A Nation Going Spiritually Blind

THERE IS ALWAYS AND ANSWER

Although full of political opinions and a student of history, I don't usually provide commentary on current events. However, the recent events this week have brought me to do so, but in a non-political manner. I am thoroughly disgusted at the vitriol that has ravaged our nation and I truly think that we as a people have lost our moral compass. Immigrants, people of color, and religious beliefs are under attack and vilified daily. What is the answer?  For me it can be found in today's Gospel.

I as a person have many spiritual blind spots. Fortunately, through the trials and errors of life and the infinite grace of God I can ask much like Bartimaeus, "Jesus, son of David have pity on me."  I cannot imagine being blind, but having recently been diagnosed with a cataract I have a sense as what it is like as my vision is clouded.  It is so with sin, and hate. It begins with something relatively small, maybe some offhand comment or action. It doesn't seem like much and so it is repeated.

I find that this pattern continues on a daily basis from many people in the public light. What concerns me is that we as a nation have not come to realize our blindness. How can a nation call itself Christian when such vitriol is become common place and normalized? The followers have quashed the voice that says, "repent, reconcile yourself to God, admit your sins and become new again."

IT BEGINS WITH ME

So I begin today by answering Jesus question, "What do you want me to do for you?" "Jesus give me the strength so see my own prejudices, hatred and sin.  Help me love and pray for those who continue to spread hate, divisiveness, and violence against all of your people. Let there be peace in the world and let it begin with me."

I also will begin praying the Divine Mercy Chaplet daily for those I dislike and find hard to love. Addicted the newsfeed on my phone, I will take time instead to pray for those who spread the vitriol across our nation and world.  One prayer at a time, one person at a time.

O blessed Virgin Mary pray for us!

Rambling a Bit: Writer's Block and the Holy Spirit

NEEDING INSPIRATION

I don't always get up on Sundays inspired to write. I like many hit a wall, have writers block, run out of ideas, and sometimes don't even want to think about writing. Consumed by the crazy schedule of one adult child's Sunday soccer games, a recent visit by another child with a one month old baby, and the life of a working adult, writing seems like a chore, but there is something that always inspires me from fellow writers and from what I see as the Holy Spirit moving me to sit down and write. Today was one of those days. I had no intention to write until I read the Mass readings in the Magnificat along with the meditation that accompanied it. The passage was from the bestselling author Vann Voskamp who is a frequent contributor and focused on a conversation about cancer. Paraphrasing the main idea' "cancer cells are known as the cells that only benefit themselves," or as Ann Voskamp states in the final lines, "Cancer is what refuses to die to itself." How beautifully stated.

I then can see that James and John in their worldly aspirations have been infected by this cancer. More importantly I can see that this is also my principal problem as I trudge the road of attempting to live out a Christian life. Being a very driven person and wanting to prove myself to anyone and everyone I don't like the idea of surrendering my ambitions to God. But after hitting so many walls in my drive, I have come to believe that I that very cancer that Ann Voskamp alludes to alive and kicking in me. 

JAMES AND JOHN

My desires and longings are brought to God every morning much like James and John. The conversation goes like this, "God you know that I desire _________ and I have been patient about waiting. How much longer will I have to wait? I know that you know what is best for me and that I don't want to carry the cross of impatience or even the answer no." Then I catch myself. The cancer is spreading again. This all about me. I am not surrendering to the will of God, but putting demands on God. I am not dying to self nor am I acting as if I'm willing to serve.

SERVING OTHERS

Becoming a servant to others is such a foreign concept in our society. I see how people demand service and entitlement. As for myself I can honestly say that taking this attitude has only brought me resentment and anger as I affix unhealthy expectations on people and institutions for things that best serve me.

Conversely I have found greater joy in serving others. There is something about helping those in need. Perhaps it is that the cancer is being treated by the Holy Spirit and there is no longer that self-obsession. The eyes are opened to the needs of others or as Jesus says "the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve (MK 10:35-39)

We have given up everything

AM I REALLY GIVING UP EVERYTHING?

"We have given up everything" Peter exclaims to Jesus after the young man is sent off dejectedly as he is unable to part from his wealth (MK 10:17-30).  This passage always prompts some self-examination. How much material and wealth am I storing up and does it really provide happiness? I also look at those who use the Prosperity Gospel to advocate a life of excessive wealth and wonder have they forgotten that Jesus himself was not rich, that there are starving people everywhere on our streets and in nations around the world,  but let me begin with myself.

So after hearing the readings I begin the inventory process. Here are areas where I fail. As a teacher I dress professionally shirt, tie, slacks. My problem is that I have shirts for at least two weeks of work. I like to vary the combinations, but do I really need all of the shirts?  What else to I have which I don't need? In a culture that is oversaturated with materialism it seems that I need a little of everything.

Is it that Pumpkin Spice at Starbucks? Or that juicy hamburger from In'N'Out? We are told that we need these things and for those whose financial needs allow for them to live comfortably this sometimes comes without much thought. The question is how much should I give up? Afterall I worked hard for my money, spending long hours at work, working overtime, building up my savings over the years. Yet I feel empty.


Paul talks of the word of God penetrating us to the bone (HEB 4:12-13) Nothing he says is able to escape it. So I must stand naked in front of my maker and render an account. What will I say about the time that I withheld from giving a homeless man a jacket that he needed more than I as he shivered on cold winter morning? And all those shirts and extra pairs of running shoes?  And the money stored up for a comfortable retirement, a dream trip, college tuition for the children, and the grandchild.

THE QUESTION

So how is that a sinner like myself can be saved? God always provides a way out. Perhaps it is the first reading from Wisdom (7:7-11). Praying for the wisdom on how to use the gifts that God has blessed me with; a well-paying job, reasonable health and mind. It is here that I can look at how to give, it is here that I a sinner give up my right to control that which I has been given to me by graces of God. Allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me in the process and not depending on my own devices to decide. Much like the author of Wisdom, I have found that all good things come to me even though I may not immediately recognize the graces that have been bestowed upon me. It is here that I can give everything up and follow Jesus with my own cross knowing that He has walked this path before and will walk it again.