Seeking to do good, rather than evil, as we are instructed in today’s first reading from the prophet Amos, seems as though it would be an easy enough task for us to follow. Still, the struggle occurs daily. The news brings word of new evils each day. Furthermore, among the faithful confusion exists over exactly what is the nature of the good that we are to do.
An interesting correlation exists between the commandment to do good and the problem with evil, as Paul expresses in Romans 7:19. Regardless of how much good we want to do, we end up doing that which is not good. It appears as though we do not know the difference between good and evil.
Yesterday afternoon, while taking a moment to read comments on various topics in Catholic blogs, I reflected on the seemingly continual presence of rancor and discord. Most often the disagreements and ill feelings arise over conflicting views on holding the correct opinion. Interestingly, the word orthodox means "right opinion."
It is unfortunate to find the most glaring and divisive attitudes among those who claim to be serving God in a fashion that is correct above and beyond what others do and believe. The problem is that rather than being led by the Holy Spirit, we often allow ourselves to be driven by the host of ideologies that serve as substitutes for true instruction in the ways of God.
On the whole we crave decisive direction in our lives, but all the while we ignore it completely when it is given. Again, this brings us back to Paul's problem of our doing evil when we know to do the good. Nevertheless, we are in fact able to take control, and thus allow “justice to surge like water, and goodness like an unfailing stream.”
I am reminded here of the conversation of Jesus with the Samaritan woman at the well, in particular where he proclaims in John 4:14 that the water he gives will become a spring welling up to eternal life. It is by yielding to Jesus that we overcome the most difficult and stubborn of issues, not just in our lives personally but in a way that addresses the societal issues we face. Paradoxically, we take control by yielding to Jesus and letting go.
Today’s readings end with the narrative of Jesus driving out the demons into the herd of swine (Mt. 8:28-34). From the gospel we see that when we yield completely to the power of Jesus, the other powers, those that bind and control us, those that inhibit our ability to see and do the good, become meaningless. They rush away from us to a place where they cloud the skies no longer.
However, as with the people of the town who begged Jesus to leave, whether fed by fear or other motives, there will always be those who prefer things the way they are – those who feed on discord, ill will, and enslavement to the powers that be – but as the Lord proclaims in Psalm 50:23, “To the upright I will show the saving power of God.”
Comments