CathInfo.com

It is a fact that we become like who we associate with. 

It does not matter how “strong” we are in the Faith or in morals. 

If we are truly strong in these two areas, those immoral people will have no interest in associating with us and will naturally distance or excommunicate us from the family. I know from experience.

Remaining in the presence of those who sin is not only about being in the occasion of sin, but approving of their behaviour. It is a scandal whether those people perceive it to be or not.

We have a duty towards God first, and the other person’s salvation is last in the order of charity. 

The devil often uses the thought “but you could save their soul” as a temptation under the guise of an act of virtue.

We think so highly of ourselves to believe we cannot be influenced. We are so blind spiritually as St. Louis de Montfort says, that these changes often take place imperceptibly. 

One story St. Alphonsus Liguori related of this type of temptation occurring, was of a young girl who repented on her deathbed of impure acts with a young man. She suddenly received the inspiration from the devil (which she thought was from God) to invite that man over that he too may convert. He came, she saw him and she fell immediately and ended up damning herself. 

We may learn from this even if our personal situation is not exactly this way. 

Matthew 9:10-17
¹⁰ And it came to pass as he was sitting at meat in the house, behold many publicans and sinners came, and sat down with Jesus and his disciples.
¹¹ And the Pharisees seeing it, said to his disciples: Why doth your master eat with publicans and sinners?
¹² But Jesus hearing it, said: They that are in health need not a physician, but they that are ill.

Mark 2:15-22

⁵ And it came to pass, that as he sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat down together with Jesus and his disciples. For they were many, who also followed him.
¹⁶ And the scribes and the Pharisees, seeing that he ate with publicans and sinners, said to his disciples: Why doth your master eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
¹⁷ Jesus hearing this, saith to them: They that are well have no need of a physician, but they that are sick. For I came not to call the just, but sinners.



Luke 5:29-39
²⁹ And Levi made him a great feast in his own house; and there was a great company of publicans, and of others, that were at table with them.
³⁰ But the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying to his disciples: Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners?
³¹ And Jesus answering, said to them: They that are whole, need not the physician: but they that are sick.
³² I came not to call the just, but sinners to penance.