HOLINESS AMID BETRAYAL IN THE CHURCH

Divine Appeal Reflection - 179

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 179:  "What a pain! In My Church many... have been transformed into veritable incarnate demons. While they preach love and peace they labour hard leading souls to perdition.”

Our Adorable Jesus speaks with piercing clarity in this Divine Appeal, lamenting the betrayal within His Church. These words compel us to profound reflection on the Church's sacred mission and the need for holiness among clergy, consecrated souls, and the laity. Our Lord’s anguish reveals the grave spiritual crisis where some, entrusted with the care of souls, have instead become instruments of the enemy. This reality demands our fervent prayers and unwavering commitment to Christ's truth.

The hypocrisy of preaching love and peace while leading souls astray is a painful reality highlighted in this Divine Appeal. Within the Church, this manifests in the distortion of teachings, the embrace of moral relativism, and a troubling silence on the reality of sin—each of which leads the faithful astray and endangers souls entrusted to the Church’s care. Such hypocrisy was condemned by our Adorable Jesus when He referred to the Pharisees as "whitewashed tombs," which were attractive on the outside but corrupt on the inside (cf. Matthew 23:27). The devil, the father of falsehoods, frequently poses as compassionate (cf. John 8:44).

The Church, as the Bride of Christ, is called to reflect His love and peace. Yet, as Jesus warned, there are false prophets in sheep's clothing who are ravenous wolves (cf. Matthew 7:15). These betrayals not only scandalize the faithful but deeply wound the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. St. John Chrysostom aptly noted the weight of this responsibility when he observed how the unfaithfulness of shepherds leads to the ruin of many souls (cf. Homilies). Such words remind us of the critical need for vigilance and holiness among those who serve in Christ’s name.

We cling to Christ's everlasting assurance that the gates of hell will never overrun His Church in the face of hardship and adversity (cf. Matthew 16:18). Living moral lives, praying ardently for the sanctification of priests and consecrated souls (cf. 1 Timothy 2:1), and bravely defending the holy teachings of our faith (cf. Ephesians 6:14) are all necessary components of a holiness-based response. The Real Presence of Jesus is comforted and His Church is strengthened when reparations are offered, especially in the Holy Eucharist. May we remain ever faithful, striving to be faithful instruments of His divine love and truth, leading souls to Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Prayer

Our Adorable Jesus, deeply sorrowful for the betrayals within Your Church, purify and sanctify Your priests and faithful. Grant us the grace to live in truth and holiness. Strengthen us to defend Your teachings with love and fidelity, bringing souls closer to Your Real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.