Divided We Fall
"Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?"
Many of us can see the division in the world and how it is in direct conflict with our faith. If you are unsure, simply tune into almost any T.V. program to see the latest ‘cause’ from the secular modern culture being pushed down everyone's throat. However, this division and demonic influence are not just exclusive to the secular world. If, as Christ says, "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house," how will the Catholic church stand if we remain divided in church teachings?
Satan has been labeled the author of confusion, and rightfully so. He has thousands of years working on his craft of misleading humanity away from God and wants nothing more than to divide and cause conflict, especially within the faithful. So why is it so hard for us to recognize when and where he is obviously showing up? How can we in the Catholic church turn a blind eye to the smoke of Satan that is spreading in our own backyards? Have we lost our spiritual eyes?
One example of the devil's influence, but for some odd reason, keeps the flock divided, remains on the view of killing a child in the womb. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is illumined by Sacred Scripture, Apostolic Tradition, and the Church’s Magisterium, has been very clear on abortion. For anyone still confused or divided here, maybe start asking whom we are serving and if we can serve two masters. The Catechism writes:
Since the first century, the church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law: You shall not kill the embryo by abortion and shall not cause the newborn to perish.1
Laws and high-profile political figures that acknowledge and support abortion violate our Catholic beliefs, which is a very grave matter. Sadly, some of us that hold a long-standing Catholic view on this topic and do not bow down to the secular influence will be labeled "fringe," and some even canceled by our Catholic brothers and sisters. Nevertheless, let us pray and humbly consider whom we are serving while meditating on Christ's word that a kingdom divided against itself will not stand.
Works Cited:
1 "2271." Essay. In Catechism of the Catholic Church. Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2019.
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