We live in sad and disobedient times - God's time of mercy is for many a time to wallow in the filth of sin. I think Romans 1 helps us to understand our age and the wickedness that we see when evils like abortion are promoted as rights and abominable lifestyles equated with natural marriage. In allowing man to sink deeper and deeper into the morasse of sin this is a form of punishment and man loses the blessings and protection of God. Day after day many are lost to sinful lifestyles because the culture has become so corrupted. Romans 1 v 17-32 'For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them'. In Medjugorje our Lady has told us that 'our freedom' is our weakness because we are faced with so many temptations that it is very difficult to live a good and holy life these days. In fact, it is only by God's grace that we can live a grace filled life in these days of disobedience. 25 Feb 2007 Dear children! Open your heart to God’s mercy in this Lenten time. The Heavenly Father desires to deliver each of you from the slavery of sin. Therefore, little children, make good use of this time and through meeting with God in confession, leave sin and decide for holiness. Do this out of love for Jesus, who redeemed you all with His blood, that you may be happy and in peace. Do not forget, little children: your freedom is your weakness, therefore follow my messages with seriousness. This time of grace is not a time to misuse our freedom but a time to follow our Lady's messages with seriousness. If we do so we will thank God for all eternity for converting in these times. Whilst this time of grace corresponds with a time of disobedience in the world, the coming time of Justice will lead to a time of obedience in the world. The Mother of God calls us to herself in this time of grace but if we do not respond we will face the just hand of the Father and after the father's correction the world will be obedient!
All this can be traced back to the great disobedience of the so called Protestant Reformation, through the French Revolution right down to today. As soon as I hear people say ,' I think', or , 'I feel' rather than 'Scripture says', or, 'The Church teaches', I begin to worry. The whole story of the Old Testament is one the Chosen People choosing not to be obedient and the big, big troubles they got into as a result of their disobedience. But at least they had the excuse of not having been sent the Messiah. We have and are still disobedient, after knowing Jesus as God and Saviour, so our troubles will be much, much bigger as we are far more culpable. I think as time goes on we will be turning to the Old Testament to find similarities to our own loss of Eden.
