x-rated
"Mark an X on the foreheads of those who moan and groan over all the abominations that are practiced." —Ezekiel 9:4
Just before Jerusalem was to be destroyed, the Lord sent His messenger to mark the holy ones with an X. Those marked with an X were spared destruction. Our society rates filthy movies with an X. God rates holy, sorrowful people with a cross.
Consider these abominations practiced regularly in the USA:
- acts of adultery, fornication, oppression of the poor, stealing, dishonesty, idolatry, unjust economic gain, and oppressive interest are "abominable things" (Ez 18:11-13),
- homosexual acts, always presented in Scripture as "an abomination" (Lv 18:22; 20:13; Rm 1:24-27),
- the exploitation of the bodies of women and children in omnipresent pornography in all forms of media,
- over four thousand surgical abortions daily,
- the inability to recognize the truth that marriage is between one man and one woman (see Catechism, 2335) and
- many other perversions (Prv 3:32).
These commonplace American things "are an abomination to Him; haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood; a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, the false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers" (Prv 6:16-19). We practice many other abominations in our country. Do you mourn these abominations or shrug them off? Repent! Be marked by the cross. Blessed are the mourners (Mt 5:4), for they shall be spared.
Prayer: Father, I will refuse to accept the standards of this culture of death. Give me the righteous anger of Jesus (Mt 23:13) and the sorrowing, mournful heart of Mary.
Promise: "Where two or three are gathered in My name, there am I in their midst." —Mt 18:20
Praise: St. Clare made a dramatic break with the world and chose to live in gospel poverty.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 8, 2010
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