Monday, December 11, 2006

Deceitfulness of Sin

Before his conversion, Raymond Lull (considered to be the first missionary to Moslems) led a very adventurous and passions-driven life. Consider the following account of his conversion:

"Hence men who have led a very adventurous life under the pressure of passions, men such as kings, heroes, or adventurers, have often been seen suddenly to change, resort to resignation and penance, and become hermits and monks. To this class belong all genuine accounts of conversion, for instance, that of Raymond Lull, who had long wooed a beautiful woman, was at last admitted to her chamber, and was looking forward to the fulfillment of all his desires, when, opening her dress, she showed him her bosom terribly eaten away with cancer. From that moment, as if he had looked into hell, he was converted; leaving the court of the King of Majorca, he went into the wilderness to do penance." (The World as Will and Representation, Vol. I, § 68)."

Is it not sin's aim to entice, woo and then to trap? When we have finally entered into the sin, we - like Lull - find it to be empty and unsatisfying.

Lord, keep us from the enticement of sin. It promises great reward, but only leads to death.