Seven Things God Hates
"There are six things which the Lord hates, yes, seven which are
an abomination to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands
that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies,
and one who spreads strife among brothers" (Prov. 6:16-19).
God is clear about the things that displease Him.
God hates sin in any form, but Proverbs 6:17-19 lists seven that are
especially loathsome to Him. First is haughty eyes (v. 17), which
pictures a proud and arrogant person with his nose in the air and his
eyes uplifted. The pride in his heart is reflected in his mannerisms.
Pride is perhaps listed first because it is at the heart of all
rebellion against God--beginning with Lucifer himself, who cried out
against God, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above
the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the
recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High" (Isa. 14:13-14).
God also hates a lying tongue (v. 17). Men often toy with truth,
denying or distorting it to gain some supposed advantage. But God
can't tolerate deception of any kind. He expects us to live according
to His truth.
Third, He hates murderous hands (v. 17). That speaks of people whose
hatred and greed are so strong they will kill rather than be denied
what they want. God created life and established its sanctity. That's
why He ordained that murderers be put to death (Gen. 9:6).
God also hates a wicked heart and malevolent feet (v. 18). Sometimes
people fall into sin inadvertently. But these people carefully plot
their sinful activities, then hurry to execute their plans.
Finally, God hates a false witness and a divisive spirit (v. 19).
Bearing false witness is telling lies about an innocent party. That
can obstruct justice, destroy a reputation, and even destroy a life.
A divisive spirit is one who creates divisions where there should be
unity.
Those sins characterize unbelievers, but Christians aren't immune
from them. So be on guard not to stray into attitudes and actions
that God hates.
If you are practicing any of those things, confess it and repent.
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December 18th - St. Winebald
Winebald is one of those amazing English missionaries who evangelized
Europe, leaving behind a flouri****ng Catholicism and a number of
monasteries
and laying the beginnings of Christianity in what is now Germany, France,
Holland, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
St. Winebald was the son of a West Saxon nobleman, St. Richard, and the
brother of St. Willibald. With his father and brother he made a pilgrimage
to Rome in 721. His father died in Italy, and Winebald remained in Rome
for
further study, like his countrymen before him, St. Wilfrid and St.
Benedict
Biscop. He returned to England and brought back to Rome some of his
relatives to begin a monastic life in the holy city.
When St. Boniface came to Rome in 739, he recruited Winebald for the
German
missions, ordained him a priest, and put him in charge of churches in
Germany and Bavaria. His brother, Willibald, who was now bishop of
Eichstatt, asked Winebald to found a monastery for the training of priests
and as a center of learning. Their sister, St. Walburga, came from England
to found a convent, and both the monastery and the convent were founded at
Heidenheim.
He established the rule of St. Benedict in his monastery, and Heidenheim
became an im****tant center of learning in the missionary territory.
Because
of illness, Winebald was not able to carry on the missionary work that he
desired and yearned to end his days at Monte Cassino.
In 761, Winebald visited St. Boniface's shrine at Fulda and on the way
home
to Heidenheim became very sick. When he reached Heidenheim, he became
weaker
and weaker and after giving his monks a few last words he died on December
18, 761. His tomb became a local shrine and the site of pilgrimages.
Thought for the Day: St. Winebald was strongly influenced by his father,
St.
Richard, and his brother, St. Willibald. Sometimes sanctity runs in the
family, and the encouragement that the family members receive from one
another is a large part of their holiness. Let us keep in mind that those
we
associate with have a powerful influence on our personality and character.
Taken from "The One Year Book of Saints" by Rev. Clifford Stevens
published
by Our Sunday Visitor Publi****ng Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.,
Huntington, IN 46750.
Quote:
The trouble is that everyone talks about reforming others and no one
thinks
about reforming himself.
-St. Peter of Alcantara
Bible Quotes
17 And the world passeth away, and the concupiscence thereof: but he that
doth the will of God, abideth for ever. (1 John 2:17)
Woe to the world because of scandals. For it must needs be that scandals
come: but nevertheless woe to that man by whom the scandal cometh. Mat
18:7
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SPIRITUAL CHILDHOOD
What can I do but just love You
For my riches are in my heart;
They are not locked or chained against stealing.
They're always free to depart.
I offer this gift to You, Jesus,
Accept it with Your blessed joy.
I'm Yours to hold there in Your Kingdom;
Just treat me as Your little toy!
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