“MORE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY.”
In the Catholic Mirror of February 2 is the letter of the pope extending the year of jubilee. It is printed in Latin, and “so much as concerns the faithful is given” in English. It is headed: “Leo, Bishop, Servant of the Servants of God, To All the Faithful Who Shall Read These Letters, Health and the Apostolic Benediction.” After referring to the year just closed, the pope says:— “Following the example set by our predecessors on such occasions, we now intend to enlarge still further the bounds of Apostolic charity by offering a more ample opportunity for obtaining the favors of heaven. We have determined to throw open to the faithful in all parts of the world during the first six months of the next year that treasury of sacred indulgence which has been intrusted to us, and which has been put within the reach of the faithful in Rome during the last twelve months, for this design will, we think, serve greatly for the revival of Christian morality, for knitting men’s hearts more closely to the Holy See, and for obtaining for the people at large those other blessings of which we spoke at length when we first proclaimed the Great Jubilee. It will also be a fitting dedication for the opening of the new century, for we know of no better way in which mankind can initiate a new century than by availing themselves abundantly of the merits of the redemption of Christ.” Now, what “more ample opportunity for obtaining the favors of heaven” can Leo XIII. give than God in Jesus Christ has already given? Christ says, and the invitation is good for all time and all places: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Matt. 11:28, 29. The apostle Paul tells us: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God thru our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:1, 2. Isaiah voices the same assurance of the Spirit of Christ: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa. 45:22. And in the very closing of the blessed Book we read: “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17. What “more ample opportunity” to obtain heaven’s favors can be given than is given by the great loving Infinite God? The pope tells us further:— “We have determined to throw open to the faithful in all parts of the world, during the first six months of the next year, that treasury of sacred indulgence which has been intrusted to us.” But Jesus Christ tells us: “I have set before thee [“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches”] an open door, and no man can shut it.” Rev. 3:8, 13. He has not closed it. No man, be he pope or peasant, can throw open the door of God’s favors. The door is set open to all, and all that is divine is saying, Come, Come, Come! Moreover, “God is no respecter of persons.” Over and over He tells us this. His blessings, the deepest and most spiritual, are for “whosoever will;” the child of clearest faith and humblest love, who may have Christ dwelling in his heart by faith, and thus “being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge,” and “be filled with all the fulness of God.” Eph. 3:17–20. And all this God will work in the believer, thru faith. It is not under the control of any man, whatever his assumption. It is the very fulness of God’s blessings. What more has the pope intrusted to him? What more have the “faithful” in Rome enjoyed the past year? Once again: If these abundant blessings are intrusted to Pope Leo XIII. to dispense at his good pleasure, is it not the acme of selfishness to withhold them from a needy world? Why should not the door have been thrown open to the world as well as to Rome the last year? O souls, by whatever name you are called, the above-quoted paragraph is not Christianity! It may be thought to be such by the pope; we will not question his sincerity. It may be believed to be Christianity by millions of others; we will not condemn them. But it is not Christianity. It is putting man in the place of God, and representing God as selfish and narrow, having abundant blessings hoarded away, only occasionally opening them to mankind, when He has poured out the fulness of heaven’s blessings, “the merits of the redemption of Christ,” and invites all to partake. They are all ours in Christ Jesus. In the Papacy these riches are made dependent on the will of the pope, the giver. In God they are purchased by the blood of Christ, are given in Him, and all that prevents the great world or any man from receiving them is his own obstinate will and unbelief.