a fallen away jump shot
"My fear is that, just as the serpent seduced Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may fall away from your sincere and complete devotion to Christ." —2 Corinthians 11:3
Most American Catholics who have registered in a parish are "fallen away" from fulfilling the obligation of attending church on every Sunday and holy day. Furthermore, how many are fallen away from meeting the standard that Paul enunciated? Paul was fearful that the "chaste virgin" church of Corinth would "fall away" from their "sincere and complete devotion to Christ" (2 Cor 11:2, 3). Moreover, if we love Christ less than we previously did, we are fallen away from our earlier love. If we love Him less than when we first loved Him, we have lost our first love (Rv 2:4). We are lukewarm and are nauseating to the Lord (Rv 3:16).
If we are "fallen away" in any way, we are in danger. A relationship where love is lessening is in trouble. If we love the Lord less, we are not loving Him with all our hearts, souls, minds, and strength (Mt 22:37). Thus, we are not obeying the first of all the commandments and the basis for the Law and the prophets (Mt 22:40).
Let us repent, renew our baptismal covenant, go to Confession and return immediately to our "sincere and complete devotion to Christ" (2 Cor 11:3).
Prayer: Father, You are Love (1 Jn 4:8, 16). May I never love You less and continue to love You more forever.
Promise: "This is how you are to pray: 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.' " —Mt 6:9
Praise: St. Aloysius gave up being a marquis to become a Jesuit.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, January 4, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 24, 2001