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In recent days there have been stories about employees of government bodies being sacked for telling the truth. An accountant in New York noticed that much of the Hurricane Sandy money was diverted to things which had nothing to do with the storm damage. Scientists working for the Department of the Interior were fired for or cautioned against telling the truth about what would happen if certain DOI plans were carried out.

Can we not see that there is a problem here which lies at the heart of the commandment against bearing false witness? Satan is said to have declared, “Non serviam!” “I will not serve.” And here politicians and bureaucrats are acting as if their own ‘devices and desires’ were of more importance, were better justifications than the truth itself!

What sorry madness, what strange delusion is this? HOW can one hope to be happy or good by seeking what cannot be?

As I age and reflect on all I see and have seen, I find that we are beset by incorporeal enemies. Who or what but an intelligent and purposeful enemy could keep us from seeing the obvious, indeed, keep us from thinking or looking at all, and encourage us to go haring after illusion?

We have been graced with a call so seek an ever more intimate relationship with the Truth. Part of that gift is the awareness that we do NOT know, that we have NOT gained the final knowledge. And part of our response has been to long, to seek, to pray, and to implore.

It seems we must do so not only for ourselves but for others. We have gifts, we know we ought to share them, that their fullest enjoyment is found in sharing. So we must intercede, we simply must.

For the souls of those who have left the path or who don't even know there's a path to leave or to follow, for their happiness, for their return to grace — for this and more we must pray. Frightened as I am for the future of our country, I am more distressed for the future of souls who prize lies above truth, whim above will, spurious and evanescent gratification above true and eternal joy.

For their sake, let us pray. Their liberty is bound up with ours.