The Decision

do good
avoid evil
simple enough
to say but
sometimes
complicated to
figure out -
though actually doing it is
another matter altogether -
but first
consider this...
within each is
written on the heart
the Truth of
God's natural law
to guide us to live in
love
honor
dignity
respect
fulfillment by self-gift
however
voices abound
within and without
fostering forgeries
that lead to
darkness not light
confusion not clarity
opposites of reality
bearing the fruit of chaos
ultimately to destruction
in and around us...
support abounds
for self-seeking
instead of self-giving
preference over principle
dehumanization
over nobility
license over liberty
where vice is virtue
and virtue is vice
following the
dictatorship of feelings -
rationalizing the illogical -
making objects
out of subjects
justifying the ends
by any means -
disasters of delusion - 
especially when
unfortunate consequences
lead to inconvenient
criticisms of behavior
presenting
emptiness as fullness
degradation as admiration
sin as righteousness
disorder as order
yet for those who object
to deception's mandate
ridicule awaits
accusations of hatred
prejudice
judgmental prerogatives
antediluvian attitudes 
shouting down
disagreement
in the name of
freedom from tyranny
all the while
boasting tolerance
but living
totalitarianism
decisions of
right and wrong
based on emotions
today's inclinations
culture's elastic boundaries
relative righteousness
individualism's enthronement
as the crowd's
least common denominator
confidently confuse
to say the least and
prove to be the
narcissist's dream
leading to abasement
in the costume of
self-actualization
proof abounds - if
actually looking for it -

that it is all rooted in
our Enemy's sham
with the telltale
odor of decay
yet...to be fully human
through reason
conscience must be formed
by objective truth
not just
what I say it is -
the silly
true for you
but not for me -
disciples seek
formation in the Word
interpreted by
the Body's teaching
handed down through
centuries of Wisdom
under the covering
of the Spirit
by Peter's successors
with proven results in
harvests of joy
with power
beyond nature to live
even the
hardest of sayings 
cross-cultural beliefs 
unpopular to our
base tendencies
limiting self's
limitless capacity
for self aggrandizement
so we are left with choices
that take us in
different directions -
like a nomad of morality
looking for an oasis
but finding only sand -
one leads to death
disguised as life
always touting a fresh

open-minded break

from the past

always ensuring that

nothing interferes with 

what is wanted or

feels is right 
no matter what

or
the one that
relativism categorizes
as foolishly rigid and
stifling to behold
but in reality.
proven by experience
brings joy and a peace 

passing understanding 

though

sometimes veiled
in garbs of the cross -
a willingness to
obey the Truth
no matter what...
now...
you must decide

Reflection/Discussion:

-What does it mean that God's law is written on our hearts?
-If so, how is it we disagree on moral issues?
-What does "relativism" mean?
-What does it mean that the law of God is written in our natures?
-What part do feelings play in moral decisions?
-How do you make moral decisions?
-How do you answer relativism?