Pope Francis, here’s my offer for obedience to *Traditionis custodes* and your other execrations: “Nothing”

• Traditionis custodes, Art. 1, has it that the Ancient Rite is not now and therefore never was an expression of the Lex orandi, the Law of praying, which is the Sacrifice of Jesus. And that means there is no Lex orandi for any rite, ever, including the New Rite, the Novus Ordo. This is evil. An evil law is no law at all. Therefore, I don’t obey or disobey this motu proprio, for it is nothing. It is to be ignored. My offer is this: nothing.
• Traditionis custodes, Art. 3. § 2, violently throws Jesus and His Holy Sacrifice right off His own altar, right out of His own church. That’s evil. An evil law is no law at all. Therefore, I don’t obey or disobey this motu proprio, for it is nothing. It is to be ignored. My offer is this: nothing.

I should hope that no priest be subjected to a choice between insulting Jesus and remaining in active ministry for Jesus. Should a priest choose to insult Jesus in order to remain in active ministry for Jesus, it means that such a priest has chosen to be a mercenary who is in ministry for himself and not at all for Jesus. Even if he remains in ministry he has taken himself out of true ministry into a kind of anti-ministry.

I mean this “My offer is this: nothing” is a great meme, right? Just fill in the blank regarding Pachamama demon idol worship, or the blessing of same sex civil unions, or the encouragement of adultery and pro-abort politicians by way of dissing of the Most Blessed Sacrament given to those who don’t give a damn.

My offer to you Pope Francis is this: nothing, or, I take that back, I’ll give you absolution if you’re repentant. But then, that’s not my offer, that’s the offer of Jesus: God or nothing.

To those who say I criticize Pope Francis and therefore am to be put down, thrown out like trash, I say this: I’m no Saint Paul when I also reprimand Peter – who, the Holy Spirit says, stood condemned (Galatians 2:11) – but I must strive to follow the example of Saint Paul in reprimanding Peter. If not, I will be stand condemned.

• “But Father George! Father George! You don’t understand! You have no standing! You’re just a priest! Shut your face, Father George!”

So, here’s why I have standing:

• I’m the one who is charged with shepherding this portion of the Lord’s Little Flock in my parish: it is I who am mandated to speak the truth with charity, to sanctify with charity, to govern with charity.
• I’m the one who is responsible for bringing people into humble, joyful reverence before Jesus instead of bringing people to blaspheme Him, ignore His commandments.
• I’m the one who will stand before Jesus in judgment for my soul in regard to protecting Jesus’ Little Flock. He sees all, all the time, and is eager and ready to ask me about every aspect of my ministry at the judgement, which can happen any time, any time, right now… He knows… I want to be ready in all hope that I have done His will for His Little Flock.

And then the stupid answer follows:

• “But Father George! Father George! You don’t understand! We here in the Holy See have ways, Father George! We can force you! You should be afraid! Really scared!”

My answer:

• Pfft. Whatever. I answer to Jesus. I’m peaceful and joyful with Jesus. The Holy See doesn’t scare me one bit. I’m not one to be shaken down. I’m one happy priest. So, it just doesn’t work. Not that I’m virtuous. I’m a bit autistic and easily entrench. I’m rigid! I’m a bit of a mafioso that way. Don’t scandalize and mislead the Lord’s Little Flock! I so easily become indignant when Jesus and His dear Mother are insulted. However much grace is at work with all that there’s also quite a bit of my fallen human nature being put to work. I’m a bit of a mafioso that way. So, I’m not just indignant when my family, the Holy Family is insulted, I’m really indignant. No compromise. Ever. Ain’t gonna happen. I say that with joy.