The Sunday Sermon Archive

Dear Friend,

St. Paul warns us against fornication and uncleanness. Nothing stained will enter the kingdom of Heaven. And yet, how careless the world has become in this matter! We are no longer shocked by adulterous affairs and the unmarried think nothing of fornication. These sins have become so common that all sense of shame has been lost. What is there that distinguishes so many who call themselves "Christians" from the Pagans who know not God? Adultery and fornication appear to be practiced universally and openly among both the Atheists and the "Christians".

And both are most certainly on their way to Hell. Only the Catholic Church offers any hope to those who have polluted themselves with these sins of uncleanness. And that hope is in the sacrament of Confession where all those sins that have been committed after Baptism can be washed away.

There are all too many who call themselves "Christians" or "Catholics" who remain in their sins and avoid the sacraments because they fear being loosed from their sins. They seem to love their disease and are never willing to be freed from it. These are even worse than the Pagans that do not know God. These claim to know God and what He has commanded but they choose to ignore Him and live any way they want.

There are some that lead an even more sinister hypocrisy, because they do not actually physically commit these baser sins in deed, but they are nonetheless guilty because they commit them in thought and desire. Our Lord has made it very clear that the man who looks at a woman lusting for her in his heart is already guilty of adultery. God judges the heart and He accepts the desire for the deed.

None of these will enter the kingdom of Heaven (unless they truly repent and amend their ways). The question now becomes, who are left? Who will enter the kingdom of Heaven?

We have examples of who will enter the Kingdom of Heaven given in today's gospel. There were three Apostles that were taken up the mountain where Christ was transfigured before them. Christ showed them the glory of His Divinity which He had kept hidden from them for all this time.

These three, that were shown this glorious revelation, symbolize that which we must have if we are to one day enter the kingdom of Heaven and be in the presence of God and say with St. Peter, Lord it is good for us to be here. These three were St. Peter, St. James and St. John. St. Peter upon whom Christ built the Church symbolizes Faith.

Our faith must be real and living like St. Peter's. It is not enough just to say we believe. Not all those who say Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of Heaven. Our faith must be put into practice. We must take seriously the words of God and adjust our lives accordingly.

St. James was martyred and he symbolizes Hope. After we have believed and conformed our lives according to the words of Christ we can justly hope for a reward in Heaven. Those who hypocritically claim to believe in Christ and do not conform their lives accordingly have a false hope that only adds to their misery.

St. John was the beloved disciple, and he therefore symbolizes Charity. We must have a true love of God if we expect to be rewarded with an eternity of being in His glorious presence. But, how will we know if we truly love God? Christ Himself has told us: If you love Me you will keep my word.

Those who refuse to conform their lives according to Commandments of God, as all those do who live in the uncleanness of fornication and/or adultery cannot honestly say that they love God. They cannot honestly hope for a reward because they have not lived a life that is worthy of being rewarded. Neither can they honestly say that they have faith. If they truly believed then they would not live they way that they do.

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