Sirach reminds us that “If we choose, we can keep the commandments”, “if we trust in God, we too shall live”. How often have we made “bad” choices in our lives? Some today want to say there is no sin, everything we do is good. They lie. They lie. They lie. Some people do not want true freedom, they want license. They want to be able to do whatever they desire and sin however they choose without consequences. They get upset when the Church says they are sinning! The bible is quite clear on what behaviors we are to avoid. Fortunately, we have the sacrament of Penance. Do we take advantage of it often? Do we strive to do the good, or do we just say, “it is too much”, “this is the way I am, if you don’t like it too bad!”? Some consider the church too conservative and not responsive to the realities of “today”! They forget they Church is here to help us and guide us and to sometimes correct us if we but listen.
God speaks with a wisdom that is not “of this age”. Do we choose to listen to “the rulers of this age who are passing away”, movie stars, pop icons, those who promote a lifestyle not in union with God’s design?
Some have said the Bible is antiquated and not in touch with the new realities of the new Christian life. Yet Jesus himself said, “1 have not come to abolish the Jaw or the prophets.”
He reminds us that “Whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.” In another passage, he says such persons would be better off with a millstone around their neck and cast into the sea. How many of today’s leaders promote, support, and even encourage the evils proclaimed in the Bible in the name of freedom and equality. To listen to them is to make the choice for hell.
Countenance of God 