July 2, 2008, Wednesday

Read: Am 5:14-15, 21-24 Mt 8:28-34

"What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?" (Mt. 8:29)

For many people, neither Jesus, nor His Church, have the right to tell us what to do with our things or talents.

Jesus, nor His Church, have the right to raise their voice of protest against the abuse that a mother can inflict on her child through the murderous sin of abortion, or that doctor can inflict on his patient through euthanasia, or a husband can inflict on his wife through the use of contraception when turns her (or they turn themselves) into little more than an object of pleasure -- free from the responsibility of their lovemaking.

These same folks are those who criticize with particular venom the lack of force behind the Church's voice during the Nazi era in Europe, or the Church's role in Evangelizing the Americas, or the lack of leadership of the Church against whatever cause they want to push... be it environmental, or women’s issues, or military, or the poor, or what have you....

They want the Church to stand up to their devils... and not the Devil.

Evil is in a person’s heart. And major sin begins with a mentality... and, of course, with minor sin. We cannot compromise our bodies, marriage, our work, our morals, our family.... without polluting our very soul!

The world, the TV, the radio... still crawls with the possessed who shout the same words at Jesus and His Church: "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us...?"

Psalm 104:24 "How varied are your works, LORD! In wisdom you have created them."