[Greek] παρακολουθέω (parakoloutheō), [Latin] sequere, [Latin] diligere, [French] accompagner, [French] aimer, [French] honorer, [French] atteindre: to follow closely, to investigate carefully, and to accompany; Mt.16:17, Lk.1:3, 1Tim.4:6, 2Tim.3:10
[Greek] συνοδία (synodia), [Latin] comitatus: group of travelers, caravan, wayfarers; Lk.2:44
Now the Church continues on very questionable synodal paths (adapting to the world) veering off from traditional ways.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to attend closely, to understand, to follow, to bring to attention, and to be able.
Aristophanes’ Ecclesiazusae 725: “I will march at your side, so that I may be seen.”
Demosthenes’ Against Midias 21.14: “Your cheers and applause expressed your approval of my conduct and your sympathy with my good fortune.”
Demosthenes’ On the Crown 18.162: “In that regard they were always of one mind, despite their constant disregard on other parts of policy.”
Aeschines’ Against Timarchus 1.116: “I should like you, to give attention to what I am about to say, and to follow me with willing mind.”
Demosthenes’ Against Conon 54.11: “I was brought into this condition, as you hear from my lips, and as all the witnesses who saw me at the time have testified.”
New Testament: This term means to accompany, to follow closely, and to follow along.
Mk.16:17: These signs will accompany those who believe: driving out demons and speaking new languages
Lk.1:3: I [Luke] after investigating everything accurately (following closely) to write the gospel down in an orderly manner
1Tim.4:6: Being nourished on the words of faith and sound teaching you have followed
2Tim.3:10: You have followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love and endurance
Lk.2:44: Thinking Jesus was in the caravan, Joseph and Mary journeyed for a day and looked for Him.
Synod: This term refers to a group of persons travelling together. The Church often travels together and meets with the laity. Potential problems occur when the Church changes its teachings to accommodate (adapt) to the world (culture).
Etymology: This term means to follow (-akoloutheo) near (para-). The Latin verb sequere means to follow and to escort. The Latin verb diligere means to have regard for and to esteem.
Heresy: Heresy is a belief different from the accepted belief.
Quotes about accompanying and following:
“The Church best serves the world by not trying to accommodate the world, but by being faithful to the mandate of Jesus Christ.” Archbishop Charles Chaput
“Liberal Catholic are like the worst enemies of the Church.” Pope Pius IX
“The primary duty of charity does not lie in the toleration of false ideas.” St. Pope Pius X
“I accept with sincere belief, the doctrine of faith as handed down to us from the Apostles, always in same sense and with the same interpretation.” St. Pope Pius X
“The greatest obstacle in the apostolate of the Church is the timidity or rather the cowardice of the faithful.” St. Pope Pius X
“Progress of dogmas is, in reality, nothing but corruption of dogmas. I absolutely reject the heretical doctrine of the evolution of dogma.”
“The synodal path is to listen to life under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” Pope Francis
“I am completely opposed to the error of the modernist who hold that there is nothing divine in sacred tradition.” St. Pope Pius X
“The error of Modernism holds that dogmatic truth is not absolute, but relative; that it must adapt itself to the varying necessities of the times.” Pope Pius XI
Conclusion:
Sequence, sequential, diligent, diligence, aim, honor, attend, attendant, attending, accompany, Posse comitatus
Mk.16:17: Signs such as the Pentecost event and miracles will follow those who believe.
Lk.1:3: Luke, in the tradition of Hellenistic writers, follows closely the birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Luke, a 2nd or 3rd generation Christian, learns about Jesus from oral tradition.
1Tim.4:6: Sound (faithful) teaching is contrasted with deceitful spirits and demonic instruction which turn some away from the faith.
Turn away: apostesontai ==> apostasy [1Tim.4:6]
2Tim.3:10: Timothy is called to be steadfast to what he has been taught and to scripture.
Update: It is very interesting to note that more eucharist miracles and an incorrupt body (Sr. Wilhelmina) are appearing now in this post-Christian secular culture. (There seems to be an ever increasing need for God’s presence in this world.)
In this culture, God’s moral laws and designs continue to be undermined by abortion, pride, gay marriage, and gender ideology, etc. (We must not underestimate the devil’s social and moral influences in these circumstances in our culture.)
If you follow closely, Cardinal Roche, one of Pope Francis’s inner circle, claims that the theology of the Church has changed. (This is their proverbial drawing a line in the sand in changing the Church theology.)
Pope Francis’s restriction of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) has been accompanied by the marginalization of faithful Catholics.
If you follow closely, Pope Francis and his inner circle are attempting to destigmatize and normalize homosexuality. This is also accompanied by “verbal gymnastics” to redefine homosexuality. (Don’t be surprised that is being done in order to later “bless” same sex unions!)
If you follow closely, Pope Francis and his inner circle are hand selecting people who will ratify their prepared synodal agenda. Then they can claim that the Holy Spirit has ratified their agenda. (Sounds like a pre-determined outcome by “stacking the deck”.)
If you follow closely, Pope Francis and his inner circle, with this logic, can claim the Holy Spirit can ratify anything they want to promote.
These synods, accompanying the people where they are, continually land on “spiritual land-mines”, changing teachings, creating scandal, and causing others to the leave Church.
Synod on the Amazon: inclusion of the Pachamama idol on Vatican grounds. Pope Francis was more angry when this idol was thrown in the Tiber River rather than the Pachamama idol itself.
German Synod: This synod’s heretical agenda has been accompanied by a major decline in German Catholic affiliation.
Scandal, insults, marginalization, syncretism, “heretical creep”, sacrilege, restrictions, inappropriate Vatican celebrations, confusion, declining Catholic attendance continue to accompany the Vatican’s policies and synods.
Inclusion, false compassion, and tolerance are accompanied by ignoring, minimizing the sinful nature of homosexuality.
True compassion should be accompanied by recognizing sin for what it is and that Jesus called sinners to sin no more. Yes. Jesus met the people where they are. But Jesus called them out for their sinful behavior.
Archbishop Fernandez, soon to lead the dicastery (formerly Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith), has a history of theological concerns. He has been appointed by Pope Francis as Prefect. (Yet, another red flag!)
Although it may be concerning that Pope Francis has already appointed many Cardinals. However, Pope Francis’ papacy is also accompanied by many Cardinals alarmed by the “fruits” and results of his papacy. (Don’t be surprised if the College of Cardinals will try to steer the Church away from the chaos of Pope Francis’ papacy.
If you follow closely, the questions to ask are: Is this Church now following the mandate of Christ? Or are the Church leaders now acting like heretics in their synodal ways? Should we then follow Pope Pius’ advice?