The Great Divider

   “Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5: 8)

   I once had someone tell me that she was a “pro-choice Catholic”.  She got terribly upset when I replied that there is no such thing as a pro-choice Catholic, since the two are totally incompatible.  Division over such an obvious evil as taking the life of an unborn child is the work of Satan.

   The overwhelming majority of Priests and Bishops are faithful servants of God.  They do all in their power to further God’s kingdom on earth.  However, through the sexual abuse scandals, a few brought shame upon themselves and caused great division in the Church.  The evil one, I'm sure, took great delight in their heinous crimes.

   For many the teachings of the Church seem to be merely suggestions which they are free to accept or reject on their own authority.  It’s estimated that nearly fifty percent of practicing Catholics do not acknowledge the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.  Many refuse the Sacrament of reconciliation; they never enter the confessional.  Satan revels in the division and lack of sincerity of those lukewarm Catholics.

   Since its’ beginning in Christ, the Church has fought heresy and division.  The battles remain today.  Secularism, with its’ relational morality is a heresy that has gained a great following in today's society.  This error says that what is right for you may not be right for me and vice versa.  In other words there is no certainty to right or wrong, it all depends on human opinion.  Satan loves it when we assume we know better than God what is right or wrong.

   It’s sad, but these division will not go away.  By nature, people seek the easy route.  If it’s too hard, they look for another way and Satan is always there to show them one.  But there will always be difficulties on our path to God.  As Christ said, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter it are many.” (Matt 7: 13).

Put Your law into our hearts Lord.

Teach us Your ways.

Keep us from the path of destruction.

Lead us always to You.