Wednesday, October 31, 2007

“Be not deceived...”

And they asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign when this is about to take place?" And he said, “See that you not be deceived..(Lk. 21,7-8)

“See that you not be deceived..” when man’s dignity is measured by the quality of his life. When man is determined by the kind of life he is living, or even, by the kind of life he will be living. Thus, one's life becomes more meaningful only because he is healthy. Or, one is more dignified because of the wealth he has and the power he wields. Thus, we find that abortion is now justified because the unborn is certainly going to be disabled! Or, that one is “allowed” to die (a euphemism for euthanasia) because of the pain and the suffering one is undergoing. But we ask: can a man become less a man because he has no money and no power? Because he is sick and old?

“See that you not be deceived..” when man is used to attain a material, passing entity, such as wealth, power and pleasure. It debases man’s dignity when he is bought and bribed in exchange for favors that usually are illicit and illegal! That is why there is condemnation of the traffic and prostitution of women and children because they have become means of achieving pleasure!

“See that you not be deceived..” when prophets come proclaiming that money can buy everything! That money is more important than man, that power has to be achieved at the expense of the lives of men, at the expense of principles and morality, that the state exists to be served at all costs, and not to protect, nourish and defend the lives of the individual citizens.

“See that you not be deceived..” when the end justifies all means. Thus, it is OK to tell a lie if only to escape a responsibility and the consequence of one's actions. It is OK to steal if only to have an easy and luxurious, wealthy life. It is OK then to have wealth without work, without social obligations, without conscience! Is it, really?