People highly attuned to nature easily notice physical and climatic changes by the slightest signs. Apparently minor changes often warn of a dramatic event that may be fast approaching, so it is necessary to identify such signs in order to forestall damages. These perceptions are mainly enjoyed by a handful of weather experts, or persons who live intensely connected with the earth, mountains or sea, who end up acquiring, through experience, a good intuition of what is happening, or about to happen.
However, the same does not occur with regard to salvation matters. Rather, all who receive baptism, profess the faith of the Church and live in the grace of God possess the sensus fidei that aids their discernment of things concerning eternal life. So, this perception does not belong to a privileged few, but rather to all who have the wherewithal to recognize the errors of the epoch and the doings of the Holy Spirit. And this will depend entirely on the sheep’s fidelity in seeking the voice of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Perhaps that is why numerous Catholics become disturbed when weighty matters are spoken of in nebulous fashion, from very high thrones. A series of questions then arise: Is this really orthodox? Does it faithfully express Catholic doctrine? Can we honestly pray the Creed and affirm such things? It is even more worrisome when the theme at hand touches on something as central as the faith, on which all else depends. One need not be an expert to realize that storms loom on the horizon. And apparently no small storms…
Francis
Teachings of the Magisterium
Enter in the various parts of our study
II − Modernists say that faith is an intimate sentiment that springs from man, not the consent of the reason to revealed truth. This heresy is condemned by the Church
Is not the act of submitting one’s intellect to the revelation of the Divine an act of one’s will? Can anyone “inherit” that process, as one inherits a plot of land? No, one must make that act of his will on his own. And, as the Divine is infinite, he very likely will have to make it again to a new revelation tomorrow or the day after.
I’m not necessarily a fan of the man in the Chair of Peter, but I don’t think the words cited as they are constitute a scandal categorically.