Reflect today on how much influence secular culture has on you

“I gave them your word and the world hated them, because they belong no more to the world than I belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the Evil One. They belong no more to the world than I belong to the world. Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth. "John 17: 14–17

“Sanctify them in truth. Your word is truth. "This is the key to survival!

The scriptures reveal three primary temptations that we face in life: the flesh, the world and the devil. All three of these jobs take us astray. But all three are conquerable with one thing ... the Truth.

This Gospel passage above speaks specifically of the "world" and the "wicked one". The evil one, who is the devil, is real. He hates us and does everything possible to deceive us and ruin our lives. Try to fill our minds with empty promises, offer fleeting pleasure and encourage selfish ambitions. He was a liar from the beginning and remains a liar to the present day.

One of the temptations that the devil launched to Jesus during his forty days of fasting at the beginning of his public ministry was the temptation to obtain all that the world has to offer. The devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the Earth and said, "All that I will give you, if you prostrate yourself and worship me."

First of all, this was a foolish temptation since Jesus was already the Creator of all things. However, he allowed the devil to tempt him with this worldly seduction. Why did he do it? Because Jesus knew that we would all be tempted by the many attractions of the world. By "world" we mean many things. One thing that comes to mind in our day is the desire for worldly acceptance. This is a plague that is very subtle but affects so many, including our own Church.

With the powerful influence of the media and global political culture, today there is more pressure than ever for us Christians to simply conform to our age. We are tempted to do and believe in what is popular and socially acceptable. And the "gospel" that we are allowing ourselves to hear is the secular world of moral indifferentism.

There is a strong cultural trend (a global trend due to the Internet and the media) to become people who are willing to accept anything. We have lost our sense of moral integrity and truth. Therefore, the words of Jesus must be embraced more today than ever. "Your word is truth." The Word of God, the Gospel, all that our Catechism teaches, all that our faith reveals is Truth. This truth must be our guiding light and nothing else.

Reflect today on how much influence secular culture has on you. Have you succumbed to secular pressure or to the secular "gospels" of our day and age? It takes a strong person to resist these lies. We will only resist them if we remain consecrated in truth.

Lord, I consecrate myself to you. You are the truth. Your Word is what I need to stay focused and navigate through the many lies around me. Give me strength and wisdom so that I always remain in Your protection away from the wicked one. Jesus I believe in you.