Throughout much of our lives, many of us develop the illusion that we are naturally good-hearted, loving, and kind people. We pretend that about all we want out of life is to help people. Although various circumstances in our lives seem to indicate a self-centered, egotistical attitude in us, we ignore these details. Usually somewhere around middle age, we may realize by God's grace that we have spent our whole lives thinking about ourselves and seeking our own pleasure, even at others' expense. We now begin to realize we are egomaniacs, like most other people. Now we have the opportunity of a lifetime — the opportunity to repent.

This Advent, the Lord wants to fulfill in your life the prophecy of Zephaniah: "Then will I remove from your midst the proud braggarts, and you shall no longer exalt yourself on My holy mountain. But I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly" (Zep 3:11-12). The Lord wants to clean house — your house, your heart. It may seem that He is removing everything from your heart, but He will leave behind within you a remnant "humble and lowly," which does no wrong and speaks no lies (Zep 3:12-13).

Let the Lord clean your house before Christmas. Let Him clean it as it's never been cleaned. Let Him throw out tons of self-deception, pride, and selfishness. Pray: "A clean heart create for me, O God" (Ps 51:12).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 30, 2014

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.