Christ's Resurrection and the Vatican II Apostasy - Fr. Germán Fliess 04-18-17

SummaryFr. Germán Fliess delivers a theological discourse centered on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing its paramount importance as the cornerstone of Christian faith and the definitive proof of Christ’s divinity. He begins by declaring Christ’s victory over death, which is the consequence of sin, affirming through Saint Paul’s words that Christ rose by His own divine power and therefore death no longer has dominion over Him. Unlike Old Testament resurrections performed by prophets through God’s intervention, Christ rose by His own will, a unique divine act proving His Godhead.The Resurrection is presented as the greatest miracle of Christ, foundational to the truth and validity of the Christian faith and Church. Without this event, Christian preaching and faith would be vain, and humanity would remain in sin, lacking salvation. Fr. Fliess explains why Christ had to be both fully divine and fully human: only a divine person could redeem humanity from sin, but since divinity cannot suffer or die, God became man in Jesus, who then suffered and died to satisfy divine justice.Fr. Fliess stresses that if Christ had not risen, He would not be God, and humanity would be lost to eternal damnation. Christ’s Resurrection not only confirms His divinity but also validates the divine origin of the Catholic Church, founded on Saint Peter, and asserts that salvation is found exclusively within this Church. Fr. Fliess vehemently rejects the changes introduced by Vatican II, labeling it an apostasy and false religion that opposes the true Catholic faith established by Christ. The Resurrection serves as an unassailable foundation for this rejection and for the preservation of the unchanged Catholic faith.Finally, Fr. Fliess exhorts believers to remain steadfast in the traditional Catholic faith, confident that Christ, who conquered death, will ultimately defeat modern heresies such as modernism. The Resurrection is presented as both a divine seal of truth and a source of grace to persevere in true faith despite challenges and sacrifices.HighlightsChrist’s Resurrection is the greatest miracle and proof of His divinity.Unlike Old Testament resurrections, Christ rose by His own divine power.The Resurrection is essential for the truth of Christian faith and salvation.Christ had to be both fully God and fully man to redeem humanity.Without the Resurrection, humanity remains in sin and under divine wrath.The Catholic Church, founded by Christ, is the sole true Church of salvation.Vatican II and its reforms are rejected as apostasy against the true faith.Key InsightsThe Unique Nature of Christ’s Resurrection: Fr. Fliess contrasts Christ’s Resurrection with Old Testament resurrections, emphasizing that prophets acted through God’s power, while Christ rose by His own will and power. This distinction elevates the Resurrection to a divine act, confirming Christ’s identity as God incarnate. This insight underscores the Resurrection as not just a miracle, but a self-authenticating divine event.Theological Necessity of the Hypostatic Union: The explanation that only a divine person could satisfy infinite divine justice, but since divinity cannot suffer, Christ had to assume human nature, highlights the central Christian doctrine of the hypostatic union—Jesus as both fully God and fully man. This union is crucial for the efficacy of redemption, bridging infinite divine justice and human sinfulness.Resurrection as the Foundation of Christian Faith and Salvation: The repeated assertion that without the Resurrection, faith is vain because humanity remains in sin emphasizes the Resurrection’s indispensable role. It is not merely symbolic but a real historical event that validates all Christian doctrine, including the promise of eternal life and forgiveness.Divine Origin and Exclusivity of the Catholic Church: Fr. Fliess firmly asserts that the Resurrection confirms the divine foundation of the Catholic Church, specifically the Roman Catholic Church founded on Saint Peter. This exclusivist position frames the Church as the sole means of salvation, rejecting any other religious expressions as false and damning.Rejection of Vatican II as Apostasy: Fr. Fliess views Vatican II reforms and the Novus Ordo Mass as a departure from the true faith, labeling it a “new religion” and apostasy. The Resurrection is used as the theological basis to reject these changes, portraying them as diametrically opposed to the “unchangeable Catholic religion.” This insight reveals the speaker’s traditionalist stance and resistance to modern ecclesiastical developments.The Resurrection as a Divine Seal Against Heresy: The Resurrection is portrayed not only as proof of divine truth but also as an active force that will ultimately crush heresies like modernism. This eschatological perspective offers hope and assurance to believers that despite current challenges, Christ’s victory is definitive and final.Call for Perseverance in Traditional Faith: Fr. Fliess concludes with an exhortation for unwavering fidelity to the traditional Catholic faith, regardless of worldly pressures or sacrifices. This highlights the practical and pastoral application of the Resurrection doctrine as a source of strength and perseverance for believers.This comprehensive homily integrates Christological, soteriological, ecclesiological, and eschatological themes, all centered on the Resurrection as the pivotal event underpinning orthodox Catholic doctrine and practice.TrueCatholicFaith.com