He Had Compassion On Them

Yesterday, May 1st, was the single busiest day for Cleansing Fire in our (almost) one year of existence. It was sort of like a "perfect storm" of discovery, what with our videos embedded on sites around the internet showing the Pontifical High Mass, the link to us from Rorate Caeli, now in our side bar, and a general growing trend among Rochester readers.

1,455 people read the site yesterday. And the best part - there were no nasty comments, no "you lack charity" epistles of self-righteousness, no contemptuous people at all. 1,455 people who love orthodoxy, and who have spread knowledge of our plight throughout the world. This was a generous gift from God, and a time of humble gratification. When we have our eyes fixed on what we know to be the Truth, there's really nothing that can discourage us.

So, my dear friends on Buffalo Road, orthodoxy does pay. Your messages of "reform" and "keeping the Spirit alive" are hollow and lacking in spiritual force. Whether people know it or not, they want, or rather, they crave orthodoxy. I spoke with our new writers yesterday, and we came up with this analogy: You're giving the people too much candy. It's sweet, and looks good, but when you keep loading the people up with these sweets, they lose important nourishment. We are the vegetables, the fruits, the proteins - we are necessary to the survival of the Church. You, dear friends in dissent, are not.

Take this passage of scripture into your hearts. It will be a great comfort to us as we try to extol the virtues of metaphorical vegetables.

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:35-37