Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor of the Church
Today’s first reading seemed a little confusing to me. I had to use my imagination a bit, asking, ‘what were they complaining about? The yes, the no, or that there seemed to be a bunch of yes’s and no’s?’ I can’t say for sure what Paul and the Corinthian Church were talking about, but maybe they were frustrated with the burdens of a faith in conflict with the larger culture. Romans sacrificed animals to their gods at lavish festivals, had all sorts of sinful sexual habits, and worked seven days a week because they didn’t have a Sabbath. To them, Christians must have looked like lazy people who can’t do anything fun.
Do you feel like your life is a long list of “have to’s?” I have to pay bills, have to spend time with these people, have to do those chores, have to go to church, have to help out my sick parents or kids… It’s easy to approach our responsibilities this way, especially the ones that we believe come from God. I have to love my spouse, have to be honest at work, have to give to charity… Is God the creator of the ultimate “Honey-do” list? Does it wear you out, always having to say no to whatever your favorite vice is: gossip, drinking or eating too much, pornography, or selfishness? Does God just want a people to do his bidding?
Paul definitely preaches against vice, but I think in today’s first reading, he’s saying that Christianity’s ultimate purpose is not about the “no,” or the “thou shalt not.” What we have in our relationship with Christ is “the Spirit in our Hearts…” Is the Holy Spirit begrudgingly doing the work of the Father throughout the universe?
Then why do we sometimes feel that way about our obligations?
As I wrestle with this question in my own heart, the Spirit is prompting me to say “Yes” to the fullness of Christ’s loving plan for my life. It doesn’t mean “no fun,” but instead, “holy fun,” the kind that doesn’t have morning-after consequences. It doesn’t mean slogging through my responsibilities or grumbling about how much of ‘my’ time and money I have to spend on this or that. Instead, it means doing what God has generously enabled me to do for myself and others, with the Spirit’s strength. What if we prayed each morning, “God, today I want to spend myself for your will, and not for mine…?” And, what if after praying that prayer, we were really willing to let go of our plan for the day, and let God’s plan take over? It’s not about the ‘no.’ It’s about the ‘yes!’
God said yes to us while we were still sinners. God’s love isn’t conditional- Jesus wants to spend time with you and I, no matter what shenanigans we’re up to, or how sour our mood is. That kind of love is energizing! We are always witnessing to our faith; does your witness seem light, delightfully salty, and Spirit –strengthened? Or is it a witness of ‘Our Lady of Perpetual Responsibility,’ as Garrison Keeler jokingly says on the radio? Does your faith have you high on a mountain, or down in the dumps? God has been so good to us; Jesus has loved us and blessed us so abundantly. We have in the Spirit a reason to smile and be happy. May we cheerfully and generously say yes to the divine will for our lives!
-Chris Nieport