January 3, 2013 – Psalms 119:73 – 119:104

Each of these sections praise God’s commandments again.  Each does it in a slightly different way.  This one brings up that even in affliction, God is just.

I think it is something that the line about shaming the proud for leading me astray follows the one about giving me understanding to know your commands.  How many have been led astray by those whose arrogance has allowed them to guide other in a direction other than towards God.  Many might think I was talking about Luther or non-denominational groups, but that isn’t where my thoughts were, at least this time.  Look at a Bill Mahr who feels he is right and beyond reproach about anything and what he teaches other about religion.  Or Oprah and how she has used her influence to distort many people’s view of who Christ was.

No matter how bad things get, I will never abandon your commands.  This idea is an important one for Catholics because out church appears in decline.  I say appears because in the US and Europe it is true but around the world it is not as easy to see.  But even if we were down to our last handful, obeying the laws should be a priority.  It should never be the strategy to water down the rules to build numbers.  You can fill stadiums with people and help them feel good, but if you don’t plant yourself firmly in Truth and commands that won’t change, what are you really giving them. 

I have heard it said so many times that our numbers of priest would be so much higher if we allowed them to marry, we would probably fill the pews if we stopped preaching against abortion and gay marriage, and how many more would flock to the Catholic Church if we just said the Eucharist is symbolic.  All that is nonsense, but even if it were true, what would people be coming for.