Monday, March 30, 2009

"Hate what is evil" (Rom. 12:9)+

It's hard to say whether lack of faith or poor catechesis are more to blame, but apparently many of today's Catholics have entirely lost their moral compass. A recent Gallup poll showed that...

* 40% of 'Catholics' find abortion morally acceptable (vs. 41% of non-Catholics)

* 67% of 'Catholics' find fornication morally acceptable (vs. 57% of non-Catholics)

* 71% of 'Catholics' find divorce morally acceptable (vs. 66% of non-Catholics)

* 61% of 'Catholics' find having an illegitimate child morally acceptable (vs. 52% of non-Catholics)

* 54% of 'Catholics' find homosexual relations morally acceptable (vs. 45% of non-Catholics)

Perhaps if Scripture readings at Novus Ordo Masses regularly included passages such as the following - rather than the "feel good" passages parishioners usually encounter - we would not suffer so many dissident Catholics...+ [Note: All passages below are from the New Testament]

* 1 Cor. 6:9-10: Do you not know that the unjust will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators nor idolaters nor adulterers nor boy prostitutes nor practicing homosexuals nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.

* Rv. 21:8: But as for cowards, the unfaithful, the depraved, murderers, the unchaste, sorcerers, idol-worshipers, and deceivers of every sort, their lot is in the burning pool of fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

* 1 Jn. 3:8:Whoever sins belongs to the devil

* Heb. 10:26-27: If we sin deliberately after receiving knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins but a fearful prospect of judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries.

* Gal. 5:19-21: Now the works of the flesh are obvious: immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy, outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness, dissensions, factions, occasions of envy, drinking bouts, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

* Mt. 7:13-14: Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.

+Reminder: Scripture references and translations may vary. We make no guarantee regarding any item herein. We recommend reading Scripture in full context in an appropriate Catholic Bible. Consult appropriate, competent Church authorities for assistance in interpreting / applying Scripture. Interpretation and application of Scripture should not be contrary to the perennial, official teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. Do not take Scripture passages out of context. Do not inflict or wish harm on yourself or others, break laws, take unsuitable/incautious or inappropriate/drastic actions, or take figurative items literally. We are not responsible for any interpretation / misinterpretation, application / misapplication, use / misuse, etc. of Scripture. Use of site is at your own risk and is subject to our terms of use. Click here for important cautionary statement and other important terms/information

[3/30]