losing it?
"You pay tithes on mint and herbs and seeds while neglecting the weightier matters of the law, justice and mercy and good faith. It is these you should have practiced, without neglecting the others." —Matthew 23:23
Human beings naturally lose perspective. We "strain out the gnat and swallow the camel" (Mt 23:24). We tend to be concerned about the few years of our retirement but not so much about the countless years after our deaths. We often focus more on how we feel than on how we love God and do His will. We may be more intent on avoiding discomfort and pain than on avoiding sin and hell. Many people are more interested in watching mindless TV programs than on praying to God, the Creator and Redeemer of the world.
When we see masses of people lose perspective, we may lose perspective on their loss of perspective and consequently under-react. Losing perspective, however, is not just stupid; it is deadly and damning. A loss of perspective has preceded the worst atrocities in the history of the human race, e.g., millions of aborted children, the Third Reich, Communism, genocide, and totalitarian dictatorships. Before Jesus' final coming and our Judgment Day, most Christians will apostatize, that is, reject Jesus and the faith (2 Thes 2:3)
Therefore, let us cry to the Holy Spirit and ask for His mercy so that we will not lose perspective, lose touch with reality, and damn ourselves forever.
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to convict me of sin (Jn 16:8) and guide me to all truth (Jn 16:13).
Promise: "Hold fast to the traditions you received from us, either by our word or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, may God our Father Who loved us and in His mercy gave us eternal consolation and hope, console your hearts and strengthen them for every good work and word." —2 Thes 2:15-17
Praise: St. Monica did not lose faith and so passed it on to her worldly son.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, February 7, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 12, 2002