Whoever causes ...

DRIVING THE ROAD OF LIFE

We all know the passage well especially as parents, "Whoever causes these little ones who believe in me to sin..." It makes one feel as if we are under the microscope all the time.  If one thinks about it we are in a sense. For those of us who have trained out children to drive this readily apparent. I remember that once I started this process I was extremely sensitive to how I reacted to erratic drivers. All I could think of was my children have been watching me, will they pick up the same habits I sometimes demonstrate of anger and rage.  This also applies to life in general.

AT OUR BEST AND WORST

It is sometimes easy to forget that our children are watching us all the time whether is be in our consumption of goods, in my case occasional uses of profanity when I am angry, judgement and condemnation of those I don't agree with, and the list goes on. Even though my own children are adults now, they are still watching.  I personally don't want to face the moment when I ask the children about a certain behavior, and I get the response "that is what you do."  I would prefer that my children see me in moments of restraint, in prayer, morning silence, charity and the like.


In the second reading (JAS 5:1-6)James talks of the wealthy and their impending misery. Once again I am aware of how my children watch and how I react to money. If I make money the end all and am in the constant search of pleasure my children see that and likewise begin to think that money buys everything including anxiety, and the unfulfilling desire to have more. However, if my children see that I use restraint and am generous with what I have been blessed with, my hope is they will do the same.

AND FINALLY 

I read this past week a blog post from author Christopher West who took today's gospel passage “And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. Better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into Gehenna.” Modern adaptation: “If your iPhone causes you to sin, throw it away. If your laptop causes you to sin, get rid of it.”  There could not be a better adaptation. Besides the obvious implications of his translation, one must also look at the time we use with our devices. Is it causing us to disconnect from the responsibilities of parenting? Are we lost in the addictive cycle of negative news and other trivial events? I struggle with wanting to know the latest in the neverending news cycle. But really, how much of that is a benefit to me? Does it cause me to become agitated, judgemental and condemning? And can my time be better spent? Yes, yes and yes. For today I choose life in Christ and to be an example of this life to my children even though they are adults. 

From today's Psalm R. (9a) The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
the decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
Though your servant is careful of them,
very diligent in keeping them,
yet who can detect failings?
Cleanse me from my unknown faults!
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.
From wanton sin especially, restrain your servant;
let it not rule over me.
Then shall I be blameless and innocent
of serious sin. 
R. The precepts of the Lord give joy to the heart.

Which Seed Am I?

FINDING MEANING

I have always enjoyed reading the passage of the sower and the seed (LK 8:4). For many years it was nothing more than another passage. But after years of being the seed that fell among thorns it became more meaningful. However, I never put together that I was each of the seeds at any given time during the course of the day. 

THOSE ON THE PATH

As I alluded to I have this passage for many years. I can attest that I was the seed on the path. Although I heard the word it was quickly taken away. I felt that I could never be saved in my sinful state. Thus the seed was eaten up as soon as it hit the ground of my inner being. There was no need for me to try to listen for I was in a hopeless state of sin. "What is the use?" The birds flocked all around me and plucked away at me. 

THE ROCKY GROUND

Later I would take to actually listening to the word. It made some 

sense to me, but once beyond the doors of the church and the world of temptation, it too became withered and quickly burned up for I had no spiritual foundation. The world was more appealing anyway. Why would I want to actually take time to develop a spiritual foundation.That was too much work and required nourishment which I shied away from. 

THORNS

Thorns are a true pain. For those that hike through the countryside or through mountains, getting cut up is part of the journey. For myself the venture outside to the lemon tree which so abundantly provides us fruit is also an adventure. Reaching into the tree for that perfect lemon, can also result in receiving a nasty prick. Such is the seed that fall among the thorns. It begins to grow, but is soon entangled by the thorns of anxiety, pleasures, and the desire to be comfortable. Each one of these pierces the individual,  drawing attention to their needs to conform to the world. Much like the disciples who while walking with through Galilee with Jesus and who although followed Jesus teachings were dismayed by his proclamation that he would handed over and killed (MK 9 30-37). Instead of accepting this they began discussing who would be first falling prey to the human ambition to be recognized and important.  I personally find this a challenge on a daily basis. I want to be seen, to be acknowledged for my "good works." But who am I serving? The human need to fulfill this desire is quickly overcome with the thorns of the bramble and the action no longer is about serving God, but oneself. The seed that was once a healthy plant is strangled and gradually dies. 

RICH SOIL

God always provide a road out of the abyss if one truly seeks it. The seed that falls on the rich soil as it full of the proper nutrients and is watered well will become a healthy plant and bear fruit. Being a gardener this resonates profoundly with me. The soil nutrients are the sacraments, prayer, meditation, and fasting and the water is  the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides me to perform good works, to serve others, and to accept suffering through perseverance. I hope that the fruit I bear is not that of the lemon tree, but that of the apple; sweet, juicy, and delightful. 

THE CROSS

Daily I must bear the cross of being a fallen human being. At times I am the seed on rocky ground, hearing God's word, but quickly forgetting. Thus I become scorched without any roots. It seems that my spiritual foundation is far away and I am cast out without an anchor. Other times, choked by  anxieties and ambitions I wander aimlessly into the world and quickly die, falling trap to greed, the desire to please, to fill my empty soul. Paul states in Romans 7, "What I do, I do not understand. For I do not do what I want, but I do what I hate." But thanks be to God I am rooted in the word therefore I find hope.