Thirty-Second Friday in Ordinary Time

Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh; such is the deceitful one and the antichrist. Look to yourselves that you do not lose what we worked for but may receive a full recompense. Anyone who is so "progressive" as not to remain in the teaching of the Christ does not have God; whoever remains in the teaching has the Father and the Son.

The world is full of good people, but it is also beset by deceivers, tempters, and evil-doers. As such, we must be on guard against these worldly people at all times. These wreckers of souls can be family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, bosses, or complete strangers. They lure good people into bad situations and tempt them to sin. They make false promises. They twist our good intentions. They persecute and mock us. They work toward the destruction of souls, theirs and others. Some know what they are doing and don’t care. Others might not realize that they’ve become stumbling blocks, bringing ruin upon God’s children. It is of the utmost importance that we do not allow these people to lead us astray and try our best to show them the Way, the Truth, and the Life. We cannot do this ourselves, but with the protection of the Father, the teachings of the Son, and the inspirations of the Holy Spirit we can be beacons of goodness and light in the world and bring others to the safe harbor that can only be found in God.

Who are those who are trying to deceive us or others and lead us astray? How can we try to convert them without risking our souls? How can we protect others from their evil ways?

O Lord, give us the grace to never lose you or lead others astray.

Amen.

Memorial of Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church

Let no one deceive you in any way. To this end he has also called you through our Gospel to possess the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the traditions that you were taught, either by an oral statement or by a letter of ours. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting encouragement and good hope through his grace, encourage your hearts and strengthen them in every good deed and word.

There are many people who would deceive us in this world. They would lead us astray in one way or another by convincing us there is no such thing as sin. Or we are holier than others. Or we must do some evil for the greater good. They will seek to compromise our faith, our hope, and our love in various ways... through temptations, indifference, anxieties, fears, and doubts. However, if we ground our lives in the Gospels and stand firm to our Christian traditions and the teachings of Christ, then we shall be able to withstand their assaults. Our hearts will be forged into fortresses dedicated to the Lord through our holy thoughts, words, and works.

Are there people in our lives who are trying to lead us astray? What might we do to lead them to God without imperiling ourselves? How can we strengthen ourselves in faith, hope, and love?

O Lord, let no one deceive us. Let your truth reign over us forever and ever.

Amen.