Memorial of Saint Clare, Virgin
The United States began by declaring independence from the King of England; it’s hard to criticize rebellion when it’s the reason we exist as we do. Of course, we could all agree that there’s a time and place to rebel, and the rest of the time we need to obey those who have authority. The trouble is, the one who decides whether authority is legitimate is the individual, and individuals have a way of making all sorts of decisions that are unpredictable and incorrect. Pride, one of the most dangerous sins, is at the root of Rebellion, and that vice is what today’s readings speak against.
Ezekiel, like most prophets, has trouble getting God’s people to listen to his warnings and change their ways. It’s no different today. People usually don’t want to change. I don’t want to, and neither do you! “Lamentation and wailing and woe!” sounds like what I hear when I train people at work on a new process, or challenge a friend to stop a sinful habit. But the conversion that God is calling us to is sweet. It will fill our bellies and hearts and minds. It satisfies in ways that the material world and human relationships cannot. So what stops you from conversation? Is it simply that you’re stubborn, or is there fear behind it? Maybe you, like me, have some pride about the way you act. I try hard to do the right thing, and I don’t appreciate someone (even the Spirit of Love) telling me I’m actually doing wrong. This Pride is a sin, and I need to repent from it. Maybe you do too. Our good Lord is always prodding us and encouraging us in the life of holiness; may we listen for the call to conversation, and pray our way through the roadblocks and sins that stop us from tasting its sweetness.
Children are naturally good at this. They are always changing; their bodies and minds are expanding, responsibilities increase with age, and deep down, they know they need adults to tell them what to do. What a blessing it would be if you and I always felt the same way about God! Instead, we figure things out on our own, and we make our little plans. But look at our world! Collectively, we are CLEARLY not very good at solving all these problems. In reality, I’m lucky if I can keep the grass cut. We need some child-like humility. We need to approach God in prayer, ready to accept that our plans may be rearranged. We may be asked to do things we don’t want to do. Kids know all about that. May we be more like children. Today, let’s ask God to give us child-like, humble hearts.
-Chris Nieport