Living The Worthy Life: Devil In The Blue Dress- If It Could Only Be That Simple

Today we will look at an artifact of the 1960s; a classic rock and roll lyrics and a statement from Bishop Fulton Sheen.  With these two reflections of society can we see what is happening in our world today?  Can we see into the shadows of society and unlock what our future maybe after all? 

As traditional Catholics and Christians, it is always assumed that we realize that the Devil is real.  Have you ever wondered if the devil is real , why people do not realize that it is the devil and simply refrain or refuse to believe in what he is saying or do what he is asking us to do?

Bishop Fulton Sheen remarked on this subject, "Nowhere in Sacred Scripture do we find warrant for the popular myth of the Devil as a buffoon who is dressed like the first “red.” Rather is he described as an angel fallen from heaven, as “the Prince of this world,” whose business it is to tell us that there is no other world.¨

Simply stated, Bishop Sheen was explaining that we must always remember that Satan comes as an angel of light. What he presents is always eminently reasonable. He offers the seemingly sensible way, the soft way, the way of compromise and ease. If he showed himself as the monster he is all would run howling in terror. Instead, he offers a way out when we are in a jam, an alternative when the way of Christ seems difficult.  This is not an easy job to see who is coming to help and who is going to hurt us.   Many political people in this country are trying to help us today.  My question to you is are they trying to help you?  Are they trying to help us or are they trying to help the devil?

While you consider that thought for a moment, please look at the lyrics of a classic 1960s rock tune- "DEVIL WITH A BLUE DRESS ON" written by Frederick Long & William “Mickey” Stevenson

 "DEVIL WITH A BLUE DRESS ON"

Devil with the blue dress, blue dress, blue dress

Devil with the blue dress on

Devil with the blue dress, blue dress, blue dress

Devil with the blue dress on

Fee, fee, fi, fi, fo-fo, fum

Look at Molly now, here she comes

Wearin' her wig hat and shades to match

She's got high-heel shoes and an alligator hat

Wearin' her pearls and her diamond rings

She's got bracelets on her fingers, now, and everything

Devil with the blue dress, blue dress, blue dress

Devil with the blue dress on

Devil with the blue dress, blue dress, blue dress

Devil with the blue dress on

Wearin' her perfume, Chanel No. 5

Got to be the finest girl alive

She walks real cool, catches everybody's eye

They got to be nervous, they can't say hi

Not too skinny, she's not too fat

She's a real humdinger and I like 'em like that

Devil with the blue dress, blue dress, blue dress

Devil with the blue dress on

Devil with the blue dress, blue dress, blue dress

Devil with the blue dress on

Would it not be so easy if the devil did exactly what the song said- wear a certain color or style of clothing.  Could we not recognize him then?  Could we not all see him then?  

His power is that he can and will deceive us.  He uses many different things and ways to do this today. 

All the world’s systems and false religions combine to convince us of this fact. Here are some of the anti-Christ systems of thought prevalent in our culture today:

• Materialism: there is no other world. This is it. Make and spend before you leave this earth.  You can never have too much.
• Scientism only scientifically tested knowledge is valid. Trust in science-only science can save you.  Forget the idea that Science is a process of questioning and testing.  We have the truth and the truth is us. 
• Historicism there is no over-arching providence. History is random. Things do not happen for a reason.  Events take place without being planned.  People have changed we do not need to know about the past.
• Evolutionism the natural world develops at random. There is no divine plan. Life created life on its own.  It was a process that took millions of years.  Trust us, do not test the theory, do not worry if it does not add up-it is correct.
• Utilitarianism what works is all that matters. Efficiency and economy are our gods.  We know what is best for you and you are not able to figure this out for yourself
• Rationalism there is no such thing as Revelation. Your reasoning power is your only access to truth. Since there is no Divine Truth- we do not need prophets we can and will figure out everything on our own or we will be told what and when to think. 
• Sentimentalism your feelings are your only guide because there is no objective truth.  Feelings are to be believed over facts.  
• Moral Relativism there is no great Law. Therefore you may do as you wish. In fact, this is the motto of diabolism: “Do as you Will.” 

Bishop Fulton Sheen traced the logical consequence of a system that is bound only to this world and seeks to eliminate the unseen world.

Satan’s logic is simple: if there is no heaven there is no hell; if there is no hell, then there is no sin; if there is no sin, then there is no judgement, and if there is no judgment then evil is good and good is evil. But above all these descriptions, Our Lord tells us that he will be so much like Himself that he would deceive even the elect–and certainly, no devil ever seen in picture books could deceive even the elect.

Brothers and sisters do not be deceived, the devil is real and the devil is in the details of our lives today.  We need to wake up from our slumber and change our ways. Now is the time to change, now is the time to recognize what we are up against before it is too late.  Amen