In yesterday’s meditation, we spoke of the danger that, if we remain trapped in self‑deception and fail to break free from it, our spiritual discernment may become clouded, so that we are no longer able to clearly recognize the deceptions in the world or in the Church—deceptions that, in reality, we should easily detect thanks to our Catholic faith. We must bear in mind that, generally speaking, these are not mere human errors; rather, in matters as important as those mentioned yesterday, it is the “father of lies” who is at work behind the scenes and spares no effort to lead people astray from the path of salvation—or, at the very least, to make that path more difficult.
The deception I will discuss today affects both the world and the Church. In this context, I would like to point out that I have already addressed this topic in depth in several articles available on my website. Within the framework of this meditation, I will limit myself to discussing it in relation to self‑deception and the great deceptions. Given its importance, I strongly recommend reading the more detailed articles at the following links:
“The Great Deception”: https://en.elijamission.net/blog-post/the-great-deception/
In Spanish: “Reflection on the Vaccine”: https://es.elijamission.net/blog-post/reflexion-sobre-la-vacuna-contra-covid-19/ “Update: Reflection on the Vaccine”: https://es.elijamission.net/blog-post/actualizacion-reflexion-sobre-la-vacuna/
Likewise, I have also addressed at length the moral confusion mentioned yesterday in my publications on Amoris Laetitia (https://en.elijamission.net/blog-post/first-wound-the-exhortation-amoris-laetitia/) and Fiducia Supplicans (https://en.elijamission.net/blog-post/fiducia-supplicans-the-flagellation-of-the-lord/).
As for today’s topic, I will quote an excerpt from my article titled “A Fateful Alliance Between Church and State” (https://en.elijamission.net/blog-post/fifth-wound-an-ominous-alliance-between-church-and-state/).
It was in early 2020 when the coronavirus crisis cast a dark shadow over the world, changing it in a matter of days in ways we had previously found unimaginable.
The goal was to vaccinate the entire world’s population as quickly as possible to combat the virus. However, the promises made in connection with this “vaccine” and the false hopes created did not stand up to reality.
It soon became clear that, after vaccination, people were neither protected from the virus nor did they prevent others from contracting it. Similarly, the masks that had to be worn did not help to prevent the spread of the virus; they even had harmful effects on health. A very atypical scenario for liberal states emerged: those scientists who warned against vaccination and predicted its negative consequences were suddenly marginalized, although they had enjoyed great prestige until then. They were effectively branded as false prophets or “conspiracy theorists”. Alternative treatments for Covid-19 were rejected or even banned because they allegedly lacked scientific basis.
In short, only one valid narrative was permitted, which was vehemently and uniformly disseminated by the media and public agencies. Any alternative information or criticism of the methods used quickly became suspect.
It is now known that these vaccines have caused serious harm. Many people died as a result; others were left permanently ill. During the coronavirus crisis, most of the Church’s pastors failed to provide adequate guidance. With the exception of a few isolated voices who took responsibility, the Church hierarchy did not voice any criticism of these mass vaccinations, not even considering their negative moral implications—in particular, their indirect connection to the abortion industry. In fact, quite the opposite was true: the faithful were encouraged to get vaccinated, and this action was even described as an ‘act of love for one’s neighbor’. What a grotesque deception!
But how could such a deception have occurred? It is true that there were those who resisted, both outside and inside the Church. Some people refused to get vaccinated out of conviction. However, the vast majority fell for this deception, and even today many do not realize they were deceived—or perhaps they do not even want to know. If this is the case, they are engaging in self-deception by ignoring information that would reveal the dangers and consequences of these vaccines. When this happens, they run the risk of being unable to identify other deceptions that may arise in the future.
If we simply heeded and trusted the recommendations regarding the vaccine, we must ask ourselves whether we obeyed civil and ecclesiastical authorities without further reflection. Or did we allow ourselves to be swept up in widespread fear and carried away by the massive influence of media campaigns? Did we perhaps not dare to defend a different point of view because the pressure from our family members or acquaintances was too strong? Or were we in danger of losing our jobs?
Why am I addressing this topic within the framework of the daily meditations, which are based, first and foremost, on texts from Sacred Scripture and are intended to help us understand them better?
If I had to put it in a few words, I would turn to the following verse from the Book of Revelation, in which the Lord addresses this promise to the church in Philadelphia: “Because you have kept my word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell upon the earth.” (Rev. 3:10).
This “hour of trial” for the whole world may refer to the appearance of the Antichrist at the end of time, who will seduce and deceive humanity. Anyone caught up in self-deception and gradually losing the light of discernment of spirits will have difficulty recognizing the subtle deceptions of the Antichrist and his False Prophet. This is why it is important to adhere to the Church’s doctrine and live with a clear conscience before God. Unfortunately, deceptions have even infiltrated our Holy Church. We will speak about this tomorrow.
Reflection on today’s reading: https://en.elijamission.net/god-is-the-home-of-our-heart-3/
Reflection on today’s Gospel: https://en.elijamission.net/the-expulsion-of-unclean-spirits-3/