Be Bold 

“You weren’t made to fit in.  You were born to stand out.” (Jim Caviezel) 

   In the 1500s a Catholic priest and former Augustinian friar lit the spark that became the protestant reformation.  When I read of a German Archbishop saying that the Church needs to change it’s definition of sin based on sociological reasons I cringe.  When our Pope responds to questions about those who commit sin by saying “Whom am I to judge”, I fear for the Church.

   Too many in the Church seem to be far too concerned with offending people.  They don’t speak out about sins and the punishment of hell because they don’t want to step on anyone’s toes.  By watering down the truth, these so-called shepherds of the Church are leading their flocks astray.  They will be called to answer when they stand before the Lord.

   The Church is under the protection of Christ and will never fall.  However, there have been times in the past when the remnant of the faithful have been small.  These times may come again, and it is up to us be that remnant should they come.  To do so, we must be bold in our faith.

   Jesus said “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me before you.” (John 15: 18).  We are not to be of the world even though we live in the world.  We are to be apart, not antisocial, but perhaps anti-societal.  We must resist the urge of culture to abandon the truths of God and stand boldly as defenders of the faith.  If we do not, we are not worthy of the title “Christian”.

 

Lord, make us bold in our faith.  Give us the courage to reject society and its’ sinfulness.  If we are persecuted let it be so.  Give us joy in our persecutions for You.  Amen