I began my studies for priesthood at 14 years old in 1965. For nine long years, I lived in a seminary that I would describe as “Catholic Military Camp.” Very sheltered, very regimented and sometimes very lonely. At 23, I yearned to know what life was like outside the massive seminary walls. I left the seminary near Pittsburgh, relocated to Batavia where my parents then lived, got a good job and rented an apartment. Then I discovered this new activity guys bragged about around the water cooler at work – dating. I easily found a date because the company I worked for hired only women in the factory – lots of them. Their hands were small enough to wind the coils.

I learned an important life lesson on my first date. I invited this very pretty young girl to join me for dinner. We had talked several times before. She presented herself as smart, funny and pleasant. I pictured this first date would be enjoyable, like eating a chocolate ice cream cone on a warm day. But it turned out to be a nightmare, like chocolate ice cream melting all over a white shirt.

My date constantly berated the server, criticizing her for being too slow, demeaning her looks or putting her down for making a small mistake. I soon realized that I had made a big mistake. She turned out to be the “Datezilla from Hell.” I thought I knew her, but I didn’t. Her outward pleasantness hid inwardly a cold, unloving heart.

Some people who claim to know Jesus show it outwardly by pious acts, like praying in public, attending church, wearing crosses, putting “Jesus” bumper stickers on their cars and wearing “I Love Jesus” T-shirts. These pious acts demonstrating their devotedness to Jesus is very good. But outward piety can become very bad if it hides inwardly a hateful heart. I remember being at Ponderosa where this man and woman were praying before meal. Their piety was on full display for all to see as they closed their eyes, lifted their hands to the air and prayed loudly for all to hear. Looking at them outwardly, one could observe their pious devotion to God. But I could hear their conversation after the prayer ended. It was filled with so much judgment and hate I picked up my plate and moved to another table farther away.

Outward piety to Jesus without a heart radiating love from Jesus is the worst kind of hypocrisy. I personally choose not to do outwardly pious acts because I know inwardly my heart at any given moment can have an “unclean spirit.” An unclean spirit is not only a demon. Unclean spirits are anything that dirties your soul with thinking and behavior opposite of what God wants. God does not want you to do, think, or believe anything that lessens your love for Him, your neighbor, or yourself. That’s why the Seven Deadly Sins are so deadly. They kill love. Since God is love, they kill God’s presence in your soul. Here are the deadly sins God begs you not to do:

Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Laziness, Wrath, Envy, Pride

Unclean spirits are everywhere. That’s why the first command Jesus gave to his apostles was to go out and preach repentance. God wants you to repent by turning away from these unclean spirits and turn towards the Holy Virtues: Chastity (no hanky panky), Self-Control (put the fork down and push away from the table), Generosity (stop holding onto money so tight you make the buffalo poop on the nickel), Work Hard (don’t sit on the couch so long you leave a hole in the cushion), Forgiveness (you ain’t perfect either), Acceptance (don’t be hankerin’ for someone else’s stuff), and Humility (you ain’t all that). St. Peter wrote about what God deeply desires: “He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9)

When I go before God in my judgment, the most important thing is not that I know Jesus, but does Jesus know me? Some of those who outwardly claim to know Jesus will be turned away because Jesus did not know them. He did not see His Love in their hearts. “Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” I pray that when God looks at me in my judgment, He will see His face reflected in mine. Blessings…Fr. Mike