Many Prefer Darkness
5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
“The just man is a light in darkness to the upright.”Ps. 112
This is what Jesus Himself told us:
“And this is the judgment: that the light came into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed.”In 3:19ff
And today it is very evident that truth is trampled upon, that many people are not interested in what the truth is; they are only interested in feeling good, even if that means going against evident truth. Intelligence is defined as the ability to know and discern the truth and to adapt oneself to it, in order to draw the greatest benefit from everything; this is how the sciences advance and how all progress has come about-through the investigation and knowledge of the truth. Let us look at some examples of those who deny the truth and trample upon it:
- Those who claim to be of a sex different from their own.
- Those who say “my body, my choice” when referring to the body of their unborn child, with another heart beating, and who prefer to deny that child’s existence for convenience, in order to eliminate him or her and impose their will against the truth.
- Racist mentalities, which believe that skin color has anything to do with being superior or inferior.
- Those who believe they are of another species and identify as cats or dogs.
- Those who believe anything that comes into their head, without any proof, to their own harm and sometimes to the harm of those around them.
- Every lie is a way of trampling on the truth, with all the negative consequences that this entails.
- Rejecting Christ is rejecting the truth, because He personifies the truth by being God; therefore, rejecting His words and teachings is also rejecting the irrefutable truth that He came to bring us as the path to eternal Life.
- In fact, even rejecting God or denying Him is trampling on an evident truth that requires a Creator behind all creation. No one would believe that even a simple glass or pencil made itself by chance—much less a watch or a house. Why, then, do many choose to think that our eye, brain, plant species, birds, animals, the universe… came into being by themselves, out of nothing, without the deliberate action of anyone? THIS IS IRRATIONAL THINKING, found in nihilism (from nihil = nothing).
And as always, in sin they carry their own punishment, because from that denial of the truth they also deny the very meaning of the search; they lose hope of ever finding something true, even the meaning of life itself. By setting themselves up as god, they have decided to deny evident truths to their own harm. WE HAVE BEEN CALLED TO BE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD AND THE SALT OF THE EARTH. We must be willing to spread the light of truth and to defend it with our whole being.
Prayer to St. Joseph, Explained!
For centuries, Christians have relied on the intercessory prayers of Joseph, earthly spouse of the Blessed Virgin and foster father of Christ, who was obedient to the will of God in all things.
One particular novena prayer to St. Joseph is often called “the unfailing prayer to St. Joseph.” It is thought to have originated in the first century A.D. and was sent by the pope to Emperor Charles as he went into battle. It is said that those who recite this prayer will not suffer a sudden death and will likewise be protected from drowning, the effects of poison and fire, falling into the hands of the enemy or being overpowered in battle.
Readings of the Week
Sunday: Is 58:7-10/Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9/1 Cor 2:1-5/Mt 5:13-16
Monday: 1 Kgs 8:1-7,9-13/Ps 132:6-7, 8-10/Mk 6:53-56
Tuesday: 1 Kgs 8:22-23, 27-30/Ps 84:3, 4, 5 and 10, 11/Mk 7:1-13
Wednesday: 1 Kgs 10:1-10/Ps 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40/ Mk 7:14-23
Thursday: 1 Kgs 11:4-13/Ps 106:3-4, 35-36, 37 and 40/Mk 7:24-30
Friday: 1 Kgs 11:29-32; 12:19/Ps 81:10-11ab, 12 -13, 14-15/Mk 7:31-37
Saturday: 1 Kgs 12:26-32; 13:33-34/Ps 106:6-7ab, 19-20, 21-22/Mk 8:1-10
Next Sunday: Sir 15:15-20/Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34/1 Cor 2:6-10/ Mt 5:17-37 or 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37
Celebrations of the Week
Sunday: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Tuesday: Saint Scholastica, Virgin
Saturday: Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop
Next Sunday: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time
