Las Vegas revels in its image as a city dedicated exclusively to sin. In this city, perhaps even more so than other places, it is essential that we build a fortress against sin for the Kingdom of Christ.
But we find that instead of a fortress against sin, we have instead propped the door wide open. A certain laxness has become prevalent in the Diocese of Las Vegas. We are seeing secularism seeping into our liturgies, carelessness with regards to the celebration of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, a loss of proper respect and reverence due to the True Body and Blood of Christ, scandal and the spiritual downfall of some our most respected priests, and the loss of faith by our own fellow Catholics who now find themselves at Central Christian or similar denominations that have splintered away from Holy Mother Church.
Our own Bishop Pepe is silent on much of it, with hardly a whisper from him to remind us that we even have a Shepherd. Under his leadership, some of those in a position of authority in our Diocese are purposefully leading souls away from Christ. The Bishop's flock is scattering, with the devil close on our heels.
Who will help us hold the line against the forces of evil? This is the devil’s playground. Are we working to reclaim it for the Kingdom of God? Or are we working to dig deeper the pit of hell?
~ Enter
by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads
to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles? So, every sound tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears evil fruit. A sound tree cannot bear evil fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will know them by their fruits. Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom
of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 7: 13-21)
