Monday, March 12, 2012

Moral Fences

There is an abundance of injustice in this world.  Starving children, victims of abuse, loss of jobs on the one hand. The other toxic side includes adultery, fraud, or those calumniating faith in God. (Note:  Calumniate is a word in the Litany of Humility I posted a while ago and I pray every morning.  It means to make false or malicious statements. I am using it today because I always forget what it means and am determined to remember it!).  The media, celebrities, and even those in our own prayer groups or churches are quick to raise up their moral fences and speak out about all the injustice.  But what about their own behavior?  What about the injustices they create by judging right or wrong? Good or evil?  We have celebrities promoting liberal agendas and then ending up in rehab.  Do we really want to develop our views of this country and/or world based on how famous, rich or cool someone is?  They have their own demons to fight. Can we be angry with those feeding starving children in Africa when we have our own starving children here in the U.S.?  No, we can't.  Like my mother always said, keep your hands to yourself.


In today's Gospel (Lk 4:24-30), we see how the truth hurts:


Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth:
"Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place. Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah when the sky was closed for three and a half years and a severe famine spread over the entire land. It was to none of these that Elijah was sent, but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon. Again, there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet; yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built, to hurl him down headlong. But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

Followers of Christ, please do not set aside your morals for the popular vote. Concentrate on what the Bible teaches us.  Focus on Jesus.  

In Anne a lay apostle's book Climbing the Mountain, she precisely describes the importance of obedience:

“The real risk of separation from God should inspire all apostles to pray for perseverance. The safest way to proceed is in all obedience to God through His Church on earth. If we look closely, we will see that each decision against the Church, however small in appearance at the onset, can lead to another bigger and potentially more consequential decision later. For example, most abortions begin not at the pregnancy, but at the decision to pursue impure acts with another. Some will defend their actions by stating that while they respect the Church, they view some Church directives as over the top or unnecessarily strict. Indeed, compared to the licentiousness encouraged by the modern world, much of what the Church asks may be considered too strict. We must take each moral teaching and follow it all the way down to its furthest possible consequence if ignored. Church positions then make more sense and can be viewed in truth as protective in nature, as opposed to restrictive. Love of God begins with, at least, a respect for the necessity of obedience.”

In the past, I made excuses for immoral behavior to justify my actions.  Now, the more obedient I become to Christ and His Church, the more protected and loved I feel.  I promise, Jesus is VERY forgiving while you practice becoming obedient.  We all take two steps forward and then three steps backward along the way.  Thank God He is always there to propel us forward again!

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me how important obedience to You and Your Church are in providing comfort and protection for my soul.  I am never alone!

God bless,
Bonnie



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