A Christian peasant during the Diocletian persecution of Christians in the early 4th Century, Barlaam of Antioch was arrested for his faith and ordered to denounce it while they scourged, tortured, and racked him. When he refused to deny his faith, they put incense into his hand and forced his hand to be held over hot coals. They thought that when the heat made him flinch he would drop the incense and they could say he made an offering to their idol. Barlaam held his hand over the hot coals until his hand burned off. Giving up, they martyred him.
CHALLENGE
“If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.” How often is a sin just a tap or a mouse click away? Our digital age makes it far too easy to engage in grave sins. Remember, it’s easier to cut off the behavior than it is to cut off your hand. Starting today, pray daily to your guardian angel to help guide your use of smartphones and the internet.
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