fallen away?
"You may fall away." —2 Corinthians 11:3
The Corinthian church had a "sincere and complete devotion to Christ" (2 Cor 11:3). Nevertheless, Paul feared that they would be seduced by the devil, corrupted in their thoughts, and fall away from their commitment to Christ (2 Cor 11:3). Paul said this because the Corinthian church endured it "quite well" when someone came preaching another gospel (2 Cor 11:4).
Many false gospels are being preached today. The gospels of secularism, consumerism, psychology, new age, self-realization, and prosperity are just a few of the most popular false gospels. Like the Corinthian church, the American church seems to endure these other gospels quite well. We even go so far as to espouse aspects of these gospels in our preaching, books, churches, seminaries, and schools.
Our openness to false gospels is a sign that we are in danger of falling away from "our sincere and complete devotion to Christ." Let's repent, confess our sins in the sacrament of Reconciliation, and make or renew a sincere and complete commitment to Christ. "Be solicitous to make your call and election permanent, brothers; surely those who do so will never be lost" (2 Pt 1:10).
Prayer: Father, grant that I may never "fall away," but love You more each day.
Promise: "If you forgive the faults of others, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours. If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you." —Mt 6:14-15
Praise: Mary is ever cautious in teaching what the Church teaches by constantly seeking truth through credible sources.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet The Secret of Confession or our tape on audio AV 44-3 or video V-44.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 18, 2013
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.