My theory is that people very often know the right thing to do, but they just don't want to do it. It's happened to each of us at one point or another. This week's Gospel reading, I think, reflects that.
The Gospel reading is Luke 3:10-18. Different groups of people are approaching John the Baptist and asking him how they are supposed to lead their lives. The tax collectors ask what they are supposed to do: John tells them not to collect more than is prescribed. The soldiers ask what they should do: John tells them not to extort people. The answers are so obvious, I have to ask whether the tax collectors and soldiers didn't already know the answers. "Q: Hey, should I keep harming innocent people? A: Nah, I've got a better idea; don't harm innocent people."
What's the point? Two things, I think. One, trust your instinct as to what the right thing to do is. The Golden Rule is still the best way to judge our own actions, and I think that we are pretty good at applying that rule to get to the right choices. And two, don't ask God what to do when you already know the right answer. In life, there are plenty of incredibly difficult situations where it's hard to know whether to do A or B: I think prayer is a good approach there. But we probably shouldn't ask God what to do when we already know the answer. If we do, maybe we're not really praying; maybe we are just looking for a rationalization of the wrong decision.
Peace be with you.
- The Older Brother
This reflection on John the Baptist's sermon summarizes a lot of Christian morality and ethics. Did John say to the Tax Collectors: "Go Home, no more collection, please." No! Surely tax collection is necessary to uphold and maintain an orderly society. And what about the many jobs - which in turn will put table on many families - of the tax people? In Latin there's a saying: Virtus in medio stat". JB was middle-ground standing practical prophet!
ReplyDeleteAlphonse M Bernard, New York.