Posted on 04/06/2013 7:17:25 PM PDT by markomalley
Father Lombardi would keep his cool even if he had to announce the second coming, says Francis Phillips, the excellent columnist and blogger for the Catholic Herald. Her article got me thinking mischievously about what would happen if the second coming were scheduled.
First of all the Vatican Bollettino would announce several days in a row an "Avviso di Conferenza Stampa" (Notice of Press Conference). Two high-ranking prelates and a layman would be slated to speak. Given the importance of the occasion, we might expect Cardinal Burke of the Sacred Penitentiary and Archbishop Muller of the CDF, but it could be Archbishop Zygmunt Zimowski of the Pontifical Council for Pastoral Assistance to Health Care Workers and Cardinal Amato of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints since there might be need for emergency service and quite a lot of saints all in one go. For the laity, perhaps someone from the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences to talk on the astronomical implications.
Eventually the press conference would take place with three 20 minute speeches issued under embargo during the morning before it takes place, and then read out verbatim to snoozing reporters. These would discuss the theological and social implications of the forthcoming parousia, the positive attitude of the Holy See, and the teaching of the second Vatican Council, particularly the hopeful message of Gaudium et Spes.
In the meantime, various journalists around the world would ask whether Jesus Christ, coming on the clouds of heaven, would in fact approve gay marriage, women priests and an end to priestly celibacy. The Press Office would leave it to the bloggers to go in to bat on those questions, and would concentrate instead on scotching rumours from "informed sources in the Vatican" that Pope Francis had planned to take some homeless people and sit on the top of a mountain awaiting the Day. It would confirm that he intended to remain in the Domus Sanctae Marthae and put himself at the disposal of the Lord, particularly if He wanted breakfast.
On the Day, CTV would offer a syndicated feed, L'Osservatore would print a special issue (distinguished by having pictures of Jesus Christ) and camera crews from the world's media would impatiently wait for the yellow smoke. Liberal Catholics would be ensconced at the BBC to complain that the blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke, the darkening of the sun, and the moon turning to blood were relics of a medieval mindset that did not properly take into account the compassion of Jesus. At least one sedevacantist website would run pictures proving that the Jesus who was about to judge the world in fact had a different hairstyle from the Jesus on the Turin Shroud.
Quietly in the background, Mgr Marini would arrange a Pontifical Celebration Pro Fine Huius Mundi with whatever vestments he had been asked to put out this week. (His courteous warning about the flammable nature of polyester would go unheeded.)
Christ will come in a cloud and the saved will go up to Him, so the Pope won't have any say in the matter.
If we make up a situation and say there will be a pre-announcement before He comes, I think it would be an announcement in the sky for the world to see, so the Pope still wouldn't have a say in the matter.
Actually, the Pope is as any other Christian in the world, so he is in the same boat with all of us no matter what denomination the Christian is or if the Christian is no denomination.
The only true church is Jesus Christ Himself.
I really don't care what others think of my opinion. I have been a Christian believer since I was 10 years old and have studied the Bible all my life.
Belief in Jesus Christ is an individual matter and there will never be a consensus among those who believe (the ritual that goes along with each belief) and certainly no consensus between believers and nonbelievers.
The Bible says Jesus will appear in a cloud as he left, and there will be a shout - I'm waiting for the shout, not someone to tell me a shout is coming. :o)
Heh.
Reminds me of the old joke: The Pope’s secretary comes rushing into his study, “Holiness! Jesus has returned! What shall we do?” The Pope responds: “Look busy!”
Whoa...It only took 2 posts and the Catholic Bashing begins.
And it’s humor-impaired as well.
Reads all too true.
“Whoa...It only took 2 posts and the Catholic Bashing begins.”
That wouldn’t be me as I am Catholic. I also think.
Personal pet peeve of mine: Francis is a guy’s name. Always. Did the author misspell her name, misidentify his gender, or please let this not be the case: Francis’ parents gave her a name specifically only for boys when there was a perfect female equivalent.
When that Brother Harold Camping kook claimed that the rapture was coming, I posted on Free Republic as if i were a tourist wandering Rome wondering why there was no-one around. Several people claimed they read deep into the article before they caught onto my ruse... which ended, “Oh, hey... there’s Cardinal Law; what are the odds one of the only people I can find around speaks English?”
That’s very funny. But I tried to share it on my Facebook and I was not successful. Probably my fault, not the blogger’s.
The English word "church" is a translation of Greek "ekklesia", which means gathering, assembly. Which would be kinda odd unless many people were being gathered or asembled.
Belief in Jesus Christ is an individual matter
At some level yes, but never forget that those who have a *relationship* with Christ are connected not only to Him but also to each other.
Matt. 24:36
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven,but My Father only.”
Matt. 42-44
“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
You didn’t get that this was a satire?
LOL!!!! great one.
Sorry if I offended you. Ijust get tired of the Catholic bashing. I did re read your post.
“You didn’t get that this was a satire?”
Yes, I knew it was satire. I said, “If we make up a situation...”.
Believers are gathered, assembled, in Jesus Christ right now, who is the living church. Churches on earth are physical churches, Jesus Christ is the true living spiritual church. He will gather the members physically when He comes back.
I didn't get offended. When discussing religion, people get viciously attacked no matter what they believe since very few have the same interpretation of religion.
I was making the point all believers are equal no matter what one’s station in this physical life. A homeless person who is a believer is as important to Jesus Christ as the Pope. That isn't bashing the Pope or the Catholic faith.
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