The Smoke of Satan 

   Pope Paul VI, in 1972, wrote, “…through some crack, the smoke of Satan has entered the Church of God.  There is doubt, uncertainty, problems, unrest, dissatisfaction, confrontation.”  Bishop Fulton Sheen once said, “People are turning away from Christianity today not because it is too hard but because it is too soft.”  The words of these men were prophetic, they recognized the coming problems the Church now faces.

   There has been and continues to be a concerted effort to make the Church less faithful, more willing to bend to the whims of society.  What once were Holy Days of Obligation are now mostly celebrated on weekends to avoid inconveniencing the people.  Sin is rarely mentioned and condemnation because of those sins is virtually unheard of.  Some of those who are the spiritual descendants of the apostles refuse to preach the truths of God’s teachings to their flocks, confusing and misleading the souls entrusted to them.

   Some would rewrite scripture to avoid offending those who refuse to accept the truths of God.  They want to be welcoming to all regardless of the immorality they practice.  All are welcome as they should be, but a change of life is part of that welcome.  Giving up immoral acts, repenting of sins, a desire to reform one’s life is, or should be, part of being welcomed.  Jesus welcomed sinners to His table, but He did not change His teachings to meet their desires.  He welcomed them as a way to change their lives.

   When Jesus commissioned His apostles to make disciples of all nations He assured them, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt 28: 20).  His Church will never fail.  Satan has and will continue to attack the Church, but His efforts will be in vain.  The Church established by our Lord will survive and defeat Satan; “the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.” (Matt 16: 18).