We are at a crossroads in this country and a devil's bargain is at hand
I guess I came off as angry in another political forum that I frequent and was called out by another poster from the other side of the aisle. This caught me off guard because I haven't been angered in many years by the opinions bandied about in any of these forums. I had to think about it to finally realize that it wasn't anger I was feeling, it was disgust. I feel disgusted by the good people that have been deceived by such a blatantly pathetic liar and con man.
Fathers, mothers, friends, and otherwise good folks that have sold their souls to the Devil are completely willing to walk into that voting booth and pull the lever for a man that has done nothing but lie, deceive, and cheat his entire life. I am not a religious person by any stretch but biblical lessons such as the tale of St. Theophilus of Adana really echo what we are seeing today. I don't believe in the Devil as anything more than a literary tool or device to convey a lesson but it sometimes occurs to me that wiser men than I have known times like these and sent us a warning through time. Having said that, I give you the story of St. Theophilus:
St. Theophilus of Adana (also known as Saint Theophilus the Penitent) as the first man who sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for social or political advancement. So the story goes, Theophilus was unanimously elected to become a bishop in the sixth century. He declined the offer out of humility. Another man accepted the position, and promptly made Theophilus’ life miserable. Regretting his decision, Theophilus summoned a sorcerer who helped contact the Devil. The Devil was more than happy to rectify the situation—provided the cleric renounce Christ and the Virgin Mary in a contract spelled out in his own blood. Theophilus accepted the demands, signed off on the pact, and ascended to the title originally offered him.
As the years went by, however, doubt crept in. Theophilus begged forgiveness from the Virgin Mary. He fasted for forty days, after which time the Virgin reportedly appeared and rebuked him; Theophilus pleaded for mercy, and she left with the promise that she would talk to God on his behalf. After Theophilus fasted for another thirty days, the Virgin Mary returned with the message that God had pardoned him. Three days later, however, Theophilus awoke to find the bloody contract placed upon his chest. Satan refused to relinquish his hold on the cleric’s soul. A terrified Theophilus sought counsel from another bishop, who burned the contract and freed him from the infernal pact. Overwhelmed with joy, Theophilus died on the spot, relieved to be free.
How many people these days are willing to sell their souls to the Devil in exchange for social or political advancement? I wonder.
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