Strange teaching

Some people want to redefine marriage in civil law.

Some people, married and unmarried, try to redefine marriage by their personal, immoral actions.

Some people want to redefine social interaction, discarding notions of hospitality.

Many people ignore the humanity of people in prison.

Some people are apathetic when other people are treated badly.

Some people today are scornful of religion and religious leaders, using the failures of a few as a false excuse.

Many people today are ignorant of history and its lessons (condemning themselves to endless mistakes).

Many people deeply love money and the things money can buy.

Many people today are afraid.

All of this is strange teaching.

Today’s first reading (Hebrews 13:1-8) calls us to better ways: as summed up in the beginning of the very next verse (verse 9): Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.

Let brotherly love continue.

Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it
some have unknowingly entertained angels.

Be mindful of prisoners
as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,
for you also are in the body.

Let marriage be honored among all
and the marriage bed be kept undefiled,
for God will judge the immoral and adulterers.

Let your life be free from love of money
but be content with what you have,
for he has said,
I will never forsake you or abandon you.

Thus we may say with confidence:
The Lord is my helper,
and I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?

Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you.
Consider the outcome of their way of life
and imitate their faith.

Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday,
today,
and forever.

Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teaching.