For some days now I have been avoiding watching news and news commentary shows, etc. So, through a look at my Twitter feed earlier today, I learned of the horrifying events in Las Vegas.
The usual hysteria is now pouring forth from the opportunistic Left on the topic of gun control. I’d be more inclined to pay attention to Catholics who do that were they even merely equally vocal about ending abortion, which kills a lot more innocent people in our nation than guns. But they just won’t do it, will they. And we know why.
I, however, want to move the discussion away from the relatively unimportant issue of attacks on the 2nd Amendment in order to stress a type of control over something lethal that is far more important.
Mortal sins kill the life of grace in the soul.
Physical death is going to happen to you. You don’t have any control over that. However, you do have control over confession of your mortal sins in kind and number to a priest who can give you absolution!
I call for SIN CONTROL!
GO TO CONFESSION.
We don’t know the day or the minute when we will go before our Judge. Whether it is a natural event like a storm or meteor, or a man-made event like a drunk driver or a nutjob with a rifle, we just don’t know.
Avoid the trap of thinking that these things only happen to other people. YOU are other people. It’s always someone else… until it’s you.
So, examine your consciences and …
GO TO CONFESSION.
I would also add as a regular feature of your daily prayers that important petition in the Litany of Saints:
“A subitanea et improvisa morte… From a sudden and unprovided death, spare us O Lord.”
Sudden is one thing. Unprovided is another. An “unprovided” death is a death without access to the last sacraments, especially absolution from a priest.
That’s a scary thought…. especially if you haven’t been to confession for a long time.
When did you last go to confession?
Moreover, consider well your living conditions and security.
If you haven’t done so yet, begin to develop a physical situational awareness. Seek advice and training from professionals.
If you haven’t done so yet, begin to develop a spiritual situational awareness. Seek advice and training from priests.
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As this was happening, I thought of your constant admonition to go to confession. I was at a concert on Saturday evening at a casino; how easily could something have happened? At the country festival someone I know was working and had their co-worker, who was standing a few feet away, shot. We unfortunately live in dangerous times, not that we should be less lax in safe times with our souls, but with the current dangers we must be ever vigilant.
Whatever motive the authorities uncover, is there any doubt of the diabolical assault that is going on around the world? We do not have the luxury of spiritual or physical indifference. We must be prepared for a fight on both intertwined fronts.
This is another important reason to pray for more priests. As a priest, it is a great blessing and gift to hear Confessions and anoint people, especially as they near death. As a Catholic, I pray every day that through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary that a priest will be present as I approach death.
another reason to Wear your brown scapular! Another devotion that needs to come out of the cobwebs
I also wonder, if that shooter had gone to confession, would he have fired a shot? Confession saves souls.
To see mortal sin and eternal perdition, frustration of God’s will to the salvation of all men, as an evil, “the only tragedy”, greater than untimely physical death is so Catholic, so orthodox. Yet who can bear to think it, to believe it, practically?
“Moreover, consider well your living conditions and security.”
My first thought from a security standpoint is don’t go to any open-air events that are surrounded by tall buildings.
Why are the Four Last Things not in the Catechism?
[HERE]
“Why are the Four Last Things not in the Catechism?”
They are but they’re spread out like peanut butter on toast. See 1021-1037.
Or The four sins that cry to Heaven for Vengeance?
Thank you, Father, for this reminder.
Prayers for the victims, the injured and their families.
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