death-defying?
"Look how numerous and powerful the Israelite people are growing, more so than we ourselves! Come, let us deal shrewdly with them to stop their increase." —Exodus 1:9-10
Pharaoh tried to decimate the chosen people by commanding "all his subjects, 'Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews' " (Ex 1:22). Satan is trying to decimate the Christian people by commanding us to contracept and not have children or, if this fails, to kill our children through chemical and surgical abortions. If we obey Satan's commands, we will perpetuate and extend our culture of death. But if we, like Moses' mother, rebel and choose life, we will see the Lord raise our culture from the dead.
Most people don't recognize Satan's attempts to impose his will on us. Satan disguises the fact that he seeks nothing less than a totalitarian dictatorship. He likes to let his pawns think that they are doing their own thing. It is amusing to him when his slaves pretend they are free.
Therefore, "choose life" (Dt 30:19), and rebel against the tyranny of the prince of death (see Heb 2:14). Choose Jesus, "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6). Reject sin and its deadly wages (Rm 6:23). Don't let yourself be used and abused by our culture of death. Join the exodus of God's people from death, sin, and damnation into life eternal.
Prayer: Father, I accept fully the abundant life given to me through your Son's death (see Jn 10:10).
Promise: "He who seeks only himself brings himself to ruin, whereas he who brings himself to nought for Me discovers who he is." —Mt 10:39
Praise: A group of lay Carmelite families spread the word of God by composing music, giving concerts at Christian churches, and preaching God's word as they travel.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, January 4, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 24, 2001