then needed or will need some purification, after they have been purified after death-and again the souls of children who have been reborn by the same baptism of Christ or will be when baptism is conferred on them, if they die before attaining the use of free will: all these souls, immediately (mox) after death and, in the case of those in need of purification, after the purification mentioned above, since the ascension of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ into heaven, already before they take up their bodies again and before the general judgment, have been, are and will be with Christ in heaven, in the heavenly kingdom and paradise, joined to the company of the holy angels.


I don’t intend to mock Pope Benedict XII as he is not around to defend himself, but assuming (big assumption) that this document was necessary in the first place, I’m pretty sure it could have been condensed into about ten or twelve words. More importantly, it appears to be a clarification of a clarification that excludes all religious riffraff. Since I nearly dozed off while reading this pontification on who is in and who is out, I’m pretty sure it means I am out. And remember, this edict was penned in the name of Jesus, the humble teacher who was executed because of his extraordinary love.


Sometimes it feels as if we need to provide a justification for the explanation that was the clarification of the original declaration, yet you, Gracious God, provided Jesus, who said, "This is my command: that you love one another as I loved you." Why have we complicated it so much? Amen.