In the medieval times of St. Lawrence's church in Wrocław, the Jerzmans erstwhile remained a common 1 and present a uncommon component of the decoration of the temple. It's a small devil coming out of begging vaults. It was placed in front of the vekas in the most sacred part – in the chancel, right above the altar!
What did the wise Catholics of centuries ago want to express by placing a character from hell in the most holy place, the place where transfiguration takes place, the raising in which sacraments are given? These our intelligent and sober ancestors expressed any very crucial truths with a tiny figure of the devil placed in a holy place. The first is that the devil is the most real character. That she comes from hell and constantly does everything to harm us. Not much – the devil is individual so cunning, clever and effective that he can sneak in anywhere. If we are not vigilant, if we ignore it – this nasty thing may not only appear among us, but it may sneak into even the holiest places. Sometimes it can even infect the thoughts of any priests. It can even scope places and spheres for the Church – the most important!
Wise people of the Church taught not only religion but besides caution for centuries. The figure of St. Thomas, who "believed only erstwhile he saw" is besides not a work of chance in the Christian tradition. A healthy note of skepticism is needed. St. Thomas is 1 of those who tell us their story: “Believe, but wisely, be careful. Believe me, but you're smart. Live the truths of faith, but consider in your conscience and realize what they preach even from holy places. Almost always – this is true. But the powers of evil never sleep. They are constantly active and their treatments, unfortunately, can be effective to any extent. Sometimes they lead to false steps being taken by priests. Even bishops. due to the fact that even though ordained, they are only human. And no of the people are perfect.
Polish bishops have just been drawn up a pastoral letter containing thoughts contrary to the Gospel and the eternal teaching of the Church. Many were surprised, outraged. Me, too. But possibly it is good to remember that bishops are besides people, that they are besides wrong? And that our full destiny is collective and personal, that the way of life of each of us, even the way of the saints, includes greater or lesser mistakes and failures. This fact does not exempt anyone from the work to be as close as possible to the fact and to be as righteous as possible. It does not relieve the work to make demands, but besides the work to realize and forgive.
The evil powers symbolized by the devil as he preserved himself in the church at the Wrocław Jerzmans have frequently contributed to the incorrect step that has occurred in the past of the Church for 2 1000 years. We have just witnessed 1 of specified unfortunate steps of our Polish Episcopate. The human thing, the human mistake. Sooner or later, it will most likely be repaired. We are all the same Church, and let this tiny scratch, which has just appeared on it, mobilise us all to greater concern for this extraordinary, common, holy good that the Church is. We're all mediocre people. We'll most likely have another incorrect step. Let us usage each specified wisely for the individual and common good. Let's all correct, let's all forgive each other. “Allelujah and forward!”
Artur Adamski
