Do Not Breathe

“Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” John 5:14

It is very clear from what Jesus said that there is a correlation between sin and sickness and our general condition. We know that if we drink excessively, take drugs, indulge in extra marital sex, there are dire consequences. If we do not choose to forgive, if we gossip, lie, slander others, our relationships are put in jeopardy. 

I was listening to this talk about narcissm. We all have manifestations of narcissm I suppose, especially in this day of selfies and preoccupation with taking pictures of our food, and before the pandemic, our travels, parties, and putting it all online. But there is such a condition called Narcissistic Personality Disorder which is self-love gone awry, when we love ourselves inordinately. We can ask ourselves these questions: Do I have an excessive sense of self-importance that I have to be the center of any gathering or conversation? Do I exaggerate my talents and achievements and highlight little accomplishments? Do I require constant admiration? Am I offended when I am criticized? Our children can also become an extension of ourselves when we post their accomplishments on Facebook or Instagram and feel bad if we don’t get plenty of likes and congratulations. 

I have read some posts or articles about how some feel sad or depressed when going through Facebook. FOMO or the fear of missing out drives people to Facebook to see what their friends are doing on Saturday night. Then they may feel deprived when they see their friends having fun, traveling or eating out, while they are stuck at home. Envy is one of the 7 capital vices and we need to watch out for that as well as the other 6: sloth, anger, gluttony, pride, greed and lust. 

“Do not sin anymore”? After the list of capital sins and the talk about narcissm, it seems as if Jesus should have said, “Do not breathe anymore”. It seems just as impossible! And that is why Jesus came, to make the impossible possible. He is the only One who could make a way where there is no way for all of us sinners to enter heaven.