Solomon was the wisest man ever (1 Kgs 3:12). The queen of Sheba was so impressed with his wisdom that "she was breathless" (1 Kgs 10:5). Nevertheless, Solomon later abandoned himself "to women and gave them dominion over" his body (Sir 47:19). He brought dishonor upon his reputation, shame upon his marriage, wrath upon his descendants, and groaning upon his domain (Sir 47:20). He set the stage for a civil war (Sir 47:21). When the wisest man in the world becomes a fool and a failure, what will happen to the rest of us?
We were conceived in sin (see Ps 51:5, RSV-CE). No matter how hard we try, we will fail to be free, truly happy, and fully human. We will deceive ourselves and hate ourselves. We can do nothing to help ourselves (see Rm 7:24). At best, we can do partial and temporary damage control. We can merely delay total self-destruction.
However, there is hope — only one Hope for the human race: Jesus. His name means "Savior." He alone can save us from our human condition — from ourselves, sin, slavery, self-hatred, Satan, and hell. Give yourself totally to Jesus, our only Hope, our only Savior.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, my Lord, my God, my All! (see Jn 20:28) |
| PROMISE: | Jesus "summoned the crowd again and said to them: 'Hear Me, all of you, and try to understand.' " –Mk 7:14 |
| PRAISE: | Jenny was trapped in the sin of fornication, and was away from the Church for years. She cried out to the Lord in misery, repented, returned to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and is now happily married. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College