living in a dangerous neighborhood
"My fear is that, just as the serpent seduced Eve by his cunning, your thoughts may be corrupted and you may fall away from your sincere and complete devotion to Christ." —2 Corinthians 11:3
In the first century, Corinth was a cesspool of promiscuity, violence, and occult practices. The culture was sophisticated and secular humanistic, as is our culture of death today. Paul was very concerned that the Corinthian Christians would let their thoughts "be corrupted from [their] sincere and complete devotion to Christ" (2 Cor 11:3). Paul recognized that the Corinthian Christians were easily deceived into accepting false teaching (2 Cor 11:3-4). He considered this a danger sign that they could soon lose their faith.
In our Western world, we live in a society similar to Corinth. Christians in our society are not only in danger of falling away from the faith but have already fallen away in such great numbers that there are probably more fallen-away Christians than committed ones. Before the end of the world, the apostasy that we presently have will become much worse (2 Thes 2:3). These are more than danger signs that we could lose our love for the Lord (see Mt 24:12).
"For all these reasons, let anyone who thinks he is standing upright watch out lest he fall!" (1 Cor 10:12) Take care "lest any of you have an evil and unfaithful spirit and fall away from the living God" (Heb 3:12). "We are not among those who draw back and perish, but among those who have faith and live" (Heb 10:39).
Prayer: Father, may I die for You rather than deny You in any way.
Promise: "If you forgive the faults of others, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours. If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you." —Mt 6:14-15
Praise: St. Romuald, a holy monk, founded monasteries and hermitages in Italy, leading many to lives of holiness.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, December 29, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 31, 2002