Society in Decay 

   “It has always been the characteristic of a society in decay to paint the gates of hell with the gold of Paradise.” (Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, “The Wisdom of Fulton Sheen: 365 Days of Inspiration”) 

   A society that is in moral decay will try to create the impression that all is well.  It may take the form of political actions, the depiction of immorality as moral, and/or distractions to take the peoples mind off the fact that their society is faltering and in danger of falling.

   As the Roman empire began to fall the rulers blamed many things for the decline rather than recognize that they were the fault of immoral and sinful actions.  Some distraced the people with so-called games pitting gladiators in a fight to the death or human beings against wild animals.  Some looked to blame others for their decline, such as Nero did in blaming Christians for the great fire of Rome.

   I fear that our society is in decay and in danger of falling.  We see some of the same actions trying to shift blame or distract the citizenry from the truth.  We have glorified the slaughter of innocent babies in the womb in the name of women’s rights; sexual excess and deviancy is common, any mention of its immorality met with accusations and attacks.  What has always been seen as truth is now considered opinion.

   The entertainment industry glorifies all that is evil, making it seem to be a normal state of being.  Rarely is a loving, faithful marriage depicted, rather we see adultery, cheating and lying.  Violence is a mainstay and the more brutal, the better.  In movies, television, and music, it's all the same.

   As individuals we can hardly effect change on a large scale and those opposing us are many and powerful.  It sometimes seems like a lost cause.  So what are we to do?  We can do what Jesus taught, we can love, pray and live our lives for God.  We may not save our society, but we can save our immortal soul. 

There are many evils Lord.

They seem to be multiplying.

Help us to live as You wish.

Praying for renewal in society.  

Amen