Thursday of the Twenty-ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Have another helping of Humble Pie! Most of us don’t like being called weak, or a slave. And I certainly don’t like division; there’s enough of that in today’s politics! Following Jesus is a challenge, whether we’re just starting, or we’ve been doing it for decades. For me, it seems like the hardest part is letting go of my ego, my plans, my belief about how good I am. The epistle, Psalm, and Gospel all invite us to turn toward God more fully, and set aside our pride.
What enslaves you? Are you powerless to avoid picking up your smartphone, or having another drink, or stopping after a modest helping of dessert? Or, quite the opposite: are you unable to say no to the person who needs help? Are you unable to be cross with your spouse or the annoying co-worker? Paul suggests that we are all slaves to something; let that something be righteousness. Our sinful addictions or compulsions bring us death. We cannot overcome them alone. We need the Spirit’s help to set us free. Let our loving God be the thing you can’t say no to. Let it be your sanctification. The Psalm offers a prayer to move us toward righteousness; We don’t have to find it within ourselves. Instead, we can hope in the Lord to change us and transform our hearts. God’s presence, both in solitude and in community can give us the strength we need to be free.
Perhaps this strength is the blazing fire that Jesus speaks of. Our sinful addictions and compulsions are often social. The power of God to transform sin into a Holy Longing for righteousness can be difficult for our friends to understand. ‘Are you too good for the old life?’ they may think. We often think of young adult life and the transition away from drinking and parties, but many of us just trade that behavior for excessive work, internet addictions, shopping, or other distractions. Let us ask our Lord for His blazing heart. May we hope in God, and allow the Spirit to humble us and transform us into ‘slaves of righteousness.’ Amen!
- Chris Nieport