I ran across a blurb of a quote from Sophia Loren the other day. The older actress and heartthrob of many was concerned that our society had become a society of sexual addiction. Her statement was something to the effect that in the days gone by sexuality had a sense of mystery to it, but today everything is in your face. The author of the article suggested this was another case of an elder looking scornfully at the younger generation. But I have to tell you I would agree with Ms Loren on this one.
Television, movies, and advertising sexualizes everything today it would seem, even our little kids. But I am not talking about sex today, but about evil. Jesus in today's Gospel is accused of being one with the prince of darkness as he expels a demon. The people are fearful.. They had become used to the demonic in their midst. Sometimes grace and virtue can be a scary part of life if we are not used to it.
I am quick to recall the shooting at NIU. In less than ten minutes an evil action changes the lives of hundreds of people on different levels. People from the men and women in that lecture hall, to the health care workers were affected by this event. In the middle of this evil there were peoples whose goodness surfaced, and who acted heroically and bravely. Peoples responded with courage and compassion. They offered light in a moment of darkness and evil.
It takes an ownership of faith, and the ability to call Sin and Evil what it really is, to respond with courage and truth. Think of the story of the emperors new clothes. In child-like innocence the young boy recognizes the reality of the moment. We should pray that we can have that same wisdom and insight to point out where there is evil and destruction in the world today. Then we respond to bring healing and peace.
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