Comeuppance for a Submarine
"Cool" Fools
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Statistically, each cigarette smoked shortens your life by five minutes - a form of "slow suicide," Every knowledgeable person knows that; that's why so many have recently kicked the habit. Yet teenage smoking is on the rise - especially among girls. The answer to the big question "why?" is not advertising but peer pressure.
Peer pressure is based on fear of rejection by "significiant others" - very common among love-starved kids. This longing for "human respect" - the regard for human approval, is not bad, but when it contravenes God's will, "we must obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).
Because of human respect, halfhearted Christians hesitated to risk identification with the early Christian community (5:13). But Paul courageously surmounted human respect: "We dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition" (1 Thes 2:2).
Be always intrepid in the face of human opinion" "Whether they listen or fail to listen" (Ez 2:7), "do not be ashamed to testify about or Lord" (2 Tim 1:8). Whether by pro-life bumper stickers or saying grace publicly, be always openly Christian.
This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net
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About the Author
The Rev. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., ordained as a Catholic priest in 1952, is a member of the Claretian Missionaries, and is founder and director of the Claretian Teaching Ministry. Listed in Who’s Who in Religion in America, he has served as parish priest, seminary professor and rector, college professor, lecturer, magazine writer, newspaper columnist, editor, retreat master, hospital chaplain, prison chaplain, campus chaplain, Cursillo director and director of suicide prevention programs in Texas and California.
He earned degrees in philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University in Los Angeles and from Notre Dame University, with postgraduate work at the University of Southern California and the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois, in ascetical and mystical theology.
Find his many books and audio/visual recordings at www.Catholicbooks.net
