THE SLIDE RULES?

“Make no mistake about this: no fornicator, no unclean or lustful person – in effect an idolater – has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.” –Ephesians 5:5

Mass Readings: October 24
First: Ephesians 4:32–5:8; Resp: Psalm 1:1-4,6; Gospel: Luke 13:10-17

Years ago before there were electronic calculators, there were slide rules by which certain types of computations could be easily made. Today, possibly more than ever, we have a different kind of slide rule. Many people have let rules, laws, standards, convictions, and commandments slide. For example, Jesus told us to gouge out our eyes if we were tempted to look lustfully (Mt 5:28-29). The Lord made clear that “lewd conduct or promiscuousness or lust of any sort” should be not mentioned (Eph 5:3). “Nor should there be any obscene, silly, or suggestive talk” (Eph 5:4).

Many people are slipping and sliding regarding these rules and commands from Jesus. Many in our culture used to think that lust was wrong. Then lust without fornication became acceptable to many. Next, fornication without adultery was OK in the sliding scale of values. Then sexual promiscuity with contraception and without pregnancy and abortion was OK. As sexual morality slid ever downward, heterosexual relations, including abortion, was OK as long as it wasn’t a late-term abortion. Sodomy and sado-masochistic sex were once looked down on. Now almost any perversion is flaunted except sexually abusing children. What’s next? Rape, demonic sexual rituals, bestiality, orgies, etc. When we let the truth slide, we find out how deep the pits of perversion are. Turn to Jesus, the Truth Who never changes.

PRAYER: Father, by the truth free me from the slavery caused by permissiveness.

PROMISE: “He laid His hand on her, and immediately she stood up straight and began thanking God.” –Lk 13:13

PRAISE: St. Anthony opposed godlessness in both Spain and Cuba. He continued to preach Christ in the face of several assassination attempts.