Episode 3266: Why the Faithful Withdraw from the World

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Book Recommendation of the Day
The City of God – St. Augustine
• St. Augustine wrote The City of God during the collapse of the Roman Empire, when Christians felt the world as they knew it was ending. The pagan world mocked Christians and blamed them for Rome’s decline.
• Augustine responds by drawing a sharp distinction between the City of Man (built on pride, corruption, and passing illusion) and the City of God (built on truth, humility, and eternity).
• Like this theme, Augustine teaches that the faithful remnant is preserved by God, even when society collapses. They may appear hidden, weak, or marginalized but they are in fact the seeds of renewal.
• He shows that history itself is a battle between the two cities, and that while the City of Man always falls, the City of God remains eternal.
The Hidden Remnant — Why the Faithful Withdraw from the World
Imagine a lone figure walking along the seashore, fading into the edges of a gray horizon. It is a haunting picture of our times. Many people sense the world is collapsing under relativism, noise, and endless distraction. And yet, those who are spiritually awake those who seek truth in Christ and not in passing illusions seem to be quietly disappearing from society. But are they truly vanishing? Or are they being preserved, like the hidden remnant God always sustains, for the renewal of His Church?”
Segment 1: Why the World Cannot Tolerate the Spiritually Awake
• Traditional Catholics today feel the clash with society in nearly every aspect: morality, worship, education, family life.
• Our Lord warned: “If the world hate you, know ye that it hath hated Me before you” (John 15:18).
• Spiritually awake souls cannot “blend in” with a culture that celebrates sin and mocks holiness.
• Like the desert fathers who withdrew from a corrupt Roman society, many Catholics today are called to live more hidden lives of prayer and fidelity rather than public conformity.
Quote: “The greatest charity is to uproot heresy, for it deceives souls.” – St. Pius X.
This is why faithful Catholics seem to withdraw: because society brands their fidelity as “intolerance.”
Segment 2: The Silence of the Remnant
• St. Paul speaks of a remnant chosen by grace (Romans 11:5). The Church Fathers remind us: God always preserves a hidden number of faithful souls who keep the faith alive in times of widespread apostasy.
• To the world, this looks like “disappearing” but to God, it is being set apart.
• This is not cowardice, but prudence: “When they persecute you in this city, flee into another” (Matthew 10:23).
• Silence is not abandonment; it is preparation. The remnant prays, does penance, raises families in the Faith, and strengthens parishes where Tradition is preserved.
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Segment 3: The Dangers of False ‘Awakening’
• “spiritually awake people” but from a Catholic perspective, not all awakenings are of the Spirit of God.
• New Age spirituality, Eastern mysticism, and pseudo-Christian movements offer a counterfeit “awakening” that leads not to Christ but to self-worship.
• The devil loves half-truths he will inspire silence, detachment, and retreat, but not for God’s glory. Instead, it becomes escape, despair, or narcissism.
• True spiritual awakening is conversion to Christ, fidelity to Tradition, and submission to the unchanging truths of the Faith.
Quote: “No one can have God for his Father who does not have the Church for his Mother.” – St. Cyprian.
Segment 4: Living Hidden but Fruitful Lives
• Christ Himself spent 30 years in obscurity at Nazareth before His public ministry. This was not wasted time; it was the model of the hidden life.
• Spiritually awake Catholics today may not hold public power or cultural platforms, but they live fruitful lives in their homes, parishes, and communities.
• The Rosary prayed in the home is more powerful than hours of political shouting.
• The small parish where the Traditional Latin Mass is reverently offered becomes an ark against the flood.
• Every act of fidelity even hidden is a seed for the Church’s renewal.
Segment 5: The Church’s Prophetic Path
• At Fatima, Our Lady foretold that “In the end, my Immaculate Heart will triumph.” This presumes a time of trial, confusion, and hidden endurance.
• The spiritually awake may seem to be “disappearing,” but in truth they are being gathered, purified, and prepared by God for the Triumph.
• Saints remind us: persecution strengthens faith. Suppression of Tradition only fuels devotion among the young.
• The world interprets this as “vanishing” but it is in reality the sowing of the future.

Closing Reflection
The image of the lone man on the shore, fading into the horizon, is not a picture of defeat. It is a picture of retreat into God, of hidden strength, of a remnant waiting for the dawn. Spiritually awake Catholics are not disappearing they are preparing for the resurrection of the Church, just as Christ disappeared into the tomb only to rise in glory.”
Epistle – Ephesians 4:23–28
"Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who according to God is created in justice and holiness of truth. Wherefore putting away lying, speak ye the truth every man with his neighbor... He that stole, let him now steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need."
Reflection on the Epistle
St. Paul calls us to a radical transformation: to abandon the “old man” of sin and put on the “new man” of grace. This is not superficial change, but a complete renewal of mind and heart. Conversion is not only about rejecting vice, but about embracing virtue truthfulness, honesty, labor, and charity.
St. Mary Salome’s life reflects this Epistle. Though little is recorded of her, she is remembered as a woman of faith who left behind the ordinary comforts of life to follow Christ, even to Calvary. She was renewed in spirit, and her fidelity bore fruit in the sanctity of her sons, who became Apostles.
For us, the message is clear: the Christian life is not static. Each day, we must put on the new man, stripping away the habits of sin and clothing ourselves with Christ’s virtues, especially truth and charity.
Gospel – Matthew 22:1–14
"The kingdom of heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son... And he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? But he was silent... Bind his hands and feet, and cast him into the exterior darkness. For many are called, but few are chosen."
Reflection on the Gospel
The parable of the wedding feast is one of Our Lord’s sternest warnings. All are invited to the heavenly banquet, but not all are prepared. The “wedding garment” represents sanctifying grace the state of soul that is necessary to enter Heaven. Without it, even those who appear to be among the chosen will be cast out.
St. Mary Salome is remembered for wearing this garment of grace. She was present at the greatest banquet of all—the sacrifice of the Lamb on Calvary, which prepared the eternal wedding feast of the Church. Her fidelity shows us what it means to remain clothed in Christ through faith and perseverance.
This Gospel is especially relevant today, when many presume salvation without conversion. Our Lord is explicit: many are called, but few are chosen. We must not be content with being “invited” we must put on the garment of grace, preserved by prayer, the sacraments, and works of charity.

Feast of St. Mary Salome
St. Mary Salome, one of the “Three Marys” at the tomb, was honored in early Christian tradition for her fidelity. She represents the hidden sanctity of faithful women who supported the Church from its beginning. As the mother of Apostles, her influence shows us how holiness in the family bears fruit in the life of the Church.
Her feast calls us to imitate her humility, fidelity, and perseverance. Like her, may we follow Christ with quiet constancy, standing by Him in suffering and rejoicing in His Resurrection.
Application for Today
• Put on the new man: Daily conversion means more than avoiding sin—it means living in justice, holiness, and truth.
• Clothe yourself in grace: Keep your soul ready with the “wedding garment” of sanctifying grace through confession and the Eucharist.
• Be faithful in small things: Like St. Mary Salome, holiness is often hidden in daily acts of service and fidelity.
• Support the Church’s mission: Just as she supported the Apostles, we too must give of our time, resources, and prayers for the spread of the faith.
Conclusionary Prayer
O God, who didst bless St. Mary Salome with the grace to follow Thy Son faithfully, grant that through her intercession we may put off the old man of sin and be clothed with the new man of grace, so that we may be found worthy to enter the wedding feast of the Lamb.
St. Mary Salome, pray for us.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, intercede for us.