The world is concerned with the virus H1N1, and rightly so, as any flu can be dangerous. However, there is a virus in the world that is far more virulent than the flu. This virus is called sin; it's most virulent form is mortal sin which removes sanctifying grace from the soul. Love cannot live in a house that is completely overtaken by sin; there is no room left. We have become inured to sin but certainly not immune to it. Because we are so completely surrounded by sin in our world, we have forgotten what holiness is and the ugliness of sin has lost much of it's impact. We are so infected with sin that most of us still think we are good even if we are in a state of grave sin. God in his great mercy continues to pour grace and light onto this world. In fact, He is literally flooding the world with grace. This light is purifying many souls, but the majority of the human race continues to turn their backs on it. The loss of the sense of sin has caused great harm to souls. To be forgiven, you must first confess your sin. Those whose consciences have grown dull from many years of unconfessed sin often even fool themselves, " God is love, He wouldn't send anyone to hell." Or, "There are murderers out there, I'm a good person; I would never do that!" Well, maybe you would not go out and murder someone, but here is a question: Would you vote for someone who supports abortion? Because if you do, then you are supporting someone who believes in murder. And yes, God is love but we do not have to accept His love; we have free will. Do you think that hell is empty? Do the Ten Commandments no longer apply to us? Are we so enlightened, then? Has our pride grown so much that we feel that we are above God and no longer liable for our sins?
We are liable for every sin that we commit. Better to face the truth about ourselves and be healed than to pretend that the world is just fine. It is not just fine. Open your eyes and look around you. Purify your hearts. Pray for mercy. The day is coming when the human race, great and small shall look upon the one they have pierced. Choice you have asked for and choice you shall be given.
Once again you pull no punches and hit the nail smack dab on the head. I struggle with the sin of ego and pride all the time. I triumph at times and I fail miserably too. Sin is just so familiar to us that we are totally desensitized to much of it unless it's over-the-top...like the murderer. How many times have we "murdered" by legalized means such as supporting the death penalty and abortion? We may not be doing the actual deed ourselves but we are helping place the instruments of those in the hands of those who carry them out by the way we vote, our silence due to fear of speaking out and so on. By doing such we are an accomplice.
ReplyDeleteWe all struggle with sin. Like you, sometimes I triumph and sometimes I fail. The Lord is quick to forgive but we have to accept the fact that we are sinners in order to receive His Mercy. Those who don't think they sin, don't feel as if they need mercy. I have been trying to speak up more for I have often been one of those who kept silent. I used to be a "peace at all cost" person and the Lord has been purging this fault in me. Silence can be deadly in certain circumstances. I always think about Pontius Pilate, "wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed Him over to be crucified." It is the same with voting, as you have stated. I may lose friends or followers, but at least I will be able to look at Jesus and say I tried my best. I vote pro-life. I have often heard the argument that this is not the only issue but the truth is: This is the biggest issue. Thanks for your comments Rachel, you speak the truth.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great analogy, sin is a virus and it spreads like crazy if we do nothing to contain it. Our preventative medicine is an examination of conscience followed by the sanitizer of a thorough confession. Our healing comes in the gift of absolution. Thanks for this wonderful post Mary. I'm so glad that you are back to writing! This blogging world needs you!
ReplyDeleteAnne,
ReplyDeleteI like the way you said that! Now everyone who looks at the comments can read about the cure:) That is a perfect cure for the virus of sin and a great analogy, too!
Mary, that's a wonderful post. I struggle with sin and reading posts like this one helps me run to confession :)
ReplyDeleteMost of us need people who scold us and instruct us to go back onto the right track - we don't need the 'horned one' suggesting to us that we are good, kind and honest, and don't need to worry.
Thank you.
Gabriella,
ReplyDeleteYou are funny! The "horned one" comment made me laugh :) I went to Confession today thanks to your post the other day about plenary indulgences for the souls in purgatory, I remembered that Confession is one of the requirements to obtain these. Between your post and Anne's comment, I thought it was a good idea though I usually only go once a month.
What a well written post that holds nothing back Mary. Well done. Blessings to you dear one, and thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYour post called to my mind that one of the toughest things for us to do is to become aware of our attachments to sin. Bad habits, putting ourselves into occasions of sin, loving to gossip - it's endless. We have to keep examining our conscience daily, making acts of contrition, and spending more time thinking of Jesus rather than engaging in activities designed to tie us to the world. We were meant for heaven, but we have to build virtuous practices if we are going to get there. Sin is indeed everywhere and so is grace.
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I totally agree with you. It's a tough battle and I liked your remedy:)