“Sin makes you stupid” is probably the most artless—but truthful–way to say it.
On two consecutive days, some of the most important leaders in our land have displayed the most egregiously clear manifestations of wounded human nature I could ever imagine. The Supreme Court of the United States, charged with the task of upholding the Constitution of the United States, have as a group failed in their duty not only toward the federal government, but also in rationally affirming objective reality.
How can otherwise reasonable people come to conclusions that seem to defy common sense? We encounter this daily on the streets, in our own homes, and even with ourselves. It’s probably only when we examine our own consciences that we can come to understand why we—along with everyone else, including court judges, can make such stupid mistakes.
It’s that 25-cent “Catholic” word—concupiscence.
Every last one of us comes into existence as creatures whose human nature is wounded by the consequence of that original sin of Adam and Eve. While we were supposed to have been as “fully graced” as the Blessed Virgin Mary was from the first moment of our existence, we’re not. Our intellects and our wills are discombobulated. Grace was supposed to be the glue that would allow our human natures to always choose in accord with God’s will for us.
Instead, this “concupiscence” grabs our immaterial souls by their immaterial throats and throttles us until we give in to whatever desire we happen to experience at that moment, instead of fighting the good fight and standing fast, our resolve cemented by God’s grace.
So we choose stupid things. We even think stupid things because our intellects are darkened by concupiscence, particularly when we do not avail ourselves of the very remedy for concupiscence that God continues to give us at all times—His grace in all its available forms.
How does a majority of nine supremely educated contemporary jurists conclude that the word “state” means something else besides “state” if that will achieve the desired end? Concupiscence—darkened intellect.
How does a majority of nine justices—along with a growing majority of Catholics—conclude that the word “marriage” means something that two men or two women can participate in? Concupiscence—sin makes you stupid.
The remedy for all this remains within our reach, even though it may seem we live in dark and doom-filled times. This tide of immorality won’t turn unless and until we stop being stupid and strive once again to be God’s children.
His grace is right there for us. His grace is enough for us. If you want to play it smart and avoid the stupidity of concupiscence and sin, reach out for that grace.
And pray that all our nation’s leaders will do the same.