The consequence of ignorance.

"... if we knew what a terrible thing sin was 

and went on sinning;

if we knew how much love there was in the Incarnation 

and still refused to nourish ourselves with the Bread of Life;

if we knew how much sacrificial love there was 

in the Sacrifice of the Cross and still refused 

to fill the chalice of our heart with that love;

if we knew how much mercy there was in the Sacrament 

of Penance, and still refused to bend a humble knee to a hand 

that had the power to loose both in heaven and on earth;

if we knew how much life there was in the Eucharist and still 

refused to take of the Bread which makes life everlasting and still 

refused to drink that Wine that produces and enriches virgins;

if we knew of all the truth there is in the Church as the mystical body 

of Christ and still turned our backs to it like other Pilates;

if we knew all these things and still stayed away 

from Christ and His Church, we should be lost! 

It is not wisdom that saves; it is ignorance!  

It is only our ignorance of how good God is 

that excuses us for not being saints!" 

Ven Archbishop Fulton J Sheen
Excerpt from Seven Last Words