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.