Evil Good and Good Evil

"Woe to those who call evil good and good evil." (Isaiah 5:20)

Let me begin by saying - this is a tough scripture verse to write about.  It is clear God is warning us to not confuse good and evil and be very clear about what is right and wrong in very serious matters that can be controversial and complicated, as well as, fraught with emotion.  That being said I am going to write what I feel called to write as a Catholic Christian even if it may be perceived as unpopular or antiquated.  Please know I am no expert on any of these tough issues.  I hope I do not offend those Catholics who are on the fence about the tougher issues when it comes to Church teaching, but I do have to follow my conscience.  And to my non-Catholic, Christian followers, please realize this particular post is written from a specifically Catholic perspective.

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There are many Catholics today who ignore, disagree with or just simply choose to do that which is against Church teaching.  They believe they can pick and choose what they will and will not believe and remain sacramentally active - at least receive Holy Communion, often without having gone to Reconciliation for their blatant disregard for or choice to go against Church teaching in their lives.  Many Catholics consider the Church's stance on contraception, sexual activity outside marriage, same sex marriage, fertility, even abortion as bad or wrong.

It is not easy to be a faithful Catholic in the world today.  It takes courage, sacrifice, and fortitude to be obedient even when it costs one personally or relationally.

There is no question that many Catholics consider what was once considered evil as good and that which was good evil.  There is a lot of confusion and misperception regarding Church teachings.

As Catholics we are called to be faithful to all the Church teaches in her wisdom.  The laws and precepts of the Church are there to protect us from harming ourselves or others and to guide us to lives of grace and virtue in a chaotic, ever-changing, and complicated world.

May we as Catholic Christians see evil for what it is and good for what it is and not be misled or confused.  May we prayerfully search the Church's teachings on subjects we don't know well so that we can in good conscience, intelligently, and humbly obey them.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to discern right from wrong and good from evil.  Help me to be faithful to all the Church teaches in her wisdom even if it is unpopular or costs me personally or relationally. Guide me with Your Holy Spirit as I search to learn what the Church teaches when I do not know her stance on difficult or tough issues.  I just want to be a faithful and loving child of Yours as a Catholic Christian.  Amen.