The world’s philosophy is pretty simple: If you want something, go get it. You are the center of your universe; don’t let anyone push you around. People are important primarily because of what they can do for you. If they can’t do anything for you, don’t waste your time on them. Live for the moment and don’t concern yourself with consequences. Popularity is more important than holiness. Faith and everyday living are unrelated. Public opinion defines truth …

Yet St. Paul dares us to be different. Unlike all the victims of conventional thinking, a true Christian is not a lemming following the depraved mentalities and fashions of this century. On the contrary, he/she has the courage to go against the current of the conventional wisdom, in order to defend with certainty the Truth of Christ, even to suffer mockery, physical or moral persecution. Remember the word of our Lord: "If they have persecuted me, so will they persecute you" (John 15:20).