The Challenge Facing Our Church
The Most Reverend Giuseppe Bertoni, the Bishop of Gubio, Italy and secretary of the Italian bishops' conference, is the latest in a long line of shepherds to decry the greatest danger to our Church in the modern era, secularism. The report from Catholic World News says that the efforts of secularists and nihilists "undermine respect for the sanctity of life and the bonds of marriage."
For several days the moral state of humanity has been on my mind and heart. After much thought, discussion, and prayer, the conclusion I have reached is thus: human beings, who are generally good and moral people, have fallen victim to a good feeling. What is that good feeling? Sinners (an inclusive term) feel good when someone validates their lifestyle and wrongdoings.
People simply hate to think that they are wrong, that their actions cause harm to any other person. Moreover, humans have an innate need for acceptance. So, when a theologian or philosopher posits a theory that denies sin, or even the existence of God, those same people will naturally be drawn toward it.
The problem, however, is that those theories are bogus, they create scandal, and they lead people away from God. Not in the things of this world, or even in "good feelings," can we find true validation. True validation of our existence is only found when we strive for (and achieve, hopefully) communion with the One who is the creator of humanity.
As Book 3, Chapter 54 of Thomas A Kempis's Imitation of Christ reminds us: "All human beings long after goodness and pretend there is some good in what they say or do; that is why many are deceived by an apparent goodness." Yes, our modern world has been deceived by the Enemy, and now we live in the midst of a culture of death where people are used and abused daily. These modern heresies are, without a doubt, the greatest challenge facing the Church in the twenty-first century.
Let us pray for an end to Modernism, Secularism, Nihilism, and any other -ism that creates and perpetuates lies. Let us also pray for a return to a vibrant culture of life.
God Bless.
For several days the moral state of humanity has been on my mind and heart. After much thought, discussion, and prayer, the conclusion I have reached is thus: human beings, who are generally good and moral people, have fallen victim to a good feeling. What is that good feeling? Sinners (an inclusive term) feel good when someone validates their lifestyle and wrongdoings.
People simply hate to think that they are wrong, that their actions cause harm to any other person. Moreover, humans have an innate need for acceptance. So, when a theologian or philosopher posits a theory that denies sin, or even the existence of God, those same people will naturally be drawn toward it.
The problem, however, is that those theories are bogus, they create scandal, and they lead people away from God. Not in the things of this world, or even in "good feelings," can we find true validation. True validation of our existence is only found when we strive for (and achieve, hopefully) communion with the One who is the creator of humanity.
As Book 3, Chapter 54 of Thomas A Kempis's Imitation of Christ reminds us: "All human beings long after goodness and pretend there is some good in what they say or do; that is why many are deceived by an apparent goodness." Yes, our modern world has been deceived by the Enemy, and now we live in the midst of a culture of death where people are used and abused daily. These modern heresies are, without a doubt, the greatest challenge facing the Church in the twenty-first century.
Let us pray for an end to Modernism, Secularism, Nihilism, and any other -ism that creates and perpetuates lies. Let us also pray for a return to a vibrant culture of life.
God Bless.
