Daily Retreat 02/07/08
2008 Feb 7 Thu: Thursday after Ash Wednesday
Dt 30: 15-20/ Ps 1: 1-2. 3. 4 and 6/ Lk 9: 22-25
From today’s readings: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding His voice, and holding fast to Him.... Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked.... If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
Free Will
Much has been said about the irresponsible “victim” mentality that has become tragically popular as more and more people, reluctant to face up to personal responsibility, simply blame others for the various messes in their lives by invoking the latest version of the slacker’s refrain: “It’s not my fault - I’m just a victim of circumstances!”
Such a mindset is the perfect anesthetic to quiet a disturbed conscience. If I can just blame my bad actions on my upbringing, or environment, or lack of opportunity, well, then I can continue ploughing ahead in my selfish pursuits without ever needing to apologize, make amends, or reform my life.
But such a distortion of life is antithetical to every page of the Bible. Since God created us with free will, each one of us must face the consequences of our choices, and take responsibility for our actions. The first psalm, the speech of Moses recorded in the book of Deuteronomy, and Christ’s frank presentation of the demands of discipleship all outline the essential central choice of life: turning toward God, or turning away from Him (a.k.a. “sinning”).
In order to get any spiritual benefit from the penitential season of Lent, you and I must begin by clearly realizing and admitting the ways that our own free choices have turned us away from God. By avoiding the temptation to blame our bad choices on other people or on circumstances beyond our control, after owning up to personal responsibility, we’re then in a position to examine and accept what Jesus offers as the solution to sin.
Dt 30: 15-20/ Ps 1: 1-2. 3. 4 and 6/ Lk 9: 22-25
From today’s readings: “I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live, by loving the LORD, your God, heeding His voice, and holding fast to Him.... Blessed the man who follows not the counsel of the wicked.... If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
Free Will
Much has been said about the irresponsible “victim” mentality that has become tragically popular as more and more people, reluctant to face up to personal responsibility, simply blame others for the various messes in their lives by invoking the latest version of the slacker’s refrain: “It’s not my fault - I’m just a victim of circumstances!”
Such a mindset is the perfect anesthetic to quiet a disturbed conscience. If I can just blame my bad actions on my upbringing, or environment, or lack of opportunity, well, then I can continue ploughing ahead in my selfish pursuits without ever needing to apologize, make amends, or reform my life.
But such a distortion of life is antithetical to every page of the Bible. Since God created us with free will, each one of us must face the consequences of our choices, and take responsibility for our actions. The first psalm, the speech of Moses recorded in the book of Deuteronomy, and Christ’s frank presentation of the demands of discipleship all outline the essential central choice of life: turning toward God, or turning away from Him (a.k.a. “sinning”).
In order to get any spiritual benefit from the penitential season of Lent, you and I must begin by clearly realizing and admitting the ways that our own free choices have turned us away from God. By avoiding the temptation to blame our bad choices on other people or on circumstances beyond our control, after owning up to personal responsibility, we’re then in a position to examine and accept what Jesus offers as the solution to sin.
posted by FrPitstick | 2/05/2008
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