a term paper
“How you have grown evil with age! Now have your past sins come to term.” —Daniel 13:52
There’s no fool like an old fool, and there’s no sinner like an old sinner. In an old sinner, sins are multiplied and developed, self-deception has become an art form, and the heart is not only hardened but almost fossilized. A case in point is the two old judges, who tried to commit adultery with Susanna and then lied to have her executed. These judges had:
• let beauty seduce them (Dn 13:56),
• subverted their consciences by lust (Dn 13:8-9, 56),
• committed adultery (Dn 13:57),
• passed unjust sentences (Dn 13:53),
• condemned the innocent (Dn 13:53), and
• freed the guilty (Dn 13:53).
It’s difficult to find a sin by itself. Sins come in large groups. It’s humanly impossible to stop at committing one sin. Sins are catalytic. They start chain-reactions, which start more chain-reactions, until they crash in repentance or damnation. Therefore:
• Resist all temptations, even if you have to shed your own blood (Heb 12:4).
• Repent immediately, before it’s too late (see Sir 18:21).
• Go to Confession at least monthly to prevent sin from escalating.
• Pray for the Lord to intervene in the lives of sinners, to do the impossible, and to lead us out of sin into repentance.
Prayer: Father, make me a messenger of repentance and reconciliation (2 Cor 5:19-20).
Promise: “Jesus said, ‘Nor do I condemn you. You may go. But from now on, avoid this sin.’ ” —Jn 8:11
Praise: Jeremy has devoted his life to proclaiming the Church’s teaching on chastity and fidelity to the marriage covenant.
Reference:
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for One Bread, One Body covering the period from February 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021. Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio March 31, 2020"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.